Conservation Director Alicia Mozian reminds residents and contractors doing work in Westport to “call before you dig” if their property, or the property they have been hired to do work on, has, or is adjacent to, wetlands, a watercourse and/or a pond. 

“If a resident is uncertain whether his/her property contains wetlands, a public on-line search is now available to access wetland information on individual properties,” said Mozian.  

The Town of Westport Geographic Information System (GIS) can be accessed at this page or the department should be contacted at 341-1170.  

Since 2006, $30,400 in fines from violations and citations have been issued generating $20,100 in revenue to date.  The violations were issued in response to non-permitted work being performed which includes cutting, clearing, filling and building in wetlands and their upland review area or buffer.   

Violations result in a variety of consequences including, but not limited to, the owner having to stop work, appear at public meetings, payment of a fine and submission of plans, posting of bonds to correct a violation and placement of the violation on the town’s land records. 

“Don’t jeopardize your Certificate of Compliance, licenses or professional reputation,” said Mozian.  “Work with permits. Make sure you or your contractor has contacted the department before work starts ensuring that you have the correct permits required.”