Conservation Commission

Purpose & Authority

The purpose of the Conservation Commission is to protect, promote, and enhance the quantity and quality of the Town's natural resources, especially wetlands, wildlife, and water resources, through planning, acquisition, land management, regulation, scientific research, and public education.  The Conservation Commission is an advisory and regulatory committee of the Town. 

The Conservation Commission may receive gifts, bequests, or devises of personal property or interests in real property in the name of the Town, subject to approval of the Town Manager. The Commission may receive monetary gifts for the development of a Conservation Fund and may expend them, subject to the General Laws and the approval of the Town Manager.

The Conservation Commission is responsible for implementing the provisions of MGL Chapter 131, § 40, The Wetlands Protection Act, to protect floodplains, riverbanks, and other wetlands within the Town of Bridgewater.

The Town of Bridgewater, through local regulations, expands Conservation Commission authority. The D.E.P. can overrule Commission decisions, and appeals must be filed in the Superior Court.

Jurisdiction

• 100 feet from bordering vegetated wetlands
• 100 feet from the bank of a stream, water course, or interment
• Bordering land subject to flooding defined by elevations of the 100-year storm

• Titicut