A. 
These rules and regulations (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations) are promulgated by the Town of Swansea Conservation Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) pursuant to the authority granted to it under § 256-8 of the Swansea Wetlands Protection Bylaw (hereinafter referred to as the Bylaw).[1] These regulations shall compliment[2] the Bylaw. They shall be used to enforce and implement the Bylaw and shall have the same force of law upon their effective date.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 256, Wetlands Protection.
[2]
Editor's Note: So in original; should be "complement".
B. 
These regulations should be read together with the Bylaw, which has many important provisions not repeated in these regulations. These regulations supersede all existing rules and practices previously applicable to procedures and proceedings before the Commissions.
A. 
The Bylaw sets forth a public review and decision making process by which activities having an impact or cumulative effect upon Areas Subject to Protection under the Bylaw are to be regulated in order to ensure the protection of wetlands interests, functions and values, including, but not limited to:
(1) 
Public water supply
(2) 
Private water supply
(3) 
Flood control
(4) 
Erosions and sedimentation control
(5) 
Storm damage prevention
(6) 
Water pollution prevention
(7) 
Wildlife habitat
(8) 
Fisheries
(9) 
Shellfish habitat
B. 
The purpose of these Regulations is to create a uniformity of process and to clarify and define the provisions of the Bylaw by which the Commission shall carry out its responsibilities. Both the bylaw and these regulations may be amended when necessary.
C. 
In instances where these Regulations are more stringent than 310 CMR 10.00, these local Regulations shall prevail (see 310 CMR 10.01(2)).
A. 
Resource Areas Subject to Protection Under the Bylaw
(1) 
Any freshwater wetland
Any coastal wetland
Any freshwater marsh
Any coastal marsh
Any wetland meadow
Any bog
Any swamp
Any bank
Any beach
Any dune
Any flat
Any vegetated or un-vegetated wetland
(2) 
Any lake
Any pond
Any river, perennial or non-perennial
Any stream
Any creek
Any estuary
Or the ocean or bay
(3) 
Any land under any of the waterbodies set forth in Subsection A(2) above
(4) 
Any land subject to flooding or inundation by:
Groundwater
Surface water
Tidal action
Coastal action
Or coastal storm flowage
B. 
Activities Subject to Regulation Under the Bylaw
(1) 
Any activity proposed or undertaken which will constitute removing, filling, dredging, or altering any area specified in Subsection A above is subject to regulations under this Bylaw;
(2) 
Any activity proposed or undertaken within 100 feet of an area specified in Subsection A above, hereinafter referred to as the Buffer Zone, is subject to regulations under this Bylaw.
(3) 
Any activity proposed or undertaken within 200 feet of the mean high water mark of a perennial river or stream hereinafter referred to as the Riverfront Area under the Act is subject to regulation under this Bylaw.
The applicant shall have the burden of proof by clear and convincing evidence that the work proposed in an application, i.e. Notice of Intent, Request for Determination or Request for Preliminary Review, shall not have unacceptable significant cumulative or harmful effects upon the wetland values protected under the Bylaw. Failure to provide sufficient evidence to the Commission shall be sufficient cause for the Commission to deny the application along with any work or activity proposed therein.
100-FOOT BUFFER ZONE
Any area which extends 100 feet horizontally from any boundary of a resource area. The entire 100-foot buffer zone is protected under the Bylaw.
100-YEAR FLOOD
A flooding event that statistically has a 1/100 (0.01) chance of occurring in any given year.
100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN
The estimated maximum lateral extent of flood water which will theoretically result from the statistical 100-year frequency storm.
100-YEAR FREQUENCY STORM
A rainfall event that statistically has a 1/100 (0.01) probability that it will occur in any given year.
200-FOOT RIVERFRONT AREA
In accordance with the Act, 310 CMR 10.58, i.e. the 200-foot area extending horizontally from the mean annual high water line of a perennial river or stream.
ABUTTER
The owner of land in accordance with the most recent records of the Swansea Tax Assessor's Office. The abutters' properties are within 100 feet in any horizontal direction of any boundary of the site, which is listed in the permit. This includes by land, sea or traveled way.
ACT
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, MGL c. 131, § 40.
ACTIVITY
Any form of removing, filling, grading, dredging, building upon, expansion, reconstruction, altering, changing, enlarging, draining, withdrawing, damming, discharging, excavation, driving of pilings, construction, improvement, intercepting and/or diverging of water, installations of pipes or drainage systems, discharging of pollutants, destruction or cutting of plant life (including, but not limited to trees), and any change to the physical characteristics of land or the physical or chemical characteristics of water. These activities shall apply to land, sea, traveled way, buildings and/or structures on/in or within 100 feet of any jurisdictional area as stated in the Bylaw or under the Act 200 feet from any Riverfront Area.
ADJOINING LAND ADJACENT TO THE BUFFER ZONE
Non-wetland areas, immediately adjacent to, and extending in a horizontal direction from any wetland buffer zone, the activities on which are having or may have a significant or cumulative effect upon wetland values.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
Verbal and/or written directives by the Commission for the purpose of enforcing and/or administering the Bylaw, its regulations and permits issued thereunder.
AESTHETICS
The visual appearance or quality of jurisdictional areas accessible to the public including visual linkage for the public with scenic vistas.
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE FORM
A form completed by the Applicant certifying to the Commission that proper notification to abutters was duly served.
AGRICULTURE
Land which has been used continually for at least the past five years primarily in the raising (housing/feeding) of animals including, but not limited to, dairy cattle, beef cattle, poultry, sheep, swine, horses, ponies, mules, goats, bees and fur bearing animals and the land incidental thereto which represents a customary and necessary use in raising such animals. Land which has been used continually for at least the past five years primarily in the raising of fruits, vegetables, berries, nuts, and other foods for human consumption, feed for animals, tobacco, flowers, sod, trees, nursery or greenhouse products, and ornamental plants and shrubs; forest products under an approved, planned program to improve the quality and quantity of a continuous crop; land which is used primarily in the related manner which is incidental thereto and represents a customary and necessary use in raising such products.
ALTER
The term "alter" includes, but is not limited to, the following activities when undertaken, upon, within or affecting resource areas protected by this Bylaw:
A. 
Removal, excavation or dredging of soil, gravel, sand, clay, minerals, or aggregate materials of any kind
B. 
Changing of existing drainage characteristics, flushing characteristics, salinity distribution, sedimentation patterns, flow patterns, or flood retention characteristics
C. 
Drainage or other disturbance of water level or water table;
D. 
Dumping, discharging or filling with any material which may degrade water quality
E. 
Placing of fill, or removal of material, which would alter elevation
F. 
Driving of piles, construction, erection, repair or demolition of building(s) or structure(s) of any kind
G. 
Placing of obstructions or objects in water
H. 
Destruction of plant life including cutting of trees, shrubs, or non-woody vegetation
I. 
Changing water temperature, biochemical oxygen demand, or other physical or chemical characteristics of water
J. 
Any activities, changes or work which may cause or tend to contribute to pollution of any body of water or groundwater.
APPEAL
Under the Bylaw, a person has the right to appeal the Commission's decision on a Determination of Applicability or Order of Conditions to Superior Court under MGL c. 249, § 4 or as otherwise provided by law provided notice of the appeal is made to the Commission and/or the applicant within 10 days from the date the Determination of Applicability and Order of Conditions is issued. A Determination of Applicability and Order of Conditions shall be appealed under the Act to the Department of Environmental Protection according to 310 CMR 10.00 et seq.
APPLICANT
The person who signs the Notice of Intent, Request for Determination or Request for Preliminary Review.
APPLICATION
See Notice of Intent, Request for Determination or Request for Preliminary Review.
APPROVED PLAN
The document(s) (see definition of plan), which have been accepted and/or approved by the Commission and meet the burden of proof criteria as set forth in the Bylaw, Regulations and/or Act and are listed in the Order of Conditions, Determination of Applicability or Request for Preliminary Review. See Article IV for data required on engineered plans.
AREAS SUBJECT TO PROTECTION
Freshwater wetland, coastal wetland, marsh, wet meadow, bog, swamp, bank, beach, dune or flat, lake, river, pond, stream, estuary, ocean; land under said waters, river, pond, ocean, bay, estuary, lake; land subject to flooding or inundation by groundwater, surface water, tidal action or coastal storm flowage; and land horizontally within 100 feet of said areas; and may include adjoining land areas, and, under the Act, the areas 200 feet from a perennial river or stream.
AS-BUILT PLAN
A plan which has been signed and stamped by a professional engineer certifying the post-development conditions on a site. See Article IV for data required.
BANK (COASTAL)
The seaward face or side of any elevated land form, other than a coastal dune, which lies at the landward edge of a coastal beach, land subject to tidal action or storm flooding, or other wetland. Any minor discontinuity of the slope notwithstanding, the top of the bank shall be the top of the face of the bank or the break in slope above the relevant 100-year flood plain elevation. A bank may be partially or totally vegetated or it may be comprised of exposed soil, gravel, stone or sand. A bank may be naturally occurring, created in part or entirely by man and/or made of man-made materials. The 100-year flood plain elevations shall be taken from the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps as amended and defined by the Federal Emergency Management Act and designated as Zone A, A1-A30, V1-V30 and Zone B, for the Town of Swansea, Massachusetts. Notwithstanding the above, in some cases an onsite inspection may be necessary in order to determine the actual top of the bank. Coastal banks are likely to be significant to wildlife, habitat, storm damage prevention and flood control.
BANK (INLAND)
The portion of land surface which abuts and confines a water body. A bank may be partially or totally vegetated or it may be comprised of exposed soil, gravel, stone, sand or man-made materials, and/or created by man. The physical characteristics of a bank as well as its location are critical to the protection of wetland interests. The upper boundary of a bank is the first observable break in the slope above the one-year flood level, as defined by the FEMA Flood Maps, described above, as calculated by an engineer or as determined by the Commission. The lower boundary of a bank is the water body. A bank may be created by man and/or man-made materials. An unvegetated inland bank is synonymous with an inland beach. Notwithstanding the above, in some cases an onsite inspection may be necessary in order to determine the actual top of the bank.
BEACH (COASTAL OR MARINE)
Unconsolidated sediment subject to wave, tidal or coastal storm action which forms the gently sloping shore of a body of salt water, including land which is separated from other land by a body of water or a marsh system, i.e. tidal flats. Beaches extend from the mean low-water line landward to the dune line, coastal bank line or the seaward edge of existing man-made structures, when these structures replace one of the above lines, whichever is closest to the ocean.
BEACH (INLAND)
Unconsolidated sediment subject to wave, wind, ice or storm action which forms the gently sloping shore of a body of fresh water. Beaches extend from the mean high water line landward to the inland bank line or the fresh waterbody edge of existing man-made structures, whichever is closest to the waterbody. An inland beach is synonymous with unvegetated inland bank.
BORDERING
Touching at any point.
BORDERING VEGETATED WETLANDS (BVW)
Freshwater wetlands, which border on creeks, rivers, streams, ponds and lakes. Types of freshwater wetlands include wet meadows, marshes, swamps, and bogs. BVW are areas where the soils are saturated and/or inundated such that they support a predominance of wetland indicator plants. The ground and surface water regime and the vegetative community which accrue in each type of freshwater wetlands are specified in MGL c. 131, § 40.
BOUNDARY
The boundary of the Area Subject to Protection under the Bylaw.
BUFFER ZONE
The area of land extending 100 feet horizontally outward from the boundary of any wetland or resource area or under the Act or 200 feet from a perennial river or stream.
BYLAW
The Town of Swansea Wetlands Protection Bylaw.[1]
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
A signed, written document issued by the Commission which certifies that all or part of the work requested in the Notice of Intent has been satisfactorily completed in accordance with the conditions stated in the Order of Conditions. Some Conditions shall continue for a specified period of time or in perpetuity.
COASTAL WETLAND
Any bank, beach, dune, estuary, marsh, swamp, meadow, flat or other lowland which is subject to tidal action or coastal storm flowage.
CONDITIONS
The requirements set forth in writing in a Request for Preliminary Review, Order of Conditions or Determination of Applicability issued by the Commission for the purpose of permitting, regulating, controlling or prohibiting any activity.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
All or part of the members lawfully appointed to the Swansea Conservation[2] or their agent, employees or designee. For voting purposes, this term shall mean a majority of the lawfully appointed regular members of the Swansea Conservation Commission present at a hearing and voting on an issue in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.
CONTAMINATION
The same definition as pollution.
CREEK
The same definition as a stream.
CUMULATIVE
Increasing in effect, size, quantity, etc., by successive additions; increasing in severity by repetition of activity or by other various activities affecting the interests protected under the Bylaw. The Commission may require a plan showing the completed project and/or changes to the resource area(s) to determine the cumulative effect upon the resource area(s) by a project.
DATE OF ISSUANCE
The date an Order of Conditions, Determination of Applicability is mailed as evidenced by the postmark or the date it is hand delivered. The date a Request for Preliminary Review is signed by the Commission.
DATE OF RECEIPT
The date of delivery to an office or usual place of business by mail or hand delivery.
DEP; DEPARTMENT
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), formerly known as the Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (DEQE).
DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY (DOA)
A completed signed document issued by a majority of the Commission in response to a Request for Determination of Applicability after holding a public hearing(s). The document shall state if the area or proposed work is subject to protection under the Act and/or Bylaw.
DREDGE
To deepen, widen or excavate either temporarily or permanently.
DUNE
Any natural hill, mound or ridge of sediment landward of a coastal beach deposited by wind action or storm overwash. Coastal dune also means sediment deposited by artificial means and serving the purpose of storm damage prevention or flood control.
ENDANGERED ANIMAL SPECIES
Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. For the purposes of these Regulations, it is those animal species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program. See also rare animal species.
ENDANGERED PLANT SPECIES
Any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. For the purposes of these Regulations, those plant species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program. See also rare plant species.
ENFORCEMENT ORDER
A written document issued by the Commission and/or DEP for work or activity within a jurisdictional area which has not been approved by either the Commission or DEP.
EROSION CONTROL
A means or method to prevent or reduce the detachment or movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice, and/or gravity.
EXISTING
Lawfully begun or completed prior to the date of the plan or prior to any activity on the site.
EXTENDED DROUGHT
Period when precipitation for the previous four months was below normal for the period of record, with at least three of the four months 75% or less and two of the four months 50% or less of normal precipitation.
EXTENSION PERMIT
A written extension of time within which the authorized activity shall be completed, as permitted by Section VIII N of the Bylaw. The Commission may, in an appropriate case, combine this extension with the extension permit issued under MGL c. 131, § 40.
FILL
To deposit or cause any material in order to raise an elevation temporarily or permanently.
FISHERIES
An area for catching, taking, breeding, of all freshwater and saltwater finfish and shellfish including the nutrient sources and the habitat in which they live during all or part of their life cycle.
FLAG LINE
The demarcation of the wetland indicated by markers appropriate in surveying.
FLAT (TIDAL)
Any nearly level part of a coastal beach which usually extends from the mean low water line landward to the more steeply sloping face of a coastal beach or which may be separated from the beach by land under the ocean.
FLOOD CONTROL
The prevention or reduction of flooding and flood damage.
FLOODPLAIN
Any land susceptible to inundation by flood flowage or land subject to flooding.
FORESTRY
A formal plan approved by the Massachusetts Service Forester and the Swansea Conservation Commission under a Notice of Intent. No forestry is allowed for home use under the Bylaw.
FRESHWATER WETLAND
A bordering vegetated wetland, examples are wet meadows, marshes, swamps and bogs. Areas where the topography is low and flat and the soils are saturated.
GROUNDWATER SUPPLY
Water below the earth's surface in the zone of saturation.
HYDRAULIC CONNECTION
A link between two wetlands which consists of water, whether stationary, moving or intermittent and which provides a direct exchange of surface, surface groundwater or sub-surface groundwater. The connection may be through man-made structures.
HYDROLOGIC ANALYSIS
The process of determining the effects of water through its pattern or directional flow, quality or quantity, recharge or discharge, and/or temperature, as pertaining to surface or subsurface water.
INTERESTS PROTECTED UNDER THE BYLAW
The wetland and riverine values either singularly or collectively as listed in § 256-1 of the Bylaw.
ISSUING AUTHORITY
The Swansea Conservation Commission.
LAKE
An open body of fresh water with a surface area of 10 acres or more which includes great ponds.
LAND SUBJECT TO COASTAL STORM FLOWAGE
Any area of land which may or has been inundated with water which was caused by a coastal storm(s) up to and including the 100-year storm event, surge or storm of record, whichever is greater. The lateral extent of the boundary shall be determined by the extent it has standing water as a result of the 100-year storm event.
LAND SUBJECT TO FLOODING OR INUNDATION BY GROUND WATER
Any land which borders a wetland or any depression or basin which on the average at least once every five years contains standing water over an area of at least 1,000 square feet.
LAND UNDER WATER
Any land which is under an ocean, lake, pond, river, stream or creek.
LIST OF ABUTTERS
A list prepared by the Applicant of abutters' names, street, house # and/or map and lot numbers. (See Abutter)
MAJORITY
In terms of a quorum, more than half the members of the lawfully appointed Swansea Conservation Commission. In terms of voting, more than half the members of the lawfully appointed Swansea Conservation Commission who are present at a meeting and voting. An abstention vote is not considered voting.
MARSH
An area where the vegetative community exists in standing or running water during the growing season and where a significant part of the vegetative community is composed of, but not limited to or necessarily including all of the following species: arums, bladder worts, bur reeds, button rush, cattails, duck weeds, eelgrass, frog bits, horsetails, hydrophilic grasses, leatherleaf, pickerel weeds, rushes, sedges, smartweeds, sweet gale, water milfoil, water lilies, water startworts, water willow, common reed.
MEPA
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, MGL c. 30, §§ 62-62H and the regulations promulgated thereto, 310 CMR 10.00 et seq.
NOTICE OF INTENT
The signed completed form duly delivered to the Department and Commission by an applicant requesting permission to do work on or in an area which is subject to protection under the Act and Bylaw.
NOTIFICATION TO ABUTTERS FORM
A form completed by the Applicant and delivered to abutters by either certified mail or hand delivery (obtaining a signed receipt) notifying abutters of the date, time and place of the public hearing and information concerning the application.
ON-SITE INSPECTION
A review of a project or its location in the field by members of the Commission or the agent of the Commission.
ORDER OF CONDITIONS
The formal document issued and signed by a majority of the Commission in response to a Notice of Intent which permits, controls, regulates, prohibits or denies a project within an area subject to protection under the Act and Bylaw.
PERENNIAL STREAM
A river, stream or brook which flows throughout the year except for periods of extended drought. Rivers, streams and brooks which are perennial under natural conditions but affected by drawdown from withdrawals of water supply wells or direct withdrawals or by man-made structures such as dams shall be considered perennial.
PERMITS
See Order of Conditions, Determination of Applicability, Request for Preliminary Review, Certificate of Compliance or Extension Permit.
PHASING
To propose the construction of a section or portion of a roadway and/or subdivision.
PLAN
Any data, maps, engineered drawings, surveys, narratives, calculations, specifications, schedules, or hydrological, historical, endangered species or habitat studies and any other materials deemed necessary by the Commission or submitted by the applicant or another party which describes the site and/or work in order to enable the Commission to determine the applicability of the Act and/or Bylaw or to determine the impact of the proposed work upon the interests identified in the Act and/or Bylaw. See also definitions for Approved Plans, As-Built Plans, and Article IV for the data required on plans.
POLLUTION
Contamination of land, surface or groundwater with materials not normally present or with elevated levels of naturally occurring materials, including a change in the physical or chemical characteristics of the same. See also Contamination.
POND
Any open body of fresh water or saltwater either naturally occurring or man-made by impoundment. Basins or lagoons, which are part of a wastewater treatment plant or water treatment plant, swimming pools or other impervious man-made retention/detention basins, shall not be considered ponds.
PREVENTION OF POLLUTION
To stop or reduce contamination of land, ground water or surface water.
PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY
Any source or volume of surface or ground water shown to be used or have the potential for use by an individual, organization or group which includes water used for agricultural purposes. See also the definition of Public Water Supply.
PROTECTION OF FISHERIES
To protect the capacity of any area subject to protection under the Bylaw which serves as a habitat or nutrient source for fish or aquatic animals by preventing or reducing contamination or damage to fisheries.
PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE
To protect plant or animal species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern and to protect the ability of any resource area to provide food, breeding grounds, habitat, and/or escape cover to those species.
PUBLIC INTEREST
Something of benefit to the health, welfare or safety of the Swansea community at large as opposed to one individual, organization or applicant.
PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
Any source or volume of surface or ground water demonstrated to be in public use for drinking water or fire protection or approved for water supply pursuant to MGL c. 111, § 160 by the Division of Water Supply of the DEP or demonstrated to the Commission's satisfaction to have a potential for public use as a drinking water supply or for fire protection.
REMOVE
To take away any type of material including, but not limited to soil, vegetation and/or water or thereby changing an elevation either temporarily or permanently.
REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY
A written, signed, completed request made by an applicant to the Commission and Department asking for permission to do work in a specified area. The Commission indicates on the form if the area is subject to protection under the Act or Bylaw.
REQUEST FOR PRELIMINARY REVIEW
A written completed form made by an applicant to the Commission indicating the location, map, lot and type of work which is proposed and requesting a preliminary determination as to whether the work or the area are within the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission.
RESOURCE AREA
Same definition as Areas Subject to Protection.
RIVER
Any natural flowing body of water that empties into any lake, ocean, other river, pond or open water body. Same definition as Stream.
SIGN OFF
Same definition as Request for Preliminary Review.
SIGNIFICANT
Plays a role. A resource area is significant to an interest identified in the Bylaw when it plays a role in the provision or protection, as appropriate, of the interest. This standard is used by the Commission in determining what condition, if any, it deems necessary to protect the public interest under the bylaw. The standard that shall be considered to establish significance shall include but is not limited to one or more of the following factors:
A. 
Actual or potential contamination to public, private or groundwater supply including aquifers or recharge areas, land containing fisheries, including the biological life necessary to support a fresh or saltwater ecosystem.
B. 
Any reduction of the flood storage capacity of a wetland, river stream or creek.
C. 
Any alteration of a river, stream, creek, vernal pond or wetland that results in any increase in the volume or velocity of water which may cause flooding.
D. 
Any actions which will remove, fill, dredge or alter any areas subject to the Bylaw and will result in any threat to the health, welfare or safety of the individual or to the community.
E. 
Any alteration of a river, stream, creek, vernal pond or wetland or land subject to flooding or any area subject to the Bylaws which will result in any threat to wildlife or erosion control.
F. 
Any change in function or characteristics of a wetlands, which alters the hydrologic regime by decreasing or increasing flow rates.
SOIL LINE
The demarcation of the wetland by hydric soils.
STORM DAMAGE PREVENTION
The prevention of damage caused by water from storms, including, but not limited to erosion and sedimentation, damage to vegetation, property or buildings, or damage caused by flooding, waterborne debris or waterborne ice.
STREAM
A body of running water and the land under the water which includes, but is not limited to brooks, creeks, and man-made water courses, which move in a definite channel in the ground due to hydraulic gradient. An existing portion of a stream may flow through a culvert, pipe or beneath a bridge.
SUPERSEDING ORDER OF CONDITIONS
The formal document issued by the Department of Environmental Protection either because a party appealed the Commission's Order of Conditions or the Department of Environmental Protection under their authority determined to supersede under the Act the Commission's Order of Conditions
SUPERSEDING DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY
The formal document issued by the Department of Environmental Protection either because a party appealed the Commission's Determination of Applicability or the Department of Environmental Protection under their authority determined to supersede the Commission's Determination of Applicability.
VEGETATED WETLAND
Wet meadows, marshes, swamps and bogs.
VERNAL POOL
A confined basin depression, as well as the area within 100 feet of the mean annual boundaries of the such depressions, to the extent that such habitat is within an area subject to protection under this Bylaw, which, at least in most years holds water for a minimum of two continuous months during the Spring, and/or Summer, and which is free of adult fish populations, or are areas that vernal pool species use for breeding as evidenced by breeding adults, eggs, tadpoles, or transforming adults. These areas are essential breeding habitats and provide other extremely important wildlife habitat functions during non-breeding seasons as well for a variety of amphibian species and are important habitats for other wildlife species.
VIOLATION NOTICE
Same definition as Enforcement Order.
WET MEADOW
An area where ground water is at the surface for a significant part of the growing season and near the surface throughout the year. A significant amount of the vegetative community is comprised of various grasses, sedges and rushes.
WETLAND SCENIC VIEWSHED
Those areas which provide important visual linkage for the public with scenic wetlands that are vistas typical of the unique Swansea environment. Scenic wetlands include but are not limited to the following features: expansive open space, large areas of natural features, placement and sizing of both natural and man-made features, or mix of colors and textures created by interactions among the water, sand and different types of vegetation. Visual linkage for the public is not restricted to views from public ways but also views from areas used by the public such a public and private conservation land, great ponds, beaches, harbors and the ocean.
WILDLIFE
Any live animal, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, arthropod or other invertebrate that is neither human nor domesticated.
WILDLIFE HABITAT
Areas having plant community composition and structure, hydrologic regime or other characteristics sufficient to provide shelter, nutrient sourcing, growing conditions, nesting or breeding sites conducive to the propagation and preservation of wildlife.
WORK
Same definition as activity.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 256, Wetlands Protection.
[2]
Editor's Note: So in original; should be "Conservation Commission".
A. 
General. In performance of its duties under the Bylaw and these regulations, the Commission shall apply the following Performance Standards, without limitation, which the Bylaw seeks to protect. Those Standards not listed herein shall be found in the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations (310 CMR 10.00).
B. 
Banks. Proposed work on a bank shall not adversely affect the following:
(1) 
Stability of the bank
(2) 
Capacity of the channel to convey water
(3) 
Ground water and surface water quality
(4) 
Capacity of bank to provide fisheries and wildlife habitat
(5) 
Natural resistance to wind and water erosion
C. 
Land Under Water. Proposed work on land under water shall not adversely affect the following:
(1) 
Water storage or carrying capacity of the water body
(2) 
Ground water and surface water quality
(3) 
Capacity of said land to provide fisheries and wildlife habitat
(4) 
Water circulation and distribution of sediment grain size
D. 
Land Subject to Flooding. Proposed work on land subject to flooding shall not adversely affect:
(1) 
Flood control capacity of said area
(2) 
Pollution prevention capacity
(3) 
Wildlife habitat
E. 
Wetlands. Proposed work in wetlands shall not destroy or otherwise impair any portion of said wetland. There shall be no permanent intrusion into the wetland for any purpose except for projects classified under the limited project status.
[Amended 3-25-2002]
F. 
Side Slope Grades Near Inland Wetlands. Side slopes within 100 feet of a resource area shall have a finished grade according to the following:
(1) 
No greater than a 3:1 slope for grassed and mulched slopes.
(2) 
No greater than a 2:1 slope for all stone rip-rapped slopes.
(3) 
The Commission strongly encourages a 3:1 slope unless the riprapped slope will eliminate the proposal for wetland filling.
G. 
Riprap. Stone used for riprap will be hard, durable, angular, resistant to weathering, free from overburden, spoil shale and organic material, and shall be from four inches to eight inches in diameter. Neither breadth nor thickness of a single stone should be less than one-third its length. Round stone is not acceptable.
H. 
Limited Projects
(1) 
The Commission may issue an Order of Conditions permitting work which results in the loss of not more than 5,000 square feet of wetland only under a limited project provided the following requirements are met:
[Amended 3-25-2002]
(a) 
All design method of mitigation have been utilized to minimize the alteration of the wetlands.
(b) 
There is no reasonable alternative to the proposed project.
(c) 
Replication and re-vegetation plans has[1] been submitted under the criteria of Subsection I and § 340-4.7 describing the construction of the amount of recreated wetland necessary to compensate for that portion which is proposed to be destroyed.
[1]
Editor's Note: So in original; should be "have".
(d) 
Compensatory wetland area will be provided which in the judgement of the Commission will adequately replicate all of the wetland function to be lost. The minimum ratio shall be 1.5 replicated area to 1.0 area to be disturbed.
(2) 
The project must be included in one of the following categories:
(a) 
Construction of new road drainage structures including culverts, catchbasins, drainage easements, ditches, watercourses and artificial water conveyances to ensure flow capacities.
(b) 
Construction of a new roadway or driveway of minimum legal and practical width acceptable to the Planning Board where reasonable alternative means of access from a public way to an upland area of the same owner is unavailable.
(c) 
New construction of underground and overhead public utilities, such as electrical distribution or transmission lines, or communication, sewer, water and natural gas lines, may be permitted, in accordance with the following general conditions and any additional conditions deemed necessary by the Commission:
[1] 
The Commission may require a reasonable alternative route with fewer adverse effects.
[2] 
The best available mitigating measures shall be used to minimize adverse effects during construction.
[3] 
All surface vegetation and contours of the area shall be substantially restored.
[4] 
All sewer lines shall be constructed to minimize inflow and leakage.
(3) 
Proposed roadway/driveway crossings of wetland areas shall include the following:
(a) 
Wetland replication which, in the determination of the Commission, will compensate for the wetland to be lost with respect to the wetlands values and area.
(b) 
Headwalls shall be required to minimize the amount of the wetland alteration.
(c) 
Such roadway or driveway shall be constructed in a manner, which does not restrict the flow of water.
(d) 
Use of multiple pipes laid side by side in a channel to convey water is not allowed.
I. 
Wetlands Replication. There shall be no intrusion into a wetland area unless the project qualifies under a limited project under Subsection H. When unavoidable wetland alteration is proposed, the Commission may allow the project to proceed as proposed as long as compensatory wetlands are proposed. The Commission may require replacement of more, but not less than 200% of the altered wetland if it is judged to be necessary to replace the altered wetland value.
[Amended 3-25-2002]
J. 
Buffer Zone Protection.
(1) 
Bordering any wetland, the Commission may require a zone of natural vegetation of sufficient width to assure that silt, soil, fertilizer in solutions, organic chemicals, herbicides, organic manure, oils or petroleum products which may be carried by surface runoff shall not reach that wetland, but instead shall be trapped by the natural mulch, soil and roots. Under most conditions, a zone of 25 feet would be considered sufficient to accomplish this purpose, however, the distance would depend on slope, soil type, ground cover and the project proposed. The Commission shall encourage stabilization of upgradient areas beyond the 100-foot line.
(2) 
The Commission may also require a fence of a minimum of three feet or other boundary, which shall permanently identify the area beyond which there shall be no work or alterations.
K. 
Erosion and Sedimentation Control. Disturbed soil areas within 100 feet of a resource area shall be stabilized and protected from the erosive forces of wind and water. Measures to prevent erosion shall be maintained in functional condition until natural vegetation has, in the Commission's judgement, developed sufficiently. Haybales and siltation fence, alone, or in combination, may be used for temporary control during construction.
L. 
Stormwater Runoff. Any change in stormwater runoff characteristics, which may result in increased flooding off the site, must be mitigated by on-site controls. Such controls may include, but are not limited to:
(1) 
Stormwater detention facilities
(2) 
Vegetated swales
(3) 
A vegetation plan using trees, shrubs and/or non-woody vegetation
M. 
Wildlife Habitat. Projects proposing to alter natural wetland areas suitable for wildlife habitat shall be required to submit documentation describing the alternatives and the proposed means of compensating for lost wildlife habitat values such as food, shelter, migrating and breeding areas, and over-wintering areas.
N. 
Public and Private Water Supply.
(1) 
Projects proposed in areas significant to public and private water sources of water supply will be required to demonstrate that there will be no adverse impact on the water resource.
(2) 
Projects proposed within an area subject to protection and within recharge area or cone of depression of a municipal well shall comply with the provisions of the Swansea Aquifer Protection District Bylaw.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 265, Zoning, Art. XVI.
O. 
Sewer/Septic Systems.
(1) 
New Septic Systems. For all construction of new septic systems on undeveloped land or where there was no system to support any existing development, or for replacement of a system for property which has been subdivided, the leaching field/drainage area must be more than 100 feet from the any wetland, resource or jurisdictional area defined in § 340-1.3A.
(2) 
Replacement of Existing Septic Systems. For repairs and replacement of previously existing septic systems and/or cesspools, the leaching field/drainage area must be as far away as possible from any wetland, resource or jurisdictional area defined in § 340-1.3A.. Repairs to a septic system for the original house on a lot, which has been subdivided will require the new leaching field be at least 100 feet from any wetland.
P. 
Aesthetics. Proposed projects shall be designed to retain or improve natural conditions including natural lighting, sounds, odors, significant trees and wetland scenic viewsheds experienced by the general public from public ways including waterways.
Q. 
Recreation. Proposed projects shall not significantly affect public recreational values dependent either directly or indirectly on the resource area or within 100 feet of the resource area.
R. 
Agriculture and Aquaculture. (Reserved)
S. 
Endangered Plant and Animal Species. Notwithstanding any provision of the Bylaw or Regulations, the Commission shall not approve any proposed activity on any area or habitat of rare plants or animals as determined by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program, to have any short or long term adverse effects on such species or habitat.
T. 
Shellfish Habitat. Projects proposing to alter areas significant to land containing shellfish shall not change the productivity of such land caused by alterations of:
(1) 
Water Circulation
(2) 
Elevation and relief elevations
(3) 
Compacting sediment by vehicular traffic
(4) 
Distribution in sediment grain size
(5) 
Natural drainage from adjacent land
(6) 
Water quality including, but not limited to, fluctuations in levels of salinity, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, temperature or turbidity, or the addition of pollution
U. 
Fisheries. (Reserved)
V. 
Surface Water and Groundwater Pollution. Where projects are proposed in areas significant to surface water and/or groundwater, the applicant will be required to demonstrate that there will be no adverse pollution impacts and if any, how any impacts will be mitigated.
W. 
Perennial Rivers.
(1) 
The Commission shall presume that a river or stream is perennial, if it appears on the latest United States Geologic Survey Map or more recent map provided by the DEP as a perennial stream. This presumption may be rebutted by evidence from a competent source asserting to the contrary or there is a previous finding by the issuing authority. Conservation Commissioners and staff members are considered competent sources.
(2) 
If a river or stream is shown as intermittent or not shown on the current USGS map or more recent map provided by DEP, an assertion that it is perennial must be supported by evidence by the person making the assertion or by the Commission on its own initiative. This evidence may include evidence of the presence of aquatic microinvertebrate species which requires a perennial flow; evidence of a stream order of two or greater, a watershed size of greater than three square miles or other evidence.
(3) 
If a river or stream is shown as perennial on the current USGS map or more recent map provided by DEP, an assertion that it is intermittent must be supported by evidence by the person making the assertion or by the Commission on its own initiative which may include field observations that the river is not flowing, provided the date of observation is not within an extended drought; or that there has been a change upstream causing discontinuance of the flow of water, absence of a channel or banks, soils information showing the groundwater elevation is not at or near the surface or other evidence.
The invalidity of any section of the Rules and Regulations shall not invalidate any other section or provision nor shall it invalidate any Request for Determination, Determination of Applicability, Notice of Intent, Order of Conditions, Extension Permit, Certificate of Compliance or Enforcement Order which previously has been received or issued.
The effective date of these Rules and Regulations shall be the date on which these rules and regulations are approved by a majority of the Commission. These Rules and Regulations shall apply to all Requests for Preliminary Review, Request for Determination, Determination of Applicability, Notice of Intent, Order of Conditions, Extension Permit, Certificate of Compliance or Enforcement Order, which are filed or issued after that date.
Any decision by the Commission made under the jurisdiction of the Bylaw, including, but not limited to, Determinations of Applicability, Order of Conditions, Enforcement Orders, Certificates of Compliance, Partial Certificates of Compliance and Extension Permits, shall be reviewable in Superior Court in accordance with MGL c. 249, § 4 or as otherwise provided by law, but is subject to the filing of a notice of appeal which must be received by the Commission within 10 days of the issuance of the decision.
Strict compliance with these Regulations may be waived when, in the judgement of the Swansea Conservation Commission, such action is in the public interest and is consistent with the intent and purposes of the Bylaw. Any request fir[1] a waiver must be submitted to the Commission in writing and must state the public interest involved. The Commission will act upon the request within 21 days of the date of receipt and will then notify the Applicant in writing within 21 days of said action. The Commission shall include the public interests that are protected or enhanced by issuing a waiver from these Regulations.
[1]
Editor's Note: So in original; should be "for".