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Conservation Commission Members| Wetlands Protection | Land Protection | Meetings | Permit Applications | Frequently Requested Info | Current Members: Mark Fairbrother, Chair
Donna Francis
Addie Holland
David Petravage
Deb Picking
Chris Polatin
Sean Werle 
Conservation Commission and Wetlands Protection
The Town of Montague administers and enforces the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, which regulates activities that have the potential to remove, fill, dredge or alter wetland resource areas. Inland wetland resource areas protected by Massachusetts law include the banks of streams and ponds, vegetated wetlands bordering the banks, land under water, bordering and isolated areas subject to flooding and a 200-foot riverfront area extending horizontally from the banks of rivers that run all year. In addition, the Act protects a 100-foot buffer zone extending horizontally from the banks of streams and ponds. Wetlands serve many important functions, including absorbing runoff and preventing flooding, stabilizing stream banks, filtering and cleaning surface water, trapping and recycling nutrients and pollutants, recharging groundwater and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Construction in or near surface water and wetlands can impair these functions. If you are planning to do any work near wetland resource areas in Montague, such as clearing, excavation, grading and filling or construction, please contact the Conservation Commission office to ask whether your activity requires a permit. The Commission has videotaped presentations on the Wetlands Protection Act and how it applies to homeowners, farmers and forest landowners and utilities and developers available for sale or loan. Please contact the Commission office for more information.
Conservation Commission and Land Protection The Conservation Commission Act , MGL Chapter 40, section 8C charges local conservation commissions with protection of the community's natural resources. The Montague Conservation Commission is the local government agency responsible for planning, acquiring and managing open space. The Town's current Open Space and Recreation Plan was adopted in 2003. A variety of implementation activities are under way, please contact us to see how you can get involved. The Conservation Commission works with landowners, private land trusts and state agencies to protect individual parcels of land for their natural resources and value for agriculture and forestry. The Town and the Commission have been supportive of protecting land through the use of Conservation Restrictions and Agricultural Preservation Restrictions, which keep the land in private ownership while protecting it from development. If you are interested in learning more about land protection options, please contact the Commission office.
Conservation Commission Meetings Generally second Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm, Select Board Meeting Room, Town Hall, One Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA Deadlines to submit business: - Request for Determination of Applicability or Notice of Intent: 13 days prior to meeting
- Emergency Certification for work in wetlands resource area: Commission will respond within 24 hours
- Other business: one week prior to meeting
Permit Applications and Filing Requirements for work in or near wetlands Information on filing requirements and permit applications can be found on the website for the state Department of Environmental Protection (see specific information below). For questions about specific projects or help filling out a permit application, please contact the Conservation Commission agent for an appointment. - Request for Determination of Applicability - WPA Form 1 (http://www.state.ma.us/dep/appkits/forms.htm#ww) is used to ask the Commission whether the Wetlands Protection Act applies to a particular activity or piece of property. Generally, a determination can be obtained in approximately 4 weeks.
The Commission requires 9 copies of the application and any supporting documents. Applicants will be billed for the cost of public notice. - Notice of Intent - WPA Form 3 (http://www.state.ma.us/dep/appkits/forms.htm#ww) is used to obtain a permit for work subject to the Wetlands Protection Act. Filing requirements are somewhat complex; applicants are strongly advised to contact the Commission office prior to filing. The Commission requires 9 copies of the application and any supporting documents, information about filing fees is available on the State website
Frequently Requested Information - State wetland regulations, 310 CMR 10.00 (http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/ww/files/310cmr10.pdf)
- Local Wetlands Bylaw - Montague does not currently have its own Wetlands Bylaw.
- Open Space & Recreation Plan - Montague's Open Space & Recreation Plan is currently being revised
- Map showing Estimated Habitat of Rare and Endangered Wetlands Wildlife available for review in the Planning & Conservation office
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