Senator Eldridge Announces Passage of Public Lands Protection Act (PLPA) by Senate
Bill based upon Article 97 of Massachusetts Constitution passed ahead of Earth Day
Boston, MA – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) is pleased to announce that the State Senate has passed S. 2820, an Act preserving open space in the Commonwealth. The bill, often known as the Public Lands Protection Act (PLPA), builds upon Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, putting into statute the current state policy that there be no net loss of lands protected under Article 97. Senator Eldridge has been the lead sponsor of the bill since he first joined the Senate in 2009, taking on the bill from his predecessor, former State Senator Pam Resor (D-Acton).
Public land is critical to Massachusetts residents’ quality of life and equitable access to recreation, hiking, and exercise, plays a key role in combating climate change, and is critical to Massachusetts being a destination state for tourism, and for visitors from across the nation. The Public Land Protection Act helps safeguard public lands for future generations as development pressures increase across the Commonwealth.
“I am very proud to join my Senate colleagues in passing this bill to safeguard public lands for future generations,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “I’m grateful to Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair, Michael J. Rodrigues, and Senate Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Chair, Rebecca L. Rausch, for all of their hard work on this bill.”
“We are extremely grateful to Senator Eldridge for his long-time support of the bill and his eloquent speech on the merits of preserving open space in Massachusetts. We also want to recognize the support by Representative Ruth Balser for work on the House companion bill, and the incredible dedication and support from environmental coalitions, conservation commissions, and municipal leaders across the Commonwealth that worked hard to support this bill,” said Dorothy McGlincy, executive director of Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). “We look forward to the final bill so that Article 97 lands will be protected for future generations.”
“Every year, more and more public lands get taken out of protection with little recourse. The Sierra Club has long supported the Public Lands Protection Act, which provides safeguards for our parks, playgrounds, conservation lands, forests, and watersheds,” said Jessica Nahigian, Political and Legislative Coordinator at Sierra Club. “We are deeply grateful to Representative Balser and Senator Eldridge for their leadership and look forward to a final bill that includes enhanced protections from the House.”
“Securing passage of this bill has been a long-time priority for the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition, which represents over 130 non-profit land trusts that work diligently to conserve parks and conservation land in communities across the Commonwealth,” said Robb Johnson, executive director of Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MassLand). “We thank Senator Eldridge and Representative Balser for their steadfast leadership on this issue and look forward to final votes soon on a bill that incorporates the best elements of the House and Senate versions that have now passed.”
“The Public Lands Preservation Act is a critical tool to protecting our public lands and ensuring they are available for generations to come. We are so grateful to the State Senate for passing the PLPA and now look forward to the conference committee process to ensure the final bill is as strong as possible,” said Emily Norton, Executive Director, Charles River Watershed Association.
Protecting public land is vitally important, and any loss has a direct impact on those who rely on open space lands. Throughout the COVID-19 shutdowns, public lands became an important part of everyday life for Massachusetts residents looking to exercise, spend socially-distanced time with their loved ones, and care for their mental and physical health during a time of great stress.
Public land encourages recreation and tourism as well as wildlife biodiversity and habitat. As municipalities work with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) to establish no net loss during transfers and changes in the use of protected lands, the act will codify and add transparency to the entire process.
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