Conservation Commissions were formed under the Conservation Commission Act of 1957 (G.L. Ch. 40 sec. 8C) which gives Commissions responsibility for open space and other natural resource protection within their community.
The Rockport Conservation Commission helps to identify key parcels that should be protected, works for acquisition by the town or other forms of protection, and manages local lands dedicated to conservation and passive recreation. The Commission helps organize Rockport’s Annual Earth Day Clean-up, participates on the regional Eight Towns and the Bay Committee, made up of representatives from eight communities dedicated to preserving the quality and integrity of Ipswich Bay, and helps in other efforts to enhance the local environment.
The Conservation Commission also has a seat on the 9-member Community Preservation Committee dedicated to making recommendations on the spending of Community Preservation Act funds for open space protection, historic preservation, and affordable housing.
The Conservation Commission is responsible for administering the
Wetlands Protection Act (G.L. Ch. 131 sec. 40) and the
Rockport Wetlands Protection By-law (Rockport Code of Bylaws, Chapter 14). It reviews proposed development projects in or near wetlands and other resource areas or within the 100-foot buffer zone of these resource areas. The Conservation Commission reviews plans, holds public hearings, conducts site visits and issues Determinations of Applicability and Orders of Conditions for proposed projects to ensure that these projects don’t impact resource areas protected by the Act or By-law. Please refer to
Wetland Bylaw Rules and Regulations, revised February 29, 2012.
Wetland resource areas protected by the Wetlands Protection Act, “the Act”, cover both inland and coastal wetlands. Resource areas protected by the Rockport Wetlands By-law, “the By-law”, include freshwater and coastal wetlands, marshes, wet meadows, bogs, swamps, vernal pools, banks, reservoirs, lakes, ponds of any size, quarry pits and motions, rivers, streams, creeks, beaches, dunes, estuaries, the ocean, lands under water bodies, lands subject to flooding or inundation by groundwater or surface water, lands subject to tidal action, lands within 100-feet of above cited resource areas, lands subject to coastal storm flowage or flooding.
Wetland resource areas are important to safeguard because they help prevent storm damage, reduce flooding, protect ground and surface water, prevent pollution, support fish and shellfish, provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
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The Conservation Agent acts as technical assistant to and liaison between the Conservation Commission and the public and other town departments, boards and committees.
Conservation Agent: Geralyn Falco
Office Hours: Monday & Tuesday - 9 AM to Noon
Thursday - 12 PM to 3 PM
By appointment other days
Please send questions or
comments by e-mail
to: Geralyn Falco
