An Act to protect coastal resources

This bill establishes the Massachusetts Coastal Erosion Innovation Center to develop and test new methods for protecting the state's shoreline from sea level rise and erosion. Administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the center will include representatives from various state agencies and an advisory group comprising municipal officials, environmental advocates, property owners, and technical experts. The center is authorized to fund up to 20 pilot projects annually that use innovative approaches, such as living shorelines and vegetation, to enhance coastal resilience, provided these projects include plans for monitoring and restoration. The legislation requires the center to publish an annual report and allows permits for these projects to last up to three years, with a possible one-year extension, while the act itself remains in effect until December 31, 2031.