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 erosion and sea-level rise. The center, led by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, will work with various state agencies, local officials, environmental groups, and property owners to identify solutions that prioritize natural approaches like living shorelines and vegetation. A key provision allows the center to approve up to 20 pilot projects per year that may not otherwise qualify for standard permits, provided they include plans for engineering, monitoring, and restoration. The legislation authorizes these pilot permits for a maximum of three years each, with the option to extend them for another three years, and requires the center to publish an annual report on its activities. All provisions of the act are set to expire on December 31, 2032, unless renewed by the legislature.