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Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission has two main areas of responsibility:

  • To manage and protect the conservation lands held in trust for all residents of the Town.
  • To administer and enforce:
    • The State Wetlands Protection Act and its regulations;
    • The Marblehead Wetlands Protection Bylaw and its regulations;
    • The State Storm Water Guidelines within the jurisdictional areas of the Commission. These areas include coastal beaches, coastal banks, salt marshes, ponds, streams, and wetlands such as bogs and swamps.

The commission must approve construction projects which involve wetlands in Marblehead.

The Conservation Commission was established in 1964.  There are seven members who are appointed by the Select Board for three-year, staggered terms.

Projects

Lead Mills/Conway Project

The Town of Marblehead is pleased to present the Lead Mills Park Design Report. This report by students at the Conway School’s Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Planning & Design was commissioned to analyze existing conditions, facilitate public discussion, and conceptualize design possibilities for the recently purchased Lead Mills property. The property is owned jointly by the Town of Marblehead and the City of Salem.

Please be advised that this document is not a construction plan for the Lead Mills site. Rather than determine exactly what will be built, it sets for a vision to help guide selected incremental improvements to be implemented as funding and need permits.

Wetlands Protection

Private & Public Wetlands

No private or public wetlands in Marblehead may be filled, excavated or altered without an appropriate permit issued by the Conservation Commission.  Please contact the Commission before any work is done in a wetland area.

Wetlands Permit

To obtain a permit, file a Notice of Intent or a Request for a Determination of Applicability and attend a public hearing.  Forms are available in the Office of the Conservation Administrator at Mary Alley Municipal Office Building, 7 Widger Road, or on the MA State website for Wetlands and Waterways Forms.  Fee varies.

Wetlands Protection Bylaw Regulations

1.1 Introduction. The Marblehead Conservation Commission pursuant to authority granted under Town of Marblehead Bylaws, Chapter 194, Section 194-8 promulgates these Wetlands Protection Bylaw Regulations. These Wetlands Protection Bylaw Regulations shall complement Town of Marblehead Bylaws, Chapter 194, Wetlands Protection, and shall have the force of law.

Online Resources

Local Conservation Websites:

State Government Websites:

Federal Government Websites: