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Mission Statement
The Conservation Commission was established in 1960 under Section 8C of Chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Laws for the promotion and developement of natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources in Readding. The Commission has worked since that time to acquire and maintain hundreds of acres of Conservation land within the town for public enjoyment and resource protection. Town Conservation Lands include Bare Meadow, Kurchian Woods, Sledge Woods, Lobb's Mill, Pinevale, Cedar Swamp, and other areas.
In 1972, the Conservation Commission was given regulatory authority to administer the new Wetlands Protect Act, Section 40 of Chapter 131 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Over the years, the Commission's role in the administration of the Wetlands Protection Act has been further defined through regulations and policies issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. In 1980, the Town Meeting adopted Section 5.7 of the Reading General Bylaws, the Wetlands Protection Bylaw. The Commission subsequently promulgated the Reading Wetlands Protection Regulations under the Bylaw. From time to time, the Town Meeting has amended the Bylaw, and the Commission has amended the Regulations. The amendments serve to clarify the language, to make it consistent with recent changes in state laws and
regulations, and to assure revenues from filing fees.
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