Application for a Conservation & Management Permit

Projects resulting in a “Take” of state-listed rare species may be eligible for a Conservation & Management Permit (321 CMR 10.23). To be eligible for a Conservation & Management Permit, the applicant must first (1) assess alternatives to both temporary and permanent impacts to state-listed species. Thus, certain projects that can be redesigned to avoid a “Take” may not be eligible for a Conservation & Management Permit. The Permit applicant must also (2) demonstrate that a proposed project will impact an insignificant portion of the local population of an affected state-listed species. Finally, the applicant must (3) design and implement a conservation and management plan that provides a long-term Net Benefit to the conservation of the affected state-listed species.

“Net Benefit” mitigation generally involves some combination of (1) on or off-site permanent habitat protection, (2) management or restoration of state-listed species habitat, or (3) conservation research designed to benefit the species affected by a given project. The applicant may propose other forms of mitigation, as appropriate for a given project or impacted species for the NHESP to review.

For more information, read our Guidelines for preparing a Conservation and Management Permit Application.