310 Mass. Reg. 10.32
A salt marsh produces large amounts of organic matter. A significant portion of this material is exported as detritus and dissolved organics to estuarine and coastal waters, where it provides the basis for a large food web that supports many marine organisms, including finfish and shellfish as well as many bird species. Salt marshes also provide a spawning and nursery habitat for several important estuarine forage finfish as well as important food, shelter, breeding areas, and migratory and overwintering areas for many wildlife species.
Salt marsh plants and substrate remove pollutants from surrounding waters. The network of salt marsh vegetation roots and rhizomes binds sediments together.
The sediments absorb chlorinated hydrocarbons and heavy metals such as lead, copper, and iron. The marsh also retains nitrogen and phosphorous compounds, which in large amounts can lead to algal blooms in coastal waters.
The underlying peat also serves as a barrier between fresh ground water landward of the salt marsh and the ocean, thus helping to maintain the level of such ground water.
Salt marsh cord grass and underlying peat are resistant to erosion and dissipate wave energy, thereby providing a buffer that reduces wave damage.
When a proposed project involves the dredging, filling, removing or altering of a salt marsh, the issuing authority shall presume that such area is significant to the interests specified above. This presumption may be overcome only upon a clear showing that a salt marsh does not play a role in the protection of marine fisheries or wildlife habitat, prevention of pollution, ground water supply, or storm damage prevention, and if the issuing authority makes a written determination to such effect.
When a salt marsh is significant to one or more of the interests specified above, the following characteristics are critical to the protection of such interest(s):
Salt Marsh means a coastal wetland that extends landward up to the highest high tide line, that is, the highest spring tide of the year, and is characterized by plants that are well adapted to or prefer living in, saline soils. Dominant plants within salt marshes typically include salt meadow cord grass (Spartina patens) and/or salt marsh cord grass (Spartina alterniflora), but may also include, without limitation, spike grass (Distichlis spicata), high-tide bush (Iva f rutescens), black grass (Juncus gerardii), and common reedgrass (Phragmites). A salt marsh may contain tidal creeks, ditches and pools.
Spring Tide means the tide of the greatest amplitude during the approximately 14-day tidal cycle. It occurs at or near the time when the gravitational forces of the sun and the moon are in phase (new and full moons).
WHEN A SALT MARSH IS DETERMINED TO BE SIGNIFICANT TO THE PROTECTION OF MARINE FISHERIES, THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION, STORM DAMAGE PREVENTION OR GROUND WATER SUPPLY, 310 CMR 10.32(3) THROUGH (6) SHALL APPLY:
310 CMR 10.32