Statewide Floodplain Regulatory and Coordination Framework

This is a ResilientMass action.

Climate Change Challenge

Develop a statewide floodplain management framework that coordinates state floodplain development processes, as well as state agency collaboration for best floodplain management practices across the Commonwealth that considers climate change data and impacts. Identify best practices for municipalities to adopt to increase resilience standards for residential and/or non-residential construction in their communities. Advance opportunities within the building code to enhance resilience. Develop a Floodplain Management Plan that prioritizes actions that can be taken statewide to address and mitigate floods and their impacts.

Project Alignment with ResilientMass Plan Priority Actions

This project addresses the following 2023 ResilientMass Plan:

• ResilientMass Priority Action #7 (a Cross-government action): “Develop a statewide floodplain management framework that coordinates state floodplain development processes, as well as state agency collaboration for best floodplain management practices across the Commonwealth that considers climate change data and impacts. Identify best practices for municipalities to adopt to increase resilience standards for residential and/or non-residential construction in their communities. Advance opportunities within the building code to enhance resilience. Develop a Floodplain Management Plan that prioritizes actions that can be taken statewide to address and mitigate floods and their impacts.

Climate Resilience Project Scope

This initiative has been led by 3 MA agencies: DCR, MEMA & CZM. Approximately 45 state agency individuals have been attending the meetings (Oct 2023 through June 30, 2025), representing 12 agencies. Goal is described above in Project Alignment text. June 30, 2025 deliverables included:

1. A State Agency Consensus Report regarding overall state floodplain management in MA;
2. An outline for a statewide floodplain management plan;
3. An Integrated Floodplain Management Audit conducted by a 3rd party to analyze MA’s historic and current floodplain management activities, gaps and potential areas for improvement (recommendations.) Next step is to develop a statewide comprehensive and inclusive floodplain management plan (inland and coastal, including the new ResilientCoasts strategy) that includes input from all floodplain stakeholders including local governments, regional planning agencies and other watershed coalitions and organizations.

Metrics and Results

The following ResilientMass Metrics are aligned with the project:

1. Number of state agencies with climate vulnerability assessments of assets and operations: Under the Framework Coordination project, Massachusetts chose to participate in a national survey of states and their floodplain health, activities, governance, etc. This survey was conducted by American Rivers and is titled the Integrated Floodplain Management Audit. This instrument is one of the deliverables of the FY26 work.
2. Percent of 2023 ResilientMass Plan actions in progress or complete: This project has been in progress since 2023, and looks forward to Phase II—the development of a statewide inland floodplain management plan that complements the ResilientCoasts strategy and offers a statewide framework for working with non-state entities (local governments and NGOs) to implement best floodplain management practices across the Commonwealth.
    

Best Practices and Lessons Learned

The process of creating the statewide floodplain management “Framework” is outlined in the Consensus Report, along with recommendations from the group about a mission, goals and “areas of interest.” The Framework agencies attended two presentations to learn how to analyze floodplain development to date in Massachusetts and how the state of Texas developed their statewide flood plan. The group decided to pursue the Integrated Floodplain Management Audit being conducted by American Rivers, as well as to hire a facilitator to help the group develop a collaborative outline for a statewide flood plan. The Consensus Report also included the following key elements in preparation for the development of a statewide flood plan: 

• Justification of core needs,
• Identification of appropriate state entities to be involved in the planning process,
• An analysis of gaps and duplication in state floodplain work, and
• A brief look at how other states have completed similar work. 

The Integrated Floodplain Management Audit performed by American Rivers used seven “enabling conditions” to evaluate Massachusetts’ “readiness” to move forward with best practice excellence in floodplain management. The audit identified barriers to such improvement and made eight recommendations for advanced work. These documents (Consensus Report; Massachusetts Integrated Floodplain Management Audit; and Flood Plan Outline) are available by request.

Further Action

In SFY 2026, EEA has set aside $150,000 to pursue Phase II—the initial development of a statewide floodplain management plan. This is to be followed by a second year in which the plan will be finalized, utilizing additional EEA funding in the amount of $250,000.

Additional Information and Resources

To request the above listed documents, please contact DCR’s Flood Hazard Management Program or the Massachusetts Water Resource Commission.