FAQs • Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA • CivicEngage

What is the buffer zone?: The buffer zone is a term used in both the Wetlands Protection Act and the Manchester Wetlands By-law. The buffer zone is the area that extends 100 feet perpendicularly from one of the resource areas listed above. The buffer zone is not a resource area itself. Vegetation, pervious soils, and natural grades often serve to buffer a resource area from the impacts of development. Although, activities in the buffer zone require a filing with the Commission, many of these activities are allowed. Those with no impact to the adjacent resource areas usually require no mitigation measures. Those activities in the buffer zone that could potentially impact the adjacent resource area must be mitigated. Activities that cannot be mitigated, cannot be permitted.

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Conservation

2. Can someone help me fill out these forms?: Yes, call the conservation administrator and schedule an appointment. She would be happy to help you with the forms.

3. What is the buffer zone?: The buffer zone is a term used in both the Wetlands Protection Act and the Manchester Wetlands By-law. The buffer zone is the area that extends 100 feet perpendicularly from one of the resource areas listed above. The buffer zone is not a resource area itself. Vegetation, pervious soils, and natural grades often serve to buffer a resource area from the impacts of development. Although, activities in the buffer zone require a filing with the Commission, many of these activities are allowed. Those with no impact to the adjacent resource areas usually require no mitigation measures. Those activities in the buffer zone that could potentially impact the adjacent resource area must be mitigated. Activities that cannot be mitigated, cannot be permitted.

4. Where can I get a map of the trails in Manchester?: The conservation office has trail maps for Chebacco Woods, which is jointly owned by the Towns of Hamilton and Manchester. All other trail maps can be obtained from the Manchester-Essex Conservation Trust, 978-526-7692.

5. How long does it take to get a permit?: An applicants clock starts ticking the moment a completed application is brought in. The emphasis is on complete. The conservation administrator will call you and alert you to any omissions. The Commission has 21 days to review the application and hold a public hearing. Although an application may be complete, upon review the Commission may decide that it needs additional information in order to make an informed decision. If this is the case, the hearing may be continued. After the hearing is closed, the Commission has 21 days to issue a permit. In general, the conservation administrator tries to issue permits soon after the hearing, however, a permit cannot be issued until DEP has reviewed the file and issued a State number. State numbers can be delayed due to incomplete submissions to the State or if the forms are not mailed to the state promptly (the applicant's responsibility).

6. How do I notify abutters?: Notice of Intent and Abbreviated Notice of Intent applications require abutter notification. The town assessors office will provide you with a list of abutters. All abutters must be notified about the date and time of the public hearing via certified mail or hand delivery.

7. Can I cut down trees in or near a wetland?: Not without checking with the conservation administrator first. Even dead trees prevent erosion and host wildlife. Not all tree cutting requires a filing, but all tree cutting in the buffer zone requires checking.

8. Can I clean out my stream?: Please view the Cleaning Out Your Stream page.

9. Do I need to file for landscaping?: Most landscaping within 100 feet of a resource area, other than maintaining existing vegetation, would require some sort of filing.

10. I don't know whether I have a wetland near me. How can I tell?: Call the Conservation Commission office and ask for the Conservation Administrator to take a look at the project area. Although the administrator will not delineate and flag an exact wetland line for you (the applicant must hire environmental consultants for that), she can give you a rough idea of the extent of the wetland line.