An Act relative to watershed protection

HD 681 establishes a Division of Water Supply Protection within the state department to manage watersheds, reservoirs, and water rights, ensuring a pure water supply for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. It designates all Commonwealth watershed lands as either "parks" or "reserves," prohibiting timber removal while allowing limited vegetation management for public safety, habitat restoration, or fire prevention. The bill also creates a Watershed Forest Reserves Scientific Advisory Council to advise on reserve management and planning, and requires the department to develop five-year watershed management plans with public input. These changes aim to protect water resources, enhance environmental conservation, and maintain recreational access in designated watershed areas.