SENATE DOCKET, NO. 947        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 396

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Viriato M. deMacedo

_________________

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 relative to protecting, preserving, and increasing access to family camping.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Viriato M. deMacedo

Plymouth and Barnstable

Elizabeth A. Poirier

14th Bristol

Robert L. Hedlund

Plymouth and Norfolk

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Second Hampden and Hampshire

Bruce E. Tarr

First Essex and Middlesex


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 947        FILED ON: 1/15/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 396

By Mr. deMacedo, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 396) of Viriato M. deMacedo, Elizabeth A. Poirier, Robert L. Hedlund, Donald F. Humason, Jr. and others relative to protecting, preserving, and increasing access to family camping.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 683 OF 2013-2014.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

 

An Act relative to protecting, preserving, and increasing access to family camping.

 

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 general or special law to the contrary, the division of state parks and recreation shall, within six months of the passage of this act, revise existing rules and regulations and promulgate rules and regulations to: increase access to camping by encouraging and facilitating the growth of Massachusetts campgrounds, while aiming to simultaneously protect public health, safety and the environment. The division shall revise regulations pertaining to septic flow, volume discharge, greywater, land size, and approved chemical additives to accurately reflect the circumstances associated with seasonal use campgrounds so as to not unnecessarily hinder campground expansion and user access. In revising and promulgating rules and regulations, the division shall consult with interest groups including, but not limited to the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners and the Massachusetts Camping Association.