What should I do if I want to do any kind of work in or near a resource area or that may be under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission?

You must first fill out an application to obtain approval for your project, or for a determination of whether or not you need a permit. After receiving a complete application, the Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing, where it will make a ruling on your application.

The purpose of the application is to provide the Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection with a complete and accurate picture of the site, the work that you want to do on it, and how the work will be done.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that the information on this website is meant to simplify very complicated regulations, and is not meant to substitute for applicants' responsibility to understand and follow applicable laws, and read the official forms and instructions carefully. In cases where information on this website disagrees or appears to disagree with state and local regulations and policies, the official regulations and policies take precedent.

Thanks to the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for contributing to information on this website.