Wetlands Protection in Southwick

Turtle/Salamander

What you need to know about wetlands protection in Southwick

BEFORE Starting a Project Contact the Conservation Commission

A large percentage of Southwick homeowners have wetland resource areas on or near their property.  If you plan to do any work in a wetland, within 100 feet of a wetland, or within 200 feet of a stream or river such as:

  • Tree or vegetation removal or clearing
  • Grading, excavation or paving
  • New landscaping
  • Construction, additions, etc.

or any other activity that might alter wetlands or their buffer zones, you must contact the Conservation Commission.

For wetland permit applications, see “Wetland Permitting Forms & Applications” on the Southwick Conservation Commission website or mass.gov.

Do not assume your contractor will pull all necessary permits!

If you do need approval, our Conservation Officer is ready to answer your questions and help guide you through the application process.

The Commission meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month and the public is welcome to attend to learn more.

The Commission wants to see Southwick landowners proceed with their projects while simultaneously protecting the valuable wetland resources that benefit EVERYONE.

Wetland “Do’s and Don’ts”

Some activities near wetlands are allowed and do not require Commission approval, including:

  • Mowing an existing lawn
  • Working in an existing garden
  • Pruning and maintaining existing landscaping
  • Planting native vegetation
  • Hiking, horseback riding, and other passive recreation
  • Manual cleaning out culverts

Other activities are prohibited in wetland resource areas or buffer zones and are subject to fines (some are allowed, but only with a permit):

  • Dumping yard waste such as leaves, grass, etc., or other waste products, including manure
  • Constructing animal paddocks
  • Dumping dirt or other fill
  • Draining or pumping water to or from a wetland, pond or stream
  • Building dams or removing beaver dams

Wetland function best in a natural state. Do not clear them or “clean them up.”  Wildlife often thrives in areas with brush piles, rotting logs, and other things some people might consider “untidy.”

What are Wetlands?

“Wetland resource areas” include the commonly known cattail marsh and open water pond, also rivers that generally flow throughout the year, 200-foot riverfront areas which boarder rivers on both sides, intermittent streams that dry up during part of the year, low-lying flood plains and vernal (springtime) pools.  These areas (except riverfront are surrounded by “buffer zones”- 100 foot wide protective zones around wetlands that protect wetlands from human impacts and provide valuable wildlife habitat.

Why are They Important?

Wetland resource areas provide critical habitat to wildlife and help maintain the aesthetic beauty of our town.  They also provide priceless yet “free” services including:

  • Drinking water purification
  • Groundwater recharge
  • Flood control
  • Pollution prevention

All Southwick residents benefit from these services because of our reliance on natural settings for property values, wells for drinking water and septic systems for waste disposal.  The Conservation Commission is responsible for protecting these areas, by enforcing state and local wetlands protection laws and regulations.

Limiting Chemical Use and Conserving Water: A Few Words About Lawn Care

Do you know what comes out of your weed killer bottle or the lawn care spray truck?  Chemicals- many of which can be harmful to humans, pets, wildlife and plants.  They do a lot more than make your lawn green.

The Commission strongly recommends that you avoid using chemicals anywhere on your property due to the potential hazards that they pose to your drinking water, your children, and your pets.  If you live next to a pond, fertilizers can cause excessive plant growth in the water, harming both the environment and aesthetics.  Many natural lawn care alternatives are readily available – and they work.

The Commission also recommends you use water responsibly when maintaining your lawn or other landscaping.  Excessive lawn watering contributes to sever low-flow conditions in streams and rivers in all but the wettest years.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO PROTECT SOUTHWICK’S NATURAL RESOURCES!

 

Additional information on the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and Southwick’s Local By-Law.

Link to the unofficial version of Commonwealth regulation 310 CMR 10.00

Link to Southwick's Wetlands Bylaw Chapter 182

Link to Southwick’s Wetland Regulation Chapter 450