Tri Town Times - 06-16-2006

Protecting the Exeter River: Sandown Conservation Commission Recognized for Efforts
Jim Lockwood
Tri-Town Times
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EXETER - Even though the Exeter River is a vital water supply to those who live downstream, it is the responsibility of all the towns through which the river winds to take active steps to protect the water quality.

Recently, the town that lies at the river's headwaters took a course of action that increased the chances that the Exeter River will be protected - in perpetuity.

On Sunday, at the Exeter River Alewife Festival held on Swazey Parkway in Exeter, the Conservation Commission for the town of Sandown was recognized by the Exeter River Local Advisory Committee (ERLAC) for their actions to protect the river's water quality.

"It's like a teacher giving you a gold star," said Ed St. Pierre, a member of Sandown's Conservation Commission who also sits on the ERLAC. "Our little town at the headwaters of the river is doing its best to protect it."

Sandown's Conservation Commission has worked with the state Division of Environmental Services to expand easement property along the Exeter River. This was particularly the case after the River Bend and Hoyt sub-developments were built recently.

The River Bend project was approved before the Conservation Commission was actively involved in trying to preserve or set up easement property along the river, and the use of individual properties along the river was regulated by no cut zones - language inserted into the deeds by property owners or developers that prohibited altering the land in any way. For example, a no cut zone may prohibit the cutting of trees or putting up a shed on the property.

'We saw that as being a potential problem," said Matt Russell, a member of the Sandown Conservation Commission who also represents the town on the ERLAC. "Because it was private property there was no way to monitor it. What one individual sees as conservation property another could say, 'This is my land. I can do what I want.' (Conservation easements) eliminate that ambiguity."

Under the new plan, lands in a development that lie along the river are put under a conservation easement and deeded over in one piece to the town in perpetuity.

The Rockingham County Conservation Division (RCCD) acts as a third party steward and monitors the property. Then, they report back to the town.

"Everything is done in a way it could be protected forever," commented Russell.

When an easement is drawn up, all parties involved agree on its content and the RCCD and the town sign off on the easement.

The Sandown Conservation Commission was chosen for the award by the steering committee for the Alewife Festival.

"They've just become so reenergized and focused on looking at natural resources in the community," said Theresa Walker, who is a member of the Rockingham Planning Commission and works with the ERLAC. "What brought Sandown to the top was the amount of time so many people are spending to protect natural resources. They're fighting the good fight on a lot of levels."

Walker said the steering committee recognized the success rate Sandown's plan has enjoyed and the fact that they are raising awareness of protecting the land quality along the Exeter River.

The ERLAC consists of two representatives from each town through which the river flows. In addition to Sandown, the towns of Danville, Kingston, Fremont, Brentwood, Raymond, and Exeter have representation on the council.