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Conservation Commission
Meeting Information
- 6 pm
- 3rd Thursday of the month
Members
- Sarah Wells - Member
- Matt Teto - Member
Who Are We & What We Do
The Orange Conservation Commission is an entirely volunteer town board that administers the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) which protects all water and wetland resources, sensitive natural areas, and species.
Our goals are to:
- Conserve natural resources for present and future generations
- Identify natural resources in the Town
- Assist in developing and conserving parks, natural areas, farms, and forests
- Establish and maintain recreational trails
- Protect native animal and plant species
- Assist in the acquisition of properties for the preservation of open space
- Assist residents in the understanding of WPA regulations and the application of the regulations to various projects
General Information
Fees
- Determination Of Applicability - No application fee however a notice must be published in the local newspaper at least five days prior to the meeting at the applicant's expense.
- Notice Of Intent - The fee varies depending on the scope of work. Please consult the NOI instructions.
Submission Deadlines
- Applications must be received by the Commission at least fourteen days before the next meeting date.
- Notice of hearing must be advertised no later than five days prior to the hearing.
How to Reach Us
- Phone: 978-544-1105, ext. 6
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Walker Powell
Land Use Planner and Conservation Agent
- When do I need to file with the Conservation Commission?
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You need to file with the Conservation Commission whenever work is proposed within 100 feet of a wetland or 200 feet of a perennial stream.
- What activities are prohibited in Resource Areas?
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Removal, filling, dredging, grading, building, landscaping in a wetland area is prohibited without a permitting process.
- What permit application should I use?
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A "Request For Determination Of Applicability" should be used for simple projects that will not alter or impact the wetland or resource area. Major projects such as building, landscaping, commercial developments require a "Notice Of Intent."
- What is Chapter 61?
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Massachusetts Chapter 61 laws reduce property taxes on farmland, forest, or open space in exchange for a commitment from the landowner to keep the land undeveloped. While Chapter 61 in itself does not permanently protect the land, it maintains open space and is often a first step towards more permanent conservation. For more information see the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
- What are Wetlands?
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For more information on why Wetlands are important, visit the Wetlands and Nature page of the Environmental Protection Agency website.