Area of Critical Environmental Concern

Land located within an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) is governed by local by-laws, Corps of Engineers, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP). ACEC protected areas are created to protect the quality of large rivers, estuaries and significant wildlife corridors. Land located within ACEC areas provide development constraints specific to the protective nature of the areas of environmental concern. Development standards for each specific activity within an ACEC area have jurisdictional regulatory authority included but not limited to Corps of Engineers, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP), and local Conservation Commission. Land value within an ACEC is constantly fluctuating in value depending on regulatory restrictions and development techniques which is evaluated on a case by case basis.