The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is a part of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). Our mission is to balance the impacts of human activity with the protection of coastal and marine resources. As a networked program, CZM was specifically established to work with other state agencies, federal agencies, local governments, academic institutions, nonprofit groups, and the general public to promote sound management of the Massachusetts coast. CZM is funded primarily through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
CZM Spotlights

		Draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan Available for Review and Comment The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) has released the draft comprehensive ocean management plan for public review and comment. Mandated by the Oceans Act of 2008, the draft plan was developed by EEA in the context of an extensive, and ongoing, public participation process—and public comments on the draft are now being accepted. Formal public hearings have been scheduled for September 14 in Boston, September 15 in New Bedford, September 16 in Barnstable, and September 17 in Gloucester. The Oceans Act sets a deadline of December 31, 2009, for final promulgation of a plan that balances protection of marine resources with uses such as renewable energy development. Also pursuant to the Act, public comments on the draft plan must be received by November 16. See the Public Review and Comment page for details on the public hearings and instructions for submitting written comments.
		COASTSWEEP 2009 COASTSWEEP, the state-wide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM and the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston, will kick off its 22nd year on September 19. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by The Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect marine debris and record what they find. This information is then used to help reduce future marine debris problems. Cleanups will be scheduled throughout September and October. To get involved, go to the COASTSWEEP website.
		Seafloor Mapping Program CZM has launched the new Seafloor Mapping Program website, which provides details about Massachusetts seafloor mapping efforts. In 2003, CZM and the United States Geological Survey Woods Hole Science Center initiated the Seafloor Mapping Cooperative to address the need for data about seafloor resources. Current seafloor mapping work is revealing the complexity of the seafloor landscape, providing a large step toward a greater understanding of seafloor habitats.
		StormSmart Coasts To help coastal communities address challenges arising from storms, floods, sea level rise, and climate change, StormSmart Coasts provides a menu of options for successful coastal floodplain management. The StormSmart Coasts website includes regulatory tools, case studies, planning strategies, and other technical assistance materials. CZM's StormSmart Coasts program implements the Coastal Hazards Commission recommendation to establish a storm-resilient communities program to provide case studies for effective coastal smart growth planning and implementation. This national model helps translate often overwhelming technical materials into user-friendly information for local planning efforts.
		Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System MORIS, the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System, is an online mapping tool created by CZM and the Massachusetts Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS). MORIS can be used to search and display spatial data pertaining to the Massachusetts coastal zone. Users can interactively view various data layers (e.g., tide gauge stations, marine protected areas, access points, eelgrass beds, etc.) over a backdrop of aerial photographs, political boundaries, natural resources, human uses, bathymetry, or other data. Users can quickly create and share maps and download the actual data for use in a Geographic Information System (GIS). While designed for coastal management professionals, MORIS can be used by anyone interested in these data and maps.
		No Discharge Areas Boat sewage can be harmful to water quality and public health. No Discharge Areas (NDAs) are designated bodies of water where the discharge of all boat sewage is prohibited. To support Governor Patrick’s goal of ultimately making all Commonwealth coastal waters NDAs, CZM is working with communities to apply for no discharge status, and is supporting efforts to increase boat pumpout facilities to make proper sewage disposal more convenient for boaters. See CZM's Massachusetts Pumpout Facilities web page for more information.