Conservation Commission

Overview

The Scituate Conservation Commission is a 7-member board appointed to 3-year overlapping terms by the Select Board under Chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The Commission is entrusted with the stewardship of conservation land and addresses natural resource issues of the town and region. 

Responsibilities

Empowered to administer the state's Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40) and Rivers Protection Act, and the Scituate By-Law, the Commissioners review numerous projects that fall within their jurisdiction. After review, permits, which are intended to protect the natural resource interests of the Town, are issued to applicants. These laws were established to protect wetlands and the values they provide including but not limited to wildlife habitat, pollution prevention, flood control, storm damage prevention, and protection of water supply.  

Jurisdictional areas in Scituate include coastal and inland resource areas such as isolated and bordering vegetated wetlands, buffer zones (area within 100 feet of wetlands), flood plains, salt marshes, coastal banks, barrier beaches, dunes, beaches, and Riverfront Areas (area within 200 feet of perennial streams).  If proposed work is found to comply with state and local regulations, the Commission issues a permit with conditions to protect wetlands and the values that provide from detrimental impacts.  The Commission endeavors to balance the needs of development with the protection of these vital resource areas when reviewing projects within their jurisdiction.

Meetings

Meetings are held twice a month typically on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM. 

No supplemental materials can be distributed at the meeting or shown on screen if not previously submitted at least 1 weeks prior to the meeting date.