Preserving Dedham's wetlands, floodplains, and riverfronts is crucial to our unique natural environment, which, in turn, protects public interests such as flood control, stormwater damage protection, protection of drinking water supplies, fisheries, and wildlife habitats. View the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act and regulations and understand that no person may "remove, fill, dredge, or alter" any of the land surface, water, or vegetation in wetland resource areas without obtaining a permit from the local Conservation Commission. Dedham also administers local Wetlands Bylaws and implements Wetlands Bylaw Regulations.
 
Any work within the wetlands, the 100-year floodplain, 200 feet of a perennial stream, or the 100-foot buffer zone to wetlands requires review and approval from the Conservation Commission. Visit the Town’s Conservation Map to view approximate locations of wetlands, rivers, streams, and certified vernal pools in Dedham.

If you are planning any landscaping, clearing, filling, excavation, demolition, or construction within a wetland or floodplain, within the 100 foot buffer zone, or within 200 feet of the Charles River, Neponset River, Mother Brook, or other perennial stream, please contact the Conservation Department before you begin your project to determine if you will need a permit (whether or not the wetland resource area is on your property). View Dedham's Wetland Protection Act brochure for a homeowners guide to working near wetlands and streams, or our  Homeowner's Brochure that explains work within a Riverfront area. 

Dedham is designated as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation, which is a designation demonstrating the extent to which the community cares about its environment and the quality of life.   Trees are an important part of Dedham’s stormwater management and visual landscape, as well as providing a source of cleaner air, shadier streets, and habitat for birds and other wildlife.  The shade produced by trees in the summer reduces temperatures in the Town and can reduce overall energy usage and air conditioning costs, which are important factors to a Green Community. The Conservation Commission is frequently asked to allow the removal of trees which are dead and/or damaged and/or diseased, and which pose a threat to private or public property (“hazard trees”), or which are within the footprint of proposed construction.

The Commission requires that, wherever feasible, a “snag” of at least 6 feet high shall be retained when a diseased, dead, or hazardous tree, 6-inches or greater in diameter at breast height is removed.  The Commission also requires that all healthy trees removed within a wetland resource area (including the 100-foot Buffer Zone) be replaced within the 100 foot Buffer Zone and/or 200-foot Riverfront Area, at a minimum 2:1 ratio (two new trees for each one tree removed), with native tree species being used as replacement trees (see approved Replacement Tree List).  

The Dedham Wetlands Tree Policy provides guidance on the types of tree and shrub species as well as the requirements of the Conservation Commission to provide a consistent approach to tree removal that protects the wetland functions and values provided by trees. Other native plants may be proposed beyond those listed in this document. Any proposed trees or shrubs are subject to review by the Conservation Commission, or its designee, and must obtain final approval from the Conservation Commission, or its designee.