Wetland Protection Laws

The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Wellesley Wetlands Protection Bylaw prohibit altering land, water or vegetation in lakes, streams, wetlands, floodplains, or areas within 100 feet of wetlands (and 200 feet of perennial streams) without a permit from the Wellesley Wetlands Protection Committee.  Read the full state law below.

The Town of Wellesley’s Wetland Protection Regulations defines a similar guiding process to carry out the Wellesley Wetlands Protection Bylaw. Additionally, the Massachusetts Inland Restricted Wetlands Act (M.G.L. Ch. 131 s. 40A) protects 14 designated wetlands in Wellesley. Read the Wellesley regulations and bylaws below.

 For more information, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Wetlands website.

Bylaw, Regulations & Policies Under Review (DRAFT)

Both of these documents are the  same and most updated versions published  (uploaded) and simultaneously disseminated  on 5/16/2024. Edits from the WPC were collated by the NRC office via individually submitted comments in compliance with Open Meeting Law. Contributions initially came from the Charles River Watershed Association . Then responses to the CRWA comments were offered from WPC members. Finally, Town Counsel responded to all of the above. Choose the bottom one for better formatting and ease of reading. 

  1. Wetlands Regulations_5.16.2024 DRAFT
  2. CRWA-WA-EM-PJ-KH-DH COMPLETE CLEANED[HH Edits]
  3. Draft Wetlands Regs Staff Updates 91224 400pm

Reference Documents

  1. Wellesley-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan_Approved-February-2024
  2. Climate Action Plan Wellesley 3.28.22
  3. DPW Comments on BYLAWS
  4. Town Forest Management Plan
  5. Wetlands Protection_Water Quality Certification Regulations for Storm Water