Bill > S457

This bill aims to accelerate and streamline the process of wetlands restoration in Massachusetts. It directs the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to establish a Wetlands Restoration Streamlining Initiative, which will coordinate permitting pathways, align regulatory processes with the state's climate goals, create a streamlined agency review process, and provide technical assistance to project proponents. The bill requires the Initiative to make recommendations for regulatory reforms, funding opportunities, and potential legislation to authorize such reforms, with the goal of enabling state permitting to be completed within three months of a complete application. The bill also requires the Initiative to address delays in pending permit applications for salt marsh restoration projects and produce draft proposals for stakeholders and agency staff within the first 180 days.