ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

Conservation Department

Helpful Information:

• Conservation Commission Offices
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Haverhill Trails Committee
• Design stipulations for small-scale residential docks
• Informational articles on wetlands education in Massachusetts
• For emergencies on weekends or after 6:00 p.m., call the Haverhill Police Department at 978-373-1212

Mission Statement:

The Haverhill Conservation Department is a division of the City's Office of Economic Development and Planning. The Department is the home of the Haverhill Conservation Commission and a diverse staff with multiple areas of expertise. The Staff at the Haverhill Conservation Department is here to serve the needs and provide services to the Haverhill Community on a variety of environmental issues.

The City of Haverhill established its Conservation Commission at the beginning of the 1970's for the promotion and development of its natural resources and for the protection of its watershed resources. Since that time the Commission's role in environmental protection has continuously evolved. The Commission is now empowered to administer and enforce state laws and regulations associated with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, Rivers Protection Act, and Stormwater Management Policy, as well as the City's wetlands protection ordinance. The Commission takes an active role in advising other municipal departments, boards, and committees on conservation issues relating to their areas of responsibility. Thus, the Commission serves the community in regulatory, planning, and advisory capacities.

Two of the staff members work closely with the Commission, serving as liaisons between the Commission and the community, including residents, landowners, consultants, and land use professionals, as well as other government agencies and departments. These staff members are the Environmental Health Technician and the Head Clerk. The Technician fills the role of the conservation administrator used in many Massachusetts communities, serving not only as a liaison, but also assisting the Commission in its administration of various environmental laws and regulations; providing project reviews and interacting with applicants; making field inspections; and serving as an informational resource on community open space, federal flood information, regulatory changes, etc. The Clerk provides valued assistance to not only the Commission, but also the Technician in the implementation of these services. The Clerk also provides data and clerical assistance to the Commission, its subcommittees, and the Department's staff.

The Haverhill Conservation Officers are here to serve the public by providing information and remedial police response to issues involving hunting, fishing, trapping, watershed and natural resource protection, A.T.V's, boating, problem wildlife, illegal dumping, or any other accidental or intentional acts that result in a threat to our natural resources or public health and safety.

The Officers are also here to serve the Haverhill Community in a proactive way by making themselves available to speak and work with school, scout, civic or volunteer groups on any issues or programs that would increase environmental awareness and improve the quality of life for our citizens.