Review Criteria of the Conservation Commission
(last revised 8/22/05, direct any questions to the Agent)
Use and Applicability
This is the checklist I use in evaluating projects. Any project will supply the information requested here. Having the information on the plan will save the applicant time and money. This is an evolving document the primary purpose of which is to allow an applicant to know what information the Conservation Commission needs to make its decisions. There will be terms below that are defined in the regulations. One such term is Resource Area which means a wetland area under the Commissions jurisdiction.
Required Elements of Plan
* Be LEGIBLE, must be able to easily determine pre- and post-work areas and topography.
* Have an APPROPRIATE SCALE, the scale must be shown as either a bar or a ratio.
- If work is shown directly adjacent to a Resource Area the following is required:
1) An additional detailed plan at a scale of 1-inch = 8 feet.
2) At least one cross-section at a scale sufficient to show the grades and nature of work adjacent to the wetlands. Additional cross-sections should be submitted to ensure that all aspects of work adjacent to a Resource Area are depicted.
- For any project requiring a site-plan under the Planning Boards requirements, or that cover a larger area than a typical plan can display, a plan must be submitted that shows the entirety of the project on a single sheet with all resource areas.
* NORTH ARROW, must also be foot-noted as to whether true north, magnetic north, or grid north (must be stated what type).
* INFORMATION BOX with: Address of project, name of applicant, name of preparer, date of plans with revisions. Revisions should summarize the purpose of the revision.
* BENCH MARKS (at least two), recognizable objects that are present and will remain once the work is complete (phone poles, other structures, catch basins, USGS bench marks).
* LOCUS MAP, which is either inset on the plan or is an attached sheet (minimum dimension of 8.5x11) that shows 200 surrounding the property boundary. It should be accurate with respect to streets, property lines and structures and depict all wetlands and resource areas schematically, but be labeled precisely as to type.
* ELEVATIONS. Contour lines must be labeled relative to mean sea level, be spaced at intervals that are legible and useful, and be labeled with the elevation in a legible manner. The top of any foundations and basement elevations as well as any structures installed must be listed relative to mean sea level. Simple projects where the maps are prepared by the homeowner and no excavation greater than 1 cubic yard is done are exempt.
Site Plan: The elements listed below may be presented on one or as many as three plans to legibly convey the information. Below, they are grouped by temporal divisions: however, may be displayed on the sheets in whatever manner the applicant wishes as long as that method is legible and concise:
* Pre-development with all Resource Areas and site limitations labeled accurately.
- Resource Areas must be labeled as in the State Wetlands Protection Act and the Wrentham Wetlands Bylaw as: Wetland, Isolated Land Subject to Flooding, Bordering Land Subject to Flooding, Pond, Intermittent Stream, Perennial Stream, Vernal Pool, Potential Vernal Pool, and/or Bank.
- Buffer zones must be labeled similarly as: 100 buffer zone, 50 foot no-work buffer zone, Outer Riparian zone and/or Inner Riparian zone.
- 100-year Flood Elevations as shown on the FEMA maps.
- All restrictions (Deed, Conservation, etc.) with the boundaries noted and a brief description attached.
The following may be presented in a Wetland Report or submitted either on a plan or through a letter. If presented in a Wetlands Report or letter, the plan should reference the appropriate document.
- The name and qualifications of the person that determined the Resource Areas.
- The criteria used in determining the Resource Areas describing precisely the methods used.
If vegetation is used the preparer will describe the types and abundance in an appropriate manner and submit all field sheets. The plans shall locate all transects or vegetation plots.
If soils are used, the preparer will describe the profile in an appropriate manner, submit all field sheets and a photo of the soil. The plans shall locate all soil boring locations.
If hydrology is used, the preparer shall describe the evidence present, submitting any field sheets or photos as needed.
* During Construction depict all Resource Areas and show the location of erosion control barriers, interim storm water control measures, and the extent of all work areas.
* Post-development show all Resource Areas, storm water structures and all areas to be maintained as impervious or landscaped.
* Calculations (required to calculate bond amount)
Length of erosion control barrier (feet).________________________
Alteration inside 50 buffer (square feet)._________________________
Alteration between 50 and 100 buffer zones.__________________________
Area of impervious installed (structures, paving) inside 50 buffer.____________
Area of impervious between 50 and 100 buffer zones.____________________
* Trees of greater than 12-inch diameter that are in the work area.
Additional information needed for:
* Walls at a slope greater than 1 horizontal to 1 vertical and greater than 5 feet high require a plan submitted and stamped by an engineer with the appropriate credentials (Structural engineer).
- Also need a description of the materials to be used, the steps in constructing the wall, a time-table for construction, safety equipment to be used, a detail of the work area showing all staging and work areas, a cross-section showing all appropriate items, and an explanation of how water will be managed above and below the wall after construction is complete.
* Storm water requirements under State Law (Still in preparation).
* Work within buffer zone of a perennial stream (Still in preparation).
* Crossings (Still in preparation).
* Work within 50 feet of a Resource Area (Still in preparation).