Milford Conservation Plan 2005: Chap.1

This Conservation Plan was prepared by the Milford Conservation Commission, which was established by the Town of Milford in 1968 under the authority of New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated (RSA) Chapter 36-A.

RSA 36-A:2 Conservation Commission
A ... town which accepts the provisions of this chapter may establish a conservation commission, ... , for the proper utilization and protection of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of said .. town. Such commission shall conduct researches into its local land and water areas and seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its work. It shall keep an index of all open space and natural, aesthetic or ecological areas within the ... town, …. , with the plan of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization of such areas, including land owned by the State or lands owned by the town. It shall keep an index of all marshlands, swamps and all other wetlands in a like manner, and may recommend to the,..., selectmen or to the Department of Resources and Economic Development a program for protection, development or better utilization of all such areas. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report which shall be printed in the annual town,..., report. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees or subcommittees as it may from time to time require.

Mission Statement: The Milford Conservation Commission works to encourage the sound management of Milford's natural resources for current and future generations. (1/12/2006)

Vision Statement: The Commission seeks to balance the community's immediate needs and desires with responsible long-term use and protection of our natural resources. We believe that the natural environment is essential to the well being of the community. We respect the lives and rights of all living things, which include the right of landowners to coexist with our natural surroundings. As appointed stewards, we educate and encourage the public to make wise decisions about resources. (1/12/2006)

A. PURPOSE AND CONTENT

The purpose of the Conservation Plan is to promote the conservation, protection, and sound management of Milford's natural and historic resources.

The first chapter of the Plan establishes general goals, each of which is followed by specific objectives.

The second chapter discusses the value of each type of natural and historic resource. It then lists these resources in Milford, along with potential threats to and ways of protecting each resource.

The third chapter identifies major State and Federal regulations that are relevant to natural resource conservation and techniques commonly used at the local level to protect natural and historic resources. The section includes a summary of the tools and techniques generally applicable to conservation of each type of resource, and describes funding programs at local, state and federal levels.

The fourth chapter of the Plan contains priorities for conservation management based on an analysis of goals, resources, and techniques described in the previous sections. The chapter identifies general principles for determining priorities and lists specific recommendations for action. The recommendations are grouped by type of activity. The chapter concludes with management recommendations for specific properties in Milford.

It should be remembered that the Conservation Plan is not a final statement. The document establishes goals, policies and recommendations that are considered desirable and feasible by the Conservation Commission. The Plan, as a whole, should be updated at least every five years to incorporate changes in local conditions and values as well as changes in federal and state legislation regarding conservation issues. In addition, the Conservation Commission should review the implementation strategy annually to assess the effectiveness of measures taken during the year, revise strategies if necessary, and develop priorities for the coming year.

B. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Protect and preserve sensitive water resources of the Town.
1. Maintain and improve sensitive environmental areas.
2. Use indicators of natural development suitability such as soil potential rating, slope, and drainage characteristics in guiding land development.
3. Avoid harmful development in aquifer recharge areas and in watersheds of public water supplies.
4. Use development controls that minimize adverse impact on health and environment due to flooding.
5. Promote protection of wetlands to provide wildlife habitat, natural flood protection and water supply protection.
6. Perform site-inspections for all wetland dredge and fill applications.
7. Promote recycling of household and industrial waste to reduce the burden of waste disposal on water systems and landfills.
Conserve and productively manage forest and conservation lands.
1. Maintain the vast majority of the property as open space for forestry, wildlife, recreation, and educational purposes.
2. Allow for the development of additional recreational opportunities located in environmentally appropriate areas, as they are needed.
3. Encourage environmentally sound, long-term, multiple use forest management practices which over time will upgrade the quality and health of the timber resource, improve access for recreational and educational opportunities, as well as protect and improve wildlife habitat.
Preserve and protect prime agricultural lands.
1. Obtain easements or development rights on land in active agricultural use.
2. Purchase or obtain development rights for other lands suitable for farming.
3. Preserve agricultural land in units large enough to be economically viable.
4. Encourage agricultural use of land by promoting local marketing of farm products.
5. Maintain a land acquisition fund for purchasing full or less than full interests in significant conservation land as they become available.
Maintain and improve significant fish and wildlife habitats.
1. Protect habitats for threatened and endangered species.
2. Maintain and improve areas providing habitat for diverse species of plants and animals.
3. Investigate suspected incidents of illegal hunting or trapping on town owned lands.
Protect and preserve the Town's visual resources.
1. Encourage the preservation and rehabilitation of historically significant structures.
2. Encourage preservation of the aesthetic and historic characteristics of the Town center.
3. Promote protection of important scenic views. (viewsheds)
4. Promote efforts to increase the aesthetic appeal of main commercial corridors to minimize negative impacts of development.
Provide adequate facilities to meet the town's needs for passive and active recreation and to meet needs for conservation education.
1. Acquire, where feasible, important natural areas for recreation and conservation purposes.
2. Acquire development rights or public access rights to land adjacent to public water bodies.
3. Increase public awareness of and access to natural areas containing trails or other recreational opportunities.
Promote public awareness about the town's natural and historic resources, the Conservation Plan, and the importance of sound resource management.
1. Distribute a summary of the Conservation Plan to government officials and other interested persons. Make copies of the Plan available at libraries and schools.
2. Hold public meetings to discuss priorities for resource management.
3. Use the news media to publicize Conservation Commission activities, the natural resources inventory, and recommendations for resource management.
4. Encourage the Planning Board to update the Town's Master Plan to include goals and recommendations of the Conservation Plan and to adopt measures consistent with the Conservation Plan.

Conservation Plan
Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4