Master Plan 2004 Update
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
CHAPTER 7 CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION Exeter Master Plan 2004 Update September, 2004 The development of this is chapter was funded in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Coastal Program (NH Office of State Planning) pursuant to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration award NA170Z2342. June 2003. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1 2. Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................. 1 3. Inventory of Natural Resources ................................................................................. 5 A. Topography, Geology and Soils .............................................................................. 5 Topography ........................................................................................................ 5 Bedrock Geology…………………………………………………………………….. 6 Surficial Geology…………………………………………………………………….. 6 Soils…………………………………………………………………………………….8 B. Agricultural Resources ............................................................................................. 9 C. Forest Resources .................................................................................................. 11 D. Wildlife and Plant Habitat ..................................................................................... 12 Species Common to the Great Bay Estuary…………………………………… 14 Species Common to other Habitats in Exeter……………………………….… 14 Rare and Endangered Species…………………………..………………………. 14 E. Water Resources ................................................................................................... 16 F. Aesthetic/Scenic Resources .................................................................................. 16 Scenic Areas and Vistas………………………………………………………….. 16 Scenic Roads………………………………………………………………………..17 American Independence Byway…………………………………………………. .17 G. Archeological & Historic Resources ...................................................................... 18 Historic Resources……………………………………………………………….…18 Archeological Resources…………………………………………………………..20 General Needs………………………………………………………………………21 H. Contiguous Undeveloped Lands ........................................................................... 21 4. Conservation Lands In Exeter ................................................................................. 23 A. Town Owned Conservation & Recreation Land .................................................... 23 B. State and Federally Owned Conservation Land .................................................. 25 C. Privately-Owned Open Space Areas ..................................................................... 25 D. Current Use Land .................................................................................................. 28 E. Trails – Existing and Planned ................................................................................ 29 5. Priorities for Conservation and Natural Resources Protection ........................... 29 A. Conservation Land Criteria .................................................................................... 30 Conservation and Preservation Chapter Outline Exeter Master Plan – 2004 Update B. Candidate Areas for Future Conservation ............................................................. 30 6. Techniques for Conservation and Natural Resources Protection ....................... 31 A. Open Space Protection Techniques ...................................................................... 31 1. Voluntary Land Protection ...... ……………………………………………………31 2. Land Use Planning Techniques……… ..... ………………………………………34 3. Public and Quasi-Public Programs and Assistance… .......…………………….37 B. Natural Resources Protection ................................................................................ 39 1. Development Suitability………………………………… ....... ……………………39 2. Compliance and Enforcement………………………… ......……………………..42 C. Public Education .................................................................................................... 42 7. Management of Conservation Lands ...................................................................... 43 A. General Use Policy for Conservation Land in Exeter ............................................ 44 B. Specific Use Policies for Conservation Properties. ............................................... 45 8. Recommendations .................................................................................................... 46 Natural Resources…………………………… . …………………………………………..46 Water Resources………………………………… . ……………………………………….47 Environmental Quality……………………………… .. ……………………………………48 Zoning and Land Use Regulations……………… ... ……………………………………..48 Stewardship………………………………………… .. …………………………………….49 Education…………………………………………… .. ……………………………………..50 Aesthetics and Community Character…………… .... ……………………….………….47 APPENDIX A, VISIONING SESSION RESULTS TABLES CP-1, Slope Classes of Land in Exeter, N.H……………………………………………..……. .... 6 CP-2, Soil Potential Rating For Septic Systems, Exeter NH………………..………………. .... 9 CP-3, Principal Agricultural Operations in Exeter as of 2003…………………………..…… ... 10 CP-4, Rare and Endangered Plant Species………………………………………………… ...... 15 CP-5, Scenic Roads, Exeter, NH………………………………………………………………. ... .17 CP-6, Protected Lands and Open Space ....................................................................... …… 22 CP-7, Lands and Easements Administered by the Exeter Conservation Commission .......... 26 2 Conservation and Preservation Chapter Outline Exeter Master Plan – 2004 Update FIGURES CP-1, Land in Exeter ...................................... ……………………………………………..…….23 MAPS -- CP-1 – Topography & Scenic Vistas -- CP-2 – Soil Potential Ratings for Low Density Development -- CP-3 – Farmland Soils, Active Agricultural Uses, & Tree Farms -- CP-4 – Natural Heritage Areas -- CP-5 – Contiguous Undeveloped Lands -- CP-6 -- Conservation Lands & Trails -- CP-7 – Tax Lots under ‘Current Use’ -- CP-8 – NH Estuaries Project Critical Lands Analysis -- CP-9 – Candidate Areas for Conservation Zoning & Additional Conservation Land 3 Conservation and Preservation 1. INTRODUCTION The purpose of the Conservation and Preservation chapter of the Master Plan is to determine and prioritize steps to protect, preserve and manage the land and natural environment of Exeter. The subject matter will fo- cus on the Town‘s natural resources, archeological / historic resources and open space and conservation lands. Ongoing development may lead to the loss of forests, farmland and wildlife habitat, water supply, decreased recreation opportunities as well as the loss of historic charac- ter and scenic quality. At the same time, we know that further growth and development in Exeter is inevitable, necessary and many respects, beneficial. It is important, therefore, for the Town to have a strategy that adhere to all Federal, State and local regulations to protect the nat- ural resource and open space assets of the community– those essential qualities that make Exeter a desirable place to live in a manner which respects the rights and concerns of impacted property owners. The Conservation Preservation chapter will lay out that strategy, including recommendations on what should be prioritized for preservation as well as how best to integrate conservation/preservation objectives with future development. The Chapter includes eight sections, including this introduction, Goals and Policies, Natural Resources Inventory, Conservation Land Invento- ry, Priorities for Conservation and Natural Resources Protection, Man- agement of Conservation Lands, Techniques for Conservation and Pro- tection, and Recommendations. The current chapter updates and ex- pands upon resource and conservation inventories and recommenda- tions included in the 1984 Master Plan. It also incorporates a goals and objectives section, derived from public comments made during the Jan- uary 2003 Master Plan Visioning sessions and from meetings with local and regional conservation groups, and identifies specific priorities for the acquisition and management of conservation land. 2. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The following goals and objectives are identified to establish the inten- tions of the Town regarding the identification, evaluation and protection of natural resources. They are intended to represent the goals and ob- Conservation and Preservation Sept, 2004 jectives of the Town in general, and do not necessarily tie specific goals and objectives to any individual Board or Commission. NATURAL RESOURCES: Identify, evaluate and protect critical nat- ural resources. Maintain an accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date inventory of Exeter‘s natural resources; Identify areas within the Town that have high natural resource value both to the general health and welfare of the community and to the ecological systems on which we depend; Identify and promote best management practices to minimize impact from development and maximize the benefits of good re- source stewardship; Integrate the consideration of ecological integrity and wildlife habitat in Town planning, zoning and site review. Protect undeveloped land with high natural resource value through the acquisition of conservation lands; Preserve parcels of land that add to large contiguous blocks of open space; Create and/or maintain green ways to connect and enhance the value of open space lands for habitat and recreational purposes; Protect Exeter‘s remaining