Management plans and Massachusetts wildlands

304 CMR: DIVISION OF STATE PARKS AND RECREATION

304 CMR 7.00: MANAGEMENT PLANS AND MASSACHUSETTS WILDLANDS

Section

7.01: Purpose 7.02: Management Plans 7.03: Massachusetts Wildlands 7.04: Management of Massachusetts Wildlands

7.01: Purpose

The purpose of 304 CMR 7.00 is to establish procedures for the Stewardship Council and the Commissioner to prepare, adopt and revise official management plans for state reservations, parks and forests and to designate Massachusetts Wildlands.

7.02: Management Plans

For each state reservation, park, and forest, DCR shall follow a management planning process which shall produce the following components: (a) a description of the land’s unique resources; (b) a discussion of the land’s potential use; (c) land stewardship zoning analysis; and (d) action recommendations Each Management Plan shall have public participation in its development with review and approval by the Stewardship Council.

7.03: Massachusetts Wildlands

(1) Massachusetts Wildlands means portions of DCR properties which are designated as either Representative Natural Areas or Backcountry.

(2) Representative Natural Area (RNA) means a natural area defined by noticeable boundaries which exemplify a native or naturalized species or community with a high level of integrity and minimal disturbance. RNA's may be nominated from lands which are under DCR conservation restrictions.

(3) Backcountry Area means a natural area located in the more remote portions of DCR properties which provide existing opportunities for hiking and canoeing in a wild area.

(4) Area Management Summary (AMS) means the abstract of the procedures utilized to manage Wildlands. Each AMS will include recreation and resource management procedure, policy and regulation as well as area maps and a description of existing and proposed research.

7.04: Management of Massachusetts Wildlands

(1) DCR shall prepare an Area Management Summary to manage an RNA or Backcountry Area.

(2) The following activities are not permitted within Massachusetts Wildlands: open fires; motorized trail use; destruction or collection of vegetation; geological materials; or wildlife species; and/or aquatic organisms. Mountain bikes are not permitted in RNA's or in the Backcountry Areas: the Hooper, Range Ridgetops, Alander Mtn. Such restrictions shall not be interpreted to include prohibition of hunting, fishing and trapping at DCR properties where those activities are lawfully permitted, or DCR operations necessary to enhance public access and safety.

(MA REG. # 1350, Dated 10-20-17)

304 CMR: DIVISION OF STATE PARKS AND RECREATION

7.04: continued

(3) With the approval of the Stewardship Council, the Commissioner can remove the Massachusetts Wildlands designation from an area if one or more of the following conditions occurs: (a) Significant damage/change that affects the integrity of the ecosystem; or (b) Another site can better serve the needs of the Massachusetts Wildlands program.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

304 CMR 7.00: M.G.L. c. 21, §§ 1, 2F and c. 132A, § 7.