Natural Resources Chapter of the Master Plan - Town of Wolfeboro

Natural Resources Chapter, Wolfeboro, NH
The subdivision ordinance promotes and provides for open space, and prevents scattered and
premature development of land. In this ordinance, due regard shall be shown for natural features,
such as large trees, wetlands, watercourses, stone walls, scenic points, ledge and boulder
outcrops and similar amenities.
Wolfeboro has also become a member of the Moose Mountains Regional Greenways. This is
extremely important and beneficial to the concept of protecting large unfragmented land blocks.
Figure 19 shows the relationship of the unfragmented land blocks in Wolfeboro to those in
neighboring towns. Partnerships with the MMRG and in particular with Wakefield, Brookfield
and New Durham will help to identify joint opportunities for protection of the large
unfragmented land blocks that they share. Two of the largest unfragmented land blocks in the 7
town region are significantly represented in Wolfeboro, including the area to the east of Lake
Wentworth which includes the Warren Brook wetland complex, a Prime Wetland and a Critical
Co-Occurring Resource in Wolfeboro.
13.8 ANALYSIS OF TOOLS FOR PROTECTING WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Aside from the numerous amounts of State laws, there is only scattered protection for wildlife
within the 2007 Master Plan and Town Ordinances. Wildlife protection is an important aspect in
preservation of natural resources, but is currently protected only indirectly through development
ordinances, and the Wetland Conservation Overlay District.
There has been the creation of a Milfoil Control Committee, which oversees the control of the
invasive species milfoil. Whether this committee considers other invasive species is something to
consider.
There is no vernal pool protection in the town. The Wetlands Conservation Overlay District
protects those unique species and habitats found in wetlands.
Figure 20 displays the Wildlife Action Plan Ecological Conditions Ranking for the 7 town
region that includes Wolfeboro and its neighboring communities. Some of the highest value
habitat in Wolfeboro was mapped as the shoreland zone of Lake Winnipesaukee. Much of this
land has been developed and future updates of the WAP data will filter out areas that have been
heavily developed. Other riparian areas along perennial streams (in particular Ryefield Brook,
Frost Brook and its tributaries and Claypit Brook are deserving of additional protection for their
riparian buffers.
13.9 ANALYSIS OF TOOLS FOR PROTECTING RECREATIONAL RESOURCES
Recreational Resources
One of the main goals in the 2007 Master Plan was to manage the recreational resources so that
they equitably serve the permanent/seasonal/transient population and stimulate year-round
Natural Resources Inventory, Wolfeboro, NH 70