The significant land use change and growth seen in the RPC region has put increasing pressure on remaining natural spaces. The highest priorities identified in local master plans in the RPC region, include protecting natural resources for water quality protection, recreation, open space and wildlife.

A primary way of protecting spaces and resources for these purposes is protecting land from future development through easements, deed restrictions, or purchase. However, these methods can be costly. Other options to protect land is through land use regulations, voluntary protections, and land management planning. The later protection methods are generally lower in cost, but may not always fully protect land. Funds available for permanently protecting land from development can be scares. Generally, those lands that can help to protect several resources, including wildlife resources, habitat, prime agricultural soils, important water resources or recreational areas are most likely to receive such funding.

To assist in helping protect the most critical lands permanently two conservation plans, based on watershed boundaries, have been developed that prioritize areas most in need of protection. Both plans, linked below, cover the RPC region and have served as important resources in helping communities prioritize areas in need of protection.

Regional Land Conservation Plans

• Land Conservation Plan for New Hampshire’s Coastal Watersheds (2006)
  • Executive Summary
  • Complete Plan
• Merrimack River Valley Land Conservation Plan (2013)

Community Conservation and Public Land Maps

• Atkinson, Brentwood, Danville, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Greenland, Hampstead, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, New Castle, Newfields, Newington, Newton, North Hampton, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Raymond, Rye, Salem, Sandown, Seabrook, South Hampton, and Stratham.

Land Conservation in the RPC Region