Code of Massachusetts Regulations 320 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Certainly! Here's an overview of the 320 CMR – Department of Fish and Game regulations in Massachusetts:
📘 What is 320 CMR?
320 CMR pertains to the Department of Fish and Game, specifically focusing on public access facilities. These regulations are established under the authority of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 21A, Section 11B.
🛶 320 CMR 2.00: Public Access Facilities
This section outlines the management, permitting, prohibitions, and penalties related to public access facilities, including:
Boat launching ramps
Car-top boat access areas
Parking areas
Sportfishing piers
Shorefishing areas
These facilities are designated by the Public Access Board or located on public lands with the consent of the Department of Fish and Game or other public agencies. The regulations aim to ensure proper use and maintenance of these facilities for public access to land and water resources.
📌 Key Prohibitions (320 CMR 2.04)
Unless authorized by a special or general permit, the following activities are prohibited within public access facilities:
Camping, swimming, overnight sleeping, picnicking, loitering, gambling, or consuming alcoholic beverages.
Littering, vandalizing property, starting fires, posting signs, or having unleashed pets.
Operating bicycles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, or other vehicles except as required for the intended use.
Using the facility for purposes other than its intended use.
Parking vehicles or trailers in a manner inconsistent with posted signage.
Exceeding posted speed limits or violating traffic control measures.
Conducting business or commercial activities inconsistent with the intended use.
Washing motor vehicles, boats, or other equipment.
Fishing within a 50-foot radius of any boat launching ramp or associated pier or float system, unless otherwise authorized.
Leaving motor vehicles or boat trailers for more than 18 hours.
Storing watercraft, trailers, equipment, or other personal items for more than 30 minutes.
Operating watercraft at other than headway speed or waterskiing within 300 feet of any public access facility.
Operating personal watercraft except for the initial launch and retrieval.
Obstructing the entrance to any public access facility.
Loading or unloading powered watercraft onto or off of boat trailers by means of propulsion systems in violation of posted signage.
Falsifying information on an application for a special or general permit.
📄 Accessing the Regulations
You can view the full text of 320 CMR 2.00 on the Massachusetts Government website:
320 CMR 2.00: Public Access Facilities
For official printed versions, you can purchase them through the Massachusetts State Bookstore:
320 CMR – Department of Fish and Game
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