HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1342 FILED ON: 1/20/2011
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1834
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
James M. Murphy
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to protect and preserve family camping in Massachusetts.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: | Date Added: |
James M. Murphy | 4th Norfolk | 1/20/2011 |
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1342 FILED ON: 1/20/2011
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1834
By Mr. Murphy of Weymouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1834) of James M. Murphy that the Department of Environmental Protection be directed to make an investigation and study relative to the improvement and preservation of family campgrounds in the Commonwealth. Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 789 OF 2009-2010.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven
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An Act to protect and preserve family camping in Massachusetts.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Whereas, the land and waters within the Commonwealth have distinct natural, architectural, archeological, recreational, economic, agricultural and other values;
Whereas, The obligation to protect the many valuable resources of the Commonwealth is shared by local, regional, state and national governments, civic organizations, businesses and the general public;
Whereas, such resources can only be protected by effective planning designed to bring about the coordination and cooperation among the various levels of government, the private sector, and the general public concerning land use decisions and planning for responsible and sustainable development in a manner that protects both the environment and the economic well-being of the Commonwealth;
Whereas; The common good of the Commonwealth is served by promoting responsible and sustainable development and protecting open space;
Whereas; tourism is an integral component of the Commonwealth’s economy and family camping is a significant segment of the tourism market bringing families from all over the country as well as from many other nations;
Whereas; the family camping experience is endangered as a result of significant economic and developmental pressures;
It is hereby resolved, That in order to protect and preserve the great family camping vacation experience within the Commonwealth the Department of Environmental Protection shall conduct a study and report back to the Legislature by December 31, 2010 with a comprehensive review and action plan which will be conducted with input from the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Said action plan shall present matters of vital interest that need to be addressed as well as a provide a legislative and regulatory framework that may be required to be undertaken in order to effectively protect and preserve family camping in the Commonwealth.