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1. When do I need a permit from the conservation department?

Any activity, with a few specific exceptions, which will alter (1) a wetland area, (2) land within 100-feet of a wetland area, and/or (3) land within 200-feet of a perennial stream or river, known as the riverfront area (RFA) must obtain a permit from the Leominster Conservation Commission.

A great place to start is by typing in your address to the Leominster Web GIS. This shows many of the existing wetlands in Leominster. BE WARNED; if there are no wetlands indicated on the map, this does not necessarily mean there are no wetlands on site or that you do not require a permit from the conservation commission. Wetlands are dynamic and may expand or contract over time.  

Depending on the project, you may need to submit a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) to formally determine the extent of nearby wetlands or hire a wetlands specialist to properly delineate a wetland boundary. 

In any case, if you are unsure whether or not proposed work requires wetland permitting, please contact the Leominster Conservation Agent for an informal evaluation. 

2. What is a Notice of Intent (NOI)?

A Notice of Intent, or NOI, is an form submitted by an applicant wishing to do work in a wetland, wetland buffer, or riverfront area. The NOI includes a detailed description of the proposed work as well as plans to mitigate potential impacts on wetlands such as erosion and sedimentation controls. NOI are submitted to MassDEP and the local conservation commission. From there, a hearing is scheduled by the conservation commission where the applicant or their representative presents the NOI and addresses questions from the commission and the public. 

Once the hearing is closed, the commission votes to approve or deny a permit known as an Order of Conditions.