Do I need a permit?
If your project includes grading, landscaping and/or construction work within the 100’ wetland buffer zone (or 200’ river protection buffer) call the Conservation Commission office (352-5712) to determine what type of permit you may need for the work you are planning.
According to the Georgetown Wetland Protection Bylaw the following activities are judged to “alter” a resource area and must be brought to the Commission before work can commence:
“The term "alter" shall include, without limitation, the following activities when undertaken to, upon, within or affecting resource areas protected by this chapter:
- Removal, excavation or dredging of soil, sand, gravel or aggregate materials of any kind.
- Changing of preexisting drainage characteristics, flushing characteristics, salinity distribution, sedimentation patterns, flow patterns or flood retention characteristics.
- Drainage or other disturbance of water level or water table.
- Dumping, discharging or filling with any material which may degrade water quality.
- Placing of fill or removal of material which would alter elevation.
- Driving of piles, erection or repair of buildings or structures of any kind.
- Placing of obstructions or objects in water.
- Destruction of plant life, including cutting of trees.
- Changing water temperature, biochemical oxygen demand or other physical or chemical characteristics of water.
- Any activities, changes or work which may cause or tend to contribute to pollution of any body of water or groundwater.”