BSC Group is proud to partner with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) on an ambitious effort to modernize and streamline permitting wetland and water resources across the Commonwealth.
As part of the Feasibility of Permit Streamlining and Recommendations for New Multi-Agency Review and Approval initiative, BSC played a leading role in identifying opportunities to increase clarity, reduce complexity, and improve regulatory efficiency in Massachusetts’ environmental permitting processes.
A Holistic and Collaborative Approach
After seven months of intensive effort, our team delivered a comprehensive set of services, including:
- In-depth regulatory review to uncover inefficiencies and systemic barriers in existing processes
- Evaluation of national best practices, drawing on successful permitting models from other states
- Development of refined regulatory language aimed at improving clarity and reducing uncertainty
- Design of streamlined pathways for more predictable and efficient permit review and approval
- Facilitation of cross-sector stakeholder engagement, fostering collaboration through highly engaged, solution-focused discussions
- Recommendations for technological integration to modernize and digitize permitting systems
- Support for climate resilience and ecological restoration through targeted permitting strategies
One key component involved collaborating with the MassDEP Chapter 91 Waterways Program to define eligibility and standard conditions for a general permit/license as outlined in the recently proposed Mass Ready Act. This work is expected to reduce delays and regulatory bottlenecks while upholding the environmental goals of Chapter 91.
Delivering Results and Looking Ahead
BSC produced a detailed report outlining the team’s findings, identified high-priority action items, and laid the groundwork for implementation of streamlining initiatives across multiple agencies.
After finalizing the comprehensive report, BSC expects to continue working with the MassDEP/EEA team on the action items and implementation pathways over the next year, signaling the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to permit streamlining and environmental leadership.
“We’re honored to support MassDEP and EEA in this transformative effort,” said BSC Project Manager Melissa Kaplan. “By aligning regulatory clarity with ecological priorities, this project demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing smart, sustainable permitting.”
For more information on BSC’s environmental permitting and advisory services, https://www.bscgroup.com/services/permitting-regulatory-compliance/