The Conservation Commission was born in May of 1961 when by Action of Town meeting in March of 1961, the Selectmen appointed seven members to the Commission. Those appointed were selected from "individuals known to be actively interested in conservation, flood control and related problems". (Quote from the 1961 Annual Report of the Conservation Commission.)

The Commissioners and the Administrator are actively involved in carrying out their charter of protecting the ponds, rivers, streams, marshes, etc. from destruction through uncontrolled alteration. The mentioned wetland resources can easily be ruined by uncontrolled construction activities, indiscriminate use of lawn and garden chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, and the discharge of contaminants of all kinds from our roads into drainage catch basins, all of which flow into a wetland, river, pond somewhere.

The Conservation Commission is the official agency specifically charged with the protection of the communities natural resources. They advise other Town officials and Boards on conservation issues related to their areas of responsibility. The Commission serves the Town in a regulatory as well as planning and advisory capacity through administration of the Wetlands Protection Act and the Framingham Wetlands ByLaw.

The Commission has the responsibility to supervise all development activities within 125 feet of any wetland in order to protect the wetland from alteration. Development activities can create serious erosion flow into wetlands, increase inflow of hazardous contaminants into wetlands and actual excavation of wetlands if left uncontrolled.

Twice a month the Commission has evening meetings to discus and plan management of the natural resources, conduct hearings under Wetlands Laws and issue Orders of Conditions controlling construction activities that might degrade the environment.

Your Conservation Commission, although very busy with it's regulatory work, devotes time to management of the Conservation properties under it's jurisdiction. Over the years through acquisition, gifts, and transfers of land we find ourselves responsible for over 240 acres of land. The Macomber property located on Badger Road was an early acquisition and has trails through a magnificent wooded area containing streams, small ponds, many interesting overlooks for those interested in walking the trails to enjoy passive recreation in a natural setting. The Cochituate Brook property adjacent to Reardon Park also provides some trails for a leisurely walk. We will be reviewing other Conservation properties to provide better access for public use in passive recreation activities.

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Areas and Activities Regulated by the Commission

Areas

Areas within 125 feet of a: Lake, Pond, Wetland or Intermittent Stream

100-year flood plain

Areas within 200 feet of a River or Stream that flows year round. (This includes Reservoirs 1 and 2, which, by state statute, are a part of the Sudbury River.)

Activities

Activities most often regulated in Framingham are construction of Single Family Homes, Additions, and Commercial Buildings. However, any activity, which will remove, fill, dredge or alter a Lake, Pond, Wetland, Stream, River or Floodplain is under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. If there is any question about whether an activity would be regulated by the Commission contact the Commission Office (Contact ).

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Application Information

Forms can be downloaded from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website. Following is a brief description of the different forms. If you have any questions about which form is appropriate contact the office(Contact).

Click here for forms from DEP MA DEP

See Framingham Filing Requirements for instructions on filing in Framingham.

Notice of Intent: (WPA Form 3)

This form must be filed if activities will occur within a wetland, lake, pond stream, river or flood plain (resources areas). This form is also filed for many activities within the buffer zone to any resource areas. (Framingham Filing Checklist)

Abbreviated Notice of Intent: (WPA Form 4)

If activities will disturb less than 1000 sq. ft. of surface area and take place entirely within the buffer zone to a resource area, this form may be filed.

Request for Determination of Applicability: (WPA Form 1)

This form should be filed if you are not sure whether the Conservation Commission has jurisdiction, either because work is taking place at the edge of the buffer zone, or if you are not sure whether the work will impact the resource area.

Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation: (WPA Form 4A)

This form is used to confirm the boundaries of a wetland. It does not permit any work to take place. This form is not required before submitting a Notice of Intent or an Abbreviated Notice of Intent.

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Framingham Filing Requirements

Nine copies of the application, including plans must be submitted

Abutters within 100 from the property must be notified of the project

Forms to submit for abutter notification

Abutter Notification Form

Affidavit of Service

Filing Checklists

Notice of Intent and Abbreviated Notice of intent

Request for Determination of Applicability

Notice of Resource Area Delineation

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Abutter Notification Form

Notification to Abutters Under the

Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act

and

The Framingham Wetlands By-Law

In accordance with the second paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40, you are hereby notified of the following:

A. The name of the applicant is _________________________________________

B: The applicant has filed a ___Notice of Intent, ___ a Request for Determination of Applicability, or ___ a Notice of Resource Area Delineation, with the Conservation Commission for Town of Framingham seeking permission to remove, fill, dredge or alter an area subject to protection under the Wetlands Protection Act (General Laws, Chapter 131, section 40) and the Framingham Wetlands By-Law (Article V, Section 18).

C. The address of the lot where the activity is proposed is ____________________

________________________________________________________________

Description of Project______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

D. Copies of the Notice or Request may be examined at the Framingham Conservation Commission Office and/or _____________________

__________________________________________* between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. on Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Call the Conservation Office at (508) 628 1302 for an appointment to review the Notice or Request.

Check One: *This is the applicant œ, representative œ, or other œ (specify):

___________________________________________________

E. Copies of the Notice or Request may be obtained from either (check one) the applicant œ, or the applicant’s representative œ, by calling this telephone number

(____) _____ _______ between the hours of _____ and ______ on the following days of the week: ___________________________________.

F. Information regarding the date, time, and place of the public hearing may be obtained from_FraminghamConservation Commission_________________

by calling this number (508) 628-1302_between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M.on the following days of the week: Monday to Friday_______________

________________________________________________________________

Note: Notice of the public hearing, including its date, time, and place, will be published at least five (5) days in advance in the __________________________________

Note: Notice of the public hearing, including its date, time, and place, will be posted in the City or Town Hall not less than forty-eight (48) hours in advance.

Note: You also may contact your local Conservation Commission or the nearest Department of Environmental Protection Regional Office for more information about this application or the Wetlands Protection Act. To contact DEP, call:

(978) 661-7600

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Affidavit of Service

Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act

(to be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Conservation Commission when filing a Notice of Intent)

I,__________________________________, hereby certify under the pains and penalties of perjury that on __________________________ I gave notification to abutters in compliance with the second paragraph of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40, and the DEP Guide to abutter Notification dated April 8, 1994, in connection with the following matter:

A Notice of Intent filed under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Framingham Wetlands By-Law by___________________________ with the Town of Framingham Conservation Commission on ____________________for property located at _____________________________________________.

The form of notification, and a list of the abutters to whom it was given and their addresses, are attached to this Affidavit of Service.

_____________________________________ ____________________

Name Date

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NOTICE OF INTENT & ABREVIATED NOTICE OF INTENT

Framingham Filing Checklist

Send to the Framingham Conservation Commission, Memorial Building, Framingham, MA 01702, (508) 628-1302:

Nine copies of the Notice of Intent (NOI) Application (see below)

The check made out to the Town of Framingham.

Two copies of filing fee information (see below).

Two copies of Notification of Abutters information (see below).

(Deliver by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested.)

Send to DEP, 205 Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, (978) 661-7600

Two copies of the Notice of Intent (NOI) Application (see below).

Two copies of filing fee information (see below).

Two copies of Notification of Abutters information (see below).

Send to the DEP Lock Box, DEP, Box 4062, Boston, Ma 02211

The State DEP check and pages 1 & 2 of Appendix B: Wetland Fee Transmittal Form.

The Notice of Intent Application consists of:

The Notice of Intent (WPA Form 3) OR Abbreviated Notice of Intent ( WPA Form 4)

Complete all portions as appropriate, and include required plans and additional information

Maps, etc.:

Include a site plan showing existing and proposed conditions (grading, landscaping, construction – including Framingham’s 125’ buffer zone and 30’ no touch)

Circle the location of the project on the locus map (USGS or other map of the area).

Include other attachments, as necessary, to describe the proposed project and protective measures

Include habitat information and/or Natural Heritage habitat information, if necessary

Include Appendix C: Stormwater Management Form , if appropriate.

Include DEP Field Data Forms, if appropriate.

Filing Fee Information:

Complete the pages 1 & 2 of Appendix B: Wetland Fee Transmittal Form.

Send a photocopy of the checks (proof of payment) to the State DEP

Send a photocopy of the checks (proof of payment) to the Town Conservation Commission.

Notification of Abutters Information

Obtain list of abutters from Town Assessor’s office (100’)

Complete the Notification of Abutters Form

Distribute to all abutters a copy of the notification by Certified Mail or hand delivery

Complete the Affidavit of Service

Make copies of the list of all abutters, the Notification of Abutters Form, and the Affidavit of Service for the Town Conservation Commission and the DEP.

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REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY

Framingham Filing Checklist

Send to the Framingham Conservation Commission, Memorial Building, Framingham, MA 01702, (508) 628-1302:

Eight copies of the Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) Application (see below)

Two copies of Notification of Abutters information (see below).

(Deliver by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested.)

Send to DEP, 205 Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, (978) 661-7600

Two copies of the (RDA) Application (see below).

Two copies of Notification of Abutters information (see below).

The Request for Determination of Applicability Application consists of:

The Request for Determination of Applicability (WPA Form 1)

Complete all portions as appropriate, and include required plans and additional information

NOTE: If you check Box B, you may be required to file an Abbreviated Notice Of Resource Area Delineation to obtain boundary confirmation.

Maps, etc.:

Include a site plan showing existing and proposed conditions (grading, landscaping, construction), as appropriate.

Circle the location of the project on the locus map (USGS or other map of the area).

Include other attachments, as necessary, to describe the proposed project and protective measures

Notification of Abutters Information

Obtain list of abutters from Town Assessor’s office

Complete the Notification of Abutters Form

Distribute to all abutters a copy of the notification by Certified Mail or hand delivery

Complete the Affidavit of Service

Make copies of the list of all abutters, the Notification of Abutters Form, and the Affidavit of Service for the Town Conservation Commission and the DEP.

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NOTICE OF RESOURCE AREA DELINEATION

Framingham Filing Checklist

Send to the Framingham Conservation Commission, Memorial Building, Framingham, MA 01702, (508) 628-1302:

Eight copies of the Application (see below)

The check made out to the Town of Framingham.

Two copies of filing fee information (see below).

Two copies of Notification of Abutters information (see below).

(Deliver by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested.)

Send to DEP, 205 Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA 01887, (978) 661-7600

Two copies of the Notice of Intent (NOI) Application (see below).

Two copies of filing fee information (see below).

Two copies of Notification of Abutters information (see below).

Send to the DEP Lock Box, DEP, Box 4062, Boston, Ma 02211

The State DEP check and pages 1 & 2 of Appendix B: Wetland Fee Transmittal Form.

The Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (NRAD) Application consists of:

The Abbreviated NRAD (WPA Form 4A)

Complete all portions as appropriate, and include required plans and additional information

Maps, etc.:

Include a site plan showing wetland resource areas and delineation

Circle the location of the project on the locus map (USGS or other map of the area).

Include other attachments, as necessary, to describe the area

Include DEP Field Data Forms, if appropriate.

Filing Fee Information:

Complete the pages 1 & 2 of Appendix B: Wetland Fee Transmittal Form.

Send a photocopy of the checks (proof of payment) to the State DEP

Send a photocopy of the checks (proof of payment) to the Town Conservation Commission.

Notification of Abutters Information

Obtain list of abutters from Town Assessor’s office

Complete the Notification of Abutters Form

Distribute to all abutters a copy of the notification by Certified Mail or hand delivery

Complete the Affidavit of Service

Make copies of the list of all abutters, the Notification of Abutters Form, and the Affidavit of Service for the Town Conservation Commission and the DEP.

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