Why is it important to evaluate the impact of every project within these resource areas?

People sometimes think that one backyard project within a resource area won’t make a difference, and should be ignored. However, many backyards are within resource areas, and the effects of many small projects add up. In a sense, wetland violations are like littering. The impact of only one person littering is very small, but the cumulative impact of many people littering can be enormous. Likewise, the cumulative impact of many small wetland violations can be enormous. Like the no littering laws, wetland protection laws and bylaws must apply to everyone. That is only fair, and it ensures that the cumulative impact will be minimized.

It’s also important to understand that most wetlands are connected to other wetlands, either directly or through groundwater. This means that activities which impact wetlands within one property can impact people living elsewhere.