[Adopted 4-22-2003 by Ord. No. O-03-152 (Secs. 15-37 to 15-41 of the 1987 Code)]
It is the purpose and intent of this article
to provide for the implementation of the following goals and objectives
adopted in the Nashua Master Plan 2000:
A. Protect the ecosystems, wildlife habitat, and wetlands
of Nashua from degradation, and link these areas, whenever possible,
by wildlife corridors. This can be done through regulation or acquisition.
(1) Preserve views along scenic roadways and into identified
scenic areas.
(2) Strive to preserve the remaining active agriculture
and forest lands in the City.
(3) Provide more areas for passive recreation and enjoyment
of the outdoors.
(4) Preservation areas to provide relief from the build
environment. As the City nears build-out, conservation land will help
retain Nashua's scenic character that was so evident 20 years ago,
but is now becoming more and more scarce.
(5) Preserve the quality and quantity of the City's drinking
water supply.
A. The following lands are hereby designated conservation
lands of the City of Nashua:
(2) The Southwest Conservation Area.
[Added 5-28-2019 by Ord. No. O-19-042]
(3) Joyce
Park Wildlife Sanctuary.
[Added 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. O-23-052]
B. Any appropriate mappings or descriptions of such lands
are incorporated by reference.
C. Additional conservation areas shall be designated
by amendment to this section.
A. The Nashua Conservation Commission shall have the
authority to adopt stewardship plans for conservation lands of the
City in a manner consistent with the provisions, purpose, and intent
of this article.
B. Such stewardship plans may:
(1) Fix times. Fix the times when the conservation lands
shall be open to public use, whenever such restrictions are necessary
to protect the public or the lands.
(2) Restrict use. Restrict the use of open space lands,
or parts thereof, for any use which may be determined by the Conservation
Commission to be detrimental to forest or conservation land management.
(3) Layout of uses. Layout proper open space land uses
in accordance with the open space plan and other management studies
dealing with these designated conservation lands.
C. The Conservation Commission shall establish through
stewardship plans guidelines for any necessary permits for uses allowed
by this article. Permits shall be issued through the Community Development
Division. Any permit issued shall be followed with strict accordance
with the written terms and conditions thereon. Any violation of any
law or ordinance, rule or regulation shall constitute grounds for
revocation of the permit. In the case of revocation, monies paid shall
be forfeited and the violator shall be liable for all damages including
prosecution under the applicable legal jurisdiction.
A. The Conservation Commission shall adopt a base stewardship
plan for the care of conservation lands which shall be consistent
with the provisions and the purpose and intent of this article. This
plan shall include written findings relating the allowed and prohibited
uses and other regulations to the protection of the resources.
[Amended 2-26-2008 by Ord. No. O-08-07]
B. Upon designation of an area as a conservation area,
the base stewardship plan shall become effective with regard to the
new conservation area.
C. The Conservation Commission may adopt specific stewardship
plans for specific conservation land areas, consistent with the provisions,
purpose, and intent of this article.
It shall be unlawful for any person in any conservation
land to:
A. Solicit money, subscription, alms, or contributions
for any purpose.
B. Advertise in any manner whatsoever for any reason
whatsoever.
C. Exhibit, sell, offer, or solicit for sale, hire, lease,
or rent any object, service, goods, or merchandise without a special
permit under such terms as the Commission may allow.
D. Hold, conduct or address any public assemblage, meeting
or gathering or take part in any public debate or discussion without
first having obtained a written permit from the Commission.
E. Give any entertainment or exhibition except under
the direction, or by permission, of the Commission.
F. Remain, stay or loiter on conservation land between
10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except under the direction, or by permission,
of the Commission.
G. Throw, leave or discard any trash, rubbish or garbage.
H. Use, consume, carry or bring any alcoholic beverage.
I. Make or kindle an open fire except with written permission
from the Commission.
J. Deface, destroy or remove any sign, bench, fence,
or other structure, or any living plant material existing on conservation
open space lands except for forest management practices specifically
authorized by the Commission.
K. Remove or have in his possession any animal's nest
or remove the young or eggs of an animal or injure, kill, disturb
or destroy any animal except during a hunting or trapping season and
while legally hunting or trapping in a manner allowed and prescribed
by the Commission.
L. Deposit, drop or leave any debris, refuse or other
litter of any kind except in such receptacles as may be provided for
this purpose.
M. Ride a horse on, or bring into or possess a horse
on any conservation land that is posted prohibiting such use.
N. Operate or bring onto any conservation, except in
areas designated by the Commission, any motorized vehicle including
but not limited to automobile, truck, motorized trail bike, snowmobile,
or other off-highway recreational vehicle, with the exception that
any "electric personal assistive mobility device" or "EPAMD" as defined
in RSA 269:1 shall be exempt from this prohibition when operated on
a paved pedestrian walkway in accordance with applicable law. Vehicles
authorized by the City shall be exempt from this provision.
O. Remain upon any conservation open space lands for
the purpose of overnight camping.