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<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><b>
<font face="Verdana" size="2">470 Dedham Avenue</font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><b>
<font face="Verdana" size="2"> Needham, MA 02492<br>
Phone - 781-455-7589<br>
Fax - 781-449-9023</font></b><p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<b><font face="Verdana" size="2">Email:
<a href="mailto:[email protected]?subject=Conservation Commission">[email protected]</a> </font></b><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<p align="center"><b><font face="Verdana" size="5" color="#0000FF">Welcome
to the Town of Needham Conservation Commission!</font></b></p>
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<a href="../xEasyPermits/Index.htm">Application Information</a></font></p>
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<a href="ConComHiringOutsideConsultants.htm">Hiring Outside Consultants</a></font><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">
<a href="Documents/ConComWetlandsProtectionRegulations.pdf">Wetlands
Protection Regulation</a></font></p>
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</p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">
<a target="_blank" href="Documents/ConComWetlandBufferZoneRegulationsAndPolicy.pdf">
Wetland Buffer Zone Regulations and Policy</a></font></p>
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<a target="_blank" href="Documents/ConComWetlandsPolicyOnWildlifeHabitatAssessments.pdf">
Wetland Policy on Wildlife Habitat Assessment</a></font></p>
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<a href="ConComAgendas.htm">Agendas</a></font></p>
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<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="2">
<a target="_blank" href="Documents/RidgeHillInformationPacket.pdf">Ridge
Hill Rental Information Packet</a></font><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<td width="145"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><b>
<font size="1" face="Verdana">Office
Address:</font></b><!--mstheme--></font></td>
<td width="315"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">
Conservation Commission</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Needham
DPW </font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">470
Dedham Ave</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Needham,
MA 02492</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">
Phone:
781-455-7589</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">FAX: 781-449-9023</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
</p>
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<p style="margin:1 4; " align="justify">
<img border="0" src="../images/ConComCharlesRiver.jpg" width="432" height="324"><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<td width="145"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"><b>
<font size="1" face="Verdana">Office
Hours:</font></b><!--mstheme--></font></td>
<td width="315"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 1px; margin-bottom: 1px">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Monday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<br>
Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.<br>
Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<br>
Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.<br>
Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.<br>
</font><!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<td width="145"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica"><b><font size="1" face="Verdana">Mailing Address:</font></b><!--mstheme--></font></td>
<td width="315"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Needham
Conservation Commission</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">C/O
Needham Town Hall</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">1471
Highland Ave</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">Needham,
MA 02492</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
</p>
<!--mstheme--></font></td>
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<tr>
<td width="145"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica"><font size="1" face="Verdana"><b>Meetings:</b></font><!--mstheme--></font></td>
<td width="315"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p align="justify" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> </p>
<p align="justify" style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1">
<font face="Verdana" size="1" color="#000000">The Conservation Commission
generally meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month.
Please confirm meeting dates and filing deadlines with the Conservation
Office as meeting dates sometimes vary due to holidays. Meetings are
open to the public and are typically held in the Community Room at the
Needham Public Library, 1139 Highland Avenue.<br>
</font></p>
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</table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> </p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1" align="center">
<font size="1" face="Verdana">To view the Conservation Commission Meeting
Schedule for the current Fiscal Year go to
<a target="_blank" href="../xCalendar/calendars.htm">Calendars</a>.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1" align="center">
</p>
<div align="center">
<center>
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<td width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b>The Needham Conservation Commission is a
seven-member volunteer board appointed by the Board of Selectmen to protect the
Town�s wetland resource areas. The Commission administers the Massachusetts
Wetlands Protection Act and Regulations and the Needham Wetlands Bylaw (Article
6) and regulations. The Commission also oversees the Town�s conservation lands
including Ridge Hill Reservation.</b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b> </b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act no
one may �remove, fill, dredge, or alter� any of the land surface, water levels,
or vegetation in wetlands, flood plains, �bordering vegetated wetlands� (BVWs),
or other wetland resource areas without obtaining a permit from the local
Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission also has the authority to
regulate activities in the "buffer zone� of upland that is within 100 feet of a
wetland or stream, and the �riverfront area� within 200 feet of perennial rivers
or streams. <span style="color:red"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><span style="color: red"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b><span style="color: red">If you are planning
any landscaping, clearing, filling, excavation, demolition, or construction
within a wetland or floodplain, within the 100� buffer zone, or within 200� of
the Charles River or other perennial stream -- whether or not the wetland
resource is on your property -- please contact the Conservation Commission <u>
BEFORE</u> you begin your project to determine if you will need a permit.
</span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b><span style="color: red"> </span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b><span style="color: red">Unsure if your project
lies within a wetland resource area? Please contact the Commission to find out
if your proposed work is subject to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act or
the Needham Wetlands Bylaw and whether you will need a permit <u>BEFORE</u> you
begin.</span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b><span style="color: blue"> </span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">The Commission will be pleased to help you
determine the procedures that are applicable to your proposed activities and to
work with you in order to best protect the wetland resource areas. Work done
without a permit is subject to an Enforcement Order, which may include fines.
</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">The Needham Conservation Commission has developed
this website to provide you with information about: </font></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
</p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b>the Massachusetts Wetlands
Protection Act, the Rivers Protection Act, and the Needham Wetlands Bylaw</b></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b>wetland resource areas that are
protected under the Act and Bylaw</b></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b>activities that are prohibited or
regulated in wetlands and buffer zones</b></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b>the permit application and review
process</b></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b>
<span style="color: navy; text-decoration: none">The Massachusetts Wetlands
Protection Act, the Rivers Protection Act, and the Needham Wetlands Bylaw</span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText2" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><span style="text-decoration: none"> </span></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><font face="Verdana">
<u><font size="1">The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act</font></u><font size="1">:<span style="color:#070F61">
</span>Since the passage of the Jones Act in 1963, Massachusetts has become a
leader in wetland protection. The Jones Act was the first wetlands protection
statute in the nation and required developers to acquire permits before building
on or filling in coastal wetlands. In 1965, the Massachusetts legislature
passed the Hatch Law that extended protection to inland wetlands. In 1972,
these laws were combined into the
<a style="text-underline: single" target="_blank" href="http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/131-40.htm">Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act,</a><span style="color:windowtext"><a href="http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/ww/wwpubs.htm#statreg" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: single">
</a> </span>
and broadened to protect beaches, dunes, wetland banks, and areas subject to
flooding. Town Conservation Commissions are required to implement the wetland
regulations at the local level for the protection and conservation of local
wetlands, watershed areas, and other natural resources.</font></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
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<blockquote>
<h3 align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><!--mstheme--><font color="#330099"><font face="Verdana" color="#000000">
<font size="1">
<span style="font-weight: 400">
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mass.gov/dep/consumer/rpa.htm">The
Rivers Protection Act</a> </span> </font><span style="font-weight: 400"><span style="text-decoration: none">
<font size="1">
was incorporated into the </font></span><font size="1">Massachusetts Wetlands
Protection Act</font><span style="text-decoration: none"><font size="1"> in 1996
in order to strengthen the protection of rivers and permanent streams through
the creation of a new resource area � a riverfront area buffer zone. The
riverfront area is a 200-foot wide corridor of land on each side of a perennial
river or stream, measured from the high-water line of the river.</font></span></span></font><!--mstheme--></font></h3>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><font face="Verdana">
<u><font size="1">
<a target="_blank" href="../xTownMisc/Documents/NeedhamGeneralByLaws02.pdf#page=41">The Town of Needham Wetlands Bylaw</a></font></u><font size="1">
additionally protects resource areas defined as any freshwater wetland,
including marsh, wet meadow, bog or swamp; any bank of a lake, pond, river,
stream or other watercourse; any water body or waterway, including any lake,
river, pond, stream or watercourse: land within 100� of a vernal pool; and any
bordering or isolated land subject to flooding or inundation by groundwater or
surface water.</font></font></p>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><span style="color: #333399"> </span></font></p>
<h4 align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><!--mstheme--><font color="#330099"><font face="Verdana" size="1">
<span style="color: navy"> Wetland Resource Areas Protected in Needham</span></font><!--mstheme--></font></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><span style="color: black"> </span></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><font face="Verdana">
<span style="color: black"><font size="1">Some wetland resource areas, such as
rivers and ponds or areas that contain standing water are easy to identify;
other wetland resources may be less obvious or may be complex and require some
level of technical expertise with knowledge of such terms as intermittent or
perennial stream status. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility to find out
what types of wetland resource areas may exist on or abutting your property and
whether your project requires review by the Conservation Commission. For a
general overview of Needham wetland resource areas, you can click on the </font>
</span><font size="1"><font color="#000000">
<a target="_blank" href="Documents/ConComOrthophotoWebMap.pdf">Needham GIS Wetlands Map</a>.
</font><span style="color: red"> </span></font><span style="color: black"><font size="1">More
specifically, the following is a list of wetland resource areas in Needham:</font></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"> </p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Ponds and lakes</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Rivers and perennial streams</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Intermittent streams that may be dry
for some portion of the year</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Banks of ponds, lakes, rivers and
streams</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Land under a water body, such as a
pond or river</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Fresh water wetlands, including
swamps, marshes and bogs</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Vernal pools -- shallow spring pools
that become dry during the summer</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Floodplains --areas along streams or
rivers that are flooded in major storms</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Vegetated wetlands � areas where
soils are wet and where wetland plants, such as red maple, skunk cabbage,
cattails, purple loosestrife, cinnamon and sensitive fern occur.</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Wet meadows</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Man-made ponds or ditches</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Any land within 100 feet of a
wetland � the �buffer zone� is also protected because this area is important to
the wetland and to wildlife habitat</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Any land within 200 feet of a river
or perennially-flowing stream � the �riverfront area� is protected by The Rivers
Act</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Bordering land subject to flooding</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Isolated land subject to flooding</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"> </p>
<blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><font face="Verdana">
<span style="color: black"><font size="1">A good regulatory definition of the
term "wetland� may be found in the Federal Clean Water Act as: "those areas that
are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and
duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support,
a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions.</font></span><font size="1"> As such, wetlands are defined -- or
delineated -- according to three criteria:</font></font></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Hdrophytic vegetation:
water-tolerant plants that have adapted to wetland conditions</font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Hydric soils: water-saturated soils
that have become oxygen deficient</font></p>
</li>
<li>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Hydrologic regime: dominated by the
presence of water through flooding or saturated ground</font></p>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b><span style="color: navy">Activities that are
Prohibited or Regulated in Wetlands and Buffer Zones</span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b><span style="color: navy"> </span></b></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">The general rule for wetlands is �no alteration.�
This sounds fairly straightforward when we think of activities that obviously
change the nature of wetlands, such as dredging or filling or building directly
in the wetland. However, other activities that we may not immediately
perceive as �alteration� can be detrimental to the health and function of
wetland resources and, therefore, are prohibited in wetlands. Activities
in the buffer zone also fall under Conservation Commission jurisdiction,
enabling the Commission to require that steps be taken to minimize the threat of
adverse wetland impacts when construction and other work in the upland occurs.
In Needham, prohibited or regulated activities include:</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
</p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Filling</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Dredging</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Dumping � including brush, leaves,
grass clippings, yard waste</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Excavating</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Grading</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Removing vegetation � including
natural vegetation such as live or dead trees, shrubs, or groundcover, or the
removal of invasive species.</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Landscaping � from planting a tree
to creating a new lawn or garden </font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Construction or expansion of new or
existing buildings � including additions such as garages, decks, porches, stairs</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Erection of structures � including
sheds, dock, piers,</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Construction of tennis courts,
sports courts, swimming pools</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Demolition of existing buildings and
structures</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Installation or widening of paved
driveways</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Installation of drainage, sewer, or
irrigation systems</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Discharging pollutants</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul2a.gif" width="12" height="12" hspace="15" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1">Changing drainage characteristics,
flow patterns, the water table, or water quality</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"> </font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"> </font></p>
<h5 align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><!--mstheme--><font color="#330099"><font face="Verdana" size="1">The Permit
Application and Review Process</font><!--mstheme--></font></h5>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><span style="color: #000040"> </span></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5"><font face="Verdana">
<span style="color: black"><font size="1">
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/131-40.htm">The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection
Act and Regulations</a> and the
<a target="_blank" href="../xTownMisc/Documents/NeedhamGeneralByLaws02.pdf#page=41">Needham Wetlands Bylaw (Article 6)</a> and regulations
are administered by the Needham Conservation Commission in order to ensure that
no harm is done to the wetlands or to their ability to protect public and
private water supply, protect groundwater, protect water quality, prevent
flooding and storm damage, and protect wildlife, wildlife habitat, and fisheries
(the �public interests�). If you are planning any work within a wetland
resource area or buffer zone, you will need to apply for and obtain a permit.
If the buffer zone activity you plan is relatively minor, it may not require a
permit, and you may request a determination of applicability. You can learn
about the step-by-step permitting process by clicking on </font></span><u>
<span style="color: red"><font size="1"><a href="../xEasyPermits/Index.htm">Application Information</a></font></span></u><font size="1">.
Please</font><span style="color:black"><font size="1"> contact the Conservation
Commission office (781 455-7589) if you have any questions. </font></span>
</font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><span style="color: black"> </span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><b><span style="color: black">Types of
Applications:</span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="justify" style="margin: 1 5">
<font face="Verdana" size="1"><span style="color: black"> </span></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana"><u><span style="color: black"><font size="1">
<a href="../xEasyPermits/EasyPermitsListOfForms.htm">Request for Determination of Applicability</a></font></span></u><span style="color: black"><font size="1">:
a request that the Conservation Commission determine if the work proposed
requires a permit (some minor activities, such as small alterations of the
buffer zone more than 50 feet from a wetland may not require a permit) or that
the Commission determine if the work is within a Resource Area.</font></span></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana"><span style="color: black"><font size="1">
<a href="../xEasyPermits/Index.htm">Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation</a>:
an application to request that the Commission formally review and approve the
delineation of resource areas at a site.</font></span></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/copy-of-blends/blebul1a.gif" width="15" height="15" hspace="13" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1 5" align="justify">
<font face="Verdana"><span style="color: black"><font size="1">
<a href="../xEasyPermits/Index.htm">Notice of Intent</a>:
an application to request that the Commission approve work within the buffer
zone or another resource area.</font></span></font></p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="Trebuchet MS, Arial, Helvetica">
<p> <!--mstheme--></font></td>
</tr>
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