Green River Reservoir State Park - Vermont Department of Forests ...

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APPENDIX C
Summary of Public Comments with Responses
for the
January 27, 2005 Draft Plan
Green River Reservoir State Park
After careful review of all the comments received from the public meeting (held on
March 10, 2005 in Morrisville, Vermont) to discuss the draft management plan and the
comments received via email, mail and telephone during the public comment period
(which ended April 30, 2005), the Barre District Stewardship Team has completed
redrafting the long-range management plan for Green River Reservoir State Park. There
were 39 people at the public meeting and 105 written comments were received.
Most comments that clarified the text and were editorial in nature were simply
incorporated into the final plan. As many of the comments received were relatively long,
we chose not to repeat each comment in this appendix but instead created a few broad
categories that represent concerns that pertain to similar resources. Doing this improves
the readability of the responses, rendering this document relatively short. If someone
would like a more detailed response to a particular comment or issue, the staff from the
Barre or Waterbury offices would be glad to make that available.
Every effort has been made to incorporate into the plan suggestions that are compatible
with the goals of the parcel and are fiscally realistic. Again, further explanation as to why
suggestions were or were not used is available from Barre or Waterbury staff members.
Summary of More Specific Changes to Draft LRMP
Not included in this list are typographical and grammatical changes and minor clarifications
that were suggested by various organizations and individuals:
Section I – Introduction
1) Clarified and added language in “Amendments to the Long-Range Management
Plan” section.
2) Revised Green River Reservoir State Park Long-Range Management Plan Structure
section to include changes in plan format.
Section II - Parcel Description and Background
3) Added paragraph on why GRR is unique in Vermont and state park system in
General Description section. GRR uniqueness is due to its large size and its more
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wild character when compared with other more developed state parks.
4) Revised Acquisition History to make it less redundant.
Section III – Public Input Summary
No major changes.
Section IV – Management Strategies
5) In Land Management Categories section – added some clarifications – acreages and
percentages of land base for the various management areas.
6) Under the Highly Sensitive Management Areas Section – removed reference to
“human activities will be minimized” as this was misleading.
7) Under the Highly Sensitive Management Areas Section, Wiley Brook Wetland
Complex – clarified implementation action 3 to read, “A sign indicating dates of the
Great Blue Heron nesting season will be placed on the bridge over the water of
the Wiley Brook mouth to discourage boaters from approaching this area during
this period of time.”
8) Under Special Management Areas Section – added reference to importance of cloud
sedge; clarified acres in deer wintering area; added language about ice fishing
shanties remaining on the reservoir; and changed language about hunting during park
operating season.
9) Under General Management Areas section – added more information about these
areas.
10) Under Management Actions by Resource Category – added a “4. Hunting, Fishing
and Trapping” subsection.
Section V – Management Activities for the Next 20 Years
11) Added acreages in the table for timber sales.
12) Added a section on Future Land Acquisitions.
Appendices for the LRMP include:
Appendix A – Conservation Easement
Appendix B –Public Planning Advisory Group (PPAG)
Appendix C –Summary of Public Comments with Responses for the January 27,
2005 Draft Plan
Appendix C –Authorization to Plan and Manage
Appendix D – Summary of Some Policies and Guidelines Used in the Management
of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Lands
Appendix E – Glossary
Technical Appendices
Revised and updated all the Resource Assessments to be consistent with information in
the LRMP. This will be published as a separate document – Technical Appendices (see
Table of Contents in LRMP).
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General Comments About Some of the Changes in Draft LRMP
Wild and Quiet Nature of the Park
Use of the term “wilderness-like” has been changed in the Final Plan. The new terms to
describe the park are “remote and wild character.”
The term “wilderness-like” was used during the planning process and in the Draft Plan.
The Public Planning Advisory Group felt that this term best described the vision for the
park. The change has been implemented for several reasons. Wilderness is primarily used
as a congressional designation on federal land. The Green River Reservoir LRMP was in
the final planning process at the same time as the planning process for the Green
Mountain National Forest. The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation feels it is
very important to reduce public misunderstandings and confusion on public land
management. Eliminating the use of the term “wilderness-like” will help to clarify the
difference in ownership and management of the state park. The allowed uses and
development of the state park are far different than congressionally designated
wilderness. State parks are simply not “wilderness-like.” The term served a purpose to
help define the goal of maintaining the remote and quiet nature of Green River Reservoir
State Park during the planning process.
Non-motorized use of the park has been clarified to refer to non-combustible engines on
motorboats in summer months. Snowmobiles (which have a combustible engine) are
allowed within the park on designated trails if included in the long-range management
plan (under the Deed Conservation Easement; see page 15 and Appendix A).
Roads, Signs, and Access
Private roads will be designated as private roads on the maps, something that was not
done for the draft plan.
The theft and destruction of road signs is unfortunate. However, in Vermont each town is
responsible for road signs. As this situation occurs, park personnel will report these
occurrences to the town during the park operating season.
The Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation can not put up off-site signs directing
users to the park. These would violate state law, which states that these signs must be on
the property. The only signs that could be approved and erected would be the Travel
Information Council (TIC) signs that you see along all the state highways. In this case,
one would need to be erected on VT Route 15 and an annual cost would be associated
with this sign. In addition, the Town of Hyde Park requested that a TIC sign not be
erected.
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Illegal parking on the town roadsides will continue to be subject to ticketing and towing
by local law enforcement of jurisdiction.
There are at least two existing parking turnouts along non-park roads in the vicinity to
disperse users and offer hunting access. Currently, on park lands there are two parking
areas on the west side of the property and two along Green River Dam Road. There is one
parking area located off of Garfield Road on Morrisville Water and Light land in the
south eastern area of the Reservoir. There may be additional parking areas in the future
when the trail system is developed in the southern section of the park. These parking
areas will be available for all users, not just trail users.
Hunting is allowed at all state parks consistent with State Park rules and regulations and
Fish and Wildlife laws, rules and regulations.
Vehicle access will not be allowed any closer to the water than it has been historically.
Park staff can assist people in carrying boats to the water. If an ADA designed trail to the
boat access site is built, it may be used by people who may have difficulty transporting
and boarding boats.
To minimize congestion, erosion, and boat collision with the boulders at the boat launch,
a sign may be put up suggesting that boaters avoid using the launch during typically
congested periods of time around 11 am or 5 pm. When they are available Park, staff will
assist in directing users during heavy use periods.
The Department will consider approaching the Town of Hyde Park to reclassify to “legal
trail” the Class 4 portion of the Diggins Road from the state park boundary to its end near
Schofield Pond. The road has not been maintained in recent years, and this area has
sensitive resources (both natural and historical).
Public vehicular use of roads in the park (other than park entrance road) is prohibited
under the Conservation Easement, and controlling access on park lands minimizes
potential resource degradation and enforcement issues for the state.
Trails
The district staff will work with VAST, Catamount Trail Association, and other
stakeholders if it’s determined that recreational uses are having negative impacts on deer
in the wintering area. If trail re-routes are needed, every effort will be made to maintain
the number of trail miles available at the start of this planning period.
Use of mechanized equipment for recreation is allowed in various circumstances.
Mountain biking, for example, is allowed in the park but currently only on gravel
surfaced roads in designated areas.
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The portage path on the south arm of the lake east of the Garfield intersection is on
Morrisville Water and Light property. The park will not promote use of that path because
visitors are expected to use the main access to the park.
Forest and Wildlife Habitat Management
Due to the hydrology of the Wiley Block’s alder swamp, lack of active vegetative
management is not expected to result in the swamp succeeding to another natural
community type.
Barre District staff will continue to coordinate with abutting landowners when
considering access for timber harvest whenever possible.
Barre District staff members submit annual work plans each July 1 to affected towns and
regional planning commissions. These indicate timber harvests planned for each fiscal
year.
A range of vegetative management systems and techniques, including even and uneven
aged, will be used in appropriate places as sustainable forestry practices (which is one of
the primary goals for public ownership). Although sustainable forest management is an
important objective, protecting important wildlife and ecological resources, providing
quality back-country recreational opportunities, and preserving the undeveloped scenic
character of the park are also important objectives.
Harvestable acres are determined in a number of ways including topography, soils, and
buffers for sensitive resources.
Long-range management plans for ANR lands assign the lands generally to different
levels of management. An estimate of acreages to be treated (usually designated as a
“compartment”) is prepared for the annual stewardship plans that are made available
every July 1. Therefore, acreages to be treated are not generally included in the longrange
management plans.
In the future it’s possible that overbrowsing by moose could be a concern on this parcel,
and monitoring done on the lands in the park will determine if that happens.
Removal of harvested moose by motorized means is not possible on this parcel due to
deed restrictions. Those who wish to hunt here should find suitable non-motorized means
for removal.
Visual Quality
The landscape in the 500’ buffer around the reservoir and other timber management
exclusionary zones as required by a deed restriction (easement) will look different in
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about 30 years than it looks now. Some people may appreciate this change, while others
will not like it. However, distant views from the reservoir should not be impacted by this.
The draft plan expressed that the state encouraged towns to pass viewshed regulations.
This will be removed from the final plan. However, district staff will provide information
about scenic views from the park and Reservoir to the Towns of Eden and Hyde Park as
they implement their goal to protect scenic resources.
Management of Day Use and Campsites
A goal for State Parks overall is to break even or be financially self-sustaining. There is
general recognition that this is not possible at all state parks. The primary purposes of this
park are to provide a certain type of recreational experience, one that is unique among
state parks in this case, and to protect natural resources.
Limiting group size to 8-12 people is designed to enhance the type of recreation
opportunity provided at this park. The smaller group size is more likely to sustain the
wild character of the recreational experience.
The decision to not aggressively promote or market the park is also consistent with
enhancing the wild character of the park. However, people who express desire for this
type of experience will be directed to this park. General public information has been
developed for the park.
The generation of revenue from charging fees for primitive camping is not feasible.
Remote camping at designated sites and day use will be evaluated annually for future
revenue-generating potential. If additional revenue is determined be feasible, the
Department will use the rules and regulations process to establish fees for day use and
camping.
Additional day use amenities, such as a designated picnic area with picnic tables, and
picnic or group areas, such as large picnic shelters, were determined through the planning
process as not consistent with the wild character of the park.
Those who do not remove fish shanties in a timely manner may be prosecuted by Fish
and Wildlife and/or local law enforcement personnel.
Group use that is commercial in nature is the only group use that is prohibited on
weekends. Please note that commercial use includes both “for profit” and “nonprofit”
group activities that are organized, promoted, and/or where a fee is charged or a donation
is requested.
With regard to the two-group limit per day, this rule is necessary for management of the
park for at least two reasons. Staff cannot possibly monitor all the arrivals and departures.
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It is also needed in order to be consistently fair and equitable to all members of the
public.
Other Topics
In the Special Management Areas subsection of Section IV, Management Strategies and
Actions, the resource areas appear to be misnumbered. However, the decimal used for
each area type, in this case Special Management Area as #2, represents a different type of
resource identified within the Agency of Natural Resources lands classification system.
Therefore, resources numbered 2.1 are special Biological, Cultural, and/or Geologic
Resources, 2.2 represents Critical Plant and/or Wildlife Habitats, and 2.5 represents
Special Protection Areas. Contact the District for more details about the classification
system.
The Department and Agency Strategic Plans, upon which this plan is based and which
have recently expired, have been extended and will be revised as part of the restructuring
process underway for the Agency of Natural Resources.
The conservation easement on the park that is co-held by the Vermont Housing and
Conservation Board and the Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy was made
possible by the Vermont Legislature through 10 VSA Section 6303 passed in 1969.
Through this legislation, certain state agencies, municipalities, and qualified 501c(3)
organizations are defined as qualified holders of conservation easements on ANR lands.
Gravel pits and other extractable resources like sandy fill that are available only for park
use are identified on the wildlife habitats and significant natural resources maps in the
ecological assessment section of the plan.
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