Skip to content

Short Term Event Permit

Most FirstLight properties are open for recreational day use activities like picnicking, fishing, hiking or snowshoeing. Events like company picnics, family reunions, or school “mountain day” hikes can be scheduled with the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center staff (800-859-2960).

Only large group events; such as running races, triathlons or trail rides; require license agreements, and Visitor Center staff will refer you to the Land Management Administrator if required. Short Term Event License Agreements are free of charge and require proof of organizational liability insurance. FirstLight reserves the right to limit events to those which are sustainable for its properties and facilities and compatible with the mixed uses occurring there.

Event Licensing

  1. Contact the Northfield Mountain Visitor Center at 800-859-2960.
  2. If a license will be issued for the desired use, provide the following information to the Land Management Administrator:

References

  1. Sample Short Term License Agreement
  2. Insurance Requirements

Dock Permit

FirstLight licenses seasonal docks of simple construction that are consistent with the undeveloped nature of the Connecticut River within the Project boundary. After preliminary FirstLight consent, abutters acquire regulatory approvals from federal, state, and local governments. Permitting timelines and costs vary; allow six months for regulatory approvals. When all approvals are on file, the FirstLight Dock License Agreement is issued. It includes a $200 annual fee and requires proof of liability insurance.

Dock Licensing

  1. Contact the Land Management Administrator to determine if the desired use is consistent with FirstLight land management goals and the FERC required Permit Program. Phone: 413-659-4515.
  2. If a license can be issued for the use, provide information for preliminary FirstLight consent including:

References

  1. Dock License
  2. Insurance Requirements – Commercial general liability insurance or homeowner’s liability insurance are acceptable.

Regulatory requirements

  1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers General Permit for your state
  2. Massachusetts:
  3. NH Permit by Notification
  4. VT Lake Encroachment Permit (The CT River is viewed as a reservoir within the project boundary because water levels are regulated by dam.)
  5. Wetland and endangered species permitting required by above
  6. Local building permits

* Dock Licensees that wish to maintain native landscaping or prune for limited views must also meet regulatory requirements for the Native Landscaping and View Pruning License Agreement.

Native Landscaping and Pruning Permit

FirstLight licenses native landscaping and limited view pruning on its property that maintain the undeveloped nature of the Connecticut River within the project boundary. After preliminary FirstLight consent, abutters acquire regulatory approvals from state and local governments. When approvals are on file, the FirstLight Landscape License Agreement is issued. It includes a $75 annual fee and requires proof of liability insurance.

Landscape Licensing

  1. Contact the Land Management Administrator to determine if the desired use is consistent with FirstLight land management goals and the FERC required Permit-Program. Phone: 413-659-4515.
  2. If a license can be issued for the use, provide information for preliminary FirstLight consent including:
    1. Name, address, phone, email, and entity name that will be on the insurance certificate
    2. Description of the desired use
    3. Rough plan showing the preferred location and area (in square feet) for the use and the FirstLight project boundary.

References

  1.  Landscape License Agreement
  2. Insurance Requirements – Commercial general liability insurance or homeowner’s liability insurance are acceptable.

Potential Regulatory Requirements

  1. MA Wetlands Protection Act – Vegetated Buffer Manual
  2. NH Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act – Review Vegetation Management Requirements
  3. VT Shoreland Protection Act – Review Vegetation Maintenance Requirements (The CT River is regulated as a reservoir (or lake) within the Project boundary because water levels are controlled by a dam.)

Water Withdrawal Permit

FirstLight licenses agricultural water withdrawals of less than one million gallons per day. After preliminary FirstLight consent, abutters acquire regulatory approvals from federal, state, and local governments.

When regulatory approvals are on file, the FirstLight Water Withdrawal License Agreement is issued. It includes a variable annual fee and requires proof of liability insurance.

References

  1. Sample Water Withdrawal License Agreement
  2. Insurance Requirements – Commercial general liability insurance are acceptable.

Regulatory Requirements

Requirements for agricultural water withdrawals vary widely within the Project boundary. State regulators can best provide guidance regarding these requirements.

  1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, General Permit
  2. Massachusetts:
  3. New Hampshire – Water Use Registration and Reporting in New Hampshire
  4. Vermont

Municipal or Utility Use Permit

FirstLight grants limited easements for municipal and utility uses of its property such as bridges, roads, sewer and water infrastructure, communication, electrical and gas lines. After preliminary FirstLight consent, entity acquires all required regulatory approvals.

Some uses require FERC approval prior to granting an easement, a process that takes 100+ days and is completed by FirstLight.

Easements for Municipal or Utility Uses

  1. Contact the Land Management Administrator to determine if the desired use is consistent with FirstLight land management goals and the FERC required Permit Program. Phone: 413-659-4515.
  2. If an easement can be issued for the use, provide information for preliminary FirstLight consent including:
    • Plan(s) showing:
      • Facilities or improvements to be installed
      • Size and shape of desired easement area
      • FirstLight project boundary
    • Project narrative describing organizational need for use of land within the project boundary including:
      • Entity name
      • Brief project description and why it is needed
      • Consideration of non-FirstLight owned locations for the project
      • Proposed compensation to FirstLight for easement rights and staff project facilitation costs

Potential Regulatory Requirements

To be determined by entity seeking use of project lands.

We welcome inquiries from the media, questions about our projects and recreation spaces, and gladly engage curiosity about our mission, vision, and more.

Contact us for media inquires and interview requests.