Massachusetts

Many states have regulations on weed control products, but they are frequently unable to enforce them. We have customers in every state.

So, you’re tired of the “lake weeds” taking over your swimming spot? I totally get it. If you’re living the lake life in Massachusetts, you’ve probably looked into benthic barriers—those weighted mats that basically “smother” the weeds by blocking out the sun.

They work great, but before you go tossing a tarp into the water, we need to talk about the Conservation Commission. In the Bay State, the dirt under your water is a protected habitat. If you don’t get the right paperwork in order, you could be looking at a “Cease and Desist” faster than a jet ski on a glass-calm morning.

Here’s the lowdown on how to keep your lakefront clear without getting into legal hot water.

1. It’s Not Just a Rug—It’s an “Alteration”

Under the MA Wetlands Protection Act, placing anything on the lake floor is considered an “alteration” of a resource area. This means your local town hall needs to know about it.

The first thing you’ll want to do is visit your town’s website and look for the Conservation Commission page (links below). They are the gatekeepers. Usually, they’ll want you to file one of two things:

• A Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA): This is the “lite” version. You’re basically asking, “Hey, does this small project really need a full permit?” You can find the RDA Form (WPA Form 1) on the Mass.gov portal.
• A Notice of Intent (NOI): If your project is larger or in a sensitive area, they’ll ask for this. It’s more detailed and involves a public hearing. Here is the NOI Form (WPA Form 3) to get you started.

2. The “10% Rule” (And Other Quirks)

Massachusetts is big on biodiversity. Because these mats kill everything underneath them (even the “good” plants and bugs), the state generally doesn’t want you covering your entire shoreline.

• Focus on High-Traffic: Most towns prefer you keep barriers to swimming areas or boat slips.
• Gas Release: Make sure you buy a professional barrier with venting. As plants rot underneath, they release gases. If those gases get trapped, your barrier will float up like a giant, muddy balloon—which is a huge “no-no” for boat safety.

3. Check the “Rare Species” Map

Before you file, check the MA NHESP Priority Habitats Map. If your lake is home to a rare turtle or a specific endangered fish, the rules get a lot stricter, and you might need extra permission from the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

The Bottom Line

Don’t let the paperwork scare you off! Most commissions are happy to work with homeowners who want to manage invasive species like Milfoil or Fanwort responsibly. Just play by the rules: File the form, wait for the green light, and then enjoy your weed-free water.

Pro-Tip: If you’re part of a Lake Association, check with them first! They might already have a “blanket permit” that covers your property, saving you the headache of filing solo.

In Massachusetts, there are 351 cities and towns, each with its own local Conservation Commission that acts as the primary permitting authority for projects involving lakes and wetlands.

While there is no single live master list maintained by the state that links directly to every individual town’s contact page, the following resources are the official ways to find and contact your specific local office for 2026:

1. The MACC Community Directory

The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) is the non-profit that supports all 351 commissions.

Search for Your Town: You can use the MACC Website to find localized resources, news, and member directories.

Contact MACC Directly: If you cannot find your local office online, MACC provides a central help desk:

Phone: (617) 489-3930

Address: 10 Juniper Rd, Belmont, MA 02478

2. Examples of Major Town Conservation Offices

Below are links to several active Conservation Commission pages for major lake-side and interior towns in 2026:

Auburn Conservation Commission

Franklin Conservation Department

Granby Conservation Commission

Medway Conservation Commission

Norton Conservation Commission

Rehoboth Conservation Commission

Shrewsbury Engineering & Conservation

Somerset Conservation Commission

Sudbury Conservation Commission

Waltham Conservation Commission

3. MassDEP Regional Offices

If you are dealing with a larger lake project that requires state-level oversight in addition to your town, you must contact your MassDEP Regional Office. You can find your specific regional office by community here.

How to find any missing town:

The most reliable method is to search your town’s official website (e.g., www.[townname]ma.gov) and look under the “Boards & Commissions” or “Departments” menu for “Conservation.”

If you find out what permitting guidelines you have, please do us a favor and let us know at info@lakebottomblanket.com.