Vegetation and Storm Debris

What do I do with vegetative debris or yard waste?
Did you know that yard waste, even grass clippings, can have adverse impacts to WRAs? In fact, under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, any dumping of biomatter within a WRA is considered "fill" and is therefore unlawful. Franklin has a similar Bylaw, indicating that yard waste is not permitted within the 25-foot "No Touch Zone" to every jurisdictional WRA. What does this mean to you? No dumping of yard waste within 25 feet to a WRA and only within 100 feet of a WRA with a Minor Buffer Zone Activity (MBZA) permit. So what's the big deal? Well, for example, as biomatter decomposes it releases chemicals, such as nitrogen, when in excess can cause harm to water resources and the surrounding ecosystems. Refraining from dumping yard waste in WRAs can prevent that. Thankfully, Franklin has a Transfer Station/Recycling Center which can take all of your yard waste (and more!). Contact the Franklin Department of Public Works for more information regarding the Transfer Station/Recycling Center. 

When there is vegetative debris on a residential lot as a result of a storm the following shall apply:
The cleanup of vegetative storm debris and the storage of this debris in a jurisdictional are for less than 14 days may be allowed without a permit. Every efforts should be made by the property owner to keep the debris out of WRAs. All stacked and stored debris not removed within the 14-day timeframe will be subject to permitting by the Conservation Department. This provision does not extend to vegetative debris that is not caused from storm damage. If the property owner wishes to remove trees that did not fall as a result of a storm, said removal must be permitted in accordance with the Franklin Wetlands Protection Bylaw (Chapter 181).

Conservation Policy on Vegetative Debris in a WRA
When vegetative debris, defined as leaves, grass, or other plant material (e.g. biomatter) is deposited in a WRA and is not caused from storm damage, the following applies:

If the debris has been placed in a WRA or within the 25-foot "No Touch Zone" to a WRA, the property owner shall retain the services of a Wetland Scientist to evaluate the debris, develop an impact report, and describe the scope of work to remove the debris.

The property owner shall file a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) and follow the normal public hearing process; or

If the debris is located within the 25-foot to 100-foot Buffer Zone, a Minor Buffer Zone Activity (MBZA) application may be filed and shall proceed via the normal approval process. Some MBZA applications may be administratively approved by the Conservation Agent/Natural Resource Protection Manager under Section 2.7 of the Regulations.