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Wachusett Reservoir Watershed 2011 Public Access Plan Update

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Wachusett Reservoir Watershed 2011 Public Access Plan Update Wachusett Reservoir Watershed 2011 Public Access Plan Update June 2011 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Water Supply Protection Office of Watershed Management Abstract The Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Water Supply Protection (DCR/DWSP or DCR-Watershed) owns 21,028 acres of land in the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed (including the reservoir). DCR/DWSP manages these watersheds primarily for water quality protection, drinking water supply, and environmental resource protection purposes. The Wachusett Reservoir Watershed 2011 Public Access Plan Update explains DCR/DWSP policies and outlines control measures to be used to mitigate impacts from public access on those lands. This plan includes policies for common recreational activities that occur on the land and water resources in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. This update builds upon the information provided in previous public access plans and uses current regulations and legislation to outline policies for public access to DCR/DWSP property in Boylston, Clinton, Holden, Leominster, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, and West Boylston. DCR/DWSP will begin implementation of the update to the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed 2011 Public Access Plan Update in July 2011. Acknowledgements This plan was prepared by staff of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Water Supply Protection. Kelley Freda, Environmental Analyst is the principal author of this report with key contributions from John Scannell, Regional Director, Derek Liimatainen, Ranger Captain, and Pat Austin, Environmental Quality Supervisor. Additionally, valuable review comments and recommendations were provided by Larry Pistrang, Environmental Analyst. Final report production support provided by Joel Zimmerman, Regional Planner. All maps were produced by DCR/DWSP GIS staff Craig Fitzgerald using DCR and MassGIS data. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Deval L. Patrick, Governor Timothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor Richard K. Sullivan, Jr., Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Edward M. Lambert, Jr., Commissioner, Department of Conservation and Recreation Jonathan L. Yeo, Director, Division of Water Supply Protection Wachusett Reservoir Watershed 2011 Public Access Plan Update Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1 II. OVERVIEW OF THE DCR/MWRA WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM ........................................................................... 3 A. BRIEF HISTORY ................................................................................................................................................... 3 B. DCR DIVISION OF WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION MISSION ........................................................................................... 4 C. REGULATORY OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... 5 III. PLAN UPDATE ............................................................................................................................................ 7 A. WATERSHED PROTECTION PLANS .......................................................................................................................... 7 B. PURPOSE OF A PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN ...................................................................................................................... 7 C. WACHUSETT PUBLIC ACCESS PLANS ....................................................................................................................... 7 1. 1996 Plan ................................................................................................................................................ 7 2. 2003 Plan Update ................................................................................................................................... 8 D. WHY UPDATE THE ACCESS PLAN? .......................................................................................................................... 8 E. PUBLIC INPUT .................................................................................................................................................... 9 F. PUBLIC ACCESS PLAN GOALS ................................................................................................................................ 9 IV. EXISTING CONDITIONS .............................................................................................................................. 11 A. PUBLIC ACCESS PROTECTION ZONES ..................................................................................................................... 11 B. DCR LAND OWNERSHIP ..................................................................................................................................... 13 C. PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES PROGRAM ............................................................................................................... 15 V. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, WATER SUPPLY COMPATIBILITY, AND CURRENT POLICY ................................. 19 A. WATER CONTACT ............................................................................................................................................. 21 B. BOATING (MOTORIZED AND NON‐MOTORIZED) ..................................................................................................... 21 C. FISHING .......................................................................................................................................................... 22 D. OFF‐ROAD DRIVING .......................................................................................................................................... 23 E. SNOWMOBILING ............................................................................................................................................... 23 F. HORSEBACK RIDING .......................................................................................................................................... 23 G. DOGS AND OTHER PETS ..................................................................................................................................... 24 H. CAMPING ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 I. HUNTING AND TRAPPING ................................................................................................................................... 25 J. HIKING, NATURE STUDY, BIRD WATCHING, AND PHOTOGRAPHY ............................................................................... 26 K. CROSS‐COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING ........................................................................................................ 26 L. BICYCLE RIDING ................................................................................................................................................ 26 M. PICNICKING ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 N. GEOCACHING AND LETTERBOXING ....................................................................................................................... 27 O. PAINTBALL ...................................................................................................................................................... 29 P. ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................................................... 29 VI. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY MANAGEMENT ZONE ............................................................. 31 A. INTAKE PROTECTION ZONE ................................................................................................................................. 31 1. Spillway to Lower Road ........................................................................................................................ 34 2. Promenade of the Wachusett Dam Route 70 ....................................................................................... 36 Wachusett Reservoir Watershed i 2011 Public Access Plan Update 3. Spillway to Gate 36 ............................................................................................................................... 36 4. Route 70‐East (Non‐reservoir side of Route 70 from Gate 5 Area to the Promenade) ......................... 36 5. Route 70‐West (Reservoir side of Route 70 from Gate 5 Area to the Promenade) ............................ 37 6. Off‐watershed Lands ............................................................................................................................ 37 B. RESERVOIR PROTECTION ZONE ............................................................................................................................ 37 1. Old Stone Church .................................................................................................................................. 41 2. Bob’s Hot Dogs ..................................................................................................................................... 42 3. Stillwater Farm Interpretive Site ........................................................................................................... 42 4. Rail Trails .............................................................................................................................................
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