The Conservation Department has a wetland map for the entire Town of Westport. You are welcome to check this map and see if your property has wetlands. However, you should be aware that not all wetlands are shown on this map. If there is some doubt whether there are wetlands or a watercourse on your property, it may be advisable to hire a soil scientist to determine if there is a wetland or a watercourse on your property. The Town of Westport Conservation Department reserves the right to require this process if there is uncertainty.
The Westport Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations contain setbacks from wetlands and watercourses (pdf). These are distances that are regulated between your project and a wetland or watercourse. If proposed activities are outside these areas a permit may be issued by staff without a public hearing. You will need to fill out an application for Administrative Approval (pdf).
The Westport Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations (pdf) require a 20-foot buffer around all wetlands and watercourses for all landscaping activities, i.e., the addition of soil, planting, removal of vegetation. Any landscaping activity within this setback will require authorization from the Westport Conservation Department, and possibly the Westport Conservation Commission.
The Conservation Department can provide you with a guide that may help you select plants at local nurseries. It is department policy to only approve the use of native and non-invasive plant species.
Any fence proposed within a wetland or 25 feet from a wetland or watercourse requires approval from the Westport Conservation Department and possibly the Westport Conservation Commission.
If your property contains or is located near wetlands/watercourse or the coast you must obtain a permit from the Conservation Department before you build any type of walls. Walls with or without footings, regardless of construction material and purpose must be located greater than 30’ from the wetland line. Any proposed wall within that distance requires Conservation Commission approval.
Any tree removal within the 20-foot non-disturbance setback or a wetland requires approval from the Westport Conservation Department. This will most likely entail an inspection of the property to determine if the tree(s) poses a threat to life or property. Significant vegetation removal requires approval from the Westport Conservation Commission.
WPLO stands for Westport Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Regulations (pdf). This ordinance is Section 148 of the Westport Town Code and is designed to protect our waterways and water bodies from activities that would cause hazards to life and property and/or activities having adverse impact upon the flood carrying and water-storage capacity of the waterways and flood plains, the flood heights and the natural resources and ecosystems of the Town of Westport.
The IWW or Inland Wetland and Watercourse Regulations (pdf) protect the citizens of Westport by making provisions for the care, preservation, maintenance, and use of local wetlands and watercourses of Westport.
You can pick up the requirements for an Administrative Permit from the Conservation Department or download them from the web site (pdf).
You can pick up the deadlines for filing an application with the Conservation Commission and Flood and Erosion Control Board from the Conservation Department or you can click here to download the current deadlines (pdf).
An application to the Conservation Commission should contain all those items that are deemed applicable on Schedule A of the Inland Wetland Application form (pdf). The Conservation Department strongly advises that the applicant schedule a meeting with an agent of the Conservation Department prior to the submission of the application to determine what necessary materials are needed to deem the application complete.
There are two Aquifer Protection Overlay Zones in Westport; they are shown on the town’s zoning map. These are areas that drain directly into our public drinking water wells. New construction or change of use within these Zones requires an Aquifer Protection Exemption Permit from the Conservation Department. The Aquifer Protection Regulations are available in the Conservation Department and may be downloaded from the Web site. Your project must not contain any “potentially hazardous uses” as defined in these regulations to receive a permit.
The Aquifer Protection Regulations may be downloaded by clicking here (pdf) and are also available in the Conservation Department.
Camping Permits for Cockenoe Island are available at the Conservation Department. Camp Sites are available May 15 through October 15, and are $10 per campsite per night. Download applications at the Forms page.
The Conservation Department has a map available of the conditionally approved areas for shellfishing. These areas are opened and closed periodically primarily due to rainfall. You should contact (203) 838-9807 for a recording that will inform you if the beds are open on the day you wish to shellfish.
The resources listed below will be helpful: