Getting step on by neighbors....

[cuppi]

Getting step on by my neighbors... They are illegally filling in the wetlands on my property and their property, trying to take over our driveway, and when we build a fence around our boundary line, conservation said it might be illegal to have a fence within a hundred feet of conservation wetlands. Does anyone know anything about conservation/ wetland issues that can maybe give me some advices as to where to look for info? Any help is really appreciated. Thanks!

[topane]

First place I'd check would be with your local township--they've got the books on all your local zoning regulations, etc.

[Markel]

If you are in Florida, filling in "protected" wetlands is taken VERY seriously. (My father had bought 3 lots of "riverfront" property along the inland waterway, with assurance from the officials that he could build on it, that they turned around and declared to be wetlands after they flooded it by digging a drainage canal for mosquito control. :( ) The government there uses satellite images to monitor that canals they dig are not filled in.

[cuppi]

hi, thanks for the response.
I went to townhall many times and today the conservation said they are bringing a comissioner out to look at the land. That is when he said my fence might be illegal because I am not supposed to have a fence within a 100'. My neighbors' house is less than 10 feet away from the wetlands. I mean, they have done countless illegal things (ex. dumping asphalt and then burying it with the dirt) and they seem to be getting away with it. I have to keep going to town hall and calling our lawyer up (we have something else against them).
I have to go back this afternoon and check to see what the comissioner say. I am in Mass. I also called the DEP but they said to call the town.
It is turning into a big big mess...... :(

[theorangeone]

Originally posted by cuppi
hi, thanks for the response.
I went to townhall many times and today the conservation said they are bringing a comissioner out to look at the land. That is when he said my fence might be illegal because I am not supposed to have a fence within a 100'. My neighbors' house is less than 10 feet away from the wetlands. I mean, they have done countless illegal things (ex. dumping asphalt and then burying it with the dirt) and they seem to be getting away with it. I have to keep going to town hall and calling our lawyer up (we have something else against them).
I have to go back this afternoon and check to see what the comissioner say. I am in Mass. I also called the DEP but they said to call the town.
It is turning into a big big mess...... :(

What part of MA? Most towns don't allow buildings within 100' of wetlands. Sometimes the buffer zone is only 50', but it all depends on the type wetlands. 10', however, is very muchly illegal and its pretty odd that he got the permit to build that close. My guess is that it was either built before the wetlands were delineated or he flat out neglected to put the wetlands on the plan.