Mark Blanchard (Chairman)
Donald Jodray (V-Chairman)
Lucy Tessnau (Clerk)
Luke Tashjian (Secretary)
Paul Lockwood (Member)
Werner Tessnau (Assoc. Member)
Telephone: 508-882-5549 x327
Address: P.O. Box 151, Oakham, MA 01068
Contact: Lucy Tessnau, Clerk
The Oakham Conservation Commissions regularly meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Oakham Town Hall, 2 Coldbrook Rd., Oakham. Hearings begin at 7:45 p.m. The Commission must receive Requests for Determination or Notices of Intent by the 18th of the month preceding the Tuesday of the desired hearing. All applications must be accompanied by the appropriate fees and a check made out to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette for $35.40 to cover the cost of the legal notice.
The Oakham Conservation Commission recognizes the multitude of ways in which the wetlands enrich the environment and people. Unfortunately, wetlands have been misunderstood for many years, often viewed as wastelands to be drained and converted to other uses. If wetlands disappear, water will not be as clean, fish and bird populations will suffer, and the frequency and severity of floods will increase. Americans have begun to recognize the value of wetlands, andthe rate of loss has declined dramatically over the last 30 years. It is important that we continue to stop the loss of wetlands and begin to achieve a net gain through better management and restoration.
Wetlands do more than provide habitat for plants nad animalas in the watershed. When rivers overflow, wetlands help to absorb and slow floodwaters. They also absorb excess nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants before they reach rivers, lakes and other water bodies. They are great spots for fishing, canoeing, hiking and bird watching.
Despite all the benefits provided by wetlands, the U.S. loses about 60,000 acres of wetlands each year. The very runoff that wetlands help to clean can overload and contaminate these fragile ecosystems. In addition, nonnative species of plants and animals and global climate change contribute to wetland loss and degradation.
What is being done to protect these valuable wetlands? The State of Massachusetts have created the Wetlands Protection Act of 1972 and the River Protection Act of 1996 to help ensure the survival of wetlands. It is the duty of the Conservation Commission to enforce these laws and their regulations and to see that all standards set forth are met. We recognize our responsibility to protect the environment and residents of Oakham to the best of our abilities.