Section 15 Prohibited activities in ocean sanctuaries - Massachusetts Statutes

  Section 15. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the following activities shall be prohibited in an ocean sanctuary:

  (1) the building of any structure on the seabed or under the subsoil;

[ Clause (2) effective until July 1, 2010. For text effective July 1, 2010, see below.]

  (2) the construction or operation of offshore or floating electric generating stations, except: (a) on an emergency and temporary basis for the supply of energy when the electric generating station is otherwise consistent with an ocean management plan; or (b) for appropriate-scale renewable energy facilities, as defined by an ocean management plan promulgated pursuant to section 4C of chapter 21A, in areas other than the Cape Cod Ocean Sanctuary; provided, however, that (i) the renewable energy facility is otherwise consistent with an ocean management plan; (ii) siting of all such facilities shall take into account all relevant factors, including but not limited to, protection of the public trust, compatibility with existing uses, proximity to the shoreline, appropriateness of technology and scale, environmental protection, public safety and community benefit; and (iii) in regions where regional planning agencies have regulatory authority, a regional planning agency may review the appropriate-scale offshore renewable energy facilities as developments of regional impact and the applicant may seek review pursuant to the authority of the energy facilities siting board to issue certificates of environmental impact and public interest pursuant to sections 69K through 69O of chapter 164;

[ Clause (2) as amended by 2010, 131, Sec. 91 effective July 1, 2010. See 2010, 131, Sec. 202. For text effective until July 1, 2010, see above.]

  (2) the construction or operation of offshore or floating electric generating stations, except: (a) on an emergency and temporary basis for the supply of energy when the electric generating station is otherwise consistent with an ocean management plan; or (b) for appropriate-scale renewable energy facilities, as defined by an ocean management plan promulgated pursuant to section 4C of chapter 21A, in areas other than the Cape Cod Ocean Sanctuary; provided, however, that (i) the renewable energy facility is otherwise consistent with an ocean management plan; (ii) siting of all such facilities shall take into account all relevant factors, including but not limited to, protection of the public trust, compatibility with existing uses, proximity to the shoreline, appropriateness of technology and scale, environmental protection, public safety and community benefit; and (iii) in municipalities where regional planning agencies have regulatory authority, a regional planning agency shall define the appropriate scale of offshore renewable energy facilities and review such facilities as developments of regional impact, and the applicant may seek review of the regional planning agency's development of regional impact determination, but not its determination of appropriate scale, pursuant to the authority of the energy facilities siting board to issue certificates of environmental impact and public interest pursuant to sections 69K to 69O, inclusive, of chapter 164;

  (3) the drilling or removal of any sand, gravel or other minerals, gases or oils;

  (4) the dumping or discharge of commercial, municipal, domestic or industrial wastes;

  (5) commercial advertising; or

  (6) the incineration of solid waste or refuse on, or in, vessels moored or afloat within the boundaries of an ocean sanctuary.