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Conservation Commission

Contact:

Rod Cameron – Land Use Technician

Email: LUTech@belmontnh.gov

Send Email
Address:

PO Box 310
143 Main Street
Belmont, NH 03220-0310

Directions
Zoom Instructions
Remote access to Conservation Commission meetings via Zoom

Participate by phone by calling: 1-929-205-6099

Meeting ID: 817 9674 7113

Passcode: 228822

Participate by computer over Zoom by going to:

Join Zoom Meeting
Phone:

(603) 267-8300 x 125

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm 

Board Members

Pauline Tessier
Chair
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2026
Denise Naiva
Vice Chair
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2028
Sharon Ciampi
Ex Officio
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2026
Ed Stephenson
Board Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2027
Emerson Decato
Student (2025)
Appointed
Term Expiration: 3 Years
Jane Jordan
Board Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2026
Tabatha Lord
Alternate Board Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2028
Thomas Ceniglio
Board Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2028
Tyson Morrill
Board Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 2027
Vacancy (2027)
Alternate Board Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 3 Years
Vacancy (2028)
Alternate Board Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 3 Years
Vacancy (Student)
Student Member
Appointed
Term Expiration: 3 Years

The Commission consists of seven members and three alternates appointed by the Board of Selectmen for three-year terms. . The Commission encourages anyone interested in conservation to consider applying for vacancies (See: Links) on the board. Two student memberships (non-voting) are open to Belmont High School students with an interest in conservation  A membership application (See: Documents) is available. No prior experience is necessary.

Mission

The Conservation Commission was established by the voters of the Town of Belmont on March 18, 1967, in accordance with the provisions of NH RSA Chapter 36-A (See: Links) for the proper utilization and protection of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of the Town. Natural resources include the air, land, surface and ground waters, fish, wildlife, plants, wetlands, soils, minerals, and scenic quality. Rules of Administrative Procedure have been adopted to guide the Commission process.

Services

  • Consult with property owners regarding methods and values of preserving land.
  • Consult with property owners regarding the wetland’s application process and best management practices regarding development or construction projects.
  • Consult with the NH Department of Environmental Services regarding wetlands issues within the Town of Belmont.

Functions

  • Conduct research (studies) into local land and water areas and seek to coordinate the activities of unofficial town bodies organized for similar purposes.
  • Keep an index (inventory) of all open space and natural, aesthetic or ecological areas, with the plan of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization of such areas, including lands owned by the State or lands owned by the Town.
  • Keep accurate records of its meetings and actions and shall file an annual report, which shall be printed, in the annual Town Report.
  • Advise the Selectmen, Planning Board and other local boards on all conservation matters.
  • Inter-community conservation and preservation efforts
  • Receive gifts of money and property, both real and personal, in the name of the town, subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, such gifts to be managed and controlled by the Commission for the purposes set forth.
  • Acquire, in the name of the town and subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen, by gift, purchase or otherwise the fee in such land or water rights, or any lesser interest as may be necessary to conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas within the town, and manage and control the same, but the commission shall not have the right to condemn property for these purposes.
  • Manage all natural resources on all town-owned conservation areas. By action of the voters at the March 12, 1994, town meeting the Commission is specifically charged with the management of the Town Forest. (See: Links)
  • Advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets necessary for the Commission’s work.
  • Review all Dredge and Fill applications submitted to the Wetlands Bureau in accordance with applicable Rules and, if necessary, request to intervene in the Bureau’s review of said project in accordance with RSA 482-A:11. (See: Links)
  • Review all earth excavation and other applications submitted to the Planning Board for approval.
  • Appoint such clerks and sub-committees as it may from time to time require.

Upcoming Meeting

There are currently no upcoming meetings scheduled.

Documents

Links

Mitigate Human-Bear Conflicts

USDA Wildlife Services works closely with the NH Fish and Game Department to mitigate human-bear conflicts throughout the state. They are reaching out to towns in NH in the hopes that they can get some information about black bears and mitigating bear concerns on town websites and Facebook pages

Prime black bear habitat includes deciduous forests (oaks, maple, beech etc.), wetlands, and riparian (along rivers) zones. The natural areas surrounding your town provide very good habitat for black bears. Many human-bear conflicts arise when bears frequent properties to access food attractants that are found around homes. The most common attractants are birdfeeders, unsecured garbage, and compost piles which include food scraps. Livestock, such as chickens and pigs, can also attract bears when not properly protected. Electric fencing is the most effective way to protect livestock. In most cases removing the attractant the bear(s) are utilizing eliminates the bear problem. It is also helpful to harass bears with noise, such as banging pots and pans, or using compressed air horns to scare them away. Read their Report ‘Human Bear Conflicts Report’ (See: Documents) for links to relevant sites.

Climate Change in New Hampshire

Connecting the Dots

New Hampshire’s climate has already changed and will continue to change over the next several decades. Communities in our state have experienced losses and damages from extreme weather events. Many communities have already begun to adapt to these changing climatic conditions and we all need to continue to do so to ensure that the current and future impacts of climate change do not significantly impact the health of our residents, the strength of our economy, and the character of our natural environment. Adaptation actions need to be evaluated and implemented as necessary. Remember that actions can be implemented in a phased approach; addressing the most vulnerable areas first and planning for future needs.

Logging

Are You Considering Logging Your Land in Belmont? The Belmont Conservation Commission reminds owners of forest land that your timber is a valuable asset. Be wary of unsolicited offers to log your land or buy timber. Before you have your property logged, review the recommendations. (See: Documents)

Be sure your logger will be using the Best Management Practices found in the handbook, Good Forestry in the Granite State (See: Documents) by the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development, Division of Forests and Lands and UNH Cooperative Extension.

Protect your land and maximize your harvest value.

Well Water Testing

NH DES Recommends Testing Private Water Wells
Have You Tested Your Drinking Water?

Hundreds of cases of cancer of the lung, bladder, or skin could be avoided in New Hampshire by convincing private well users to test and treat their water to remove naturally occurring arsenic, according to a report prepared by Dartmouth College for the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NHDHHS).  The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering, Geisel School of Medicine, and Superfund Research Program. Funding for the study came from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information about the study, please contact Paul Susca, NHDES at (603) 271-7061 or Mark Borsuk, Dartmouth at (603) 646-9944.

NHDES Commissioner Thomas Burack noted, “It has been clear for a number of years that drinking water from untested, untreated private wells is a significant public health issue in New Hampshire, where nearly half of the population uses private wells, and about one in five of those wells have unhealthy levels of arsenic.  Radon is even more prevalent than arsenic, and there are other contaminants of concern as well.  NHDES urges all private well users to have their water tested, consult water treatment professionals, and then install and operate appropriate treatment systems.” Read ‘Suggested Water Quality Testing for Private Wells’ (See: Documents)  for more information on testing.

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