NOTICE OF INTENT PACKAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS
Enclosed are the necessary forms and instructions to file either a Notice of Intent (NOI) with the Swansea Conservation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to seek approval of your proposed work. Please read all of the instructions carefully. Detailed information in the General Instructions will help you prepare your NOI package.
Please complete the following forms:
NOI Form (WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent) , Fee Transmittal, Affidavit of Service, and Notification to Abutters
Sign the NOI and make four* copiesof the NOI (pages 1 to 9), transmittal form (pages 1 to 2), Notification to Abutters, Affidavit of Service, locus (map of your area with your lot noted), and the plans.
* Five copies if you are proposing a stream crossing or a roadway
* Five copies if you are not the owner of the property. You must send a copy of the package to the owner of record by either certified mail or hand delivered. Please be sure to obtain a signed receipt from the owner if you choose to hand deliver the paperwork.
+ Five copiesif your proposed work is in a Natural Heritage Priority and Estimated Habitat Area.
+ Five copiesif you are proposing work for a dock or seawall.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE COPIES OF THE INSTRUCTIONS AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS (BRP WPA Form 3 – Notice of Intent Instructions and Supporting Materials or this letter).
You are required by law to notify all abutters of the filing and public hearing whose properties are within 100 feet (by land, sea, or traveled way) of the property where the work is proposed and/or where the wetlands/buffer zone is in question. This list is to be based on the most current information available at the Swansea Assessor‘s Office. A list of the abutters (names and addresses) must also be included in your package. Please make a copy of the Notification to Abutters form for each abutter. The notification form must be sent to each abutter by certified mail or hand delivered (obtaining a signed receipt from each abutter).
Send the original and one* copyof each document (including the list of abutters) by certified mail or hand delivered to the Swansea Conservation Commission, 68 Stevens Road, Town Hall Annex, Swansea, MA 02777.
* Two copies and drainage calculations if you are proposing a stream crossing or a roadway because the Consulting Engineer will review the data.
Also needed by Conservation are two checks:
1)One for the filing fee made payable to the Town of Swansea(Please refer to Appendix B to determine the correct category for your project and refer to Appendix C to determine the fees payable to the DEP and the Town of Swansea.
2)Another check made payable to SouthCoast Media Groupin the amount of $66.41 (to advertise the legal public hearing notice). This is a one-time charge. If any future hearings are required, the date, time, and place will be announced at the initial hearing and posted at Town Hall and the Annex.
3)If your project is approved, a third check made payable to the Fall River Registry of Deeds will be required for the recording fee. The Conservation Office will notify you of the amount due.
4)If your land is registered in land court, please inform the Conservation Office because the recording requires special procedures. Land Court Documents are kept on file at the Registry and not returned to the owner. .
Send one copy of the completed package (including one set of plans and one copy of your locus) by certified mail or hand delivered to the DEP, 20 Riverside Dr., Lakeville, MA02347, along with a copy of the checks for the filing fees and a copy of the fee transmittal form. Please be sure to obtain a receipt if you hand deliver their copy.
The check for the State’s portion of the filing fee should be made payable to the Commonwealth of Mass. This check and the completed copy of the Transmittal Form must be sent by certified mail to the DEP, P.O. Box 4062, Boston, MA02211.
Please keep a copy of all of the completed forms and plans for your records.
If the proposed work is a commercial project, you will need to have a professional engineer complete a stormwater management form to be included with your filing.
Please bring all of the originals of your receipts (green cards and/or white certified mail receipts and/or signed receipts from the DEP, the owner of record (if applicable) and all abutters) to the first hearing. The Commissionwill refuse to conduct the hearing if you have not fully and timely complied with all of the notifications and the procedures that are required.
If you require assistance preparing your filing, a list of wetland consultants who flag wetlands and prepare NOIs,and a list of engineers in the area who prepare NOIs, certify plans, etc. are available at the Conservation Office.
Please Note: The Swansea Conservation Commission and/or their agent do not make recommendations of engineers or wetland consultants.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Conservation at (508) 673-6467.