This is a proposed updated Action Plan in the Buzzards Bay CCMP 2024 Update.

Managing Coastal Watersheets, Tidelands, and the Waterfront

Problem

In coastal waters, new docks, increased boating, new waterfront development, and dredging and coastal armoring to support those activities, continue to degrade water quality, destroy habitat, and affect marine plant and animal populations. Other activities, like aquaculture, are also expanding. All levels of government have some jurisdiction over activities on the water’s surface (commonly called the watersheet), on the seabed (tidelands under Massachusetts law), and on the waterfront. The Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, adopted in 2009, better regulates activities in areas greater than 1/3 mile offshore. Municipalities, with home rule powers, remain a key manager of nearshore areas not covered by the Ocean Management Plan, including most of the harbors and embayments. These nearshore areas are now imperfectly managed principally through local and state waterways regulations and wetlands permitting. Most municipalities have failed to undertake comprehensive planning studies of their coastal waters to protect natural resources or address cumulative impacts. All levels of government must ensure that laws, regulations, and policies are consistent to better protect water quality and natural resources, and to make the waterfront more resilient to climate change.

To address these needs at the local level, towns must develop embayment management plans based on spatial planning techniques to characterize conditions and recommend action. These plans must then be implemented through laws, regulations, and policies, together with nonregulatory approaches and education.

This action plan seeks principally to address conflicting uses and management priorities for the waterfront and near coastal watersheets not addressed by the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, including nearshore renewable energy facilities. Issues associated with discharges from boat operation and maintenance, and adverse impacts from boat mooring systems are addressed in Action Plan 6 Managing Impacts from Boating, Marinas, and Moorings.

Goals and Objectives

Changes: The previous Goal 15.2 was split into goals 15.2 and 15.3 to differentiate between two separate goals. Some objectives were re-worded improve clarity and readability. One new objective was added.

Goal 15.1. Manage the uses and activities in the waters and on the tidelands of Buzzards Bay using sound comprehensive assessments of natural resources, habitat, and water quality, to ensure sustainable recreational and commercial activities, including aquaculture, while protecting and improving ecosystem health and values.
Goal 15.2. Minimize negative impacts of dredging activities on water quality, physical processes, marine productivity, and public health.
Goal 15.3. Maximize beneficial use of dredged sediments. (Goal split from 15.2)
Objective 15.1. Develop and improve upon geographic databases identifying habitat, aquaculture grants, natural resources, seabed characteristics, and contamination or impairment hotspots of lands under the ocean to establish a strong technical basis for embayment watersheet planning and management.
Objective 15.2. Promote the development and implementation of municipal embayment management plans that manage the watersheet uses and structures to protect water quality, natural resources, and tidelands habitats. Strategies should help increase shoreline resilience to storms and rising sea level, ensure dredging is protective of natural resources and habitats, and designate areas appropriate for sustainable uses including aquaculture and alternative energy.
Objective 15.3. Ensure that dredging methods and timing are conducted to minimize adverse impacts, and where appropriate, transfer sensitive resources out of areas to be dredged.
Objective 15.4. Maximize the beneficial uses of dredged material by creating opportunities by pre-designating or pre-permitting receiving areas (e.g., beach nourishment zones) to expedite permitting, and through increased funding.
Objective 15.3. Support updates to the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act regulations to protect critical marine habitat and important water-dependent uses for ocean-based projects, including cumulative impacts of aquaculture and energy-related activities. (New)