Response Card

Wetlands

Call firstUSACE — Issues the federal Section 404 permit to fill wetlands.

AlsoState Environmental Agency

NOT usually responsibleCode Enforcement · Planning Department

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/wetlands

Response Card

Trees

Call firstCode Enforcement — Enforces local tree-protection ordinances.

AlsoPublic Works

NOT usually responsibleEPA · State Wildlife Agency

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/trees

Response Card

Noise

Call firstCode Enforcement — Local noise ordinances are enforced here.

AlsoPlanning Department

NOT usually responsibleEPA · USFWS

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/noise

Response Card

Easements

AlsoPlanning Department

NOT usually responsibleCode Enforcement

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/easements

Response Card

Zoning

Call firstPlanning Department

AlsoZoning Board (Board of Adjustment)

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/zoning

Response Card

Rezoning

Call firstPlanning Department

AlsoCity Council

NOT usually responsibleZoning Board (Board of Adjustment)

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/rezoning

Response Card

Stormwater

Call firstPublic Works

AlsoState Environmental Agency

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/stormwater

Response Card

Flooding

Call firstPublic Works — Local drainage and floodplain management.

AlsoUSACE

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/flooding

Response Card

Construction

Call firstCode Enforcement — Unpermitted or violating work.

AlsoPlanning Department

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/construction

Response Card

Wildlife

Call firstState Wildlife Agency — Most wildlife is state-managed.

AlsoUSFWS

NOT usually responsibleEPA

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond/wildlife

Pocket reference

Hearing Verbs

What the chair says — and what it actually means for you. Read once. Hear them right under pressure.

• Continued — The hearing is not finished and will resume on a new date.

• Tabled — Set aside for now without a scheduled return.

• Deferred — Postponed, usually at the applicant's request.

• Approved — The board granted the application as filed.

beforetheybuild.com/handbooks/public-hearing · See §4 — Hearing Verbs.

Field card

Environmental Questions

Four families of questions that get specific, on-the-record answers. Ask them at the hearing, in writing, or in a meeting with staff.

• Water — peak discharge & receiving water

• Wetlands — JD on file? mitigation plan?

• Wildlife — listed species? Section 7?

• Noise — decibel limit & hours of operation

beforetheybuild.com/resources/environment · Full questions live in each environmental article.

One-page checklist

Agency Call Preparation

A ten-minute call goes farther than a thirty-minute call when you have these in front of you. Fill in the blanks before you dial.

• Address / parcel / case # in front of me

• Three specific questions written down

• Pen + notebook open · ask names + dates

• Ask: 'What's the next step on your end?'

beforetheybuild.com/resources/respond · One call · One record · One next step.