Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 30 § 62

Current through Chapter 223 of the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 30:62 - Definitions applicable to secs. 61 to 62L

For the purposes of sections61 to 62L, inclusive, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:--

"Agency", an agency, department, board, commission or authority of the commonwealth, and any authority of any political subdivision which is specifically created as an authority under special or general law.

"Environmental benefits", the access to clean natural resources, including air, water resources, open space, constructed playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities and venues, clean renewable energy sources, environmental enforcement, training and funding disbursed or administered by the executive office of energy and environmental affairs.

"Environmental burdens", any destruction, damage or impairment of natural resources that is not insignificant, resulting from intentional or reasonably foreseeable causes, including but not limited to, climate change, air pollution, water pollution, improper sewage disposal, dumping of solid wastes and other noxious substances, excessive noise, activities that limit access to natural resources and constructed outdoor recreational facilities and venues, inadequate remediation of pollution, reduction of ground water levels, impairment of water quality, increased flooding or storm water flows, and damage to inland waterways and waterbodies, wetlands, marine shores and waters, forests, open spaces, and playgrounds from private industrial, commercial or government operations or other activity that contaminates or alters the quality of the environment and poses a risk to public health.

"Environmental justice population", a neighborhood that meets 1 or more of the following criteria:

(i) the annual median household income is not more than 65 per cent of the statewide annual median household income;

(ii) minorities comprise 40 per cent or more of the population;

(iii) 25 per cent or more of households lack English language proficiency; or

(iv) minorities comprise 25 per cent or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150 per cent of the statewide annual median household income; provided, however, that for a neighborhood that does not meet said criteria, but a geographic portion of that neighborhood meets at least 1 criterion, the secretary may designate that geographic portion as an environmental justice population upon the petition of at least 10 residents of the geographic portion of that neighborhood meeting any such criteria; provided further, that the secretary may determine that a neighborhood, including any geographic portion thereof, shall not be designated an environmental justice population upon finding that:

(A) the annual median household income of that neighborhood is greater than 125 per cent of the statewide median household income;

(B) a majority of persons age 25 and older in that neighborhood have a college education;

(C) the neighborhood does not bear an unfair burden of environmental pollution; and

(D) the neighborhood has more than limited access to natural resources, including open spaces and water resources, playgrounds and other constructed outdoor recreational facilities and venues.

"Environmental justice principles", principles that support protection from environmental pollution and the ability to live in and enjoy a clean and healthy environment, regardless of race, color, income, class, handicap, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity or ancestry, religious belief or English language proficiency, which includes:

(i) the meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies, including climate change policies; and

(ii) the equitable distribution of energy and environmental benefits and environmental burdens.

"Neighborhood", a census block group as defined by the United States Census Bureau, excluding people who live in college dormitories and people who are under formally authorized, supervised care or custody, including federal, state or county prisons.

"Permit", a permit determination, order or other action, including the issuance of a lease, license, permit, certificate, variance, approval or other entitlement for use, granted to any person, firm or corporation, including trusts, voluntary association or other forms of business organizations by an agency for a project but shall not include a general entitlement to a person to carry on a trade or profession or to operate mechanical equipment which does not depend upon the location of such trade or operation.

"Person", a private person, firm or corporation, or any governmental entity which is not an agency.

"Project", work, project, or activity either directly undertaken by an agency, or if undertaken by a person, which seeks the provision of financial assistance by an agency, or requires the issuance of a permit by an agency but shall not include a grant of aid for medical services or personal support, such as welfare or unemployment funds, to an individual or a third party on behalf of an individual.

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 30, § 62

Amended by Acts 2021, c. 8,§§ 55, 56 eff. 6/24/2021.