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Conservation
Commission
What is the Conservation Commission?
Conservation Commissions were established under MGL 40, 8c in 1967 to protect natural resources and watershed areas of the Commonwealth. Walpole established a five member Commission appointed by the Board of Selectmen. In 1975 the Inland Wetlands Restriction Order c. 131 § 40A was enacted to protect certain wetland areas in Walpole and other Towns of the Commonwealth. In 1983, the Commission’s jurisdiction expanded with the enactment of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.00); soon after the Town voted to approve the Walpole Wetlands Protection Bylaw. In 1996 the Commonwealth further strengthened the protection of waterways with the passing of the Rivers Protection Act now part of the WPA. In the year 2007 the Town approved the Stormwater Management and Erosion Control Bylaw placing the administration of the Bylaw with the Conservation Commission.
Why?
Since the 1970’s the Town of Walpole has been protecting and preserving wetlands and waterways for the purpose of the following interests: protection of property, protection of public and private water supply, protection of ground water supplies, flood control management, prevention of pollution, protection of fisheries, and protection of wildlife.
Areas protected or jurisdictional areas:
Wetlands, streams, rivers, creeks, banks, ponds, lakes, floodplain, vernal pools and riverfront areas are protected under the wetland laws. Any activity which involves excavation, fill, removal of vegetation, change in grades, and/or change in water flow within these areas and/or within 100-feet of these areas may require filing with the Conservation Commission for a permit.
Land Protection
Over the past forty years the Town has acquired through donations, grants and purchases approximately 2000 acres of Open Space land for passive recreation and resource area protection. The Conservation Commission works with the Ponds Committee, Trails Committee, Adams Farm Committee, the Town Forest Committee and other Departments and Boards to manage and protect these areas and encourage additional donations or acquisitions to continue to protect Walpole’s precious resource areas.
Donating to the Conservation Commission Land Protection
The Conservation Commission may accept donations of land for resource area protection under Article 97. The land must have a title free and clear, plot plan, title search and deed to be signed by the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen. The Commission accepts land adjacent to existing Town or Conservation Commission land that benefits the interests of the Conservation Commission for resource area protection. Contact the Conservation Agent if you are interested. |
