OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN 2015 Map 1 - Data from MassGIS Town of Eastham Page I Open Space and Recreation Plan 2015 Update TOWN OF EASTHAM, MA The following individuals and organizations have contributed to this Open Space and Recreation Plan for the Town of Eastham. Board of Selectmen Town Administrator Elizabeth Gawron - Chair Sheila Vanderhoef Linda S. Burt Martin F. McDonald Wallace F. Adams II John F. Knight 2013/2014 Eastham Open Space Committee Robert Gurney, Chair Stephen Smith, Conservation Commission Representative Robert Cook, National Park Service, Cape Cod National Seashore, Wildlife Ecologist Steven Gulrich Robert Jacovino Peter Wade, Community Preservation Committee, Vice-Chair Town Officials Gail McAleer, Deputy Assessor Shana Brogan, Conservation Agent Lillian Lamperti, Former Town Clerk Sue Fisher, Town Clerk Jane Crowley, Health Agent Mark Powers, Recreation & Beach Director Michael O’Connor, Senior Natural Resources Officer, Harbormaster Peter Carlow, Deputy Natural Resources Officer Richard Hilmer, Deputy Natural Resources Officer Town Committees Bikeways Committee Conservation Commission Forestry Advisory Committee Community Preservation Committee Historical Commission Planning Board Long Range Planning Advisory Board Recycling Committee Public Access Committee of Eastham Water Management Committee Recreation Commission Town of Eastham Page II Open Space and Recreation Plan 2015 Update TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: PLAN SUMMARY …………………………………………………………………………………………….1 SECTION 2: INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………...4 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Progress Since the 2007 Plan Progress in Protection of Remaining Open Space Progress in Water Protection New Town-wide Water System Underway Progress in Water Quality Status of Freshwater Ponds Focusing on our Unique Rural Character Heritage Landscape Inventory Meeting: 2010 Community Preservation Tetris: 2012 Progress in Protecting Significant Buildings Progress in Providing Recreation Opportunities for all Protecting Critical Natural Resources Improving Recreation Opportunities Planning Process and Public Participation Community Preservation Plan: 2015 -2019 Heritage Landscape Inventory Survey: 2010 Enhanced Outreach and Public Participation for Environmental Justice Eastham's Environmental Justice Population Enhanced Outreach Eastham Access Cable Television SECTION 3: COMMUNITY SETTING …………………………………………………………………………………….16 Regional Context History of Eastham Population Characteristics Population and Households Household Income and Cost of Housing Housing Supply Recent Population Characteristics Historic Changes in Eastham's Population Affordable Housing Stock Growth and Development Patterns Land Use Patterns and Trends Major Future Land Use Areas Rates of Development Vacant Land / Build Out Zoning Controls Impacts of Anticipated Residential Growth Shoreline Development Transportation Existing Conditions Roadways Public Transportation Water Supply System Sewer Service Town of Eastham Page III Open Space and Recreation Plan 2015 Update SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECREATIONAL INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS ……………………37 Geology, Soils, and Topgraphy Geological History Geology Soils Topography Landscape Character Water Resources Hydrological Features Surface and Groundwater Hydrology Aquifer Recharge Areas Wetlands Wetland Conservation Freshwater Ponds Vernal Pools Coastal Resources Public Beaches Shellfishing in Eastham Town Shellfish Propagation Program Aquaculture Development Areas Rock Harbor Marina Rock Harbor Services Mooring Fields Threats to Natural Resources Shoreline Development Flood Hazard Area Soft Solutions to Flood Damage Challenges Faced By Shoreline Erosion Threatened and Endangered Species and Significant Habitats Plants Wildlife and Fisheries Reptiles and Amphibians Birds Invertebrates Moths Damselflies Dragonflies Significant Habitats: Scenic Resources and Unique Environments Wildlife Corridors Scenic Landscapes Tidal Flats Sand Dunes Vegetation Public Shade Tree Law Sand Plain Grasslands Culturally Significant Landscapes and Scenic Roads Historic Sites and Districts Unique Environments Area of Environmental Critical Concern (ACEC) Imminence of Threat to the ACEC Environmental Challenges Town of Eastham Page IV Open Space and Recreation Plan 2015 Update Groundwater, Surface Water and Coastal Water Contamination Groundwater Impact Strategies Groundwater Issue Background Water Management Committee Coastal Water Contamination Solid and Hazardous Waste SECTION 5: INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION & RECREATION INTEREST ………………………..82 What is Open Space? What does the word “Protected” mean How do we Protect our Open Space? Protected Parcels Federally Protected Lands in Eastham Eastham’s Open Space Inventory Town-owned Open Space Land Protected by Conservation Restrictions Eastham Conservation Foundation Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts The Nature Conservancy The Cape Cod National Seashore Massachusetts Audubon Society Orenda Land Trust Other Critical Open Lands Preferentially-Taxed Lands (Chapter 61/61a & 61B properties) Ponds Landings and Beaches Unprotected Land Recreational Facilities Town Facilities Cape Cod Rail Trail Camping Opportunities SECTION 6: COMMUNITY VISION……………………………………………………………………………………………….102 Description of Process Town Meeting Community Survey Results Achieving the Vision Town Actions for Protection of Conservation Lands Town Actions for Maintenance of Recreational Facilities Public Beach Access Town-owned Open Space Youth Recreation Opportunities Safety on the Rail Trail Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals SECTION 7: ANALYSIS OF OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION NEEDS ……………………………………………..…..109 Needs Analysis Summary Summary of Resource Protection Needs Protection of Public Water Supply Protection of Marine and Fresh Surface Water bodies Habitat Protection – Wetlands Town of Eastham Page V Open Space and Recreation Plan 2015 Update Habitat Protection – Forests Cultural and Historical Resources Protection Conflicts between Public and Private Use and Overuse Summary of Community Needs Summary of Management Needs Overall Goals and Related Needs Groundwater Protection Plan Effective Targeting Restoration Strategies Water Delivery System Wastewater Management Plan Septic Disposal Current and Future Demand for Open Space and Recreational Opportunities Opportunities to meet Open Space Needs Funding for Land Protection Subdivision Control Law Opportunities to Meet Recreational Needs Need for an Open Space and Recreation Plan Summary of the Analysis of Eastham’s Resource Protection Plan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Commission Open Space Committee REPEATED: PAGES 119-123 Historic Sites and Districts pg 119 Scenic Landscapes pg 120 Culturally Significant Landscapes and Scenic Roads Areas in Need of Improvement Existing Protection for Historic, Scenic and Cultural Resources Current and Project Threats to Community Character Strategies to Protect Identified Historic Resources SECTION 8: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ……………………………………………………………………………………..122 REPEATED: REVIEW 2008-2013 ACTION PLAN Water Quality Groundwater Protection Preserve’s Town’s Character Protect Open Space Promote Recreational Opportunities Prevent Loss of Critical Habitat Historical and Cultural Accomplishments Articles Passed at Town Meeting: Open Space and Recreation SECTION 9: SEVEN YEAR ACTION PLAN ………………………………………………………………………………….127 APPENDIX A: ADA ACCESS SELF-EVALUATION Town of Eastham Page VI Open Space and Recreation Plan 2015 Update List of Maps Map 1 – Regional Context Map……………………………………………………………………………………………Page I Map 2 – Existing Land Use………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 28 Map 3 – Eastham Chamber of Commerce………………………………………………………………………………… 31 Map 4 – Eastham Land Use ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33 Map 5 – USGS Topography Quadrangle…………………………………………………………………………………….. 53 Map 6 – Average of Nitrate Readings………………………………………………………………………………………… 82 Map 7 – Watershed Delinations……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 83 Map 8 – Town of Eastham Bike Route Sign Location Map………………………………………………………… . 94 Map 9 – Five Year Action Plan……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 103 Map 10 – Environment Justice Populations………………………………………………………………….……….…… 133 Map 11 – Historic Land Use…………………………………………………………………………………………….…………. 134 Map 12 – Eastham Endangered Species Habitat…………………………………………………………………........ 135 Map 13 – Unique Features………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….. 136 Map 14 – Water Distribution System Development…………………………………………………………………… 137 Map 15 – Water Resources, Surface Water, Wetlands………………………………………………………………. 138 List of Tables Table 1 – Eastham’s Shared Resources Table 2 - Population Changes for Barnstable County and Selected Outer Cape Towns ……..…Page 21 Table 3 – Eastham Population Change……………………………………………………………………………………. 22 Table 4 – Changes in Eastham Median Average Age………………………………………………………………. 23 Table 5 – Age Composition in Eastham………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 Table 6 – Building Permit per Year in Eastham………………………………………………………………………. 34 Table 7 – Land Use by Acreage……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 35 Table 8 – Build Out Projections ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 36 Table 9 – Anticipated Growth Impacts…………………………………………………………………………………… 38 Table 10 – Eastham Beach Parking ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 58 Table 11 – Threats to Natural Resources…………………………………………………………………………………. 63 Table 12 – Cape and the Islands Tonage Information………………………………………………………………. 86 Table 13 – Town Owned Open Space ………………………………………………………………………………………