Stewardship Plan - the Town of Dennis

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V. Management Factors A. Natural Trends and Disturbances Undeveloped land is subject to seasonal changes and natural trends which occur over time. Crowes Pasture Beach, a dynamic barrier beach can be expected to change slope and width with the seasons as sand is eroded and deposited. Over time barrier beaches migrate landward and it is important to maintain the ability of the dunes and beach to respond to storm winds and waves. Implementation of a long term monitoring program to periodically assess the beach and dune profiles can identify potential problem areas. Once identified, ongoing uses of the barrier beach need to be reviewed to identify the underlying causes of problems. The kettle ponds represent a unique and fragile natural habitat in the CPCA. The water surface of these ponds typically fluctuates up and down in response to the seasonal rise and fall in the aquifer. Water elevations within these ponds have a direct correlation with the success of endangered plant species inhabiting the pond edges. Implementation of a monitoring program to record long term fluctuations in water elevations can help identify potential problems. Natural grassland habitats must be maintained in order to halt natural succession towards hardwood forest. If not maintained, grasses are out competed and early successional woodlands take over, thereby limiting the diversity of habitat and prohibiting use of the area by a large variety of animal species. When invasives are allowed to out compete the native vegetation, the biodiversity suffers due to a lack of proper food available to foragers. Successful grasslands management requires a number of tools: prescribed burning, grassland mowing, invasive species removal, and education. Prescribed burning refreshes grasslands, producing a healthier habitat with more food and cover. Within the pitch pine oak forest, which makes up the largest natural community in the conservation area, trails must be maintained for the accessibility of hikers and walkers. Most maintenance activities are conducted with hand tools to minimize impacts that heavy machinery could incur. Trail maintenance will be done on a continual basis as trails expand and future ones are planned.
View of the grasslands, looking east. Without proper maintenance, this area would be overwhelmed with early successional trees such as oaks, cherries, and pines. During the summer, when Crowes is at its peak usage, it is imperative that the roads and parking lots are maintained and accessible or parking could become chaotic. When the grasses are high and unkempt, the parking spaces appear uninviting and the visitors often look elsewhere. Encroachment from trees and shrubs into the road ways are also maintenance issues with which Town of Dennis must contend. On the more narrow roads such as the tidal flat access road, passing vehicles can easily be scratched by overhanging limbs drawing criticism from the various stakeholders. B. Legal Obligations, Operations and Constraints Permitting With the presence of Piping Plovers and other federally listed species in the CPCA, the conservation area falls under strict federal management guidelines to protect these species and future ones (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service categorizes species as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern as a priority ranking system for protection). The Endangered Species Act (ESA) specifically outlines what activities can and cannot occur in the area. A “take” as explained in Section 10 of the ESA describes any activity or action that might harm, distress, or negatively impact a federally listed species or its habitat as strictly forbidden. Permits can be applied for through the USFWS that potentially limit minor “takes” as long as mitigation measures are taken. The USFWS also assists in management decisions and approaches to species management.
Page 1 and 2: Crowes Pasture Conservation Area St
Page 3 and 4: Vision Statement IT IS THE VISION O
Page 5 and 6: IX. Appendices 37 A. DCT Conservati
Page 7 and 8: identifies specific management unit
Page 9 and 10: III. Location and Site Description
Page 11 and 12: IV. Natural Resources Description A
Page 13 and 14: As summarized in the ERT Study, sur
Page 15 and 16: Soils Map (http://www.pilgrimrcd.or
Page 17 and 18: Natural Plant Communities Natural C
Page 19 and 20: and black cherry. Also present is c
Page 21 and 22: Natural communities Map 3 in Append
Page 23 and 24: Table 2. Listed Species Federally a
Page 25: group. Representatives from the Use
Page 29 and 30: Stewardship Plan is intended to res
Page 31 and 32: ORV Regulations Walking Trails As t
Page 33 and 34: e lifted to allow wheelchair access
Page 35 and 36: Dog walking Many visitors, in addit
Page 37 and 38: prohibiting harvesting in the fores
Page 39 and 40: Education/Information The installat
Page 41: VII. Literature Cited 1. Guidelines

Stewardship Plan - the Town of Dennis

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