Policy on Lake and Pond Management for Massachusetts
This 1994 policy establishes the Commonwealth's framework for managing its approximately 3,000 named lakes and ponds. It calls for a holistic approach combining watershed protection, in-lake management, pollution prevention, and public education — recognizing that in-lake treatments alone are insufficient without addressing land-based sources of nutrient runoff, stormwater, and invasive species in the surrounding watershed.
Aquatic Nuisance Control law
MA Acts of 2012, Ch. 444 – Aquatic Nuisance Control Law
This law was passed to help protect lakes, ponds, and inland waters in Massachusetts from harmful plants, animals, and other organisms that don’t belong there—often called aquatic nuisances. These nuisances can harm the environment, make water recreation less enjoyable, and spread to other water bodies.
Aquatic Nuisance Control Regulation
302 CMR 18.00 – MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation: Aquatic Nuisance Control Program (PDF)
302 CMR 18.00 sets up rules to protect freshwater systems (lakes, ponds, rivers) in Massachusetts from aquatic nuisance species, which are harmful or unwanted plants, animals, or organisms that can damage ecosystems or interfere with recreation. It creates a control program with clear procedures to stop these species from spreading.
Wetlands Protection Act Regulations
310 CMR 10.00 – MA Dept. of Environmental Protection: Wetlands Protection Act Regulations
310 CMR 10.00 explains how the Wetlands Protection Act is carried out in Massachusetts. These rules tell people and local conservation commissions how to review and approve projects that might affect wetland (including waterbodies) areas. The goal is to protect water, wildlife, and natural flood control by guiding how work near wetlands can happen responsibly.
Great Ponds law
M.G.L. c. 131, § 45 – Great Ponds: Public Access and Local Regulations
This law says that most great ponds that are not used as public drinking water supplies are open to everyone for activities like fishing, hunting, and boating. Cities and towns may create reasonable local rules for how these activities happen—such as limits on boat speed or motor use—but they must still allow the public fair access to the pond.
Great Ponds list
MA Great Ponds List – Chapter 91 Jurisdiction Reference (PDF, MassDEP 2017)
Chapter 91 law
M.G.L. Chapter 91 – Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act: Overview and Licensing Guide (MassDEP)
Chapter 91, the Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act, protects the public’s right to access and use waterfront areas such as tidelands, great ponds, and certain rivers, and it requires permits for building or changes in these areas. The law ensures that waterfront development serves a public purpose—especially for water-dependent uses—and often requires public benefits like walkways or access points so people can continue to enjoy and use the water.
401 Water Quatlity Certification Regulation
This regulation explains how the Massachusetts reviews and approves projects that involve dredging or placing fill material in water. It requires people to apply for a 401 Water Quality Certification to show that their project will meet state water quality standards and protect the environment before the federal permit can be issued.
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act Law
M.G.L. c. 131A – Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA)
This law protects endangered, threatened, and special-concern plants and animals in Massachusetts and their habitats. It provides rules and guidance to provide safety to the species and their environments.
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act Regulations
These regulations are the rules the state uses to carry out the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). They explain how the law works in detail; for example, how species and habitats are protected, how projects are reviewed, and what permits are needed.
Recreational Boating Regulations
Massachusetts Recreational Boating Laws and Regulations – Trial Court Law Libraries Reference Guide
There are various laws, regulations and resources available about recreational boating in Massachusetts, which are provided by the Trial Court Law Libraries website.
Fishing Regulations
Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Regulations – Seasons, Limits, and Licensing (MassWildlife)
This MassWildlife page covers fishing seasons, bag and size limits by species, and licensing requirements for freshwater fishing in Massachusetts. It also includes prohibited species, special rules for specific water bodies, and cross-border regulations for waters shared with neighboring states.
Phosphate law
M.G.L. c. 111, § 5R – Phosphorus Limits in Household Cleansing Products
The Massachusetts Phosphate Bill became a law that prohibits the sale of any household cleaning products with a phosphate concentration greater than 0.5% by weight.
Massachusetts Clean Water Act
The Massachusetts Clean Water Act establishes the state’s framework for protecting, maintaining, and improving water quality, working in tandem with the federal Clean Water Act.
WM04 permit from DEP
This license from MassDEP grants annual approval to apply chemicals to control nuisance vegetation in waterbodies and keep record of the chemicals used.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit
The permit from the US EPA translates general requirements of the federal Clean Water Act into specific provisions tailored to the operations of each person discharging pollutants.