The protected resource areas include rivers, streams, brooks, ponds, wetlands, banks and the floodplains. Rivers, streams, brooks, ponds, wetlands, and the underground aquifer in Longmeadow all are part of the system that provides water for use by earth's inhabitants. In addition, the wetlands provide habitat and food for marine life, birds, and animals and act as conduits for the movement of water from one area to another. Wetlands serve as temporary storage areas for water, filtering out pollution and allowing the filtered water to be absorbed into the aquifer. Rivers, streams, brooks, ponds and wetlands are usually supported by banks and may also be in the floodplain.
Banks are susceptible to crumbling and erosion.
Once this happens, the soil and vegetation from the banks tend to clog and fill the associated watercourse, interfering with its natural functions, hence measures are taken to protect banks. Floodplains are low areas, such as that between Route I-91 and the Connecticut River which may be flooded by excess water due to heavy rain or high water levels in the river. Floodplains serve as temporary storage areas for water, thus preventing flooding in populated areas. Floodplains are protected to insure that the storage capacity is not reduced. It is illegal for anyone in Longmeadow to dredge, fill, modify or alter any of these resource areas without first filing for and receiving a permit to do so.