Public Notices
Currently, there are no items to highlight in this section. See the "Public Notices" section of the Environmental Monitor for all official CZM notices.
Comment Opportunities
NEW: Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) is seeking comments on the draft 2025 Update of the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), which contains goals and objectives and provides a long-term framework for action to protect and restore water quality and living resources in Buzzards Bay and its watershed. This draft plan revises the 2013 CCMP update to reflect recommendations in the 2023 Buzzards Bay CCMP Climate Vulnerability Assessment, new information or conditions, changes to laws and regulations, new EPA CCMP guidelines, comments by reviewers, and other concerns. The 2025 Update also better reflects agency climate resilience objectives. Submit comments to Joe Costa at joe.costa@mass.gov by September 29 at 4:00 p.m.
Recent Municipal Harbor Plan and Designated Port Area Decisions
NEW: Decision Issued on Harbor Plan for Gloucester - On July 7, the Decision on the Request for Approval of the Gloucester Municipal Harbor Plan Renewal and Designated Port Area Master Plan (PDF, 1 MB) was issued by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). The 2025 renewal planning area includes Gloucester’s Inner Harbor, Harbor Cove, Smith Cove, and adjacent landside areas extending from the Rocky Neck peninsula to the Blynman Canal, as well as access roads including Western Avenue, Commercial Street and Fort Square, Rogers Street and Main Street, East Main Street, Rocky Neck Avenue, and Horton Street. The 2025 renewal addresses pressures on commercial fishing operations from changes in fisheries management and global competition, as well as risks to existing and aging infrastructure associated with climate change and rising sea levels. It also guides Gloucester’s harbor economy to capitalize on new “blue economy” opportunities in fisheries, marine research and biotechnology, and ocean and seafood product development to diversify and expand economic activity while maintaining the centrality of the harbor to the city’s identity. The plan also includes a Designated Port Area (DPA) Master Plan that details a strategy to preserve and enhance the capacity of the DPA to accommodate water-dependent industries and prevent substantial displacement of these activities by non-water-dependent uses. For questions, please contact Kathryn Glenn, CZM North Shore Regional Coordinator, at kathryn.glenn@mass.gov.
Additional past decisions are available on CZM's Municipal Harbor Plan web page.