The Great Barrington Conservation Commission (hereinafter the "Commission") fulfills two basic roles: planning for and protecting conservation lands and waters, and regulating those lands and waters subject to certain state environmental laws. The Commission hereby adopts these rules and regulations to implement, and at times supplement, the requirements of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) and the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) and the Great Barrington Wetlands Protection Bylaw (Chapter 168), and to allow the Commission to carry out the responsibilities assigned to it by MGL and the Great Barrington Town Meeting.
A.
On April 30, 1962, the Town Meeting adopted the provisions of the
1957 Conservation Commission Act (MGL c. 40, § 8C) and established
a Conservation Commission to plan for natural resource protection,
acquire important land and water areas, and manage these properties
for conservation and passive recreation.
B.
In 1972, the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL c. 131, § 40)
gave the Commission responsibility for administering the Act and adopting
nonzoning wetlands bylaws and ordinances.
C.
On May 5, 1997, the Berkshire Scenic Mountains Act (MGL c. 131, § 39A)
was accepted by the Town Meeting. The Commission enforces the rules
and regulations implementing the Act locally, and which were adopted
by the Commission in November 2006 and approved by the Massachusetts
Department of Conservation and Recreation on May 11, 2007.
In accordance with MGL c. 40, § 8C, these regulations
may be amended from time to time by the Commission.
