Blair v. Department of Conservation & Recreation

The Watershed Management Act, G. L. c. 92Aih, §§ 1-20 (Act), is designed to protect certain water systems that are critical to the public water supply. The plaintiffs1 own lakefront property located within a 200-foot buffer zone created by the Act for land abutting particular sources of drinking water. Pursuant to G. L. c. 92Alh, § 5, alterations within that buffer zone are prohibited unless a variance is issued. The plaintiffs’ single-family home is located on the property. To increase the size of their lawn and double the extent of their existing sandy beach, the plaintiffs sought a…