The Massachusetts Barrier Beach Inventory

In 1980, Executive Order No. 181 was enacted to strengthen the protection of barrier beaches in Massachusetts. This order recognized that: the dynamic nature of the barrier is essential for barrier beaches to provide storm damage prevention and flood control; human-induced changes to barrier beaches can decrease these storm damage prevention and flood control capacities; inappropriate development on barrier beaches results in the loss of lives and property; and future storm damage to development on barrier beaches is inevitable due to sea level rise.

In recognition of these factors, the Executive Order discourages further development on barrier beaches by limiting state and federal funding for new support facilities, such as sewer and water lines and coastal engineering structures; clarifies state wetland policy for managing the natural characteristics of these areas; gives priority status for relocation assistance to storm damaged barrier beach areas; and encourages public acquisition of barrier beaches for recreational purposes.

To implement Executive Order No. 181, CZM undertook the Massachusetts Barrier Beach Inventory Project. In 1982, CZM completed this comprehensive effort to identify and delineate the 681 barrier beaches in Massachusetts and to place them on topographic maps.

CZM distributes copies of the maps generated through this project. The maps are numbered according to the Index Map of U.S.G.S. Topographic Quadrangles for the Barrier Beach Inventory Project.

To obtain a copy of one or more of these maps, click the small index map to the right to load the large index map and identify the map number(s). Then, e-mail your request to czm@state.ma.us. Please ask specifically for a Barrier Beach Inventory Map and give the map number(s), and also provide your complete name and mailing address. You may also request to be placed on our mailing list to receive Coastlines (the CZM semi-annual magazine) and the Gulf of Maine Times (a quarterly newspaper about environmental issues in the Gulf).

Although a variety of data was collected to support the mapping of Massachusetts barrier beaches, detailed subsurface geological information was not available for each individual coastal barrier. Therefore, it is possible that some landforms, or portions thereof, that have been identified as barriers should not have been. Conversely, there may be landforms that are barriers but were not so identified.

If it is believed that an area is not correctly identified, the matter should be brought to the attention of local officials, such as the Conservation Commission or Board of Selectmen. A local official should then send a request for a change in the designation to a CZM Coastal Geologist for consideration with the appropriate geologic or geomorphic data. These data should typically include:

• Subsurface borings.
• Seismic records.
• Historic photographs, charts or maps.

The documentation must be accompanied by a detailed interpretation of the information by a qualified coastal geologist or geomorphologist, as well as an explanation of why changes are being requested. If these data clearly indicate that the delineations are incorrect, a notice will be published in the Environmental Monitor stating that CZM is considering a change in the inventory, asking for public comment. After any comments are addressed, a decision will be made regarding the map revision request. The decision is published in the Environmental Monitor, and the local official who initiated the request will be notified of the decision in writing.