Conservation Department & Conservation Commission

Meetings

Conservation Commission meetings are held at 6:30pm on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month, or as otherwise posted. Meetings will be held in Room 200. 

UPDATED 9/24/21: Public participation can be in-person or remote via a dial-in number and access code. Please refer to the agenda for this information.

Mission of Conservation Department and Commission

The mission of the Conservation Commission is to protect the Town's natural resources under the Conservation Commission Act (M.G.L. Chapter 40 § 8C (1957)) and the Town's wetland resources under the Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131 § 40 (1972)), as well as the Wetlands Protection By-Law (G.L. Chapter 13 (1978)).

Under the Conservation Commission Act, the Commission plans for natural resource protection, acquires important land and water areas, and manages open space for conservation as well as passive recreation. The Commission encourages, reviews, and monitors conservation restrictions on privately held lands. In addition, the Commission assists the Open Space Committee with revisions to and implementation of the Kingston Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and the Kingston Wetlands Protection Regulations/By-Law (KWPR), the Commission is responsible for reviewing and permitting work proposed within, or in close proximity to, inland and coastal wetlands including: floodplains, rivers, ponds, beaches, banks, bays, or other surface waters. The Commission is charged with protecting the following interests under both the Act and By-Law: 1) protection of public and private water supply; 2) protection of groundwater supply; 3) flood control; 4) storm damage prevention; 5) prevention of pollution; 6) protection of land containing shellfish; 7) protection of fisheries; and 8) protection of wildlife habitat. The Commission ensures that work proposed within their jurisdiction protects these interests in both the permitting and construction phases. Both the WPA and KWPR contain provisions for enforcement which the Commission undertakes when violations to regulations/permits occur.

The Commission regularly conducts education and outreach to other municipal boards and the general public. The Commission accomplishes this outreach by: providing regular comment to other regulatory boards on natural resource/wetland issues; distributing brochures; posting important information on their webpage; conducting site visits upon request; accepting invitations to speak at community events; communicating with the media; advocating on behalf of the environment; as well as conducting business in an educational rather than confrontational manner.

Duties & Responsibilities

Reference M.G.L., Chapter 40, Section 8C; ATM 3/16/63, Article 27; ATM 4/13/92, Article 33.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Filing with Conservation Commission

If you want to do work on your property and you think you might be within 100 feet of a wetland, please call us. We're here to help you accomplish what you need to in the best way for you, our town, and the environment. 

Any land within 100' of a wetland is in the jurisdiction of the Kingston Conservation Commission and needs the commissions approval through a filing application. Smaller projects may be eligible for an administrative review or request for determination of applicability. These forms can be daunting, so don't hesitate to reach out.

Find the applications for filing on our Filing page.

Not sure what you need? Call us!

Not sure what you want to do? Call us!

Not sure if you need to file? Call us!

We're here to help.

Volunteering and Donations

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Joining the Conservation Commission
• Joining the Open Space Committee (PRIORITY AS OF 9/28/21)
• Kingston Land Steward Program

Regularly needed donations include:

• Stewardship equipment (hand tools, power tools, etc.)
• Land (conservation restrictions, deed transfer, etc.)
• Money to our Conservation Fund

Members