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Essex, MA Conservation Commission

In the 1950s, the need to protect the environmental resources in Massachusetts was well known. In 1957, Representative John Dolan of Ipswich filed a bill in the Legislature which eventually became the Conservation Commission Act (G.L. Chapter 40 §8C). The new law would allow municipalities to establish Conservation Commissions through a vote of the local legislative body. By 1958, twelve towns had already formed Conservation Commissions. In 1972, Conservation Commissions were given the responsibility of administering the Wetlands Protection Act (G.L. Ch. 131 §40). Click here to see a copy of the Act. This allowed the Conservation Commissions to serve their communities in a regulatory as well as a conservation capacity.
The Essex Conservation Commission reviews applications for permits to do work in and near wetlands, flood plains, banks, riverfront areas, beaches and surface waters. At this time, Essex does not have any non-zoning bylaws or ordinances giving the Commission further power to protect the wetlands. Although the Commission does review plans which must be approved by other regulatory boards, the sole responsibility of the Commission is to determine if a project will have significant impact upon environmental resources and if it falls within the scope of the Wetlands Protection Act. If a project falls outside of the scope Wetlands Protection Act, no other action will be taken by the Commission. In Essex, it is required that most building permit applications be reviewed and approved by the Commission to determine if the project is covered under the Wetlands Protection Act.

No meetings of Conservation Commission are currently scheduled.

Conservation Commission Documents

Past Meetings

For information on older meetings, please contact the Town Clerk.

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