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. Anyone whose property is within 100 feet of a wetland or within 200 feet of a brook, stream or river who wishes to build, grade, clear, apply herbicides or to do any work which could alter the resource area must contact the Conservation Commission before doing so . Meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. Anyone wishing to contact the Commission may call the Town Office at 565-4110.