A Plan of Open Space and Conservation for

the Town of Woodstock, Connecticut

Accepted June 20, 2001

Revision 2, Reprinted with Corrections and Updates

December 3, 2003

Prepared by: The Woodstock Conservation Commission Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

A Plan of Open Space and Conservation for the Town of Woodstock, CT is available for public distribution.

• Copies of the Plan can be obtained at the Woodstock Town Hall, 415 Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281, telephone number (860) 928-6595.

• An electronic copy of this Plan can be downloaded from the Town of Woodstock website at or the Woodstock Conservation Commission website at .

REVISION AND AMENDMENT LOG

DATE LOCATION IN DOCUMENT CHANGE 10/02 Cover Page and Executive Added the date the plan was approved. (second Summary printing, Table of Contents Added a List of Tables, and updated the Table of light green Contents. cover) Appendix B (Committed Open Updated as of 10/01/01. Space) Appendix F (A Selection of Added new appendix. Important Resource Maps). Other Corrected several formatting inconsistencies and typographical errors.

11/03 General • References to the title of the document (A Plan of (third Open Space and Conservation, not the Open Space printing, and Conservation Plan) corrected throughout. light green • Added reference to Woodstock Conservation cover) Commission website. • Corrected formatting and typographical or grammatical errors. • Updated Table of Contents. Revision Log Added log to track changes made to document. Acknowledgements Reformatted. Preface Added to provide brief context/background information Executive Summary Added reference to open space priorities Introduction No change. Section II (Natural Resources • Footnote added to correctly indicate current location Inventory), Table 1 (Maps in of GIS data. Woodstock Resource Inventory) • Footnote added to identify the date of last parcel map update. • Maps created since first printing added to Table 1. • Indicated new source of archeological features map (Keegan Associates) • Descriptions of new maps added to text that follows table. • Noted that public hearing on GIS maps was held on 3/13/02. • Noted that maps are being generated, revised and updated as necessary. Section III (Plan of • Updated amount and percentage of land in the 490 Conservation) program, and updated statistics on committed open space under Section C (Forest and Wildlife

Page i Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

Resources) and State goal for open space. • Added reference to gateways under Section D (Aesthetic, Historic and Recreational Resources). Section IV (Recommendations) • Added a new category of General Recommendations, with: o New section on Open Space priorities (Amendment 1, enacted 12/23/02). o Site/Subdivision Plan Review for Compatibility with Woodstock’s A Plan of Open Space and Conservation. • Under Forest and Wildlife Resources, added Recommendation #8 on protocol for use of State and Federal Listed Species and Natural Communities Maps for projects involving a land use change. • Under Aesthetic, Historic and Recreational Resources, added: o Woodstock Valley as an area that should be considered for establishment of a local historic district as part of recommendation #2. o Recommendation on protocol for the proper use of the Archeological Sensitivity map. o Recommendation #8 on gateways. • Added Bellantoni, Bird Conservation Newsletter, and DECD references. • Reformatted to be consistent with Franklin Covey Style Guide. Appendix A (Recommendations Added recommendations listed above under Section IV Arranged by Commission) changes. Appendix B (Committed Open • Updated text (table of open space as of 8/23/03, Space) including information about accessibility) and associated map. Added a key for the table. Appendix C (Endangered, • Added notes to indicate the possible existence of Threatened, and Special other species, and to clarify “W” code in table. Concern Wildlife Species) • Corrected misspellings, and incorrect common/scientific names, capitalization. • Added notation for species that are also federally endangered and federally threatened. • Added notation if only certain populations (e.g., nesting) were listed. • Deleted species not on official CT list: Leonard’s Skipper (Hesperia leonardus) and Hervey’s Aster (Aster x herveyi). Appendix F (new) • Inserted the checklist for Site/Subdivision Plan Review for Compatibility Appendix G (A Selection of • Renamed from Appendix F to Appendix G Important Resource Maps) • Updated maps and changed selection.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Woodstock Conservation Commission 2001 Members

Paul Wilbur, Chairperson Jean Pillo, Vice Chairperson Anne Campbell, Secretary Steve Fitzroy Reva Seybolt John Schneider Leslie Sweetnam Ed Vonderheide

Former members who also contributed John Chambers Dave Kelly Doug Tracy Temple Volkrot

The Woodstock Conservation Commission would like to thank the following organizations and individuals who assisted in the process of assembling A Plan of Open Space and Conservation: • C. James Gibbons, Extension Land Use Educator; Stephen Broderick, Sr. Extension Educator/Forester; Karen Godin, Corridor/Extension Land Use and Community Design Educator, UCONN Cooperative Extension System; John Filchek, Executive Director, Northeast Connecticut Council of Governments; Charles Lee, CT DEP Lakes Management Program; Robert Hust, Sr. Environmental Analyst, CT DEP Bureau of Water Management; Laurie Gianotti, NEMO Project, CT Program Coordinator, William Trainer, Director, Putnam Water Pollution Control Authority; Elizabeth Rogers, Project Coordinator and Javier Cruz, Resource Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Judy Preston, Director of Science and Education, The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut Chapter; who all provided critical guidance during the process of information gathering and review of the Plan. • All organizers and participants of the Woodstock Study Circles Project. • Associate Professor Daniel Civco, UCONN College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, for sponsorship, technical advice and oversight for the internship undertaken by Michael Altshul. • Michael Altshul, student intern from the UCONN College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, whose project on viewshed analysis helped define the areas with greatest aesthetic potential. • The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, Northeast Council of Governments, and NEMO (Non-point Education for Municipal Officials) for training and education programs provided to many Commission members during preparation of this plan. • The Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor for awarding the Partnership Program 2000 Grant to the Woodstock Conservation Commission for a public outreach initiative on the Plan. • Members of other Town of Woodstock Authorities, Boards, and Commissions who reviewed the original draft and provided comments, and the Mapping Subcommittee who began the process of the Natural Resource Inventory. • The Town of Woodstock Historical Society, Woodstock Historic District Commission, and the Woodstock Historic Properties Commission for their review of historic properties in Woodstock. • The Brooklyn Conservation Commission whose 1993 Plan of Open Space and Conservation served as a model for this Plan.

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PREFACE

The Town of Woodstock is located in Windham County, in the northeastern corner of Connecticut. Woodstock consists of the villages of East, West, North, and South Woodstock; Woodstock Hill; and Woodstock Valley. Bordering towns (clockwise, starting to the north) are Southbridge and Dudley, Massachusetts; and Thompson, Putnam, Pomfret, Eastford, Union, Connecticut.

Some relevant facts about Woodstock include the following: • Woodstock is the second largest town in Connecticut, after New Milford. It is two to three times as large (area wise) as most Connecticut towns. The total area of Woodstock is 61.8 square miles, or 39,550 acres. • Year 2001 Population: 7,332; compared to 6,008 in 1990. This equates to 22% growth in 11 years. The average increase for the nine northeastern states from 1990-2000 was 5.5%. The population per square mile in Woodstock is 121, compared to the Connecticut average of 682. (Department of Economic and Community Development 2002) • Woodstock is part of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley Natural Heritage Corridor. This area is referred to as “The Last Green Valley" in the Boston -Washington corridor. • In 1686, Woodstock was 95% forested. By 1886, it was about 30% forested and 70% farmland. By 1986, about 65% of the town was woodlands again. (Chaffee 1986) • Agriculture remains a viable industry. Woodstock has somewhere between 39 and 46 active farms. This includes 14 operating dairy farms (down from 16 two years ago)--more than any other town in Connecticut. • Forest-based industries include tree farms, sawmills, and maple sugaring. There are three private forested campgrounds, and large forested parcels within the State of Connecticut Nipmuck Forest and Yale Forest. • One industrial site in Woodstock is on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Priority (Superfund) List. • There are eleven locally designated scenic roads in town, and one National Scenic Byway (Rte. 169). • The surface geology is bedrock (metamorphic schist and gneiss). • There are three types of groundwater aquifers: bedrock, glacial till, and stratified drift. The largest stratified drift aquifer area in town is in the Muddy Brook/Little River Valley. • Except for part of South Woodstock near the fairgrounds, all homes and businesses currently depend on a septic system to handle their household wastewater. • Surface water is generally high quality, meeting fishing and swimming standards. Woodstock residents rely on wells for their water supply, but much of Woodstock is within the Southbridge, Putnam or Willimantic public water supply watersheds, supplying water to these neighboring towns.

Page iv Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

A Plan of Open Space and Conservation

for the Town of Woodstock, Connecticut

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION A Plan of Open Space and Conservation was prepared by the Woodstock Conservation Commission with assistance from many local, regional and state governmental agencies, and advice and information from national non-profit groups. Thoughtful insights were also received from the over 200 Woodstock residents who participated in the Study Circles program. The goal is to wisely manage land development and carefully protect the environment so that Woodstock remains a rural community with a balanced approach to sustaining its natural and cultural heritage. The Plan was accepted unanimously at a Woodstock Town Meeting on June 20, 2001. The plan was updated on December 3, 2003.

NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY The planning began with a comprehensive inventory of Woodstock’s important natural, cultural and recreational resources. The Commission developed a town-wide Geographic Information System (GIS) to support development of the plan. The GIS is designed to aid in the work of other boards and commissions in the town as they build on the recommendations in this plan.

PLAN OF CONSERVATION The plan includes general and specific recommendations and initiatives in four broad areas. The goals and the associated recommendations are summarized below.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS: GOAL: Establish a broad administrative and “action” framework for implementing specific recommendations. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: ¾ Create a joint planning and conservation commission with representatives from the relevant commissions and/or hire a town planner to coordinate implementation of plans adopted by this commission. ¾ Develop a town-wide greenways system to link scenic, natural, historic and recreational resources. Coordinate with greenway corridor efforts undertaken in other towns and at the regional level. ¾ Unite regionally in support of state policy that would compensate towns for maintaining their rural character.

WETLAND & WATER RESOURCES: GOAL: Protect ground and surface water quality for domestic use, recreational use, and for fish and wildlife habitat. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: ¾ Establish overlay zones to require development precautions or prohibit high-risk land uses in critical public water-supply watersheds, aquifer recharge areas and potential high-yielding aquifers. ¾ Include clear watershed protection goals in the Town Plan of Conservation and Development with an emphasis on limiting the impact of impervious surfaces in Woodstock. ¾ Amend Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency regulations to encourage the establishment of riparian corridor protection zones along all perennial and intermittent streams. Routinely integrate use of appropriate natural resource inventory maps into future permit application deliberations by the Agency. ¾ Initiate a public education program to highlight the importance of watershed protection and water quality issues.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES: GOAL: Preserve farmland and enhance commercially viable agricultural operations in Woodstock while respecting the rights of private property owners. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: ¾ Support local farmers and the agricultural business community by keeping Woodstock “Farm Friendly” through regulatory and voluntary initiatives.

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¾ Address the impact of traditional agricultural activity on nearby land use by establishing plans and guidelines for new residential development that address the practical requirements of modern agricultural activity. ¾ Acquire development rights through voluntary participation in the Connecticut Purchase of Development Rights Program. Provide information about federal, state, and other programs that offer grants for open space acquisition and cooperative management practices related to sustaining agricultural activity.

FOREST & WILDLIFE RESOURCES: GOAL: Conserve productive forests in a way that protects native wildlife populations, supports local forest based industry, preserves Woodstock’ s rural character, and supports forest based recreational opportunities. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: ¾ Establish and preserve wildlife habitat by reducing forest fragmentation and encroachment, promoting conservation-sensitive planning for new development, and connecting existing forested habitat by designating habitat corridors. ¾ Foster economically viable forest management practices and habitat protection through education, voluntary action and better land use decision-making by commercial interests, private citizens, and government. ¾ Forge working relationships between the town commissions, town-based land trusts, and nationally based conservation organizations to assess and protect critical wildlife habitat in forested lands.

AESTHETIC, HISTORIC AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES: GOAL: Assure the protection of aesthetic, historic and recreational resources so that current residents and future generations may appreciate and experience Woodstock’s rural heritage. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: ¾ Protect key scenic resources and roadways by identifying visually sensitive areas and developing land use planning and design guidelines that preserve our rural areas and village centers. ¾ Enhance the conservation of our local historic, archaeological and cultural resources by identifying these areas and integrating them into a town-wide cultural resources management plan. ¾ Expand passive recreational opportunities in Woodstock by creating swimming areas and accessible, integrated systems of trails, greenways and open spaces designed with sensitivity to both natural systems and property rights. ¾ Work with neighboring towns, regional agencies and other governmental and private organizations to coordinate preservation of aesthetic and historic resources, and create recreational opportunities in Woodstock.

OPEN SPACE PRIORITIES ¾ Promote the use of the open space priority maps by land use regulatory boards when considering applications for land use changes in town. ¾ Promote the use of the open space priority maps by the Woodstock Open Space Land Acquisition Committee when deciding on open space acquisitions in the town. ¾ Share the open space priority criteria for open space with non-governmental organizations that have interest in Woodstock.

CONCLUSION Town government cannot and should not try to do everything that is needed to preserve our way of life and our open spaces. It must find effective ways to coordinate the technical and financial resources offered by private organizations, state agencies and local volunteers.

Our keys to success are a shared vision of the future, action by the community, and individual responsibility. The Conservation Commission is committed to helping citizens of Woodstock connect with the appropriate resource to do whatever they feel they can to support the recommendations outlined in this plan

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... v Introduction ...... v Natural Resources Inventory ...... v Plan of Conservation ...... v Conclusion...... vi

I. INTRODUCTION...... 1 Purpose of Plan...... 1 Economic Benefits of Conservation Planning ...... 2

II. NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY...... 3 Statement of Purpose...... 3 Resource Identification and Mapping...... 4 Cultural Features and Resources ...... 6 Natural Features and Resources...... 6

III. PLAN OF CONSERVATION...... 10 A. Wetland and Water Resources...... 10 Objective...... 10 Background...... 10 Sources of Information ...... 12 B. Agricultural Resources...... 12 Objective...... 12 Background...... 13 Sources Of Information ...... 13 C. Forest And Wildlife Resources ...... 14 Objective...... 14 Background...... 14 Sources of Information ...... 16 D. Aesthetic, Historic and Recreational Resources ...... 17 Objective...... 17 Background...... 17 Sources of Information ...... 18

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS...... 20 Wetland and Water Resource Recommendations...... 21 Groundwater...... 25 Surface Waters...... 26 Agricultural Resource Recommendations ...... 28 Forest and Wildlife Resources Recommendations ...... 30 Aesthetic, Historic and Recreational Resource Recommendations ...... 33 Open Space Priorities

V. CONCLUDING COMMENTS...... 36 Success Depends on a Public/Private Partnership ...... 36 Education and Information are Essential...... 36 Make Efficient Use of Volunteers and Town Resources...... 36 Make Collecting Natural Resource Information an On-Going Effort ...... 36

WORKS CITED ...... 38 General References...... 38 Wetlands and Water Resources ...... 38 Agricultural Resources ...... 39 Forest and Wildlife Resources...... 39

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Aesthetic, Historic and Natural Resources ...... 39

APPENDIX A. RECOMMENDATIONS ARRANGED BY COMMISSION...... 40

APPENDIX B. COMMITTED OPEN SPACE...... 43

APPENDIX C. THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND SPECIAL CONCERN WILDLIFE SPECIES...... 46

APPENDIX D. REGULATED ACTIVITIES IN PROPOSED AQUIFER PROTECTION REGULATIONS ...... 52

APPENDIX E. CHECKLIST OF MUNICIPAL ACTIONS TO CONSIDER...... 55

APPENDIX F. SITE/SUBDIVISION PLAN REVIEW FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH WOODSTOCK A PLAN OF OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION...... 58

APPENDIX G. A SELECTION OF IMPORTANT RESOURCE MAPS...... 59

List of Tables

Table 1. Maps in Woodstock Resource Inventory ……………………………………………………………… 5 Table 2. Composite Maps Used to Identify Priorities for Protection ……………………………………………21 Table 3a. Committed Open Space ………………………………………………………………………………..43 Table 3b. Pending Open Space …………………………………………………………………………………..44 Table 4. Threatened, Endangered And Special Concern Wildlife Species …………………………………….46 Table 5-c. Regulated Activities as Listed in the March 2000 Draft, Proposed Aquifer Protection, Land Use Regulations …………………………………………………………………………………52

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I. INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE OF PLAN The Woodstock Conservation Commission was established on February 14, 1968 pursuant to state legislation set forth in Section 7-131a of the 1963 Supplement to the General Statutes of Connecticut. A separate Inland Wetlands Commission was established February 13, 1974 by splitting the previously combined Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission into two separate town bodies as permitted under the amended General Statutes. This split organization is consistent with recommendations made by the State of Connecticut in 1974 and has proven to be helpful to Woodstock and other towns that have adopted a similar organizational structure.

The town ordinance created the Conservation Commission: “ . . . for the purpose of the development, conservation, supervision, and regulation of natural resources, including water resources, within the town of Woodstock.”

Moreover, in 1993, the state Legislature provided Conservation Commissions the right (not the mandate) to inventory natural resources, formulate watershed and drought management plans, make recommendations to other municipal agencies on proposed land use changes, and supervise as well as manage municipally-owned open space (Handbook for Connecticut Conservation Commissions, January 1998). The development of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation and the preparation of the Natural Resources Inventory, from which the plan is derived, are two of the most important tasks that the Conservation Commission was established to perform.

Beyond the legal requirements, the reason for preparing this plan stems from the critical need to have a community vision of how Woodstock should develop and grow in the years ahead. A key part of this vision is included in our definition of open space, which is described as: “ . . . land or water that is permanently preserved in either a near-natural or agricultural state that is absent commercial, industrial, or residential development and where any development would be limited to agricultural structures or recreational improvements such as trails, swimming or picnic areas.”

Keeping in mind the often-voiced concern of maintaining Woodstock’s rural character, we believe the following list of objectives supports this definition of open space: • Identify and protect Woodstock’s unique and significant natural features. • Protect surface and subsurface water resources. Protect groundwater (aquifer recharge zones), surface water (watershed), natural drainage ways, wetlands (including vernal pools), and water quality. • Preserve the local agricultural heritage including active agricultural land and prime agricultural soils. • Create “greenways” or belts of interconnected open space that allow for wildlife corridors and trail networks. • Protect critical habitat for native plant or animal species listed as threatened, endangered or of special concern. • Preserve scenic and/or productive forestlands. • Identify and protect historic and cultural resources including those supplied by the local historical commission and the State Historical Commission as a part of the Quinebaug and Shetucket Heritage Corridor and in accordance with the statewide historic resources management plan. • Preserve significant geological features such as ridgelines, promontories and scenic vistas. • Create an open space plan that supports an update of the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development. • Protect areas representing the indigenous character of the Town of Woodstock.

A primary function of this plan is to distinguish areas that are suitable for development from areas that merit various levels of long term protection. It is our objective to sustain vital resources, including clean air, drinkable water and productive soil, and to help preserve a rural lifestyle that includes an agricultural economy. If we put the plan into practice, Woodstock will be a town known for consistently making wise land use decisions with a deeper understanding of the natural environment.

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A land ethic “reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of the land. Health is the capacity of the land for self-renewal. Conservation is our effort to understand and preserve this capacity.” (Leopold, 1949) This plan will act as a guide for regulatory commissions, selectmen, landowners, and developers to promote the conservation of important town resources. It will also serve as a basis for a new town Plan of Conservation and Development. The ultimate goal is for Woodstock to be a successful community that finds the right balance among economic development, environmental protection and quality of life.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF CONSERVATION PLANNING There are many economic as well as environmental benefits to sound conservation and open space planning. First, farm, forest and open space land typically provide a town more money in tax revenues than they require in service expenditures. The most recently completed Expenditures Per $1 of Revenue study in Southern New England indicated that for every dollar of revenue generated by residential development, the equivalent of $1.14 Residential Land $ 1.14 is required in expenditures (Commonwealth Commercial Industrial $ 0.43 Research Group, Inc., 1995). In contrast, every Forest and farmland $ 0.42 dollar of revenue generated by lands held in open space requires only $0.42 in expenditures. Source: Cost of Community Services in Southern New Similar results have been found in earlier England, Southern New England Forest Consortium, 1995 studies (American Farmlands Trust, 1986). Recent studies in other Connecticut towns examining the fiscal impact of residential development have shown even higher expenditure/revenue ratios for residential development – one development in Old Saybrook shows residential development costing $1.88 in expenditures for every dollar of revenue (East Wharf Architects, Inc., 1998). Residents who kept and paid taxes on undeveloped land were actually subsidizing residential property owners.

Second, communities with sound conservation plans have been shown to improve their bond ratings. These ratings reflect the fact that unlimited and/or mismanaged growth can make a community extremely expensive to manage and threaten its fiscal health. Good conservation and land use planning promotes cost-effective development, helps ensure a high quality of life and avoids the need for expensive environmental clean-ups that may result from poor land use decisions (Thomas, 1991). Recent experience in the Town of Brooklyn following adoption of their Open Space and Conservation Plan in 1993 indicates that rating agencies, such as Moody’s, respond positively to the existence and implementation of Open Space plans as they tend to reduce the risks of environmental problems that derive from poor land use decisions (Broderick, 2000). The recent ratings review by Moody’s for the Town of Woodstock indicates the importance of debit ratings in keeping the costs of debit service as low as possible. By adopting A Plan of Open Space and Conservation that provides a solid basis for managing our environmentally sensitive areas, we believe that Woodstock can attain better open space management and an improvement in our debit ratings.

Third, wise land conservation allows nature to recharge our groundwater, cleanse our drinking water, prevent soil erosion, and absorb floodwaters. It would be expensive for us to do this outside the natural cycle.

Fourth, studies have shown that private residential property adjacent or close to permanently protected open space increases in value faster than similar properties elsewhere. This benefits not only the individual homeowners, but also the entire town in the form of an increased grand list (Irland, 1987).

Finally, natural resource based recreation and outdoor-based tourism are big businesses today, and as Connecticut continues to urbanize they promise to continue to grow. If managed wisely, the significance of Woodstock’s historic districts, combined with the beauty of its countryside and large tracts of forests, will have increasing potential for attracting tourist and recreational dollars to our community.

The reports cited above and a comprehensive assessment of the Cost of Community Services (COCS) study as outlined in the Commonwealth Research Group study illuminate the need for an aggressive, on-going program of

Page 2 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2 open space preservation and conservation in Woodstock. Certainly, the information presented in the report highlights above, indicate that a more detailed economic analysis of the consequences of better open space management in Woodstock is warranted.

II. NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY

In mid 1999, a mapping subcommittee was formed that included members of the Woodstock Planning and Zoning Commission, the Woodstock Conservation Commission and members of the community. Shortly thereafter, they began an extensive inventory and data gathering process to understand and account for our community’s natural resources. In the early summer of 2000, the Connecticut DEP made an entirely new and updated data series available. This new data was geo-referenced to the revised 1983 datum and state plane coordinate system. Moreover, the computer software and support needed to create a natural resources geographic information system (GIS) for the Town of Woodstock was made available through a cooperative agreement with the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG). These resources provided the Conservation Commission with the opportunity to develop a natural resource inventory that allowed us to analyze our environment and the community’s character.

In January 2001, through a grant to the Connecticut DEP from ESRI, Inc., the Woodstock Conservation Commission received its own version of ARC/View to use for developing and managing the GIS. Currently residing on computing facilities generously made available by the Woodstock Public Schools,1 the GIS is now being used by the Conservation Commission to support our own planning and to provide natural resource information to other town boards and commissions. The natural resource inventory is also being expanded to help us learn about and systematically consider what is important to the residents of Woodstock; i.e. why they enjoy living here. The end purpose is to provide the information needed to do conservation planning.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The Woodstock Conservation Commission recognizes that without information about the natural and cultural resources of the town, it is very difficult to develop a meaningful and implementable plan to protect our open spaces and our rural environment. The purpose of our inventory is to support not only our own plan for open space and conservation, but to establish a resource that other Woodstock boards and commissions can use in furthering their own Other Regulatory and Planning Boards responsibilities. The goals and objectives of our natural and and Commissions in the Town of cultural resource inventory are to identify and evaluate the Woodstock Urged to Integrate the GIS quality, quantity and distribution of Woodstock’s land, water and into Their Processes: biotic resources so that: 1. A town Plan of Open Space and Conservation can be “The purpose of our inventory is to support developed and integrated into the town plan of not only our own plan for open space and conservation and development; conservation, but to establish a resource 2. Land use decisions made by town commissions, town that other Woodstock boards, commissions officials and individual landowners can be made with and authorities can use in furthering their full understanding of the effects of these decisions on the own missions.” local environment; 3. Strategies for protecting and preserving existing open spaces can be developed and strategies for acquiring additional open space can be formulated; 4. Future open space priorities and protection strategies can be developed to create an optimum balance between continued economic growth, and the protection and preservation of Woodstock’s environment and rural character. 5. Regulatory procedures based on reliable and objective information can be recommended to town boards and commissions for the protection of Woodstock’s natural and cultural resources; and 6. The information compiled can be shared with other local, regional, and state organizations so that they may understand what we are trying to achieve with A Plan of Open Space and Conservation.

1 The Town of Woodstock purchased a laptop computer for the Conservation Commission for the GIS and public outreach in August, 2001.

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The Conservation Commission, in developing a natural resources inventory has considered: 1. Significant natural and cultural features unique to the town; 2. Existing open spaces – both private and public; 3. Water resources that support both plant and animal habitats; 4. Existing and future drinking water supplies; and 5. Other factors that the commission deems to be important to preserve Woodstock’s rural character.

Resource Identification and Mapping With our inventory goals established, the Commission has identified those natural resources and cultural features that are worthy of various levels of protection. We have also sought and received advice and assistance from many sources in determining what information to gather, how best to interpret it, and which resources to map. They included the Connecticut DEP, the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the University of Connecticut Department of Natural Resource Management, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Natural Heritage Corridor, and other Connecticut communities that are conducting, and/or have conducted similar studies.

Based on this research, a number of resource maps were produced. The natural resource inventory is an ongoing process, and maps are being generated, revised and updated when necessary.

The maps are listed by category. • Cultural Features and Resources maps represent areas that are affected by human impacts or are a result of human impacts. • Natural Resources describe characteristics of Woodstock generally considered to be created by and/or dependent on natural processes.

Each of the resource maps is identified in Table 1, Maps in the Woodstock Resource Inventory. Appendix G contains a selection of important resource maps.

A description of each map is presented below. It should be stressed that the Conservation Commission intends that these maps be a starting point for a continuing analysis. We fully expect that, through continued use, these maps will be amended and updated by both the Conservation Commission and other town boards and commissions. The information presented in the maps used for this plan is the best available and known to us at this time. They represent the most current state, town and private information. As we continue to develop new information, we will review and update these important map resources. The Commission welcomes suggestions for changes, new sources of information, corrections or additions to the base map series. As new sources of information become available through the State, the University of Connecticut and the many programs affiliated with their operations, and through efforts made by the Town of Woodstock to update and digitize property, assessor and other records, the Commission will incorporate these data.

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Table 1. Maps in Woodstock Resource Inventory

Map Map name Source Number Cultural Resources 1 Property Line Base Map Town Maps 2 Historic Properties and Districts Historic Commission 3 Land in Agricultural Use DEP Landsat, Conservation Commission, DEP Farm Soils 4 Archaeological Features Keegan Associates LLC 5 Committed Open Space Town Maps 6 Land Use DEP Landsat Natural Resources 7 Land Cover DEP Landsat 8 Water Quality Map DEP Water quality classification 9 Flood Insurance Map Town Maps 10 Groundwater Resources DEP Groundwater and Aquifer Maps; Surficial Materials 11 Surface Water DEP Rivers & Streams, DEP Hydrology 12 Drainage Basins DEP Drainage Basins 13 Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Town Maps, DEP Surface Water maps (by soil type) 14 National Wetlands Inventory DEP Wetland Soils Maps 15 Fisheries Management Areas and DEP National Diversity Database; Other Endangered species DEP Sources 16 Steep Slopes DEP Soils Maps 17 Productive Forest Soils DEP Forest Soils Maps 18 Important Agricultural Lands DEP Agricultural Soils, Other Town Sources 19 Productive Wildlife Habitats and DEP Forest Soils, DEP Wetland Soils, Habitat Corridors DEP Hydrology, Woodstock NDDB sites 20 Streambelt Maps DEP Hydrology 21 Public Water Supply Watersheds DEP Hydrology; Town Data; Other State Sources 22 Contour Maps Digital Elevation Models (developed by University of Connecticut) 23 Major Viewsheds in Woodstock Digital Elevation Models (developed by University of Connecticut) 24 Developed Lands DEP and University of Connecticut Interpretations of Landsat Imagery

______NOTE: Maps listed in italics in Table 1 are not currently part of the GIS, and need to either be verified or converted to digital formats compatible with the Conservation Commission’s GIS.

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CULTURAL FEATURES AND RESOURCES 1. Property Line Base Map An updated digital property line map of all parcels in Woodstock as of July 1999.2 This parcel mapping is a result of a consulting contract entered into by the town to digitize parcel maps (including development of attribute tables for each parcel listing map, block and lot number as well as assessor information.) As of the date of publication of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation, these data are preliminary and subject to review.

2. Historic Districts A property line base map showing the Historic Districts in Woodstock and those properties which are on the National Register of Historic Places as well as other properties identified by the Connecticut State Registry of Historic Places Properties, and properties of local historic significance as designated by the Woodstock Historic Commission.

3. Land in Agricultural Use A base map indicating areas that were in some type of active agricultural use according to DEP and Landsat imagery as of 1989.

4. Archeological Features, Unique Natural Areas Archaeological data was provided from the archives of the Woodstock Historical Society and from information publicly available from the State Archaeologist and other, local knowledgeable sources. (The map is not available in a reproducible format, but is available for review at the Town Hall)

5. Committed Open Space A property line base map showing all land in Woodstock that is permanently protected from development. This includes state forest land, private land trust property, and private lands containing easements to the town and/or other legal restrictions preventing development, and farmland where the development rights have been sold to the state. A complete listing of permanently protected open space land is included in Appendix B.

6. Land Use Map Land use maps were developed using the Landsat Satellite data available from the DEP and the University of Connecticut. They provide information on the kinds of human uses most associated with urban development, sprawl and housing development. This information was acquired between 1987 and 1999 and mapped on a one-hectare (2.471) grid system for the town. We anticipate that more recent and more detailed data will be available from the DEP within the next two years.

NATURAL FEATURES AND RESOURCES 7. Land Cover Map Land cover maps show vegetative cover and physical features of the land most associated with forests, agricultural crops and activities, and various habitat and wildlife areas. The current land cover maps are derived from Landsat imagery (2.471-acre grids) and, like the land use maps, are based on the 1987 to 1999 period. Used in combination with other maps of detailed physical features, they provide the best overview of natural resources in the town at the present time.

8. Water Quality Map A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographical base map indicating the water quality in Woodstock’s streams and ponds as designated by the DEP standards. The classifications are based on known discharges to surface waters and known well contamination from groundwater.

9. Flood Insurance Rate Map

2 The town tax parcel map was updated on January 17, 2001.

Page 6 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

This map series identifies areas that are prone to flooding due to elevation and proximity to a water body and to discourage inappropriate development in those areas. It is based on a USGS topographical map indicating 100 year and 500-year flood hazard zones. These maps are not digitized, and are not available through the GIS. They are available in hard copy formats, at several different scales, and not in reproducible formats.

10. Groundwater Resources USGS topographical maps identifying saturated stratified drift aquifers which may be suitable for public water supply wells due to their extremely high water yield. Currently, a majority of the town’s drinking water supply is provided by private wells. These untapped high yield areas could be of critical future importance if population growth or contamination of existing wells creates the need for additional public water supplies. The surficial materials map indicates areas of significant sand and gravel deposits and approximately overlies the most significant aquifers in town.

11. Surface Water Surface water maps show the location of rivers, streams, lakes, marshes and swamps and other characteristics of surface-level hydrological characteristics of the town. They are based on USGS Quadrangle maps and enhanced aerial photographic and soils interpretations undertaken by DEP.

12. Drainage Basins This map divides the entire town into drainage areas. Ridge tops and other high elevation areas from which surface waters flow define drainage basins downhill until they encounter a watercourse that eventually drains to the lowest point in the basin. There are several tiers of basins and sub-basins.

13. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses A map showing all town wetland areas as defined by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. The wetland areas are broken into three classifications: upland wetland soils, terrace soils and flood plain soils, inland organic soils, and water bodies and streams. Regulated wetland areas are determined in Connecticut by soil type.

14. National Wetlands Inventory Wetlands delineated by vegetative cover in accordance with the Classification of Wetlands and Deep-Water Habitats of the United States, Cawardin, et al, 1977, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This map identifies wetland classes and types by vegetation. It should not be used for regulatory purposes but is useful in identifying unique plant communities and wildlife habitat corridors. (The map is not available in a reproducible format but it is available for review as a black and white copy.)

15. Fisheries and Endangered, Rare and Species of Special Concern Stocking of streams for trout management are indicated on a USGS map for major streams and rivers in Woodstock. The Natural Diversity Data Base for endangered, rare and species of special concern areas are revealed as blobs indicating the presence of a protected species, but not necessarily in the center of the highlighted area.

16. Steep Slopes Based on information from the soils survey for Windham County, this map identified all soil types with slopes greater than 15%. The map is particularly useful for the Planning and Zoning Commission in the review of subdivision applications, and for assessing the potential of lands for conservation and other forms of protection when combined with other information on unique and sensitive areas. The information in this map is limited by the generalizations in the soils survey. More detail is available in the contour map derived from the digital elevation model and prepared by the University of Connecticut (see Map 22).

17. Productive Forest Soils The productive forest soils map shows soils that are particularly productive for growing trees and supporting other forest vegetation, including the wide variety of understory and plant species required to support the highly diverse forest-based habitat. Soils are shown in two categories: Most Productive Forest Soils and Productive Forest Soils. The data was provided by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service and

Page 7 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

supplemented by updates developed by the Connecticut DEP. Because of their ability to produce forest biomass in abundance, these soils have high potential value for both forest products and as wildlife habitat.

18. Important Agricultural Lands Prime Farmland Soils and Farmland Soils of Statewide Importance are determined using a classification system developed by the USDA and complied by the DEP. The soil types were established in “Important Farmland, Connecticut” published by USDA and NRCS in May l982. The areas identified are most suitable to farming operations and “land where conditions are favorable to produce sustained crop yields.”

19. Productive Wildlife Habitats and Habitat Corridors This map identifies priority wildlife habitat areas defined as undeveloped areas greater than 200 acres in size that are predominately comprised of productive forest soils and wetlands. Such sites abundantly provide the food, cover and water which wildlife require, and are of sufficient size to allow most interior forest dwelling species to breed successfully. The map also identifies important linking corridors between habitat areas, which prevent them from becoming isolated “islands.” Such corridors allow for necessary migration, dispersal and interaction among wildlife populations and prevent population inbreeding.

20. Streambelt Map The streambelts as delineated include areas in proximity to named streams and their tributaries, associated wetlands and other areas necessary as links to form a continuous streambelt system. The maps were developed using the GIS created for this plan and are based on hydrological data provided by DEP.

21. Public Water Supply Watersheds Using information available on the drainage basin maps, town records, and from other public and private sources, the Commission identified watersheds for each of the three sources of public water supplies that are either partially or entirely within Town boundaries.

22. Contour Maps Contour maps were developed for the Town of Woodstock through an internship program sponsored by the University of Connecticut. A digital elevation model was created using elevation data available on a 30-meter grid system. Contours were interpolated using ERDOS and converted to ARC/View themes. Coverage is available using 5, 10 and 20-foot contour intervals.

23. Major Viewsheds in Woodstock Major viewsheds in Woodstock were developed for the Town of Woodstock through an internship program sponsored by the University of Connecticut. Using the same digital elevation model that was used to create the contour maps, a series of 104 publicly accessible vantage points were selected from past studies of the Route 169 corridor and from USGS Quadrangle coverage. Areas of Woodstock visible from these 104 locations were computed using digital elevation data and a composite map was created that reflected composite visibility. The viewsheds are “conservative” in that they assume no vegetative cover (bare earth) scenario. This assumption provides the best indication of likely visibility in the event that existing tree and shrubbery coverage is removed.

24. Developed Lands The developed lands map contains composite imagery from 1987/89 Landsat data complied by the Connecticut DEP and 1999 Landsat data analyzed by the University of Connecticut. Traditional commercial, industrial and residential land uses are included (using the 1987/89 state–wide imagery) as are more subtle distinctions between various types of residential and rural development (using the 1999 imagery.) The 1999 imagery also provides an update of new land development that has occurred since the 1987/89 statewide imagery was collected.

Most of these maps are currently part of the GIS completed for the town as part of this planning process. A public hearing was held on March 13, 2001 to present the information, seek questions and advice, and acquire any new,

Page 8 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2 updated or supplemental information pertinent to the resource mapping effort. Maps not included in the GIS are noted in Table 1.3

3 This list of maps reflects the original GIS maps which A Plan of Open Space and Conservation was based on. The GIS has since been revised, and will be revised in the future as new data becomes available.

Page 9 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

III. PLAN OF CONSERVATION

For planning purposes, the Commission grouped the inventory data into four main categories: 1) wetland and water resources, 2) agricultural resources, 3) forest and wildlife resources and 4) recreational, aesthetic and historic resources. Recommendations were then developed for each category.

Our goals are to: • Use sound research and the most current information to develop adequate protection, preservation and conservation standards for the town’s wetlands, water resources, agricultural lands, forests, wildlife, historic, archaeological, aesthetic and other cultural resources, • Identify and recommend protection strategies that are cost-effective, can be implemented without unrealistic expense, and that do not result in undue infringement on private property rights.

A. WETLAND AND WATER RESOURCES

OBJECTIVE Protect ground and surface water quality for domestic use, recreational use, and for fish and wildlife habitat. All wetlands, vernal pool wetlands, and the surrounding critical areas should be included.

BACKGROUND The water resources of Woodstock can be divided into two general categories – groundwater and surface water. Both are interconnected through the natural hydrologic cycle.

Groundwater is a vital resource for all the residents of Woodstock as the majority of homes, farms and businesses rely on private or public wells for their water supply. Groundwater also provides base flow to streams during dry periods. It serves the best interests of the town to protect this resource from degradation. Experience has shown it is much more economically sensible to prevent pollution rather than finance cleanup of contamination afterwards. As groundwater is vulnerable to certain types of pollution from land use activity, all sources should be protected from potentially deleterious land uses.

The geological formations that can yield usable amounts of water are known as aquifers. There are 3 types of aquifers in Woodstock – bedrock, glacial till, and stratified drift. Bedrock aquifers have varying yields of water depending on the amount of spaces and cracks in the rocks in which they are found. While generally low yielding, it is this type of aquifer that provides water to most of the individual homes in the town. Glacial till is poorly sorted soil overlying bedrock and tends to be unsuitable for supporting the most productive of aquifers. The type of aquifer with the highest potential yield is a stratified drift sand and gravel aquifer (Hust, 1997). The largest stratified drift aquifer areas in Woodstock are found in the Muddy Brook/Little River Valley. It is possible that these areas can be tapped for a large public supply well field (see Map 10). Yield has been estimated at over 2 million gallons per day by the DEP/USGS; however, yield may be limited due to stream flow or habitat impacts. Muddy Brook flows to Roseland Lake, which acts as an impoundment to the Putnam Water Department surface water supply intake further downstream on Little River. Several homes and businesses in the Harrisville section of Woodstock are currently connected to the Putnam Water Department water supply. The potential to extend the water line exists if the immediate need arises; however, the Putnam Water Department indicates the need for a long-term additional source.

Above ground, the inland wetlands and watercourses of Woodstock are an indispensable and irreplaceable, but fragile natural resource. “The wetlands and watercourses of Connecticut are an interrelated web of nature, essential to an adequate supply of surface and under groundwater, to hydrological stability and control of flooding and erosion, to the recharging and purification of groundwater, and to the existence of many forms of animal, aquatic and plant life.” CT General Statutes sections 22a –36, Legislative finding. In addition, they provide a variety of recreational and educational opportunities.

Page 10 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

The Woodstock Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency adopted new regulations in March 2000 to be more in line with State requirements mandating them to protect lands affecting the wetlands and watercourses of the town (see Map 13). These regulations maintain a seventy-five foot upland review area for all wetland and watercourses and a fifty foot setback for intermittent watercourses, including vernal pools. The agency is now also able to rule on more distant upland review areas if it is suspected that activities in those areas are likely to impact or affect a wetland or watercourse. Maps 6, 9, and 11 should prove to be useful tools in this assessment. Information on the location of vernal pools is limited. Vernal pools are important habitat critical to the survival of certain wildlife species, including amphibians and reptiles such as frogs, toads, salamanders and turtles that use them for mating and breeding. Certain invertebrate species are also dependent on them (Donahue, ND).

Surface waters in Woodstock are generally high quality, meeting fishable and swimmable standards (see Map 8). The greatest threat to surface water quality in Woodstock is not industrial or commercial pollutants, but so-called “non-point” pollution sources. These include effluent from failing septic systems and contaminated storm-water runoff carrying such pollutants as bacteria, fertilizers, pesticides and petroleum products. “Riparian zones”, or the vegetated strips of land along stream and pond edges, are critically important in mitigating and controlling pollution from non-point sources. Vegetative cover helps to filter sediments and inorganic materials, stabilize stream banks, provide wildlife cover, provide nutrients for aquatic environments, and slow surface-water movement (Neumann, 2000).

Woodstock surface waters include several lakes and ponds (see Map 11). Three lakes in Woodstock are accessible to the public. They include Muddy Brook Pond (also known as Pond Factory), Black Pond and Roseland Lake. There are several other significant lakes in town where the shore property is accessible to private landowners or lake associations. Human activity in the watershed areas can speed up the natural aging process of a lake. This is known as cultural eutrophication. A goal of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation is to limit further degradation of the lakes and ponds throughout the town. It is most important to implement watershed management measures to reduce pollution from non-point sources to lakes. This includes contributions from soil erosion, storm water, septic tank failures, and runoff from poorly managed land.

Unfortunately, many lakes and ponds in Woodstock have been contaminated for decades by human-generated phosphorus, nitrogen, sand, silt, and other pollutants from dispersed sources. As a consequence, cultural eutrophication is commonplace. Typical symptoms include: 1) Increased growth of algae and macrophytes (aquatic plants with roots, stems and leaves that can be seen without the aide of a microscope); 2) Increased growing space for macrophytes due to sediment deposition; and 3) Loss of dissolved oxygen in deeper waters because the increased volume of organic material, such as dead algae and macrophytes, has triggered an increase of the oxygen dependant decomposing bacteria.

Such water conditions diminish commercial and recreational opportunities and reduce the value of shore properties. The introduction of the non-native species, Variable Watermilfoil to many water bodies in town is an example of a problem associated with poor watershed management. Control is difficult but possible (Caring for Our Lakes, 1996).

Surface water quality and the protection of streams, lakes, ponds and wetlands are a difficult topic to address in general terms. These resources are vast and distributed throughout our town. They are also the spine of our biotic community and their protection is crucial to the overall quality of our environment. It is important to note a correlation between stream health and impervious surface in a watershed. Impervious surface is any barrier to water penetration into the ground, including parking lots, rooftops and sidewalks. Map 6 displays impervious surfaces and shows that currently, most parts of rural Woodstock have limited impervious surface. Impervious surfaces should be limited where possible as the town continues to develop. Where there is less than 10% impervious surface in a drainage basin, the stream within may be roughly characterized as “protected”. Once impervious surfaces reach a total of between 10 – 30%, a stream is “impacted;” greater than 30%, a stream is “degraded” (Arnold, 1996).

Much of Woodstock is considered water supply watershed contributing water to reservoirs in adjoining towns (see Map 21). Several streams in Woodstock are managed for Put and Take trout fishing by the Connecticut’s DEP - Fisheries Division (see Map 15). There is a diverse native fish population as well. Some of these fish types are

Page 11 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2 sensitive to pollutants, as well as fluctuations in stream temperature, which result from removal of riparian vegetation that shades the stream (Guidelines Upland Review Area, 1997). Special habitats associated with endangered, threatened and species of special concern have been identified that are linked to wetlands and watercourses in our borders (see also Map 15).

Surface water and groundwater quality are interdependent, and proper management of both is critical. Proper management includes appropriate protection of wetlands, protection of riparian zones, avoidance of potentially polluting land uses over groundwater and reservoir watershed areas used to supply drinking water, and avoidance of inappropriate land uses in flood management areas.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION Varying state, federal and local agencies were consulted during the formation of this section, and their contributions have been very valuable. The inventory mapping used for this section of the plan includes: 1. Land Use (Map 6) – The areas of town where development has already occurred are a good indication of impervious surface associated with that development. 2. Water Quality (Map 8) – The outstanding feature on this map is the generally good quality water present in Woodstock. It also indicates areas of known contamination of surface and groundwater. 3. Flood Insurance (Map 9) – Areas in danger of periodic flooding are high risk for certain types of development and is regulated by town ordinance. 4. Groundwater Resources (Map 10) – Groundwater Availability in Connecticut (1978) and Groundwater Yields for Selected Stratified-Drift Aquifers in Connecticut (1986) produced by the USGS and DEP Natural Resource Center indicate that a large area of stratified drift aquifer with a potential to produce over 2 million gallons of water per day is present in Woodstock. 5. Surface Water (Map 11) -- The most visible water resource to most residents, this map highlights the location of lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands. 6. Drainage Basins (Map 12) – A map showing individual drainage basins is an important tool when assessing the impact of impervious surface in a development project. 7. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses (Map 13) – Regulated wetland areas in Connecticut are determined by soil type. This map highlights watercourses and the wetlands associated with them. 8. National Wetlands Inventory (Map 14) – These inventory maps show wetlands by their vegetative cover using satellite imagery. Although not presently used for regulatory purposes, these maps can be used to determine the functional value of wetlands following the format in DEP publication #9. 9. Fisheries Management Areas and Natural Diversity Data Base (Map 15) – Streams managed for put and take trout fishing are indicated as an important resource in the town and public access to these areas should be maintained as public money is used to provide the resource. The Natural Diversity Data Base shows general areas where endangered, threatened or species of special concern have been identified. Any disturbances to these areas are permitted only after consulting with the NDDB office of the CT DEP. 10. Streambelt Map (Map 20) – The streams in town are shown with regulated upland review areas (buffers) highlighted. The current regulations require a 75-foot setback from all perennial streams and 50-foot setback from intermittent streams. 11. Public Water Supply Watershed Map (Map 21) – Any land that drains towards an eventual public water supply surface intake is included. The land in Woodstock drains into 3 different public water supply sources -- Putnam, Southbridge and Willimantic. 12. Composite Water Resources Highlights (Map I – Chapter IV). This map highlights where multiple functions of surface and groundwater make them especially worthy of protection. This should not be interpreted to suggest that other water resources not on this map have no value.

B. AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

OBJECTIVE The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management’s Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut, 1998-2003, lists as a priority statewide goal:

Page 12 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

“ . . . to maintain and increase a long-term, in-state food producing capacity: I) through conservation and preservation of prime agricultural lands and through removal of disincentives to the continuation and expansion of food-producing agriculture . . .” (1998, pg. 67)

In concert with this statewide goal, our town goal is to preserve important farmland and enhance commercially viable agricultural operations in Woodstock, without unduly restricting the rights of private property owners.

BACKGROUND Currently, Woodstock's agricultural community consists of 47 farms (Woodstock Open Space Preservation Group). Sixteen of these farms are family owned dairy farms. In addition to the traditional dairy and horse farms, agriculture in Woodstock is believed to include: 57 acres of apples, five acres of peaches, four acres of blueberries/raspberries, 334 acres of Christmas trees, five nursery, bedding and vegetable operations (Woodstock Agricultural Action Committee).

The majority of farm acreage in Woodstock is devoted to pasture for dairy cattle, silage corn, hay, and Christmas tree farming. Several landowners also grow fruit and vegetable produce and nursery stock, some of which is sold in town at roadside stands. There are also boarding horse farms, beef cattle farms, maple syrup producers, honey producers, and a poultry farm. Woodstock is also fortunate to have many landowners who maintain agricultural fields for lease to farmers. The availability of this acreage for lease in close proximity to working farms is also an important part of Woodstock’s agricultural resources.

In addition to their farm crops and products, these farms add greatly to the aesthetic beauty and rural character of Woodstock, which is so often cited as one of its greatest assets. Farmlands are the principal component of “manmade” open space. Farmlands also provide excellent wildlife habitat for many species, and in some cases recreational opportunities such as hunting, walking and bird watching.

The economic and tax advantages of Woodstock’s agricultural community to its citizens need to be fully appreciated before they are significantly threatened. There are numerous studies that support the conclusion that farming and agriculture provide more tax dollars to the town than they require in service expenditures and their preservation will provide Woodstock with added income. In a study published in June of 1998 by the American Farmland Trust, Farmland Information Center, entitled "Summary of Cost of Community Services, Revenue-to-Expenditure Ratio in Dollars," the central conclusion is that farmland only costs a community, on average, $.31 in services for every $1.00 it generates in revenue.

Dairy farmers in Woodstock generate annual gross revenue of approximately six million dollars. Agriculture is estimated to provide at least 103 full-time jobs and from eighty-to-ninety part-time jobs (Agenda, Town Of Woodstock Special Town Meeting, 06-21-2000).

For several reasons, farmland in Woodstock is probably more threatened by loss to development than any other type of open space. Therefore, farmland preservation deserves special consideration. 1. Unlike wetlands, state laws or regulations do not restrict farmland use or development. Most of Woodstock’s farmland is quite suitable to residential development. 2. Many of our active farms and prime farm soils are adjacent to or within Woodstock’s most rapidly developing neighborhoods. 3. Commercial farm owners have been caught in an economic squeeze between the rising cost of doing business and markets for farm products that hold steady or decline. 4. These farms are family businesses, and the land may represent the owner's greatest asset.

For these reasons, developing and implementing a farmland preservation plan appears to be the town’s greatest long- term conservation challenge.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION The inventory maps used in this section include: 3 Land in Agricultural Use II Farmland Resources.

Page 13 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

Central to our approach is to raise the awareness among Woodstock's citizens that maintaining a healthy and thriving agricultural community is the backbone of any potentially successful open space plan. It is our goal to work in close concert with all facets of Woodstock's agricultural community to establish and maintain Town objectives that protect existing farms, that encourage the continuing presence of farming and that promote the successful practice of agribusiness by local farmers.

C. FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

OBJECTIVE To conserve productive forests in ways that protect the health and diversity of our native wildlife populations, allow local forest based industries to continue to exist, maintain and enhance Woodstock’s rural character, provide for ongoing forest-based recreational and educational opportunities, and support appropriate economic growth.

BACKGROUND Forests are the natural vegetative cover in Connecticut. They provide many critical benefits that we often take for granted. They remove carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air and produce the oxygen we breathe. The root structure of trees, forests and windrows plays a major role in preventing erosion and reducing run-off into watersheds. Forested areas cleanse and moderate the flow of our water supply. They provide the habitat for virtually all of Woodstock’s native wildlife species. And they provide countless recreational and educational benefits for our townspeople.

Forest based industries in Woodstock include activities such as local tree farms, sawmills and maple sugaring. Such commercial resource-based activities contribute to our local economy without changing Woodstock’s rural character. Currently, timber from Woodstock’s forests is made into products such as furniture and flooring that are literally sold all over the world. Logging also provides chips to pulp and paper industries, lumber products, and pole stock. Other forest products commonly produced in the area include fuel wood, maple products, Christmas trees and greens, and witch hazel astringent. At present, there are nine registered “Tree Farmers” in the Town of Woodstock (University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service, April 18, 2000).

Forestlands are also held privately in areas used for camping and recreation. Presently, there are three private forested campgrounds in Woodstock with relatively large, contiguous forest coverage and with other vegetative cover suitable for wildlife cover and habitat. Forest cover (see Map 7) and soils suitable for supporting forests (see Map 17) show that the most extensive and contiguous forest cover is in the western portion of the Town of Woodstock. There are extensive holdings through the State of Connecticut in northwestern Woodstock (Nipmuck State Forest) and in the middle of the western boundary of Woodstock (Yale Forest). Most of the rest of the extensively forested areas of town are smaller, private holdings. These areas are subject to possible future fragmentation, especially if there is no attempt to develop a coordinated plan to manage and assist private property owners in understanding both the commercial and ecological value of these lands.

The Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut, 1998-2003 includes policies specifically directed toward protecting and enhancing forestlands and wildlife resources (Office of Policy and Management, 1998). Specifically, Policy C in the Natural and Cultural Resources section of the Plan states that it is the policy of the State to: “Encourage management of natural resources that preserves the diversity of habitats and species and achieves sustainable yields of renewable resources. In particular, retain healthy, vigorous forestlands and achieve sustainable yields of forest resource-based benefits through scientific management of these resources. (pp. 105)”

The primary threat to the forests’ continued ability to provide these benefits is fragmentation due to residential development. Fragmentation inhibits active forest conservation and management practices that yield such positive results as enhanced timber production, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, and protection of air quality. Some degree of forest fragmentation is inevitable as our town continues to develop. Land use and conservation plans must therefore consider measures that allow economic growth and development to occur while mitigating these negative effects. Research has clearly shown that one large, contiguous tract of forest which is

Page 14 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2 diverse biologically provides far greater habitat, recreation and other resource benefits than many small tracts adding up to the same acreage. Further, by connecting such larger tracts to one another with vegetated “corridors”, wildlife populations can intermingle and avoid the devastating effects of genetic inbreeding. These corridors also provide the pathways for a number of migratory species, including land, air and water-based migration. Both contiguity and corridor concepts are central to a successful and coordinated plan to conserve forested lands and wildlife diversity in the Town of Woodstock.

The larger the contiguous forested area, the greater the overall habitat value. Recent studies by the US Forest service suggest that in contiguous forest areas approaching 500 acres, species diversity is measurably improved (DeGraaf, 1986). The Nipmuck State Forest and the Yale Forest anchor the areas of greatest significance in Woodstock. Although fragmented ownership patterns are also prevalent in this area, the existing forest cover has yet to be affected. There are two significant attributes that characterize this important area of the town as they pertain to wildlife populations. First, the Connecticut DEP has noted the presence of breeding moose in a broad region of northeastern Connecticut, which includes these areas of Woodstock (Kilpatrick, 2000). These areas also support habitat for recently observed fur-bearing species such as black bear and beaver (Rego 2000). Moreover, the Nature Conservancy has recently undertaken a comprehensive survey of ecosystems in the Eastern United States. They have identified an area they call the Lower New England Eco-region (Toomey, 2000). This is considered a prime habitat and one of the last examples of extensive unfragmented habitat in the Northeast. It consists of over 36,500 acres of forests and wetlands. The eastern reaches of this key ecological area include the western portions of Woodstock and lands located between the Nipmuck and Yale forests.

The second important consideration with regard to forest fragmentation and wildlife has to do with habitat for species that have smaller ranges (compared to large mammals) but that rely on a broader diversity of habitat. Even for these species, habitat value diminishes rapidly as forests fragment. Some wildlife species such as wild turkey require home ranges of 1,000 acres or more; others like the pileated woodpecker and many of our less common songbirds require 300 acres or more per pair to breed successfully. In addition, blue jays, cowbirds and other predatory species that frequent the edges of forests gradually predate interior forest bird species out of existence as fragmentation increases the “edge effect”. Finally, the lack of genetic diversity in wildlife populations relegated to isolated forest “islands” causes many species to gradually decline due to sterility and other results arising from inbreeding.

As fragmentation becomes more pervasive, the ability of the forest to provide its many benefits declines rapidly. When a 100-acre forest becomes forty or fifty, two-acre home sites, for example, its ability to absorb septage and residential pollutants is limited through reduction of forest coverage needed for land development. Septage loading is simultaneously increased. As a result, the forested area no longer has the same capacity to cleanse water percolating through the soils as it had before the development occurred. Forest cover’s contribution to air quality improvement is also greatly diminished through the reduction in the number of trees present in forested tracts. A fragmented forest no longer provides recreational opportunities for anyone but individual parcel owners. Even those opportunities are limited by the size, composition and management practices of individual homeowners. Fragmented forestlands reduce the “critical mass” needed to provide forest products and help support our local forest products industries.

Individuals and families privately own most of Woodstock’s forestland. Growing numbers of these holdings are owned as relatively small, individual parcels of land. As long-term development pressures increase and larger forested tracts of land are subdivided into buildable lots, the forest will continue to “fragment” into smaller and smaller individual parcels interspersed with housing. Evidence of the pressure on forested lands can be found in looking at the number of housing permits requested from January 1995 through September 2000. During this period of time, 225 housing permits have been requested (Connecticut Department of Labor, 2000). A substantial number of these permits have been requested for properties located in the western, forested areas of Woodstock.

The State of Connecticut’s PA490 program allows for land to be taxed on use rather than market value if certain criteria are met. There are three categories of PA490 land – open space, farmland and forest. All PA490 lands are considered to be “uncommitted” open space because after 10 years in the program, this land can be sold with no penalties for the buyer or conveyance tax to the seller. Therefore, although participation in the PA490 program is an incentive to preserve open space, it is not a long-term commitment. There are approximately 22,721 acres of PA490 lands in Woodstock – primarily forested lands. Participation in the PA490 program is a key element of managing

Page 15 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2 forested lands and supporting wildlife habitat, because a forest management plan prepared by a certified forester is required. While PA490 lands represents over 50% of the total land area of Woodstock, these lands cannot be considered “committed” open space.

Including holdings of the State of Connecticut, approximately 3,038 acres (7.7%) in the Town of Woodstock can be considered “committed” open space, which is far less than the State goal of 21%. Of the total land area that qualifies as committed open space: o 42.6% (1297 acres) is state forestlands, o 29.7% (903 acres) is agricultural, o 7.0% (212 acres) is in conservation easements with organizations such as Connecticut Forest & Parks, o 6.6% (202 acres) is owned by or is subject to conservation easements associated with private land trusts, o 6.4% (195 acres) is in recreational use (e.g., Roseland Park Golf Course), o 3.9% (120 acres) is municipal (town) owned land, and o 3.6% (109 acres) is “Other” (e.g., neighborhood associations). The table in Appendix B lists the properties that are permanently protected, along with the type of use, acreage, location, and information on whether or not they are accessible to the public.

The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System offers multi-day training sessions and assistance to residents of the area they serve. The purpose of this training is to educate participants on the natural processes at work in our environment. The program also covers methods of conservation that private property owners can implement to conserve these resources. There are two separate programs: an Introduction to the Natural World, and the Coverts Cooperator program. As of the publication date of this plan, the Extension System has provided training and assistance to nine Woodstock residents in methods and techniques for fostering development of and maintaining wildlife habitat in Northeastern Connecticut. The Green Valley Institute in conjunction with the Quinebaug Shetucket Heritage Corridor offers workshops on ways that private landowners can establish conservation trusts for their land holdings as well as manage and protect these lands.

Connectivity through the use of wildlife corridors is a key to the survival and maintenance of a healthy and diverse wildlife population. Moreover, wildlife corridors can work well when planned in combination with riparian buffers developed in conjunction with preserving water quality and wetlands resources. Wildlife corridors support the movement of all forms of wildlife who use these corridors to get from one core habitat or seasonal range to another. Habitat ranges can be relatively limited, like those required by small, waterborne species of amphibians, or relatively large, like those required by fur-bearing predators or large migratory herbivores.

These corridors are critically important in northeastern Connecticut, as there are several larger herbivore and carnivore species that are attempting to repopulate portions of southern New England – areas from which they have been excluded by past human activity for over 100 years. Moose and black bear are key examples of recently observed naturally re-introduced species. Both of these species use high elevation ranges in the summer and lowlands in the winter. Breeding moose have been observed in this region within the past three years, where there was no evidence of any moose activity just ten years ago. Black bear have been observed in southwestern Connecticut, and are known to inhabit the higher elevations in central and eastern Connecticut and central Massachusetts.

Wildlife corridors that connect important potential habitat are shown in Map 19. Many of the naturally occurring wildlife corridors included in this plan reinforce and support the potential migratory movements of diverse species over a large range, as well as supporting more common species that depend on relatively limited habitat ranges. These corridors generally follow rivers and streams that are also being recommended for further protection with riparian buffers (see wetlands and water resources, recommendation 3). In addition to providing both seasonal migratory route support and necessary resting, escape and nesting habitat, these corridors, when of sufficient width, also provide buffers between human and wildlife activity.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION Locating and mapping our most valuable forests is less straightforward than locating streams or active farm fields. With assistance from the University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the University of Connecticut Department of Natural Resource Management and Engineering, and the DEP Division of Forests and Wildlife, the following approach was developed:

Page 16 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

1. Productive Forest Soils (Map 17) – NRCS soils maps and field data were used to identify all undeveloped sites in town where the soils are fertile enough to grow timber and other forest products at a reasonably rapid rate. There are approximately fifteen (15) soil types in Northeastern Connecticut that support the forested areas identified in our maps. Other forest productivity factors include slopes under 15% (which support the ability to harvest forest products without significant potential soil loss due to erosion) and lack of residential or active agricultural usage. Because of their slope, stoniness and other factors, these productive forest soils may not be well suited to residential or agricultural development, but can provide abundant raw material for the sawmill, maple products and other local forest based industries. The forest productivity maps developed for the Town of Woodstock include both Prime Agricultural soils, as defined by DEP and soils considered highly suitable for agricultural activity.

2. Productive Wildlife Habitat (Map 19) – These are defined as tracts of sufficient size that provide abundant food, water and cover at all seasons of the year. Because of their innate ability to produce food and cover plants in abundance, wildlife biologists agree that the productive forest soils identified in Map 19 are also the best potential habitat sites as well. Productive habitats must also contain water, however, and be large enough to accommodate those interior forest species that cannot tolerate forest edge effects and/or human presence. Productive wildlife habitats are defined as undeveloped areas greater than 250 (two-hundred and fifty) acres in size that consist primarily of productive forest soils, wetlands and/or watercourses.

3. Habitat Corridors (Map V) – “The junction between land and water is by far the richest of our wildlife habitats.” (ENFO, 1991) Habitat corridors support both vegetation and animal species. Research has determined that certain tree species such a beech and sugar maple forests cannot reproduce in corridors narrower than three hundred feet. For this and other reasons, several native wildlife species required travel lanes at least this wide (Adams and Dove, 1989). These connecting corridors were identified using productive habitat areas as a base. They are designated with the purpose of preventing productive habitat areas from becoming isolated “islands.” Their purpose is to allow terrestrial wildlife populations to migrate from one habitat area to another, and to support the resting and escape habitat required to link basic nesting and forage areas, and to support other activity related to breeding and localized migration within the corridors. Because wetlands and stream courses have great habitat value themselves and are largely protected from development, these corridors follow streambelts and wetlands where possible.

4. Forest and Wildlife Resources (Map VI) – A simplified version of Maps 7, 17, and 19, it more clearly indicates the areas of town, which warrant extra protection of contiguous open parcels in order to provide long-term habitat for our wildlife populations. This map also shows the corridors that connect these habitat areas.

D. AESTHETIC, HISTORIC AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES

OBJECTIVE To bring attention to, and assure the preservation, conservation, and protection of Woodstock’s aesthetic, historic, cultural, and recreational resources so that future generations may appreciate its heritage and maintain the identity that distinguishes Woodstock from other communities in the region.

BACKGROUND The current inhabitants of Woodstock are fortunate to have inherited scenic vistas, five villages, 16 active dairy farms, Native American sites, miles of stone walls, fine old buildings from many periods of history, and a nationally designated scenic highway – Connecticut Route 169. Woodstock is also included in the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley Natural Heritage Corridor. The people of this town also hold a long-standing tradition of Yankee independence and volunteerism. There is a sense of pride in the beauty of the town – both natural and manmade. In a summary of the outcome of the year 2000 Study Circle Project involving over 250 town residents, there was overwhelming support to have it to remain that way – beautiful, open and green.

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“Aesthetics” encompasses not only the appearance of a place, from its natural to its built environment, but also the effect of its appearance: how does the place “feel”? For example, entrances into a community, also known as “gateways,” often set the tone and style of development that may continue along the thoroughfare. Exact definitions are difficult because of individual perceptions – each person has a favorite view or special spot in town. How, as a town, can we define and assess visual quality? What are the visual assets that define Woodstock as a unique community and give it its sense of place? And then, by what means can we develop a system to prioritize, preserve, and conserve these areas and their resources? The Conservation Commission has begun this discussion by developing viewshed maps of the town. The purpose of these viewshed maps is to help define where and why the town’s aesthetic assets may be most vulnerable.

The town has always had a strong and active interest in its history. Much of Woodstock Hill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places Properties and the Connecticut State Registry of Historic Places Properties, as well as the whole hill being part of the Woodstock Hill Historic District. The Woodstock Historical Society, Woodstock Historic Properties, and Woodstock Historic District Commissions are working to ensure the conservation of both archaeological and historic sites and the five villages that make up the cultural diversity of the town. All these organizations were involved in creating this plan and will be an integral part of its implementation.

In section I, the definition of open space includes passive recreational improvements such as trails, swimming or picnic areas. Presently, the town has no official, publicly accessible trails and only one public picnic-swimming area at Pond Factory Pond. The scope of this plan is based on passive recreation, not active recreational facilities (such as soccer fields, baseball diamonds, golf courses or equine areas.) The needs of the town for active recreational areas will be addressed by the Recreational Commission and covered in the Town of Woodstock’s Year 2000 Plan of Conservation and Development.

Another key to the continuity of the region’s natural and aesthetic resources is the development of a town greenways system that would be linked to regional greenways using the State’s enabling legislation. In 1995, the Connecticut legislature established the Connecticut Greenways Council and declared an interest in creating a statewide greenways system (PA95-335). A greenway is defined as: “ . . . a corridor of open space that (1) may protect natural resources, preserve scenic landscapes and historical resources or offer opportunities for recreation or non-motorized transportation, (2) may connect existing protected areas and provide access to the outdoors, (3) may be located along a defining natural feature, such as a waterway, along a manmade corridor, including an unused right-of-way, traditional trail routes or historic barge canals or (4) may be a greenspace along a highway or around a village.”

The Conservation Commission’s vision is to tie green spaces, some of the key aesthetic and historic resources, and passive recreational areas (swimming areas, picnic areas, and trails) together in a greenway system throughout town. As of October 2001, there are approximately 2,500 acres in committed open space (including land trusts and State forestlands) with the largest contiguous blocks being in the Northwest corner of town. The Yale Forest holdings (approximately 365 acres which are not committed open space) and Nipmuck State Forest (roughly 1,257 acres) are contiguous with protected, forested land across the town border. Otherwise, the areas committed to open space are scattered through town (see Map 5).

Woodstock does not stand-alone; it exists within a natural and economic region. It is important that we work within the planning framework provided by these regional organizations while being sure to address and articulate our own needs. There are a number of regional and national organizations that are working to conserve greenspace, particularly the other nine towns in the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments and the Quinebaug- Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor (QSHC). Woodstock’s inclusion in the QSHC will be key to the whole region’s aesthetic life. As of 1999, the QSHC was expanded to include 35 towns in the eastern Connecticut and south central Massachusetts. The missions of the QSHC is to “ . . . preserve its natural, historic, and cultural assets while its residents enjoy a quality of life based on a strong healthy economy compatible with its character.” (QSHC 1997 Management Plan)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION The Inventory Maps pertinent to this section of the plan include: 2 Historic Properties and Districts;

Page 18 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

4 Archeological Features 5 Committed Open Space 21 Scenic Areas and Vistas

Page 19 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

IV. RECOMMENDATIONS

The Plan of Conservation is divided into four separate sections. However, there are a number of synergies and interactions between the elements of the plan that make up each section. The composite maps listed in Table 2 summarize the significant natural and cultural resources that must be taken into account when developing and implementing A Plan of Open Space and Conservation for the Town of Woodstock. Table 2 also describes the composite maps that the Conservation Commission has prepared to identify protection priorities. It shows the array of underlying data that we intend to use in developing our priority mapping of key natural and cultural resources in Woodstock. The Commission has produced nine separate maps and has used these maps in various combinations to evaluate, analyze and establish priorities of protecting open space and lands deserving of conservation protection in Woodstock.

By scanning the inventory and the resulting composite maps one will often see two or more resources or natural features identified as worthy of special consideration. However, there are a number of special places and several “critical links” in establishing contiguous open space. Establishing contiguity involves developing conservation- oriented practices on lands needed to join or otherwise expand critical corridors for habitat or greenways and developing, through ownership or management of forested and agricultural lands, practices that meet conservation requirements unique to each corridor. The Conservation Commission is developing a plan that will establish recommendations for the protection of open space and lands critical to conservation of natural and cultural features. These recommendations reflect our priorities and also link these priorities to specific ways to preserve, protect and conserve existing and future open space and conservation land. Our goals are: • To maintain flexibility for using various kinds of grants (for outright acquisition or for other forms of land preservation, like the PA490 program), • To foster private husbandry and volunteer programs directed to meet the goals and objectives of the plan; • To encourage other town commissions and committees to use the plan as a basis for implementing their own plans and conducting land use reviews.

The Conservation Commission has recently received a new set of natural resource data from the Connecticut DEP, and has set up a Geographic Information System (GIS) based on this data with the cooperation of the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG). We have also coordinated this project with the digital property mapping exercise currently underway for the Town of Woodstock. Our objective is to use the mapping database and the analytic capabilities of the GIS to identify critical areas and to use the information we have collected and the methods for open space preservation we are developing to prioritize open space protection areas for the Town.

The Conservation Commission has focused on the following multi-value, multiple resource areas: 1. Water and wetlands resources that are critical to high quality water resources for both human consumption and to support natural ecosystems. 2. Prime farmlands, with particular attention to those currently in agricultural use which comprise one of the most at-risk categories of land. 3. Productive forest lands, with particular attention to identifying key lands that offer both contiguity and the potential for either significant management opportunities or have important forest resources worth preserving. 4. Productive habitat areas and habitat corridors, especially lands that provide key “links” in sensitive habitats for species of importance in Northeastern Connecticut. 5. Lands that will contribute to or offer significant support to the archaeological or historic context of recognized historic districts and sites. 6. Corridors and opens spaces that have the potential to contribute to establishing greenways for both active and passive recreational and natural resource use. 7. Properties adjacent to existing permanently committed open space.

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Table 2. Composite Maps Used to Identify Priorities for Protection

Map Map Name Source (Resource Map Number) Number I Water Resources Highlights 8. Water Quality 9. Flood Insurance 10. Groundwater Resources 11. Surface Water 12. Drainage Basins 13. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses 14. National Wetlands Inventory 15. Fisheries Management 20. Streambelt Map 21. Public Watersheds II Farmland Resources 3. Land in Agricultural Use 18. Important Agricultural Lands III Productive Forest Lands 7. Land Cover 17. Productive Forest Soils IV Productive Wildlife Habitats 7. Land Cover 19. Productive Wildlife and Habitat Corridors V Habitat Corridors 13. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses 14. National Wetlands Inventory 17. Productive Forest Soils 19. Productive Wildlife Habitat 20. Streambelts VI Forest and Wildlife Resources 7. Land Cover 17. Productive Forest Soils, 19. Productive Wildlife, Habitat Corridors VII Historic Areas 2. Historic Districts, 4. Archaeological Features, VIII Greenways Possibilities Map 5. Committed Open Space IX Scenic Vistas Map 5. Committed Open Space

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Assure that Land Use Changes Are Reviewed for Compatibility with the Resource Protection Goals Outlined in This Plan. To assist with this objective, a compatibility checklist for subdivisions exceeding ten acres was developed by the Woodstock Conservation Commission, and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission on March 21, 2002. See Appendix F or the Woodstock Building Office for a copy of the Site/Subdivision Plan Review for Compatibility with A Plan of Open Space and Conservation.

2. Take Open Space and Conservation Priority Areas into Account When Considering Land Use Changes and Planning for Open Space Conservation.

OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION PRIORITY AREAS (Amendment 1, enacted by the Woodstock Conservation Commission on December 23, 2002)

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The Woodstock Conservation Commission has established open space and conservation priority areas to help guide the protection of the rural character of the town and preserve the natural and cultural resources. These priorities were discussed before other relevant town agencies, boards and commissions prior to adoption.

Woodstock is the second largest municipality in the State of Connecticut. The current goal for total open space in the State of Connecticut is 21%. As of August 2003, 7.7% of land in Woodstock was committed (protected) open space. The assumption can be made that the remainder, minus the wetlands and water bodies and already developed lands, is vulnerable to development.

The priorities described here can be used to develop “smart growth” strategies to achieve the goals outlined in A Plan of Open Space and Conservation, and to provide input and guidance for discussions, planning, and local regulation. For example, with the current limited budget of $50,000/year, these priorities can be used to help determine how the Agricultural Land Preservation and Land Acquisition Fund can be best used. They should also be used to guide selection of areas for open space subdivisions versus areas where it would be preferable to accept a fee in lieu of.

Resources were defined using the Geographic Information System (GIS). After reviewing resources, four priority areas were established by function: agricultural, forestry, aquifer recharge, and wildlife corridors. These priority areas were further prioritized based on a set of criteria described under each section. Maps that outline these areas are found in Appendix G.

These maps were prepared with a “broad brush,” and are intended to be used to guide decisions. The specifics of each particular planned change and the actual local resources potentially impacted should, of course, also be considered.

Agricultural Priority Areas

Agricultural resources were identified by soil type. The field was narrowed by eliminating land already developed. The biggest priority is to protect significant areas of agricultural soils currently in agricultural use. See Agricultural Open Space Priority map in Appendix G.

Agricultural Priority Area 1

Criteria: Five areas of land in agricultural use (Land use data 1997) over prime agricultural soil or agricultural soils of other statewide importance were selected as the highest priority agricultural land. These large contiguous clusters of land in agriculture use are also a very important part of the scenic qualities deemed important in the Woodstock Study Circles project. Several farms participating in the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program are within these boundaries.

Recommendations: 1. Priorities in these areas would be to encourage landowners to consider the PDR program offered by the State Department of Agriculture if they are not already participating. 2. The town should consider assisting landowners who wish to sell their development rights with financial assistance for associated fees. 3. Purchase of key pieces should also be considered. A 4. All subdivisions of land for development in these areas should be required to be open space subdivisions and the best agricultural lands in significant quantity should be preserved as protected open space.

Agriculture Priority Area 2

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Criteria: Prime agricultural soils and agricultural soils of statewide significance are limited and essentially non-renewable resources. These soil types outside the priority area 1 are not without significance and contribute to the local economy.

Recommendations: 1. Preserve significant areas of agricultural soils with open space subdivision set asides to keep the “working lands.” 2. The town should consider assisting landowners who wish to sell their development rights with financial assistance for associated fees.

FORESTRY PRIORITY AREAS

Forestry is defined as agriculture by the CT Department of Agriculture, but is given a different set of priorities ratings because the major threat to this resource is fragmentation. See Open Space Priority Forested Land map in Appendix G.

Forest Priority Area 1

Criteria: This is an area that has a high amount of committed open space, and uncommitted open space with a low probability of being developed. This includes land owned by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as part of the Nipmuck State Forest, watershed property owned by the Town of Southbridge, MA, Yale Forest, a parcel owned by the New England Forestry Foundation, land in a conservation easement held by the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, and the newly acquired Camp Nahaco which is jointly owned by the towns of Woodstock and Eastford. The current land use is forest and the soils are productive forest soils or wetland soils. The prioritization line was drawn around the committed and significant uncommitted pieces.

Recommendations: 1. Fill in the “windows” in open space blocks and connect large blocks by open space corridors, building on the pre-existing protected open space. This can be accomplished through acquisition, donation, or cooperation with landowners. 2. Undertake efforts to work with adjoining towns, the State of Connecticut DEP, local land trusts and the Nature Conservancy.

Forest Priority Area 2

Criteria: Mostly in the northwest quadrant of the town, this forested block consists of many privately owned large parcels of forested land on productive forest soils. This area is contiguous mixed forest types. Parcels are on both sides of Pole Bridge Road (a discontinued road as of 10/3/21.) On the eastern edge of this area are two parcels of town owned open space, one known as the “Darby donation” (about 24 acres), and 23 acres associated with the town beach at Muddy Pond.

This area is productive forest land for both timber growth and wildlife habitat. Dr. Robert Craig of the Bird Conservation Research, Inc. has identified this area as a woodland bird “hot spot.” (Diversity Hotspots Located, 2002) The DEP has reported the return of large woodland mammals to Woodstock, including black bear, bobcat and moose, as a result of previously farmed land returning to native woodland cover due to natural succession. The north east shore of Black Pond is special habitat for a species identified as being endangered, rare or of special concern. Black Pond itself has been referred to as a rather unique resource in the State of Connecticut by Chuck Lee of the DEP Lakes Division because of limited development on its shores for a lake that is publicly accessible by a DEP maintained boat launch area. Other special habitats within the

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Priority 2 forest area are large expanses of Atlantic White Cedar swamp. The area is rich in headwater streams, which are more sensitive to disturbance than other stream types.

Recommendations: 1. Work with land owners to encourage good stewardship. If timber harvests are practiced, encourage them to do so in an environmentally responsible way, allowing for woodland species to coexist in the area. The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System Forestry Stewardship Program could assist in this function. 2. Educate landowners on the tax advantages of placing a conservation easement on their property and why their property is important to conserve. 3. Discourage public roads through this area. Forest fragmentation is the biggest threat to this area.

Forest Priority Area 3

Criteria: The southwestern corner of Woodstock has large blocks of contiguous forest interrupted by productive agricultural land. The land within this Priority 3 area was selected because of the existence of large blocks of forested land on productive forest soils that are contained within the Nature Conservancy’s Quinebaug Highlands Project Area.

Recommendations 1. Preserve large forest blocks in this area. 2. Follow a plan for connecting large blocks within town and in neighboring towns with open space corridors (see Wildlife Corridor Priority Areas.)

AQUIFER PRIORITY AREAS

See Aquifer Open Space Priority Areas map in Appendix G.

Aquifer Recharge Priority Area 1

Criteria: This area is over a large underground deposit of sand and gravel that has been identified as a potential high yield aquifer by the DEP. Currently, surface water is drawn from the Little River in this same recharge area. This is the most critical public water supply watershed land prior to the surface intake on Peake Brooke Road (across from Lane Street.) As the ground water and surface water are recharged from the same watershed land, the surface water quality will also be impacted by land uses within this recharge area.

Committed open space within this area includes Roseland Park, the Harrisville Golf Course, and a 17 acre parcel owned by the Wyndham Land Trust. Uncommitted but significant open space in the same area includes property owned by the Town of Putnam, the Putnam Fish and Game Club, and a large expanse of wetlands north of Roseland Lake. This area has the qualities of a wildlife corridor to link open spaces in other sections of town and in towns beyond the Woodstock border.

Recommendations: Priorities in this already highly developed watershed area should include: 1. Strictly enforce stream and wetland setback areas. 2. The best land use adjacent to the Little River would be an open space greenway. Impacts from large impervious areas such as parking lots should be minimized through design techniques including: impervious surface reduction through the use of alternative surfaces and stormwater management that does not collect, concentrate and convey runoff and its potential associated pollutants. For more guidance see CT DEP Stormwater Quality Manual 2003 or NEMO’s Reducing Runoff website .

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3. Preserve wetlands, as many of them serve as floodplains (see FEMA maps.) 4. Give special consideration to avoiding land uses that would affect the area identified as a habitat for a Connecticut endangered, rare or of special concern species at the north end of Roseland Lake. 5. Consider establishing an aquifer overlay zone where special activities listed in Table 5c of the proposed groundwater protection regulations would be prohibited or strictly controlled. (See Appendix D of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation.)

Aquifer Recharge Priority 2

Criteria: This area over a large sand and gravel deposit has been identified by the DEP as a priority 2 aquifer recharge area. Streams and other runoff flowing though this area contribute directly to the aquifer recharge priority 1 area.

Recommendations: 1. Discourage disturbance of the stream buffer areas. 2. Avoid disturbing existing natural vegetation and contours. 3. Minimize imperviousness; avoid the collection, concentration and conveyance of stormwater.

POTENTIAL WILDLIFE CORRIDORS

Criteria: The committed open spaces in Woodstock are located in different parts of the town. Significant areas of open space also exist in neighboring towns. To avoid creating isolated habitat “islands,” wildlife corridors that would allow wildlife to migrate between these areas are important. Since water is an important element in wildlife habitat and wetlands and stream corridors already have some level of regulatory protection, potential wildlife corridors are planned to follow stream corridors and wetlands where possible. (Note: Wildlife corridors were not planned to link open space conserved by the PDR program.)

Using the proposed IWWA regulations (draft December 2002), with perennial streams having a 125 foot review area, and intermittent streams and wetlands having 75 foot review area, wetlands and stream courses and their review areas were mapped. The resultant shape was used as a guide to draw potential wildlife corridors. A minimum width of 300 feet for wildlife corridors is recommended by Ann Kilpatrick of the DEP Wildlife Division and Steve Broderick, UCONN Extension System Forester.

Recommendations: 1. Consider potential wildlife corridors when planning open space in an open space subdivision. These areas will also serve as natural filters to protect water quality, and may also have human recreational value. See Potential Wildlife Corridors Open Space Priority map in Appendix G.

WETLAND AND WATER RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS

GROUNDWATER 1. Establish Aquifer Overlay Protection Zones The majority of Woodstock residents obtain their drinking water from private or small public on-site wells. Current Health Department Regulations call for a 75-foot protective radius around small wells serving single- family dwellings and a 200-foot setback for larger public wells. The most current Woodstock Zoning Regulations (Jan 1992) list limited land use restrictions within the town borders. Currently there are no public well fields in town serving over 1000 people or 250 households. Proposed Aquifer Protection, Land Use regulations drafted by State of Connecticut DEP Water Management Bureau (March 2000 Draft) may impact

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land use decisions within the high yielding stratified drift aquifer areas in town that have been identified and may be needed in the future as a public water supply source (see Map 10). In this legislation, which requires the town to adopt land use restrictions in those designated areas, land use restrictions are very specific within aquifer protection area boundaries and critical well recharge areas. The Woodstock Planning and Zoning Commission should carefully consider the list of regulated activities in Table 5-c of this draft legislation (see Appendix D) even though large public water supply wells do not currently exist within the town borders. These regulated activities serve as good protection guidelines for potential public supply wells in high yielding aquifers and all smaller existing wells. It may be necessary to consider the use of overlay protection zones to require development precautions or prohibit high-risk land uses in areas identified as important aquifer recharge areas.

2. Inventory Important Aquifer Recharge Areas An effort must be undertaken to identify and inventory (map) important aquifer recharge areas for all parts of the town.

SURFACE WATERS 1. Include Clear Watershed Protection Goals in the Plan of Conservation and Development The Conservation Commission recommends that the Woodstock Plan of Conservation and Development contain goals and policies for watershed protection, and recommend actions to implement the goals and policies. Non- regulatory means to achieve these goals and policies should be explored. New regulations may be necessary if no other means of protection apply. Suggested means of watershed protection are listed in Appendix E.

2. Limit the Impacts of Impervious Surfaces in Woodstock Impervious surfaces in should be limited to less than 10% of the surface area of the watershed. Increases in impervious surface greater than 10% may adversely affect water quality. Limits are best used when there is a firm relationship between the regulated area and the identified priority natural resource and the regulated area is in a special overlay zone. Flexibility should be built in to allow the developer to reach town goals through design considerations that reduce effective impervious surfaces. The NEMO Project (Non Point Education for Municipal Officials) has selected the Town of Woodstock as one of five towns in Connecticut to participate in the Connecticut Municipal program. Working with the Conservation Commission, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Authority, the Selectmen, and the Open Space and Agricultural Lands Acquisition Committee, NEMO is sponsoring a one-year program to demonstrate how Woodstock can develop the plans and management systems to minimize impervious surfaces in town. The Conservation Commission recommends that these resources be used as much as possible to review and revise the zoning, management plans and development guidelines for Woodstock.

3. Establish Riparian Protection Zones The Conservation Commission recommends that the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency amend their regulations to encourage the establishment of riparian corridor protection zones along all perennial and intermittent streams as recommended by the DEP (see Maps 11 and 20). Currently, the protective buffer, or upland review area, for perennial streams is 75 feet from the centerline and the buffer for intermittent streams is 50 feet. No specific mention of maintaining a natural vegetative cover that may be necessary for wildlife corridors or run-off or erosion control other than a restriction on clear-cutting is included in the current regulations. These riparian corridors also function as wildlife corridors. But, wildlife (including the vegetation required to provide cover for migratory species) often needs corridors significantly wider than those designated for maintaining water quality. The creation of wider, vegetated stream buffers in areas of the town designated as important wildlife corridors may be necessary. (Refer to the Forest and Wildlife Resources recommendation 2.)

4. Protect Critical Areas of Public Water Supply Watershed from Improper Land Uses Woodstock should be concerned with the protection of all public water supply watersheds within its borders (see Map 21). However, it may not be possible or appropriate to provide the same level of protection throughout each entire watershed area in town. Consideration should be given to applying the most stringent measures to those portions of a watershed, which are considered most important to the protection of the quality of the water supply. Those areas, should be termed “critical areas”, include a specific distance from a reservoir,

Page 26 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2 water-supply diversion, their tributaries and certain other lands having a direct relationship to the water supply. At minimum, according to “Protecting Connecticut’s Public Water Supply Watershed: A Guide for Municipal Officials,” criteria for critical area designation should include: • Land within 250 feet of a reservoir or public water supply diversion; • Land within 100 feet of a tributary stream; • Wetlands associated with tributary streams; • Land subject to stream overflow; • Land with slopes 15% or greater with out significant interception by wetlands, swales and natural depressions between the slope and the watercourse.

Once critical areas have been designated and inventoried (mapped), Woodstock should focus the efforts of local protection programs on these areas. The Water Resources composite map (Map I) is a good starting point for evaluating these areas. The town should continue communications with the adjoining towns, in particular, the Town of Putnam. Putnam already provides service for several households and businesses in Woodstock. They could provide additional service to Woodstock in the future, and their watershed lies mostly within this town’s borders. The Putnam Water Department should consider land acquisition in the most critical areas of the Putnam watershed. Other measures to protect critical watershed should be promoted. These include, but should not be limited to, the donation of conservation easements to a land trust or the Woodstock Agricultural Land and Land Acquisition Committee (Doenges, 1993).

5. Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency to Use Natural Resource Maps as a Tool The Conservation Commission further recommends that the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency fully and routinely integrate the use of the inventory maps into its deliberation process when considering future permit applications until GIS mapping technology becomes available for use at their meetings. These maps should prove useful and can provide critically important and/or multiple functions data. Such areas should be considered especially worthy of careful consideration and protection when permit applications are presented.

6. Wetlands To Be Classified by Their Functional Value The town should begin a detailed, site-by-site evaluation of wetland systems by watershed, utilizing DEP recommended procedures as defined in The Method for the Evaluation in Inland Wetland in Connecticut, DEP Bulletin No. 9. These analyses will quantify even more specifically the functional values of our wetlands based on several criteria such as ecological integrity, wildlife habitat, finfish habitat, flood control value and others. Once complete, this process will enable the Conservation Commission to more precisely rank each wetland system according to its true functional values, and to identify uniquely important wetlands where protection should be more aggressively pursued using the tools outlined in the methods recommended in DEP Bulletin No. 9.

7. Protect Vernal Pools The Conservation Commission will support the Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Agency in their efforts to investigate the role of vernal pools in the ecosystem and work with state or private agencies to identify these resources and raise awareness of their importance.

8. Initiate Woodstock Lakes Meeting The Woodstock Conservation Commission should initiate a Woodstock Lakes Meeting, which could be repeated on an annual basis. This meeting would involve members from any lake association in town, plus other lake-area property owners, with the purpose to discuss in-lake management measures, current practices, goals for lake quality, the importance of septic tank management and invasive plant management strategies among other topics. A representative from the Connecticut DEP Lakes Management Program as well as other relevant experts would also be invited. The overall goal would be the education of watershed management techniques to people living in the watersheds of the various lakes and ponds in town.

9. Expand Water Based Recreation Sites Sites for existing and new water-based recreation opportunities should be explored as long as they are consistent with other resource protection requirements. Expanded pubic access to the streams and rivers in the town where public money is invested to protect the quality of these resources, including but not restricted to access to

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stocked fish populations should be explored (see Map 15). Donations of protective easements that would include these areas should be encouraged.

10. Conservation Commission To Be a Resource to Agricultural Interests in Town In some instances, water quality and agricultural practices in the past have been in conflict. The Conservation Commission should seek to acquire relevant scientific information that would assist the local farming community to understand and comply with current and future Clean Water Act policies. Working with the USDA and other agencies, the town should promote available incentive programs that assist farmers, sometimes financially, to correct potential problems before water quality becomes an issue.

11. Initiate Public Education Program The Conservation Commission should initiate a public education program that would highlight the importance of general watershed protection and water quality issues. The town newsletter should be used to communicate information about these programs. The University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service, NEMO and other relevant experts should also be invited to present educational programs relevant to watershed and water quality issues.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS The Town of Woodstock must clearly establish itself as a town that welcomes and encourages commercial agriculture. Woodstock should consider food production and the production of other agricultural products as the highest and best use for prime agricultural lands in priority farm preservation areas. A formal town policy of protecting and promoting farming must be developed and reflected in town regulations and ordinances. Specifically, Woodstock should:

1. Continue To Support the Right To Farm Ordinance and the Amendments to the Land Acquisition Fund The adoption of these measures at the Town meeting of June 21st, 2000, was a clear expression of the collective will of many of Woodstock's citizens in support of farmland preservation and commercial agriculture. To retain their vitality and to realize their promise, these measures must continue to enjoy the active support of the citizenry and find supporting expression in Town planning and development polices. The right to farm by ordinance is only one of many steps that must be undertaken in order to maintain and preserve a significant agricultural presence in Woodstock.

2. Consider the Impact of Development upon Agriculture as a Key Component of the Town’s Plan of Conservation And Development The Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development should consider the effect of development on agriculture as a necessary and key component of the planning process. Especially in areas that develop in close proximity to working farms, the focus should be upon development that, by design, allows some harmony between new development and farming. These considerations could include: • Creation of transition parcels/buffers on land that is developed adjacent to land in agricultural usage. • Open space set-aside requirements in subdivision regulations. • Requiring developers to address the mutual impact of agriculture and development for any proposed developments in areas with a high concentration of farming. • Consideration as “agriculturally sensitive” those areas with a high concentration of farmland committed to the State Purchase of Development Rights Program. • Consideration of efficient use of land and Town resources that may be derived from cluster development, especially in developments proposed near farmland.

3. Consider the Benefits of Conservation Buffers between New Residential and/or Commercial Development on Land Adjacent to Existing Farmland. Conservation buffers are small areas or strips of land that are kept in permanent "natural" vegetation. While agricultural and environmental scientists have identified many types of buffers (e.g., riparian buffers, filter strips, contour grass strips, crosswind trap strips, etc.), most agricultural buffers are simply field borders where trees and other natural vegetation have taken over.

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Thoughtfully placed buffer strips both within but especially adjacent to the agricultural landscape can help mitigate the movement of sediment and trap fertilizers, nutrients and pathogens. Studies conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture reveal that buffers, when properly installed and maintained, have the capacity remove up to 50 percent or more of nutrients and pesticides, remove up to 60 percent or more of certain pathogens, and remove 75 percent or more of sediment (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service).

To encourage farmers to establish conservation buffers in environmentally sensitive areas on their own lands (e.g., around stream beds), the Conservation Commission will assist members of the farming community by obtaining technical information and information about funding from the United States Department of Agriculture's National Conservation Buffer Team. This team includes nine federal agencies, the National Conservation Buffer Council, and more than 75 nonprofit and environmental organizations.

4. Promote Farm Profitability Woodstock should seek out all reasonable opportunities to help its commercial farms remain profitable. Woodstock has already adopted State Statute 12-81M, which allows a town to abate up to 50% of the property taxes on any dairy farm (a similar provision applies to orchards and vineyards) and to recapture abated taxes in certain circumstances in the event of a property sale. Woodstock has also adopted Public Act 490, which allows for the assessment of farms, forest and open space land on the basis of its use rather than market value. These laws recognize the extraordinarily difficult financial times dairy farmers have recently experienced, and are expected to continue to experience. Just as Woodstock has already adopted State Statute 12-81M and Public Act 490, it should also consider adopting any subsequent state statute(s) that may be passed which provide benefit or assistance to its agricultural community.

The most simple and direct way to promote local farm profitability is to encourage Woodstock’s residents to purchase “Woodstock-Grown” products including fruits, vegetables, cider, corn silage, hay, Christmas trees, honey, maple syrup, and greenhouse and nursery products.

5. Acquire Development Rights on Key Parcels From Voluntary Participants Via the Connecticut Purchase of Development Rights Program. There is a general consensus in the Woodstock agricultural community that one of the most promising approaches to farmland preservation is the Connecticut Purchase of Development Rights program. This voluntary program relieves the pressure on farmers to sell their farms to developers by allowing them to sell their rights to develop the land to the state in exchange for the state paying the farmer an amount equal to the difference between the fair market of the land for development purposes and the value of the deed-restricted land. Utilizing the State Department of Agriculture Purchase of Development Rights Program, and supplemental funding from the Woodstock Open Space Land Acquisition and Farm Preservation Fund, Woodstock should work with willing farmland owners to permanently protect the most valuable and strategic farm parcels from development while keeping them in private ownership. Priority should be given to the purchase of development rights to land that is located in an area of active agricultural use, and to land that is in jeopardy of being developed, particularly where a farmer has no other reasonable option except sale for development.

6. The Conservation Commission Should Assist In Providing Information to the Farming Community About Federal, State and Other Programs that Provide Grants for Open Space Related to Agriculture. It is important that we maintain an awareness of all federal, state, and other programs that provide potential sources of aid to the agricultural community. To the extent possible, the objectives of these programs should be mirrored in the language of our town plans, ordinances, policies and goals so that funds are more easily applied for and, hopefully, granted to our local farmers. There are many such programs. For instance, the United States Department of Agriculture Environmental Quality Incentive Program provides cost sharing for agricultural improvements that will help meet water quality and other environmental objectives. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has an Environmental Assistance Program that reimburses farmers for part of the cost of a DEP approved waste management plan. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture also has a Farm Enhancement Program that provides funds for capital enhancements.

7. Support Equine Interests as an Ally to Open Space Preservation

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Connecticut is believed to have the largest horse population of any New England state. The presence of horses is of economic benefit to the state and to its towns. The annual economic benefit to the state is believed to be in excess of $56 million dollars (Gibbons, ND).

As horses, both in work and in pleasure, were an integral part of Woodstock’s rural and agricultural past, we recommend that Woodstock remain friendly to and encourage horse ownership and equine interests. The “…raising, shearing, feeding, caring for, training and management of livestock, including horses…” is already enacted as a part of Woodstock’s Right To Farm Ordinance.

As with dairy cattle, adequate space for manure disposal is an essential concern. As with dairy farms, horse owners must be encouraged to use good management practices in order to prevent soil erosion and water pollution.

Other important concerns are: safe access to trails and town roads for pleasure riding; encouraging the Town to look at the equine industry as one that, by its very nature, fosters open space, provides employment, and reaches across income lines (i.e., small private stables to larger more commercial stables). We also recommend that consideration be given to the use of the Woodstock Fairgrounds as a regional equine event center.

8. Unite Regionally in Support of "An Act Concerning The Protection of Rural Conditions in Connecticut" This proposed legislation, which has yet to leave committee in the state legislature, provides a state grant, in lieu of taxes, to each town in Connecticut designated under Chapter 297, Sections 16a-24 through 16a-33 inclusive, as rural and having less than five percent of its total land area designated as a growth area; and which has prepared and placed into effect a land use management plan that will, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, perpetuate and protect the rural conditions in such town. The initiative would set forth a State policy that would compensate towns for being rural similar to how towns and cities receive assistance for being urban. Simply put: If the State has determined that it will designate and maintain part of Connecticut as "rural, " the State should compensate those towns for this designation.

Connecticut, through its own Plan of Conservation and Development, has made economic growth in many northeastern Connecticut towns very difficult. Canterbury, Eastford, Sterling and Woodstock have no "growth areas." Pomfret and Brooklyn have very limited growth areas. The policy adopted by the State is to invest and promote the development of traditional urban centers while investment in the maintenance of "ruralness" is virtually nonexistent. Currently, such programs as the Natural Heritage Trust Fund and the Agricultural Purchase of Development Rights are limited in scope, impact, and funding.

FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Minimize Wildlife Habitat Fragmentation Minimizing fragmentation in the Productive Wildlife Habitat areas as identified in Map IV should be made a land use priority. These areas, along with the important farmland areas discussed in Part 2 of Section III, should be given priority in implementing the open space protection methods discussed in Section IV. Particular attention should be given to protection of undeveloped parcels adjacent to existing committed open space within these Productive Wildlife Habitat areas, with the ultimate goal to increase the sizes of contiguous protected parcels. Methods under discussion and that should be considered during the next phase of implementation of this plan include: direct land acquisition for critical habitat and sensitive areas, tax abatement for property owners who agree to commit to open space and management plans developed in conjunction with the state and the town, and development of greenways within the context of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation.

2. Protect and Enhance Habitat Connectivity by Designating Habitat Corridors Protecting the continuity of the Habitat Corridors as identified in Map V should also become a land use priority. Since most of these corridors are along streambelts, their protection will logically fall to the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Agency and will overlap with the previously recommended riparian corridor protection zones. Specifically, the Conservation Commission recommends that the total width of riparian corridor protection zones that are also identified as habitat corridors should be a minimum of 300 feet. (This minimum width can be achieved along perennial streams whose stream and associated wetlands are up to 100 feet wide with a 100-foot upland review area (buffer) from the regulated wetland area on either side of the

Page 30 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2 stream). In cases where a habitat corridor does not coincide with a streambelt or wetland, protection of a continuous 200-foot minimum width corridor should be designated. The Conservation Commission suggests the use of conservation easements along wetland areas as the most effective way to protect corridors. Land acquisition, donation or purchases of conservation easements, or zoning regulations are means of obtaining continuous corridors outside of streambelt or wetland areas.

Land use changes that interrupt a corridor’s continuity should be avoided. When no feasible alternatives exist, allowances should be made in project design, which enable the wildlife species that may use the corridor to continue to do so. Mitigating measures may include increasing the culvert size in wetland crossings and bridging for stream corridor crossings. Acceptable forms of forest and wetland management that recognize the sensitive habitats within these corridors should be identified and encouraged, in conjunction with both town ordinances and state guidelines. Open space subdivisions that leave critical land areas undeveloped along streams and wetlands are one option and should be promoted in areas highlighted in the composite map V.

3. Foster Forest Management and Habitat Protection through Voluntary Participation in Best Management Practices and Voluntary Participation in Educational Programs All Woodstock landowners, and particularly those within the Productive Wildlife Habitat and Habitat Corridor areas, are encouraged to implement sound forest and wildlife conservation practices. Several state and federal agencies as well as local organizations associated with the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor provide for either no-cost assistance or minimal fee programs and in many cases offer cost-sharing incentives to landowners interested in improving their land for wildlife and other forest benefits. The Conservation Commission should assist in keeping landowners informed about such programs and encouraging their participation. A number of programs (both state and federal) have been identified as potential sources of funding for open space preservation. Not all have been funded as of the writing of this Plan, and several are in some stage of development. Funding for one such program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, was recently restored by the federal government and has been approved for $450 million annually. This particular program has sponsored acquisition of open space and targeted sensitive areas (such as vernal pools) just across the town’s northern border in Massachusetts. A key to acquiring land under these programs is to identify and prioritize lands according to its value as a resource that is part of an overall plan. Then, when funding does become available, parcels needed to preserve, protect and conserve important resources in the community will already be identified and can be quickly placed into consideration for funding.

Private property owners can participate in establishing voluntary conservation easements that reduce taxes, provide for future preservation, and let families retain the use and enjoyment of their own lands. A variety of programs are available that provide both federal and state funding for preserving and also for re-establishing conservation land, from conservation buffers to riparian areas to wetland reclamation. Property owners, who wish to find out information about such programs, and those already participating in such programs, should be encouraged to work with the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission, in conjunction with state and local officials, should maintain a list of those private property owners who are actively participating in such programs so that we can accurately measure the progress we are making toward achieving the goals and objectives of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation.

The Connecticut Forest Practices Act, (PA. 91-335) requires registration of loggers and professional foresters but does not presently regulate forest practices. Woodstock should actively assist the DEP in ensuring good forestry management practices within the Town and work with current owners and private forest managers to establish guidelines for forest management, harvesting and conservation that meet our A Plan of Open Space and Conservation goals.

4. Encourage Consideration of Forestry Management and Wildlife Habitat Preservation in the Land Use Decisions of Other Town Commissions and Boards The Conservation Commission recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission fully and routinely integrate the use of Productive Forest Soils Map (Map 17) into its deliberation process when considering future land use policies. It is also important to understand that areas outside of the Productive Wildlife Habitat areas (Map IV) are not devoid of wildlife value. In cases where open space set asides are being considered, this map can provide important guidance in identifying areas within a given parcel which may offer the potential to provide the greatest long term forest and wildlife value. The most important use of these maps is to identify

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where contiguous forested areas are present, and to provide a basis for initiating a comprehensive and coordinated review of any proposed development. The objective of the review should be to assure that further forestland fragmentation is reduced and that a context-sensitive plan is prepared for any development under consideration.

5. Forge Working Relationships Between the Conservation Commission, Town-Based Land Trusts, State and Regional Associations, and Nationally-Based Conservation Organizations Develop close working relationships between the Conservation Commission and both town-based land trusts and state conservation organizations, like the Connecticut Forest and Park Association as well as other affected towns boards and commissions. The objective of these relationships would be to jointly identify, assemble and manage large tracts of open space and forested lands within the Town of Woodstock. These partnerships would provide the kinds of synergy needed to take advantage of the strengths of each type of organization. A strong working relationship would also provide the needed coordination and anticipated synergies required to produce successful acquisition and long-term management that also is consistent with many of the other open space and conservation recommendations included in this plan. Working together, the Conservation Commission and town-based land trusts would have a much greater likelihood of successfully working with large, nationally- based conservation organizations (like the Nature Conservancy and similar organizations) to leverage funding and other organizational support for conserving local lands. Such working relationships would also provide a basis for coordinated work with regional organizations like the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor and a foundation for sponsoring funding applications to state and federal programs that fund conservation and preservation projects.

6. Consider Establishing Support for a “Right-to-Harvest” Extension of the Town’s Existing Right-to- Farm Ordinance Forestry is considered a legal form of agriculture in the State of Connecticut. Healthy forests don’t just happen; they require professional care and management if they are to support vigorous, healthy and diverse stands of trees. Sensitive management plans are also required if our forested lands are to provide the canopy and understory needed by the wide and growing range of wildlife inhabiting this region of Connecticut and those that have been observed or for which evidence of renewed presence in Woodstock has been noted. Coordinated individual management plans and an over-arching A Plan of Open Space and Conservation are critical to a successful town-wide program focused on forest management. These provisions, based on voluntary participation and individual responsibility, should be part of a “right-to-harvest” extension of existing “right-to- farm” provisions in the Town of Woodstock. Preserving well managed, diverse, healthy and carefully planned contiguous forested lands is a key to preserving the rural character of the town.

7. Prepare A Town-Wide Plan of Conservation and Development that Addresses Issues of Habitat Loss, Forestland Fragmentation, and Development Encroachment on Critical Forest Habitat and Wildlife Corridors Development is inevitable in Woodstock. However, careful planning and astute management of our existing resources can offset its deleterious effects on forested lands and wildlife habitat. There are a wide variety of ways to plan for and manage human development that take conservation issues into account. Conservation- oriented development, including minimizing encroachment on existing forested areas and preservation of important habitat located in buffers and wildlife corridors, can address many of the issues raised in this section of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation. The Conservation Commission, along with other public and private town-based organizations, state and federal conservation agencies, Universities located in the southern New England region, and national conservation organizations, should be consulted with regard to the elements of a Plan of Conservation and Development for the Town of Woodstock. The appropriate town boards and commissions should adopt those elements of such recommendations that make sense and have the greatest likelihood of succeeding given our existing resources, as described in the database the Conservation Commission has developed for the town, and good planning practice.

8. Use State and Federal Listed Species and Natural Communities Maps Review Protocol

The following protocol should be used by parties reviewing a project that involves a land use change.

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The Natural Diversity Data Base (NDDB) map prepared by the State of Connecticut DEP (information shown on Surface Water [Map 11]) is based on USGS quadrangle maps and covers the entire state of Connecticut. To use the map, locate the project boundaries and any additional impacted areas on the appropriate map(s). If you are not sure on which quadrangle the project is located, use a quadrangle index map to identify the appropriate quadrangle(s).

If the project is not: • within a shaded area; or • overlapping a water body that has any shading; or • upstream or downstream (by less than 0.5 mile) from a shaded area then the project will not impact any known occurrence of listed species or significant natural community.

If any part of the project is: • within a shaded area; or • overlapping a water body that has any shading; or • upstream or downstream (by less than 1/2 mile) from a shaded area then the project may have a potential conflict with a species or natural community.

For the DEP Permit Application Form, indicate that the maps were reviewed (in the site information section) and indicate the date of the map (in the maps’ legend). In the case of a potential conflict, a completed Natural Diversity Data Base Request Form with a project description and a copy of a map (1:24,000 USGS quadrangle map) clearly showing the project boundaries should be submitted to the DEP for inclusion in the Natural Diversity Data Base. NDDB staff will perform a more detailed review of projects identified as having potential conflicts. NDDB review takes approximately four weeks. Based on the scope of the project activities and project location, if listed species or significant natural communities will not be impacted, NDDB will return a "no conflict" response. This "no conflict" response can be submitted with the Permit Application form or forwarded to the DEP permit analyst.

AESTHETIC, HISTORIC AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Protect Scenic and Visual Resources The Conservation Commission needs to create an inventory of the town’s key aesthetic resources: scenic vistas, points of key visual interest, and scenic roadways. This inventory should also include ways to evaluate and measure the visual and aesthetic quality of vistas, viewsheds and key aesthetic resources in the town and develop recommendations for protecting, preserving, and conserving these key community resources.

The Conservation Commission, assisted by other boards and commissions in town, should collaborate to create an educational program for all landowners, particularly those that own land within environmentally sensitive and highly visible areas. This program should provide information and practical examples of ways property owners can maintain the existing rural characteristics of their land while using their property without burdensome or unnecessary restrictions (see Map 23).

In order to maintain the rural and visual aesthetics of and from the town’s roadways, the town should pass ordinances: • To protect the key aesthetic resources, both scenic vistas and points of key visual interest as listed in Map 21 • To maintain the old stonewalls along the roadways; to clarify who is responsible for the land between the wall and the roadways; to set standards for the state, town, or landowner for maintenance of these areas. • To protect old and large growth trees along the roadways and commons, or when removed due to disease or other natural causes, replant those trees removed with species appropriate to the character to the area. • To seek the designation of Routes 171 and 197 as Connecticut scenic roads and to encourage residents to add their roads to the ten roads now included in the town designated scenic road program.

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• To support the safe use of farm equipment, equestrian traffic, and horse drawn vehicles on our roadways. • To require new roads that encourage safety and control speed by maintaining natural contours, adopting appropriate rural road widths and have multiple uses, and to maintain current roads in a manner consistent with the rural character of the town. • To encourage/require the use of aesthetically designed, environmentally acceptable guardrails and roadside safety devices and signage wherever possible. • To require that utility lines to be buried with all new construction along town and state scenic roads, especially near historic districts, and to encourage burial of utility lines as part of the normal reconstruction or maintenance of these facilities whenever possible. (See Map 2). • To provide for the location of wireless communication towers, antennas, and similar facilities while protecting neighborhoods and minimizing the adverse visual and operational effects through careful design, siting and screening, especially identified in Woodstock, consistent with the provisions of the 1996 Telecommunications Act (see Map 23). • To empower Woodstock’s Planning and Zoning Commission to review all development along scenic roads to maintain our rural character.

2. Preserve and Protect Our Distinctive Archaeological, Historic and Cultural Resources The Woodstock plan of Conservation and Development should identify historic and cultural districts for the purpose of preserving historic structures as individual properties or in historic districts. These districts should also include areas where archaeological sites or other historic places have been identified, or sites or locations that promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public. The land use objective is the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics of individual buildings, defined neighborhoods and places associated with the history of the Town, or indicative of a period or style of architecture distinctive to the municipality, to the state, or to the nation. Further, and in support of these principles: • The Woodstock Planning and Zoning Commission should be empowered to require archaeological assessments of residential, commercial, institutional or industrial development, including mining operations, where there is potential for adverse impact to cemeteries, human burials, or archaeological sites. As an alternative to excavating or removing discovered remains, these features should be preserved in open space set-asides to be conveyed to the Town, a land trust, or cemetery association. • The Woodstock Planning and Zoning Commission should be empowered to require assessments of residential, commercial, institutional or industrial development, including mining operations, where there is potential for adverse impact to historical and cultural sites. As an alternative to excavating or removing these features, they should be preserved in open space set-asides, or conveyed to the Town or a land trust. • The Town of Woodstock should conserve areas of historic and cultural resources, including the town commons and town cemeteries, outlined in Maps 2 and 4. • All projects involving land use changes should be compared to the Archaeological Sensitivity Map located in the Woodstock Town Clerk’s Office. The map shows four types of areas: known archeological sites; and high, moderate, and low sensitivity areas, based on soil type and location. If highlighted areas of known archaeological sites are in the project area, the applicant should contact the Office of State Archaeology, 3107 Horesbarn Hill Road, U-214, Storrs, CT 06269-4214 for specific information about the site. If there is known archaeological site in the project area, it is to everyone’s benefit to locate and avoid the site where feasible. The Office of State Archaeology will work with the applicant to avoid areas of sensitivity within the project area. Highlighted areas of high sensitivity should be treated as above. However, this would be on a cooperative, rather than legislative basis. (Bellantoni, 2000) Highlighted areas of moderate to low sensitivity: Requires no action. • The Town of Woodstock should encourage, by whatever means, the continued surveying and identification of historic, archaeological and architectural resources. • Local historic districts should be established in East Woodstock, West Woodstock, South Woodstock, North Woodstock, Woodstock Valley, Sprucedale, Elmvale, and Kenyonville.

3. Support Village District Planning In order to maintain the rural and aesthetic quality of the open space, the town needs to pass stronger ordinances to require clustering of dwellings, increase contiguous open spaces, and maintain rural character. Establishing

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Village Districts using PA00-145 or other similar avenues or enabling legislation should be considered to meet these objectives.

4. Promote and Provide for Increased Usage of Public Passive Recreational Facilities In order to increase public use of the town’s active recreation areas, the town should • Link the greenways trail system with bike/horseback riding lanes along appropriate roads • Assure that surface water quality or “swimmability” must meet or exceed the new state and EPA standards for all the lakes in town. • Add at least one, preferably two, public beaches to the one at Pond Factory in other areas of town, specifically Roseland Lake and/or Black Pond.

5. Support Hunting and Fishing Hunters and fishermen use and support the natural resources of our community. The Conservation Commission should initiate a public education program to describe how these activities, when managed correctly, contribute to the goals of A Plan of Open Space and Conservation.

6. Develop a Town-Wide Greenway System for Aesthetic, Historic and Passive Recreation Plans should be developed for a town wide greenway system so residents can enjoy the scenic, natural and historic beauty of our community. Property owners in areas suitable for a system of walking, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding should be encouraged to participate in implementing a greenways system. Once designated, this would logically be accomplished through combined Conservation, and Planning and Zoning Commissions efforts and enrollment in the committed open space program.

7. Create the Governmental Structure Needed to Implement and Manage the Planning Process The town needs an on-going focal point to coordinate and to implement A Plan of Open Space and Conservation. This could either be a paid town planner or a joint planning and conservation commission with functions separate from zoning administration that would include representatives from the Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Conservation, Historic, and Recreation Commissions, plus a representative from the Selectman. This person and/or Commission would develop and administer the planning and data development functions for the town, and also seek outside funding to support the town’s planning efforts, aid in coordination with the other towns in the region, and coordinate the year 2000 Plan of Conservation and Development.

8. Protect Gateways into Town Special care should be given to avoid sighting industrial or commercial structures unrepresentative of the town’s character at the entrances to Woodstock along the major roads including scenic Route 169, and state highways 171, 197 and 198. Land uses that best reflect the rural, agricultural nature of the town are preferable. (Amendment 2, Aesthetics, Historic and Recreational Resources, enacted by the Woodstock Conservation Commission on December 23, 2002)

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V. CONCLUDING COMMENTS

A Plan of Open Space and Conservation has been developed with the collaboration of many of the town’s boards and commissions, support and resources from state and regional organizations and public agencies, and comments and ideas from citizens and citizen groups who have shared their vision for the future of the Town of Woodstock.

The Conservation Commission has taken its responsibility to develop A Plan of Open Space and Conservation for the town seriously. We have prepared recommendations that we believe will best preserve, protect and maintain the open spaces and natural resources of Woodstock. We have pointed out both the economic importance of open space preservation and the environmental and social significance of maintaining and managing the unique natural and cultural resources that define Woodstock’s rural character. We believe that the recommendations in this Plan can help to form the foundation for preserving the rural character of Woodstock. The decisions our town makes today about preserving and protecting these resources are the key to maintaining the future rural character and environmental quality of life in Woodstock and in northeast Connecticut.

Success Depends on a Public/Private Partnership A Plan of Open Space and Conservation is organized around four areas of concern: Water and Wetland Resources, Agricultural Resources, Forest and Wildlife Resources, and Archaeological, Historic and Recreational Resources. Several important themes run throughout the recommendations for each of these four areas. One of the most important themes is that to be successful, our efforts must involve both public and private initiatives. There is neither enough money nor enough time to have town government assume the role of “chief preservation agent” for the vast array of land and resources that must be managed if we are to preserve our way of life and our open spaces. We must find an effective way to coordinate the town’s open space preservation goals in cooperation with initiatives sponsored by individuals and the technical and financial resources offered by private organizations if we have any hope of successfully preserving open space in Woodstock.

Education and Information are Essential The Conservation Commission is committed to developing the educational and information resources that individuals need to make the recommendations in this Plan a reality. There are a number of important resources available to both municipal officials and private citizens. State and federal funds are available to preserve and restore natural areas, and to use in leveraging both direct purchases and development restrictions on important open spaces in town. Educational resources are also available to elected officials, town boards and commissions, and even private citizens, through statewide and regional organizations as well as through private foundations and conservation groups. We look forward to helping citizens of Woodstock “make the connection” with the appropriate resource to do whatever they feel they can to support the recommendations outlined in this Plan.

Make Efficient Use of Volunteers and Town Resources We believe that to successfully implement our recommendations the town needs a new way of looking at how we plan, organize and manage existing resources under town administration, and how we will go about protecting and preserving resources that we obtain in the future. We have made specific recommendations and tried to identify the boards and commissions that have primary responsibility for seeing to it that these recommendations become reality. However, we also recognize that we depend heavily on volunteers to make things happen in Woodstock. Therefore, we need to pay attention to the structure of our volunteer boards and commissions, and see to it that we have the most efficient structure possible. Otherwise, too much of the limited time and effort of our citizens will go toward “administrative” activity and too little will go toward effective, local management of our open space and natural resources.

Make Collecting Natural Resource Information an On-Going Effort We have taken the first steps in assembling what we hope will be an on-going and increasingly more comprehensive inventory of the natural and cultural resources of the town. Just as no one can undertake a journey without a good roadmap, the Conservation Commission believes that we cannot make good decisions about preserving, protecting and conserving our open spaces without information about the resources that we intend to protect. Our efforts to inventory, map, and catalogue the many and diverse resources of the town have only just begun. We have relied on many other town boards, several state and regional agencies, and a number of private citizens who have made their unique understanding of the Town of Woodstock available to us. But, we also recognize that we have a lot more to do in order to refine and enhance the existing data, and to make this information useful to everyone in town.

Page 36 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

Without a shared vision of a future, without a plan of how we expect to get from where we are to where we want to be, and without a way to effectively and efficiently manage our open spaces, natural and cultural resources, we, as a town, run the risk of loosing the essence of what makes Woodstock a special place in southern New England. As members of the Conservation Commission, and as citizens of Woodstock, we believe that the recommendations contained in this Plan offer a solid starting point to begin the process of preserving what we already have, and to make Woodstock an even better place to live. The key to success is individual responsibility and on-going, community-wide action by property owners and residents of the Town of Woodstock.

Page 37 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

WORKS CITED

General References 1. Adams, Lowell W. and Louise E Dove. 1989. Wildlife Reserves and Corridors in the Urban Environment: A Guide to Ecological Landscape Planning and Resource Conservation. Columbia, MD: National Institute for Urban Wildlife. 2. Callahan, K., et. al. May 1992. An Inland Wetland Commissioner’s Guide to Site Plan Review. CT Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Management. 3. Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Inland Fisheries Division. 1991. Policy Statement, Riparian Corridor Protection. 4. Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, Policy Development and Planning Division. 1992-1997. Conservation and Development, Policies Plan for Connecticut. 5. Commonwealth Research Group, Inc. September 1995. Executive Summary – Cost of Community Services In Southern New England, Southern New England Forest Consortium, Inc. 6. Department of Economic and Community Development website. April 2003. Connecticut Town Profiles, . 7. Diversity Hotspots Located. The Newsletter of Bird Conservation Research, Inc. Volume 4, Number 3, July 2002. 8. East Wharf Architects, Inc. October 1998. Fiscal Impact Assessment for the Old Saybrook Land Trust, Town of Old Saybrook, CT. 9. American Farmland Trust, Amherst, MA. 1986. Fiscal Impacts of Major Land Uses in the Town of Hebron, CT.. 10. Harris, L. November 1985. Conservation Corridors, A Highway System for Wildlife. ENFO. 11. Irland, Lloyd C. 1987. The Landscape and the New England Economy. Cambridge, MA: Lincoln Institute for Public Policy. 12. Leopold, Aldo. 1949. A Sand County Almanac. Oxford University Press. Reprinted by Ballentine Books, New York. 13. CT Trust for Historic Preservation. Most Important Threatened Historic Sites. Connecticut Preservation News, , July/August 1992. 14. Murphy, Brian D. 1991. Position Statement, Utilization of 100 Foot Buffer Zones to Protect Riparian Areas in Connecticut CT Department of Environmental Protection, Inland Fisheries Division. 15. The Annual Report of the Council on Environmental Quality, Connecticut Environmental Review. Council on Environmental Quality, April 1992. 16. Thomas, Holly L. 1991. The Economic Benefits of Land Conservation. Poughkeepsie, NY: Duchess County Planning Dept.. 17. Woodstock, CT. June 1990. An Ordinance Reforming the Woodstock Inland Wetlands Commission and the Woodstock Conservation Commission. Wetlands and Water Resources 18. Arnold, Chester L. Jr., and James Gibbons, Impervious Surface Coverage: The Emergence of a Key Environmental Indicator. Journal of American Planning. Spring 1996, p.246. 19. Brooklyn, CT Conservation Commission. 1993. An Open Space and Conservation Plan. 20. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. 1997. Water Management Bureau. , An Introduction to the Connecticut Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. 21. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Water Management Bureau. 1996. Caring for Our Lakes, Watershed and In-lake Management for Connecticut Lakes. 22. Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, Policy Development and Planning Division. May 1998. Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut, 1998 – 2000.. 23. Connecticut Wetlands Management Section. June 1997. Guidelines Upland Review Area Regulations Connecticut’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act. 24. Doenges, James M., Christopher P. Allen, James Benson, Robert J. Jontos, Jr. January 1993. Protecting Connecticut’s Water-supply Watersheds: A Guide for Local Officials. CT DEP Bureau of Water Management. 25. Donahue, Daniel. A Guide to the Identification and Protection of Vernal Pool Wetlands of Connecticut. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension System, N.D.

Page 38 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

26. Hust, Robert and James Murphy. 1997, Protecting Connecticut’s Groundwater, a Guide for Local Officials. Hartford: DEP Water Management Bureau. 27. Neumann, Robert M. May 2000. Stream Habitat: A Special Place Within the Quinebaug-Shetucket Heritage Corridor. Slide Program. A New Introduction to the Natural World, UCONN Cooperative Extension Service. Agricultural Resources 28. Brooklyn, CT Conservation Commission. 1993. An Open Space and Conservation Plan. 29. Connecticut. Office of Policy and Management, Policy Development and Planning Division. May 1998. Conservation and Development Policies Plan for Connecticut, 1998 – 2000. 30. Gibbons, James. Keeping Horses in Residential Areas. UCONN Cooperative Extension Service. N.D. 31. American Farmland Trust, Farmland Information Center, June 1998. Summary of Cost of Community Services, Revenue-to-Expenditure Ratio in Dollars. 32. United States. USDA, NRCS National Conservation Buffer Initiative. August 2000. Buffer Strips: Common Sense Conservation. 33. Woodstock Agricultural Action Committee. June 21, 2000. Town of Woodstock Special Town Meeting And Public Forum to Discuss the Continued Viability of Local Agriculture as a Means of Preserving Open Spaces and the Rural Character of the Town of Woodstock. 34. Woodstock Open Space Conservation Group. 2000. Woodstock Agricultural Pamphlet. 35. Woodstock, CT, Planning and Zoning Commission. June 21, 2000. Agenda for Special Meeting on ‘Right to Farm’ Ordinance.. Forest and Wildlife Resources 36. Broderick, Stephen H. October 6, 2000. Review of Woodstock Plan of Open Space and Conservation. 37. Connecticut, Department of Labor and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The Connecticut Economic Digest, “Housing Permit Activity by Town,” February 1996 through September 2000. 38. DeGraaf, Richard M. and Deborah D. Rudi. 1986., New England Wildlife: Habitat, Natural History and Distribution, US Forest Service General Technical Report, NE-108, NE Forest Extension Service. 39. Kilpatrick, Howard, Telephone Interview re: Deer and Moose Populations in Northeastern Connecticut, November 17, 2000. 40. University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service. April 18, 2000. List of Registered Tree Farms in Woodstock, CT. 41. Toomey, William, The Nature Conservancy, Telephone Interview re: Lower New England Eco-region, November 15, 2000. Aesthetic, Historic and Natural Resources 42. Allen, Cynthia. 1999. Oh Say Can You See: A Visual Awareness Tool Kit for Communities, Scenic America, Washington, DC. 43. Bellantoni, Nick; Connecticut State Archeologist. 2000. Personal correspondence. 44. Chafee, Dexter. 1986. Wild Plants and Animals of Woodstock, CT: A Survey. 45. Connecticut Department of Transportation, December 1995. Managing Development Along Scenic Roads: Route 169 Corridor Management Plan. 46. Park City, Utah. 1985. Sensitive Lands Amendments to the 1985 Comprehensive Plan of Park City, Utah. 47. Poirier, David A. 1987. Environmental Review Primer for CT’s Archaeological Resources, CT Historical Commission/State Historic Preservation Office.

Page 39 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

APPENDIX A. RECOMMENDATIONS ARRANGED BY COMMISSION

Creating the structure needed to implement and manage the planning process: The Conservation Commission strongly recommends that there be Planning Commission independent of Zoning enforcement that would include the First Selectman and representatives from several boards and committees- Zoning, Inland Wetlands, Conservation, Historic, and Recreation. This Commission’s focal point would be the implementation of recommendations in A Plan of Open Space and Conservation as well as development and implementation of a plan of conservation and development for the Town of Woodstock. This Commission (possibly a Planning and Conservation Commission) would set the planning and conservation policy for the Town of Woodstock, seek funding to develop and implement various aspects of the Plan, and coordinate with other towns in the region, regional organizations, and establish working relationships with both public and private national organizations dedicated to planning and conservation. Most important, such a joint Commission could serve as a forum and oversight body for managing professional staff employed by the town to address planning, conservation and open space management issues.

The Conservation Commission recognizes that implementing A Plan of Open Space and Conservation requires the commitment of all boards, interest groups, and individuals in the town of Woodstock working together. This includes maintaining an awareness and support of all organizations that help meet the goals of the Plan and focusing the political will necessary for our state legislators to take notice of the economic requirements of maintaining open space in Northeastern Connecticut, and contribute adequate funds to open space and conservation initiatives. In the interest of summarizing and clarifying the responsibilities for implementing this Plan among the existing boards and commissions in town, the following listing of previously mentioned recommendations indicates the likely responsibilities of town boards and commissions for implementing specific portions of the Plan.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS General 1- Assure that land use changes are reviewed for compatibility with the resource protection goals outlined in this Plan by utilizing the Site/Subdivision Plan Review for Compatibility with A Plan of Open Space and Conservation. 2-Take Open Space and Conservation Priority Areas into Account When Considering Land Use Changes and Planning for Open Space Conservation Wetland and Water Resources Groundwater 1-Establish aquifer overlay protection zones Surface water 1-Include clear watershed protection goals in the Plan of Conservation and Development 2-Limit extent of impervious surfaces in town to less than 10 % of watershed area 4-Protect critical areas of public water supply watershed from improper uses Agricultural Resources 2-Consider the impact of development on agriculture in the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development 3-Consider the benefits of conservation buffers between development and farmland Forest and Wildlife Resources 1-Minimize fragmentation of productive wildlife habitat and increase contingent size, working with Land Acquisition 4-Encourage consideration of forestry management and wildlife habitat preservation in land use decisions of other town commissions and boards 7-Prepare a town-wide Plan of Conservation and Development that addresses habitat loss, forest fragmentation, and development of critical habitat and wildlife corridors 8-Use State and Federal Listed Species and Natural Communities Maps Review Protocol Aesthetic, Historic, and Recreational Resources 1-Protect scenic and visual resources 2-Preserve and protect our distinctive archaeological, historic, and cultural resources 2-All projects involving land use changes should be compared to the Archaeological Sensitivity Map 3-Support village district planning

Page 40 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

6-Development of town-wide greenway system 8-Protect Gateways into Town

CONSERVATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS Wetland and Water Resources Groundwater 2-Identify and inventory (map) important aquifer recharge areas for all parts of town Surface water 1-Include clear watershed protection goals in Plan of Conservation and Development 6-Wetlands to be classified by functional value 8-Initiate annual Woodstock Lakes Meeting 10-Be a resource to the agricultural interests in the town in regards to water quality issues 11-Initiate public education program about water supply Agricultural Resources 6-Assist in providing information to farm communities about programs for preserving agricultural open space Forest and Wildlife Resources 3-Foster forest management and habitat protection through voluntary participation 5-Forge relationships with town land trusts and national conservation organizations Aesthetic, Historic, and Recreational Resources 1-Protect scenic and visual resources 6-Development of town-wide greenway system (with P&Z)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS Agricultural Resources 4-Promote farm profitability In the pursuit of economic development goals in Woodstock, be aware of potential land use restrictions being considered in aquifer recharge areas (Groundwater recommendation 1) and critical public water supply watershed areas (Surface Water recommendation 4). Aesthetic, Historic, and Recreational Resources 8-Protect Gateways into Town

INLAND WETLANDS AND WATERCOURE AGENCY RECOMMENDATIONS General 2-Take Open Space and Conservation Priority Areas into Account When Considering Land Use Changes and Planning for Open Space Conservation Wetland and Water Resources Groundwater 2-Inventory important aquifer recharge areas Surface water 2-Limit the impacts of impervious surfaces in town (to less than 10% per watershed) 3-Establish riparian corridor protection zones along all perennial and intermittent streams 4-Protect critical areas of public water supply watershed from improper uses 5-Use natural resources map as a tool 7-Protect vernal pools Forest and Wildlife Resources 2-Protect and enhance habitat connectivity by designating habitat corridors 8-Use State and Federal Listed Species and Natural Communities Maps Review Protocol

LAND ACQUISITION AND FARM PRESERVATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS General 2-Take Open Space and Conservation Priority Areas into Account When Considering Land Use Changes and Planning for Open Space Conservation Wetland and Water Resources--Surface water 4-Protect critical areas of public water supply watershed from improper land uses Agricultural Resources

Page 41 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

1-Continue to support Right to Farm ordinance and amendment to Land Acquisition fund 5-Acquire development rights of key parcels from volunteers in PDR program Forest and Wildlife Resources 1-Minimize wildlife habitat fragmentation (working with P&Z) 2-Protect and enhance habitat connectivity by designating habitat corridors

RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS Wetland and Water Resources Surface water 9-Explore water based recreation sites as long as they are consistent with resource protection requirements Agricultural Resources 7-Support equine interests as an ally to open space preservation Aesthetic, Historic, and Recreational Resources 4-Promote and provide for increased public passive recreational facilities 5-Encourage hunting and fishing 6-Develop a town-wide greenways system

TOWN SELECTMEN RECOMMENDATIONS Provide tax abatement for property owners who agree to commit to open space and management plans in conjunction with state and town Wetland and Water Resources Surface water 4-Protect critical areas of public water supply watershed from improper land uses Agricultural Resources 8-Unite regionally in support of “An Act Concerning Protection of Rural Conditions in Connecticut” Forest and Wildlife Resources 6-Establish support for the Right to Harvest extension of town’s existing Right to Farm Ordinance Aesthetic, Historic, and Recreational Resources 3-Support village district planning

HISTORICAL SOCIETY, HISTORIC PROPERTIES, HISTORIC DISTRICT RECOMMENDATIONS Aesthetic, Historic, and Recreational Resources 2-Preserve and protect our distinctive Archaeological, Historic, and Cultural Resources 2-All projects involving land use changes should be compared to the Archaeological Sensitivity Map

NEW ROXBURY LAND TRUST RECOMMENDATIONS Forest and Wildlife Resources 1-Minimize wildlife habitat fragmentation 2-Protect and enhance habitat connectivity by designating habitat corridors

WOODSTOCK OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS Aesthetic, Historic, and Recreational Resources 1-Protect scenic and visual resources.

Page 42 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

APPENDIX B. COMMITTED OPEN SPACE

Committed open space is land that is presently open and committed to remain as such, and that is owned by state, municipal, public utilities and not-profit organizations. Such areas include forests, parks, water accesses, preserves, wildlife management areas, fisheries, and farmland in the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program, local Land Trust and conservation organization areas (Handbook for Connecticut Conservation Commissions).

Woodstock is 39,500 acres (61.8 square miles). Of that, only 3,044 acres (7.7%) of the land in town is committed open space.

There are other large parcels in town that are open space which have a low probability of being developed (e.g., Yale-Myers Forest, Southbridge Water Company property, Putnam Fish & Game Club, Glenn Fiditch Land Trust). However, since they are not legally protected from development, they are not included on this list.

Open space land does not necessarily mean open to the public. Nipmuck State Forest, Roseland Park and town owned land such as Camp Nahaco are publicly accessible. Other categories have restrictions on access. Please respect the private property rights of the landowners and abide by their policies.

This table is the list of committed open space in Woodstock, updated and corrected as of August 23, 2003.

Table 3a. Committed Open Space TYPE CODE PARCEL_ID ACRES LOCATION ACCESSIBILITY Agriculture PDR Butts Farm 99.15 off Dugg Hill Rd private property Agriculture PDR Butts Farm See Paine Rd private property above Agriculture PDR Kuper Farm (Parcel B) 93.91 Prospect St, MA border private property Agriculture PDR Kuper Farm (Parcel A) 75.14 Prospect St, MA border private property Agriculture PDR Resener Farm 93.55 E of Dugg Hill private property Agriculture PDR Resener Farm See W of Dugg Hill private property above Agriculture PDR Morse Farm (Farm 2 parcel 1 + 2?) 93.40 E side of Dugg Hill private property Agriculture PDR Morse Farm (Farm 1) 48.34 Hibbard Rd private property Agriculture PDR Morse Farm (Farm 3) 43.42 W side of Dugg Hill private property Agriculture PDR Morse Farm (Farm 1) 12.45 Dugg Hill private property Agriculture PDR Morin Farm (AKA Stalzer) 92.52 N of Paine Rd private property Agriculture PDR Harmon Farm (Parcel A) 79.03 Prospect St private property Agriculture PDR Harmon Farm (Parcel B) 10.67 Child Dome Rd private property Agriculture PDR Trowbridge Farm (West) 73.27 Joy Rd private property Agriculture PDR Trowbridge Farm (East) 21.60 Joy Rd? private property Agriculture PDR Richmond Farm (Schedule B) 49.90 W side of Harrisville Rd private property Agriculture PDR Richmond Farm (Schedule A) 17.05 E of Harrisville Rd private property TOTAL AGRICULTURAL 903.39 Conservation C Connecticut Forest and Parks Association 81.00 Crystal Pond Rd private property Conservation C Connecticut Forest and Parks Association 18.30 Crystal Pond Rd private property Conservation C Connecticut Forest and Parks Association 14.30 Crystal Pond Rd private property Conservation C Connecticut Forest and Parks Association 53.27 Joy Rd private property Conservation C Connecticut Forest and Parks Association 33.10 Rte. 197 at Brickyard Rd private property Conservation C Connecticut Forest and Parks Association 3.00 Rte. 197 at Brickyard Rd private property Conservation C Park Woods Farms (C) to Woodstock 6.30 Rte. 169 at Green Rd undeveloped Conservation C United States? 3.20 Woodstock Rd private property TOTAL CONSERVATION 212.47 Land Trust LT NEFF 81.80 Route 198 at MA border undeveloped Land Trust LT Wyndham Land Trust 63.40 E of Rte. 169 at MA undeveloped border Land Trust LT Wyndham Land Trust 17.00 Rte. 171 at Little Pond Rd undeveloped Land Trust LT Wyndham Land Trust 16.03 Route 171 undeveloped Land Trust LT Wyndham Land Trust 2.00 New Sweden Rd undeveloped Land Trust LT New Roxbury Land Trust 17.00 Pole Bridge Rd undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 1.05 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.80 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.50 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped

Page 43 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

TYPE CODE PARCEL_ID ACRES LOCATION ACCESSIBILITY Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.50 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.40 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.35 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.30 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.30 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.30 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.20 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.20 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped Land Trust LT George Campert Memorial Land Trust 0.10 Bungay Lake Area undeveloped TOTAL LAND TRUST 202.23 Municipal M Camp Nahaco 40.10 Crystal Pond Woodstock/Eastford residents only Municipal M Camp Nahaco 1.60 Crystal Pond Woodstock/Eastford residents only Municipal M Camp Nahaco 1.25 Crystal Pond Woodstock/Eastford residents only Municipal M Park Woods Farm open space to Woodstock 48.24 W of Rte. 169 at Green Rd undeveloped Municipal M Park Woods Farms open space to Woodstock 4.65 E of Rte. 169 at Green Rd undeveloped Municipal M Darbee Donation 24.00 Leavitt Rd undeveloped TOTAL MUNICIPAL 119.84 Other RP Roseland Park 60.30 Roseland Park Rd public access Other NA Deer Meadow Neighborhood Association 13.60 Deer Meadow private property Other NA Deer Meadow Neighborhood Association 2.90 Deer Meadow green private property Other NA Saw Mill Brook Neighborhood Association 31.72 Rte. 171 private property Other NA Saw Mill Brook Neighborhood Association Rte. 171 access to Saw Mill Brook TOTAL OTHER 108.52 Recreation R Roseland Park Golf Course 110.00 Roseland Park Rd public access Recreation R Roseland Park Golf Course 32.50 Roseland Park Rd public access Recreation Harrisville Golf Course 37.66 Harrisville Rd public access Recreation R Woodstock Hill Common 8.90 Rte. 169 public access Recreation R Town Arboretum 2.50 Rte. 169 public access Recreation R Paine Hill Common 2.00 Rte. 169 public access Recreation R South Woodstock Common 1.30 Rte. 169 public access Recreation East Woodstock Common 0.20 Prospect St public access TOTAL RECREATION 195.06 State S Nipmuck State Forest 364.00 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 203.22 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 153.20 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 104.10 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 93.00 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 83.00 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 81.90 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 63.70 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 41.60 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 38.75 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 21.20 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 11.40 NW Woodstock public access State S Nipmuck State Forest 19.30 Camp Rd public access State S DEP Boat Launch 18.10 Camp Rd public access TOTAL STATE 1296.47 Total Acreage in Woodstock 39550 Total Committed Open Space 3038 % of Land Committed 7.7 Source of data: Town land records.

Table 3b. Pending Open Space TYPE CODE PARCEL_ID ACRES LOCATION ACCESSIBILITY TOTAL OTHER 108.52 Pending ? Herindeen Hills 22.7 Rte. 197 Not determined Pending CE Herindeen Meadow 18.63 Sherman Rd Not determined Pending NA Stone Hill Neighborhood Association 11.33 Senexet Rd private property Pending LT May Brook subdivision open space 6.07 May Brook Rd undeveloped

Page 44 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

TYPE CODE PARCEL_ID ACRES LOCATION ACCESSIBILITY TOTAL PENDING 58.73

CODES • C: Conservation Easement (C) is a partial interest in property that is transferred to a non-profit or government entity. The landowner retains legal title and all rights associated with the land except the right to develop the property. As ownership changes, the land remains subject to easement restrictions. • LT: Land trust • M: Municipal (owned by Town of Woodstock or Woodstock/Eastford) • NA: Neighborhood Association • Other: Does not fit in other general categories • PDR: Purchase of Development Rights is a state sponsored farmland preservation program where farm owners can sell the rights to develop their agricultural land for the difference between the value of the land as farmland and the value on the current real estate market. As ownership changes, the land remains subject to development restrictions. There are currently eight Woodstock farms in this program. • Pending: In the process of being committed. • Recreation: Town commons and golf courses. State: State of Connecticut forest land and boat launches. Does not include Department of Transportation properties, etc.

Page 45 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

APPENDIX C. ENDANGERED, THREATENED, AND SPECIAL CONCERN WILDLIFE SPECIES

The following species list is based on the most recent information available concerning designated endangered, threatened or of special concern in Windham County. Assessment of the potential for finding these species in or near the Town of Woodstock is based on information from the USDA, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station.

There are 484 species in Connecticut that are listed as threatened, endangered, or of special concern. Only species listed in bold text with a (W) under “Potential in Woodstock” are believed to exist in Windham County. A thorough investigation of all sections of Woodstock has not been conducted; therefore additional listed species may exist in town.

Table 4. Threatened, Endangered and Special Concern Wildlife Species COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME RANGE POTENTIAL IN WOODSTOCK ENDANGERED SPECIES MAMMALS Least shrew Cryptotis parva Coastal areas with high beach Coastal Connecticut dunes and adjacent brackish marshes. BIRDS American bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Freshwater and saltwater Southwestern Windham County wetlands (W) Bald eagle + Haliaeetus leucocephalus Natural year-round habitat almost Major Central and Western exclusively lakes, rivers or Connecticut River Valleys seacoasts Barn owl Tyto alba Open areas, such as grassy fields, Central, Coastal and Western old fields, wet meadows and Connecticut wetland edges, around farms and (W) rural towns. Black rail (nesting Laterallus jamaicensis High coastal marshes (upper Southern reaches of Connecticut population only) portions of salt and estuarine River marshes that are irregularly flooded by tides) and wet meadows Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus Fresh water marshes with emergent North central and central vegetation and pools or ditches of Connecticut open water. Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus Grasslands, pastures and old North-central Connecticut savannarum fields (W) King rail Rallus elegans Freshwater marshes and brackish South-central Connecticut (nesting population only) tidal marshes. Long-eared owl Asio otus Thick woods; roosts in dense Central Connecticut River Valley stands of evergreens or vine- (W) covered thickets; breeds in woodlands or riverine woodland belts; forages in openings and old fields Northern harrier Circus cyaneus Open marshland and meadows Southwestern Housatonic River Valley (W) Peregrine falcon + Falco peregrinus Open country, from coastal Central Connecticut River Valley lowlands to mountainous high country Pied-billed grebe Podilymbus podiceps Streams, ponds, lakes and Western Connecticut and freshwater marshes. Winters in Southern range of Housatonic estuarine and marine habitats River Valley (W)

Page 46 Town of Woodstock – A Plan of Open Space and Conservation June 2001, Updated December 3, 2003, Rev. 2

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME RANGE POTENTIAL IN WOODSTOCK Red-headed woodpecker Melanerpes Open woodlands, groves of large Upper ranges of Connecticut and erythrocephalus trees in old fields, and wooded Housatonic River Valleys swamps; nest in cavities in snags (dead or dying trees) Roseate tern + Sterna dougallii Strictly saltwater coastlines; almost Central Connecticut Coastal range never seen inland Sedge wren Cistothorus platensis Drier transitional edges of Northwestern Connecticut freshwater marshes, bogs and wet meadows Sharp-shinned hawk Accipiter striatus Large, remote, young forests. North-central Connecticut (W) Upland sandpiper Bartramia longicauda Pastures, upland meadows, fallow Central Connecticut River Valley fields and similar open, grassy and Lower Housatonic River Valley areas. Vesper sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Old fields, meadows, pastures, Northwestern Connecticut woodland clearings, and hayfields Yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens Woodland edges; dense thickets, Extreme Southeastern Connecticut especially of briers and brambles; Coastal Areas shrubby old fields, stream thickets and swamp margins REPTILES Bog turtle Clemmys muhlenbergii Calcareous (containing calcium Extreme northwestern Connecticut carbonate, calcium or lime) wetlands such as open sphagnum bogs, wet meadows and wet pastures Kemp's (Atlantic) ridley Lepidochelys kempii Red mangrove subtropical Wanders into northern waters near sea turtle + shorelines or shallow coastal and Connecticut and Long Island Sound estuarine waters during warmer months Leatherback (sea turtle) + Dermochelys coriacea Found near the edge of the Observed off Stonington and in continental shelf. In northern Block Island Sound during the waters, it may enter shallow summer months. estuarine bays Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus Deciduous forests (often second Extreme Northwestern Connecticut growth) in rugged terrain with and central Connecticut River steep ledges, rock slides and a Valley nearby water supply AMPHIBIANS Eastern spadefoot toad Scaphiopus holbrookii Found in arid to semi-arid areas, Connecticut, east of Connecticut such as fields, farmland, dunes River Valley and woodlands with sandy or (W) loose soils. Breed in temporary bodies of water (e.g., vernal pools), flooded fields and forested wetlands FISH Shortnose sturgeon + Acipenser brevirostrum Main channel of large rivers, Two populations found in the estuaries, and open ocean; may be Connecticut River. One landlocked found in all water depths in rivers. between the Holyoke and Turners Falls Dams in Massachusetts, the other in the lower Connecticut River from the Holyoke Dam to Long Island Sound. INVERTEBRATES Brook floater Alasmidonta varicosa (W) Persius duskywing Erynnis persius persius (W) Buck moth (Maia) Hemileuca maia (W) Ringed boghunter Williamsonia lintneri (W)

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COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME RANGE POTENTIAL IN WOODSTOCK Puritan tiger Beetle ^ Cicindela puritana Sandy beach habitat along the Upper reaches of Connecticut River Connecticut River. Burrows are Valley dug in upper shoreline areas with scattered vegetation and sandy clay soils. PLANTS Balsam fir x Abies balsamea Sandplain gerardia + Agalinis acuta Arethusa Arethusa bulbosa Bog aster Aster nemoralis Brown bog sedge Carex buxbaumii Variable sedge Carex polymorpha Horse-tail spike-rush Eleocharis equisetoides Hare’s tail Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum Small white snakeroot Eupatorium aromaticum Water pennywort Hydrocotyle umbellata Small whorled pogonia + Isotria medeoloides Green adder’s-mouth Malaxis uniflora One-flowered wintergreen Moneses uniflora Nutrush Scleria triglomerata Three-leaved solomon’s Smilacina triflora seal Hyssop-leaf hedge-nettle Stachys hyssopifolia THREATENED SPECIES MAMMALS None Listed Birds Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii Deciduous woodlands; Northwestern and west-central occasionally coniferous forests Connecticut Great egret Ardea albus Freshwater and saltwater marshes, Uninhabited offshore islands in streams, ponds, lakes, and mud Long Island Sound flats Horned lark Eremophila alpestris Large fields, open areas, Northern reaches of Connecticut shoreline beaches, grasslands, River and southern reach of and agricultural areas. Housatonic River (W) Least bittern Ixobrychus exilis Emergent vegetation in freshwater Coastal Connecticut and Long marshes and occasionally saltwater island Sound or brackish marshes. Least tern Sterna antillarum Broad, sandy, vegetation-free Coastal Connecticut and Long beaches usually located close to an island Sound estuary Piping plover ^ Charadrius melodus Along seacoasts, on isolated, sandy Coastal Connecticut and Long beaches with little vegetation and island Sound access to mudflats for feeding. Short-eared owl Asio flammeus Open country, such as grasslands, Winter Range in Coastal (wintering population) marshes or meadows. Connecticut and Long island Sound Snowy egret Egretta thula Marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, Coastal Connecticut and Long shallow coastal areas and tidal island Sound flats; occasionally found in dry fields. REPTILES Atlantic green (sea) turtle Chelonia mydas ^ Shallow ocean waters inside reefs May occasionally migrate through and in bays and inlets. Connecticut waters during the warmer months.

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COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME RANGE POTENTIAL IN WOODSTOCK Five-lined skink Eumeces fasciatus Steep, rocky areas, with patchy tree West-central Connecticut and upper and shrub cover, rotten logs and reaches of Housatonic River Valley leaf litter, that are usually adjacent to moist deciduous forests Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta Open ocean and estuaries. Cold-stunned turtles reported on north shore of Long Island. AMPHIBIANS Blue-spotted salamander Ambystoma laterale (W) (diploid populations) Spring salamander Gyrniophilus (W) porphyriticus Northern slimy salamander Plethodon glutinosus Steep, moist, rocky slopes in Extreme Western and southwestern mature, second growth deciduous Connecticut or hemlock forests; rotting logs and a thick layer of leaf litter should be present. Northern spring Gyrinophilus porphyriticus Cool and well-shaded mountain Northern Connecticut, especially in salamander springs at high elevations, and wet the northeastern and northwestern depressions beneath logs, stones, or corners leaves in surrounding forests. FISH Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus Main channel of large rivers, Anadromous, entering large (in freshwater) estuaries and open ocean freshwater river systems to spawn during the spring. (NOTE: The Hudson River in New York has the only spawning population in New England. INVERTEBRATES Tiger Beetle Cicindela formosa (W) generosa PLANTS Mountain spleenwort Asplenium montanum Early coralroot Corallorrhiza trifida Dwarf huckleberry Gaylussacia dumosa var. bigeloviana Water-marigold Megalodonta beckii Canada violet Viola canadensis SPECIAL CONCERN SPECIES MAMMALS Eastern cougar + Felis concolor cougar (W) Southern bog lemming Synaptomys cooperi (W) BIRDS Northern saw-whet owl Aegolius acadicus (W) Henslow’s sparrow * Ammodramus henslowii (W) Whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus (W) Common raven Corvus corax (W) Savannah sparrow Passerculus (W) sandwichensis Eastern meadowlark Sturnella magna (W) Willet Catoptrophorus Coastal marshes, beaches and Breeding at several locations in semipalmatus mudflats. Coastal Connecticut REPTILES Wood turtle Clemmys insculpta (W)

Eastern hognose snake Heterodon platirhinos (W) INVERTEBRATES Noctuid moth (Cerata) * Chaetaglaea cerata (W) Noctuid moth (burgessi) Apamea burgessi (W) Tiger beetle (purpurea) * Cicindela purpurea (W)

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COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME RANGE POTENTIAL IN WOODSTOCK Tiger beetle Cicindela tranquebarica (W) (tranquebarica) Geometer moth * Metarranthis apicaria (W) Harvester Feniseca tarrquinius (W) Aquatic snail Gyraulus (W) circumstraitusGyraulus circumstriatus Henry’s elfin Incisalia henrici (W) Frosted elfin Incisalia irus (W) Bog copper Lycaena epixanthe (W) Borer moth Papaipema ? (maritima or (W) sciata?) Noctuid moth Psectraglaea carnosa (W) PLANTS Virginia copperleaf * Acalypha virginica Arrowfeather * Aristida purpurascens Purple milkweed * Asclepias purpurascens Sedge Carex bushii Sedge Carex hirsutella Long-bracted green Orchid Coeloglossum viride var. virescens Yellow lady’s-slipper * Cypripedium parviflorum Dillen’s tick-trefoil * Desmodium glabellum Trailing tick-trefoil Desmodium humifusum Sessile-leaf tick-trefoil * Desmodium sessilifolium Goldie’s fern Dryopteris goldiana Dwarf rattlesnake plantain Goodyera repens * var.ophioides Featherfoil Hottonia inflata Creeping bush-clover Lespedeza repens Blazing star Liatris scariosa var.novae- angliae Climbing fern Lygodium palmatum Leafless water-milfoil Myriophyllum tenellum Slender mountain-ricegrass Oryzopsis pungens * American ginseng Panax quinquefolius Panic grass * Panicum xanthophysum Hooker’s orchid * Plantanthera hookeri Threadfoot Podostemum cerratophyllum Pondweed * Potamogeton confervoides Capillary pondweed * Potamogeton pusillus var. gemmiparus Alleghany plum * Prunus alleghaniensis One-Sided pyrola * Pyrola secunda Shining rose Rosa nitida Sea-Side dock * Rumex maritimus var.fueginus Arrowleaf Sagittaria subulata Cotton bulrush * Scirpus hudsonianus Wild senna Senna hebecarpa

Notes: (W) – Indicates listing as a Threatened, Endangered or Species of Special Concern located in Windham County. This does not necessarily mean they are found in Woodstock. * Believed extirpated

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+ Federally endangered ^ Federally threatened

Source: Communications, State of Connecticut, Department of Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division November 28, 2000; and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Web Site http://www.dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/.

Assessment of potential range in Woodstock based on New England Wildlife: Habitat, Natural History, and Distribution, General technical Report NE-108, USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, 1986.

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APPENDIX D. REGULATED ACTIVITIES IN PROPOSED AQUIFER PROTECTION REGULATIONS

Table 5-c. Regulated Activities as Listed in the March 2000 Draft, Proposed Aquifer Protection, Land Use Regulations

Regulated Activity Examples The following activity is prohibited if it is a new regulated activity The following are examples of a and subject to the provisions of the aquifer protection regulation if it business or facility that may conduct is an existing regulated activity. the regulated activity. 1. Activities involving any equipment for the underground storage or Any business or facility. Some transmission of oil or petroleum to the extent it is not pre-empted by examples include automotive service federal law, or hazardous material, except for: (A) replacement of station, gasoline station, or fleet existing non-residential underground storage tanks regulated under garage. 22a-449(d)-1 and 22a-449(d) -101 through 113 of the Regulations of State Agencies. or (B) underground storage tanks which contain number 2 fuel oil for heating that are located more than 500 feet from the nearest public water supply source, or (C) underground electrical facilities such as transformers, breakers, or cables containing oil for cooling or insulation purposes which are owned and operated by a public service company. 2. The discharge to groundwater of non-biodegradable wastes other Any business or facility. than a discharge from: (A) a pump and treat system for groundwater remediation and (B) water treatment waste waters lawfully disposed of through a connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Work. 3. Car or truck washing, unless all wastewaters from such activity Car or truck washes. are lawfully disposed of through a connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works. 4. Production of refining of chemicals, including without limitation Chemical, petroleum, asphalt, or pesticide manufacturer. hazardous materials or asphalt. 5. Clothes or cloth cleaning service which involves the use, storage, Dry cleaner. including disposal of hazardous materials or without limitation dry- cleanings solvents. 6. Generation of electrical power by means of fossil fuels, except for Fossil-fueled electric power producer. (i) generation of electrical power by an emergency engine as defined by section 22a-I74-22(a) (2) RCSA or (ii) generation of electrical power by means of natural gas or propane 7. Production of electronic boards, electrical components, or other Electronic circuit board, electrical electrical equipment involving the use, storage or disposal of any components or other electrical hazardous material components or involving metal plating, equipment manufacturer degreasing of parts or equipment, or etching operations. 8. On-site storage of oil or petroleum for the purpose of wholesale or Fuel oil dealer. retail sale. 9. Embalming or crematory services which involve the use, storage, Funeral home or crematory. or disposal of hazardous material, unless all wastewaters from such activity are lawfully disposed of through a connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works. 10. Furniture stripping operations which involve the use, storage, or Furniture stripper. disposal of hazardous materials 11. Furniture finishing operations which involve the use, storage, or Furniture repair. disposal of hazardous materials, unless all waste waters from such activity are lawfully disposed of through a connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works.

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Regulated Activity Examples 12. Storage, treatment, or disposal of hazardous waste permitted Hazardous waste treatment, storage, or under 22a-449(c)-1OO through 110) of the Regulations of disposal facility. Connecticut State Agencies. 13. Clothes or cloth cleaning service for any industrial activity that Industrial laundry. involves the cleaning of clothes or cloth contaminated by hazardous material, unless all waste-waters from such activity are lawfully disposed of through a connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works. 14. Any biological or chemical testing, analysis or research which Laboratory: biological, chemical, involve the use, storage, or disposal of hazardous material, unless all clinical, educational, product testing, waste waters from such activity are lawfully disposed of through a or research. connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Work and provided that on-site testing of a public water supply by a public water utility is not a regulated activity. 15. Pest control services which involve storage, mixing, or loading Lawn care or pest control service. of pesticides or other hazardous materials. 16. Salvage operations of metal or vehicle parts. Metal salvage yards, vehicle parts salvage yards, or junkyards. 17. Photographic finishing which involve the use, storage, or Photographic finishing laboratory. disposal of hazardous materials, unless all wastewaters from such activity are lawfully disposed of through a connection to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works. 18. Production, fabrication, of metal products which involves the Metal foundry, metal finisher, metal use, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials including: (A) metal machinist, metal fabricator, or metal cleaning or degreasing with industrial solvents; (B) metal plating, or plater. (C) metal etching. 19. Printing, plate making, lithography, photoengraving, or gravure, Printer or publisher. which involves the use, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials. 20. Pulp production, which involves the use, storage or disposal of Pulp, paper, or cardboard any hazardous materials, manufacturer. 21. Accumulation or storage of waste oil, anti-freeze or spent lead- Recycling facility, which accepts acid batteries regulated by a general permit under CGS 22a-208a (r). waste oil, spent antifreeze, or spent lead-acid batteries. 22. Any activity listed in this column that is conducted at a residence Residential occupations. for compensation. 23. Production of rubber, resin cements, elastomers, or plastic, which Rubber, plastic, fabric coating, involves the use, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials. elastomer, or resin cement manufacturer. 24. Storage of pavement de-icing chemicals unless such storage Salt storage facility. takes place within a weather -tight water-proof structure for the purpose of retail sale, or for the purpose of de-icing parking areas or access roads to parking areas. 25. The accumulation, storage, handling, recycling, disposal, Solid waste facility, or an Intermediate reduction, processing, burning, transfer, or composting of solid Processing Center as defined in 22a- waste except for a potable water treatment sludge disposal area. 260 of the general statutes. 26. Finishing or etching of stone, clay, concrete or glass products, or Stone, clay or glass products painting of clay products, which activity involves the use, storage, or manufacturer. disposal of hazardous materials. 27. Dying, coating, or printing of textiles, or tanning or finishing of Textile mill, or tannery. leather, which activity involves the use, storage, or disposal of hazardous materials.

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Regulated Activity Examples 28. Repair or maintenance of automotive or marine vehicles or Vehicle service facilities which may internal, combustion engines of vehicles, involving the use, storage, include: new or used car dealership, or disposal of hazardous materials, including solvents, lubricants, automobile body repair and/or paint paints, brake or transmission fluids, or the generation of hazardous shop, aircraft repair shop, automobile wastes radiator or transmission repair; boat dealer; recreational vehicle dealer; motorcycle dealer, automotive service station, municipal garage, employee fleet maintenance garage, or construction equipment repair or rental. 29. On-site storage of hazardous materials for the purpose of Wholesale trade, storage or wholesale or retail sale, except for a bulk storage facility as defined warehousing of hazardous substances, in section 22a-354i-1 of the aquifer protection regulation. hazardous wastes, pesticides or oil or petroleum. 30. Production or treatment of wood veneer, plywood, or Manufacturer of wood veneer, reconstituted wood, which involves the use, storage, or disposal of plywood, or re-constituted wood any hazardous material. products.

Section 22a-354i-6. New Regulated Activities: Application for an Exemption from Prohibition

(a) The Commissioner may, upon application in accordance with the provisions of this section, exempt a new regulated activity from the provisions of subsection 22a-354i-5(a) of the aquifer protection regulations if he finds that such activity does not or will not pose a threat to any existing or potential well field. The Commissioner shall not grant an exemption from the provisions of section 22a-354i-5 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies unless the owner of such activity clearly and convincingly demonstrates that: (i) a non-hazardous material has been permanently substituted for each hazardous material normally used in such activity or (ii) any hazardous material released into the ground from the facility or business would not render the groundwater unsuitable for drinking without treatment.

(b) An applicant for an exemption under subsection (a) of this section shall submit an application therefore to the Commissioner on a form prescribed by him, and shall concurrently submit a copy.

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APPENDIX E. CHECKLIST OF MUNICIPAL ACTIONS TO CONSIDER

(From Protecting Connecticut’s Watersupply Watersheds: A Guide for Local Officials).

NON-REGULATORY MEASURES

Municipal Plan of Development 1. Ensure that the municipal plan of development contains goals and policies for watershed protection, and recommended actions to implement the goals and policies.

Land Acquisition 1. Consider municipal purchase of critical area(s). 2. Encourage private organizations, such as land trusts, to purchase water supply watershed land for conservation/preservation purposes.

Conservation Restrictions and Tax Incentives 1. Consider municipal or water utility purchase of conservation restrictions to protect drinking water sources. 2. Encourage private conservation organizations to purchase conservation restrictions. 3. Consider acquisition of conservation easements to protect critical areas. 4. Consider designating critical areas as open space in the local plan of development in order to permit affected property owners to request an open-space classification for the purposes of property taxation. 5. Encourage individual use of the tax advantages available under Public Act 490 for land classified as forest or farmland.

Household Hazardous Materials 1. Educate consumers on the proper use and disposal of household hazardous materials. 2. Schedule municipal household hazardous waste collection days on a regular basis.

Street and Catch Basin Cleaning 1. Consider implementing a street cleaning program that includes training of equipment operators. 2. Clean out catch basins twice a year.

Hazardous Spill Containment 1. Develop a municipal plan that identifies what kinds of spills are possible, where spills might occur, the threat to the environment posed by such spills, and local emergency response procedures. 2. Contact the water utility and the DEP if a spill occurs within a watershed. 3. Assemble a municipal hazardous spill containment kit and assure proper training of first responders.

Road De-icing Salts 1. Restrict salt storage in watersheds and also the application of salt around reservoirs. 2. Consider the use of alternative de-icers around reservoirs. 3. Calibrate municipal or contractor spreaders annually. 4. Consider replacing existing trucks and spreaders with trucks equipped with ground speed sensors. 5. Consider designating a special watershed truck to spread a reduced salt concentration. 6. Seek the cooperation of private property owners in limiting salt use.

Posting 1. Post signs that identify the boundaries of watershed areas.

Septic Tank Pumping 1. Establish a septic tank pumping program. 2. Educate homeowners about proper on-site septic system maintenance.

Septic Tank Additives

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1. Prohibit septic tank additives within watershed areas.

Agricultural Best Management Practices 1. Educate the farm community, using traditional agricultural agencies, as to the use of Best Management Practices and available sources of cost sharing funds.

Pesticides and Fertilizers 1. Seek the assistance of various agencies in the State in educating citizens on the proper use of pesticides and integrated pest management. 2. Critically examine municipal use of pesticides. 3. Utilize the services of various agencies within the State to educate farmers and homeowners on proper application rates.

Public Education and Volunteerism 1. Develop a public education program that deals with the proper disposal and handling of potential pollutants. 2. Utilize media coverage. 3. Make public education a component of implementing any new watershed protection measures. 4. Strive for broad-based community support and involvement in watershed protection efforts. 5. Seek volunteers from area service or youth groups.

Intergovernmental/Organizational Coordination 1. In cases where water-supply sources and/or watersheds are located in two or more municipalities, coordinate municipal watershed protection measures.

REGULATORY MEASURES

Interim Regulations 1. Consider the use of interim regulations or development moratoriums while devising and implementing a watershed protection program.

Zoning 1. Review zoning regulations for watershed protection provisions. Strengthen existing regulations or adopt new provisions as necessary. 2. Consider the use of overlay protection zones to require development precautions or prohibit high-risk land uses. 3. Consider the use of conditional use zoning and special use permits. 4. Consider the use of performance zoning to set standards for acceptable impacts. 5. Determine and implement a defensible minimum lot size. 6. Consider soil-based zoning as part of a performance based zoning program (but do not use soils alone to justify minimum lot sizes greater than two acres). 7. Consider adopting cluster zoning, planned residential development (PRD), or conservation development regulations, but do not allow density greater than would be possible using conventional zoning.

Subdivisions 1. Review subdivision regulations for watershed protection provisions. Strengthen existing regulations or adopt new provisions as necessary. 2. Consider requiring a comprehensive environmental analysis to be prepared by applicants. 3. Require a minimum 10% open space set aside and suggest a higher percentage. 4. Seek to have critical areas designated as open space.

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Wetlands and Watercourses 1. Review wetlands regulations for watershed protection provisions. Strengthen existing regulations or adopt new provisions as necessary. 2. Establish an official wetlands and watercourse map, but reserve the right to set actual limits in the field. Place a note on the map stating that it is advisory only. Create standard procedures for revising the map. Insure that watercourses and intermittent streams outside of wetland areas are depicted on the map. 3. Adopt floating boundary, fixed boundary, or a combination setback regulation for wetlands and watercourses.

On-site Sewage Disposal Systems 1. Establish an ordinance requiring regular septic tank inspection and pumping. 2. Establish enforcement mechanisms.

Erosion and Sedimentation (E & S) Controls 1. Require an E & S control plan for all development involving disturbance of one-half acre or more. 2. Require the proposed E & S control plan to be prepared by a certified Professional Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Specialist or Professional Engineer. 3. Ensure inspection and enforcement of E & S controls in order to minimize adverse water quality impacts. 4. Incorporate additional restrictions for sensitive or critical areas as required. 5. Consider the use of a special constable to enhance and streamline the enforcement process. 6. Consider the use of cash or savings-account performance bonds to insure compliance with the approved plan.

Underground Storage Tanks 1. Establish an ordinance or regulations governing the registration, placement, construction, and monitoring of residential underground fuel storage tanks and transmission lines. 2. Consider prohibiting new residential underground fuel storage facilities in watershed areas. 3. Consider purchasing a portable gas chromatograph for inspections as part of a regulatory program.

Sewer Avoidance 1. Study alternative pollution abatement technologies available to avoid sewering watershed areas.

Stormwater Control and Renovation 1. Consider stormwater impacts during site plan review and require the utilization of best management practices. 2. Require a stormwater management plan for all subdivision applications. 3. Consider requiring development applicants to define the likely impacts posed by stormwater from the development. 4. Require the selection, design, construction, and maintenance of best management practices in such a way as to maximize pollutant removal.

Seasonal Home Conversion 1. Develop an ordinance prohibiting all seasonal home conversions within critical protection areas or establishing performance standards for conversions.

Pesticides and Hazardous Materials 1. In the course of site plan review, inspection, and enforcement functions, municipal officials should work to prevent pesticide use that could contaminate water supplies. 1. Develop a local hazardous materials ordinance to control storage and handling of hazardous materials not covered by State and Federal regulations and establish enforcement mechanisms.

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APPENDIX F. SITE/SUBDIVISION PLAN REVIEW FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH A PLAN OF OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION

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APPENDIX G. A SELECTION OF IMPORTANT RESOURCE MAPS

Note: Maps are also available at the Office of the Woodstock Town Clerk, and on the Woodstock Conservation Commission website at www.woodstockconservation.org/maps.htm>.

Woodstock Cultural Resources Composite This map combines data from the following maps listed in Table 1: Map 1, Property Line Base Map (tax parcels based on data available in January, 2001); Map 5, Committed Open Space updated in August, 2003 based on data filed with the Town Clerk’s office; Map 2, the Woodstock Hill Historic District outline provided by the Woodstock Historic District Commission; and Roads designated a Town Scenic Roads or National Scenic Byway and other significant cultural features. Road, streams and waterbody data was included as points of reference.

Woodstock Water Quality Composite This map combines information about water quality classifications based on Connecticut’s Clean Water Act and mapped at a scale of 1:50,000. It combines data from the following maps listed in Table 1: Map 8, Water Quality; Map 12, Drainage Basins; and Map 21, Public Water Supply Watersheds. Road data was included as a point of reference.

Woodstock Inland Wetlands and Watercourses This map combines data from the following maps listed in Table 1: Map 11, Surface water, Map 13, Inland Wetlands and Watercourses (based on soils information and indicated by wetland description); Map 15, Natural Diversity Data Base “blob areas” (indicates a species present that is listed either as endangered, rare or of special concern); Map 20, Streambelts; and the location of reported cedar swamps, a special habitat listed as “in decline” (based on a DEP data layer, not ground truthed) Road data was included as a point of reference.

Agricultural Open Space Priority Areas This map is a composite of data from the following maps listed in Table 1: Map 3, Land in Agricultural Use (based on Land Sat imagery, 1997), Map 18, Important Agricultural Land (based on NRCS listing of soils that are classified as Prime Agricultural Soils and Agricultural Soils of other Statewide Importance), Map 5, outline of farmland with development rights sold to the State of Connecticut, Map 1, Property base lines. Road and waterbody data was included as points of reference. Priority 1and priority 2 area outlines were based on the relative concentration of agricultural soils in agricultural use.

Aquifer Protection Priority Areas This map is a composite of data from the following maps listed in Table 1: Map 5, Land committed as open space, Map 10, Surficial deposits, Map 11, Surface water, Map 13, Wetlands as identified by soil type. Road data was included as a point of reference. Priority 1 and Priority 2 outlines were provided by the Connecticut DEP Bureau of Water Management.

Forested Open Space Priority Areas This map is a composite of data from the following maps listed in Table 1: Map 1, Property Line Base Map, Map 5, Land committed as open space, Map 6, Land Use, Map 7, Land Cover, and Map 11, Surface Water. Information on uncommitted open space with a low probability of being developed data was acquired through correspondence with the property managers. The Quinebaug Highlands Project area data was acquired from The Nature Conservancy. Using satellite imagery, contiguous blocks of unfragmented forests were identified and open space priorities were established. Roadways and developed areas that would fragment wildlife areas were considered.

Potential Wildlife Corridors Open Space Priority Areas This map is a composite of data from the following maps listed in Table 1: Map 1, Property Base Map, Map 5, Land committed as open space, Map 6, Land Use, Map 7, Land Cover, and Map 11, Surface Water, and Map 13, Wetland and Watercourses. Regional data provided by the DEP on committed open space in adjoining towns was also considered. Linkages between committed open space within town and beyond the town borders

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were plotted using natural features such as wetlands and watercourses that already have some regulatory oversight. Populated areas were in general avoided. This map is for general planning purposes only.

Land Use, Land Cover Land use and land cover maps were developed using the Landsat Satellite data available from the DEP and the University of Connecticut. They provide information on the kinds of human uses most associated with urban development, sprawl and housing development. Land cover maps show vegetative cover and physical features of the land most associated with forests, agricultural crops and activities, and various habitat and wildlife areas. This information was acquired between 1987 and 1999 and mapped on a one-hectare (2.471) grid system for the town. Used in combination with other maps of detailed physical features, they provide the best overview of natural resources in the town at the present time. This map combines the features listed separately as Map 6 and Map 7 in Table 1.

Detailed Drainage Basins This map divides the entire town into drainage areas. Ridge tops and other high elevation areas define drainage basins from which surface waters flow downhill until they encounter a watercourse that eventually drains to the lowest point in the basin. This map, listed as Map 12 in Table 1, is based on several tiers of basins and sub-basins available from the DEP.

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