[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6078887,"mediaKeyId","2958234-8ee3dac62935a187fad490f6a1fb1970","parentId",2958234,"title","Nature Conservancy urges Manchester to keep Cedar Swamp in conservation zoning, seeks 200‑foot buffer for innovation district","audioSeconds",4637,"startMs",757000,"endMs",5394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958234-8ee3dac62935a187fad490f6a1fb1970&start=757&end=5394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958234-8ee3dac62935a187fad490f6a1fb1970/thumbnail_757000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078887/New-Hampshire/Nature-Conservancy-urges-Manchester-to-keep-Cedar-Swamp-in-conservation-zoning-seeks-200foot-buffer-for-innovation-district","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078887-20eb0c045d783373bdc7b54aad46be92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153669&Signature=Wmc0B30oiB~PtsS4X0VHMt6PeinwQEA4SOcQvW8-fQti1S8z0LHSnVTkmxJAYSKRxNLN7wuVHGPFrlDdLyAdQAtI5sadBOn~QREOvVwsh2V7nef4iS9rl6~IRZ91WQt1NXsy-j4t~kWAJBvd6Cj8pPajvol9O~JVwpIHM6~m0gW1VC9vWSvnucpIL9RJZhqj-k4YewWyHrxSulbCda6MHj673OBiArm6KMpHFuIJuu83khvw4ljQZugsFPzb7V9pcg~4Sxl2Jz8brMZWIgG-moLmRTYJQucBW0nQM0TpiTaYMIwYq7LNBUHTtHuAjGXGln3YeNEqszxG1MT3wdJgCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Manchester NH","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","Representatives of The Nature Conservancy told the Manchester Conservation Commission on March 27 that proposed revisions to the city’s land-use code could undercut long-standing protections for the Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve and asked the commission to support two steps: retain a conservation zoning district for the preserve and adopt a 200-foot limited‑use buffer along the edge of the proposed Innovation District.

Jim O’Brien, deputy state director for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, Joanne Glove, Southern New Hampshire Stewards ecologist, and Ally Snell, community and partnerships manager, described the 640‑acre Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve as the largest conserved parcel in the city and an ecological hotspot for Atlantic white cedar and giant rhododendron. The conservancy said the preserve was acquired and transferred under a settlement involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NHDES in 1999 as a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) tied to Clean Water Act enforcement; as plaintiff settlement terms, the city had obligations related to the preserve’s long‑term protection.

The Nature Conservancy raised three central concerns about the draft land‑use changes: a proposed rezoning that would place the preserve into a low‑density residential (RS) district, proposed buffer and setback language that the conservancy considers too weak, and how the adjacent Innovation District could be designed around — but not up to — the preserve. O’Brien said the conservancy opposes changing the preserve’s zoning to RS because the preserve’s acquisition and the city’s consent under the SEP were intended to secure the land for conservation. He told the commission that converting the parcel to a residential district would send a confusing message to residents and could weaken the long‑term intent of the SEP protections.

On buffers, the conservancy requested a “limited‑use” 200‑foot buffer measured from the preserve boundary where city‑owned Innovation District parcels meet the preserve. Joanne Glove summarized stewardship problems the conservancy has seen where development abuts the preserve — including cleared backyards, lawn extension into the tree line, dumped yard waste and repeated incursions that create stewardship burdens and damage trees. The conservancy said a 200‑foot buffer is an evidence‑informed compromise: New Hampshire wildlife guidance shows measurable impacts to wildlife within several hundred feet of trails or intense human uses, and the conservancy said 200 feet would absorb much of the pressure while still allowing the city to develop adjacent parcels.

Commissioners and city planning staff discussed the request in detail. Planning staff explained that an early draft of the land‑use code had removed a separate conservation zoning district citywide and that later drafts were expected; planning staff said they were likely to restore conservation zoning to some parcels and were hearing public comments calling for clearer demarcation of conserved lands. The planning liaison noted tradeoffs between encouraging development in an Innovation District and protecting high‑priority wetlands, vernal pools and steep slopes within the city‑owned parcels.

The Conservation Commission voted to support two items: (1) a motion recommending that the city restore a conservation zoning district (citywide) to clearly mark conserved lands and (2) a motion recommending that the Innovation District include a 200‑foot limited‑use buffer along the edge where it adjoins the Cedar Swamp Preserve. Both votes were taken by voice; the meeting record shows the motions passed but does not supply an exact roll‑call tally. Commissioners also asked that the conservancy and city continue dialogue with planning staff and noted the commission could provide a formal letter to the zoning steering committee and Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The Nature Conservancy also described community outreach tied to the preserve: a Riverwoods neighborhood meeting in early April to discuss stewardship and the commission’s participation in the City Nature Challenge and a river/park cleanup and public iNaturalist “Bioblitz” event. Conservancy presenters offered to help map sensitive wetlands and vernal pools and to escort city staff on field visits to confirm features before final code language is adopted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Conservation Commission 03/27/25 ","oneSentenceSummary","The Nature Conservancy urged the Manchester Conservation Commission to oppose rezoning of the Cedar Swamp Preserve to a residential district and to support a 200‑foot limited‑use buffer between the preserve and a proposed Innovation District, and the commission voted to back restoring conservation zoning and to recommend the 200‑foot buffer.","taxTitle","Manchester City Commissions, Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire","taxId",75999,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078892,"Conservation commission backs Cohass Avenue drainage fix; city seeks NHDES wetlands permit",591,61000,652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958234-8ee3dac62935a187fad490f6a1fb1970&start=61&end=652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958234-8ee3dac62935a187fad490f6a1fb1970/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6078892/New-Hampshire/Conservation-commission-backs-Cohass-Avenue-drainage-fix-city-seeks-NHDES-wetlands-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078892-89fa975a002c81688eb94ff4f8a1aea4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153669&Signature=D75CNakW08t4eljF2sgq4Luonz1W-U3ArePhkpcALd~rZMI~rTLdDJwVxIHmFA2Xk~2Is4GaTbHHwOXr4heSdoK2zm4tsUNLjNHRe8vDP9kYVAcFs~WPx7eJo30mzsNFhsC5IrBn-sdeag16Khzpk2NxrnU9cOuKb~C5WaEbioalkrtks9DSvdi~-rHckW7JsuOe3i8F-xRiAtlXwWNg-U5RmjL7H5zxlSoN51YhS57uBZ8k~myC65uIxtXN8BgldO4djsDOXfNtp5YOAu9epRsEWC0kCqko-IyjwITIZnyfpDj7gW~Yq~d-oE1uuc3KNy0MLlAQZb9Ii0hgF-l56Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its March 27, 2025 meeting, the Manchester Conservation Commission voted to issue a letter of support for a City of Manchester drainage project on and near Cohass Avenue that will require a New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) dredge-and-fill wetlands permit.

City Environmental Protection Division staff described the project as a targeted replacement of degraded corrugated metal pipe (CMP) culverts and related headwalls, plus additional catch basins, intended to address recurring sinkholes and localized flooding where water jumps curbs and flows into nearby driveways. Rebecca Baldy, who presented the project for the City of Manchester Environmental Protection Division, said the culvert running under a driveway has deteriorated, washing away soil and repeatedly creating sinkholes.

Baldy told commissioners the work will replace several CMP sections with reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) sized to increase capacity in flood-prone spots. She said some street sections will go from 12-inch to 15-inch drainage lines, one culvert will be increased from 24 inches to 36 inches, and elsewhere the design uses a pair of 24-inch pipes where a 36-inch pipe could not be placed because of utilities. Baldy said there are both temporary and small permanent wetland impacts at the inlet and outlet headwalls; one permanent impact described in the presentation was roughly 90 square feet at a relocated headwall. She said staff held a pre-application meeting with NHDES and that, because the wetland impacts are small, NHDES indicated mitigation would not be required for this project.

Baldy gave the commission a schedule constraint: NHDES’s review timeline would put the deadline for the agency’s response at about May 2, 2025, and she asked whether the commission would provide a letter of support for the NHDES application. After brief discussion, a commissioner moved to issue a letter of support; the motion was seconded and the commission approved it by voice vote. The meeting record does not show a roll-call tally; the outcome was recorded as approved by the Conservation Commission.

The commission discussion included questions about whether the replacement would change flow volume or slope. Baldy said the work would not increase total runoff to downstream wetlands but would allow a greater instantaneous flow through the culvert (that is, greater conveyance capacity during storms). She also explained the team will realign an inlet so the culvert is fully within the city right-of-way and will replace headwalls at both ends of the culvert run.

A city staff liaison, Kristen Bixby, confirmed the commission could craft a short letter of support and asked whether the commission wanted additional specificity in the text; commissioners said a general letter noting support for the permit application would be acceptable. Baldy said bids were scheduled to open soon and DPW intended to begin construction soon after the contract was awarded.

The commission’s letter of support will be routed through staff for signature and submission to NHDES; the presenter noted the city expected an agency response around May 2, 2025.","City of Manchester staff described plans to replace degraded culverts near Cohass Avenue and requested a letter of support for a New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services dredge-and-fill wetlands permit. The commission voted to issue the letter.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6078883,"Conservation commission agrees standard language for easement boundary markers to use in future approvals",560,6896000,7456000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2958234-8ee3dac62935a187fad490f6a1fb1970&start=6896&end=7456","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2958234-8ee3dac62935a187fad490f6a1fb1970/thumbnail_6896000.jpg","/articles/6078883/New-Hampshire/Conservation-commission-agrees-standard-language-for-easement-boundary-markers-to-use-in-future-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078883-daecc1bde3abfe185a646d5dd41d43cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153669&Signature=hp070Z80QPuCKGfU7D72dvHyn2vKg~XXd-Ay-cnDRmiTZP5lGRXqalubuAzC3FZpPTaa26wsumBS6AyFq4Zmbmlu1InNHoGglFC5V3n~IUFq3HjLgrfbhEqVIxDg-oiIuN2LDlHFOffQbge-PIjXKBalF137CZqR7R9wI3LObQPcOGVCyPSvsFLEnbkypJJ7jvSS7wWE9w6QLSKljaIMpjT0XYrn3H74fh6-2Ov-7zw7MgEq6VU7KdzceQThxL40JxsFTedUUSQIrcIAE9qI1~FmADkEN2Sm4ylMlZr3KqaeZ4zhvEzkcCBA~nQyIl9WJDdNan3B6nAMcMSS0mt6Mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 27 meeting the Manchester Conservation Commission reviewed proposed standard language for boundary markers used in conservation easements and as wetland demarcation and agreed on a recommended template to use when the commission makes conditions on plans or reviews easement language.

Commission members discussed specific provisions: whether the grantor (the landowner/developer) or grantee (the conservation body) should be responsible for placing markers at a recorded easement boundary, the size of the markers and the spacing between markers. Commissioners noted prior practice had generally required placards no more than 50 feet apart. Members proposed language that (a) places responsibility on the grantor to install boundary markers at the time an easement or plan condition is recorded, and (b) retains the commission’s ability to require maintenance or replacement if markers are missing later. The group agreed that markers should be no more than 50 feet apart; marker size and final template text will be carried forward as the commission’s reference language.

Commissioners and staff said the template will be kept on file and used as a standard checklist when easements or planning conditions are reviewed. They noted that for existing easements any change to recorded deed language would require the grantor’s agreement, so the template is intended to apply to new easements and future conditions. The commission indicated the language should be effective as of March 27, 2025, and available to planning staff and applicants as a standard for future filings.","Commissioners reviewed and agreed on recommended language to standardize boundary markers for conservation easements and wetland demarcation, including responsibility for installation and a placement standard; the language will be used as a reference for future cases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nature Conservancy urges Manchester to keep Cedar Swamp in conservation zoning, seeks 200‑foot buffer for innovation district

Conservation commission backs Cohass Avenue drainage fix; city seeks NHDES wetlands permit

Conservation commission agrees standard language for easement boundary markers to use in future approvals