Massachusetts Environmental Police – Headquarters – Boston, MA

Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP)

Conservation and Enforcement

The Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) is the primary state agency responsible for protecting the Commonwealth's natural resources. Headquartered at 251 Causeway Street in Boston's West End, the MEP enforces state laws and regulations related to hunting, fishing, boating, and off-highway vehicles (OHVs). Environmental Police Officers, also known as Game Wardens, possess full police powers and patrol the state's inland waterways, forests, and coastal waters. Their mission includes preventing poaching, ensuring boating safety, and investigating environmental crimes such as illegal dumping or hazardous waste spills.

Registration and Permitting

While the officers are often in the field, the Boston headquarters serves as the administrative hub for the agency. It houses the Boat, Recreation Vehicle, and Snowmobile Registration Bureau. Residents visit this office (or the satellite location, depending on current operations) to register motorboats, ATVs, and snowmobiles. The office also handles the issuance of commercial fishing permits and assists with hunter safety education course information. Note: Visitors seeking registration services should confirm if they need to visit the public counter or if services are available online to avoid wait times.

Location and Contact

The MEP Headquarters is located in a multi-agency state building near North Station and the TD Garden. Access to the building requires passing through security screening. The office operates during standard business hours, Monday through Friday. For reporting environmental emergencies or violations in progress (such as boating accidents or fish kills), the MEP operates a 24-hour statewide dispatch center reachable by phone, which is distinct from the administrative office line.