Who We Are

The Eight Towns and the Great Marsh Committee (ETGM) is the Upper North Shore Local Governance Committee (LGC) for the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program and works with the municipalities of Amesbury, Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Newbury, Newburyport, Rockport, Rowley and Salisbury.

The ETGM was established in 1992 as Eight Towns and the Bay 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. The name was changed to Eight Towns and the Great Marsh to draw greater focus on the importance of this dynamic ecosystem.

A Massachusetts Bays Program regional staff member works with ETGM Committee to provide an array of technical assistance including environmental training and consulting, workshops and grant writing to the communities.

Our Mission

ETGM is dedicated to the protection of the coastal waters and watersheds on the upper North Shore of Massachusetts Bay.

ETGM 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.

What We Do

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 member communities in the form of coastal project identification, grant writing, and site assessment. The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) provides staff and technical support to ETGM .

You are always welcome to join us at our monthly meetings. Contact David Moon (dmoon@massaudubon.org) for time and date of our next meeting.