Shoreline Public Access in the Massachusetts Coastal Zone

To help the public get to and enjoy the coast, CZM supports a variety of initiatives that promote public access. For example, CZM developed Massachusetts Coast Guide to Boston Harbor and the North Shore, which includes 22 maps and nearly 400 public access sites from Salisbury to Hull, ranging from expansive parks with concession stands to small public landings and out-of-the-way spots. CZM has also been actively involved in the development and implementation of the Waterways Regulatory Program (Chapter 91 regulations), which licenses activities on public tidelands. Under the Public Trust Doctrine, the public has the right to fish, fowl, and navigate on tidal flats (the area between the high and low tide lines). The Waterways Regulatory Program protects these public rights and encourages water-dependent uses of tideland resources. For more information, go to public rights along the shoreline and Get to the Shore!.

CZM is also providing technical assistance to help communities reclaim rights-of-way to the sea, such as public landings and foot paths, through an extensive reference document, Preserving Historic Rghts of Way to the Sea: A Practical Handbook for Reclaiming Public Access in Massachusetts. To order a hardcopy of the handbook, please e-mail czm@state.ma.us with your name and mailing address or call the CZM Information Line at (617) 626-1212.