WACHUSETT RESERVOIR WATERSHED
PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN UPDATE

The Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Water Supply Protection (formerly the Metropolitan District Commission Division of Watershed Management) owns 16,472 acres of land in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. DCR manages these watersheds primarily for water quality protection, drinking water supply, and environmental resource protection purposes. The Metropolitan District Commission Division of Watershed Management Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Public Access Plan Update 2003 explains DCR policies and outlines control measures to be used to mitigate impacts from public access on those lands. This Plan includes policies for common recreational activities that occur on the land and water resources in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. This update builds upon the information provided in the 1996 MDC Public Access Plan for the Wachusett Watershed and uses current regulations and legislation to outline policies for public access to MDC/DWM property in Boylston, Clinton, Holden, Hubbardston, Leominster, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, and West Boylston. DCR will begin implementation of the MDC/DWM Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Public Access Plan Update 2003 in July, 2003.

WACHUSETT RESEVOIR WATERSHED PUBLIC ACCESS SUMMARY

Title Page/Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Existing Conditions
III. Recreational Activities and Water Supply
IV. Public Access Policies
V. Plan Implementation

Bibliography

Appendix A: Hunter Survey
Appendix B: Watershed Regulations
Appendix C: Summary of Public Input