Waquoit Bay ACEC, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
Waquoit Bay and some surrounding uplands were designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in 1979. ACECs are places in Massachusetts that receive special recognition because of the quality, uniqueness, and significance of their natural and cultural resources. The State Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) administers the ACEC Program and closely coordinates with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (MCZM) regarding coastal ACECs
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The Waquoit Bay ACEC has boundaries nearly identical to the Reserve, mainly differing in extent of tidal river protection. In relation to the Reserve boundary, the ACEC includes greater extents of the Childs and Quashnet Rivers; Red Brook; Jim, Little, Flat, and Witch ponds; and of a few tributaries. However, the Reserve boundary includes Great and Little Rivers and the ACEC boundary does not. See Appendices E-G for the Waquoit Bay ACEC designation document, resource summary, and legal boundary description.
The purpose of the ACEC designation is to preserve, restore, and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the area. The goals of the designation are achieved through the application of stricter standards under existing state regulations, through priority attention from state agencies for technical assistance, grants, or other programmatic means, and through cooperative stewardship efforts from citizens to Federal agencies. A synopsis of regulations that apply stricter standards within ACECs follows. It is important to note that ACEC designation does not create new regulations, nor does it supersede local regulations or zoning. For further information concerning regulatory effects of ACEC designation, see www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec/regsum.htm for a quick summary or www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/acec/acecGuide.pdf for a complete guide.
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