Since its inception in 1988, the Massachusetts Bays Program has led extensive scientific research into the Bays' major natural features and living resources, human habitat, and toxic, nutrient, and pathogen contamination. The numerous scientific reports sponsored by MBP are listed on the
publications page, most of which may be downloaded.
MBP continues this research today with its State of the Bays effort. Beginning with the first State of the Bays report and symposium in 2004, the MBP updates its partners and the public on the conditions of the Bays, and the adjacent coastal communities, every five years with a new report. These reports review a series of indicators of the Bays' conditions, such as coastal wetland restoration, patterns of coastal development, and invasive species surveys, to better understand the changes that are occurring in the Bays, good or bad.
In between the five-year State of the Bays reports, MBP provides updates on its website on events that impact the Bays, and provides reports from several coastal monitoring programs.
The online State of the Bays -- coming soon!
URL: www.mass.gov/envir/massbays/bays.htm
revised 04/27/09
Special Topics: Learn about the effects of the
May 2006 flood on the Massachusets Bays system.
Are your local waterbodies meeting water quality standards? Visit our
TMDL page, with an interactivce map, to find out.
