What is a wetland?

For the purposes of Massachusetts law and the Dracut Wetlands Protection Bylaw, an inland wetland is any marsh, lake, pond, river, stream, floodplain, vernal pool, wet meadow, bog, or swamp. Wetlands that border ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams are called bordering vegetated wetlands.

Wetlands may not always be obvious to the untrained eye and only the examination of soils, vegetation, and hydrology can determine if an area is a wetland.

Show All Answers

1. What is a wetland?
2. What is a wetland buffer zone?
3. What is the difference between an intermittent stream and perennial stream?
4. What is a vernal pool?
5. Why are wetlands protected?
6. What activities in a wetland or buffer zone require a permit?
7. What are the different types of wetlands permitting forms and when are they used?
8. I live near a mushy area where there are some ferns growing, is this a wetland?
9. I live lakeside and I’m planning a retaining wall; do I need to file with the Conservation Commission?
10. I live on a lake and I would like to put up a dock; do I need a permit?
11. I live near a stream and I’d like to put a new deck on the back of my house. Do I need to file for a permit?
12. I live near a wetland and I’d like to cut down some trees near my house; do I need to file?
13. I see a depression filled with water on my property every spring; if I wanted to complete a project in or near this location, do I need to notify the Conservation Commission?
14. I’ve hired a contractor to do some excavation on my property and it’s near a marshy area; should I contact the Conservation Commission?
15. I suspect work is being done in a wetland or buffer zone without a permit, what should I do?
16. How do I contact the Conservation Commission?