Federal Consistency Review

While the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is not a permitting agency, it does have the authority to review federal activities in the Massachusetts coastal zone to ensure that they are consistent with CZM program policies. Consequently, any coastal project that requires a federal license, is implemented by a federal agency, or is carried out with federal funds must be approved by CZM before the federal activity can take place. Overall, CZM's Federal Consistency Review gives the Commonwealth the power to ensure that federal actions meet state standards.

The following information is designed to provide a basic explanation of the federal consistency review process, as implemented by CZM.

• The Federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)
  
• Federal Consistency Review in Massachusetts
• CZM's Federal Consistency Review Procedures
  
• CZM Program Policies
  
• Statutory and Regulatory Authorities
  
• 301 CMR 21.00: Coastal Zone Management Program Federal Consistency Review Regulations (PDF, 1.0M)
  
• The Complete Set of Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Regulations
  
• Massachusetts Coastal Permitting Agency Directory
  
• A Sample Consistency Certification
  

If, after reviewing this material, you have questions or need additional information, please call the Project Review Coordinator at (617) 626-1050, or email CZM at czm@state.ma.us. Please specify in the email that you have a federal consistency question.