A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...
A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...
A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...
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* Shining Willow<br />
Introduction<br />
Humankind has <strong>the</strong> ability to exert significant influence on its environment. Our historic activities <strong>of</strong> creating<br />
homes, villages, industry, sustenance, warmth, clothing, and travel have cumulatively impacted our<br />
surroundings as we became more “civilized” and sophisticated in our lifestyles. The realization that our<br />
capability bears with it a responsibility has been gradually evolving into an ecosystem sensitivity whereby<br />
humans are members <strong>of</strong> equal standing, entitled to no more or less <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> resource pool.<br />
The <strong>County</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Morris</strong> is rich in its natural resource heritage. In <strong>the</strong> 1988 Open Space Element, <strong>the</strong> <strong>Morris</strong><br />
<strong>County</strong> Planning Board acknowledged development pressures on available lands, which are more <strong>of</strong>ten than<br />
not environmentally sensitive. A worsening <strong>of</strong> flooding, erosion and sedimentation, among o<strong>the</strong>r natural<br />
hazards was anticipated resulting from existing development compounded by impacts from future<br />
development’s disturbances. There<strong>for</strong>e a county-wide <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Resource</strong>s Inventory was recommended to<br />
document resources as well as environmental constraints.<br />
The inventory process resulted in <strong>the</strong> emergence <strong>of</strong> recurring <strong>the</strong>mes namely <strong>the</strong> interrelationships among all<br />
natural resources, <strong>the</strong> far-reaching implications <strong>of</strong> human impact, and <strong>the</strong> diverse opportunities <strong>for</strong><br />
stewardship. This document <strong>the</strong>re<strong>for</strong>e consists <strong>of</strong> an inventory <strong>of</strong> natural resources and corresponding<br />
management recommendations. An assortment <strong>of</strong> maps and illustrations serve to represent historical or<br />
existing environmental conditions. Sketches <strong>of</strong> flora and fauna found in <strong>the</strong> lower corner <strong>of</strong> pages, represent<br />
species likely to occur in <strong>the</strong> various communities within <strong>the</strong> county. Those marked with an asterisk signify<br />
species designated as threatened, endangered or rare.<br />
“The tree in <strong>the</strong> garden and <strong>the</strong> tree in <strong>the</strong> wilderness are both wild;<br />
both require our care. We need to reconcile <strong>the</strong>m, to see a natural<br />
landscape that is also cultural, in which city, suburb, countryside and<br />
wilderness each has its own place.” 1<br />
Note: This document has been <strong>for</strong>matted so that glossaries and appendices have been located in <strong>the</strong> back<br />
<strong>of</strong> each chapter. An annotated listing <strong>of</strong> environmental legislation, referred to in <strong>the</strong> following chapters, is<br />
located on <strong>the</strong> following page.<br />
1<br />
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7