The Nantucket Conservation Commission on Feb. 6 ratified an enforcement order for unauthorized clearing and alteration that the commission's staff found on the property at 14 Plover Lane. The order requires the property owner (and any contractors or landscapers who participated) to appear before the commission at its March 6 meeting to explain the work and discuss a remediation plan.

Staff and commissioners reported that a significant area of wetland and buffer had been cut and masticated; photos and a site visit documented removal of understory and scattered evidence of recent cutting. The commission described the alteration as substantial and said the affected area includes state-mapped wetland and associated buffers.

Will (Conservation staff) told the commission an enforcement order was issued after the violation was discovered; the commission voted to amend and ratify the order to require the owner and any responsible contractors to attend the March 6 meeting and to provide details on what work was done and who was involved. Commissioners said they would consider additional remedies, including fines, after the March 6 appearance.

The commission set the appearance date to allow time for staff to complete documentation and to give the owner notice. Commissioners discussed but did not immediately issue civil fines; several members said they preferred to see the owner's explanation and any proposed remediation before deciding on penalties.

Why it matters: The enforcement action responds to a large, unpermitted alteration of a resource area that could affect hydrology and habitat. The commission is using its administrative enforcement procedures to require a public accounting and to preserve options for remediation and fines.

Next steps: Staff will circulate the enforcement order and photographs to the property owner and the commission; the owner and any involved contractors are required to appear at the March 6 commission meeting. The commission said it will evaluate remediation plans and consider fines after hearing the owner's response.