Conservation Commission
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Name | Term |
Sally Underwood-Miller, Chair |
2009 |
Joseph H DeGiorgis |
2007 |
Don W. Deno |
2007 |
John Hart |
2008 |
Catherine Plakun |
2008 |
Stephen Shatz |
2007 |
George Shippey |
2009 |
 Legal Authority
The Conservation Commission was formed under the Conservation Commission Act of 1957 (G.L. Ch. 40 sec. 8C) which gives the Commission responsibility for open space and other natural resource protection in your community. Thus you will identify key parcels that should be protected, work for acquisition by you town of other forms of protection, and manage local lands dedicated to conservation and passive recreation. Commissions may also organize recycling and other programs that enhance the local government.
Your Commission is responsible for administering the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (G.L. Ch. 131 sec. 40) and, if your community has one, your nonzoning wetland bylaw / ordinance. You will review proposed development projects in or near wetlands and other water resource areas. Approximately 40% of towns currently have wetland bylaws / ordinances.
The Community Preservation Act (G.L. Ch. 44B) is being adopted by communities across the state. The Conservation Commission has, by law, a seat on the local Community Preservation Committee; the Commission chooses its representative.
Open Space and Natural Resource Protection Responsibilities
Local woodlands, farms, fields, parks, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds are key components of your community character. When protected as municipal conservation lands they provide wildlife habitat and biodiversity, scenic vistas, areas for passive recreational use such as hiking, cross-country skiing, bird watching, photography and general relaxation. You have an important role in determining which should be preserved, how and for what purpose.
You may help establish criteria for evaluating local lands for protection, determine priority parcels, create networks and corridors of land in natural condition, prepare your community's Open Space and Recreation Plan, and propose lands for outright acquisition of other forms of protection such as conservation restrictions an agricultural preservation restrictions. You will work to achieve this protection through preparing publicity and presentations e.g. to town meeting, and will learn about and seek and raise funds for acquisitions.
Conservation lands may be managed to enhance their natural resource value and enjoyment by the public. You may participate in developing management plans, working with "friends" groups, organizing cleanups or conducting guided walks to explain their values.
Wetland Protection Responsibilities
Conservation Commissions spend much of their time focusing on the Wetlands Protection Act (and local wetland bylaws / ordinances). Below are some important concepts, terms and recommendations.
State Regulations and Bylaw / Ordinance Provisions
It is important to become familiar with the Wetlands Protection Act, its regulations (310 CMR 10.00 - 10.99), and related guidance documents and explanatory publications. Never hesitate to refer to the Wetland Regulations during a meeting of ask for explanations of terms you don't understand. Know in what ways your wetland bylaw / ordinance is stronger than the Wetlands Protection Act; this is where its greatest value lies.
Resource Areas
Wetland resource areas are important to safeguard because they help prevent storm damage, reduce flooding, protect groundwater, prevent pollution, support fish and shellfish, and provide wildlife habitat. The state Wetlands Regulations cover both inland and coastal resource areas. Inland wetlands and waterways are divided into their component parts. For instance, an inland river has at least three resource areas: (1) land under water, (2) banks, and (3) riverfront area. It may also have bordering land subject to flooding and bordering vegetated wetland. Because different resource areas have different standards with respect to alteration, it is critical that you become familiar with each. Bylaws may include additional resource areas.
Reviewing Development Proposals
Conservation Commissions review projects that are in or near wetland resource areas of within the 100-foot buffer zone. Most often projects will come before you as either a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) of a Notice of Intent (NOI).
An RDA determines if a project is subject to the Wetlands Regulations or will not have a negative impact to the wetland. After reviewing the information, visiting the sire, and conducting a public meeting, the Conservation Commission issues either a "Negative" of "Positive" Determination of Applicability (DOA). Given a negative determination, the project may go forward; given a positive determination, the applicant must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI).
Site Visits
Before voting on a permit request, it is essential to conduct a site visit. Visit the site with the applicant or applicant's representative and have them show you where the work will take place, the location of the wetland boundaries, and how the plans mesh with the site. It is also important to conduct monitoring visits after issuing a permit and work has begun. Bring the plans and a copy of the Order of Conditions to make sure the work is in compliance.
Appeals and Enforcement
Anyone aggrieved by a decision of the Conservation Commission under the Wetlands Protection Act may appeal your ruling to your regional Department of Environmental Protection office during a 10-day appeal period. Appeals of your bylaw / ordinance go to Superior Court.
When work is being done without a permit or the terms of a permit are not being met, the Conservation Commission is responsible for enforcing state and local wetland laws. You will learn to communicate with landowners and strive to bring the work into compliance. The state Department of Enviromental Protection has equal authority with Commissions in enforcing the Wetlands Protection Act.
Commission Administration
Commissions elect their own officers, may hire consultants including staff (subject to local requirement), and determine the rules for conducting meetings and hearings (subject to requirements of state law). Your staff can often provide invaluable assistance with the increasingly technical responsibilities of the Commission.
Commissions prepare budgets and may need to defend them before the Finance Committee or town manager. Commissioners may be required to serve on subcommittees e.g. open space acquisition or land management, o on inter-board committees such as the Community Preservation Committee.
Conservation Commissioners should coordinate regularly with other local officials and boards, wspecially the selectboard, building inspector / commissioner, planning board, board of health, engineering department and others that may have important input about a particular project or matter.
Who is there for Help?
More experienced board members and/or your professional conservation administrator and staff.
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) provides a certificate training program and other educational offerings, and publishes the Environmental Handbook for Massachusetts Conservation Commissioners (617-489-3930 ; www.maccweb.org ; macc@maccweb.org)
Massachusetts Association of Municipal Conservation Professionals (MSMCP) represents administrators and agents, and provides speakers at monthly lunches (P.O. Box 2620, Duxbury, MA 02331)
Massachsetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) writes the statewetlands regulations, hears appeals under the state law, provides educational material and workshops on regulatory changes, and provides Wetland Circuit Riders to assist Commissions. (617-292-5500 ; www.state.ma.us/dep)
The State Ethics Commission (888-485-4766 ; www.state.ma.us/ethics)
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