WSPC04680

• File Number: 8040.950
• Description: Section D General Studies-General Water Studies
• Date: 11/23/1983
• Title: Report on River Conservation Programs in the 50 States-Working Draft-Prepared for National Association of State River Conservation Programs
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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MASSACHUSETTS

In 1971 the Massachusetts General Court passed the Scenic and Recreational
Rivers Act, but it was not until 1977 that the Department of Environmental
Management (DEN) undertook an inventory and demonstration project to launch the
program.

"..

The inventory resulted in the proposal of 50 rivers for a ,statewide system
made up of five classes of rivers: Natural, Scenic Natural Landscape, Scenic
Cultural, Recreational Natural Landscape and Recreational Urban. At the same
time, the North River in Plymouth County was selected as a demonstration project
to establish an implementation procedure, A local citizen's advisory committee
was formed to assist DEM with the drafting of a protective order (which cites
allowed, special permit and prohibited use within the staturory jurisdiction of
100 yards from each bank) and a management plan. The advisory committee also
sought special legislation to form a local North River Commission, which is
responsible for implementation of the protective order and management plan. In
~arch, 1979, the North River order was adopted and the river thereby became the
first river designated into the system,

A number of other small streams on state owned lands have also been
designated, and implementation has begun on two other rivers, the Parker and the
Millers.

Recognizing that in some cases local experti~e, with some guidance and
funding, could develop a "greenway plan" that would meet state objectives, in
1980, the Program initiated a competitive fundine process using HCRS Land and
Water Conservation funds. Watershed Organizations on the Charles and Merrimack
Rivers were awarded contracts and are proceding with greenway planning. It is
hoped that the funding process can be repeated this year,

COh7ACT: Ms.Katharine Preston
Scenic Rivers Programs
Dept. of Environmental Ngt,
100 Cambridge St.
Boston, MA 02202
[phone]

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. A Statewide Study Proposing a Scenic and Recreation River System For the
Commonwealth, Scenic Rivers Program, Dept. of Environmental ~~nagement,
June, 1979, pp.98.

2. A Statewide Study Proposing a Scenic & Recreation River System for the
Commonwealth: Technical Appendices, Scenic Rivers Program, Department of
Environmental Management, June, 1979, pp. 69.

3. Scenic and Recreational Rivers Program (Pamphlet), Scenic Rivers Program,
Department of Environmental Management,

4, North River Management Plan, Scenic Rivers Program, Department of
Environmental Management, July, 1980, pp, 85.

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