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Open Space Plan Bar Harbor Open Space Plan

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Open Space Plan Bar Harbor Open Space Plan BARB HARARBOR HARBOR OPEN OPEN SPACE SPACE PLAN PLAN CreatingCreating a Shared a Shared Vision Vision for Openfor Open Space Space TownTown of Bar of BarHarbor, Harbor, Maine Maine A document that our citizens will use to celebrate the rich history of open space in our town, to plan for the future, and as a toolkit complete with strategies to assist individuals, community groups and the town meet the goals of a shared vision. June 2014 BBaarr HHaarrbboorr OOppeenn SSppaaccee PPllaann June 2014 Prepared by: The Bar Harbor Conservation Commission under award NOAA CZM NA12N0S4190084 to the Maine Coastal Program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce. Prepared with assistance from: FB Environmental Associates 97A Exchange St., Suite 305 Portland, Maine 04101 Cover photo: Aerial view of Bar Harbor looking west toward Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, courtesy of Acadia National Park. The Town of Bar Harbor Conservation Commission consists of seven members appointed by the Town Council. The purpose of the Conservation Commission is to maintain or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources, to protect natural streams or water supplies, to promote conservation of swamps, wetlands, beaches or tidal marshes, to enhance the value to the public of abutting or neighboring parks, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations or sanctuaries or other open areas or open spaces, to effect or enhance public recreation opportunities, to preserve historic sites, to implement the plan of development adopted by the Planning Commission of the municipality, and to promote orderly urban or suburban development. A clear stream, a long horizon, a forest wilderness and open sky– these are man’s most ancient possessions. In a modern society, they are his most priceless. ~ LYNDON B. JOHNSON, Thirty-sixth US President (1963—68), 1908—73 Bar Harbor Open Space Plan i Table of Contents A cknowledgements............................................................................................... v Chapter 1 ~ Introduction...................................................................................... 1 Why was this Plan Developed?.................................................................................................... 1 Why do we Need an Open Space Plan?...................................................................................... 1 How do we Define Open Space?.................................................................................................. 1 What does this Plan Do?................................................................................................................ 3 The Plan Development Process.................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 2 ~ Natural Habitats............................................................................... 5 A Vision for Natural Habitats....................................................................................................... 5 Why Do We Need to Protect Natural Habitats?........................................................................ 5 Celebrate What We Have.............................................................................................................. 7 Tidal Waterfowl & Wading Bird Habitat............................................................................ 7 Bald Eagles & Rare Wildlife Habitat................................................................................... 7 Rare & Exemplary Natural Communities........................................................................... 9 Vernal Pools & Freshwater Wetlands.................................................................................. 9 Freshwater Fisheries............................................................................................................ 12 Unfragmented Blocks of Land............................................................................................. 13 Identifying High-Priority Areas for Open Space Protection.................................................. 13 How Do We Protect & Support Natural Habitats: Goals & Strategies.................................... 16 Chapter 3 ~ Water Resources............................................................................... 19 A Vision for Water Resources..................................................................................................... 19 Why Do We Need to Protect Water Resources?....................................................................... 20 Celebrate What We Have............................................................................................................. 26 Groundwater Quality & Quantity..................................................................................... 26 Protected Wetlands & Vernal Pools.................................................................................... 26 Lakes, Ponds & Streams...................................................................................................... 26 The Frenchman Bay Plan.................................................................................................... 26 Commercial Species Landings............................................................................................. 27 Bar Harbor Open Space Plan 26 ii Table of Contents Continued Active Committees Supporting the Marine Environment.................................................. 27 How Do We Protect & Support Water Resources: Goals & Strategies..................................... 27 Chapter 4 ~ Scenic & Cultural Resources......................................................... 30 A Vision for Scenic & Cultural Resources.................................................................................. 30 Why Do We Need to Protect Scenic and Cultural Resources?............................................... 30 Celebrate What We Have............................................................................................................. 32 Scenic Resources.................................................................................................................. 32 Protecting Bar Harbor's Scenic Hills.............................................................................. 34 Dark Night Sky.................................................................................................................. 35 Cultural Resources.............................................................................................................. 37 Historical Archaeological Sites....................................................................................... 37 Cemeteries.......................................................................................................................... 37 How Do We Protect & Support Scenic & Cultural Resources: Goals & Strategies................ 38 Chapter 5 ~ Recreational Resources................................................................... 40 A Vision for Recreating in Bar Harbor........................................................................................ 40 Why Do We Need to Protect Recreational Resources?............................................................. 41 Pedestrian & Bicycle Connections....................................................................................... 41 Alternative Hiking Locations.............................................................................................. 41 Recreational Facilities & Amenities.................................................................................... 41 Cross-Island Trail............................................................................................................... 42 Celebrate What We Have.............................................................................................................. 42 Acadia National Park........................................................................................................... 42 Town Parks.......................................................................................................................... 42 State & Land Trust Resources............................................................................................. 42 Private Facilities Open to the Public................................................................................... 44 How Do We Protect & Support Our Recreational Resources: Goals & Strategies................. 46 Chapter 6 ~ Working Lands................................................................................. 49 A Vision for Working Lands........................................................................................................ 49 Why Do We Need to Protect Working Lands?.......................................................................... 50 Celebrate What We Have.............................................................................................................. 51 Bar Harbor Open Space Plan iii Table of Contents Continued Working Farms..................................................................................................................................51 Working Forests.................................................................................................................................52
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