Guide Wetlands Information

• Factsheet: Summary of 2014 Revisions to Wetlands, Waterways, and Water Quality Certification Regulations

  Revisions to Massachusetts' Wetlands, Waterways, and Water Quality Certification regulations to streamline permitting procedures while maintaining environmental protection. Revised October 2014.

• Ecological Restoration Projects Slide Presentation

  Explains the revisions to the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00) promulgated in October 2014, including new project types and eligibility requirements. November 2014.

• Ecological Restoration Permitting Flowchart

  The Ecological Restoration Permitting Flowchart visually depicts how to distinguish between the two wetlands regulatory permitting options for ecological restoration projects - the General Permit or Limited Project.

• The Permit Extension Act

  Information about the 2010 Permit Extension Act, which established an automatic four-year extension to certain permits and licenses relative to the use or development of real property during the qualifying period of August 15, 2008 through August 15, 2012.

• Municipal Compliance Fact Sheet: Wetlands

  What municipal officials need to know about wetlands protection and permitting requirements.

• Protecting Wetlands in Massachusetts

  What are wetlands, and how MassDEP works to protect them from pollution and loss - an overview of the Wetlands Program and how it works with communities and other interests.

• Wetlands: Our "Common Wealth"

  What wetlands are, their importance to the environment and economy, and what we can all do together to preserve and protect them.

• MassDEP's Wetlands Circuit Rider Program

  Circuit riders provide technical, administrative, and regulatory assistance to conservation commissions, municipal boards, and consultants, in implementing the provisions of the Wetlands Protection Act.

• Wetlands & Waterways Presentations and Fact Sheets

  Wetlands- and Waterways-related presentations and other materials from workshops, conferences, and meetings.

• Rivers Protection Act Q&A

  Answers to frequently asked questions about the Massachusetts Rivers Protection Act of 1996.

• Wetlands Replication Study

  Report of a 1998 study on wetland replication in 44 Massachusetts towns.

• Mapping and Protecting Vulnerable Wetlands and Stormwater Management Planning Project

  These maps show where each community's vulnerable wetlands are located relative to developed sites, so that they can better determine and plan the appropriate placement for, and type of, stormwater-control options to better protect these resources and reduce phosphorus loading to the Charles River.

• Inland and Coastal Wetlands of Massachusetts: Status and Trends

  This report assesses the status and trends of wetland resources statewide from 1990 to 2017, using five main data sources. March 2019.

• Permitting Ecological Restoration Projects under the Wetlands Protection Act
  
  MassDEP revised the wetlands regulations to encourage wetland restorations to support ecological connectedness and resilience, adaptation to sea level rise, and flood and storm damage protection for private property and public infrastructure. The regulatory process and procedures are explained in this video. 
   
• The Wetlands Stream Crossing Standards
  
  The Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards were incorporated into the wetlands regulations to support resilience to stream crossing infrastructure and to help maintain ecosystem integrity for fish and wildlife passage and to promote stream continuity. This video explains the standards for wetland resources that can also help to mitigate riverine flooding due to larger and more frequent storms. 
   
• Stream Crossing Catastrophe
  
  This video illustrates how an undersized stream crossing can damage roadways that potentially affect public safety and local economies where the crossing serves as a major thoroughfare.
   
• Vulnerable Wetlands:
  MassDEP received Wetland Program Development grants from the U.S. EPA to create YouTube videos and training for MS4 communities on how to develop and use GIS maps as stormwater management planning tools. 

  Vulnerable Wetlands Part 1: What they are and why they are important

  Vulnerable Wetlands Part 2: Stormwater and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

  Vulnerable Wetlands Part 3: Headwater streams and vernal pool clusters 

  Vulnerable Wetlands Part 4: GIS maps - vulnerable wetlands index and subwatershed of interest

  Vulnerable Wetlands Part 5: GIS Maps - subwatershed of interest series

  Vulnerable Wetlands Part 6: 10 rules of thumb to protect and restore vulnerable wetlands

Final wetland monitoring and assessment reports, including field and assessment data

• Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment: Research and Development

  This list contains some of the research that has been conducted by MassDEP, UMass-Amherst and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to develop a Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment Strategy for Massachusetts.

• Quality Assurance Project Plans

  Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) ensure the reliability and scientific accuracy of data collected during environmental monitoring field work.

• Wetlands Monitoring and Assessment: Final Reports and Data

  This listing includes final wetland monitoring and assessment reports, including field and assessment data.

• Salt Marsh Monitoring - Flickr Gallery

  Photos from salt marsh sampling on the North Shore in August 2009.

These forms will help you apply for permits for wetlands projects.

• Online Wetland Permitting

  Electronic filing allows MassDEP to more easily track permitted impacts, determine responsibility for wetland loss, pursue enforcement, and monitor compliance & mitigation success.

• eDEP Online Filing

  A secure site for submitting environmental permits, transmittals, certifications, and reports electronically to MassDEP.

• 301 CMR 10.00: Densely Developed Areas

  Defines a "densely developed area" under the Rivers Protection Act to protect wetlands in Massachusetts.

• 310 CMR 10.00: Wetlands Protection Act Regulations

  Procedures for issuing licenses and permits under the Wetlands Protection Act.

  • Proposed Wetlands Regulatory Revisions - February 29, 2020 Update

    Status of proposed revisions to Wetlands Protection Act Regulations, February 29, 2020.

• 310 CMR 12.00: Adopting Coastal Wetlands Orders

  Procedures for issuing activity-restriction orders in coastal wetlands areas.

• 310 CMR 13.00: Adopting Inland Wetlands Orders

  Procedures for issuing activity-restriction orders in inland wetlands areas.

• 310 CMR 23.00: Renovation of Abandoned Cranberry Bogs

  Establishes a permit process and performance standards for the renovation of eligible abandoned cranberry bogs.

• 310 CMR 1.00: Adjudicatory Proceedings

  310 CMR 1.00 governs the conduct of adjudicatory appeals and adjudicatory hearings of the Department of Environmental Protection under M.G.L. c. 30A.

• 310 CMR 4.00: Timely Action Schedule and Fee Provisions

  Governs the fees set for MassDEP-issued permits and approvals, and the timelines for review of submitted permit applications. 

• 314 CMR 9.00: 401 Water Quality Certifications

  Ensuring that dredging operations and material comply with the requirements of the Massachusetts Surface Water Quality Standards and the federal Clean Water Act.

• Stormwater Management Updates Advisory Committee

  In preparation for updating the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) stormwater regulations (310 CMR 10.05(6)), MassDEP has convened an advisory committee to focus on aligning the Act's Stormwater Management Standards with the requirements of the federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit. The committee will also look at precipitation projections for stormwater management.

• 2020 Drought Declaration

  This declaration affects the implementation of the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations for Riverfront Area and Pond observations for the time period explained in this wetlands guidance.

• Guidance to conservation commissions and applicants for submissions during MassDEP office closures

  Guidance to conservation commissions and applicants for submissions during MassDEP office closures for Wetlands Protection Act and 401 Water Quality Certification applications.

• MassDEP COVID-19 wetlands FAQs for conservation commissions and applicants

  Answers to questions raised by conservation commissions, their administrators/agents, and applicants about how the Wetlands Protection Act and its regulations will be implemented during the Coronavirus emergency. This list of questions and answers will be updated regularly.

• Guidance on Agriculture and Solar Energy under the Wetlands Protection Act and the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program

  Regulatory guidance to cranberry growers, conservation commissions, solar power development companies, and other interested parties on the applicability of the Wetlands Protection Act to the installation of solar panels at cranberry-growing facilities.

• MassDEP to Review Recent Studies on Precipitation Rates in Massachusetts

  As part of the Commonwealth's climate-change resiliency effort, MassDEP is evaluating the most recent precipitation-frequency statistics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with the goal of updating the Wetlands regulations (310 CMR 10.00) to accommodate the use of newer data in the wetlands permitting process. These statistics apply to stormwater peak runoff rates, calculation of 10-year floodplains, and isolated lands subject to flooding. In the interim, existing values from the US Weather Bureau Technical Paper 40 (TP40) should continue to be used. November 2015.

• Guidance for Aquatic Plant Management in Lakes & Ponds

  Guidance for the review of projects proposed to control aquatic-vegetation growth, under provisions of the Wetlands Protection Act.

• Airport Vegetation Management GEIR

  Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act's (MEPA) guidance for the development and review of airport vegetation removal projects in wetlands to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

• Emergency Repairs to Structures, Roads, and Facilities Located in Wetland Resource Areas or Buffer Zones, and Waterways

  Guidance for homeowners and local officials on authorizing emergency work in the event of a sudden or unforeseen emergency.

• Beach Nourishment: MassDEP's Guide to Best Management Practices for Projects in MA

  Guidance for beach-nourishment projects to maintain habitat, stability, and ecological health.

• Beaver and Muskrat-Related Activities - Guidance for Implementing G.L. c.131, s.80A

  Guidance for conservation commissions to manage flooding problems caused by beaver and muskrat activities.

• The Massachusetts Vegetated Buffer Manual

  Creating and maintaining vegetated buffers along waterbodies to control pollution, protect habitat and water quality, and benefit the property owner.

• Applying the Massachusetts Coastal Wetlands Regulations: A Practical Manual for Conservation Commissions

  This guidance document was developed by the Office of Coastal Zone Management and MassDEP to help Conservation Commissions evaluate projects proposed in coastal resource areas for their potential to impact the storm damage prevention and flood control interests of the Wetlands Protection Act. It gives Commissions tools, data, and information to delineate the coastal resource areas, determine resource area functions, assess potential project impacts, and evaluate whether the project meets, or can be conditioned to meet, the performance standards. The manual also includes a separate attachment, Data Checklists for the Delineation of Resource Areas - Supplement to the Coastal Manual, which can be printed and carried out to the field to record information about landform features and characteristics. August 2017.

• Dam Removal and the Wetlands Regulations

  Guidance for dam-removal projects to benefit the ecological health of the waterway.

• Delineating Bordering Vegetated Wetlands Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act

  A detailed manual for determining boundaries of vegetated wetlands bordering waterbodies, including hydrological and botanical indicators, and a guide to delineating BVWs in the field. If you need a separate copy of the "Bordering Vegetated Wetland Delineation Field Data Form," incorporated into the appendices of this document, see "Permits and Forms" on the Wetlands Protection page.

• MA Basic Building Code Regulations Revisions - May 2008

  These revisions establish requirements for structures in areas particularly vulnerable to damage from coastal storms.

• Complete Erosion and Sedimentation Control Guidelines: a Guide for Planners, Designers, and Municipal Officials

  Best management practices for controlling erosion and sedimentation.

• Eutrophication and Aquatic Plant Management In Massachusetts Final Generic Environmental Impact Report

  Lake management techniques for control of nutrients and aquatic-plant growth effectiveness and ecological impacts, and additional resources for identifying invasive species and other aquatic-nuisance issues.

• Enforcement Manual for Wetlands

  Assisting conservation commissions and other municipal officials in protecting wetland resources through effective enforcement of the Wetlands Protection Act.

• Forestry Memorandum of Understanding | Summary of Forestry Memorandum of Understanding

  The DEP and Department of Conservation Recreation have collaborated in the review and update of the 1995 Forestry Exemption of the Wetlands Protection Act and the Requirements of the Forest Cutting Practices Act (MOU) to be more consistent with sustainable forest practices. The June 2018 edition of the MOU identifies the roles that each agency will play to ensure that forestry practices are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner consistent with the wetland and forest cutting practices regulations. The MOU also serves to advise municipal conservation commissions, landowners, and other persons involved in forestry activities as to the respective roles and responsibilities of all involved.

• Farming in Wetland Resource Areas Manual: 1996 Edition

  Provisions of the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations that cover exempt and regulated agricultural activities, the permitting process for regulated activities, and resources for farmers, regulators, and the general public.

• Hydrology Handbook for Conservation Commissioners

  This manual is intended to assist conservation commissions in evaluating the hydrologic impacts of proposed activities on wetland function and statutory interests.

• Inland Wetland Replication Guidelines

  Increasing the effectiveness of wetland replication to meet performance standards for mitigation projects.

• Massachusetts Wildlife Habitat Protection Guidance for Inland Wetlands

  Guidance to identify important wildlife habitat in wetlands and ways to protect it while evaluating proposed projects in wetlands. The included Simplified and Detailed Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Forms are also available separately under "Permits and Forms" on the Wetlands Protection page.

• Massachusetts River and Stream Crossing Standards

  Criteria for maintaining river and stream continuity, to enable environmentally-critical movement of fish and wildlife through river and stream corridors. March 2012.

• National Climate Data Center Precipitation Frequency Atlas

  Precipitation data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• West Nile Virus Application of Pesticides to Wetlands Resource Areas

  Guidance to determine if mosquito control work (e.g. application of pesticides) is exempt or requires an Emergency Certification under the Wetlands Protection Act, and whether application of pesticides to a public water source for mosquito control can go forward.

• Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook

  Revised and updated in February 2008 in accordance with revisions to the Wetlands regulations, 310 CMR 10.00, and the Water Quality Regulations, 314 CMR 9.00, relating to stormwater.

• Changes to the Stormwater Management Standards, 2008

  A detailed explanation of the revisions made in 2008 to the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards, reflecting technological and scientific advancements since the Standards were first issued in 1996.

• Wetlands Program Notice to Adopt Method to Convert Stormwater Quality Volume to a Peak Flow Rate

  This is a notice that MassDEP is standardizing the computational method used to size proprietary manufactured stormwater treatment devices as part of the Wetlands Protection Program’s ongoing efforts to reduce stormwater pollution.

• Wetlands Program Method to Convert Stormwater Water Quality Volume to Peak Flow Rate

  Standardized method to convert stormwater Water Quality Volume to Peak Flow Rate.

• Water Resource Management Planning Guidance Document

  This guidance is intended to explain the types of water management planning reports towns and communities can use when approaching their particular wastewater, drinking water and stormwater issues.

• Hydraulic Assessment of Existing and Alternative Stream Crossings Providing Fish and Wildlife Passage at Seven Sites in Massachusetts

  Results of a USGS/MassDEP study of seven existing road crossing structures at streams in Massachusetts, evaluated hydraulically and compared to hypothetical alternative structures designed for Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP), using standards developed by the Massachusetts River Continuity Partnership.

• Emergency Declaration following Barnstable County Tornado on July 23, 2019

  This Emergency Declaration is issued for recovery operations in the towns of Harwich and Yarmouth following the tornado of July 23, 2019.

• Emergency Repairs to Structures, Roads, and Facilities Located in Wetland Resource Areas or Buffer Zones, and Waterways

  Guidance for homeowners and local officials on authorizing emergency work in the event of a sudden or unforeseen emergency.

• Storm Preparedness & Emergency Response Resources

  Information on debris management, emergency repairs to structures located in wetlands, guidance on responding to spills of oil or hazardous materials, and tools for water utilities.

• Snow Disposal Guidance

  MassDEP guidelines for government agencies and private businesses to use in selecting, preparing and maintaining snow disposal sites.

• Wetlands Program Policy 17-1: Photovoltaic System Solar Array Review

  Process for reviewing solar-array projects that may impact wetland areas.

• Wetlands Program Policy 85-2: Isolated Land Subject to Flooding

  Definition and interpretation of the Wetlands Protection Act category "Land Subject to Flooding."

• Wetlands Program Policy 85-4: Amended Orders

  Policy on amended Orders of Conditions.

• Wetlands Program Policy 86-1: Presumptions for Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems That Meet Title 5 or More Stringent Local Board of Health Requirements

  Protecting the interests of the Wetlands Protection Act within the requirements of Title 5 or more stringent local Board of Health requirements.

• Wetlands Program Policy 87-1: Expedited Review

  Policy for expedited review of license, approval, or permit applications.

• Wetlands Policy 88-2: Access Roadways

  Determining whether a new roadway qualifies for consideration as a limited project under the Wetlands Protection Act.

• Wetlands Program Policy 88-3: Multiple Filings

  Policy for addressing projects for which multiple Notices of Intent have been filed.

• Wetlands Program Policy 90-2: Rare Species

  Determining adverse impacts to rare species habitat under the rules set forth in the Wetlands Protection Regulations.

• Wetlands Program Policy 91-1: Plan Changes

  This policy specifically distinguishes project plan changes which are substantial, and will require a new NOI filing, from those plan changes which are deemed insubstantial and thus may be considered as part of the appeal review process.

• Wetlands Program Policy 91-2: Salt Ponds

  Clarifying the Department's position on when salt pond openings to the ocean may be allowed in accordance with the Wetlands Protection Act, and providing guidance to the issuing authority with a process for the evaluation of a pond-opening proposal. This policy is intended to allow the Department to gather information and further evaluate the effects of pond openings.

• Wetlands Program Policy 92-1: Coastal Banks

  The purpose of this policy is to clarify the definition of coastal bank contained in the Wetlands Regulations, 310 CMR 10.00, by providing guidance for identifying 'top of coastal bank'. Regulatory Standards Coastal wetlands are defined in the Wetlands Protection Act (MGL c. 131, s.40).

• Wetlands Program Policy 95-1: Bordering Vegetated Wetland Delineation Criteria & Methodology

  This policy defines which plant species or other plants are wetland indicator plants as specified in the wetland regulations (310 CMR 10.55(2)(c)). This policy also identifies a standard methodology for determining the boundary of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVWs) in accordance with 310 CMR 10.55(2)(c)(1-3).

• Wetlands Policy: Coordinated Review Relating to Endangered Species

  Procedures for coordinated review under the Endangered Species and Wetlands Protection Regulations for state-listed wildlife in wetlands.

• Wetlands Program Policy 08-1: Lack of Information Necessary for Conservation Commission Decisions

  Reviewing requests for Superseding Orders of Conditions when a conservation commission denies an Order of Conditions (OOC), a Request for Determination of Applicability, or a Notice of Resource Area Delineation due to a lack of necessary information pursuant to 310 CMR 10.05(6).

• Office of Geographic Information (MassGIS)

  Through the Office of Geographic Information (MassGIS), the Commonwealth has created a comprehensive, statewide database of spatial information for mapping and analysis supporting emergency response, environmental planning and management, transportation planning, economic development, and transparency in state government operations.

• Communities with Previously Registered Wetlands

  Cities and towns that currently have registered wetlands with accompanying restriction orders under either the Coastal Wetlands Restriction Act (c.130, s.105) or the Inland Wetlands Restriction Act (c.131, s.40A).

• Wetlands Program - Orthophotoquad Map Use & Distribution

  List of possible municipal uses for Wetlands Orthophotoquad Maps.

• Massachusetts Ecological Integrity Maps and MassDEP Maps Depicting Habitat of Potential Regional or Statewide Importance

  These maps are intended to help prioritize land for conservation based on the assessment of ecological communities. The maps represent a percentage of the landscape with the highest wildlife-habitat value. Activities in these areas that are subject to the Wetlands Protection regulations should conduct a detailed wildlife habitat evaluation.

• Eelgrass Mapping Project

  The current MassDEP Eelgrass layer is being updated. A paper has been published explaining the methodology of the updates.

• Wetlands Loss Maps Q&A

  This Q&A describes Wetlands Loss Maps. In order to protect this valuable land, MassDEP began compiling aerial photographs of the state to track the alteration and loss of wetlands. By comparing the photos, MassDEP can more effectively enforce the Wetlands Protection Act to restore already damaged areas and devise better strategies to prevent the destruction of these valuable resource areas. 

• Wetlands Maps: Mouth of Coastal River

  Massachusetts Mouth of Coastal River Maps: These maps identify the Mouth Of The River (MOR) for coastal rivers in order to provide a clear, consistent, and predictable means of locating all river mouths in the Commonwealth.