Announcement
October 3, 2025
The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) sought comments on a July draft of the 2025 Update of the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). We have updated the document based on comments we received in the October 3 updated draft below.
The CCMP contains goals and objectives and provides a long-term framework for action to protect and restore water quality and living resources in Buzzards Bay and its watershed. This draft plan revises the 2013 CCMP Update to reflect recommendations in the 2023 Buzzards Bay CCMP Climate Vulnerability Assessment, new information or conditions, changes to laws and regulations, new EPA CCMP guidelines, comments by reviewers, and other concerns. The 2025 Update also better reflects agency climate resilience objectives.
The finalization of update has been postponed. If you have comments on the October 2025 draft, please send them to Sarah.Williams@mass.gov.
Background
As described by Section 320 of the Clean Water Act, a CCMP “recommends priority corrective actions and compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint sources of pollution to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the estuary, including restoration and maintenance of water quality, a balanced indigenous population of shellfish, fish and wildlife, and recreational activities in the estuary, and assure that the designated uses of the estuary are protected.” A CCMP “contains goals and objectives and provides a long-term framework for action” (EPA guidance).
CCMPs focus on locally actionable solutions to address estuary-specific problems. Each CCMP reflects local priorities identified by government and public and private concerns. The original CCMP represented the consensus approach of the Buzzards Bay NEP’s Management Conference, and all the participants involved. It defines the collective goals, objectives, and actions needed by all levels of government that participated in the conference.
2025 Update of the Buzzards Bay CCMP
The Buzzards Bay NEP updated the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2013 Update to reflect recommendations in the 2023 Buzzards Bay CCMP Climate Vulnerability Assessment, new information or conditions, changes to laws and regulations, new EPA CCMP guidelines, comments by reviewers, and other concerns. The 2025 Update also better reflects agency climate resilience objectives.
Each Action Plan in the Buzzards Bay CCMP articulates overarching Goals. These Goals are aspirational and without a deadline. Each Action Plan also articulates Objectives, which are key intermediate steps needed to achieve the overarching Goals. Some Objectives may include measurable targets and timelines. The Objectives are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all actions in support of the Goals but are meant to identify important action items that should be implemented and supported by funding and technical assistance by all levels of government. The new research-related objectives added to some Action Plans and are meant to identify essential information needed to achieve specific Goals and Objectives.
Who is responsible for implementing the CCMP?
A CCMP represents the collective goals of the NEP management conference that created it. A CCMP is not a work plan for the NEP, rather it is a blueprint or course of action for all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, private enterprises, and the public to protect and restore water quality and living resources of Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed. The NEP’s primary responsibility is to develop and promote strategies to help implement the CCMP, monitor the effectiveness of actions taken, and identify emerging issues to be addressed. The CCMP not only defines what types of projects or activities the Buzzards Bay NEP may fund or aid; it also defines projects and activities that are priorities and eligible for funding through other state and federal grant programs.
The goals and objectives articulated in a CCMP might require action by a particular agency or level of government. Other Goals and Objectives might require the action of all levels of government, the public, businesses, and other private entities. In most cases, each level of government may play a different role in meeting any Goal or Objective. For example, local government might have the legal authority to act on a particular goal, whereas a state agency might only be able to support those activities through grants and technical assistance. In other instances, a state or federal agency must be the lead. Those responsible for implementing the CCMP are identified in the narrative of each Action Plan. Though municipalities are often the lead, municipalities also often lack the staff or financial capacity to act. It is for this reason that most action plans include Objectives for state and federal agencies to increase financial and technical support to Buzzards Bay municipalities to help them implement actions to protect and restore Buzzards Bay.