Know Your Land / Conservation Restrictions

Are you interested in learning about how you can protect your land with a Conservation Restriction or how to save money on property taxes with Chapter 61?

Protecting land in our Commonwealth is encouraged and supported by our state government. There are two ways to protect and preserve land parcels. State laws guide these protections (see below). The State also offers financial incentives. During this webinar, HCIC brings you two speakers who will provide information on these laws and opportunities.

Ben Urquhart from Harvard’s Conservation Trust will present information on Conservation Restrictions and Harald Scheid, Harvard’s Town Assessor, will present on Chapter 61, including information about changes to Chapter 61.

Description of a Conservation restriction from Chapter 184 of the Massachusetts General Laws: “A conservation restriction is a legally enforceable agreement whose purpose is to ensure permanent protection of specific conservation values while permitting limited land uses consistent with the protection of said conservation values.

Description of Chapter 61 from Massachusetts General Laws: “Chapter 61, the Forestland Taxation Act, requires that municipalities reduce assessments of forest land when a landowner is enrolled and observes the Ch. 61 program requirements. 61A refers to forested land and 61B refers to recreational use.” Unlike a conservation restriction, Ch. 61 is not a permanent protection.