Conservation Commission


WHAT WE DO

The Conservation Commission was established to:

  • Protect the City's water resources.
  • Educating residents on the topics of water quality and wetland resource values.
  • Issue wetland permits.
  • Accept gifts of land and money for conservation purposes.
  • Acquire grant money for City acquisition of open space.
  • Advise other City boards and commissions on environmental concerns.
  • Administer the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Greenfield's Wetlands Protection Ordinance.

The Conservation Commission operates under Section 6-21 of the City Code.

MEETING SCHEDULE

The commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room at 20 Sanderson St. The conference room is fully accessible. You can find meeting postings and agendas on the calendar. You can see/download the 2023 meeting and application deadline schedule here.

CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Five seats / Three-year terms
NAME TERM ENDS
Travis Drury, chair June 2024
Rachel Lindsay, vice-chair June 2023
Fletcher Harrington December 2024
Erika LaForme December 2025
Christin McDonough December 2025
Staff contact: Mitchell Vye / 413-772-1548, ext. 3 20 Sanderson St., Room 203, Greenfield, MA 01301

WETLANDS PROTECTION & PERMITTING IN GREENFIELD

The following documents provide additional guidance, forms, and templates to aid applicants with the wetland permitting process in Greenfield.

Legal Notice Guidance Sample Format
Applicants must post a legal notice in the paper at least 5 business days prior to the meeting date for Requests for Determination of Applicability and Notices of Intent. 

Request for Determination of Applicability - Filing Guidance

Other than exempt activities, any work within resource areas such as Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (and their 100-foot buffer zones) and Riverfront Areas is subject to review by the Conservation Commission. An RDA can be used to for minor projects that do not alter the resource area or to determine if an NOI is required. This document lists the requirements needed for a complete submittal.

Notice of Intent - Filing Guidance

Activities within resource areas such as Riverfront Areas and Bordering Vegetated Wetlands that alter, dredge, fill, or remove require the filing of a Notice of Intent. The submittal requirements are listed here.

Notice of Intent for Greenfield Wetlands Protection Ordinance
A Greenfield NOI form should be filed instead when a project is within a Greenfield Wetlands Protection Ordinance jurisdictional area only, such as the Riverfront Area of an intermittent stream.

Abutter Notification Form

Affidavit of Service Form

The Affidavit of Service Form should be filled out and submitted along with the Abutter Notification Form for projects that require a public hearing, such as a Notice of Intent.

CONSERVATION LAND & OPEN SPACE INFORMATION

The Conservation Commission manages over a dozen properties across Greenfield and maintains them in their natural state for their scenic, habitat, and recreational value. Trail maps can be found below.

Regulations for Public Use of Greenfield Conservation Land

Rocky Mountain Ridge North Trail Map
This property is located just north of Poet’s Seat Tower and is connected to the Highland Park trail system. This forested tract of land was donated to the Town by the Connecticut River Watershed Council for conservation purposes and is under the direct control of the Conservation Commission.

Rocky Mountain Ridge South Trail Map

Canada Hill - Renfrew Property Trail Map
The Canada Hill/Renfrew property is part of the Rocky Mountain Ridge and has trails for hiking, mountain biking, and observing nature. 

Griswold/GTD Conservation Area Trail Map
This 200-acre property was donated to the Town by the Griswold Family and the Greenfield Tap and Die Corporation. It offers extensive walking and cross country trails.

Leyden Woods Conservation Area Trail Map
This 39-acre property is located along the eastern bank of the Green River, between the river and the Leyden Woods residential development.

Lillian Street Conservation Area Trail Map
The Conservation Commission maintains the trails at this 25-acre parcel of land north of Lillian Street for hiking, mountain biking, and studying nature.

Conservation Commission Meetings

03/14/23 Agenda                              
02/28/23 Agenda             Minutes                  
02/21/23 Agenda             Minutes                  
02/14/23 Agenda                              
01/24/23 Agenda             Minutes                  
01/10/23 Agenda             Minutes                  
12/27/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
12/13/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
11/22/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
11/08/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
10/25/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
10/11/22 Agenda                              
09/27/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
09/13/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
08/23/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
08/09/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
07/26/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
07/12/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
06/28/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
06/14/22 Agenda                              
05/24/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
05/10/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
04/26/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
04/12/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
03/22/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
03/08/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
02/22/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
02/08/22 Agenda             Minutes                  
01/25/22 Agenda                              
01/11/22 Agenda             Minutes