Navigating MassMapper

Introduction

In the Conservation Department, we are constantly using mapping tools to gain insights on wetlands and other jurisdictional resource areas in Town. While mapping tools like these are never perfect, they do offer a great starting point, especially if you have a question along the lines of "Do I have wetlands on my property?" and "When should I go to the Conservation Commission if I'm doing work on my property?"

Do not use MassMapper if you are looking for exact wetlands lines. A wetland delineation can only be performed by a certified wetland scientist or equivalent, and would require you to hire an engineering service. MassMapper should only be used to gain baseline knowledge of the resource areas you may have on your property. MassMapper cannot be used in lieu of signed and stamped plans, surveyed plans, or equivalent. 

MassMapper also has limitations in showing jurisdictional buffers. For this, we would use the measure tool to simulate what these buffers may resemble, however, we are most likely going to be using professional mapping software for this. If you are interested in personal development and would like to gain further insights to Mapping and GIS, I would suggest starting with qGIS, an open source mapping software. This is much more complex than MassMapper, but does have much more capability in terms of mapping and geospatial analysis.

MassMapper

1. Let's start by navigating to the site: MassMapper

   • The link we use already has the necessary layers that you'll need to see for a baseline analysis of your property.

2. At the top of the screen, MassMapper gives you a relatively basic toolbar. Going from left to right, you have zoom in/zoom out, identify results, identify results in a specific area, ruler (length or area), link to map, draw, print, export, enter location, basemap, and "search for a layer"

1. Find your address: in the "Enter your location..." toolbar, search for your address. Please note that if you do not type in your full address, MassMapper may not be able to recognize what you are trying to find.

   • To search: "#, street name, street suffix, Town, State" Please spell out the road suffix. When ready, press enter

     • Example: "101 Main Street, Ashland, MA"

2. Once you locate your address, you can play around with your basemap. To the right of the "Enter your location.." toolbar, you have your basemap toolbar. MassMapper has 2023 and 2021 Aerial Imagery, or if you want aerial imagery from the 1990s-2019, you can find that in the "Search for a layer" toolbar.

   • In our office, we are most likely going to be using the 2023 Aerial Imagery. If you are looking for the most recent opensource Aerial Imagery available, MassMapper is not for you. For this, we use Google Earth Pro.

3. Below the "Search for a layer" toolbar, you have a key for all the layers previously selected by us. From top to bottom, you have:

   • Potential Vernal Pools: Suspected Vernal Pools that have not been certified by the NHESP process, protected under the Local Bylaw but not the State. The Town of Ashland recognizes a 100-ft Buffer zone around VPs which mimics restrictions of the 25-ft No Disturb Zone

   • NHESP Certified Vernal Pools: Hit physical and biological criteria identified by NHESP volunteers. Protected under the State WPA regulations. Same buffer as potential vernal pools.

   • USGS Rivers and Streams 25k: Perennial streams most often represented by a solid line, and intermittent streams are represented by dashed lines. We distinguish between the two because of associated buffers/resource areas.

     • Intermittent streams: Protect LUWW, associated BVW, and associated 100-ft Buffer Zone

     • Perennial Streams: Protect LSF, associated BVW, LUWW, and 200-ft Riverfront Area (not a buffer, technically its own resource area

   • DEP Wetlands Hydrologic Connections: Basically how wetlands "interact" with one another or with other resource areas. Flow could be via surface as a stream, or subsurface via groundwater.

   • DEP Wetlands Detailed with Outlines: This is the key layer to our operations! MassDEP does try to keep this layer up-to-date, but it is not always accurate. Even if your property may not have wetlands shown, they may still be there, and we may want to schedule a site visit to look at key characteristics, such as looking for wet depressions,  a quick soil investigation, or identifying key wetland plant species.

     • Wetland areas have an associated 100-ft Buffer Zone and a locally regulated 25-ft No Disturb Zone.

   • FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer Polygons: Areas identified by FEMA prone to flood. Work in these areas may require more intensive permitting and mitigation. Areas marked as regulatory floodway would have an associated 200-ft Riverfront Area.

   • Property Tax Parcels: This layer populates property boundaries and addresses. You can also find property owner information and the year the residence/building/facility/etc. was built, and more. 

4. Now I've got this stupid map, what do I do now?
   • At this point, if you are planning to do any work in your yard, to your driveway, patio, deck, etc., plant trees, shrubs, etc., install a fence, wall, garden, pool, chicken coop, septic system, addition, garage, shed, trampoline, playset, etc., use the "draw" tool. Mark out where you want to place the structure, and measure the distance (in feet) from the resource area (stream, wetland, bank, pond, river, etc.).
     • If the structure is within +/- 100 feet of the wetlands resource area, potential vernal pool, or certified vernal pool, call or email our office before going forward with your project
     • If the structure is within +/-200 feet of a perennial stream/river/regulatory floodway, call or email our office before going forward with your project
     • If you are unsure, call or email our office before going forward with your project. We can even come on site and try to get a better idea of where the wetland boundary actually is, and how close your project is to it.
     • If you are positive you know what you are doing, filed with us before, or filed with a Commission in a different town, call or email us before going forward with your project. We may be able to offer extra guidance on what permit is right for you, or give you insights to what the permitting timeline with Ashland looks like.