V-64 



Other enactments include the new oil pollution and offshore mineral 

 resource laws. 



The estuarine management activities in Massachusetts are focused on 

 the Department of Natural Resources, headed by a Commissioner. 

 This Department has both operational and regulatory responsibilities 

 in estuarine areas. The Coastal Dredge and Fill Law, the Coastal 

 Wetlands Law and new oil pollution and offshore mineral resource 

 laws are all administered by the Divisions of this department. 

 The organization of this department is described in Figure V.2.2. 



The primary means by which the Department manages the estuarine areas, 

 other than Federally controlled areas, such as the Park Service's 

 Cape Cod National Seashore, and the Coast Guard's stations also on 

 Cape Cod, is by restrictive orders - permits, licenses, leases, and 

 so forth - as to the use of these areas, based on the results of 

 public meetings. The Department is placed organizationally high 

 enough in the State governmental structure so that its activities 

 and recommendations are effective in controlling the development 

 of and alteration of estuarine areas. Such an estuarine management 

 organization must be capable of handling and acting on estuarine 

 problems. 



In May 1968, by a Commonwealth Executive order (#59) the Massachusetts 

 Commission on Ocean Management was created to develop a comprehensive 

 long-range State plan for the management of Massachusetts estuarine 



