Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10) the Conservation Commission has statutory jurisdiction for activities within the 200 foot Riverfront Area of perennial streams and within 100 foot buffer zone to wetlands including, but not limited to inland banks, swamps, and marshes. The Mansfield Conservation Commission also has jurisdiction within the 100 Year Flood-plain and 100 feet from vernal pools under Chapter 15 of the Town’s General Bylaws.
Applications
There are two kinds of applications under these regulations.
- For small projects 50 feet and greater away from wetland resources a Request for Determination of Applicability may be filed. Examples of small projects that may fall under this category could be the construction of decks, sheds, and native landscaping.
- The second type of filing is the Notice of Intent filing which is for more complex projects such as construction of:
- Additions
- Commercial/Industrial Buildings
- Dwellings
- Regrading
- Removal of Vegetation
- Subdivisions
Projects
These projects often require engineered plans showing the wetland resources on-site, abutter notification, and a public hearing.
Forms
Forms are available at the Conservation Commission’s Office or on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website.