Waterways (Chapter 91) Resilience 1.0 Draft Regulations
MassDEP is proposing revisions to the Waterways regulations to improve the Commonwealth's resilience to impacts of climate change. Following Information Sessions and Public Hearings, MassDEP has added Office Hour Sessions for stakeholder Q&A and extended the Public Comment period from March 1 to April 30.
Public Notice: English | Español | 中文 | 中文(繁體) | Kreyòl Ayisyen | ភាសាខ្មែរ | Português | Tiếng Việt
Revised Public Notice: English | Español | 中文 | 中文(繁體) | Kreyòl Ayisyen | ភាសាខ្មែរ | Português | Tiếng Việt
Public Information Sessions and Public Hearings
MassDEP conducted two public information sessions:
- Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Recording available on YouTube.
- Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Recording available on YouTube.
- Presentation available here.
MassDEP conducted two public hearings:
- Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Recording available on YouTube.
- Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Recording available on YouTube.
Public Comment Period and How to Submit Public Comments
MassDEP has extended the public comment period from March 1 to April 30, 2024 – a 60-day extension and will hold informal “office hours” sessions for stakeholder question and answer (see below for schedule and further details). (The comment period extension will be formally noticed in the Massachusetts Register and in newspapers.) Formal written comments on the draft regulations will be accepted until 5:00 PM on April 30, 2024. The Department encourages electronic submission by email to dep.waterways@mass.gov and must include Waterways Resilience Comments in the subject line. In lieu of electronic submittal, paper comments may be mailed to:
MassDEP - BWR Waterways Program
Attention: Waterways Resilience Comments
100 Cambridge Street, 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
See also: MassDEP Public Hearings & Comment Opportunities
Wetlands and Waterways Resilience Regulations “Office Hours” Schedule
MassDEP will conduct three virtual office hours sessions. These informal Q&A sessions are an opportunity for the public to better understand the proposed revisions and to help develop their formal comments. Stakeholders are encouraged to submit questions about the Wetlands/401WQC regulations, Stormwater Handbook, and/or Waterways regulations in advance of the session(s) you plan to attend. Please note:
- Questions submitted in advance (preferably at least one week) of an Office Hours session will be prioritized. “Live” questions will be considered, as time permits.
- MassDEP may choose not to address questions at these sessions if not received sufficiently in advance or if the question requires extensive evaluation.
- Please refrain from asking site-specific questions related to projects you may be involved in.
- To submit questions in advance for office hours, please use this form: https://massgov.formstack.com/forms/officehours_wetlands_wqc_waterways
- Important: Questions submitted for an office hours session do not constitute a formal public comment. Public comments must be submitted according the instructions in the section above.
All sessions will be conducted virtually via Zoom, agendas to follow. Register in advance; after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting:
Proposed Revisions
310 CMR 9.00: Resilience Proposed Amendments - Redline
310 CMR 9.00: Resilience Proposed Amendments - Clean
Public Summary - 310 CMR 9.00 (Resilience)
Amendments to Related Regulations
Draft Wetland Regulations - 310 CMR 10.00
Draft Water Quality Certification Regulations - 314 CMR 9.00
For information about opportunities for public comment, please go to MassDEP Public Hearings & Comment Opportunities | Mass.gov
Waterways (Chapter 91) Chelsea Municipal Harbor Plan Draft Regulations
MassDEP is proposing amendments that would add to the list of MassDEP “Approved Municipal Harbor Plans” (MHP) at 310 CMR 9.57, including the substitute provisions stipulated in the Chelsea Municipal Harbor Plan and Designated Port Area Master Plan, April 1, 2022.
Proposed Revisions
310 CMR 9.00 Proposed Revisions: Redline-Strikeout
310 CMR 9.00 Proposed Revisions: Clean
Background Documents: Decision on Chelsea MHP and DPA Master Plan