North River Commission

The North River Commission administers the North River Protective Act. The North River is the only Scenic Protected River in Massachusetts. The NSRWA is a nonprofit advocacy group that helped to pass these protections for the North River in the 1970’s. To find out more about the history of the NSRWA visit their History page.

The North River Commission was established by the Massachusetts Departments of Environmental Management (DEM) pursuant to the Scenic and Recreational Rivers Act, G.L.c.21, s. 17B and the North River Commission Act, c.367, s.62 of the Acts of 1978.

The Protective Order promotes public safety, health, and welfare. Its aim is to protect public and private property, wildlife, fresh and saltwater fisheries, and irreplaceable wild, scenic and recreational river resources. The Order protects the North River, as well as parts of associated tributaries in the towns of Scituate, Marshfield, Pembroke, Norwell, Hanover, and Hanson. Here you will find FAQs about the North River Scenic and Recreational River Protective Order to help you understand the Protective Order.

The North River Commission is housed at the James Library in Norwell Center and holds public hearings on the third Thursday of every month at the Norwell Town Hall.

Staff Contacts

Name Title
Joseph Strazdes North River Patrol
MemberRoleAdditional Information

Pembroke Representative

NRC Chairman, 2023

Alternate

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