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MEPA in Massachusetts: the Environmental Notification Form, EIRs and review thresholds

MEPA, the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, requires state agencies to evaluate and minimize the environmental impact of projects they undertake, fund or permit[1][2]. A project meeting a 301 CMR 11.03 review threshold files an Environmental Notification Form (ENF), and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs issues a Certificate deciding whether an environmental impact report (EIR) is required[3][4].

By Ilya Volodarsky. 13 sources, last read on . This page explains the law; it is not legal advice.

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    Describe the project and ePlan drafts the ENF narrative with the project description, review thresholds, alternatives and impacts; every fact it can't confirm is marked for you.

    ePlan vs. by hand

    How ePlan compares to drafting an Environmental Notification Form by hand

    The same document, two ways to a first draft.

    ComparedePlan.aiBy hand
    Starting pointePlan.aiA reference ENF you upload, or one from an analog project the research agent finds on agency project pagesBy handCopy a past ENF and rewrite it by hand
    Precedent researchePlan.aiA research agent searches agency project pages, CEQAnet, the Federal Register, eCFR and EPA's EIS database for your project and up to two analog projectsBy handSearching each agency site and PDF library by hand
    Missing factsePlan.aiLeft as highlighted [INSERT: …] placeholders, such as trip counts and EJ populationsBy handTracked by hand in comments or a separate list
    Cost to startePlan.aiScoping letters are free. EAs, EIRs and decision memos are on Max at $199 a monthBy handStaff or consultant hours for every draft

    ePlan.ai as of October 2026. “By hand” means a Word template, past documents and agency PDFs. Your team reviews, edits and signs every draft.

    What are the MEPA thresholds?

    Each 301 CMR 11.03 threshold sets the review level: an ENF and a mandatory EIR, or an ENF with an EIR only if the Secretary requires one. For a private project that needs only permits, review covers just their subject matter. Existing structures and routine maintenance fall outside the thresholds[4].

    • Land: 50+ acres altered or 10+ acres of new impervious area, mandatory EIR; 25 or 5 acres, ENF[4]
    • Transportation: 1,000+ new parking spaces or 3,000+ new daily trips, mandatory EIR; 300 or 2,000, ENF
    • Energy: a new power plant of 100+ MW, mandatory EIR; 25+ MW, ENF
    • Water: a new drinking water treatment plant of 1,000,000+ gallons per day, ENF
    • Waterways: dredging 10,000+ cubic yards, ENF

    How does MEPA review work?

    A private proponent files the ENF within ten days of its first permit or funding application[9][4]. The steps[4]:

    • Before filing: outreach to nearby environmental justice populations; 45 to 90 days' notice for mandatory EIR projects[6]
    • Notice in the twice-monthly Environmental Monitor opens review and comments, usually with a site visit
    • The Secretary's Certificate: whether an EIR is required and, if so, its Scope
    • Draft and final EIR, each certified for adequacy within seven days after comments close[10]
    • Section 61 Findings: each acting agency writes the EIR's mitigation into its permit or approval

    When is an EIR required under MEPA?

    An EIR is required when a project meets a mandatory EIR threshold, when the Secretary requires one after the ENF, or when it is likely to damage the environment within 1 mile of an environmental justice population (5 miles for air)[4][11][5]. Since January 30, 2026, qualifying housing is not presumed to cause damage, but still files an ENF[4][12].

    Example: Solar Star Tranquility, a 3.8-megawatt array on 13 acres of a Nantucket town wellfield (EEA No. 16693), met the ENF threshold for disturbing rare species habitat. Because it lies within one mile of environmental justice populations, the Secretary's May 26, 2023 Certificate required a Draft EIR[13].

    Outline

    What goes in an Environmental Notification Form?

    Built from 301 CMR 11.05 and the MEPA Office's guide; use the February 3, 2026 form[4][6]. MEPA is one of the state environmental policy acts.

    1. Project information and thresholds

      Name, location, proponent, thresholds the project may meet, and agency actions it needs[4][6].

    2. Project description

      The whole project, including likely expansion; splitting it to evade review is not allowed[4].

    3. Alternatives analysis

      Purpose, criteria for the preferred alternative, and each alternative's impacts, such as other sites or uses[6].

    4. Environmental and public health impacts

      The proponent's initial assessment, with environmental and public health impacts assessed separately[4].

    5. Mitigation measures

      Measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate the impacts[4][6].

    6. Environmental justice

      Populations in the Designated Geographic Area (generally 1 mile), likely effects, pre-filing outreach and languages spoken nearby[4].

    7. Climate resilience

      The output report from the RMAT Climate Resilience Design Standards Tool[6].

    8. Requests

      A single EIR, Special Review Procedure or waiver, each needing an expanded ENF[4].

    9. Attachments, circulation and notice

      USGS locus map, site plans, environmental justice map, circulation list and newspaper notice certification[4][6].

    Sources

    Where each statement comes from

    Show all 13 sources
    1. [1]M.G.L. c. 30, § 61 - Determination of impact by agencies; damages to environment; prevention or minimization; foreseeable climate change impacts. The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read October 2, 2026.
    2. [2]M.G.L. c. 30, § 62 - Definitions. The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read October 2, 2026.
    3. [3]Filing with MEPA. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office, Mass.gov. Read October 2, 2026.
    4. [4]301 CMR 11.00: MEPA Regulations (current regulations and PDF). Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office, Mass.gov, January 30, 2026. Read October 2, 2026.
    5. [5]M.G.L. c. 30, § 62B - Environmental impact reports; preparation; contents; environmental justice populations. The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read October 2, 2026.
    6. [6]Environmental Notification Form (ENF) Preparation and Filing. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office, Mass.gov. Read October 2, 2026.
    7. [7]Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA). Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Mass.gov. Read October 2, 2026.
    8. [8]Ready to File?. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office, Mass.gov. Read October 2, 2026.
    9. [9]M.G.L. c. 30, § 62A - Notification of secretary of environmental affairs; certificate; scope of environmental impact report. The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read October 2, 2026.
    10. [10]M.G.L. c. 30, § 62C - Submission of reports; public notice; comments; review periods. The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read October 2, 2026.
    11. [11]An Act Creating a Next-Generation Roadmap for Massachusetts Climate Policy, Acts of 2021, Chapter 8. The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, March 26, 2021. Read October 2, 2026.
    12. [12]Streamlined Process for Qualifying Housing Projects. Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office, Mass.gov. Read October 2, 2026.
    13. [13]Certificate of the Secretary on the Environmental Notification Form: Solar Star Tranquility LLC, Nantucket (EEA No. 16693). Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (posted by the Town of Nantucket), May 26, 2023. Read October 3, 2026.

    Written by

    Ilya Volodarsky

    Ilya Volodarsky founded ePlan.ai. He co-founded Segment and is co-founder and CEO of Wildfires.org.

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    • No. MEPA review comes before state agencies act; it does not approve or deny anything. Agencies then decide on their own permits, funding or land transfers.

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