The Dover Amendment in Massachusetts, the only state with such a law, allows some non-profit institutions to circumvent local natural resource zoning and wetland bylaw protections. Created 69 years ago, it is time to update this law to reflect changes in conservation thinking. We support Amendment H.1765, which will update the Dover Amendment so that future real estate and construction projects must adhere to local zoning bylaws and conservation restrictions. We urge the Members of the Joint Committee of Municipalities and Regional Government to move this important Amendment to a vote.
Why is this important?
Massachusetts is the only state with the Dover Amendment, which allows some non-profits to be exempt from local natural resource zoning and wetlands protections ordinances. It makes no sense that land owners undertaking real estate and construction projects should be exempt from local zoning rules that would restrict any other property owner from building in an environmentally sensitive area. Let's pass Amendment H.1765! This important legislation will help protect our ecosystems across the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
