What We Do
The Fall River Conservation Commission is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, §40) and its regulations (310 CMR 10.00) within the boundaries of the City of Fall River. For local filing procedures and local forms, contact the Planning Department at 508.324.2561.
310 CMR 10.00 is promulgated by the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to the authority granted under The Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. c. 131, § 40. 310 CMR 10.00 shall complement M.G.L. c. 131, § 40, and shall have the force of law. 310 CMR 10.01 through 10.10 provide definitions and procedures. 310 CMR 10.01 through 10.10 pertains to both inland and coastal areas subject to protection under M.G.L. c. 131, § 40. 310 CMR 10.21 through 10.60 provide standards for work within those areas. 310 CMR 10.21 through 10.37 pertains only to coastal areas and 310 CMR 10.51 through 10.60 pertains only to inland areas. A project may be subject to regulation under 310 CMR 10.00 in which case compliance with all applicable regulations is required.
Purpose. M.G.L. c. 131, § 40 sets forth a public review and decision-making process by which activities affecting Areas Subject to Protection under M.G.L. c. 131, § 40 are to be regulated in order to contribute to the following interests: -protection of public and private water supply -protection of ground water supply -flood control -storm damage prevention -prevention of pollution -protection of land containing shellfish -protection of fisheries -protection of wildlife habitat
Any individual who intends on doing work within a “Jurisdictional Area” or “Buffer Zone thereto” as defined in the Wetlands Protection Act must file an application with the Fall River Conservation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection prior to commencing such work.
It is important to note that many different kinds of areas constitute “Jurisdictional Areas”. Some of these areas include, but are not limited to banks, riverfront areas, freshwater wetland resource areas, coastal wetland resource areas, Land Under Water and Waterways, and Land Subject to Flooding.
If you are unsure of whether the work that you are planning on doing requires you to file an application with the Fall River Conservation Commission, please contact our office at (508) 324-2340. We will be happy to assist you.
How to Contact Us:
The Fall River Conservation Commission office is located at City Hall on the 5th floor. We can be reached by telephone at (508) 324-2340 and walk-ins are always welcome.
Our mailing address is as follows:
Fall River Conservation Commission
One Government Center – Room 534
Fall River, MA 02722
Members
Paulo J. Amaral
Christopher Boyle
John Brandt
James Cusick
Luis Ferreira
Reverend James Hornsby
Nikita Viera
Staff
Daniel Aguiar, Conservation Commission Agent
Nina Krueger, Head Administrative Clerk
Nina Pavao, Head Clerk
Applications, Forms and Fees
The following link to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) website will allow you access to all of the updated applications and forms. Instructions are provided with the forms. Please contact our office or the MA DEP Southeast Regional Office at (508) 946-2800 if you have questions regarding which forms to use.
http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/approvals/wwforms.htm#wetlands
For a checklist that can be used when filing a Notice of Intent with the Fall River Conservation Commission, please click the link below:
Meetings
The Fall River Conservation Commission meetings are generally held on the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall in the 1st floor City Council Hearing Room.