WPA Form 3: Wetlands Notice of Intent

The Wetlands Protection Act prohibits removal, dredging, filling, or altering of wetlands without a permit. Use the Notice of Intent to apply for one of these permits.

MassDEP Wetlands Program

The Details   of WPA Form 3: Wetlands Notice of Intent

What you need   for WPA Form 3: Wetlands Notice of Intent

To protect the Commonwealth's wetland resources, the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act prohibits the removal, dredging, filling, or altering of wetlands without a permit. To obtain a permit (called an Order of Conditions), you must submit an application to the local Conservation Commission and MassDEP. The Notice of Intent application provides the Conservation Commission and MassDEP with a complete and accurate description of the:

  • Site: including the type and boundaries of resource areas under the Wetlands Protection Act, and
  • Proposed work: including all measures and designs proposed to meet the performance standards described in the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations, 310 CMR10.00, for each applicable resource area.

The applicant is responsible for providing the information required for the review of this application to the permit issuing authority (Conservation Commission or MassDEP). Submitting a complete and accurate description of the site and project will minimize requests for additional information that may result in an unnecessary delay in the issuance of an Order of Conditions.

To complete this form, the applicant should refer to the Wetlands Regulations, 310 CMR 10.00. An unofficial copy is linked below. Official copies of the regulations are available for purchase from the Massachusetts State Bookstore. Public libraries and county law libraries across the state also have copies of the regulations. MassDEP's Regional Service Centers have copies for review as well.

How to apply   WPA Form 3: Wetlands Notice of Intent

Application packages must be mailed to the Conservation Commission and to MassDEP. For certain types of projects, a copy must also be submitted to other state agencies. See mailing instructions in Step 5, below. 

Next steps   for WPA Form 3: Wetlands Notice of Intent

  1. Review the Instructions

    Guidance on how to prepare your application, including a completeness checklist.

  2. Complete the Application Form

    eDEP Online Filing

    If you cannot use eDEP to apply for a Notice of Intent, you may fill out and save the Microsoft Word form on your computer. The PDF version has to be printed out and completed by hand.

  3. Complete Related Forms

  4. Calculate the Permit Application Fee

    See the Instructions for details on how to calculate the Notice of Intent application fee. The Notice of Intent Fee Transmittal Form is also included in the downloadable application or you may use the separate form here.

  5. Mail Your Application and Fee Payment

    For Conservation Commission:

    Submit two (2) copies of the completed Notice of Intent, including supporting plans and documents, two (2) copies of the NOI Wetland Fee Transmittal Form, and the city/town fee payment, to the Conservation Commission by certified mail or hand delivery.

    For MassDEP:

    Submit one (1) copy of the completed Notice of Intent, including supporting plans and documents, one (1) copy of the NOI Wetland fee transmittal form, and a copy of the state fee payment to the appropriate MassDEP Regional Office by certified mail or hand delivery. 

    Other:

    If the applicant has checked the "yes" box in any part of Section C, Item 3, of the Notice of Intent form, refer to that section and the Instructions for additional submittal requirements.

Contact   for WPA Form 3: Wetlands Notice of Intent

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback