Every time it rains, the runoff from hard surfaces will pick up and carry dirt, bacteria, fertilizers, pesticides and debris, as well as oil and other fluids that drip from cars…Storm runoff is the leading source of water pollution that can harm aquatic life and spoil recreational uses of lakes and brooks.
— Massachusetts Watershed Coalition
Here are some ways you can help protect Lake Garfield.
RAIN GARDENS
A rain garden collects rain that runs off from a roof, driveway, parking area or yard. This 6 - 9 inch deep basin fills with runoff and allows it to seep into the ground in a few hours. The rain garden plants and soils filter the stormwater and cleanse pollutants that could harm water quality. Learn more about building a rain garden below.
CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE LAKE
It is the work of the Monterey Conservation Commission to locally administer the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA - MGL Ch 131, S 40). The WPA prohibits any filling, excavation or other alteration of the land surface, water levels, or vegetation in wetlands, regardless of ownership, without a permit from the local Conservation Commission. The WPA is interested in Flood Control, Prevention of Storm Damage, Prevention of Pollution, Fisheries, Ground water, Public or Private Water Supplies, and Wildlife Habitat. Additionally the Riverfront areas have been included as requiring protection under their own paragraph. The Conservation Commission also administers the local Scenic Mountain Act (SMA), in effect since 10 November 2004.
Our responsibility under the WPA is for the review of project plans, including construction, renovations, alterations, additions, pruning, tree cutting, land clearing, river clean-up, any of which include activity in or within 100 feet of a Resource (any lake, pond, stream, swamp, or vegetated wetland) and within 200 feet of any River. Additionally we review project applications under the SMA for the same kinds of projects listed above. The SMA is for projects occurring above 1,500 feet of elevations and projects occurring on slopes of15% or greater. Each project requiring a Building Permit shall fill in a Conservation Commission Project Review Form for Building Permit for review by the Commission. This preliminary review allows us to inform the applicant whether they must file under the WPA, the SMA, or not to file with us because we have no jurisdiction. As always, if you wish to discuss your project informally, before filing with the Conservation Commission, we are happy to answer your questions.
Applicants should contact the Conservation Agent prior to submitting to discuss filing requirements. Meeting dates and deadlines are subject to change as needed. Please check the calendar for updates.
Conservation Commission meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. and are generally held in the Town Hall Meeting Room