321 CMR 11.03 - Nature Preserve Council

(1) Membership. The Council shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the Secretary of EOEEA, four of whom shall be members of the Nongame Advisory Committee, two of whom shall be trained in plant ecology and shall represent colleges, universities, primary and secondary schools, outdoor education programs, science museums, and arboreta, and one of whom shall be knowledgeable in natural history and shall represent the general public. Each member shall be appointed for a term of three years, except as otherwise provided in M.G.L. c. 131 § 10B. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for remainder of the unexpired term. Any member shall be eligible for reappointment. The Council shall annually select from among its members a chairperson.

(2) Associate Members. The Commissioners of DCR and the Secretary of EOEEA may each appoint up to two associate members to the Council. Such associate members shall serve in an advisory role only.

(3) Division Personnel. Because the Division is the agency with direct statutory authority over the Nature Preserve System personnel from DFW may be present at all meetings of the Nature Preserve Council.

(4) Meetings. The Council shall hold meetings at least once every three months. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson and shall be called upon written request of at least two members of the Council. Each member and associate member shall be notified of the time and place of each meeting by the Division at the request of the chairperson at least two days prior to the date scheduled for said meeting. Meetings are governed by the open meeting law, M.G.L. c. 30A, § 11A½

(5) Duties. The Council's duties shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) advising the Division on policies, rules, regulations, and forms relative to nature preserves;

(b) receiving nominations, providing preliminary evaluations of the qualifications of nominated areas, and consulting with managing agencies and the Division about nominated areas;

(c) assisting in the preparation of a protection plan for each nature preserve;

(d) evaluating research performed on nature preserves;

(e) advising the Division on budgetary matters concerning nature preserves;

(f) recommending changes to 321 CMR 11.00 or to specific articles of dedication;

(g) implementing a periodic review of the Nature Preserve System and its components and recommending additional types of natural communities or natural areas for inclusion; and

(h) submitting a biennial report to the governor on or before May first of odd numbered years, describing the condition of each nature preserve, outlining any actions taken by the Council since the last report, and making any recommendations related to the nature preserve program which the Council deems appropriate.

Notes

321 CMR 11.03

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1320, eff. 8/26/2016.