Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Office

The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program was designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Apr. 24, 1978 "to establish values and priorities for the use of coastal resources," having received federal approval under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, PL 92-583. It has been administered by an Office of Coastal Zone Management (cf. St 1979, c 610) within the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, which was later legislatively authorized by St 1983, c 589, s 13 (there called: Coastal Zone Management Office) to "adopt, and from time to time amend rules, regulations, procedures, standards, guidelines, and policies which shall constitute the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program...to secure for the inhabitants of the Commonwealth the objectives and benefits of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act." The director of the office also serves as an assistant secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Protection.

While not a state regulatory agency, the office does review all activities directly affecting the coastal zone that require federal permits, to ensure that these are in compliance with approved state environmental management mandates such as provided in the Coastal Wetlands Restriction Act (St 1965, c 768). The office also reviews coastal-zone related projects requiring state or local permits; works with other state agencies to improve regulatory mechanisms to protect coastal resources and to set coastal management policies and priorities; provides technical assistance and facilitates financial assistance to coastal communities; and supports coastal-related scientific studies, mapping products, and citizen participation.

...