SECTION 1.Section 8C of chapter 40 of the Massachusetts General Law as appearing in the 2012 official edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the second paragraph the following paragraph:-

A Conservation Commission may administer and enforce a local wetlands ordinance or by-law that is adopted by a municipality, only to the extent that it imposes standards or other requirements that are more stringent than or otherwise exceed those set forth in Wetlands Protection Act (G.L. Ch. 131 § 40) and regulations (310 CMR 10.00) thereunder, and only if, prior to adoption by a municipality, the Department of Environmental Protection shall review and approve any such proposed local wetlands ordinance or by-law based upon findings that the proposed ordinance or by-law has a generally recognized scientific basis, is a recommended best practice technique, is necessary to protect unusual local resources that warrant special or enhanced protection, and does not conflict with the Wetlands Protection Act (G.L. Ch. 131 § 40) and regulations (310 CMR 10.00) thereunder.  An appeal of a decision made under a local wetlands ordinance or by-law shall be made to the Department of Environmental Protection in accordance with the Wetlands Protection Act (G.L. Ch. 131 § 40) and regulations (310 CMR 10.00) thereunder.