Helpful Links

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• MA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
  The Department of Environmental Protection is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air and water, the safe management of toxics and hazards, the recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, the timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
  Link to Home Page: http://www.mass.gov/dep/
  Link to applications and forms: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/approvals/wetlands-and-waterways-forms.html
• The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP)
  Although not charged with enforcing the NHESP regulations the ConCom makes every effort to make the general public and landowners aware of the regulations and its potential impacts on land use, and is mandated by the ConCom policies to notify NHESP when activity that appears to be in protected habitat comes before that ConCom. The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP), part of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, is one of the programs forming the Natural Heritage network. NHESP is responsible for the conservation and protection of hundreds of species that are not hunted, fished, trapped, or commercially harvested in the state. The Program’s highest priority is protecting the approximately 178 species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and 264 species of native plants that are officially listed as Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern in Massachusetts.
  Link to Home Page: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/
• Massachusetts River and Stream Crossing Standards – Massachusetts Riverways Program
  The mission of the Riverways Program is to promote the restoration and protection of the ecological integrity of the Commonwealth’s watersheds: rivers, streams and adjacent lands.
  Link to Handbook: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/der/pdf/stream-crossings-handbook.pdf