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Conservation Commission extends RDA, schedules site walk for Two Maple Farm in Charlemont
Summary
The Charlemont Conservation Commission extended an RDA to March 13 after a phone review indicated two mapped areas lie more than 200 feet from the riverbed; commissioners scheduled an on-site inspection for Feb. 15 at 7 Avery Brook Road.
The Charlemont Conservation Commission voted to extend the Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) for the Two Maple Farm property to March 13 after a consultant indicated the mapped areas appear to lie beyond jurisdictional buffer distances.
The commission’s minutes record that Erica Chenoweth, contacted by phone, stated both Area 1 and Area 2 are over 200 feet from the riverbed and that "Erica does not need to check box 1A on WPA Form 1 – Request for Determination of Applicability." Commission members scheduled a site walk for Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at about 12:30 p.m. to inspect Areas 1 and 2 at 7 Avery Brook Road in Charlemont.
Why it matters: the determination whether portions of Two Maple Farm fall within the state’s wetlands jurisdiction affects whether a formal filing or mitigation measures are required. A finding that the areas are beyond 200 feet can remove the need to check certain jurisdictional boxes on the WPA Form 1 used for local wetland determinations.
At the meeting, Scott Randall moved to extend the RDA related to Erica Chenoweth’s review to March 13; Thorne seconded. The minutes record the motion carried with "All in favor." Thorne, Andrea and Scott agreed to perform the site walk together on Feb. 15 to verify field conditions.
Next steps: the commission will inspect the areas in person during the scheduled site walk and will reconvene before the March 13 deadline to decide whether a formal filing is required or whether the RDA can be closed.
