Pursuant to Sec. 22a-42 of the Connecticut General Statutes the public policy of the state is to require municipal regulation of wetlands and watercourses and the activities affecting the wetlands and watercourses within the territorial limits of the various municipalities or districts.

As such, the East Lyme Inland Wetlands Agency is a regulatory body, appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Wetlands Agency is responsible for the enforcement of East Lyme’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations as set forth by the State of Connecticut’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Act.

The East Lyme Inland Wetlands Agency regulates all activities that may have an impact on a wetland or watercourse. Their jurisdiction is 300-feet from a wetland or watercourse boundary, but can extend further if there is a potential for impact.

The 300-foot area is called the Upland Review Area. Any person proposing to conduct any work (including cutting of trees, stumping, grubing, grading etc) within this area is required to obtain a permit. The Agency usually meets once a month to review permit applications.