In the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the U.S. Congress declared the national policy interests in the resources and uses of the Nation's coastal zone and encouraged states to develop and implement programs for improved management of coastal areas.

The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program was first approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in April 1978 and has been updated through subsequent filings.

The current Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan (March 2002) contains information on the Massachusetts coastal program—as administered by the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)—including its mission, history, organizational structure, regulatory role and policies, programs and services, and the networked relationship of CZM with other government environmental agencies. This plan will be of use to a variety of coastal constituents, including federal, state, and local government officials and agencies, proponents of projects in or affecting the Massachusetts coast, and interested members of the public. In addition to descriptive information, the Plan includes addresses and contact numbers of CZM staff who are able to provide interested readers with needed additional program information.

By Chapter
	Cover Page/Table of Contents (PDF, 15 KB)
	Introduction (PDF, 11 KB)
	Chapter 1	- The Federal Coastal Zone Management Act (PDF, 12 KB)
	Chapter 2	- The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program (PDF 14 KB)
	Chapter 3	- The Massachusetts Coastal Zone Boundary (PDF, 45 KB)
	Chapter 4	- Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program Policies (PDF, 191 KB)
	Chapter 5	- Implementation of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program:    Federal Consistency Review (PDF, 17 KB)
	Chapter 6	- Implementation of the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Program:    Programs and Regional Technical Assistance (PDF, 62 KB)
	Chapter 7	- Key State Agencies (PDF, 33 KB)