In 1988, under the Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Massachusetts designated Buzzards Bay to the National Estuary Program, as "an estuary of national significance" that is threatened by pollution, land development, or overuse.
En 1988, baixo a Clean Water Act (lei da auga limpa), a Axencia de Protección Ambiental e o estado de Massachusetts inscribírona no programa nacional dos estuarios, co título de "estuario de importancia nacional" ameazado pola contaminación, o ordenamento do territorio ou o uso excesivo dos recursos.