There must be a regional need for special regulations or planning to protect the district from damage or losses by inappropriate development. The Commission shall find that:

1. Present public or private regulations in a substantial part of the district cannot assure protection; and
2. Damage to the district or impediments to proper development will be a substantial loss to the region or to two or more towns.

The area (including land and water) to be included in a district is chosen for three reasons:

1. It is the critical area or critical resource that is in need of protection.
2. It is the logical planning area that should be considered in adopting a coordinated system of regulations to protect the critical resource or critical area.
3. The dimensions or landmarks that form the boundary of the district are convenient and recognizable.

Important to the protection of a regional aquifer, watershed, aquifer recharge zone, or surface water supply with the following considerations:

1. Development or waste disposal without special regulations in the district could endanger the quality or quantity of the water.
2. Studies or expert advice indicate that the designation and regulation of the district could be effective in protecting the quality or quantity of water, and that, since public health, safety, and welfare are paramount, special precaution should be taken.

The water body in the district is particularly well suited for the production of shellfish or finfish, or can be made productive through good management and improvements.

Includes areas particularly suited now and in the future for sustaining or augmenting the Island's food supply or other agriculture. The district must have one or more of the following characteristics:

• It is generally being farmed or can be converted to farming conveniently relative to other areas on the Island.
• Land ownerships within the district are generally of adequate size to support farming. Soil, climate, and topography are well-suited for farming.

Contains an important and identifiable wildlife, natural, scientific, or ecological resource. This would include but not be limited to special plant and animal life and their habitats, as well as unusual geological features, and is critical because development may disrupt the ecological balance.

Contains a place, landscape, way, or view which is in some special way expressive of the character of the Island, traditions of the Island residents, and of special interest to Island visitors. The maintenance and protection of these values is essential to a sound local economy. The district also:

• Is of exceptional symbolic or recreational importance to the residents of more than one town and is either visible or accessible to them or can reasonably be made so,
• Is rare, unique, or makes an unusual contribution to the diversity of the Island character, or
• Is irreplaceable, or replaceable only with extraordinary effort or expense.

Subject to the above general tests, designations may be considered for areas which are important for their connection with the history of the region – including its geology and Native American history – or which symbolize and support the traditional activities and ways of Island life, or which give us a particular understanding of the Vineyard lands and their setting in the sea. These include places that present opportunities for hunting and fishing and the enjoyment of wildlife.

Includes areas that have special potential for providing employment or housing for Island residents, or for accepting necessary development which might be detrimental in other locations. The district must also:

• Require special regulations to create, preserve, or enhance that potential,
• Be better suited or more readily available for the facility or development than other areas of the Island, considering topography, utilities, costs, and environmental and social impact, and
• Have adequate access, preferably from a regional feeder road.

Includes areas which have a significant impact on an existing or possible future major public investment or areas which are significantly affected by such an investment. In addition, the district must qualify as follows:

1. The district pertains to a major public investment as defined in the MVC Act, and may include airports, highways, schools, parks, beaches, preserves, public utilities, and medical facilities owned or operated by a federal, state, or county agency, or by a quasi-public or charitable non-profit agency, and
2. The intended use or operation of the public investment or the health, safety, and welfare of the public could be impaired by improper development in the district.

An area that possesses hazards due to marginal soil or topographic conditions that render it unsuitable for intense development. Factors to be considered include flooding, waste treatment, groundwater, erosion, construction problems, salt-water intrusion, and pollution.