In response to the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts developed its coastal zone management program, which was approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 1978. This program is implemented by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and has been updated through subsequent filings of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan (the most recent of which was in March 2002).

CZMA gives states the authority to review federal projects to ensure that they meet state standards articulated in their coastal zone management plans through a process called federal consistency review. Federal consistency review is required for most projects that:

1. Are in or can reasonably be expected to affect a use or resource of the Massachusetts coastal zone; and/or
2. Require certain federal licenses or permits, receive certain federal funds, or are a direct action of a federal agency.

• Overview of Federal Consistency Review in Massachusetts (PDF, 17 KB) - Chapter 5 of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan provides an overview of how the federal consistency review process is applied in Massachusetts.
• Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program Policies (PDF, 191 KB) - Chapter 4 of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan specifies CZM's enforceable policies and management principles. Proponents must demonstrate that projects subject to federal consistency review are consistent with these policies.
• Federal Activities or Development Projects in or Affecting the Coastal Zone - CZM regulations at 301 CMR 21.06 describe certain listed and unlisted activities subject to review and the review procedures.
• Federal Licenses or Permits in or Affecting the Coastal Zone - CZM regulations at 301 CMR 21.07 describe certain listed and unlisted activities requiring federal licenses or permits subject to review and the review procedures.
• Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Exploration, Development, and Production Activities - CZM regulations at 301 CMR 21.08 describe the review procedures for federal license or permit activities contained in OCS plans.
• Federal Assistance to State and Local Governments - CZM regulations at 301 CZM 21.09 describe certain listed and unlisted types of federal assistance subject to review and the review procedures.
• NOAA Federal Consistency Rules (PDF, 928 KB) - These are the federal regulations promulgated by NOAA at 15 CFR 930 et seq., which govern federal consistency for approved coastal management programs.
• Massachusetts Federal Consistency Rules (PDF, 1 MB) - These are the state regulations promulgated by CZM that specify the application of the federal rules within the context of the Massachusetts approved coastal management program at 301 CMR 21.00.
• Coastal Zone Management Regulations - Along with 301 CMR 21.00, this list includes the other sets of state regulations promulgated by CZM.