301 CMR, § 12.02
ACECs are those areas within the Commonwealth where unique clusters of natural and human resource values exist and which are worthy of a high level of concern and protection. The designation process comprises five steps: nomination, review by the Secretary, public hearings, decision by the Secretary, and publication of notice of the results in the Environmental Monitor. The purpose of the designation process is to determine if the nominated area is of regional, state, or national importance or contains significant ecological systems with critical interrelationships among a number of components. After designation, the aim is to preserve and restore these areas and all EOEEA agencies are directed to take actions with this in mind.
301 CMR, § 12.02