Many aspects of the use and development of land affect the quality of nearby streams, which then flow into reservoirs and other sources of water supply. Type of development, density, amount of paved surface, and proximity to a stream contribute to the amount and types of pollutants in the stream. Generation, storage, disposal or discharge of pollutants is also prohibited in the Primary Zone. See 350 CMR 11.04 for a complete list. See 350 CMR 11.05 for a complete list.
Many exemptions are subject to qualifications.
For instance, an expansion is exempt only if it does not degrade water quality. This type of application gives an informal indication of whether WsPA applies to the proposed activity. Send the letter requesting an Advisory Ruling to the address shown on the back. An advisory ruling usually takes a few days to a few weeks, unless the project is complicated and warrants further review. This application is to determine whether WsPA applies to the proposed activity, or if the activity might be exempt or otherwise not prohibited.