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Conservation

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1. What are wetlands?

A wetland is an area where water (groundwater, surface water, or ice) is present in significant enough quantity to support a dominance of vegetation that occurs in primarily saturated conditions. Commonly though of as wet meadows, marches, swamps and bogs, wetlands are transitional areas between water bodies and uplands, and are defined by their plant communities, hydrology and soils. Wetlands are areas that may be publicly or privately owned.

2. Why are wetlands protected?

For a long time, wetlands have been dismissed as wasteland. Sadly, they have been used as dumping grounds, or filled in and channeled to "reclaim" them. Wetlands are now recognized as beautiful places with vital ecological functions and values. Wetlands play an important role in improving water quality and protecting water supply by filtering out pollutants, sediments and contaminants. Wetlands help to prevent storm and storm water damage by storing and slowly releasing floodwaters to rivers and streams. This is beneficial because it allows water to have a place to go during heavy storm events other than flooding basements and roadways. Wetlands contain fisheries and important habitat to wildlife, providing breeding and nesting places, protective cover, food and water. Most rare animal species depend in some way on wetlands for survival.

3. Where can I get a copy of the Wetlands Protection Act?

An official copy can be obtained in person from DEP or at the state bookstore in Boston. An unofficial copy of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act can be found online at DEP's website. Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act

4. Where can I get a copy of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations?

Unofficial copies of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act Regulations 310 CMR 10.00, are available online from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. An official copy may be obtained from the state bookstore. DEP Regulations (unofficial copy)

5. Where can I obtain application forms related to the Wetlands Protection Act and the Woburn Wetlands Ordinance?

Forms are avaiable from the Conservation Commission office. Forms are also available on line. http://www.cityofwoburn.com/index.aspx?nid=940
Wetland Forms

6. What interests are protected under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act?

The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act identifies eight "interests" or functions and values of resource areas that are protected.

They are:
1) Protection of public and private water supply
2) Protection of groundwater supply
3) Flood control
4) Storm damage prevention
5) Prevention of pollution
6) Protection of land containing shellfish
7) Protection of fisheries
8) Protection of wildlife habitat

7. What interests are protected under the Woburn Wetlands Ordinance?

Protected wetlands values identified in the Woburn Wetlands Ordinance are:
1) Public or private water supply
2) Groundwater
3) Flood control
4) Erosion and sediment control
5) Storm damage prevention
6) Fisheries
7) Recreation
8) Agriculture
9) Aquaculture
10) Historic Values

8. What is the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission?

The Woburn Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over all earthwork proposed within a resource area and/or the 150-foot buffer zone.

9. What is a resource area?

A resource area is an area subject to protection by the Conservation Commission. In Woburn they are inland areas which include:

Banks; Land Under Water Bodies or Waterways; Bordering Vegetated Wetlands; and Riverfront Areas

10. What is the "buffer zone"?

The Woburn Conservation Commission recognizes two buffer zones. The "state" buffer zone is the area within 100 feet of bank and/or bordering vegetated wetland. The "local" buffer zone is the area within 150 feet of bank and/or bordering vegetated wetland.

11. What is a "river" as defined by the Wetlands Protection Act?

A river is any natural flowing body of water that empties into any ocean, lake, or other river and that flows throughout the year. The definition includes all perennial rivers, including streams and brooks that flow throughout the year. Rivers end where they meet the ocean, a lake, or pond. Intermittent streams are not subject to the Rivers Protection Act.

Explaination of the Rivers Protection Act

12. What is the riverfront area?

In Woburn, the riverfront area is the area between the river's mean annual high-water line and a parallel line located 200 feet away measured horizontally outward from the river.

13. What is the DEP?

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)is a state agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment. DEP's Wetlands Program administers and enforces the Wetlands Protection Act. Massachusetts DEP website

14. What is the EPA?

The U.S. Environmental Prtotection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency whose stated mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which life depends.

EPA's Office of Water is responsible for the Agency's water quality activities including the development of national programs, technical policies, and regulations related to drinking water, water quality, ground water, pollution source standards, and the protection of wetlands, marine, and estuarine areas. EPA website

15. As an immediate abutter to a project near a wetland, will I be notified of the Conservation Commission's Public Hearing?

Yes. The Applicant is required to notify (by mail or in person) immediate abutters when a submission is made to the Conservation Commission that requires a Public Hearing.

16. Does Woburn have a wetlands map?

No. Since wetlands change over time, a wetlands map would need to be continually re-assessed and revised. The City does have topographic mapping, aerial photographs, and floodplain maps, which can be useful tools in making a general determination of the possible presence of wetlands. To make a determination of the precise boundaries of a wetland, the area in question would need to be flagged by a botanist or wetland scientist. The wetland delineation should be surveyed onto a plan. The Conservaiton Commission will make a formal determination through a Public Hearing process after teh plan and appropriate forms have been filed with the Commission.

17. What are the filing deadlines?

For new filings –
The filing deadline is 12:00 Noon, ten business days prior to the meeting.

For Continued Public Hearings –
The deadline to submit additional information is 12:00 Noon, five business days prior to the date to which the Hearing is continued.

18. Where are meetings held?

Unless otherwise posted, Conservation Commission Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public.

19. Where can I get a copy of the Groundwater Protection District Map?

The Engineering Department in City Hall has the groundwater protection district map, and can provide copies for a fee.

20. How can I find out if I live in a floodplain?

Federal floodplain maps (1980) are on display at City Hall (outside the Conservation Commission office). Floodplain maps are available for purchase by contacting FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) at (617) 223-9561. These maps are generally used for flood insurance purposes. These maps indicate the areas of possible inundation during 100 and 500-year storm events. They are limited to specific areas studied, so there may be areas that experience flooding which are not shaded on the map. A Professional Land Surveyor and/or Professional Engineer can make a precise determination.

IMPORTANT: New FEMA floodplain information (2005) is available from the City Engineer's office in City Hall.

21. Is it okay to feed wild ducks and geese?

No. The City of Woburn has an Ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wild waterfowl. Feeding wild animals is harmful to them and to humans. Feeding wild waterfowl can spread disease, and contaminate water supplies. For more information, ask for the brochure "It’s not good to feed wild waterfowl… here’s why" which is available from the Conservation Commission office.

22. What is the difference between conservation land and wetlands?

Many people use the terms "conservation land" and "wetlands" interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings.
Conservation land refers to land that is publicly owned, and generally preserved as open space to protect our natural resources. In some cases conservation land may be used for passive recreation, or it may be kept natural to protect wildlife habitat, wetlands, riverfront areas and/or land subject to flooding. Conservation land may or may not contain wetlands.
A wetland is an area that may be publicly or privately owned. It is an area where water (groundwater, surface water, or ice) is present in significant enough quantity to support a dominance of vegetation that occurs in primarily saturated conditions. Commonly thought of as wet meadows, marshes, swamps, and bogs, wetlands are transitional areas between water bodies and uplands, and are defined by their plant communities, hydrology, and soils.

23. Where are the conservation lands in Woburn?

Woburn’s main conservation lands with passive recreation are: the Horn Pond Area, Shaker Glen Conservation Area, Rag Rock Conservation Area, Battle Road Woodlands, and the Cranberry Bog Conservation Area. Maps of the City showing the location of Conservation Areas, and trail maps for some areas are available from the Conservation Commission office.

24. What are the rules of use for conservation lands?

Rules for the use of Conservation Areas are stated in title 12-40 of the municipal code. They are written below.

As conservation areas are meant to be preserved in their natural state for their environmental value, their aesthetic importance and the public enjoyment, the following rules and regulations are established for the areas under the control of the Woburn Conservation Commission:

A. These regulations apply to all areas in the city under the control of the Woburn conservation commission either by deed provision, city ordinance, or formal arrangement with other officials or departments.

B. Signs designating the areas to be Woburn conservation lands are to be posted at normal entrances to each area.

C. The city conservation areas are open without charge or special permit (unless otherwise noted) to the general public in conformity with these regulations.

D. The following are expressly prohibited:

1. The use of firearms. Fishing is allowed in accordance with state and local regulations. Hunting and trapping is allowed with the express permission of the Conservation Commission, the Chief of Police and the Superintendent of Public Works and in accordance with state law and local regulations;

2. Open fires;

3. Any form of littering or dumping;

4. The use of motor vehicles, including off-the-road vehicles such as trail bikes and snowmobiles, except for authorized city vehicles;

5. The cutting, removing, damaging or defacing of any plant life, animal life, rocks or soils, except by the written permission of the conservation commission;

6. The defacement, destruction or removal of conservation commission signs and property or other structures such as dams, walls, fences, gates, etc., except by the written permission of the conservation commission;

7. Posting of unauthorized signs, selling or giving away of goods or circulars, or engaging in commercial activities of any nature;

8. The making of loud or disturbing noise.

E. The conservation commission alone may authorize trails being cut or marked, dams to be built or any structure such as a bridge, tower or handrail to be constructed, or any other change or addition on conservation land.

F. Dogs or other pets must be fully controlled at all times, either by leash or verbal control.

G. Overnight camping in designated areas is allowed only by written permit of the conservation commission to be obtained in the office of the chief of police.

H. The conservation commission cannot assume for itself or for the city any liability of any kind for injuries to persons or damage done to their property while on conservation lands; persons entering thereon do so at their own risk.

I. These rules supplement applicable state and other local regulations.

J. Visitors to conservation areas are urged to leave them cleaner than they were found, and to report violations of these rules to the conservation commission and the Woburn police.

K. Vehicles commonly known as ski-mobiles are excluded from all areas under the control or direction of the recreation commission, and the conservation commission. (C.2-1971.)

L. Violations of these regulations may be punishable by a fine of fifty dollars. (Prior Ch., sec. 9-A 5).

25. Where are the Community Gardens?

The Community Gardens are located at the Horn Pond Conservation Area. They are accessible from a gravel roadway off Lexington Street. Limited parking is available by permit (issued to gardeners only).

26. How do I get a garden plot?

First preference is given to returning gardeners who rented a garden plot the previous year. Garden sign-ups are held in the spring. Garden plots may be available after the initial registration period through the Conservation Commission office. Returning gardeners will be notified of the registration date(s) by mail. If you are interested in becoming a new gardener, mail a postcard with your name address and telephone number to the Conservation Commission office (Attn.: Community Gardens).

27. What are the rules for the Community Gardens?

A copy of Rules for the Community Gardens will be available at the garden plot registration. A copy of the rules will be given to all gardeners who are assigned a plot.

28. What is Conservation Day?

Conservation Day is an annual community event organized and run by the Commission at various Conservation lands in the City. Each Conservation Day, the Conservation Commission, Department of Public Works, City Officials, local business organizations, service clubs, scout troops, students and scores of volunteers come together to work on projects and clean up the Conservation Areas. In past years projects have included: building and repairing bridges, clearing trails, spreading and raking woodchips, planting and pruning trees, painting signs, gates, and bridges, and general cleanup removing trash and debris. Conservation Day is held on the first Saturday in May. All are welcome to join us.

29. Why is it important to protect our natural resources?

For a long time, there was a belief that because there was such an abundance of natural resources, the supply would never run out. We are discovering, however, that there is not an endless supply of resources. We have to face the reality of possible shortages in our lifetime and the lifetime of our children. But beyond the problem of shortages, the depletion of our natural resources has also caused other problems. The over-exploitation of our natural resources has led to the destruction of habitat, the extinction and threatened extinction of species of flora and fauna, and the pollution of our air, soils, and water. Sadly, our continent has lost much of its natural wealth and ecological stability.

By conserving our natural resources, we are preserving our world not only for ourselves, but also for our children. The first step is to realize the importance of our environment. It is easy to take for granted the delicate ecosystems that make life on our planet possible. This is true both globally and locally. The Conservation Commission recognizes our wetlands and waterways, in particular, as a very precious resource, for without them life cannot persist.

30. What can I do to help?

• Teach your children to value and protect the environment.
• If possible, leave some of your land in a natural condition. Avoid disturbing steep slopes and stripping vegetation.
• Minimize the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
• Limit the use of salt for ice-control, and consider using environmentally friendly ice-control products.
• Don’t dump debris (including landscaping debris) into a wetland or water body.
• Set up a compost pile away from wetland areas.
• Never dump oil, chemicals or waste of any kind down a storm drain.
• Don’t litter.
• Pick up after your pets.
• Participate in Woburn’s recycling program.
• Conserve energy by turning of lights and appliances when they are not needed, and use energy efficient products. Look for products with the EPA’s Energy Star. www.energystar.gov
• Conserve water by turning off water faucets when not in use. Hire a plumber to fix leaky faucets, and inquire about installing water saving devices.
• Plant trees.
• Volunteer at Conservation Day.