Take Action to Protect Open Space in Massachusetts

We need your help NOW to pass these important bills on Beacon Hill:

Two of the Campaign's top legislative priorities - the Public Lands Preservation Act (S.2388) and the Land Conservation Tax Incentives (H.799) are in the House Committee on Ways and Means and the July 31st end of the legislative session is fast approaching!Contact your state representative TODAY and ask him/her to show support for S. 2388 and H. 799 by urging House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) to bring these two important bills to the House floor for a vote.

Public Lands Preservation Act, S. 2388

Massachusetts suffers a continual loss of open space, including public open space. Article 97 of the state constitution protects public land acquired for "natural resource purposes" (e.g., parks, conservation land, watershed). The reality is that the legislature routinely authorizes the transfer of city, town, or state lands "protected" by Article 97 into other uses, such as building sites. S. 2388 would strengthen Article 97 by requiring analysis of Article 97 land transfers before they happen, including alternatives analysis and replacement with comparable land. Text of S. 2388

Land Conservation Tax Incentives, H. 799

An Act Relative to Tax Credits for Conservation (H. 799) would give new financial incentives for property owners to conserve their land, enabling private and public conservation partners to make financially attractive offers on top priority preservation sites. It has cleared the Revenue Committee and is now in the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Nearly 60% of undeveloped land in the Bay State is privately owned and unprotected. In the Taunton River Watershed, roughly 87% of the 93,000 acres of core, sustaining habitat for rare species is currently unprotected. Many acres are lost daily to poorly planned development.

To ensure the preservation of our most critical natural resources, the state must employ a variety of tools, from improved local zoning and increased capital investments in land protection, to enhanced tax incentives for voluntary land donations by private land owners. Text of H. 799

Take Action Now! Please ask your state representative to contact Chairman Robert A. DeLeo of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and urge him and his committee to report H. 799 and S. 2388 out favorably now.

Thank you for your help!

Interesting Reading on Dollars for Open Space, the upcoming Casino debate, and changes to CPA

August 12th Boston Sunday Globe has three opinion pieces you don't want to miss:

Editorial applauding Governor Patrick's pledge to spend $50 Million a year in the next five on protecting farms, open space and creating new parks.

Joan Venocchi's column on the key role in casino gambling decision that will be played by House Speaker Sal DiMasi

Guest column on the success of the Community Preservation Act by Bob Durand (who helped pass the law while he was Secretary of Environmental Affairs) and Jay Ash, Chelsea City Manager.

Each of these issues needs your support - and the support of your state senators and representatives. Stay involved and communicate with your local officials on the importance of protecting our watersed!