December 17, 2024 Notice of Public Hearing & Opportunity to Submit Comments

A PDF version of this Public Meeting Notice is available below in alternative languages (Español -- Tiếng Việt -- Chinese -- Kreyòl Ayisyen -- Português) 

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will hold a public hearing on proposed new regulations authorized by chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, An Act to Preserve Open Space in the Commonwealth. The proposed regulations, 301 CMR 52.00: Disposition or Change in Use of Article 97 Interests, are required by the Act and provide procedures and requirements for proposals to change the use or dispose of land or interests in land subject to Article 97 of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth. EEA is seeking public comment on the proposed regulations. 

A copy of the proposed regulations is available on the EEA website at Article 97 & An Act Preserving Open Space in the Commonwealth (M.G.L. c. 3, § 5A) | Mass.gov. Copies may also be obtained by sending an email to Michael.gendron2@mass.gov.

EEA will hold a hybrid in-person and virtual public hearing on these regulations at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The in-person hearing will be held in the large meeting room at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters at 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581.

Registration is required to obtain access to the virtual hearing room, which will be provided via Zoom. To register, go to: link. There is no requirement to register in advance of the hearing to attend; registration and access to the hearing is available both prior to and during the meeting until it has ended.

Simultaneous oral translation will be provided at the hearing through the virtual hearing room.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-872-3270, and an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much detail as possible and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least two weeks (14 days) advance notice. Last minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.  

Testimony may be presented orally at the public hearing or in writing. EEA will consider written comments that are received by 5:00pm on December 23, 2024. EEA encourages electronic submission of written comments to Michael.gendron2@mass.gov. Please refer to 301 CMR 52 in the subject line. Written comments may also be mailed to: Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Attn: Michael Gendron, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114.