The Easton Conservation Commission meets on the 1st Wednesday of every month at 5:30 P.M. at the Easton Town Hall, 1060 Easton Valley Road, Easton, NH.
The Town of Easton Conservation Commission was established for the proper utilization and protection of the natural resources and for the protection of watershed resources of the town of Easton, New Hampshire.
The commission’s role, as directed by NH RSA CHAPTER 36-A: CONSERVATION COMMISSIONS is to:
- Conduct studies into the community’s land and water areas
- Seek to coordinate the activity of unofficial committees or projects organized for similar purposes
- Keep an index of all open space and natural, aesthetic, or ecological areas (including all marshlands, swamps, and other wetlands)
- Keep accurate records of meetings and actions
As authorized by NH RSA CHAPTER 36-A: CONSERVATION COMMISSIONS the commission may also:
- Recommend programs for the protection, development, or better utilization of all areas in Easton’s Conservation Index
- Receive and manage gifts of money and property, both real and personal, in the name of Easton, New Hampshire (subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen)
- Advertise, prepare, print, and distribute books, maps, charts, plans, and pamphlets to inform the community of its work
MINUTES
Historical Informational Documents
WMNF, Town of Easton, and Northern Pass Northern Pass Addendum Ham-Branch River Nomination Application
Maps
Conservation Lands Map Aquifer Map Waterbodies/Wetlands Map Ridgeline Map Steep Slope Map
Documents
Conservation Commission Guidelines
The American Chestnut – Castanea dentata
Princeton Elm – Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’
Informative Website Links
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service – White Mountain National Forest
New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions (NHACC)
The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) Vermont/New Hampshire Chapter
Native Plant Trust formerly the New England Wild Flower Society
- Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF or Forest Society) – Protecting Your Land: Conservation Easement Options for New Hampshire Landowners
- SPNHF – Conservation Easement Stewardship: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Organizations Supporting Landowner Conservation
- Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (ACT)
- Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (SPNHF or Forest Society)
- Land Trust Alliance (LTA)
- New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives (NHOSI) – Conservation Land Stewardship Program
- NH Land Trust Coalition
WETLANDS IN EASTON
Wetlands are a valuable natural resource protected by the town of Easton and the State of New Hampshire, as well as the US Federal Government. In all wetlands jurisdictions,
the more restrictive regulations apply.
It is the responsibility of each Easton landowner to know that the permitted uses of
wetlands are limited and that no structures can be erected or constructed on wetlands.
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) – Wetlands Fact Sheets
Identifying Wetlands
The Grafton County Soil Survey and Easton Natural Resources Maps are available at
the Easton Town Hall for identifying the potential presence of wetlands. Wetlands/upland
boundaries can be delineated by a certified soils scientist.
RECOGNIZING WETLANDS – US Army Corps of Engineers Publication
Permitted Uses of Wetlands
Approved wetlands uses are listed in the Easton Zoning Ordinances, Section 604
WETLANDS CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT. For specific wetlands uses (i.e. driveways that cross wetlands), NH Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) permits, as well as zoning variances, are required.
Additional Wetlands Information and Permits
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Wetlands Bureau
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program
October 2, 2019
The Cooley Jericho Hills dominate the western views as one travels along the Easton Valley (NH RT 116).
They are part of the Cooley-Jericho Community Forest, an 840 acre parcel of woodlands in Easton.
The CJCF was formed in a unique partnership between ACT (Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust), Easton and the adjacent towns of Sugar Hill, Landaff and Franconia. Although the land is solely in Easton, all the communities came together to raise funds to protect this land. It is truly a community resource.
ACT works with the towns and its advisors to promote multiple use management of the tract. They include; recreation, education, forestry and wildlife. Hiking and Mountain Bike Trails have been constructed in partnership with AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club), and volunteers. The land is utilized as an outdoor classroom for area schools. Currently, a partnership is being formed with the Backcountry ski association, to develop several glade skiing trails. The tract is home to a wide variety of native wildlife; moose, deer, bear, grouse, turkey and coyote can all be found here.
The properties trails can be accessed from the Trumpet Round Road, off the Dyke road in Sugar Hill, the Merrill Mt. road in Landaff and from the Jericho Trail (WMNF) on NH 116 in Easton. (Specific trail maps and directions can be found on the ACT website – Ammonoosuc Conservation Trust (act-nh.org)
- Scenic and Cultural Byways Program / NH Department of Transportation
- Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques Handbook / Planning Division / NH Office of Strategic Initiatives
- Stormwater / NH Department of Environmental Services
- Buffers for Wetlands and Surface Waters: A Guidebook for NH Municipalities & NH Office of Strategic Initiatives Water Resource Links
- Wildlife Action Plan / Wildlife / NH Fish and Game Department
The Town of Easton, NH 