An Act providing for more efficient wetlands

This bill (HD 3687) requires Massachusetts municipalities to get prior approval from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) before adopting local wetlands ordinances that are stricter than state law. It specifies that DEP must approve such local rules only if they have a scientific basis, align with best practices, protect unique local resources, and don’t conflict with existing wetlands protections. The bill directly affects towns and cities that create local wetlands rules, as well as developers and landowners working in wetland areas. It clarifies that appeals of local wetlands decisions must go to the DEP under current state law.