black gum swamp & clyde river wetlands wetland reclassification seren bagcilar, zoë davis,...
TRANSCRIPT
Black Gum Swamp &
Clyde River Wetlands
Wetland ReclassificationSeren Bagcilar, Zoë Davis, Rachel Markey,
Dana Vesty & Donovan Ward
Laura Lapierre
Supervision and coordination of the
Wetland Program of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Figure 1
Outline of Project- Identify importance of Clyde
River Wetlands and Black Gum Swamp
- Impacts of reclassification
- Whether or not reclassification is appropriate
Donovan looking through files at ANR
Wetland ClassesClass I
“Exceptional or irreplaceable in its contribution to Vermont’s natural heritage, and therefore merits the highest level of protection”
-Functional criteria
Why we care
- Rare species - Offer unique services to the
public- Ecosystem services- Historically destroyed
Current Regulations: Buffers● Class II wetlands have at least a 50
foot buffer● Class I wetlands have at least a 100
foot buffer
Locations of the Area Of Interest:
- Both are currently Class II
- ANR is looking to reclassify them into Class I
Clyde River WetlandsEast Charleston, VT
Black Gum SwampVernon, VT
Clyde River Wetlands● Currently Class II - 2703 acres ● Has many natural community types
including a 50 acre intermediate fen● 84% of 310 mapped acres were
highest qualities in the state● Popular area for recreation
Clyde River Wetlands: Problems ● Many agricultural fields are
adjacent to the wetland areaso But most are already contained within
the buffer
Reclassification of the Clyde River Wetlands● Different types of natural
communitieso Exemplary
● Rarity of natural communities
● Large area that is enjoyed by people
Clyde River: Discussion● Timber harvest
o Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging jobs
● Agricultural lando Definitiono BMPso State Partnerships
● Residential Useo Carry on
● Recreation Use
Figure 3
Figure 4
Vernon Black Gum Swamps
● Located within the Vernon Town Forest & Roaring Brook WMA
● Red Maple-Black Gum Swamp
● Vernon has already implemented their own municipal rules regarding use of the area
● Majority of wetland falls in Vernon Town Forest
● Remaining area within Roaring Brook wildlife management area
● Adjusted buffer still remains in Vermont boundaries
● Should be easy to adjust buffers, both physically and politically
Vernon Black Gum Swamp: Discussion
● Several rare specieso Jefferson salamander
● Enlarging buffer will affectsilvicultural practices by restricting
o Equipment maintenanceo Logging landingso Construction of timber roads
● If remains Class IIo Designation of area to protect endangered and threatened
specieso Approved conservation plan by Parks and Recreation
Department
Figure 5
Final Comparison Why reclassify?
Land use implications
Community and political implications
Overall feasibility
Clyde River Wetland
--Many unique natural
communities--Conserve for
recreational use by community
--Minor effects on existing
timber, agriculture,
residential, and recreation uses
--Could have some minor
effects in surrounding agricultural
lands
--Communication with town would be needed, but
the minor change
shouldn’t raise many issues
Black Gum Swamp
--Many rare and endangered
species--Could protect town forest in
long term
--No change --Entire wetland in existing protected,
natural areas
--Shouldn’t cause any problems
ReferencesVermont Natural Resource Board. (2010). Vermont Wetland Rules (Vt. Code R 12 0004 056). Montpelier, VT: National Life Records Center Building. http://www.nrb.state.vt.us/wrp/publications/VWR%207-16-10.pdf
Slide 2:https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8427242&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=AiVc&locale=en_US&trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Amynetwork%2Cidx%3A1-4-4%2CtarId%3A1428964413506%2Ctas%3Alaura+lapieSlide 3: http://www.nhdfl.org/events-tours-and-programs/visit-nh-biodiversity/fox-state-forest-black-gum-images.aspxSlide 4:http://blog.northernforestcanoetrail.org/2011/03/24/discovering-the-clyde-river/Slide 5:http://dandelionrun.org/areainfo.phpSlide 6:http://www.northwoodscenter.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Screen-Capture-2-270x250.jpgSlide 16:http://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/bbtw_updates/jefferson-salamander/
Questions?