<strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Resource</strong> <strong>Inventory</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Guilford</strong>, CT
Section H OPEN SPACE H.1 Introduction See separate Map Atlas for map references Open space provides the framework for experiencing <strong>and</strong> enjoying our natural assets <strong>and</strong> provides access to them. This chapter identifies, catalogues, <strong>and</strong> analyzes <strong>Guilford</strong>’s open space rather than the natural resources it supports, <strong>and</strong> describes it in regional, state, <strong>and</strong> national terms. Among the most important open space for natural resources are those areas that protect public sources <strong>of</strong> drinking water <strong>and</strong> critical habitats such as unfragmented forestl<strong>and</strong>. The Planning <strong>and</strong> Zoning Commission’s (PZC) Build Out Study (2002) indicated that <strong>of</strong> <strong>Guilford</strong>’s approximate 30,000 acres, roughly 7,500 acres are committed as open space <strong>and</strong> roughly 8,100 acres remains as privately-held vacant l<strong>and</strong>. It is this undeveloped, vacant l<strong>and</strong> where opportunities exist to further protect <strong>Guilford</strong>’s natural resources. The <strong>Town</strong>’s commitment to acquire additional open space will help make this possible. H.2 Benefits <strong>and</strong> Functions <strong>of</strong> Open Space Open space provides multiple natural resource-related benefits <strong>and</strong> functions. For example, within a given area <strong>of</strong> open space, a stream affords habitat for aquatic organisms, a travel route for terrestrial organisms, <strong>and</strong> a food <strong>and</strong> water source. The open space resource affords access to that stream, recreational pastimes like fishing, wading, <strong>and</strong> exploring, <strong>and</strong> a view <strong>of</strong> the stream. The integrity <strong>of</strong> the open space includes the air above it, the geology below it, a flood buffering function, <strong>and</strong> the irrigation the stream may provide to abutting farml<strong>and</strong>. Open space: • protects natural resources (water <strong>and</strong> drinking water supply, wildlife habitat <strong>and</strong> corridors, soil resources, air quality, ecological processes) • enhances quality <strong>of</strong> life • provides opportunities for personal rejuvenation • contributes to our sense <strong>of</strong> place • provides outdoor recreation • protects public health <strong>and</strong> safety (floodplains, wetl<strong>and</strong>s, vegetated steep slopes, aquifer recharge areas) • shapes community character (scenic vistas, buffer strips, greenways, open space dedications related to development) • protects historic <strong>and</strong> archeological sites, historic structures <strong>and</strong> grounds, historic districts, town greens • benefits the region beyond the <strong>Town</strong>’s borders (e.g., contributes to the State’s green infrastructure 1) The economic benefits <strong>of</strong> open space are many. Studies have shown that, compared with residential development, open space (without need for roads, schools or emergency services) provides a net fiscal benefit to towns. Economic benefits <strong>of</strong> open space that accrue to private l<strong>and</strong>owners include: • tax benefits when l<strong>and</strong>owners participate in the P.A. 490 program • tax relief through conservation easements • resource management for agricultural <strong>and</strong> forest products, fisheries • enhanced property values for owners <strong>of</strong> l<strong>and</strong> that abuts open space <strong>and</strong> conservation easements H.3 Definition <strong>of</strong> Open Space Various definitions <strong>of</strong> open space are used by the State <strong>of</strong> Connecticut, the Connecticut General Statutes, the L<strong>and</strong> Acquisition Commission (LAC), <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Town</strong> Assessor. This section clarifies these distinctions. Appendix H-1 itemizes the way in which these terms are applied to <strong>Guilford</strong>’s open l<strong>and</strong>. The NRIA uses the Connecticut DEP’s definition <strong>of</strong> “open space,” which is broader than that used by LAC: <strong>Natural</strong> <strong>Resource</strong> <strong>Inventory</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>Town</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Guilford</strong>, CT H1 Open Space
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TOWN OF GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT Natur
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TOWN OF GUILFORD Natural Resource I
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Acknowledgments The Conservation Co
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Introduction What are natural resou
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Appendix D-2 Natural Resource Inven
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APPENDIX E-1 Agricultural Products
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Dairy There are no longer any opera
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F-1 NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA AT N
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APPENDIX G-1 Natural Scenic Resourc
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NRIA’s Listing of Scenic Views Fr
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GPA’s Favorite Scenes and Places
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APPENDIX G-2 a Natural Resource Inv
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APPENDIX G-2b Natural Resource Inve
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APPENDIX G-3 Guilford’s Town Owne
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APPENDIX G-4 Guilford’s Notable T
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APPENDIX H-1 A Compilation of Guilf
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APPENDIX H-2a Metacomet Ridge Conse
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APPENDIX H-3 Public Act 490 Prefere
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APPENDIX I-1 Recreational Facilitie
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APPENDIX J-1 Benefits of Buffer by