Town of Palmer Master Plan | 2021 DRAFT Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources The natural environment, inclusive of air, water, soil, and vegetation (and the interactions among them), is an important aspect of a community’s function. It holds tremendous value by contributing to human health and well-being in various manners inclu4ding, but certainly not limited to, the provision of food, respite from urban environments, recreational opportunities, and hazard mitigation (e.g., flood storage). A community’s cultural identity is influenced by its history. This history is manifested in its historic resources, such as buildings, sites, landmarks, or districts, which tell the story of a how the community came to be, including the persons or events that shaped its development. A community’s cultural identity is also embodied in the manners by which its diverse inhabitants interact and for what purposes. These interactions are shaped by local organizations and facilities providing programs and activities that bring people together for a common purpose (e.g., arts, entertainment, education, religion, and charitable giving). Together, natural, historic, and cultural resources play important roles in defining a community’s values and sense of place. Increasing development and intensive human activities, however, can cause them irreparable harm. Accordingly, this Element not only highlights and characterizes the natural, historic, and cultural resources in the Town of Palmer, it also identifies strategies for their protection and enhancement. Baseline Conditions Analyses Natural Resources The Town of Palmer enjoys a diverse range of natural resources, including prime farmland soils, wildlife habitats, and water resources. By inventorying these resources, the Town can identify those that are critical and deserve special attention and protection from threats, such as the expansion of development. 1 Town of Palmer Master Plan | 2021 DRAFT Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources The following sections leverage information Nearly 52 percent of persons prepared for the Town’s 2014 Open Space responding to this Master Plan’s first and Recreation Plan (OSRP), prepared by the public survey identified Palmer’s Palmer Open Space and Recreation Update “natural and scenic areas” as a quality Committee with assistance from the Pioneer that contributes to making the Town a Valley Planning Commission. Though the great place to live, and nearly 30 Town is currently in the process of updating percent identified “loss of natural its OSRP, much of the information provided lands to new development” as their in the 2014 plan remains relevant. biggest land use concern. Geology, Soils, and Topography Palmer is one of the northernmost towns in Hampden County within the central uplands of Massachusetts. It sits at the confluence of three rivers forming the Chicopee River, south of the Quabbin Reservoir and east of the Connecticut River Valley on the Worcester Plateau. The geology of the Town and its larger region is a reflection of the relatively recent glacial history that imprinted its effects on the land. Moderately thick ice-deposited glacial till and exposed bedrock in the rugged uplands intermingle with glacial out wash terraces and alluvial deposits in the major river valleys and floodplain terraces. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources and Conservation Service Soil Survey, there are four major soil associations that make up the Town’s land area. These include the Charlton-Woodbridge-Paxton Association, Narragansett-Charlton Association, Hinckley-Windsor-Merrimac Association, and Brookfield-Brimfield Association. The Hinckley-Windsor-Merrimac Association soils derive from glacial outwash, while the others are glacial till with varying drainage and slope. Figure 4-1 depicts the areas of agricultural soils in Palmer. Roughly 7 percent of the Town is comprised of prime farmland, 2 percent is comprised of farmland of unique importance, and 17 percent is comprised of farmland of statewide importance. The definitions of these soil categories are provided below. ▸ Prime Farmland Soils – Land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and is also available for these uses (i.e., the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land, or other land, but not urban built-up land or water). ▸ Farmland Soils of Unique Importance – Land other than prime farmland that is used for the production of specific high value food and fiber crops, such as citrus, tree nuts, olives, cranberries, fruit, and vegetables. ▸ Farmland Soils of Statewide Importance – Land in addition to prime and unique farmlands that is of statewide importance for the production of food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, as determined by the appropriate state agency of agencies. Further, these lands generally include soils that are nearly prime farmland and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. 2 Town of Palmer Master Plan | 2021 DRAFT Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources 3 Town of Palmer Master Plan | 2021 DRAFT Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources Elevations in Palmer range from 330 feet above sea level within flood plains and river corridors to peaks at Mt. Pattaquatic (1,094 feet) and Colonel’s Mountain (1,129 feet). Steep hills and ridges on glacial uplands with stone outcrops are predominantly located within the Town’s eastern and northern parts, while gentle slops generally comprise the remainder of the Town. Some lands in Palmer, and more generally speaking, are more prone to problems such as erosion and flooding. Accordingly, they are sensitive to development and intensive land uses. These conditions are influenced by steep slopes and stony and erosive subsoils. Landscape Character Upland forests, rocky ledges, river valleys, and ponds and wetlands help to define the visual character of Palmer from a natural environment perspective, along with the Town’s rolling hills and mountain peaks that provide scenic views. Built-up areas have historically been concentrated in the river valley areas – in the villages of Bondsville, Depot Village, Thorndike, and Three Rivers, though encroachment upon forested uplands as well as non- forested open spaces has taken place in recent years. This encroachment threatens the unique character of the Town, including its scenic views, as well as the services that these areas offer (e.g., recreational uses, wildlife habitat, watershed productivity). Water Resources Palmer has numerous water resources, including rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Together, these resources comprise approximately 3 percent of the Town’s total land area. Notably, four rivers intersect the Town including the Quaboag, Ware, and Swift Rivers, which form the headwaters of the Chicopee River that flows through Palmer downstream to the Connecticut River. The Chicopee River basin is the largest basin in Massachusetts at 721 square miles, and all of Palmer is within the Chicopee River Watershed – an important sub-watershed within the larger Connecticut River Watershed. The Chicopee River Watershed includes the Swift River, Quaboag River, Ware River, and Chicopee River subbasins. Given these connections, local water resources are integral to regional water systems, and any changes to local water quality can have associated impacts in surrounding towns and the larger region. The following sections discuss the various water resources found in the Town of Palmer. The locations of these resources are shown in Figures 4-2 through 4-4. Surface Waters As mentioned, Palmer has four major rivers flowing through its municipal boundaries (see Figure 4-2). The Quaboag, Ware, Swift, and Chicopee Rivers collectively provide recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and flood control. Among these rivers, however, only the Quaboag and Swift Rivers can be publicly accessed. The Ware and Chicopee Rivers can only be accessed by way of privately held lands. Additionally, the Town boasts three lakes and five ponds. Among the lakes, Forest Lake is the only publicly accessible waterbody and is the largest covering approximately 44 acres. Lake Thompson is the next largest at 32 acres, followed by Crystal Lake at 16 acres. 4 Town of Palmer Master Plan | 2021 DRAFT Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources Palmer’s five ponds include the privately-owned Round Pond, Ice House Pond, Allen’s Pond, and Knox Pond, as well as the Town-owned Lily Pond. Knox Pond and Lily Pond are both publicly accessible, with Knox Pond frequently used by educational facilities as an educational workshop. Aquifer Recharge Areas The provisions and requirements of Article XIV: Water Supply Protection District within the Town’s Zoning Ordinance offer protections for the Town’s aquifer recharge areas, including by designating permitted, prohibited, and restricted uses. The Town’s larger aquifer recharge areas are located at the confluence of the Swift and Ware Rivers, as well as at the Quaboag River by South Main Street in Depot Village. Smaller aquifer recharge areas in the Town are widely distributed. A map of the Water Supply Protection District is on file with the Town Clerk. Relatedly, Figure 4-3 illustrates water supply assets, including surface water protection areas, outstanding resource waters, and public water supply sources. The Palmer Reservoir and surrounding areas