Conservation Commission

Conservation Commission responsibilities include administering wetlands protection regulations and making recommendations on the planning, acquisition and management of property for conservation and passive recreation.

Commission Profile How to Join

Meetings

Meets twice monthly - Mondays at 5:30 p.m.

Please review the Meeting Schedule for meeting dates and application deadlines.

Date/Time of Next Meeting: Monday May 20th, 2024

Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Pending Applications & Meeting Materials

Meeting Videos

Applications

Please note that a digital copy of all applications, plans and materials must be submitted as a PDF file to planning@worcesterma.gov. Please refer to applicable instructions for additional details.

Please view the following important documents from the Conservation Commission:

• Abutter Notification Guidance
• Application Guidance Document
• Fee Schedule

• Abbreviated Notice of Intent

  see notes

  Title: Abbreviated Notice of Intent

  Fee: see notes

    
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Conservation Commission
WPA Form 4
The wetland filing fee should be calculated using the steps outlined in the Conservation Commission Fee Schedule.
Fee Schedule
Have a Question?
Division of Planning and Regulatory Services
• Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation

  see notes

  Title: Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation

  Fee: see notes

    
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Conservation Commission
WPA Form 4A
The delineation fee for each resource area equals $2 per linear foot. The maximum fee for activities with a single family house is $200 and the maximum fee for any other activity is $2,000. The city share of the fee is the first $25 plus half of the remaining total fee. The state share is half the total fee in excess of $25.
Fee Schedule
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Division of Planning and Regulatory Services
• Extension Permit for Orders of Conditions

  see notes

  Title: Extension Permit for Orders of Conditions

  Fee: see notes

    
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Conservation Commission
WPA Form 7
Fee for a Request for Extension is $100 for Single-lot Residential projects and $300 for Subdivisions and Commercial projects.
Fee Schedule
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Division of Planning and Regulatory Services
• Notice of Intent - Wetlands Protection Act & Ordinance

  see notes

  Title: Notice of Intent - Wetlands Protection Act & Ordinance

  Fee: see notes

    
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Conservation Commission
WPA Form 3
The fee is based on the category of the proposed activity (described in 310 CMR 10.03(7)) and the resource area to be impacted by the activity. To calculate the fee please see the instructions in the Conservation Commission Fee Schedule.
Fee Schedule
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Division of Planning and Regulatory Services
• Notice of Intent - Wetlands Protection Ordinance Only

  see notes

  Title: Notice of Intent - Wetlands Protection Ordinance Only

  Fee: see notes

    
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Conservation Commission
Fee(s) vary according to the most updated local and/or state Fee Schedules, as applicable. To calculate the fee please see the instructions in the Conservation Commission Fee Schedule.
Fee Schedule
Have a Question?
Division of Planning and Regulatory Services
• Request for Amendment to Order of Condition

  see notes

  Title: Request for Amendment to Order of Condition

  Fee: see notes

    
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Conservation Commission
Fee for a Request for Amendment to Order of Condition is $50 for Single-lot Residential projects and $200 for Subdivisions and Commercial projects. Additionally, a $25 advertising fee is required.
Fee Schedule
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Division of Planning and Regulatory Services
• Request for Certificate of Compliance

  see notes

  Title: Request for Certificate of Compliance

  Fee: see notes

    
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Conservation Commission
WPA Form 8A
Fee for Certificate of Compliance or Partial Certificate of Compliance is $50 for a Single-lot Residential project and $100 for a Subdivision or Commercial project.
Fee Schedule
Have a Question?
Division of Planning and Regulatory Services
• Request for Determination of Applicability

  see notes

  Title: Request for Determination of Applicability

  Fee: see notes

    
×
Conservation Commission
WPA Form 1
Fee for a Request for Determination of Applicability is $50 for the first acre of land, and $40 for each subsequent acre. Additionally, a $25 advertising fee is required.
Fee Schedule
Have a Question?
Division of Planning and Regulatory Services

Land Acquisition

One of the Conservation Commission's charges is to plan for natural resource protection, acquire important land and water areas and manage these properties for conservation and passive recreation purposes. The Worcester Conservation Commission has acquired a number of diverse open spaces in recent years including the Crow Hill Conservation Area and Donker Farm.

FEMA Resources

There are many helpful resources available for free from FEMA to help understand and prevent losses to property. Click on the link below to expand and view a list of such resources.

Resources

Laws, Regulations & Policies

• 310 CMR 10.00: Wetlands Protection Act Regulations
• Brochure - Wetlands Protection Act & Ordinance - What Property Owners Need to Know
• Conservation Commission Policy - Compensatory Flood Storage
• Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act G.L. Ch. 131 Section 40
• Wetlands Protection Ordinance and Regulations

Maps

• BioMap 2 - Online Mapping Application with a Focus on Biodiversity
• City of Worcester Flood Zones
• Map - Conservation Commission Reference (CARDistrict, FEMA, Combined Sewer System)
• MassMapper - Online Mapping Application Providing Approximate Locations and Extent of Resource Areas (Wetlands, Streams, etc.)
• Wetlands Protection Ordinance - Combined Sewer System Area and CARD District

For information on all city permits, licenses and fees, visit Permit Center