Why are wetlands and floodplains so important? ![]() Examples of activities requiring a permit include construction of a house, garage, or shed, filling to enlarge a backyard, installation of drainage ditches, and disposal of landscaping debris and other materials. The term "alter" is defined to include any destruction of vegetation, any change in drainage characteristics or flow patterns, or any change in the water table. Under the law, no one may "remove, fill, dredge, or alter" any wetland, any floodplain, or any land within 100 feet of a wetland without a permit from the Lexington Conservation Commission. What activities are regulated in wetlands and floodplains? The less common areas are isolated depressions that flood at least once a year to an average depth of 6" and to a volume of one-quarter acre-foot (10,890 cubic feet). The more common areas are those bordering streams or ponds that flood during the 100-year statistical storm, which is the worst storm that can be expected to occur, on average, once every 100 years. Two types of floodplain areas are protected under the state act. What is a floodplain?Ī floodplain is an area that experiences surface flooding during storms. The technical definitions may be found in the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and its accompanying regulations, and for the most part are based on the occurrence of surface water and/or the abundance of specific wetland plants. Legally, the term wetland includes not only what we typically think of as wetlands, such as streams, ponds, and cattail marshes, but also areas such as wet meadows, red maple swamps, and intermittent streams that may be dry for a significant portion of the year. If revisions are made to the plans, they may be uploaded in the same spot or uploaded as a separate attachment. You will be able to view and download the plans for the project.
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