Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan Update

A presentation on the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan Update was made to the Cape Cod Commission’s Planning Committee on Monday, February 24, 2014.

Natural Resources Specialist Heather McElroy provided a staff overview of the current Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management effort to update the 2009 plan.

The presentation covers the recently finalized Ocean Management Plan review document, and touches on the content and recommendations of the draft reports from MCZM’s five working groups on habitat, recreation and cultural resources, transportation, sediment, and fisheries. The presentation concludes with considerations for Cape Cod’s regional ocean management planning.

Working toward the five-year update, CZM convened six technical work groups focusing on habitat, fisheries, sediment resources, recreational and cultural services, transportation and navigation, and energy and infrastructure. CZM scheduled two public workshops in March focused on the data, products, and recommendations of the work groups. One will be held locally at Falmouth Public Library on Tuesday, March 11 from 3:30-6 p.m.

Bruce Carlisle, director of CZM, is scheduled to make a presentation at the March 27 meeting of the Cape Cod Commission. The Commission meets at 3 p.m. in the Assembly of Delegates Chambers, First District Courthouse, Barnstable Village.