Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission

Abby Conroy, Director of Land Use
Phone: 860-435-5190
Email: [email protected]

Walk-in Hours:

Monday: 8:00am – 9:00am
Tuesday: 8:00am – 9:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 9:00am
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Outside of these posted hours, staff are available by appointment ONLY.

**Access Inland Wetland & Watercourses Commission Meeting Documents Here**

Pursuant to Special Act Act No. 21-2 Sec. 149, the Commission will be holds meetings online via Zoom. Members of the  public are be able to participate in these public meetings via the video conference link posted on the agenda, or by dialing in using the teleconference phone line listed.

Regulations & Resources

In accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 440, the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission is responsible for reviewing and permitting activities in and around wetlands and watercourses. They are tasked with “providing an orderly process to balance the need for the economic growth of the state and the use of its land with the need to protect its environment and ecology in order to forever guarantee to the people of the state, the safety of such natural resources for their benefit and enjoyment and for the benefit and enjoyment of generations yet unborn. “
It may be apparent that ponds, lakes, rivers and streams are wetland resources, not all wetlands are wet. Instead, the State of Connecticut defines wetlands by soil type – poorly drained, very poorly drained, alluvial and flood plain soils.
There is no universal resource to determine exact delineations other than site specific evaluation by a soil scientist. However, helpful resources that can assist you in determining if less obvious wetland resources may exist. The Connecticut Eco Advanced Map Viewer hosted by UConn allows users to view water and soil resources including named waterbodies, hydrography, and Inland Wetland Soils. Depending on the nature of your proposed activities, you may have to hire a soil scientist and surveyor to have a formal delineation mapped for your property.
If you are unsure if a permit is required for your proposed use or project, please contact the Land Use Office.

• Conservation Commission Regulations (2006) – In the Fall of 2020 the Town adopted an ordinance effectively renaming the Conservation Commission the Inland Wetlands & Watercourses Commission.
• Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 440
• CT DEEP Citizen’s Guide to Participating in the Municipal Regulation of Inland Wetlands and Watercourses
• Timeline for Applications for Regulated Activity
• Approvals Required Prior to Obtaining a Building Permit (Land Use approval Checklist)

Inland Wetlands Application Forms 

Please submit 4 complete paper sets of materials with all Applications for Regulated Activity and Requests for Declaratory Ruling. Additionally, provide digital versions of all plans and photographs.

Applications made to the Commission should be submitted no later than noon the Thursday before the meeting to ensure all application materials can be posted to the website in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

• Application for Regulated Activity Permit (See Fee Schedule in Regulations)
• DEEP Reporting Form 22A-39-14
• Request for Declaratory Ruling / Permit Transfer / Permit Extension
• Report of Potential Violation Form

Minutes, Recordings, & Decisions:

For copies of minutes, that are not posted, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office, 860-435-5182.