The Eight Towns and the Bay Committee (8T&B) is the Upper North Shore Local Governance Committee (LGC) for the Massachusetts Bays Program and works with the municipalities of Salisbury, Amesbury, Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester, and Rockport.

The 8T&B LGC was established in 1992 to promote local and regional coastal water quality initiatives, and is comprised of citizens appointed by the chief elected officials in each of the nine member communities. A Massachusetts Bays Program regional staff member works with 8T&B to provide an array of technical assistance including environmental training and consulting, workshops and grant writing to the communities.

Our mission:

8T&B is dedicated to the protection of the coastal waters and watersheds on the upper North Shore of Massachusetts Bay. 8T&B works with communities and the general public to foster stewardship of coastal resources by heightening public awareness of solutions to pollution problems, providing technical assistance and supporting local research and education projects.

The communities of the Upper North Shore are fortunate to have a number of active citizen group and nonprofit environmental organizations working in concert to restore and protect water quality and habitat. The Committee meets monthly, and works closely with local officials, citizens, nonprofit groups and state agencies to promote coastal protection. We provide technical assistance to the community in the form of coastal project identification, grant writing, and site assessment. The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) provides staff and technical support to 8T&B . You are always welcome to join us at our monthly meetings at 7:30 PM on the third Thursday of each month at the Ipswich Town Hall.

Contact our Coastal Resources Coordinator...

For more information about Eight Towns and the Bay
For available resources and materials related to our projects
To contact your town's 8T&B representative
If you have a question or project we might be of assistance with
To volunteer to help with our ongoing projects
To find out about our monthly meeting agendas