SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1209        FILED ON: 2/12/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 558

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Adam G. Hinds

_________________

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 public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Adam G. Hinds

Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden

 

Joseph A. Boncore

First Suffolk and Middlesex

3/26/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1209        FILED ON: 2/12/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 558

By Mr. Hinds, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 558) of Adam G. Hinds and Joseph A. Boncore for legislation to protect public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth.  Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 486 OF 2019-2020.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act to protect public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth.

 

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. Chapter 23J of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 6 the following new section:-

Section 6A. Statewide plan for protecting carbon sequestration in public and private woodlands and woodlots

The Center shall undertake a study of public and private woodlands and woodlots in the Commonwealth to measure the aggregate amount of carbon sequestered in said woodlands and woodlots in the trees, roots and soil.  Within 240 days of said study’s completion, the Center shall develop and implement a comprehensive statewide plan for the protection of both public and private woodlands and woodlots that shall include policies for maintaining, enhancing and protecting the carbon sequestered.  The Center shall also work in collaboration with the Executive Office of Energy and the Environment to establish policies and procedures where the aggregate amount of the annual estimate of carbon sequestered in public and private woodlands and woodlots shall be included as part of the Commonwealth’s climate change goals and renewable energy targets, and carbon emission reduction goals as provided in the Green Communities Act.