Overview
Acquiring title to land is only one way to protect natural resources. Overlay protection mechanisms—such as Conservation Restrictions (CRs)—allow landowners, land trusts, and municipalities to permanently restrict development while retaining ownership. The Compact leads the region in drafting, negotiating, and administering these critical legal safeguards.
Core Safeguards We Administer
✔ Conservation Restrictions (CRs)
Drafting and routing state-certified Conservation Restrictions through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to legally restrict development in perpetuity.
✔ Drinking Water & Watershed Protection
Designing protective conservation overlays around municipal wellfields, public water supplies, and sensitive coastal pond watersheds.
✔ Baseline Documentation Reports (BDRs)
Conducting ecological field audits and mapping property boundaries, existing structures, and flora/fauna to establish legally required baseline records for future stewardship monitoring.
✔ Municipal Zoning Advice
Assisting town planning boards and open space committees with conservation cluster zoning, open space residential design (OSRD), and scenic view protection.
Why Overlay Protection Matters
A Conservation Restriction ensures that even if a property is sold or passed on to heirs, its natural values, drinking water protections, and open space qualities remain legally protected forever.
Support our Work
Every acre saved requires legal precision, rapid response, and deep local knowledge. Help us keep Cape Cod wild, clean, and protected forever.