Conservation Land Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations governing the use of Conservation Land

1. The Andover Conservation Commission (the Commission) shall be responsible for all Conservation Land under its care, custody, and control either by deed provisions, easements, conservation restrictions, or Town Meeting vote.
2. All persons are welcome on designated Conservation Land of the Town without permit from sunrise to sunset. Conservation Land is meant to be preserved in a natural state. Visitors to designated areas are encouraged to leave them cleaner than they were found and to practice “Leave No Trace” ethics. Cans, bottles, garbage, paper, plastic, and any other debris whatsoever shall be placed in receptacles if provided by the Town or taken off Conservation property and properly disposed of by the user if no municipal receptacles are on the site.
3. Conservation properties are made available for public use in accordance with MGL Chapter 21 § 17c. Neither the Commission nor the Town of Andover assumes any liability for injuries, damage to property or loss to persons while on said properties.
4. Lawful Activities:
   1. Recreational uses such as walking, hiking, running, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing;
   2. Fishing is allowed under the provisions of applicable state laws;
   3. Parking only allowed on designated road(s), parking areas or trails during daylight hours;
   4. Bicycling permitted on designated trails and:
      1. Bicyclists should stay on trails and be respectful of differing bicycle regulations on abutting properties managed by private organizations.
      2. Bicycle riding is discouraged on hillsides or in wet weather when ground is soft.
      3. Riders should be courteous and attentive to other trail users by announcing their presence before passing.
   5. Authorized community gardening activity as permitted by the Commission;
   6. Authorized maintenance or construction work as permitted by the Commission;
   7. Dogs held on leash only and:
      1. Dog waste must be cleaned up and properly disposed of.
5. Unlawful Activities:
   1. The consumption of alcoholic beverages or illegal drug use;
   2. Hunting, except Bow Hunting (see number 4 below);
   3. Trapping, except as authorized by the Commission pursuant to its management of Conservation Land;
   4. Bow hunting, except by special Town issued permit during deer hunting season on designated Conservation Land only;
   5. Discharging a firearm or rifle, or unauthorized possession of a firearm or rifle;
   6. Cutting, defacing or removal of trees, bushes, plants, flowers, or deadwood, except as authorized by the Commission pursuant to its management of Conservation Land;
   7. Dumping or littering of any organic or inorganic items, including yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, and brush;
   8. Operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorized dirt bikes. Permits for motorized vehicle use may be granted to visitors with qualified disabilities.
   9. Paintball or War Games;
   10. Construction and use of off-road bicycle BMX style trails and jumps;
   11. Cutting, breaking, removing, defacing, defiling, or ill-use of any buildings, structures, fences, or signs;
   12. Starting fires, except as authorized by the Commission;
   13. Willfully disturbing, removing, or endangering wildlife;
   14. Possession or use of fireworks;
   15. Construction or placement of unauthorized structures;
   16. Overnight camping, except as authorized by the Commission.
6. Only the Commission or Conservation Division staff as directed by the Commission may authorize the following activities on conservation land in their sole discretion:
   1. Trails to be cut or marked, dams to be built or removed, or any structures such as a bridge, tower, boardwalk, birdhouses, bench, handrail, or picnic table to be built or placed on Conservation Land;
   2. Community gardening in specified areas;
   3. Overnight camping for Scouts, youth organizations (a responsible adult leader present is required), and other interested groups. Every such group shall obtain a written camping permit from the Andover Conservation Division office and a fire permit from the Andover Fire Department for campouts if open fires are planned. The Andover Fire Department will issue permits for open fires only after the camping permit has been obtained. The Commission shall designate the exact site to be used and shall mandate sanitary arrangements. Said permit shall be issued for each twenty-four(24) hour period. Any persons camping on Conservation Land without said permit(s) shall be subject to prosecution and fines. The Commission reserves the right to deny said permit.
   4. Cutting or removal of trees for firewood, lumber, habitat restoration, or forestry purposes;
   5. Hunting by bow for deer only allowed under the provisions of applicable state laws with a permit issued by the Town, on Town owned properties specifically listed on the Town website as deer management areas.
7. As an alternative to criminal prosecution or civil action in response to violations of these rules and regulations, the Town may utilize the noncriminal disposition procedure set forth in MGL Chapter 40 § 21D and Article 1 § 4 of the By-Laws of the Town of Andover, in which any police officer employed by the Town of Andover, the Commission, any staff member of the Conservation Division, or such other persons as are authorized by the Commission shall be the enforcing person. If noncriminal disposition is used, the following fine schedule shall be applicable for any violation of these rules and regulations. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense. Violations should be reported to the Conservation Division staff, to the dedicated Stewards of specific conservation areas, to the Commission, or to the Andover Police Department.

First Violation: Verbal or Written Warning

Second Violation: $100.00

Third and Subsequent Violations: $100.00

Adopted by vote of the Commission on:12/20/2022

Supersedes document dated 04-03-2018

PDF Version of Rules & Regulations