Watershed Protection Act Forms

Applicants are encouraged to contact the DCR at the phone numbers below to discuss the appropriate type of application.  Many projects simply require an Advisory Ruling, which is an informal indication of whether the Watershed Protection Act applies to the proposed activity.  Advisory Rulings require only a letter with the following information:

• Complete description of work proposed;
• Copy of the assessor's map (or assessor's sheet and parcel number);
• Copy of the deed showing ownership;
• Copy of plans or surveys, if available; and
• Other relevant information.

Send the letter requesting an Advisory Ruling to the address shown below. An advisory ruling usually takes a few days to a few weeks, unless the project is complicated and warrants further review.

The Watershed Protection Act requires specific applications for a Determination of Applicability, Variance, and Exemption of a Tributary.  These applications can also be obtained by calling the DCR at the phone numbers listed below.

• Determination of Applicability (Form 1)
• Application for a Variance (Form 3)
• Application for Exemption of a Tributary (Form 5)

(All forms are in pdf format)

Please submit your application to the appropriate Division of Water Supply Protection office:

Quabbin Reservoir and Ware River Watersheds
If your property is in the following communities: Athol, Barre, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Salem, Oakham, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Rutland, Shutesbury, Templeton, Westminster, or Wendell, contact:

Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Water Supply Protection
Quabbin Planning Office
485 Ware Rd.
Belchertown, MA 01007
(413) 323-6921

Wachusett Reservoir Watershed
If your property is in the following communities: Boylston, Holden, Leominster, Paxton, Princeton, Sterling, West Boylston or Worcester, contact:

Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Water Supply Protection
Wachusett Planning Office
180 Beaman St.
West Boylston, MA  01583
(508) 792-7806

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