An Act conserving our natural resources

This bill amends Massachusetts law to restrict the use of traps for capturing beavers and muskrats, prohibiting devices that injure the animal while allowing non-harmful live traps. It specifically bans steel jaw leghold traps and lethal snares, except when authorized for specific purposes like scientific research or protecting endangered species. The legislation permits the use of harmful traps only during the months of November through April to address immediate threats to human health and safety, such as flooding of water supplies, sewage systems, or infrastructure, or to prevent damage to property and utilities. Under the new rules, property owners facing these specific risks can apply for an emergency permit from a municipal health board or the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to use lethal traps for up to ten days to mitigate the danger.