IMPORTANT NEWS AND INFORMATION

INSECT PEST ALERTS

ICE SAFETY - PLEASE READ!

TICKS; LYME DISEASE - CDC INFO

Ice Thickness Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

NEW TRAIL MAPS & TRAIL GUIDE

CDC Tick Info Card

Guide to Foxborough Conservation Land

Signs, Symptoms and Lab Tests

FOXBOROUGH WETLANDS REGULATIONS

Treatment of Lyme Disease

*Bylaw Regulations

More Tick Information

ATTENTION ATV/OHV OWNERS!


EMERALD ASH BORERS (EAB)
 Important Information for ATV Owners  Emerald Ash Borer

Friends of Foxboro Conservation Facebook Page

EAB ID Guide

VERNAL POOL/RARE SPECIES NEWS

EAB Lookalikes

Online Vernal Pool Reporting System

EAB Signs and Symptoms

OTHER NEWS

REPORT AN INSECT INFESTATION

Mass Audubon's Monarch Butterfly Blog

ASIAN LONGHORN BEETLES (ALB)

Monarch Butterfly Mystery

Asian Long Horned Beetle

2012 PERMIT EXTENSION ACT

ALB Pocket Guide

Permit Extension Act FAQs

ALB Lookalikes

 

ALB Pest Alert


 

OPEN SPACE & RECREATION PLAN UPDATE - PLEASE READ

 

The Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee is pleased to announce that it is currently updating Foxborough's Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) and is, once again, seeking the public's valuable input.

Copies of the current (2011-2018) OSRP are available at the Boyden Library, the Conservation Department in Town Hall, and on the Conservation Commission's website at:

http://www.foxboroughma.gov/Pages/FoxboroughMA_Conservation/OSRP

The current OSRP was prepared in accordance with guidelines developed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Division of Conservation Services (DCS). The Plan contains a land use and demographic profile of the town; a summary of growth trends; an inventory and analysis of the town's natural, historic and scenic resources; an inventory of existing open space and recreation parcels; an analysis of open space and recreation needs; a statement of goals and objectives; and a seven-year action plan.

Overall, the OSRP affirms Foxborough residents' desire to preserve and protect the town's water resources, natural assets, history and cultural heritage, as well as provide environmental education and diverse recreational opportunities to the community.

As the Town continues to grow, developmental pressures and land use conflicts will undoubtedly increase, making the continuance of the Plan's strong open space management program of critical importance. Balancing development with the Town's diverse needs for conservation land, parks, playgrounds, outdoor sports facilities and multi-user access and land management can be especially difficult during financially challenging times.

After the OSRP Update has been drafted in accordance with residents' input, it will be posted on the Conservation Commission's website for public review; comments, suggestions and letters of support will be requested (please submit to the Commission at [email protected] or to 40 South Street, Foxborough, MA 02035). After receiving this additional input, the OSRP Update will be submitted to the DCS for their approval. Thank you in advance for your help!

 


 

 

FOXBOROUGH WETLANDS PROTECTION BYLAW REGULATIONS

 

The Foxborough Conservation Commission is pleased to announce that on April 11, 2016, they voted to approve the "final" version of the Foxborough Wetlands Protection Regulations. All wetland applications that are submitted after this date must comply with the April 11, 2016 version of the Regulations (downloadable above).

 


 

 

FRIENDS OF FOXBORO CONSERVATION

 

The Commission is very grateful for the support of the Friends of Foxboro Conservation, a 501(c)3 group that works with and supports the Commission in promoting passive and active recreation, protecting open space, fundraising and various other projects.

For additional information, please see their Facebook page.

 


 

 

VERNAL POOL & RARE SPECIES (VPRS) INFORMATION SYSTEM

 

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife recently announced the release of a new data submittal tool-the Vernal Pool & Rare Species Information System which provides data to the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP).

What is VPRS?The Vernal Pool & Rare Species Information System, or the VPRS System, is an online mapping and data submittal application that provides users with a way to submit rare species observation reports and vernal pool certification forms to NHESP electronically.

For more information:Please see NHESP's website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/masswildlifes-natural-heritage-endangered-species-program

 


 

 

NOTICE: USE OF TP-40 FOR STORMWATER & HYDROLOGICAL ANALYSIS

 

The NOAA 14 Extreme Precipitation Atlas was officially released on Sept 30, 2015, and specifically supersedes use of the 1960s vintage TP-40 atlas.

*Note that 2-100 year 24-hour events can change as much as 15% in Massachusetts.

 


 

 

THE PERMIT EXTENSION ACT - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

The 2012 Permit Extension Act's FAQs (see links above), downloaded from the Mass.Gov website, and two other articles (MassDEP and MACC) provide answers about the Permit Extension Act as it affects permits issued by state agencies.

 


 

 

EMERALD ASH BORER DETECTED IN MASSACHUSETTS

 

Officials with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) announced that the Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been detected in Massachusetts. The destructive beetle was detected in the western Massachusetts Town of Dalton on August 31, 2012, and was confirmed by federal officials on September 6. Massachusetts is the 18th state in the country to detect EAB. Residents are urged to take the time to learn the signs of EAB tree damage and be sure to report any sightings.

  • Look for tiny, D-shaped exit holes in the bark of ash trees, die-back in the upper third of the tree canopy, and sprouting of branches just below this dead area.
  • The Emerald ash borer is a tiny, emerald-green metallic beetle, so small that seven of them could fit on the head of a penny.

To report suspicious tree damage or insect sightings, or to learn more about this pest, visit www.massnrc.org/pests You can also call the toll free EAB hotline at 1-866-322-4512. For additional information, please refer to this site's downloadable guides (above).