The Commission works to conserve land in the watershed for the purpose of source water supply protection. Limiting development in the watershed, either through acquisition of Conservation Restrictions or purchase in-fee, helps protect the watershed forest and limit contamination of drinking water reservoirs.
The Commission values conservation of property throughout the watershed. However, property with certain characteristics has the potential to more directly impact source waters, such as property:
- Within 400 feet of a reservoir or 200 feet of a tributary to a reservoir (DEP Surface Water Protection Zone A)
- Within 1.2 miles of a reservoir (DEP Surface Water Protection Zone B)
- Containing wetlands or streams
- With a 15% or greater average slope
- Abuts existing Commission property or other conserved open space
Conservation Restrictions (CRs) are voluntary deed restrictions which prevent development on a property to protect its natural resources, while allowing low-impact land use. CRs support source water protection by minimizing the risk of pollution from developed properties and ensuring that natural resource conservation is considered when landowners manage their land.
A Commission land steward inspects and manages CR property.
The Commission holds CRs on 1,549 acres of property in the Little River Watershed. These agreements between the Commission and landowners are put in place to protect specific conservation values and limit development on critical parcels. Landowners are responsible for managing their land according to the CR, and the Commission works with the landowner to monitor and manage their property according to the conservation values.