Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest Recreation Program Public Access and Recreation & Road Management Plans -Volume 1- For the property owned by the Connecticut Lakes Timber Company and State of New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development Initial Plan Issued: July 3, 2007 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................2 1.1. What are the purpose and scope of the plan? .....................................................................2 1.2. What is the Connecticut Lakes Headwaters Working Forest Recreation Program and how was it created? ............................................................................................................3 1.3. How is the Initial Plan different from the Interim Plan? ....................................................6 1.4. What substantive requirements must the Plans meet?........................................................6 1.5. What was the planning process?.........................................................................................7 1.5.1. Organizational Meetings ................................................................................................7 1.5.2. Visioning Sessions .........................................................................................................8 1.5.3. Issues and Management Alternatives.............................................................................9 1.6. How did the public influence plan recommendations?.....................................................10 2.0 The Property and Its Managers..............................................................................................14 2.1. Overview of Property .......................................................................................................14 2.2. Findings of Recent User Surveys/Observations ...............................................................15 2.2.1. Fall 2005 Use Survey ...................................................................................................18 2.2.2. 2006 Forest User Observations ....................................................................................21 2.3. Recreation Features of the Property by Recreation Unit..................................................23 2.3.1. Unit 1: Cedar Stream....................................................................................................26 2.3.2. Unit 2: Halls Stream.....................................................................................................27 2.3.3. Unit 3: Indian Stream ...................................................................................................28 2.3.4. Unit 4: Perry Stream.....................................................................................................29 2.3.5. Unit 5: Route 3 Highway Corridor...............................................................................30 2.3.6. Unit 6: Smith Brook .....................................................................................................31 2.3.7. Unit 7: Magalloway......................................................................................................32 2.3.8. Unit 8: Boundary Pond.................................................................................................33 2.4. Interim Plan Accomplishments.........................................................................................34 2.5. Overview of Land Managers ............................................................................................38 2.5.1. Plan Development and Approval / Denial....................................................................38 2.5.2. Recreation Management...............................................................................................39 2.5.3. Wildlife Management...................................................................................................40 2.5.4. Public Safety, Emergency Management, and Enforcement.........................................40 2.5.5. Easement Monitoring ...................................................................................................41 3.0 Public Access and Recreation Management..........................................................................44 3.1. Required Recreation Plan Elements .................................................................................44 3.2. Vision and Guiding Principles..........................................................................................45 3.2.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................45 3.2.2. Long Term Vision ........................................................................................................46 3.2.3. Guiding Principles........................................................................................................46 3.3. Evaluation Criteria for Changes in Use or Management..................................................47 3.3.1. Legal Requirements Criteria ........................................................................................48 3.3.2. Setting and Experiential Qualities Criteria...................................................................48 Final Initial Plan 12/3/2010 3.3.3. Environmental Criteria.................................................................................................49 3.3.4. Administrative Criteria.................................................................................................49 3.3.5. Technical Requirements / Needs of Use Criteria .........................................................50 3.3.6. Sources of Information for Applying the Evaluation Criteria......................................50 3.4. Management Policies and Strategies ................................................................................50 3.4.1. Permitted Uses..............................................................................................................50 3.4.2. Special Use Permits......................................................................................................52 3.4.3. Prohibited Public Recreational Uses ............................................................................53 3.4.4. General Recreation and Public Access Policies...........................................................54 3.4.5. Management Policies and Strategies for Specific Recreational Uses ..........................56 3.4.6. Recreation Improvements.............................................................................................74 3.5. Public Safety and Law Enforcement ................................................................................78 3.5.1. Analysis of Public Safety and Law Enforcement During Term of Prior Plan .............78 3.5.2. Policies .........................................................................................................................78 3.5.3. Actions..........................................................................................................................78 3.6. Waste Management ..........................................................................................................79 3.6.1. Analysis of Waste Management During Term of Prior Plan .......................................79 3.6.2. Policies .........................................................................................................................79 3.6.3. Actions..........................................................................................................................79 3.7. Public Information and Education....................................................................................79 3.7.1. Analysis of Public Information and Education During Term of Prior Plan.................79 3.7.2. Policies .........................................................................................................................80 3.7.3. Actions..........................................................................................................................80 3.8. Monitoring ........................................................................................................................80 3.8.1. Analysis of Monitoring During Term of Prior Plan.....................................................80 3.8.2. Policies .........................................................................................................................82 3.8.3. Actions..........................................................................................................................82 4.0 Road and Gate Management .................................................................................................86 4.1. Road Planning Requirements ...........................................................................................86 4.2. Road Functions and Allowed Uses...................................................................................87 4.3. Current Road System and Management ...........................................................................87 4.3.1. Extent and Type............................................................................................................87 4.3.2. Schedule of Road Closure............................................................................................90 4.4. Interim Road Management Agreement ............................................................................91