Last Reviewed by MLTC: 1/26/2026.
Guidance and example policies supporting conservation restriction (CR) holders in defining enforcement authority, roles, and procedures for responding to violations. Together, these resources outline best practices for investigation, documentation, landowner communication, violation classification, remedies, and escalation, with both statewide guidance and organization-level examples illustrating how enforcement policies are implemented in practice.
Guidelines:
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Conservation Restriction Enforcement Policy Guidelines (Massachusetts Easement Defense Subcommittee; April 2006)
Statewide guidance outlining core principles, objectives, and policy components to address when developing an organizational CR enforcement policy.
Document: medsenforcementpolicyfinal0406_3.pdf -
Guidelines to Address Land Stewardship Violations (Harwich Conservation Trust; March 2008)
Guidelines describing stewardship and CR violation prevention, documentation standards, response procedures, remedies, and escalation.
Document: HCT_Stew_violation_policy_FINAL_2008.pdf
Example Documents:
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Enforcement Policy (Kettle Moraine Land Trust; 2017)
Example enforcement policy illustrating enforcement principles, violation categories, procedures, and escalation.
Document: enforcement_policy_kettlemorainelandtrust.pdf -
Enforcement Policy (Lincoln Land Conservation Trust; July 2011)
Example enforcement policy covering violation classification, investigation and documentation steps, landowner contact, remedies, and board involvement.
Document: enforcement_policy_avlt_llct.pdf -
Conservation Restriction Violation Response Policy and Procedure (The 300 Committee; 2006)
Example violation response policy detailing step-by-step procedures for monitoring, communication, deadlines, and escalation.
Document:t3cenforcement_0.pdf