SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1053        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 345

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Cynthia S. Creem

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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 the Commonwealth's hemlock trees.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Cynthia S. Creem

 


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1053        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 345

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 345) of Cynthia S. Creem for legislation to protect the Commonwealth's hemlock trees.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act to protect the Commonwealth's hemlock trees.

 

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. Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs is hereby authorized and directed to conduct a study relative to the health and stability of the Commonwealth's population of hemlock trees.  Said study shall examine the impact of the wooly adelgid insect on the viability of our hemlock trees and assess the threat posed by other environmental factors to the health of said trees, and shall determine the effects of the current infestation by the wooly adelgid insect and other environmental hazards on the Commonwealth's ecosystems and economy, and shall assess the potential cost to the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth's cities and towns of managing the effects of the wooly adelgid infestation.  Said study shall also include any recommendations relative to combating threats to the Commonwealth's hemlock trees and a course of action for the Commonwealth's agencies and legislature to implement said recommendations.

                The results of said study shall be submitted to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the House and Senate Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture no later than six months from the enactment of this act.