Public Notice Highlights
Massachusetts Ocean Plan Update - Meeting of the Ocean Science Advisory Council to Be Held March 30
In response to the Oceans Act of 2008, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) issued the original Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan in 2009. The Oceans Act requires EEA to review the ocean plan at least once every five years, and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) leads the review process. EEA initiated a review of the current ocean plan in 2025, and this process is supported by the Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC) and Ocean Science Advisory Council (SAC), seven technical work groups, and significant public engagement.
On March 30 at 11:00 a.m. - The SAC will meet to go over the findings of three of the ocean plan technical work groups: Transportation & Navigation, Technology & Innovation, and Cultural & Recreational Resources. The meeting notice and agenda are available below. This meeting will be held virtually. Please register for or join the meeting using the link below.
- Notice of Meeting (PDF, 129 KB)
- Meeting Agenda (PDF, 143 KB)
- Register for or join the March 30 SAC meeting
Environmental Monitor - For all official CZM notices, see the "Public Notices" section of the Environmental Monitor.
Comment Opportunities
Currently, there are no CZM comment opportunities to highlight here.
Recent Municipal Harbor Plan and Designated Port Area Decisions
NEW: Edgartown Municipal Harbor Plan Decision - On February 26, 2026 the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) issued the Decision on the Town of Edgartown's Request for Approval of the Edgartown Harbor Plan Pursuant To 301 CMR 23.00 (PDF, 559 KB). The planning area for the MHP encompasses approximately 2,046 acres, including inner and outer Edgartown Harbor, Katama Bay, Eel Pond, and Cape Pogue Bay, as well as the Island of Chappaquiddick on the eastern side of the harbor. The MHP incorporates climate resilience strategies to protect harbor infrastructure and natural resources and addresses conflicts between recreational use and resource preservation. The MHP also emphasizes the importance of protecting and enhancing public access to the waterfront and expanding public amenities. For additional information, please contact Stephen McKenna, CZM Cape and Islands Regional Coordinator, at stephen.mckenna@mass.gov.
Decision Issued on Harbor Plan for Gloucester - On July 7, 2025, 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.