Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment - Town of Guilford

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I6 Natural Resource-Based Recreation degradation of trails and habitats, disturbance of wildlife, and diminished experiences of users are key concerns that require more study and planning. If the compatibility of recreational access to particular lands or waters are evaluated and actively monitored and managed to minimize impact, Guilford’s natural resources can accommodate a wide variety of recreational activities in a way consistent with the long-term integrity of our environment. Other Forms of Recreation and Their Impacts Certain unstructured recreation activities are difficult to categorize, but might simply be called “park activities.” These are based on a natural resource, but the impacts of facilities on the resource are considerably higher. Examples include swimming (requires bathhouses, groomed beaches, supervisory facilities and extensive parking), picnicking (requires regular mowing of grass, trash receptacles, tables, barbecue pits), playgrounds, and freestyle field sports such as Frisbee, Wiffle Ball, kite flying, and remote control vehicles. Areas used for these activities are generally under the governance of the Parks and Recreation Commission. By definition the majority of the land area of a “park” is subject to intensive landscaping for human convenience and safety, with natural resource values taking a back seat. A large portion of the land cover in a park may be impervious, and non-point source pollution is a significant concern. Fertilizers, pesticides, motor traffic, crowding, noise, litter, and the introduction of invasive plant species combine to exert pressure on natural resources in adjacent areas. However, when properly designed and maintained using best management practices, parks can be a scenic asset harmonious with the environment. The Problem of Motorized Recreation Land-based motorized recreation, while valid and legal in and of itself, has created serious problems for open space management. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and other off-road vehicles have grown in popularity, even as the acreage of unfragmented forest land traditionally used for this activity has shrunk. Motorized travel is prohibited by ordinance on Town land, except for emergencies or administrative matters. According to State statute, on private land the vehicle user must carry written permission from the land owner. As both State and Town open space acquisition of forest areas proceeds, the problem of enforcement in remote areas becomes woefully evident. Motorized recreation in our public forests and fields is prohibited because it is inherently incompatible with natural resource protection. This activity disturbs wildlife, pollutes the air with noise and fumes, destroys vegetation, and exposes soil to erode deep ruts in trails, cause siltation of wetlands and watercourses, and provide a ready site for invasive plants. The damage done by such vehicles is evident in many parts of town, especially on Bluff Head and Totoket Mountain. Perpetrators often come from across town boundaries. Unlike mountain bikers and horseback riders, there is no known association or club for ATVs active in our region (except to lobby for loosening restrictions), and therefore no means of peerpolicing or communicating. The Conservation Commission is now sponsoring a citizen’s task force to address the ATV problem on Town-owned land. Paintball Like ATV riders, paintball enthusiasts have taken advantage of public forest areas. This activity is likewise incompatible with NRB recreation interests. The colorful latex shells from spent ammunition are often left where they fall, littering the forest floor. The idea of this sort of stealth “warfare” being conducted in a public forest is contrary to the intent of purchasing these areas. Town ordinance currently prohibits paintball, and no public areas have yet been set aside for this activity. Like motorized recreation, paintball is best suited for a supervised setting apart from other recreation activities, on the person’s own property or on public land specifically set aside for that use. Summary Guilford’s natural resources provide many and varied opportunities for recreation and natural resource based recreational resources make a significant contribution to Guilford’s quality of life. Ways to educate and involve more users as stewards of our public lands need to be identified. Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment Town of Guilford, CT
References Demrow, C. and D. Salisbury. 1998. The Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance. Appalachian Mountain Club International Mountain Bicycling Association website: http://www.imba.com Jordan, M. 2000. Ecological Impacts of Recreational Use of Trails: A literature review. The Nature Conservancy. Kings Mark Environmental Review Team. September 2002. Report on Bittner Park Leung and Marion. May 2000. Recreation Impacts and Management in Wilderness: A state-of-knowledge review. USDA Forest Service Appendix - none Maps I-1 Trail Systems and Recreational Land Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment Town of Guilford, CT I7 Natural Resource-Based Recreation
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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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INTRODUCTION 1 Orthophoto 2 Land Us
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ACRONYMS Acronyms used in this docu
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Section A. GEOLOGY A.1 Introduction
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of us give much thought. The reason
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former river delta. This material,
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A.9 Summary Guilford’s geological
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Section B. COAST B.1 Introduction S
Page 23 and 24: oysters and clams are raised in upw
Page 25 and 26: Mammals: Mink, deer, raccoon, otter
Page 27 and 28: Habitat destruction Before passage
Page 29 and 30: Section C. FRESHWATER C.1 Introduct
Page 31 and 32: Fishes: largemouth bass (non-native
Page 33 and 34: Floodplains are low-lying areas tha
Page 35 and 36: evaluation of current designated ar
Page 37 and 38: Section D. Uplands D.1 Definition a
Page 39 and 40: Black oak, red oak, and white oak d
Page 41 and 42: Traprock Ridges This ecosystem is r
Page 43 and 44: Invasive plants in Guilford’s upl
Page 45 and 46: Section E. AGRICULTURE E.1 Introduc
Page 47 and 48: E.5 Marketable Resources: Products
Page 49 and 50: Timberlands The approximately 600-a
Page 51 and 52: Endnotes 1 For statutory definition
Page 53 and 54: Section F THE DARK NIGHT SKY F.1 In
Page 55 and 56: Section G NATURAL SCENIC RESOURCES
Page 57 and 58: PUBLIC VANTAGE POINT SCENIC VIEW Sc
Page 59 and 60: G.4 Summary Guilford’s scenic res
Page 61 and 62: Section H OPEN SPACE H.1 Introducti
Page 63 and 64: the Scenic Roads Advisory Committee
Page 65 and 66: • State of Connecticut’s Guilfo
Page 67 and 68: Town of Guilford, Planning and Zoni
Page 69 and 70: Section I NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED RE
Page 71 and 72: particularly in North Guilford, are
Page 73: I.6 Threats and Concerns: the Futur
Page 77 and 78: Section J SIGNIFICANT NATURAL RESOU
Page 79 and 80: J.4 Location and Ecological Content
Page 81 and 82: GAPS Areas for Future Study and Con
Page 83 and 84: Afterword Future Considerations As
Page 85 and 86: TOWN OF GUILFORD Natural Resource I
Page 87 and 88: APPENDIX B-1 Guilford Coastal Data
Page 89 and 90: APPENDIX B-2 Natural Resource Inven
Page 91 and 92: Natural Resource Inventory and Asse
Page 93 and 94: APPENDIX B-4 Quick Facts About Long
Page 95 and 96: APPENDIX C-1 Listing of Guilford’
Page 97 and 98: • Unnamed stream - flows under Ro
Page 99 and 100: APPENDIX C-2 Wetland Soil Categorie
Page 101 and 102: APPENDIX C-3 Water Protection Agenc
Page 103 and 104: APPENDIX D-1 Birds of Guilford, Con
Page 105 and 106: Page 3 - Birds of Guilford, Connect
Page 111 and 112: Appendix D-2 Natural Resource Inven
Page 113 and 114: APPENDIX E-1 Agricultural Products
Page 115 and 116: Dairy There are no longer any opera
Page 117 and 118: F-1 NEW YORK METROPOLITAN AREA AT N
Page 119 and 120: APPENDIX G-1 Natural Scenic Resourc
Page 121 and 122: NRIA’s Listing of Scenic Views Fr
Page 123 and 124: 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
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Natural Resource Inventory and Assessment - Town of Guilford

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