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Groundwater Protection Districts
Download a Word file of this Bylaw
BYLAW: A model bylaw establishing Groundwater Protection Districts.
DATE ADOPTED: Prepared in 1991, amended in 1997.
Prepared by an ad-hoc committee whose members included the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Water Supply Citizens Advisory Committee, Camp Dresser and McKee Inc., and the Department of Environmental Protection.
PURPOSE OF BYLAW:
The purpose of this Groundwater Protection District is to:a. promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community by ensuring an adequate quality and quantity of drinking water for the residents, institutions, and businesses of the (Town)(City) of __________.b. preserve and protect existing and potential sources of drinking water supplies;c. conserve the natural resources of the (town)(city); and prevent temporary and permanent contamination of the environment. This model bylaw meets the wellhead protection requirements of 310 CMR 22.21(2).
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS BYLAW, CONTACT:
DEP, Bureau of Resource Protection
Alan Slater - 617-292-5749 .
TEXT OF THE BYLAW
This document was prepared in 1991 by an ad-hoc committee. Members of the committee included the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Water Supply Citizens Advisory Committee, Camp Dresser and McKee Inc., and the Department of Environmental Protection. This document was amended in March 1997. This model bylaw meets the wellhead protection requirements of 310 CMR 22.21(2). For further information regarding this model bylaw, contact DEP, Bureau of Resource Protection at 292-5770.
1. PURPOSE OF DISTRICT
The purpose of this Groundwater Protection District is to:
a. promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community by ensuring an adequate quality and quantity of drinking water for the residents, institutions, and businesses of the (Town)(City) of __________.
b. preserve and protect existing and potential sources of drinking water supplies;
c. conserve the natural resources of the (town)(city); and prevent temporary and permanent contamination of the environment.
2. SCOPE OF AUTHORITY
The Groundwater Protection District is an overlay district superimposed on the zoning districts. This overlay district shall apply to all new construction, reconstruction, or expansion of existing buildings and new or expanded uses. Applicable activities/ uses in a portion of one of the underlying zoning districts which fall within the Groundwater Protection District must additionally comply with the requirements of this district. Uses prohibited in the underlying zoning districts shall not be permitted in the Groundwater Protection District.
3. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this section, the following terms are defined below:
Aquifer: Geologic formation composed of rock, sand or gravel that contains significant amounts of potentially recoverable water.
Groundwater Protection District: The zoning district defined to overlay other zoning districts in the (Town)(City) of ____. The groundwater protection district may include specifically designated recharge areas.Impervious Surface: Material or structure on, above, or below the ground that does not allow precipitation or surface water to penetrate directly into the soil.Mining: The removal or relocation of geologic materials such as topsoil, sand, gravel, metallic ores, or bedrock.
Potential Drinking Water Sources: Areas which could provide significant potable water in the future. Recharge Areas:1 Areas that collect precipitation or surface water and carry it to aquifers. Recharge areas may include areas designated as Zone I, Zone II, or Zone III.Toxic or Hazardous Material: Any substance or mixture of physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics posing a significant, actual, or potential hazard to water supplies or other hazards to human health if such substance or mixture were discharged to land or water in the (Town)(City) of _ Toxic or hazardous materials include, without limitation; synthetic organic chemicals, petroleum products, heavy metals, radioactive or infectious wastes, acids and alkalis, and all substances defined as Toxic or Hazardous under Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) Chapter(c.) 21C and 21E and 310 CMR 30.00, and also include such products as solvents and thinners in quantities greater than normal household use.
4. ESTABLISHMENT AND DELINEATION OF GROUNDWATER PROTECTION DISTRICT
For the purposes of this district, there are hereby established within the (town)(city) certain groundwater protection areas, consisting of aquifers or recharge areas which are delineated on a map. This map is at a scale of 1 inch to ___ feet and is entitled "Groundwater Protection District, (Town) (City) of _____," dated ____. This map is hereby made a part of the (town)(city) zoning (bylaw) (ordinances) and is on file in the Office of the (Town)(City) Clerk.
5. DISTRICT BOUNDARY DISPUTES
If the location of the District boundary in relation to a particular parcel is in doubt, resolution of boundary disputes shall be through a Special Permit application to the Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA). Any application for a special permit for this purpose shall be accompanied by adequate documentation.
The burden of proof shall be upon the owner(s) of the land to show where the bounds should be located. At the request of the owner(s), the (town) (city) may engage a professional engineer, hydrologist, geologist, or soil scientist to determine more accurately the boundaries of the district4 with respect to individual parcels of land, and may charge the owner(s) for the cost of the investigation. In the Groundwater Protection District the following regulations shall apply:
6. REGULATION
A. Permitted Uses
The following uses are permitted within the Groundwater Protection District, provided that all necessary permits, orders, or approvals required by local, state, or federal law are also obtained:
i. conservation of soil, water, plants, and wildlife;
ii. outdoor recreation, nature study, boating, fishing, and hunting where otherwise legally permitted;
iii. foot, bicycle and/or horse paths, and bridges;
iv. normal operation and maintenance of existing water bodies and dams, splash boards, and other water control, supply and conservation devices;
v. maintenance, repair, and enlargement of any existing structure, subject to Section B (prohibited uses) and Section C (special permitted uses);
vi. residential development, subject to Section B (prohibited uses) and Section C (special permitted uses);
vii. farming, gardening, nursery, conservation, forestry, harvesting, and grazing, subject to Section B (prohibited uses) and Section C (special permitted uses);
viii. construction, maintenance, repair, and enlargement of drinking water supply related facilities such as, but not limited to, wells, pipelines, aqueducts, and tunnels.Underground storage tanks related to these activities are not categorically permitted.
B. Prohibited Uses
The following uses are prohibited:
i.8 li.8 landfills and open dumps as defined in 310 CMR 19.006;
ii. automobile graveyards and junkyards, as defined in M.G.L.c. 140B, ß1;
iii.9,10 landfills receiving only wastewater and/or septage residuals including those approved by the Department pursuant to M.G.L.c. 21, ß26 through 53; M.G.L.c. 111, ß17; M.G.L c. 83, ß6 and 7, and regulations promulgated thereunder;
iv.11 facilities that generate, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste that are subject to M.G.L.c. 21C and 310 CMR 30.00, except for the following:
a) very small quantity generators as defined under 310 CMR 30.000;
b) household hazardous waste centers and events under 310 CMR 30.390;
c) waste oil retention facilities required by M.G.L. c. 21, ß 52A;
d) water remediation treatment works approved by DEP for the treatment of contaminated ground or surface waters;v. 9,10 petroleum, fuel oil, and heating oil bulk stations and terminals including, but not limited to, those listed under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes 5171 and 5983. SIC Codes are established by the US Office of Management and Budget and may be determined by referring to the publication, Standard Industrial Classification Manual, and any other subsequent amendments;
vi. 12 storage of liquid hazardous materials, as defined in MGL.c. 21E, and/or liquid petroleum products unless such storage is:
a) above ground level, and;
b) on an impervious surface, and
c) either:
(i) in container(s) or above ground tank(s) within a building, or;
(ii) outdoors in covered container(s) or above ground tank(s) in an area that has a containment system designed and operated to hold either 10% of the total possible storage capacity of all containers, or 110% of the largest containerís storage capacity, whichever is greater;
vii. 9 storage of sludge and septage, unless such storage is in compliance with 310 CMR 32.30 and 310 CMR 32.31;
viii.9, 13 storage of deicing chemicals unless such storage, including loading areas, is within a structure designed to prevent the generation and escape of contaminated runoff or leachate;
ix. storage of animal manure unless covered or contained in accordance with the specifications of the Natural Resource Conservation Service;
x. earth removal, consisting of the removal of soil, loam, sand, gravel, or any other earth material (including mining activities) to within 4 feet of historical high groundwater as determined from monitoring wells and historical water table fluctuation data compiled by the United States Geological Survey, except for excavations for building foundations, roads, or utility works;
xi. 14,15 discharge to the ground of non-sanitary wastewater including industrial and commercial process waste water, except:a) the replacement or repair of an existing treatment works that will not result in a design capacity greater than the design capacity of the existing treatment works;b) treatment works approved by the Department designed for the treatment of contaminated ground or surface water and operating in compliance with 314 CMR 5.05(3) or 5.05(13); c) publicly owned treatment works;
xii. stockpiling and disposal of snow and ice containing deicing chemicals brought in from outside the district;
xiii. storage of commercial fertilizers, as defined in MGL Chapter 128, ß64, unless such storage is within a structure designed to prevent the generation and escape of contaminated runoff or leachate.C. Uses and Activities Requiring a Special PermitThe following uses and activities are permitted only upon the issuance of a Special Permit by the Special Permit Granting Authority16 (SPGA) under such conditions as they may require:I. 18 enlargement or alteration of existing uses that do not conform to the Groundwater Protection District;ii.18 those activities that involve the handling of toxic or hazardous materials in quantities greater than those associated with normal household use, permitted in the underlying zoning (except as prohibited under Section B). Such activities shall require a special permit to prevent contamination of groundwater;
7. PROCEDURES FOR ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PERMIT
Any use that will render impervious more than 15% or 2,500 square feet of any lot, whichever is greater. A system for groundwater recharge must be provided which does not degrade groundwater quality. For non-residential uses, recharge shall be by storm water infiltration basins or similar system covered with natural vegetation, and dry wells shall be used only where other methods are infeasible. For all non-residential uses, all such basins and wells shall be preceded by oil, grease, and sediment traps to facilitate removal of contamination. Any and all recharge areas shall be permanently maintained in full working order by the owner.
A. The Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA)
Under this bylaw shall be the _____. Such special permit shall be granted if the SPGA determines, in conjunction with the Board of Health, the Conservation Commission, and (Town)(City) Engineer/Department of Public Works and Planning Board that the intent of this bylaw, as well as its specific criteria, are met. The SPGA shall not grant a special permit under this section unless the petitioner's application materials include, in the SPGA's opinion, sufficiently detailed, definite, and credible information to support positive findings in relation to the standards given in this section. The SPGA shall document the basis for any departures from the recommendations of the other (town)(city) boards or agencies in its decision.
B. Upon receipt of the special permit application, the SPGA shall transmit one copy to the Planning Board, Board of Health, the Conservation Commission, and (Town)(City) Engineer/ Department of Public Works for their written recommendations.17 Failure to respond in writing within 35 days of receipt by the Board shall indicate approval or no desire to comment by said agency. The necessary number of copies of the application shall be furnished by the applicant.
C. The SPGA may grant the required special permit only upon finding that the proposed use meets the following standards, those specified in Section 6 of this bylaw, and any regulations or guidelines adopted by the SPGA. The proposed use must: 1. in no way, during construction or thereafter, adversely affect the existing or potential quality of quantity of water that is available in the Groundwater Protection District; and2. be designed to avoid substantial disturbance of the soils, topography, drainage, vegetation, and other water-related natural characteristics of the site to be developed.
D. The SPGA may adopt regulations to govern design features of projects. Such regulations shall be consistent with subdivision regulations adopted by the municipality.20E. The applicant shall file ____ copies of a site plan and attachments. The site plan shall be drawn at a proper scale as determined by the SPGA and be stamped by a professional engineer. All additional submittals shall be prepared by qualified professionals. The site plan and its attachments shall at a minimum include the following information where pertinent:1. a complete list of chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, fuels, and other potentially hazardous materials to be used or stored on the premises in quantities greater than those associated with normal household use;2. for those activities using or storing such hazardous materials, a hazardous materials management plan shall be prepared and filed with the Hazardous Materials Coordinator, Fire Chief, and Board of Health. The plan shall include:
a) provisions to protect against the discharge of hazardous materials or wastes to the environment due to spillage, accidental damage, corrosion, leakage, or vandalism, including spill containment and clean-up procedures;
b) provisions for indoor, secured storage of hazardous materials and wastes with impervious floor surfaces;c) evidence of compliance with the Regulations of the Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Management Act 310 CMR 30, including obtaining an EPA identification number from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.3. proposed down-gradient location(s) for groundwater monitoring well(s), should the SPGA deem the activity a potential groundwater threat.
F. The SPGA shall hold a hearing, in conformity with the provision of MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9, within 65 days after the filing of the application and after the review by the (Town)(City) Boards, Departments, and Commissions.Notice of the public hearing shall be given by publication and posting and by first-class mailings to "parties of interest" as defined in MGL Chapter 40A, ß11. The decision of the SPGA and any extension, modification, or renewal thereof shall be filed with the SPGA and (Town)(City) Clerk within 90 days following the closing of the public hearing. Failure of the SPGA to act within 90 days shall be deemed as a granting of the permit. However, no work shall commence until a certification is recorded as required by 11.
8. SEVERABILITY
Written notice of any violations of this (Section)(Article)(Ordinance) shall be given by the (Code Enforcement Officer)(Building Inspector) to the responsible person as soon as possible after detection of a violation or a continuing violation. Notice to the assessed owner of the property shall be deemed notice to the responsible person. Such notice shall specify the requirement or restriction violated and the nature of the violation, and may also identify the actions necessary to remove or remedy the violations and preventive measures required for avoiding future violations and a schedule of compliance. A copy of such notice shall be submitted to the Building Inspector, the Board of Health, Conservation Commission, (Town)(City) Engineer/Department of Public Works, and Water Department. The cost of containment, clean-up, or other action of compliance shall be borne by the owner and operator of the premises.
A determination that any portion or provision of this overlay protection district is invalid shall not invalidate any other portion or provision thereof, nor shall it invalidate any special permit previously issued thereunder.
FOOTNOTES
1 The Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) defines three specific types of recharge areas - Zone I, Zone III and Zone III- to which certain regulations may apply (See Section 6B). If these zones are a part of the District, the following definitions should be included:
Zone I: The 100 to 400 foot protective radius around a public water system well or wellfield which must be owned by the water supplier or controlled through a conservation restriction.
Zone II: The area of an aquifer which contributes water to a well under the most severe pumping and recharge conditions that can be realistically anticipated (180 days of pumping at safe yield with no recharge from precipitation), as defined in 310 CMR 22.00.
Zone III: The land area beyond the area of Zone II from which surface water and groundwater drain into Zone II, as defined in 310 CMR 22.00.
2. Sand and gravel areas that lie within medium-High yield aquifers are potential sources. Municipalities should conduct a hydrological study prior to defining an area as a potential water supply.
3. It may be desirable to specify the licensing requirement for the professionals permitted to redefine district boundaries under this paragraph. For example, a land surveyor, registered with the state of Massachusetts, may be acceptable for the definition of watershed boundaries, but not acceptable for recharge area boundaries.
The district boundary is defined by hydrogeologic research, testing and field analysis; therefore, a professional engineer, hydrologist, geologist or soil scientist may define or redefine the recharge boundary; however, the Zone II district boundary and methodology must be approved by DEP. Licensing of these professionals is not required.
4. For disputes which may arise related to Zone II areas, (if included in the District) the following provision would be appropriate: The determination of the location and extent of Zone II shall be in conformance with the criteria set forth in 310 CMR 22.00 and in the DEP's Guidelines and Policies for Public Water Systems.
5. Only uses related to the operation and maintenance of the public water supply are permitted in the Zone I defined in 310 Code of Massachusetts Regulations 22.00.
6. The boundary of the district to which these prohibitions apply should be specifically indicated. DEP requirements (310 CMR 22.21) apply to Zone II, or Zone III if the criteria of 310 CMR 22.21(1)(f) have been met.
7. Federal and State agencies and counties are not subject to local zoning regulations. This is a long established principle, recently reinforced by decisions of the MA Supreme Judicial Court (SJC). The state has never delegated the power to regulate activities on state properties, or the properties of its political subdivisions in its zoning enabling act and amendments.
8. It may be the preference of counsel to include an "as of effective date" clause in relation to all prohibitions which reference state or federal statutes.
9. This can be supplemented through a Health Regulation or other non-zoning bylaw/ordinance.
10. Amended March 1997
11. Includes most vehicular maintenance facilities, dry cleaners, print and photo processing operations as well as many industrial uses. Refer to MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9 and Chapter 21D, Section 21.
12. 310 CMR 22.21 allows for the replacement of existing tanks/systems for the keeping, dispensing or storing of gasoline consistent with state and local requirements. Above ground home heating oil tanks are not required to have a containment system. Home heating oil tanks may also be places in a basement on an impervious surface.
13. Uncovered storage of salt in water supply areas is forbidden by MGL Chapter 85 Section 7A
14. Such discharges are subject to 312 CMR 5.00
15. Refer to Title 5, 310 CMR 15.00 for requirements governing septic system density within Zone IIs and other septic system restrictions.
16. This model bylaw/ordinance identifies, in Section 6C, a series of standard governed uses/activities and conditions for a special permit. A town or city may want to identify additional or more specific governed uses/activities or conditions that are especially relevant to its own situation. None of the special permit requirements are mandated by 310 CMR 22.21 except Chapter vi.
17. Local conditions will affect how extensive this and similar provisions may become. If there are many industrial and commercial uses in a Groundwater Protection District, and their expansion is probable, specific conditions for expanding and altering their operations should be included in the (bylaw)(ordinance).
18. Provision not required for new source approval under 310 CMR 22.21(2) or Water Management Act Permits.
19. MGL Chapter 40A, Section 9 specifies that the SPGA must be one of the following: Board of Selectmen; Board of Appeals; or Planning Board. Applications should be reviewed by all town or city boards, departments and commissions having an interest in or responsibility for review and approval of actions taken by the applicant.
20. The SPGA is encouraged to adopt regulations to administer this (bylaw)(ordinance). The SPGA should consider including performance and/or design standards in such regulations. |
