What do I do if there are wetlands (or a watercourse) on my property?

  1. The first step is to consult with the Land Use Official or Wetlands Enforcement Officer, before starting your project. They both have a wealth of experience and can guide you how to proceed.

 

  1. Many minor maintenance activities are allowed “As a Matter of Right”. No permit is required. The Land Use Official or WEO can make this determination and make a note in the Town’s Land Use office – should any questions come up.

 

  1. Other activities in the URA, although more significant, may clearly have no, or minimal detrimental impacts on the wetland or watercourse. Again, the staff can make this determination and where applicable, issue an Administrative Permit authorizing the activity. The staff may include conditions in the Administrative Permit to help protect the natural resources. The staff will advise the full Commission of the Administrative Permit and may visit the site during construction to see how things are progressing. It’s essential not to skip this step - otherwise the activity would be a violation of State and Town Regulations.

 

  1. For more substantial projects involving activities that will impact the wetlands or watercourse, the Commission will work with property owners to mitigate the environmental impacts and allow the project to proceed. Here’s how it works:
  • Contact the town staff who can guide you through the process.
  • Your property may already have an up-to-date wetland survey. If not, a new survey will need to be performed. Again, the town staff can guide you.
  • Prepare your application. Applications for many simple homeowner projects can be prepared with little or no professional help. Applications for commercial and large projects often require the help of an environmental scientist, or a professional engineer. Once your application is done, it would be a good idea to ask the town staff to perform an initial review to make sure it’s complete.
  • Submit your application. To be received, the application must be submitted eight (8) calendar days before the next regular meeting of the IWWC (typically the second Tuesday of the month).
  • The Commission will assess the application at the first meeting after submission and make a determination to either receive it or return the application for additional information. 
  • For applications received by the IWWC, the Commission may elect to conduct a site walk in advance of the following month’s regular meeting so that the full impact of the planned work can be understood. 
  • The Commission will consider the application. At the first regular meeting after receipt.
  • For applications with significant public interest, the IWWC may decide that the following meeting be a Public Hearing, in which other stakeholders may ask questions or provide information that they’d like the IWWC to consider before granting a permit. 
  • The term of permits vary from a minimum of 2 years to as long as 5 years.

In truth, few applications are denied, but many include requirements to protect the wetlands, such as erosion and sedimentation controls or buffers immediately adjacent to the wetlands or watercourse