2 - Town of Colchester

Natural Diversity Database
The Connecticut Department
of Environmental Protection
maintains a Natural Diversity
Database (NDD) which
includes information on:
• rare and endangered
species,
• species of special
concern, and
• sites with unique
natural areas and other
non-biologic resources
(such as scenic
resources).
The NDD sites in Colchester
are identified on the overlay
on the map on the facing
page.
For more information on
NDD resources, contact the
Natural Diversity Database
office at the Connecticut
Department of Environmental
Protection.
Plant & Animal Habitat
Colchester contains habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species. Efforts should continue to protect local plants
and animals and their habitats and to diminish the presence of invasive species in order to encourage biological diversity.
Agricultural Uses and Soils
While Colchester has a rich agricultural heritage, farming operations are less commercially viable than before and farms
have been converted to residential development. Colchester should, to the extent feasible, strive to preserve agricultural
uses and prime agricultural soils.
Steep Slopes
The terrain in Colchester includes steeply sloping hillsides and rock outcrops. Development should continue to be
limited in areas of steep slopes (25 percent or greater), especially in areas with erodible soils. Such areas may best be
preserved as open space in new developments.
Summary
The following table and the map on the facing page identify the environmental resources where conservation efforts
should be focused in order to sustain Colchester’s environmental quality and help contribute to the overall quality of life.
Conservation Summary Table
Category Definition Proposed Criteria
Significant Conservation Areas Very sensitive lands worthy • Watercourses and waterbodies
of preservation
• Poorly drained soils (wetlands)
• Floodplain (100-year, 1.0% probability)
Important Conservation Areas
Sensitive lands worthy of
conservation
• Public water supply watershed areas
• Areas of high groundwater availability
• Identified aquifers and recharge areas
• Unique or special habitat areas
• Any slope in excess of 25%
• Floodplain (500-year, 0.2% probability)
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