The City of Manchester created the Manchester Conservation Commission (MCC) in 1989 to help maintain a balance between our natural resources and the increasing pressure of development. MCC acts as stewards of Manchester’s natural resources by:
Advising the NH Department of Environmental Services’ Wetlands Bureau on local permit applications and enforcement issues;
Conducting field investigations of applications for permits for work in wetlands;
Assisting Manchester city departments, boards, and committees with environmental planning;
Helping interested landowners identify the best protection strategies to preserve their land in it’s natural state;
Coordinating research activities with other organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and the New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau;
Providing support for other citywide environmental initiatives such as environmental education, streambank stabilization, and land preservation.
The Manchester Conservation Commission is a seven member volunteer advisory board established by local ordinance (Article XIV) in March of 1989. All members are appointed by the Board of Mayor & Alderman and serve three-year terms.
To contact a member of the Commission call 624-6455 or write in care of the City Clerk’s Office, 1 City Hall Plaza, Manchester NH 03101
The Commission meets the first and the third Thursday of each month at 6:00pm at the City Hall Third Floor Conference Room.
Meeting Minutes:
June 3, 2010
August 5, 2010
As Manchester pushes forth in a growing, thriving and changing New England, it is important to identify those things that make living here unique, enjoyable and rewarding. Our environment is one of those features that pervade everyday life in New England. It is one of the most compelling reasons for people to relocate here.
Due to a number of factors, environmental issues have received more attention recently in Manchester. Where possible, conservation of Manchester's natural resources should be a key consideration in development and land use decisions. It is by recognizing the influences that the natural environment have over land uses that we understand the meaning of wise use.
Based on input from the Manchester Conservation Commission, the Natural Resources Coordinator created a broad list that outlines some environmental issues that warrant attention to preserve quality of life for those that live and work here. Most of these issues are requiring some background work to determine current status. Once this background information is gathered or generated, a more specific, comprehensive conservation plan can be developed.
Now more than ever, our natural resources play an important role in the way we lead our lives. Over-exploitation of resources, alternative technologies, world politics and a myriad of other factors play into the complicated web that results in our relationship with nature and its essential products.
Industrial and commercial development are at all-time highs in the City, thus it stands poised for future greatness as a destination city. A balanced approach is the key to success and high quality of life.
Ongoing Projects
Wildlife Corridor Identification
Completed first phase of monitoring to document wildlife species occurrence in the Hackett Hill area (View Report)
Information on presence/absence of predators
Collaborative effort with Amoskeag Fishways
Illegal Dumping
Completed preliminary inventory of dump sites city-wide
Researching other communities' dumping reduction programs
Compiling report that identifies and describes sites on the ground, in terms of material, amount, location characteristics
Developing parts of reduction plan (current ordinances & enforcement, identify ongoing efforts, identify needs, etc.) for inclusion in report
Hosted volunteer cleanups at four sites around Manchester during October (collected 34 bags of litter, removed approximately 350 pounds of trash from environment, logged 30 volunteer hours)
Invasive Species
Working to reduce amount of invasive plant colonization to promote increased biodiversity
Treated phragmites stands with herbicide at the City Beach and around Crystal Lake during the past two years, working toward phragmites eradication
Land Conservation
Consulting with Hillsborough County Forester, and other land conservation experts about issues associated with town forest designation and conservation easement establishment for key natural areas in Manchester
Researching other towns approaches to town forest designation
Identified 23 city owned parcels of prime bald eagle habitat for conservation easement establishment, with assistance from the NH Fish & Game Department
Shoreland Protection Zone
Conducting analysis on protection status of the City’s water resources to analyze the need for new municipal regulations relative to shoreland protection
Researching other towns municipal shoreland ordinances and protection zones
Creating new maps to show current protection status of City waterways based on current ordinances and the NH Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act