Rules and Regulations for Commission Lands

I. Purpose of these Regulations

The purpose of these regulations is to provide guidelines that will protect the natural condition of the property in the care and custody of the Palmer Conservation Commission (PCC). The PCC intends to have these properties remain in an undisturbed state so as to support a habitat for plants and animals, preserve various features connected with the history of Palmer and provide a space for passive recreation. The PCC desires to have these properties to serve in perpetuity as examples of our native natural habitat and provide opportunities for education and research so the public will have opportunities to understand and appreciate the natural heritage of the Town of Palmer and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

II. Applicability

These regulations apply to all lands and property that have been, or will be, given over to the care and custody of the PCC. They do not apply to certain former public ways as described in Chapter 179 of the Acts of 1987, which are now under the care and custody of the PCC. These "closed ways" have a separate set of regulations.

III. Rules and Regulations

  1. Except as permitted by the PCC, no one shall cut, trim or otherwise injure any plant life. There shall be no removal of any plant including dead wood. The only exception is the harvesting of timber under a plan approved by the Palmer Conservation Commission as permitted by Chapter 235 of the Acts of 1996 in the M.G.L
  2. Except as allowed during the various hunting seasons established by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, no one shall harass, annoy, pursue, take or remove any wildlife. This includes any carcasses. There shall be no introduction of new species.
  3. No shifting, altering, removal, defacing or any disturbance of any stonewalls, foundations or other structures.
  4. No excavating, digging, clearing, altering or disturbing of archaeological or historic sites or potential archaeological or historic sites. No removal of any artifacts.
  5. No metal detectors.
  6. No damaging, defacing, vandalism or removal of any lawful signs, gates or other structures approved by the PCC. This includes boulders, "Jersey Barriers" or other devices intended to act as roadblocks.
  7. No littering, discarding or dumping of any material of any size, including hazardous materials. No abandonment of motor vehicles or trailers or any of their parts.
  8. Nothing to be offered for sale on PCC property.
  9. No new roads or trails shall be created. No widening or extension of any game trails.
  10. No erection of any booth or tent, no camping allowed, no fires or open flame are allowed without a permit.
  11. No one shall operate, drive or possess motorized vehicles unless authorized by the PCC. This prohibition includes but is not limited to ATVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, trucks, 4x4 vehicles or automobiles of any kind. Snowmobiles are allowed when there is sufficient snow cover to protect any groundcover.
  12. Anyone on the property of the PCC shall comply with any reasonable directive from a member of the PCC or any police officer in the performance of their duties. A "reasonable directive" shall include a request to provide identification upon request to a member of the PCC or any police officer after being advised of having committed a violation of these regulations or any other rule, regulation or statute of any agency.

IV. Wavier

The Commission, in an emergency, may approve a wavier to any of these regulations when said wavier is not in conflict with the purpose of these regulations and is in the best interest of the Town of Palmer. Non-emergency waivers may be granted after 2 consideration by the PCC at a regular or emergency meeting for the same reasons as an emergency waiver. Nothing in this section shall require any police, fire or other emergency service organization to obtain pre-approval before engaging in their usual, necessary operations on PCC property.

V. Enforcement and Penalties

Any member of the PCC or any police officer may enforce these regulations. The penalty for each offense shall be not more than $100. Anyone witnessing a violation may report it to the Palmer Conservation Commission or to the Palmer Police Department.

Conservation Rules and Regulations