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According to current Massachusetts Coastal and Boston harbor wetlands laws, Piers that are located in a FEMA flood Zone are subject to the wetlands laws.

🗒️ Answer

Yes, piers located in FEMA flood zones are subject to Massachusetts wetlands laws.

The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act specifically protects three types of floodplain areas, including coastal areas [4]. Special Flood Hazard Areas, defined as land subject to a 1% chance of flooding in any given year as determined by FEMA, fall under the regulatory framework [2].

Most wetlands by-laws and regulations specifically reference areas delineated on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) as Special Flood Hazard zones [6]. The regulations prohibit most destruction of wetlands and naturally vegetated riverfront areas, and require replacement of flood storage loss [5].

For Boston specifically, local ordinances provide additional guidance for protecting wetland resources from climate change [3].

🌐 Sources

1. mass.gov – Protecting Wetlands in Massachusetts
2. mass.gov – Wetlands Protection Act
3. boston.gov – Developing Wetlands Regulations
4. maccweb.org – What is the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act?
5. maccweb.org – What is the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act?
6. capecodcommission.org – Model Coastal Resilience Zone Wetlands Regulations

Boston Wetlands Ordinance.pdf