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Massachusetts Ocean Management Initiative (2003-2004)

Find information on this ground-breaking effort chaired and staffed by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).

To examine evolving ocean uses and develop a comprehensive approach to managing ocean resources, the Massachusetts Ocean Management Task Force was launched in 2003 and charged with developing recommendations, which were released in the 2004 Waves of Change report. This effort, which was chaired and staffed by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), formed the foundation for ongoing ocean management activities and spurred the passage of the Oceans Act of 2008. Signed on May 28, 2008, the Act required Massachusetts to develop a comprehensive plan to manage development in state waters. The Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan was released on December 31, 2009, by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). The Oceans Act also requires EEA to review and update the ocean plan at least once every five years. See Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan website for details on the ocean plan and the update process.

Task Force Report and Recommendations

Waves of Change: The Massachusetts Ocean Management Task Force Report and Recommendations includes an introduction, detailed descriptions of key ocean management themes (governance, management tools, scientific understanding, and public outreach), the Task Force's six guiding ocean management principles, and its 16 recommendations with justifications and notes on implementation.

Technical Report

The Massachusetts Ocean Management Task Force Technical Report is a compendium of separate ocean resource briefings prepared for the Task Force and includes chapters on the Massachusetts public trust doctrine, a descriptive overview of traditional and emerging ocean uses, an overview of data trends and needs, a summary of state and federal regulatory authorities relating to ocean resources, and other information.

Additional Information

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