May 14, 2021

State Issues Draft Waterfront Development Regulations

“These regulations impact everyone in Massachusetts, “said Peter Shelley, Senior Counsel at CLF.  “The state can’t just rubber-stamp its way out of this problem and ignore the tidelands development principles it broke. The public needs to be involved in every step of this process and officials must offer more than just two public meetings. Access to the waterfront is enshrined in Massachusetts law and it must stay that way.”

Jul 09, 2020

Why Is It Harder for Some Communities to Access the Waterfront?

Communities of color and those with low incomes not only deserve to enjoy waterfront open spaces for recreation and exercise – it’s also their right by law. And yet, through neglect and outright refusal by corporate interests, too many do not have the chance to run, walk, or even stretch near the water. We can and must do better.

Riverfront Walkway at the Encore Casino
Sep 11, 2019

Public Rights Violated on Boston’s Waterfront… Again

On a recent visit to the Battery Wharf in the North End, we found some of the most egregious violations of the public’s rights to access and enjoy the waterfront that we’ve ever seen. Battery Wharf has not only privatized spaces that belong to the public, it has capitalized on them, charging high-end rental fees for areas that are supposed to be available to the public 24 hours a day, free of charge.

Jun 20, 2019

Report Back: Forum on Climate Change and the Public Waterfront Act

CLF and Boston Harbor Now hosted a forum with diverse stakeholders – city and state leaders, advocacy organizations, the development community, and others – to discuss regulatory updates and other proactive measures that will not only allow for, but encourage, climate resiliency measures on Boston’s waterfront that benefit the public.