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Conservation groups press for permanent reserves in state wildlife lands; hunters and agencies warn of management tradeoffs
Summary
H.1048, a bill to designate 30 percent of state wildlife management lands as permanent reserves, drew support from climate and conservation groups and caution from wildlife managers and hunting organizations that said the proposal could limit necessary habitat and population management tools.
Conservation advocates, scientists and forestry‑network witnesses came to the committee with sharply differing views on H.1048, a bill that would designate roughly 30 percent of Massachusetts Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) as permanent reserves.
Conservation and climate arguments
- Witnesses from environmental organizations and climate coalitions argued reserves permanently protect intact forests that sequester carbon, reduce flood and heat impacts and preserve habitat and biodiversity. Several scientific witnesses said allowing forests to mature is an effective near‑term climate mitigation strategy; one researcher said “the…
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