In March of 2004, in acknowledgment of Wilmot’s rapid growth and the Town’s desire to maintain its rural character, the Town of Wilmot voted to establish the Conservation Commission under the provisions of NH State RSA 36-A “for the proper utilization and protection of the natural resources” of Wilmot. The volunteers on the Conservation Commission are committed to giving thoughtful attention to both short-term and long-term conservation goals as the Town grows and develops. RSA 36-A requires that a Conservation Commission:

• Conduct researches into its local land and water areas
• Seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes (Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, Forest Society, etc.)
• Keep a Natural Resources Index of all open space and natural areas, including marshlands, swamps, and all other wetlands, within the town
• Keep an accurate record of meetings and actions and file an annual report.

Additional duties the Conservation Commission may perform are:

• Prepare and distribute the results of research and conduct public workshops for the education of the citizens
• Recommend a Conservation Plan for the protection, development, or better utilization of areas in the Natural Resources Index
• Cooperate with other Town boards and residents on conservation-related matters
• Facilitate the completion of large impact dredge and fill applications (RSA 482-A)
• Prepare a report and maps for designation of local prime wetlands (RSA 482-A: 15)

Conservation Commission Reports and Maps can be found on another website.

State law (RSA 36-A): what a “concomm” does

Section 36-A:2 Conservation Commission. – A city or town which accepts the provisions of this chapter may establish a conservation commission, hereinafter called the commission, for the proper utilization and protection of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of said city or town. Such commission shall conduct researches into its local land and water areas and shall 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 city or town, as the case may be, with the plan of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization of such areas, including lands owned by the state or lands owned by a town or city. It shall keep an index of all marshlands, swamps and all other wet lands in a like manner, and may recommend to the city council or selectmen or to the department of natural and cultural resources a program for the 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 or municipal report. The commission may appoint such clerks and other employees or subcommittees as it may from time to time require.

Source. 1963, 168:1. 1973, 550:1, eff. Sept. 3, 1973. 2017, 156:14, I, eff. July 1, 2017.

Protected Public Water Bodies in Wilmot

These are subject to regulation by the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA). Stream order begins at the head and increases downstream. That is, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order streams are considered headwater streams and not protected under the CSPA.

*Often referred to as the Blackwater River on survey maps. According to USGS, the river begins at the juncture of Cascade and Frazier brooks in Andover.

**Southern branch of Cascade Brook, crosses under Rt. 11 near the town offices. Labeled as Cascade Brook on 1956 USGS topo map.

Helpful Links

Best Management Practices for the Control of Invasive and Noxious Plant Species

Wetlands Best Management Practice Techniques for Avoidance and Minimization

Wilmot Bioblitz