Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission works to maintain or improve the quality of the air, soil, water, plants, animals, and other natural resources of Swanzey.

Members monitor and manage land conserved under the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP). Members review and provide comment to NH-DES on permit applications for work in wetlands, as well as review all new proposals and ongoing projects with respect to their effect on the environment.

Minutes

Conservation Commission minutes are posted on the Agenda and Minutes page and at Town Hall.

Members

Seven members and two alternates are appointed to three-year terms by the Board of Selectmen.  If you are interested in serving on the Conservation Commission, please complete an "Application for Town Committees, Commissions & Boards" and submit it to the Town Administrator.  If there is not a current vacancy,  your application will be held on file.

  • Cheri Domina, Chair (2029)
  • Bud Winsor, V. Chair (2029)
  • Robert Goodrich (2027)
  • Bonnie Hart (2027)
  • Mark Scalera (2028)
  • VACANT
  • Jay Ward - Selectmen Representative
  • Jane Johnson, Alternate
  • Nancy Karlson, Alternate (2029)
  • Roberta Visser, Alternate (2029)


Regular meetings

Meetings take place the first Monday of the month at 4:00 pm via Zoom and in person at Whitcomb Hall, 17 Main Street.

WETLAND CONSERVATION DISTRICT AMENDMENTS FOR 2026

In March 2026, you’ll have the opportunity to vote on a completely new and improved Wetland Conservation District ordinance, tailored for Swanzey, and including an accompanying conditional use permit system. Many NH towns use this system in tandem with their ordinances, allowing flexibility in permitting where it makes sense. It’s important that you read the ordinance before voting, as you’ll be able to approve the entire ordinance with one vote! Click HERE to read it, alongside a comparison to the current ordinance.

Annual Student Scholarship

Click here for details!

BARRY CAMP SCHOLARSHIP

Click here for details!

SWANZEY LAKE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT

FB Environmental presented their Swanzey Lake Watershed-Based Management Plan at the Swanzey Lake Protective Association's annual meeting on July 20, 2024.

Contact the Swanzey Lake Protective Association for more information on the Swanzey Lake plan work group now meeting regularly.

REVIEW OF NATURAL RESOURCE ORDINANCES

Wetlands, groundwater, and floodplains emerged as significant topics when Moosewood Ecological, LLC, completed a review of the Town’s natural resource ordinances and regulations in 2024. Moosewood’s findings will help us target further updates to our ordinances and regulations in coming years to better protect Swanzey’s natural resources.

Review of Land Use Planning Documents, Swanzey, NH, Nov. 2024

WETLANDS EVALUATION
Moosewood Ecological spent the summer and fall of 2024 studying Swanzey’s swamps, marshes, vernal pools, and wooded wetlands, and identified the most significant wetlands in Town for functions like flood control and groundwater recharge, as well as wildlife habitat. 

Comparative Wetlands Evaluation SUMMARY, Swanzey, NH, Nov. 2024

The Conservation Commission is now working with the Planning Board to update our Wetland Conservation District ordinance and better protect our Town’s wetlands and all they do for us. Keep an eye out in 2024/2025 for public hearings and potential warrant items.