The Conservation Department coordinates the efforts of the Conservation Commission whose purpose is to administer the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. Ch. 131, s. 40, regulation 310 CMR 10.00, and the Town of Bridgewater's Wetlands Protection Bylaw.  

The staff is available to answer questions regarding wetlands and the permitting process and will assist an applicant with completing a permit application.

Conservation Department Procedures

To help residents and interested parties better understand how the Conservation Department operates, below are some general operations which the staff perform on a daily basis:

• Template for Legal Ad and Abutters Notices
• Go to mass.gov for Wetland Application forms
• Applicants/Representatives are responsible for sharing all materials on Zoom meetings.
• Meeting agendas are posted no later than the Friday preceding the next Conservation Commission meeting.
• Notices of upcoming meetings and hearings are sent to all required departments at least one week prior to a scheduled Conservation Commission meeting whenever possible.
• All documents, (including decisions, minutes, notices, etc) are reviewed by the Conservation Agent/Town Engineer prior to distribution.
• Please read the Administrative Rules for deadlines and what to submit with your application

Conservation Commission 

 The Conservation Commission meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at the Municipal Offices located at 66 Central Square Bridgewater, MA 02324 

The Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over lands:

• 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 100 year storm

The purpose of the Conservation Commission is to protect, promote, and enhance the quantity and quality of the natural resources within the Town, 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 development of a Conservation Fund, and expend the same, subject to the General Laws and the approval of the Town Manager.

The Conservation Commission is responsible for the implementation of the provisions of MGL Chapter 131, § 40, The Wetlands Protection Act, in protecting 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 over rule Commission decisions and appeals must be filed in Superior Court.