The Needham Conservation Commission is comprised of seven volunteer members appointed by the Board of Selectmen to staggered three-year terms. The Commission is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL Ch. 131 S. 40) and the local Wetlands Protection Bylaw (Needham General Bylaws Section 6). As part of their regulatory function, the Commission receives and reviews applications for projects involving work within or within one hundred feet of resource areas (i.e. wetlands, streams, banks) or within 200 feet of perennial rivers and streams (the “Riverfront Area”). Through the public hearing process, the Commission determines whether a project is permissible under the wetlands statutes, and issues or denies a permit accordingly. Please refer to our permitting page for additional information about Wetlands Protection statutes and procedures.

In addition to their statutory obligations, the Conservation Commission undertakes broader environmental and land-management functions including:

For additional information regarding open space protection and land controlled by the Conservation Commission, please contact the Conservation Office.