The Northeast Regional Center for Rural
Development Land Use Toolbox
Massachusetts - Planning/Zoning
links
American
Planning Association
Massachusetts
Chapter of the American Planning Association,
http://www.massapa.org/
Description:
APA is a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed
to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. APA and its professional
institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, advance the art
and science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Association
to Preserve Cape Cod
Association
to Preserve Cape Cod,
http://www.apcc.org/
Description:
The mission of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod is to promote policies
and programs that foster the preservation of the natural resources of
Cape Cod.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Boston
GreenSpace Alliance
Boston
GreenSpace Alliance,
http://www.greenspacealliance.org/
Description:
Founded in 1984, Boston GreenSpace Alliance is a private, nonprofit organization
dedicated to the protection, creation, care and use of Boston's parks
and open spaces. The Alliance is the recognized leader on open space issues
in Boston and serves as a "watchdog and voice" on policy and
planning matters affecting open space in the City.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Boston
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Boston
Metropolitan Planning Organization,
http://www.ctps.org/bostonmpo/
Description:
The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization is one of the 13 Massachusetts
regions established to carry out federally funded transportation plans
and programs.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Charles
River Watershed Association
Charles
River Watershed Association,
http://www.crwa.org/index.html?wavestop.html&0
Description:
Since its earliest days of advocacy, CRWA has figured prominently in major
clean-up and watershed protection efforts, working with government officials
and citizen groups from 35 Massachusetts watershed towns from Hopkinton
to Boston. Initiatives over the last three decades have dramatically improved
the quality of water in the watershed and approaches to water resource
management.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Citizens'
Housing and Planning Association
Citizens'
Housing and Planning Association,
http://www.chapa.org/
Description:
Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) is the non-profit umbrella
organization for affordable housing and community development activities
throughout Massachusetts. Established in 1967, CHAPA is the only statewide
group which represents all interests in the housing field, including nonprofit
and for-profit developers, homeowners, tenants, bankers, real estate brokers,
property managers, government officials, and others.
Topics: Housing, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Community
Preservation Act
Community
Preservation Act,
http://www.communitypreservation.org/
Description:
The Community Preservation Act (CPA) is a new tool to help communities
preserve open space and historic sites and create affordable housing.
This web site has been created to assist individuals and municipalities
in understanding and implementing the CPA. The CPA Website is maintained
by the Community Preservation Coalition, an alliance of open space, affordable
housing, and preservation organizations that works with municipalities
to help them understand, adopt, and implement the CPA.
Topics: Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Connecticut
River Watershed Council
Connecticut
River Watershed Council,
http://www.ctriver.org/
Description:
Founded in 1952, the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) is the
only broad-based citizen advocate for the environmental well-being of
the entire Connecticut River. Our primary mission is to promote improvement
of water quality and the restoration, conservation, wise development and
use of the natural resources of the Connecticut River watershed.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont
Conservation
Law Foundation
Conservation
Law Foundation,
http://www.clf.org/
Description:
The Conservation Law Foundation is the oldest and largest regional environmental
advocacy organization in the United States. We're based in New England,
where our attorneys, scientists, economists, and policy experts work on
the most significant threats to the natural environment of the region
and its residents.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures
Conservation
Law Foundation Ventures,
http://www.clfventures.org/
Description:
CLF Ventures is redefining environmental advocacy. Through innovative
partnerships with private and public sector clients, we combine CLF's
longstanding reputation for environmental protection with our financial
and business transaction skills. As a result, we are able to provide our
clients with innovative solutions to complex environmental problems.
Topics: Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Department
of Agricultural Resources
Bureau
of Land Use,
http://www.state.ma.us/dfa/landuse/index.htm
Description:
Information about several programs, laws and regulations pertinent to
agricultural land use.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Conservation and Recreation
Division
of Urban Parks and Recreation,
http://www.mass.gov/mdc/
Description:
On June 3, 1893, the Metropolitan Park Commission (renamed the Metropolitan
District Commission in 1919) was established by the Massachusetts state
legislature to oversee and maintain the Metropolitan Park System. This
system was the first regional organization of public open space in the
United States and is internationally recognized as a model for multi-jurisdictional
park systems designed to encourage public appreciation of open space.
Today, the metropolitan park network extends from King's Beach and Breakheart
Reservation on the north to the Blue Hills Reservation in the south; from
the Boston Harbor Islands in the east to the Elm Bank Reservation in Dover
to the west. Almost 20,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and urban parklands
comprise this system.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Conservation and Recreation
Division
of Water Supply Protection,
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply.htm
Description:
The Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Water Supply
Protection manages and protects the drinking water supply watersheds for
nearly 2.2 million residents of Massachusetts, primarily in Greater Boston.
The Quabbin Reservoir, Ware River, and Wachusett Reservoir watersheds
are the sources of drinking water for distribution by the Massachusetts
Water Resources Authority (MWRA).
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Conservation and Recreation
Land
and Water Stewardship,
http://www.mass.gov/dem/stewardship.htm
Description:
DCR funds and supports grant programs for municipalities, nonprofit organizations
and planning agencies. The funding provided supports projects connected
to the environment and its history. Look here for professional services
such as forest health, forest fire detection and well driller licensing.
Public educational programs are offered at state parks and in local communities,
and makes available environmental information such as rainfall measurements
and drought warnings.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Environmental Protection
Watershed
Management,
http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/wm/wmhome.htm
Description:
The Watershed Management Division, charged with monitoring and regulatory
activities that affect water quality and quantity within the state's major
river basins, focuses on building local and regional coalitions to bring
about the next major increment of water quality improvement. The Division's
programs oversee drinking water quality, wetlands and waterways regulation,
the regulation of septic systems under Title 5 of the state's environmental
code, and the management of watersheds and their conservation.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Environmental Protection
Waterways,
http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/waterway/waterway.htm
Description:
The Commonwealth's primary tool for protection and promotion of public
use of its tidelands and other waterways is Massachusetts General Law
Chapter 91, the waterways licensing program. The Commonwealth formally
established the program in 1866, but the philosophy behind Chapter 91
dates back to the earliest days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, most
notably in the Colonial Ordinances of 1641-1647. The oldest program of
its kind in the nation, Chapter 91 regulates activities on both coastal
and inland waterways, including construction, dredging and filling in
tidelands, great ponds and certain rivers and streams.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Fish and Game
Natural
Heritage Program,
http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhesp.htm
Description:
NHESP is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of
species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested
in the state. The Program's highest priority is protecting the approximately
190 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and 258 species of
native plants that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened or
of Special Concern in Massachusetts.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Department
of Housing and Community Development
Division
of Municipal Development,
http://www.state.ma.us/dhcd/components/dcs/default.htm
Description:
As one of four operating divisions within the Department of Housing and
Community Development, we are committed to providing the best information
available to help communities access grants, training, and technical assistance.
If you are involved in city or town government, or are concerned with
community development and your local economic base, this is an excellent
Massachusetts state government resource to find relevant and up-to-date
information at your desktop.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Division
of Conservation Services
Division
of Conservation Services,
http://www.state.ma.us/envir/dcs/default.htm
Description:
Since 1964, the Division of Conservation Services has been providing technical
and financial assistance to farmers as well as public and private land
owners in matters dealing with farm plans or sediment and erosion control.
DCS awards grants to municipalities for conservation and park land acquisition
and construction. DCS also provides assistance with the development of
open space and recreation plans, and to municipalities, land trusts, and
private land owners regarding approval of conservation restrictions.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Ecological
Cities Project
Ecological
Cities Project,
http://www.ecologicalcities.org/
Description:
The Ecological Cities Project is a quasi-independent program of research
and outreach affiliated with the Department of Geosciences and the Center
for Public Policy and Administration at the University of Massachusetts,
Amherst. Founded in 1999 by Dr. Rutherford H. Platt, the Program seeks
to promote sharing of knowledge and experience among disciplines, sectors,
and urban regions regarding new approaches to urban greenspace creation
and management.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Environmental
League of Massachusetts
Environmental
League of Massachusetts,
http://www.environmentalleague.org/index.html
Description:
The Environmental League of Massachusetts is dedicated to protecting the
air, water, and land for the people of the commonwealth. We do this by
voicing citizens' concerns, educating the public, advocating for strong
environmental laws, and ensuring that our laws are implemented and enforced.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Environmental
Protection Agency
Smart
Growth Strategies in New England,
http://www.epa.gov/region1/ra/sprawl/index.html
Description:
EPA New England launched a Smart Growth Program in 1999 at our Smart Growth
Strategies for New England conference. The conference's success demonstrated
widespread interest in the twin problems of sprawl and urban decay. Smart
growth is an alternative to sprawl and urban decay, and is an innovative
approach to addressing EPA's environmental mandates. Our Smart Growth
Action Plan involves working with diverse partners to shape land use and
growth so that it has minimum impact on environmental, economic, and community
health.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs
Community
Preservation Initiative,
http://commpres.env.state.ma.us/
Description:
Massachusetts has taken an innovative approach to growth management, creating
a grassroots, municipally-driven smart growth initiative called Community
Preservation. Community Preservation is an organizing principle focused
on preserving and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts community
by community, watershed by watershed. The Initiative provides tools, technical
assistance and outreach to local decision-makers to help them make informed
decisions about future growth.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Friends
of Pleasant Bay
Friends
of Pleasant Bay,
http://www.fopb.org/
Description:
Friends of Pleasant Bay is a grass roots environmental group dedicated
to the preservation of Cape Cod's most stunning recreational and ecological
resources. Since its founding in 1985 the group has been successful in
achieving state designation of the bay as an Area of Critical Environmental
Concern, and most recently has been instrumental in development and state
approval of a Resource Management Plan for the Bay. The Plan identifies
the Bay as a regional resource requiring coordinated management of the
surrounding towns. The Friends provide ongoing support for implementation
of the Bay Plan.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Green
Valley Institute
Green
Valley Institute,
http://thelastgreenvalley.org/gvi/
Description:
The Green Valley Institute exists to help Heritage Corridor communities
and citizens sustain their environment and quality of life while growing
their economies. We are a non-regulatory organization dedicated to: improving
the knowledge base from which land use and natural resource decisions
are made and building local capacity to protect and manage natural resources
as our region grows.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Association of Conservation Commissions
Massachusetts
Association of Conservation Commissions,
http://maccweb.org/
Description:
MACC is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in the
Commonwealth. Our mission today continues to be education of and support
for Conservation Commissions. In addition, MACC works for strong, workable,
science-based laws and regulations regarding wetlands, other water resources,
open space, and biological resources.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Connecticut
River Crossing Transportation Study,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/planning/riverStudy.htm
Description:
The purpose of the Connecticut River Crossing Transportation Study was
to determine the need for transportation improvements, including the potential
need and feasibility of providing an additional bridge over the Connecticut
River, within the study area. The study area extends from Holyoke north
to Sunderland, a region divided north-to-south by the Connecticut River.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Highway Department
Transportation
Enhancement Program,
http://www.state.ma.us/mhd/planning/enh.htm
Description:
The Transportation Enhancement Program provides opportunities to preserve,
restore, and enhance components of the surface transportation system.
Its purpose is to provide added features to standard transportation facilities
and programs. Eligible projects include development of bicycle and pedestrian
facilities, educational programs, landscaping, acquisition of scenic easements,
historic preservation, restoration of buildings and structures, removal
of outdoor advertising, archaeological research, environmental mitigation
of stormwater pollution, and establishment of transportation museums.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Municipal Association
Massachusetts
Municipal Association,
http://www.mma.org/
Description:
The Massachusetts Municipal Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association
that provides advocacy, training, publications, research and other services
to Massachusetts cities and towns. The MMA is the only statewide organization
that brings municipal officials together to establish unified policies,
to advocate these policies, and to share information that increases the
efficiency and cost-effectiveness of service delivery to community residents.
Topics: Intergovernmental Cooperation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Trial Court Law Libraries
Code
of Massachusetts Regulations,
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/cmr.html
Description:
This area provides access to those sections of the CMR which are available
on the web. Sections not listed are not currently available on the web.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
MassGIS
Massachusetts
Geographical Information System,
http://www.state.ma.us/mgis/
Description:
MassGIS is the Commonwealth's Office of Geographic and Environmental Information,
within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Through
MassGIS, the Commonwealth has created a comprehensive, statewide database
of spatial information for environmental planning and management. Recent
legislation has established MassGIS as the official state agency assigned
to the collection, storage and dissemination of geographic data. The legislation
gives MassGIS the mandate to set standards for geographic data to ensure
universal compatibility.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
National
Park Service
Blackstone
Valley Institute,
http://www.nps.gov/blac/institute/index.html
Description:
The Blackstone Valley Institute is a "virtual" organization
created to help local communities plan for the future. Offering workshops,
one-to-one consulting, local seminars, and technical assistance, the Institute
promotes information sharing within the Corridor with a goal of preserving
the unique history and character of the Blackstone Valley.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Intergovernmental Cooperation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Natural
Resource Conservation Service - USDA
Massachusetts
NRCS,
http://www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov/
Description:
NRCS soil conservationists, soil scientists, agronomists, ecologists,
engineers, planners, and other specialists promote land stewardship by
providing technical assistance through teams to address surface and groundwater
quality; wetlands, riparian areas, and biodiversity; aquatic and terrestrial
habitat; and impacts of landuse changes. NRCS teams work on all of a state's
landscapes: agricultural, wetlands and riparian areas, suburban, rural,
urban centers, and forested.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Northeast-Midwest
Institute
Northeast-Midwest
Institute,
http://www.nemw.org
Description:
The Northeast-Midwest Institute is a Washington-based, private, nonprofit,
and non-partisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality,
environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Office
of Coastal Zone Management
Office
of Coastal Zone Management,
http://www.state.ma.us/czm/czm.htm
Description:
The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is a part of
the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Our mission is to balance
the impacts of human activity with the protection of coastal and marine
resources. As a networked program, CZM was specifically established to
work with other state agencies, federal agencies, local governments, academic
institutions, nonprofit groups, and the general public to promote sound
management of the Massachusetts coast.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Quinebaug-Shetucket
Heritage Corridor
Quinebaug-Shetucket
Heritage Corridor,
http://thelastgreenvalley.org/QSHC_Welcome_page.html
Description:
In 1994, because many civic groups, businesses, volunteers and local and
state governments banded together with technical assistance from the National
Park Service, Congress recognized the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley
National Heritage Corridor and designated the region as a unique national
resource. And in 1999, because of the same kind of grassroots efforts,
Congress enlarged the National Heritage Corridor to include towns in the
Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Massachusetts
Regional
Planning Agencies
Regional
Planning Agencies,
http://www.mass.gov/portal/index.jsp?pageID=mg2terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=State+Government&L2=County+Government&sid=massgov2&b=terminalcontent&f=regional_planning_agencies&csid=massgov2
Description:
Links to the homepages of all the Regional Planning Agencies in Massachusetts.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Sierra
Club
Massachusetts
Chapter Homepage,
http://www.sierraclubmass.org/
Description: The mission statement of the Sierra Club is to explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; and educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Smart
Growth Network
Massachusetts
Smart Growth News Articles,
http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/bystate.asp?state=MA&res=800
Description: Listing of news articles relating to smart growth issues in a specific state.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Sudbury
Valley Trustees
Sudbury
Valley Trustees,
http://www.sudburyvalleytrustees.org/
Description: Sudbury Valley Trustees is a voluntary association of individuals, families, and businesses committed to protecting wildlife habitat and the ecological integrity of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers for the benefit of present and future generations.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Supreme
Judicial Court of Massachusetts
Court
Opinions,
http://massreports.com/welcome.htm
Description:
Welcome to the official website of the office of the Reporter of Decisions
of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court. Since
1804 the Reporter's office has prepared the opinions of the Supreme Judicial
Court, the oldest court in continuous existence in the Western Hemisphere.
The primary purposes of this website are to provide the most timely and
efficient dissemination of the decisions of the two Massachusetts appellate
courts.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Fiscal Impact/Taxation, Healthy Communities, Historic Preservation, Housing, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Transportation, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Townboard.org
Townboard.org,
http://www.townboard.org
Description:
Townboard.org was created to help meet the training and information needs
of volunteer land-use board members in Massachusetts (Planning and Appeals
Boards, Conservation Commissions, Boards of Health, Sewer Commissions
and Water Commissions).
Topics: Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Center
for Rural Massachusetts Publications,
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~ruralma/CRM.pub.html
Description:
A list of publications available from the Center for Rural Massachusetts.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Citizen
Planner Training Collaborative,
http://www.umass.edu/masscptc/
Description:
The Citizen Planner Training Collaborative provides local planning and
zoning officials with tools to make effective decisions regarding their
community's current and future land use.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, What You Can Do
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Conservation
Assessment and Prioritization System,
http://www.umass.edu/landeco/research/caps/caps.html
Description:
CAPS is a computer software program designed to assess the biodiversity
value of every location based on natural community-specific models, and
prioritize lands for conservation action based on their assessed biodiversity
value in combination with other data relevant to their prioritization.
Topics: Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Department
of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning,
http://www.umass.edu/larp/
Description:
Our mission is to educate planners and landscape architects about planning
and design policies, concepts and practices that meet human, social and
economic needs while respecting the ecological integrity of the environment.
We do this through an integrated program of teaching, research, and outreach
using the New England landscape as a laboratory for inquiry and instruction.
We serve the strategic growth and management interests of the larger region,
the Commonwealth, and its local cities and towns.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Mill
Creek Watershed Project,
http://www.millriverwatershed.org
Description:
The goals of the Mill River Watershed Project are to make science, research,
and planning resources available to watershed officials and residents
and to develop a coordinated, community-based approach to resource protection
across town boundaries.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer, What You Can Do With Others
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Natural
Resources and Environmental Conservation,
http://www.umass.edu/nrec/
Description:
UMASS Extension's Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Program
provides educational programs and materials that enable people to make
informed decisions and take actions to preserve or enhance the quality,
productivity and sustainability of natural resources and natural systems.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Resource
Mapping,
http://www.umass.edu/forwild/rmapping/Home%20Page/more.html
Description:
Resource Mapping has been in existence since the 1950's when Forestry
Professor William P. MacConnell set out to map land cover for the entire
state of Massachusetts in order to identify wildlife habitat using aerial
photography. This was eventually expanded to include the mapping of all
land uses for the state and has been modified for use in present day projects.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Massachusetts
Urban
Places Project,
http://www.umass.edu/larp/UPP/UPPSpringfield.html
Description:
University of Massachusetts (UMass) Urban Places Project (UPP) Urban Laboratory
is a partnership between the University of Massachusetts Department of
Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning and the communities, neighborhoods,
and people of the City of Springfield. UPP is an outreach program designed
to take advantage of the existing links between teachers, students, professionals,
municipalities, and the residents and to encourage ongoing exchange of
ideas and information.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
University
of Rhode Island
Coastal
Institute,
http://www.ci.uri.edu/projects/pnb
Description:
The mission of the Coastal Institute is to promote communication and integration
among planning efforts for Narragansett Bay and coastal Rhode Island;
protect, restore, and improve Narragansett Bay and coastal Rhode Island
ecosystems; foster informed, science-based decision-making; and pursue
sustainable economic development of Narragansett Bay and coastal Rhode
Island.
Topics: Ag & Rural Change, Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts, Rhode Island
USDA
Forest Service
Northeast
Center for Urban & Community Forestry,
http://www.umass.edu/urbantree/index.shtml
Description:
The Northeast Center for Urban and Community Forestry is a cooperative
partnership among the USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and
Private Forestry, the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, and the seven
states of New England and New York. The Center responds to Urban and Community
Forestry needs, facilitates and supports new and existing research, and
coordinates the exchange of information among the states in the region
in order to contribute to healthy and sustainable communities.
Topics: Healthy Communities, Land Preservation, Planning/Zoning
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Water
Resources Commission
Water
Resources Commission,
http://www.state.ma.us/envir/mwrc/default.htm
Description:
The Massachusetts Water Resources Commission (MWRC) is responsible for
developing, coordinating and overseeing the Commonwealth's water policy
and planning activities. In addition to statewide water policy planning
and oversight, the Commission advises the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) in the administration and enforcement of water pollution
control policies and regulations.
Topics: Planning/Zoning, Water/Sewer
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
National Governors Assn
Brownfields Projects to improve public health, www.nga.org
Description: Benefits in health as well as improved active living.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, water, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachussetts
National Governors Assn
Brownfields: Real Property in coastal communities, www.nga.org
Description: Power Point: Expansion, reuse or redevelopment.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, water, historic preservation, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: New York, Massachussetts, New Jersey
National Governors Assn
Attacking sprawl by revitalizing older communities, www.nga.org
Description: Benefits of Brownfield redevelopment of older communitites.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Maryland, Massachussetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
National Governors Assn
Fixing It First: Improving present infrasturcture, www.nga.org
Description: Build/maintain present assets before creating new ones.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania, Massachussetts, Delaware, Maryland
EPA
Community Choices:Thinking through land conservation, development; taxes, www.tpl.org
Description: Study of relationship between property tax bills and land conservation.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Compact mixed use development in Boston, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Identifying areas of mixed use and potential mixed use and sprawl.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, healthy communities, transportation, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Assessing land encumbered by conservation restrictions, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: How communities are assesing conservation restricted land.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, healthy communities, transportation, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Principles for community and college interaction, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Discussion of interaction with college and community interaction.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, ag&rural change, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Public values and conservation land: A case study in MA, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: This paper explores public values and attitudes toward conservation land by tracing the history of a proposed conversion of town conservation land to water supply purposes in Weston, Massachusetts.
Topics: land preservation, water, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Regulating subdivisions in Massachusetts, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Practices and outlooks; survey of public officials.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, transportation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
The Ghetto and the ethnic enclave, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: There is a difference between the ghetto and the ethnic enclave.
Topics: land preservation, housing, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Urban vacan lot redevelopment, www.lincolninst.edu
Description: Challenges and progress ...
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, ag&rural change, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachussetts
Smart Growth Network
Builders protest smart growth law: State defends process, www.sgli.org
Description: State holding fast on focus of affordable near transit options.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, transportation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Smart Growth Network
Plan to use CPT funds for Smart Growth upsets officials , www.smartgrowthi.org
Description: Article: Gov transfer of funds cause uproar in MA.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, water, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
Fannie Mae Foundation
Fixing It First in Massachusetts, www.fanniemaefoundation.org
Description: Reforms that will help MA invest its funds wisely.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, housing, transportation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
US EPA
Review of Statewide Watershed Mgmt Approaches, www.epa.gov
Description: Identify and describe different models of watershed mgmt; looking at different states; make recommendations.
Topics: land preservation, water, planning&zoning, housing, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts, New Jersey
NGA
Coordinating Resources to Grow more efficiently: The Massachusetts Approach, www.nga.org
Description: From increased demands on MA economic structure the MA approach developed .
Topics: land preservation, housing, planning&zoning, water, historic preservation, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities, ag&rural change
Jurisdiction: Massachussetts
EPA
State Brownfields & Voluntary Response Program:Region 1, www.epa.gov
Description: Region 1: CT; ME; MA; NH; RI; VT.
Topics: land preservation, planning&zoning, fiscal impact/taxation, healthy communities,
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachussetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
NERCRD ©2004
The Toolbox is a joint effort of The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD)
and Penn State Cooperative Extension in Adams County.
This page was last updated on July 13, 2005.
For questions, suggestions or to report broken links, please contact NERCRD: nercrd@psu.edu.