Commission urged residents to comment on draft revisions to state wetlands regulations (10 CMR 10)

The Woburn City Conservation Commission received an update on proposed revisions to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act regulations (10 CMR 10) and was encouraged to submit individual comment letters before the April 30 deadline.

Staff (Speaker 9) told commissioners the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection released draft regulatory changes late last year and the comment period, initially 60 days, was extended at the request of conservation agents. "The comment period closes on April 30," Speaker 9 said, and noted that the Massachusetts Society of Conservation Professionals (MSCP) provided draft comments focused on portions of the draft (excluding coastal and stormwater management provisions).

Speaker 9 advised commissioners they may draft individual letters or borrow text from the MSCP draft, noting that each individual letter carries more weight than a single joint letter from the commission. "Each comment letter is weighted individually ... If you all send individual letters, that counts as 7 or 8 letters," Speaker 9 said, and recommended members submit comments on items they support or oppose before the regulation is promulgated.

Commissioners asked no substantive questions in the meeting and staff said they would circulate additional draft comments on coastal and stormwater topics if they become available. The commission did not take a formal vote on a single commission letter, leaving action to individual members who wish to comment.