H1052 — An Act accelerating wetlands restoration

Summary

An Act accelerating wetlands restoration

Bill Text

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The bill streamlines and modifies the permitting process for ecological restoration projects, introduces pilot programs for nature-based solutions, and exempts certain dredge or fill activities from permitting requirements.

• Section 18 of chapter 91

  No license or permit shall be required for dredge or fill, as defined by the department, as part of work to restore tidelands, including salt marshes; provided that such a project is permitted by the department or local issuing authority pursuant to section 40 of chapter 131 and applicable regulations; and provided further, that such a project does not impair public access or navigation and does not involve placement of a structure.

  This permits certain restoration work without the need for a license or permit.

• Section 40 of chapter 131

  The notice of intention required in the first paragraph of this section shall not apply to targeted hand removal of invasive, non-native plants from resource areas.

  This exempts specific plant removal activities from the notice of intention requirement.

• The secretary of energy and environmental affairs shall undertake a Wetlands Restoration Streamlining Initiative to improve the efficiency and reduce permitting and monitoring costs for ecological restoration projects as defined in 310 CMR 10.04.

  This initiative aims to streamline the permitting process for ecological restoration projects.

• The executive office of energy and environmental affairs shall establish a pilot program for research activities and demonstration projects for nature-based solutions, as defined in section 1 of chapter 21N of the General Laws.

  This creates a new pilot program to promote research and demonstration of nature-based solutions.

• Not later than one year from the effective date of this Act, and annually thereafter, the secretary shall file a report... that: (i) details the categories of nature-based solutions; (ii) analyzes the approval time for all permits required for each approved research activity or demonstration project; (iii) specifies any specific performance standards modified for each approved research activity or project; and (iv) provides data about the effectiveness of each approved research activity or project.

  This mandates annual reporting to evaluate the pilot program's effectiveness.

Sponsors

• Dawne Shand · Primary

Subjects