WETLANDS PERMIT APPLICATION INFORMATION PACKET

Twn f Ayer C O N S E R V A T I O N C O M M I S S I O N Twn Hall One Main Street Ayer, MA 01432 Phne 978-772-8249 Fax 978-772-8208 cncm@ayer.ma.us WETLANDS PERMIT APPLICATION INFORMATION PACKET

TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpse f Cnservatin Cmmissin Page 3 Purpse f Cnservatin Administratr Page 3 Jurisdictin Page 5 Instructins fr Applicatins under WPA and Ayer Wetlands Bylaw Page 6 WPA Frm 1: Request fr Determinatin f Applicability (RDA) Page 6 WPA Frm 2: Determinatin f Applicability (DOA) Page 6 WPA Frm 3: Ntice f Intent (NOI) Page 7 WPA Frm 4: Abbreviated Ntice f Intent (ANOI) Page 7 WPA Frm 4A: Abbreviated Ntice f Resurce Area Delineatin (ANRAD) Page 7 WPA Frm 4B: Order f Resurce Area Delineatin (ORAD) Page 9 WPA Frm 5: Order f Cnditins (OOC) Page 9 WPA Frm 6: Ntificatin f Nn-Significance (NON) Page 9 WPA Frm 7: Extensin Permit fr Order f Cnditins (EOOC) Page 9 Ntice f Intent Checklist Page 10 Abutter Ntificatin Frm Page 12 Affidavit f Service Frm Page 13 Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 2 f 13

Purpse f Cnservatin Cmmissin The Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin is a vlunteer bard appinted by the Bard f Selectmen, under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Sectin 8c, and enabled by the Cmmnwealth f Massachusetts t administer the Wetlands Prtectin Act and its Regulatins. The twn f Ayer has established its wn Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw, Article XXVI, passed at twn meeting in 1984, t prtect additinal wetland resurce areas and impse additinal standards and prcedures stricter than thse f MGL Ch. 131, 40. The Cmmissin cnducts scheduled meetings every secnd and furth Thursday f the mnth r as psted fr the purpse f: advising applicants n the prcess f filing fr a wetlands permit under the Massachusetts Wetlands Prtectin Act, MGL Ch. 131, 40 and the Ayer Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw; cnducting public meetings r hearings as required fr a Request fr a Determinatin f Applicability, Abbreviated Ntice f Resurce Area Delineatin, Ntice f Intent, Abbreviated Ntice f Intent, Request fr Extensin f Order f Cnditins, r Request fr Certificate f Cmpliance; issuing and administering Vilatin Ntices and Enfrcement Orders; managing twn-wned cnservatin areas; planning sessins t address cnservatin cncerns; infrmatinal meetings with interested citizens; and enfrcement f the public interests as set frth in the Massachusetts Wetlands Prtectin Act, MGL, Ch. 131, 40 (Public Water Supply, Private Water Supply, Grundwater Supply, Land Cntaining Shellfish, Fisheries, Strm Damage Preventin, Preventin f Pllutin, Prtectin f Wildlife Habitat, and Fld Cntrl) In respnse t filings and enfrcement prcedures, the Cmmissin cnducts site visits t review wetland delineatins and current cnditins in the field. Any advice, pinin, r infrmatin given t an Applicant by a Cmmissin member, r by an agency, fficer, r emplyee f the Twn f Ayer, shall be cnsidered advisry nly, and nt binding n the Cmmissin. Purpse f Cnservatin Administratr The Ayer Cnservatin Administratr is a hired emplyee whse rle is t: wrk under the general directin f the Chair f the Cnservatin Cmmissin and in accrdance with general laws and regulatins; prvide supprt, crdinatin, and prfessinal management fr the Cnservatin Cmmissin in carrying ut its mandate and its missin t prtect the cmmunity s natural resurces including its bidiversity, unique natural areas, wetlands, and ther water resurces; prvide prfessinal supervisin fr the Cmmissin s wrk and prjects; supervise cnsultants hired by the Cmmissin, and vlunteers wrking n cnservatin land r Cmmissin prjects; Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 3 f 13

serve as advisr/liaisn t ther bards/departments as directed by the Cmmissin, and as a lcal cntact fr MassDEP fr state actins taken in Ayer; advising applicants n the prcess f filing fr a wetlands permit under the Massachusetts Wetlands Prtectin Act, MGL Ch. 131, 40 and the Ayer Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw and Regulatins; and assist the Cmmissin in the administratin and enfrcement f the Massachusetts Wetlands Prtectin Act, MGL Ch. 131, 40 and the Ayer Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw and Regulatins as fllws: assure legal requirements are met including pstings, timeframes, minutes and ther recrds; review Ntices f Intent and/r ther filings and assciated dcuments fr accuracy, cmpleteness, and cmpliance with the law and regulatins; schedule meetings and/r hearings; prcess, distribute, and submit MassDEP frms; arrange, cnduct, and prepare reprts pertaining t site inspectins fr filings, permits, cmpliance mnitring, and vilatins; review and verify field delineatins f wetlands and sensitive areas; submit findings and recmmendatins t the Cmmissin based n field wrk; draft permits and the assciated cnditins; mnitr sites during cnstructin t ensure cmpliance with permits; respnd t cmplaints, investigate ptential vilatins, and take apprpriate actin; maintain case files and materials including cmputer database; participate in reviewing and amending the wetlands bylaw and its assciated regulatins; participate in all public meetings and hearings f the Cmmissin; manage Cmmissin ffice and maintain regular ffice hurs. Currently the Ayer Cnservatin Office is staffed by the Administratr n a part-time basis. Walk-ins are welcme. Hwever, appintments are strngly recmmended fr assistance with applicatins and file reviews due t pre-scheduled field wrk and meetings. Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 4 f 13

JURISDICTION In Accrdance with the abve Purpse, n persn shall remve, fill, dredge, discharge int, r therwise alter any wetland resurce area r buffer zne resurce area f the Twn f Ayer withut an Order f Cnditins r a Determinatin f Applicability frm the Twn f Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin under MGL Ch. 131, 40 and the Ayer Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw ( Bylaw ). Wetland and buffer zne resurce areas prtected include: (1) Any vegetated wetland (marsh, swamp, wet meadw, bg, etc.) (2) Any river r stream (intermittent r perennial) (3) Any lake r pnd (4) Any bank f the resurce areas (5) Any certified vernal pl (6) All lands within 100 feet f the wetland resurce areas (7) Any land subject t flding r islated land subject t flding (8) All lands within 200 feet f a perennial river r stream (9) Land under any f the resurce areas identified as jurisdictinal Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 5 f 13

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS WETLANDS PROTECTION ACT, CH.131, 40 AND AYER WETLANDS PROTECTION BYLAW MassDEP prvides standard frms t administer the state Wetlands Prtectin Act and the Ayer Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw. Current frms are available in the Cmmissin ffice r may be dwnladed frm http://www.mass.gv/dep/water/apprvals/wwfrms.htm. Be sure the frm number is preceded by WPA. All filings shuld be received at least 22 days prir t the next Cmmissin meeting in rder t allw sufficient time fr advertising and prcessing. These frms and their uses are utlined belw: WPA Frm 1: REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY (RDA) This frm is filed by an applicant r their representative prir t starting a prject t determine the extent f the Cmmissin s jurisdictin n the prject site based n prximity t wetland resurces. The RDA can als be filed by any cncerned citizen t determine if a prject may have an adverse impact n a wetland resurce. Minr prjects are als cnsidered under this filing categry. The Cmmissin has 21 days in which t issue a Determinatin f Applicability, the respnse t Frm 1. This perid may be extended if the Cmmissin requests additinal infrmatin. T File Frm 1: Prepare eight (8) cpies f FORM 1 and site specific plans: A. Six (6) cpies f cmplete package (frm and plans) t be sent by certified mail r hand delivered t: Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin Twn Hall 1 Main Street, Ayer, MA 01432 B. One (1) cpy t be sent t: Department f Envirnmental Prtectin (MassDEP) Wetlands Prgram Central Regin 627 Main Street Wrcester, MA 01608 There is n fee fr filing a Request fr a Determinatin f Applicability. C. One (1) cpy t be retained fr the applicant's recrd. WPA Frm 2: DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY (DOA) This is the fficial written determinatin by the Cnservatin Cmmissin in respnse t the RDA public meeting prcess. A Psitive finding means the prject has the ptential t have an effect n the resurce. In this case the applicant must file a WPA Frm 3 Ntice f Intent t cntinue with the prpsed prject. A Negative finding means that n further permitting is necessary under the Wetlands Prtectin Act, althugh the Cmmissin may attach Special Cnditins under which the wrk is t be carried ut. Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 6 f 13

WPA Frm 3: NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) This frm is filed by an applicant r their representative when wrk is prpsed within an area under the jurisdictin f the Massachusetts Wetland Prtectin Act r the Ayer Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw. WPA Frm 4: ABBREVIATED NOTICE OF INTENT (ANOI) This frm may be used in lieu f WPA Frm 3 fr prjects which are likely t result in limited impacts n Resurce Areas. Frm 4 may be used when: 1. The prpsed wrk is within the Buffer Zne (BZ) r is within Land Subject t Flding, as defined in part III, Sectin 10.57 (2) f the DEP regulatins: and, 2. The prpsed wrk will alter less than 1000 square feet f surface area within the Buffer Zne r Land Subject t Flding; and 3. Neither a Department f Army permit nr a Divisin f Waterways license is required. WPA Frm 4A: ABBREVIATED NOTICE OF RESOURCE AREA DELINEATION (ANRAD) This frm prvides a prcedure fr an applicant t cnfirm the precise bundaries f Brdering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW) r ther resurce areas. T File Frm 3, Frm 4, r Frm 4A: Prepare eight (8) cpies f Frm 3, Frm 4, r Frm 4A as applicable. The cmpleted package shuld be submitted at least 22 days prir t the Cmmissin s next meeting. The Cmmissin has 21 days in which t advertise and schedule a public hearing upn receipt f the cmpleted Applicatin packet. Each hearing will require mre than ne meeting. The first meeting prvides the applicant with an pprtunity t explain the prject. The Applicant is respnsible fr prviding adequate dcumentatin and plans. A site walk will then be scheduled and must ccur befre additinal meetings may take place. Once the public hearing is clsed, the Cmmissin must act within 21 days t issue the Order f Cnditins. There is a 10 day appeal perid, starting when the OOC is signed, which must elapse befre wrk can cmmence. In general, the minimum filing prcess takes apprximately 60 days. A. Six (6) cmplete sets f the fllwing sent by certified mail r hand delivered t: Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin Twn Hall 1 Main Street Ayer, MA 01432 1. Frm 3, 4, r 4A 2. Required engineered plans (see Checklist pages 10-11): a. Single verview sheet depicting all wrk specified in the applicatin b. Any additinal sheets as required 3. Cpy f Pages 1 and 2 f the Wetland Fee Transmittal Frm; 4. Cpy f the DEP Filing Fee Check (see Sectin D); 5. Cpy f the certified List f Abutters frm the Ayer Bard f Assessrs; 6. Cpy f Abutters Ntificatin; Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 7 f 13

7. Affidavit f Service regarding Abutter Ntificatin 8. Related twn permits, if available; 9. Any ther infrmatin submitted in cnnectin with permit applicatins, including drainage calculatins, wildlife studies, strmwater management plans, r peratin and maintenance plans. (Please cnfer with the Cmmissin Administratr t determine number f cpies necessary.) Please Nte: The Cmmissin will schedule a site walk t review the prpsed prject n site. The fllwing items must be present fr the site walk: 1. Wetland bilgist s flags delineating the wetlands must be clearly numbered and the lcatins must be surveyed and indicated n the engineer s plans. 2. All areas f cnstructin and crners f prpsed buildings must be staked r marked. 3. All areas f disturbance must be accessible fr inspectin by the Cmmissin during the walk. The filing must be accmpanied by tw checks made payable t Twn f Ayer: a) Legal Ntice publicatin fee t be submitted at the hearing based n the actual cst f the advertisement b) Applicatin filing fee see DEP Instructin frm Fee Sectin The applicant is required t ntify in writing all abutters within 100 feet f the prpsed prject s parcel bundaries. The Certified Mail receipts r Certificate f Mailing must be submitted t the Cmmissin at the time f the public hearing. It is recmmended that the applicant submit a Request fr Certified Abutters List t the Ayer Assessrs ffice befre preparing the NOI. B. One (1) cmplete set f the fllwing sent Certified Mail t: Department f Envirnmental Prtectin (MassDEP) Wetlands Prgram Central Regin 627 Main Street Wrcester, MA 01608 1. Frm 3, 4, r 4A 2. Required engineered plans (see Checklist pages 10-11): a. Single verview sheet depicting all wrk specified in the applicatin b. Any additinal sheets as required 3. Pages 1 and 2 f the Wetland Fee Transmittal Frm (Appendix B) 4. Cpy f the DEP Filing Fee Check (see Sectin D) 5. Cpy f the List f Abutters frm the Ayer Bard f Assessrs 6. Affidavit f Service regarding Abutter Ntificatin 7. Cpy f the Twn f Ayer Filing Fee Check 8. Any ther infrmatin submitted in cnnectin with permit applicatins, including drainage calculatins, wildlife studies, strmwater management plans, r peratin and maintenance plans. C. One (1) cmplete set f the abve fr the applicant's recrds. Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 8 f 13

D. Send Pages 1 and 2 f the Wetland Fee Transmittal Frm with a check r mney rder fr the State's prtin, payable t the Cmmnwealth f Massachusetts t: MassDEP- LOCK BOX PO BOX 4062 BOSTON, MA 02211 WPA Frm 4B: ORDER OF RESOURCE AREA DELINEATION (ORAD) The Cmmissin issues this frm t cnfirm the delineatin f a wetland resurce area. WPA Frm 5: ORDER OF CONDITIONS (OOC) This is an fficial permit listing the findings and cnditins issued in respnse t Frm 3 (Ntice f Intent) r Frm 4 (Abbreviated Ntice f Intent). WPA Frm 6: NOTIFICATION OF NON-SIGNIFICANCE (NON) This is an fficial respnse t Frm 3 (Ntice f Intent) r Frm 4 (Abbreviated Ntice f Intent) which states that the wrk prpsed is nt significant impairment t the Resurce Areas prtected under the Wetlands Prtectin Act. WPA Frm 7: EXTENSION PERMIT FOR ORDER OF CONDITIONS (EOOC) This is an fficial dcument that extends the Order f Cnditins fr a perid up t 3 years, at the discretin f the Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin. This must be recrded at the Registry f Deeds. The applicant must submit the Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin s Order f Cnditins Extensin Request Frm t the Cmmissin at least thirty (30) days prir t the OOC expiratin date. The Cmmissin will hld a public meeting t review the applicant s current prject status and cmpliance with the existing OOC. A site inspectin will be required prir t the Cmmissin s extensin apprval. WPA Frm 8A and Frm 8B: REQUEST FOR CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE and CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE (COC) Frm 8A is the fficial frm t request a Certificate f Cmpliance. Frm 8B is the fficial dcument issued by the Cmmissin, certifying that the prpsed wrk under the Order f Cnditins has been satisfactrily cmpleted. If nly a prtin f the prpsed wrk has been cmpleted then a Partial Certificate f Cmpliance may be issued, but nly at the Cmmissin s discretin. There may be special cnditins left in perpetuity n the prperty. This frm must be recrded by the applicant at the Registry f Deeds t clear the prperty s title. Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 9 f 13

Ntice f Intent Plan Checklist Plan Size: Maximum 30 inches by 42 inches; Minimum 11 inches by 17 inches. Scale: as needed t shw all necessary details, but at a rati n greater than 1 = 40' Title Blck: Lcated at lwer right hand crner with: Nrth arrw Lcus map Name f applicant and/r land wner Develper lt number, street number, street name, Tax Assessr's Map and Parcel number Original date f creatin Revisin area fr dates and nature f revisins Scale Name and legal address f creatr f dcument Nearest utility ple number, if applicable Reference benchmark (vertical datum used) Legend depicting all natural resurces, significant site features, and plan ntatins All resurce areas Wetland bundaries indicated by numbered pints crrespnding t delineatin flags placed in the field Labeled buffer zne bundary lines: 25 and 100 t Brdering Vegetated Wetlands 25 and 100 t Vernal Pls 25 and 100 t Islated Wetlands 25 and 100 t Pnds and Lakes 25 and 100 t Banks 25 and 100 t intermittent Streams 100 and 200 t Perennial Streams and Rivers Resurce areas within 200 f prpsed wrk Existing cnditins, e.g. structures including ut buildings, stne walls, trails, etc. All existing tpgraphy and prpsed cnturs at a cntur interval n greater than tw feet Plan views and crss-sectins f prpsed cnstructin and replicatin areas Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 10 f 13

Lcatin f existing r prpsed well and septic system including reserve area Ersin and sedimentatin cntrl measures All discharge pints and culverts including invert and utlet elevatins All prperty bundaries, rights-f-way, easements, and restrictins Nte all State designated areas f prtectin (e.g. ACEC, Rare Species Habitat) and shw any relevant bundaries Pre- and pst-develpment verstry tree canpy line within buffer zne Recrd the persn(s) and firm that delineated the resurce areas. Placement f prpsed and existing abvegrund and undergrund utilities Stamp and signature f a Registered Prfessinal Land Surveyr r a Registered Prfessinal Engineer Limit f disturbance All ntified abutters t affected parcel(s) Prpsed lcatins f materials, equipment and sil strage n site if applicable Prpsed lcatin f dewatering basin and cnstructin details if applicable Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 11 f 13

Ntificatin t Abutters per the Massachusetts Wetlands Prtectin Act and the Twn f Ayer Wetlands Prtectin Bylaw In accrdance with the secnd paragraph f Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Sectin 40, yu are hereby ntified f the fllwing: A. The name f the applicant is: B. The name f the land wner is C. The address f the lt where the resurce area is lcated r activity is prpsed is: D. The applicant has filed: (check ne) Ntice f Intent Abbreviated Ntice f Intent Request fr an Amendment t an Order f Cnditins Abbreviated Ntice f Resurce Area Delineatin The applicant has filed the abve applicatin with the Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin and is seeking: cnfirmatin f resurce area delineatin, r permissin t remve, fill, dredge r alter an Area Subject t Prtectin under the Wetlands Prtectin Act (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 131, Sectin 40). E. Cpies f the abve referenced dcument/filing may be examined at the Cnservatin Cmmissin Office, Twn Hall, 1 Main Street, Ayer, MA. Please schedule an appintment by calling (978) 772-8249. F. Cpies f the abve referenced dcument/filing may be btained frm: (check ne) Applicant (cntact infrmatin: ) Owner (cntact infrmatin: ) Applicant's Representative (cntact infrmatin: ) Ayer Cnservatin Administratr G. Prject Descriptin: H. Infrmatin regarding the date, time, and place f the hearing may be btained frm the Ayer Cnservatin Office by calling 978-772-8249. Nte: Ntice f the public hearing, including its date, time, and place, will be published at least five (5) business days prir t the hearing date in the Nashba Valley Vice newspapers. Such ntice will als be psted at the Ayer Twn Hall n fewer than frty-eight (48) hurs in advance f the meeting. Nte: Yu als may cntact the Department f Envirnmental Prtectin Reginal Office fr mre infrmatin abut this applicatin r the Wetlands Prtectin Act at (508) 792-7650. Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 12 f 13

AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Prtectin Act and Twn f Ayer Wetlands Bylaw and Regulatins T be submitted t the Massachusetts Department f Envirnmental Prtectin (MassDEP) and the Ayer Cnservatin Cmmissin when filing a Ntice f Intent. I,, herby certify under the pains and penalties f perjury that (Name) n I gave ntificatin t abutters in cmpliance with the secnd (Date) paragraph f the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Sectin 40, and the MassDEP Guide t Abutter Ntificatin, in cnnectin with the fllwing matter: The frm f ntificatin, and a list f the abutters t whm it was given and their addresses, are attached t this Affidavit f Service. Name (Sign) Name (Print) Date Ayer Wetlands Permit Applicatin Infrmatin Packet Page 13 f 13