Tamworth Conservation Commission

Tamworth adopted a revised Wetlands Conservation District Ordinance at Town Meeting in 1991.  It is administered by the Planning Board, with consultation by the Conservation Commission.  Below is a summary.  Please refer to the full Ordinance for details; it can be downloaded, below.

The Ordinance designates permitted activities in wetlands, such as

• construction or maintenance of single-family dwellings, garages, and driveways (but excluding septic systems) on previous lots of record as of March 12, 1991; and
• the following, as long as no structures or buildings are required and the natural land surface configuration is not changed:
  
• forestry
• cultivating crops and grazing,
• wildlife refuges
• parks and recreational uses
• conservation areas and nature trails
• open spaces.

The Ordinance also allows the Planning Board, in consultation with the Conservation Commission, to grant Special Use Permits for:

• streets, roads, and other access ways, utility right-of-way easements - as long as they are constructed to minimize any detrimental impacts;
• water impoundments for the purposes of creating a waterbody for wildlife, on-site detention of surface runoff, fire protection, and recreational uses; and
• other uses not otherwise permitted by the Ordinance, if it can be shown that such proposed use is not in conflict with any and all of the purposes and intentions of the Ordinance.

The Ordinance also prohibits work within 25 feet of any wetland, unless a waiver is obtained from the Planning Board.

The Commission is supporting a voluntary program of identifying and monitoring vernal pools on public lands and private lands where landowner permission has been obtained.  This effort began in April 2010 with leadership from the Great Hill Ecology Center with support from Green Mountain Conservation Group.  Volunteer pool monitors are needed.  For more info:  info@tamworthconservationcommission.org.