Laws, Regulations & Policies by Media

Environmental Activities, Applicable Laws & Regulations

Laws and Regulations Administered by MassDEP

These lists are not exhaustive and are for informational purposes only. For copies of all regulations, please visit the Massachusetts State Bookstore. Please also read our Important Regulations Disclaimer .

Activity or IssueApplicable LawsRegulations

Administrative Penalties

MGL c. 21A s. 16 Administrative Penalties ActMassDEP
310 CMR 5.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 5.00 Administrative Penalty Regulations

Adjudicatory Proceedings / Adjudicatory Appeals & Hearings

MGL c. 30A Administrative Procedures Act;
MGL c. 30 s. 37		MassDEP
310 CMR 1.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 1.00 Adjudicatory Proceeding Regulations
310 CMR 2.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 2.00 Adopting Administrative Regulations
Air QualityMGL c. 111 s. 2B-2C;
MGL c. 21H;
MGL c. 31C;
MGL c. 111 s. 142A-142M Mass. Air Pollution Control Laws		MassDEP
310 CMR 6.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 6.00: Ambient Air Quality Standards
310 CMR 7.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 7.00 et. seq.: Air Pollution Control file size 3MB
310 CMR 8.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 8.00: Prevention & Abatement of Air Pollution

Asbestos Abatement and Disposal

MGL c.111 s. 142A-142E & 150A-150B;
MGL c. 111F;
MGL c. 21E;
MGL c. 149 s. 6A-G;
MGL c. 111 s. 2		MassDEP
310 CMR 7.15
310 CMR 19.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regs
310 CMR 22.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 22.00: The Massachusetts Drinking Water file size 1MB
310 CMR 33.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 33.00: Employee & Community "Right to Know"
310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) pdf format of 310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) file size 1MB

Other Agencies
453 CMR 6.00 DOL
105 CMR 410.353 DPH
Bottle BillMGL c. 94 s. 321-326;
MGL c. 21A s. 2		MassDEP
301 CMR 4.00 pdf format of 301 CMR 4.00: Bottle Bill Regulations

Climate Change

MGL c. 21N Global Warming Solutions ActMassDEP

Coastal Development or Use 

MGL c. 91;
MGL c. 6A s. 2-7
MGL c. 21A, s. 4A		MassDEP
310 CMR 9.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 9.00: Waterways Regulations
Other Agencies
301 CMR 20.00 to 24.00 CZM

Construction/ Demolition - see also Asbestos

MGL c.111 s. 142A-142E & 150A-150B;
MGL c. 21E		MassDEP
310 CMR 7.09
310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) pdf format of 310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) file size 1MB

Dredging and Filling - Wetlands and Waterways

MGL c. 21 s. 26-35MassDEP
310 CMR 9.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 9.00: Waterways Regulations

Drinking Water

MGL c. 13; MGL c. 21A;
MGL c. 30A; MGL c. 40;
MGL c. 111; MGL c. 112;
MGL c. 140;
MGL c. 162;
MGL c. 165;
MGL c. 286
many sections

MassDEP
236 CMR 2.00 to 5.00
310 CMR 21.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 21.00: Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
310 CMR 22.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 22.00: The Massachusetts Drinking Water file size 1MB
310 CMR 24.00
310 CMR 27.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 27.00: Underground Injection Control
310 CMR 28.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 28: Water Supply Contamination Correction

Emergency Response/ Spill Reporting

MGL c. 21E
State Superfund Law		MassDEP
310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) pdf format of 310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) file size 1MB

Environmental Analysis Laboratories

MGL c. 21 s. 27;
MGL c. 21A s. 2;
MGL c. 21C s. 4;
MGL c. 21E s. 3;
MGL c. 111 s. 142A-S & 150A-160		MassDEP
310 CMR 42.00 pdf format of Certification & Operation of Environmental Labs

Environmental Results Program

MGL c. 21 s. 26-43;
MGL c. 21C;
MGL c 21E;
MGL 111 s. 142A-J

MassDEP
310 CMR 70.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 70.00: ERP Certification
310 CMR 71.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 71: Industrial Wastewater Regs Photo Processors
310 CMR 72.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 72.00: Industrial Wastewater for Dry Cleaners
310 CMR 73.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 73.00: Amalgam Wastewater & Recycling
310 CMR 74.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 74.00: Mercury-Added Vehicle Components
310 CMR 75.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 75.00: Mercury-Added Products
310 CMR 76.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 76.00: Mercury-Added Product Disposal Ban

Hazardous Substances Disclosure

MGL c.111F 310 CMR 33.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 33.00: Employee & Community "Right to Know"

Hazardous Waste Facility Siting

MGL c. 21D;
MGL c. 40 s. 9;
MGL c. 16 s. 19;
MGL c.111 s. 150B		MassDEP
310 CMR 30.000 pdf format of 310 CMR 30.000: Massachusetts Hazardous Waste file size 2MB

Other Agencies
990 CMR 1.00 to 16.00 HWF

Hazardous Waste Mgmt./Transportation

MGL c. 21C
Mass. Haz. Waste Mgmt. Act		MassDEP
310 CMR 30.000 pdf format of 310 CMR 30.000: Massachusetts Hazardous Waste file size 2MB

Hazardous Waste Site Assessment/Cleanup

MGL c. 21E
State Superfund Law		MassDEP
310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) pdf format of 310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) file size 1MB

Industrial Wastewater Holding Tanks

MGL c. 21 s. 26-53 Mass. Clean Waters ActMassDEP
314 CMR 18.00 pdf format of 314 CMR 18: Wastewater Holding Tanks and Containers

Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment

MGL c. 21 s. 26-53
Mass. Clean Waters Act		MassDEP
314 CMR 12.00 pdf format of 314 CMR 12.00: Wastewater Treatment Plants

Mercury Management Act

MGL c. 21C s. 4&6; & MGL c. 21H s.6C, 6J & 6N

MassDEP
 

310 CMR 74.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 74.00: Mercury-Added Vehicle Components
310 CMR 75.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 75.00: Mercury-Added Products
310 CMR 76.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 76.00: Mercury-Added Product Disposal Ban

Motor Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance

MGL c. 210, Acts of 1997; MGL c. 21H s. 2; MGL c. 111 s. 142MMassDEP
310 CMR 60.00

Oil Spill Act

M.G.L. c. 21MMassDEP
314 CMR 19.00 doc format of 314 CMR 19.00: Oil Spill Prevention and Response pdf format of 314 CMR 19.00: Oil Spill Prevention and Response

Permitting Timelines/Fees

MGL c. 21A s. 18 Timely Action Schedule & Fee Provisions;
MGL c. 21 s. 34A;
MGL c. 21C s. 7;
MGL c. 21E s. 3B;
MGL c. 21I;
MGL c. 91 s. 18, 21 & 22;
MGL c. 131 s. 40		MassDEP
310 CMR 4.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 4.00 Timely Action and Fee Provisions
310 CMR 9.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 9.00: Waterways Regulations
310 CMR 21.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 21.00: Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
310 CMR 50.53 pdf format of 310 CMR 50.00: Toxics Use Reduction


Other Agencies
301 CMR 40.00 - EOEEA
801 CMR 4.02 A&F
801 CMR 4.07 A&F

Recycling Industries Reimbursement Credit RIRC

 MassDEP
310 CMR 17.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 17.00: RIRC Grants

Sewer Connections

MGL c. 21, s. 43MassDEP
314 CMR 7.00 pdf format of 314 CMR 7.00: Sewer System Extensions & Connections

Solid Waste Facilities/Management

MGL c. 21H; MGL c. 111 s. 150A-150A 1/2MassDEP
310 CMR 16.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 16: Site Assignment for Solid Waste Facilities
310 CMR 19.000 pdf format of 310 CMR 19.000: Solid Waste Management Facility Regs

State Revolving Fund

MGL c. 29C
MGL c. 78, Acts of 1998		MassDEP
310 CMR 44.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 44.00: The Clean Water State Revolving Fund
310 CMR 45.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 45.00: The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

Title 5 - Subsurface Sewage Disposal

MGL c. 21A s. 13 State Environmental CodeMassDEP
310 CMR 15.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 15.00: Septic Systems file size 1MB

Toxics Use Reduction

MGL c. 21I s. 3 & 10-12 Toxics Use Reduction ActMassDEP
310 CMR 50.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 50.00: Toxics Use Reduction

Underground Storage Tanks, Standards for Installation, Design Operation & Maintenance

Transferred some authorities over USTs from DFS 7/1/09

MGL. C. 21OMassDEP
527 CMR 5.00 pdf format of 527 CMR 5.06: Gasoline or Other Motor Fuel - Inventory
527 CMR 9.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 9.00: Waterways Regulations State Fire Code
Underground Storage Tanks, LeakingMGL c. 21E
State Superfund Law		MassDEP
310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) pdf format of 310 CMR 40.0000 - Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) file size 1MB

Water Pollution Control

MGL c. 21 s. 26-53
Mass. Clean Waters Act		MassDEP
257 CMR 2.00 pdf format of 257 CMR 2.00: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators
314 CMR 1.00 - 15.00
314 CMR 4.00
314 CMR 9.00

Water Use, Large-Scale -Water Management Act

MGL c. 21G
Water Management Act		MassDEP
310 CMR 36.00 doc format of 310 CMR 36.00: The Water Management Act Regulations file size 1MB pdf format of 310 CMR 36.00: The Water Management Act Regulations
313 CMR 2.00, 4.00 & 5.00

Waterways Licensing

MGL c. 91 Public Waterfront ActMassDEP
310 CMR 9.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 9.00: Waterways Regulations

Well Drillers - transferred from DCR 10/1/09

MGL c. 21G s. 20MassDEP
310 CMR 46.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 46.00: Certification of Well Drillers

Wetlands

MGL c. 131 s. 40 Wetlands Protection Act
MGL c. 258, Acts of 1996 Rivers Protection Act

MassDEP
310 CMR 10.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 10.00, Wetlands Protection Regulations
310 CMR 12.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 12: Coastal wetlands orders
310 CMR 13.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 13: Inland wetlands orders
310 CMR 23.00 pdf format of 310 CMR 23: Abandoned cranberry bogs

 

Laws and Regulations Administered by Other Agencies
Activity or Issue and Agency - see legendApplicable LawsRegulations

Above-Ground Storage Tanks, Installation

DPS

MGL c. 146, s. 22;
MGL c.148, s. 37		520 CMR 12.00

Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

DCR

MGL c. 21A s. 27;
St. 1974, c. 806 s. 40e		301 CMR 12.00

Archeology

MHC

MGL c. 9 s. 26 to 27C950 CMR 70.00

Curb Cuts

MHD
DCR when applicable

MGL c. 81 s. 21301 CMR 11.00

Dam Safety

DCR

MGL c. 253, s. 44302 CMR 10.00

Endangered Species Natural Heritage Program

DFG

MGL c. 131 s. 23321 CMR 10.00

Environmental Notification Forms/Impact Reports

EOEEA

MGL c. 30 s. 61-62H
Mass. Environmental Policy Act [MEPA]		301 CMR 11.00

Food & Agriculture -Department of Agricultural Resources, includes Animal Health, Dairying & Land Use

DAR

Multiple laws apply. Search the MGL site330 CMR 3.00 - 28.00
331 CMR 7.00

Hazardous Substance Labeling

DPH

MGL c. 94B
Mass. Hazardous Substance Labeling Law		105 CMR 650.00

Historic Preservation

MHC

MGL c. 9 s. 26-27C950 CMR 71.00

Hunting & Fishing

DFG

MGL c. 131 many sections;
MGL c. 30A s. 5		321 CMR 2.00 to 4.00

Licensed Site Professionals

LSPB

MGL c. 21A s. 19-19J309 CMR 1.00 to 8.00

Marine Fisheries

DFG

MGL c. 130
many sections		322 CMR 1.00 to 12.00

Medical Waste

DPH

MGL c. 111 s. 127A
State Sanitary Code		105 CMR 480.00

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

MWRA

St. 1984, 1987 and 1991 many sections360 CMR 1.00 to 12.00

Pesticide Use

DAR

MGL c. 132B Pesticide Control Act
Chapter 85 of the Acts of 2000 Children's and Families' Protection Act		333 CMR 1.00 to 12.00

Quabbin and Wachusett Watershed Protection

DCR

MGL c. 92A 1/2350 CMR 11.00

Right-to-Know

DPH
DEP
DOL

MGL c. 111F Hazardous Substances Disclosure by Employers Act;
MGL c. 6A s. 18		105 CMR 670.00
310 CMR 33.00
454 CMR 21.00

Tree Harvesting

DCR

MGL c. 132 s. 40 to 46304 CMR 11.00

Underground Storage Tanks, Installation & Maintenance

DFS

MGL c. 148 Mass. Fire Prevention Law527 CMR 4.00 & 9.00 State Fire Code

Water Resources Commission WRC

WRC

MGL c. 21, 21A, 30A
many sections		313 CMR 2.00 to 5.00

Matrix Legend:
MGL= Massachusetts General Laws 
St.= Statute of the Acts & Resolves
c.= Chapter
s.= Section
BOH= Municipal Board of Health
CMR= Code of Massachusetts Regulations
CC= Municipal Conservation Commission
CZM= Office of Coastal Zone Management
DAR= Department of Agricultural Resources
DCR= Department of Conservation & Recreation
MassDEP= Department of Environmental Protection
DFG= Department of Fish & Game 
DFS= Department of Fire Services
DOL= Department of Labor & Workforce Development
DPH= Department of Public Health 
DPS= Department of Public Safety 
EOEEA= Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs 
FD= Municipal Fire Department
HWF= Hazardous Waste Facility Site Safety Council
LSPB= Licensed Site Professional Board 
MHC= Massachusetts Historical Commission
MHD= Massachusetts Highway Department
MWRA= Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
RMV= Registry of Motor Vehicles