2011 - Town of Warner

Conservation CommissionThe Warner Conservation Commission is pleased to report that in aquieter year with no large land protection projects on the agenda, wehad several smaller but important successes. Dennis and JeanneSturms granted an easement to the Town as a NH Department of EnvironmentalServices (DES) ordered mitigation for unpermitted alterationof wetlands on land they own in Henniker. The property, along withtwo adjacent conserved parcels totaling about 100 acres, protects theimmediate watershed of Tory Meadow Pond and surrounding wetlands.Under terms of the Sturms easement, the property will remain undevelopedand sustained with good forest management practices. TheConservation Commission wishes to thank the Sturms for their interestin protecting this parcel, not only because of its important naturalvalues, but also for its significance as a recreational resource for manytown residents. It contains a major trail used by hikers, snowmobilers,skiers, and mountain bikers in both summer and winter. While theSturms could have simply paid a fine to the State as restitution, theysought instead to find a tract of land that they could purchase andpermanently protect. All of the costs associated with securing the propertyhave been borne by the Sturms, as well as a $2,000 contributionto the Town’s conservation fund.Education of our members and the public was a focus of the Commissionin 2011. A Land Protection Workshop was held on May 20 at MainStreet BookEnds with the hope of initiating future land protectionprojects. Two Warner residents attended an easement monitoring workshopon June 8 at ASLPT in New London. Four townspeople havecome forward to help with easement monitoring responsibilities.This spring Simonds Elementary School fifth graders designed threewater creature images to stencil next to storm drains along Main Street.The NH Department of Transportation (DOT) helped raise student awarenesson the impact of storm water runoff. Be sure to check out studentartwork on a storm drain near you!The Warner Conservation Commission also reviewed 2 dredge and fillpermits, 5 shore land permits and 7 other notices for forestry andmunicipal services. We heard reports about Planning Board activities,lamented the departure of Brian Hotz from the Commission, and welcomedPhil Stockwell as a new member of the WCC. If you are interestedin contributing to the important work of the WCC, please contactthe Chairperson.Respectfully submitted,Nancy Martin - Chair89