COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS

By His Excellency

JOHN A. VOLPE
Governor

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 55

    WHEREAS, the physical and esthetic environment of the Com-
monwealth is vitally important to the health and happiness of
its citizens, the development of business and industry, and the 
quality of life in each of its 351 cities and towns;

    WHEREAS, this environment is dependent upon the protection
and development of open space, conservation areas and outdoor
recreation facilities;

    WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is embarked on an accelerated
program for the protection and development of such open space,
conservation areas, and outdoor recreation facilities;

    WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Commonwealth act-
ing through its appropriate agencies to cooperate with and as-
sist the various cities, towns and districts, as well as private
organizations and interests, in providing, acquiring, construct-
ing and maintaining adequate open space, conservation areas and
outdoor recreation facilities for the enjoyment of its citizens;
 
    WHEREAS, it is essential that the physical and esthetic
environment of the Commonwealth--urban, suburban and rural--be
a major concern of the government of the Commonwealth.

    NOW, THEREFORE, by all the authority vested in me, I do
hereby issue this order.

    1.  There is hereby created a commission to be known as
the Governor's Advisory Commission on Open Space and Outdoor
Recreation consisting of twenty-one persons who shall be com-
missioned from time to time.

    2.  It shall be the duty of the Commission

    a)  To review present programs involving the acquisition,
	protection and development of open space, conservation
	areas, and outdoor recreation facilities provided by
	public and private agencies with particular attention
	to metropolitan areas and the growing centers of popu-
	lation within the Commonwealth.

    b)  To suggest priorities for action, and assist public
	and private agencies in their efforts to coordinate
	action programs for the creation, management, and de-
	velopment of new and existing open spaces, conserva-
	tion areas and outdoor recreation facilities.

    c)  To assist in proposing and supporting the legislation
	and financing needed to implement the suggested pro-
	grams.

    d)  To stimulate and organize support for these programs
	by the general public, with special attention to the 
	growing number of private organizations, trusts, 
	foundations, associations, and societies concerned
	with the conservation of open space, outdoor recrea-
	tional and esthetic areas, and the protection of wild-
	life.

    e)  To advise the Governor on all matters concerning pro-
	grams, acquisition, construction, administration, fi-
	nancing, operation, and maintenance of open space and
	outdoor conservation and recreation areas and facili-
	ties.

Given at the Executive Chamber
in Boston this thirtieth day of
November in the year of our Lord
one thousand nine hundred and 
sixty-seven and of the Inde-
pendence of the United States of
America, one hundred and ninety-
second.

JOHN A. VOLPE
Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

KEVIN H. WHITE
Secretary of the Commonwealth