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New Developments in Environmental Law

For You: Highlights of Our Presentation on State and Local Wetlands Laws, Procedures, Principles, and Practical Tips

Written by / Published Monday, 20 October 2025 11:12

For the 30th CPTC Annual Conference for Massachusetts citizen and professional planners, held at Holy Cross College in Worcester in spring 2025, firm founder Gregor McGregor prepared a new presentation covering the procedures, principles, and practical tips for projects, lawyers and consultants before local Conservation Commissions. It is now available on our firm website in Archives under Slide Shows.

CPTC is the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative headquartered at UMass Boston. www.masscptc.org. It provides ongoing training with webinar series, on demand workshops for towns, groups, and regional planning agencies, authoritative publications on MA land use practice and law, and videos of select training sessions taught by professionals, all capped by its large annual conference.

CPTC is part of a strong network including the MassPlanners (an online forum), the Mass Housing Partnership (strengthening local boards and commissions to support affordable housing), and local regulatory and planning boards that touch the housing development process.

Mr. McGregor’s presentation comprehensively covers the application and hearing process for proposing work and activities in and near wetlands (as they are broadly defined as Resource Areas) and the associated Buffer Zone. Commissions have jurisdiction over these projects and enforcement under the state Wetlands Protection Act and city and town Wetlands Protection Bylaws (in about 215 municipalities).

Below are some useful highlights and diagrams from the presentation. You may watch the entire presentation by clicking the following link...  Full Presentation >>

Taylor Donahoe Joins The Firm As Our Newest Associate

Written by / Published Wednesday, 24 September 2025 11:49

We are proud and pleased to announce that Taylor Donahoe has joined the firm.  Her background in business finance and investment law already has benefitted clients with complex, interrelated land use, real estate, environmental, and litigation issues.

Appeals Court Clarifies How To Calculate Permit Expirations Under The Permit Extension Acts and Equitable Tolling During Litigation

Written by / Published Tuesday, 27 May 2025 12:37

Perhaps surprisingly, only after the fourth time Massachusetts enacted legislation extending the life of most land use and environmental permits, there is now an appellate-level court decision ruling that such extensions are added onto, rather than run concurrently with, the time period set by the law under which the permit was granted.  

REPOSTED: Third Real Estate Permit Extension Act Enacted in Massachusetts

Written by / Published Wednesday, 21 May 2025 16:35

REPOSTED: MAY 21, 2025 — On November 20, 2024, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the “Act relative to strengthening Massachusetts’ economic leadership.” Also known as the “Mass Leads Act”, this comprehensive economic development bill includes provisions to again extend the life of many types of land use permits issued by municipal, regional, and state government.

Supreme Court Sheetz Decision Applies Regulatory Taking Principles to Impact Fees

Written by / Published Friday, 02 May 2025 09:52

The addition of Sheetz v. County of El Dorado, California expands SCOTUS’ Nollan-Dolan-Koontz trilogy to four regulatory taking cases. In this April 2024 impact fee decision, the Court ruled that monetary exactions are subject to the regulatory taking tests, whether imposed as permit conditions or legislative enactments.

McGregor Publishes Environmental Law Update 2024-2025

Written by / Published Tuesday, 18 March 2025 13:41

Firm founder and senior partner Gregor McGregor this year has prepared his annual survey of environmental law developments in PowerPoint form. It will be further updated throughout the current year. It covers federal, Massachusetts, and municipal court cases, laws, regulations, policies, and enforcement.

McGregor Pays Tribute to the Giants in the History of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Laws

Written by / Published Wednesday, 12 March 2025 13:30

Gregor I. McGregor, Esq retires after 50-years.Mr. McGregor’s keynote address to the Annual Environmental Conference (AEC) of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) at Holy Cross College on March 1, 2025, marked his retirement from the MACC Board after 50 years.

Brookline Ban on Smoking Products Upheld by SJC Has Environmental Implications

Written by / Published Wednesday, 12 March 2025 12:26

The Town of Brookline smoking ban case has favorable implications for local environmental laws.

Massachusetts’ New Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Law Now in Effect with Final Regulations

Written by / Published Thursday, 06 February 2025 16:39

Section 8 of the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act (Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024) amended Section 3 of the Massachusetts Zoning Act. This took effect on February 2, 2025, requiring municipalities to allow ADUs (900 or fewer square feet) as of right in most single-family residential zoning districts, with some important limitations.

McGregor to Give Keynote Address and Smith to Present on Enforcement at MACC’s Annual Environmental Conference

Written by / Published Thursday, 06 February 2025 15:18

Firm senior partner Gregor I. McGregor will deliver the keynote address at the Annual Environmental Conference (AEC) of the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). This is to mark his retirement from the MACC Board of Directors after 50 years.

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