Purpose and Authority

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 serves as 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 also receive monetary gifts for the development of a Conservation Fund and expend those funds, subject to the General Laws and approval of the Town Manager.

The Conservation Commission is responsible for implementing the provisions of MGL Chapter 131, Section 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. may overrule Commission decisions, and appeals must be filed in Superior Court.

Jurisdiction

The Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over lands including:

• 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
• Other lands subject to the Bridgewater Wetland Protection Bylaws

Conservation Commission

Conservation Department Procedures

To help residents and interested parties better understand how the Conservation Department operates, below are general procedures and expectations related to the permitting and review process.

• 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, and notices, 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.