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Commission finds fence removal and edge clearing at Woodward Conservation Land exempt under WPA agricultural exemption
Summary
The Commission voted 6–0 that ongoing fence removal and invasive-edge clearing at Woodward Conservation Land qualify as maintenance of agricultural land and are exempt from Wetlands Protection Act permitting, with future work notifications to commissioners and land stewards.
The Carlisle Conservation Commission voted unanimously June 11 that the fence removal and edge-clearing work at Woodward Conservation Land qualify for the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act's agricultural exemption and therefore do not require a permit.
Jonathan DeKock asked whether recent fence removal and planned invasive-species clearing—some of which has been outside the 100-foot buffer but will soon encroach within it and near a vernal pool—fell under the WPA's agricultural exemption. Meghan Sullivan reported her research that the fields had been used in agricultural use within the past five years and thus meet the definition of "land in agricultural use," and that routine maintenance of such land, including fence maintenance and field management, is listed among exempt activities.
Commissioners, including Nick Ognibene and Chair George Shepard, agreed that the work represented maintenance of longstanding agricultural fields rather than a change of use. The motion that the edge clearing and fence removal activities are exempt from WPA permitting requirements, made by Brian Murphy and seconded by Nick Ognibene, passed 6–0.
Jonathan DeKock said future work notifications would go to all commissioners and land stewards and reminded the Commission and public of a water chestnut pull event scheduled for June 13.
