310 CMR 9.05
Activities Subject to Jurisdiction
(1) Activities Requiring a License Application. Except as provided in 310 CMR 9.05(3), an
application for license or license amendment shall be submitted to the Department for the
following activities involving work on or use of fill or structures:
(a) any construction, placement, excavation, addition, improvement, maintenance, repair,
replacement, reconstruction, demolition or removal of any fill or structures, not previously
authorized, or for which a previous grant or license is not presently valid.
(b) any existing or proposed use of any fill or structures not previously authorized, or for
which a previous grant or license is not presently valid;
(c) any structural alteration of fill or structures from the specifications contained in a valid
grant or license, whether such authorization was obtained prior to or after January 1, 1984;
(d) any change in use of fill or structures from that expressly authorized in a valid grant or
license or, if no such use statement was included, from that reasonably determined by the
Department to be implicit therein, whether such authorization was obtained prior to or after
January 1, 1984.
(2) Activities Requiring a Permit Application. Except as provided in 310 CMR 9.05(3), an
application for a permit or permit amendment shall be submitted to the Department for the
following activities unless the applicant includes such activities in a license application:
(a) any beach nourishment;
(b) any dredging;
(c) any disposal involving the subaqueous placement of unconsolidated material below the
low water mark;
(d) any burning of rubbish or other material upon the water, in accordance with
M.G.L. c. 91, § 52;
(e) any lowering of the water level of a Great Pond, except a body of water used for
agriculture, manufacturing, mercantile, irrigation, insect control purposes, or for flowing
cranberry bogs, or for public water supply, in accordance with M.G.L. c. 91, § 19A;
(f) any structure and associated use with the potential to impair the public’s rights in
tidelands which is intended to remain in place on a temporary basis not to exceed six months,
provided said structure and use otherwise meet the applicable substantive standards found
at 310 CMR 9.31 through 9.60; and
(g) any structure and associated use with the potential to impair the public's rights in
tidelands for the purpose of conducting a Test Project for Innovative Technology, provided
said structure and use meet the applicable substantive standards found at 310 CMR 9.30.
(3) Activities Not Requiring a License or Permit. Notwithstanding the provisions of 310 CMR
9.05(1) through (2), no license or permit is required for:
(a) maintenance, repair, and minor modifications, as described in 310 CMR 9.22, of fill or
structures for which a grant or license is presently valid, or which is exempt from licensing
pursuant to 310 CMR 9.05(3)(b) through (h);
(b) continuation of any existing, unauthorized use or structure located on private tidelands
lawfully filled in accordance with a license or grant, provided that no unauthorized structural
alteration or change in use has occurred on such tidelands subsequent to January 1, 1984 or
in violation of an express condition of said license or grant;
(c) continuation of any existing, unauthorized public service project, provided that no
unauthorized structural alteration or change in use has occurred subsequent to
January 1, 1984, unless the Department determines, upon notice and opportunity for public
comment, that licensing is essential to prevent significant harm to an overriding water-related
public interest;
(d) continuation in use of any unauthorized Massport project existing as of the effective date
of 310 CMR 9.00, and for which no unauthorized structural alteration or change of use has
occurred since that date, provided said project:
1. includes water-dependent industrial activities; or
2. is any other project for which a final EIR was certified as adequately and properly
complying with M.G.L. c. 30, §§ 61 through 62H, prior to January 1, 1984; unless the
Department determines, upon written notice and opportunity for public comment, that
licensing is essential to prevent significant harm to an overriding water-related public
interest;
(e) continuation in the use of existing, unauthorized water-dependent structures that are
accessory to a single-family residence, in accordance with the provisions of 310 CMR 9.28;
(f) continuation of any existing, unauthorized use of fill or structures constructed prior to
1939 on any non-tidal river or stream subject to jurisdiction under 310 CMR 9.04(1)(e),
provided that no unauthorized structural alteration or change in use has occurred subsequent
to January 1, 1984;
(g) placement in a non-tidal river or stream subject to jurisdiction under 310 CMR
9.04(1)(e) of fill or structures for which a final Order of Conditions has been issued under
M.G.L. c. 131, § 40 and 310 CMR 10.00: Wetlands Protection, and which does not reduce
the space available for navigation; such fill or structures are limited to:
1. overhead wires, conduits, or cables to be attached to an existing bridge, without
substantial alteration thereof, or constructed and maintained in accordance with the
National Electrical Safety Code;
2. fish ladders, fishways, and other devices which allow or assist fish to pass by a dam
or other obstruction in the waterway;
3. pipelines, cables, conduits, sewers, and aqueducts entirely embedded in the soil
beneath such river or stream; and
4. bulkheads, revetments, headwalls, storm drainage outfalls, and similar structures
which do not extend into such river or stream, except as may be necessary for bank
stabilization;
(h) reconfiguration of licensed docking facilities in a marina, in accordance with the
provisions of 310 CMR 9.39(1)(b);
(i) any change in use of berths for recreational vessels from seasonal or transient occupancy
to long-term exclusive occupancy in accordance with a contract or other agreement, provided
that the lease agreement, master lease agreement, or notice thereof for such berths was filed
at the Registry of Deeds prior to July 6, 1990, in which event no application for a license or
license amendment is required for any change in use of any berth subject to such agreement
for long-term exclusive occupancy;
(j) emergency action, in accordance with the provisions of 310 CMR 9.20;
(k) removal of fill or structures in accordance with the provisions of 310 CMR 9.08 or
310 CMR 9.27;
(l) activities subject to annual permit by the harbormaster, other designated local official,
or local permitting program, in accordance with the provisions of 310 CMR 9.07;
(m) demolition or removal of any unauthorized structures or fill in order to facilitate water-
dependent use provided prior written approval is obtained from the Department, which, at
the discretion of the Department may include prior public notice and comment;
(4) Activities Eligible for General License Coverage. Activities eligible for Certification and
subject to coverage under the General License pursuant to the provisions of 310 CMR 9.29.