To avoid double counting acres where multiple programs contributed to the acquisition of a single parcel, the parcel acreage is only aggregated under the program that provided the majority of funding. For example, if the chart displays a dollar amount greater than $0, but also shows 0 acres, it is because the program was not the primary contributor for any parcels in that year.
Local program information is based solely on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) which is statewide enabling legislation to allow cities and towns to exercise control over local planning decisions.
CPA provides new funding sources which can be used to address three core community concerns:
-Acquisition and preservation of open space
-Creation and support of affordable housing
-Acquisition and preservation of historic buildings and landscapes
CPA enables a municipality to impose a (voter-approved) surcharge of up to 3 percent on a local property levy. By 2010, 142 communities out of 351 had passed CPA.
For more information please visit www.landvote.org
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,497.9 | $57,230,615 |
| 2007 | 1,852.2 | $70,909,909 |
| 2006 | 2,887.8 | $78,638,100 |
| 2005 | 1,923.7 | $52,797,448 |
| 2004 | 1,791.1 | $35,266,739 |
| 2003 | 751.2 | $13,520,723 |
| 2002 | 363.8 | $14,394,809 |
| 2001 | 353.3 | $5,397,100 |
| 2000 | 0.2 | $0 |
| 1999 | 44.0 | $25,271,320 |
| 1998 | 2.2 | $0 |
| Totals | 11,467.5 | $353,426,763 |
The Department of Agricultural Resources houses the Agriculture Preservation Restriction Program (APR). APR offers to pay farmers the difference between the "fair market value" and the "agricultural value" of their farmland in exchange for a permanent deed restriction, which precludes any use of the property that will have a negative impact on its agricultural viability. Funding is provided through legislative appropriations.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,371.2 | $9,500,000 |
| 2007 | 942.7 | $7,325,000 |
| 2006 | 920.0 | $7,655,350 |
| 2005 | 1,294.8 | $9,614,446 |
| 2004 | 1,100.3 | $5,668,195 |
| 2000 | 135.2 | $275,000 |
| 1998 | 296.8 | $500,000 |
| Total | 6,061.0 | $40,537,991 |
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is a state agency situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) were merged to form the DCR. In addition to the grant programs offered, DCR acquires land through the Division of Water Supply Protection, Division of State Parks and Recreation, the Division of Urban Parks and Recreation and the Land Protection Planning Program. Funding is available through the Environmental Bond Fund and the Wachusett Land Acquisition Trust Fund.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2,735.0 | $10,564,950 |
| 2007 | 2,171.2 | $7,675,125 |
| 2006 | 619.4 | $5,056,800 |
| 2005 | 633.5 | $3,066,608 |
| 2004 | 534.8 | $4,056,550 |
| Total | 6,693.9 | $30,420,033 |
The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game acquires land through purchases from the Inland Fish and Game Fund. Revenue from hunting, fishing, trapping, and license fees is collected through the Wetlands Stamp Program (1990) for habitat acquisition.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5,582.7 | $11,261,100 |
| 2007 | 2,510.7 | $7,623,150 |
| 2006 | 1,875.9 | $8,199,750 |
| 2005 | 1,872.4 | $6,264,644 |
| 2004 | 1,901.4 | $1,664,525 |
| 2003 | 5,880.8 | $6,079,358 |
| 2002 | 14,861.0 | $18,957,870 |
| 2001 | 6,664.9 | $6,881,674 |
| 2000 | 10,826.1 | $14,445,578 |
| 1999 | 1,346.0 | $2,135,200 |
| Total | 53,321.8 | $83,512,849 |
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, in conjunction with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, administers the Drinking Water Supply Protection Program (DWSPP). This program provides grant funding to municipalities and other eligible entities for the purpose of acquiring land to protect current or future public drinking water supplies. DWSPP is a reimbursement program. In addition, grant funds cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project cost. Funds are derived from state bond issuances.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 369.1 | $4,046,000 |
| 2007 | 429.6 | $3,680,600 |
| 2006 | 315.6 | $2,068,694 |
| 2005 | 17.0 | $0 |
| 2004 | 156.6 | $1,951,000 |
| Total | 1,287.9 | $11,746,294 |
The Conservation Partnership Program was authorized by the Legislature in 2002. It is a grant program that provides reimbursements to non-profit organizations of up to 50 percent of the cost of acquiring land or interest in land for conservation or outdoor recreation purposes. All projects must grant a perpetual conservation restriction (easement), to either the city or town in which the project is located, or a state agency, or both. Funds are derived from bond expenditures.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 135.0 | $845,100 |
| 2007 | 30.0 | $160,148 |
| 2006 | 48.9 | $138,202 |
| 2005 | 69.1 | $822,000 |
| Total | 283.0 | $1,965,451 |
The Massachusetts Legislature authorizes bond expenditures for environmental programs, including open space acquisition. The Legislature authorized a three-year Open Space Bond Bill in 2002 for $753 million, $220 million of which is for land acquisition.
In August 2008, a new $1.64 billion environmental bond was passed by the legislature and signed into law by the governor. The new bond contains an annual dedication of $50 million for five years for open space. This revenue is split between departments within EOEEA. Conservation Activity presented in the chart to the right could not be attributed to a the appropriate department or grant program.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0.0 | $1,766,055 |
| 2007 | 460.1 | $13,397,399 |
| 2005 | 1,426.0 | $9,420,352 |
| 2004 | 149.6 | $5,144,257 |
| 1999 | 1.4 | $12,205,010 |
| Total | 2,037.2 | $41,933,073 |
The Urban Self-Help Program, now known as the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities Program (PARC) was established in 1977 to assist cities and towns in acquiring and developing land for park and outdoor recreation purposes. Any town with a population of 35,000 or more year-round residents, or any city regardless of size, that has an authorized park /recreation commission is eligible to participate in the program. Communities that do not meet the population criteria listed above may still qualify under the "small town," "regional," or "statewide" project provisions of the program.
Only projects that are to be developed for suitable outdoor recreation purposes, whether active or passive in nature, shall be considered for funding. Grants are available for the acquisition of land and the construction, or renovation of park and outdoor recreation facilities, such as swimming pools, zoos, athletic play fields, playgrounds and game courts. Access by the general public is required.
NOTE: This program is now called Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC)
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 74.7 | $6,956,301 |
| 2006 | 2.6 | $6,533,891 |
| 2003 | 13.4 | $3,903,400 |
| 2002 | 108.8 | $4,232,060 |
| 2001 | 156.8 | $338,120 |
| Total | 356.2 | $21,963,772 |
The Self Help Grant Program is now known as the Massachusetts Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity Program and was established in 1961 to assist municipal conservation commissions acquiring land for natural resource (wildlife, habitat, trails) and passive outdoor recreation purposes (hiking, fishing, hunting). Access by the general public is required. This state program pays for the acquisition of land, or a partial interest (such as a conservation restriction), and associated acquisition costs such as appraisal reports and closing costs. Funds are derived from bond expenditures.
NOTE: THis program is now called Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND)
In Massachusetts all municipal and private, non-profit organizations must get state approval from the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) in order to complete a conservation easement. (conservation restriction in MA). The approval process requires among other steps, a notice of registry and GIS data showing the boundary of the easement. MassGIS is a division within EOEEA that keeps record of all GIS data. Specific conservation data layers include: coastal and marine features, conservation/recreation, cultural resources.
| Year | Acres | Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,105.1 | $7,218,560 |
| 2006 | 858.0 | $4,100,300 |
| 2003 | 913.0 | $4,893,373 |
| 2002 | 2,223.4 | $8,919,780 |
| 2001 | 1,203.2 | $3,605,133 |
| 2000 | 1,708.7 | $6,574,865 |
| 1999 | 829.7 | $13,535,296 |
| Total | 8,841.0 | $48,847,307 |
Starting in FY2010 the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will offer a new grant opportunity called the Landscape Partnership Program. This program will offer competitive grants to municipalities, non-profit organizations and EEA agencies to help fund partnership projects that permanently protect a minimum of 500 acres of land. The Landscape Partnership Program seeks to preserve large, unfragmented, high value conservation landscapes, including working forests and farms, expand state-municipal-private partnerships, increase leveraging of state dollars, enhance stewardship of conservation land, and provide public access opportunities. The program will also fund the development of Natural Resource Protection Zoning in partner municipalities. Conservation activity for this grant program will be available once the program has been implemented.