WETLANDS are important to maintain environmental quality as areas for water drainage, recharging the water table and pollution filtration. They are one of the richest biological habitats and are vital to many plants and animals.

Commission Information: Commission Members Meetings: Schedule Agenda Minutes	The Permit Process: Questions and Answers Conservation Regulations .pdf   file size: 3.62MB Wetland Application Form.pdf  Please follow the Link to obtain a free copy of the  ACROBAT READER program if needed: Adobe Acrobat Reader

The East Lyme Conservation Commission (other towns may call this the Inland Wetland Commission) is an appointed regulatory body that enforces the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations, set forth by the State of Connecticut’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Act.        The Conservation Commission regulates all activities that may have an impact on a wetland or watercourse.  Their jurisdiction is 100 ft. from a wetland or watercourse boundary, but can extend further if there is a potential for impact.         The 100 ft. area is called the Upland Review Area.  Any applicant proposing any work (including cutting of trees, grading etc…) within this area is required to get a permit.  The Commission usually meets once a month to go over permit applications.   COMMISSION MEMBERS Edmund Hafner, Chairman Norman K. Bender Charles Reluga Candice Bodenhofer Walter Prochorena Richard Gallagher Cheryl M. Lozanov Keith Hall, Alternate Laurie Corona, Alternate Phyllis Berger, Alternate   Conservation Officer: Keith Hayden   The Commission is full when there are 10 members. However, if you would like to be considered for the Commission when we have an opening, please send a letter of interest, party affiliation, and resume to Conservation Commission, PO Box 519, Niantic CT 06357.  Those with scientific, legal, or engineering backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

THE PERMIT PROCESS   The edge of a wetlands or watercourse is determined by soil types, which is done by a soil scientist.  This person will come out to your property to take soil borings and determine the location of the wetland.  You can find a listing of soil scientists at http://nesoil.com/ssssne  (The Society of Soil Scientists of Southern New England) Permit applications are available at the Building Dept. in the Town Hall.  The fee ranges depending on the proposed activity. Please be sure to include the following with your application form: How you will minimize impact. A site plan showing the proposed development, limits of clearing, wetland delineation, current buildings and roads. A check  payable to the Town of East Lyme, The Conservation Agent can assist you with the amount required. You (or a representative) will be presenting your application at the meeting. The Saturday prior to the meeting, members of the Conservation Commission and the Environmental Planner may visit the site to observe the existing conditions.   HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS TAKE?   The process takes at least 2 meetings.    The Application:   Determination of permitted activity form .pdf The Date of Receipt of the application is the date of the first meeting the application is reviewed by the Commission. According to state statute, commissions must wait fifteen days from the date of receipt of an application to render a decision to give the public a chance to come forward to request a public hearing. Therefore, applications must go through at least two meetings before a decision may be rendered. Since time is of the essence when building, it is advised that applications be submitted as soon as possible. The conservation commission must approve permit applications prior to approval from the remaining commissions. There are some projects that can be approved in a faster time frame by the Conservation Agent in-house.  This is for sheds, decks, most pool projects, or some landscaping.  If you see these tags or ones that are similar, then you know you have a wetland on your site.  The blue tags mean you have a conservation easement on the property, and you should consult your deed for a description.  The red tag means there is a 100 ft area around the wetland that requires a permit before any activities can be done (cutting trees, clearing, filling).