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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 82 FILED ON: 1/7/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 660
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Bruce E. Tarr
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to protect coastal resources.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and MiddlesexSteven George Xiarhos5th Barnstable1/27/2025 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 82 FILED ON: 1/7/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 660
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 660) of Bruce E. Tarr and Steven
George Xiarhos for legislation to protect coastal resources by establishing the Massachusetts
Coastal Erosion Innovation Center. Environment and Natural Resources.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 585 OF 2023-2024.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act to protect coastal resources.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Preamble - Whereas, Massachusetts has approximately 192 miles of coastal shoreline,
2which provides incalculable benefits to the economy, character and quality of life for residents
3and visitors, and whereas changing climatological conditions and sea level rise directly threaten
4public and private property, infrastructure and natural resources and critical habitats, and
5whereas new and continuing threats demand innovative solutions, and whereas the possibility
6exists to develop and deploy such solutions using natural resources and processes, the legislature
7deems it necessary to enact the following legislation.
8 SECTION 1. There is hereby established the Massachusetts Coastal Erosion Innovation
9Center, whose purpose shall be to develop, identify, research, advance and deploy innovative
10means, methods, technologies and approaches for protecting and strengthening the resilience of 2 of 3
11the state's coastal shoreline, including but not limited to beaches, marshes, dunes and public and
12private property and infrastructure. The center shall be administered by the Executive Office of
13Energy and Environmental Affairs, and shall consist of representatives of the Office of Coastal
14Zone Management, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of
15Conservation and Recreation, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, and
16the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, whom shall meet at intervals of not less
17than 6 months for the purposes set forth in Section 3, provided that such meetings shall be open
18to public observation, provided further that the center may elect to receive written or oral
19testimony with proper notice given.
20 SECTION 2. In carrying out the provisions of this act, the center shall be advised by an
21advisory group appointed by the governor, comprised of 3 members representing municipal
22officials, selected from a list submitted by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, 3 members
23representing environmental advocacy organizations in the commonwealth, 3 members
24representing owners of coastal property in the commonwealth, 3 members whom shall have
25expertise in engineering, construction, or architecture, 1 member with expertise in coastal
26geology, and 2 members representing the taxpayers of the commonwealth. Said advisory group
27shall meet not less than every 3 months, and at the request of the Innovation Center, and shail be
28chaired by the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The center shall also, to the
29greatest extent possible, consult and coordinate with the New England District of the United
30States Army Corps of Engineers.
31 SECTION 3. The center shall identify, develop, and research, in consultation with one or
32more institutions of higher learning or research in the commonwealth, innovative methods of
33protecting coastal resources, with prioritization for natural approaches such as thin layer marsh 3 of 3
34deposition, living shorelines, vegetation, eradication of invasive plant and shellfish species such
35as green crab, and any other relevant methodology. The center shall produce an annual report of
36its activities, which shall be filed with the clerks of the House and Senate , and posted
37electronically for public inspection.
38 SECTION 4. The center is hereby authorized and directed to receive applications for, and
39approve, applications for innovative pilot projects to protect coastal shorelines and/ or promote
40their resiliency, which may not otherwise be eligible for permitting. permits for such projects
41shall not exceed 20 in number in any given calendar year, and be for no longer than 3 years in
42duration, provided, however, that a permit may be extended for not more than an additional 3
43years. In reviewing and granting such permits, the center shall consider the potential impact of a
44project, the size and scope of its potential benefits, its cost- effectiveness, and its consistency
45with state and federal regulations. The center shall consider applications made by applicants
46including but not limited to municipalities and regional groups of municipalities, non-profit
47organizations and research institutions, private property owners and collaborations thereof, and
48individuals. No application shall be approved unless it contains provisions for appropriate
49engineering and design, monitoring, and any restoration work necessary at the expiration of the
50resulting permit. Such permits shall be posted in a conspicuous location at the site of physical
51activity they authorize, and shall be posted electronically so as to enable public inspection. The
52department of environmental protection shall promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions
53of this section, which shall exist coterminously with the existence of the center.
54 SECTION 5. The provisions of this act shall expire on December 31, 2035, unless
55otherwise repealed, modified or extended.