Information for Meeting of Conservation Commission
Monday September 18, 2023 7:00 PM EDT

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99718174840?pwd=WmM2SXV0RHFucWtta2pNUlZrTHJ6QT09

Meeting ID: 997 1817 4840
Passcode: 169490
Phone: +1 646 558 8656

Zoom links will be posted 48 hours in advance of meeting. 

Public Hearing on Proposed Regulations for Shutesbury General Wetlands Protection Bylaw

On Monday, September 18, at 7 p.m. via Zoom, the Shutesbury Conservation Commission will be hosting a second public hearing on its Draft Regulations for the Shutesbury General Wetlands Protection Bylaw.

The Conservation Commission has been working for some time on an update to the existing Regulations for the Shutesbury General Wetlands Protection Bylaw.

Please note that this Public Hearing is to review updated Regulations for the existing Bylaw, not a new Bylaw. Regulations differ from the Bylaw itself, which was enacted by the voters of Shutesbury in 1987. Hundreds of communities have adopted similar local wetlands protection bylaws and ordinances that protect wetlands and wildlife habitat more than state law. Communities enact such bylaws and ordinances to protect water quantity, quality, wildlife habitat and to combat climate change.

The Shutesbury Wetlands Protection Bylaw tasks the Conservation Commission with developing Regulations. Regulations are a separate document that includes permitting procedures, definitions, rules, and scientific standards that aid the Commission in administering the Bylaw itself. Regulations need to be updated regularly to keep up with evolving science, law, and best practices.

The proposed Draft Regulations have been under consideration by the Commission for several months and have undergone several revisions based on feedback from the public and the Commission's technical advisors and consultants. Recently, the Commission obtained a legal review of the documents by Special Counsel Attorney Elisabeth Goodman.

A public comment period remains open. It aims to gather information to assist the Commission in this review process. The Commission is accepting public comments in writing to concom@shutesbury.org or at one of our regularly scheduled meetings. Go to shutesbury.org/calendars for links to the Zoom meetings. 

For more information, including various educational resources, frequently asked questions, and a downloadable version of the Draft Regulations, go to https://www.shutesbury.org/wetlands-bylaw-updates.