Recent Accomplishments

In recent years the ETGM Committee has focused significant efforts on non-point source water quality pollution identification, outreach, and remediation. These efforts include removal of tidal restrictions, work on implementing land use practices such as Smart Growth, Low Impact Development and Open Space Planning, providing resources for the use of stormwater Best Management Practices, as well as Invasive Species investigation and eradication.

Future Goals

In addition to addressing local projects that improve not only water quality, but enhance local infrastructure, the Committee has also embarked on initiatives with regional implications. Due to its fragile barrier beach network, the upper North Shore of Massachusetts is particularly vulnerable to increases in base sea level and climate change related storm surge. Working with its representatives and member communities, Eight Towns and the Great Marsh are continuing their core, water quality and invasive species projects, but are also reaching out to communities to develop climate change adaptation strategies. These include public forums on enhanced zoning regulations and setbacks, improvements to wetlands regulations and infrastructure