Implementing the Wildlife Action Plan in 3 NH Towns
Implementing the Wildlife Action Plan in Three NH Towns
Funded By NH Fish & Game Department Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Agenda 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Goals and Objectives Project Activities Presenting WAP & NSN information Audits of planning documents Voluntary practices Community Viz alternative build-out analysis Lessons Learned Questions & discussion
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Goals & Objectives Explore ways to achieve
wildlife habitat protection through town planning Test alternative build-
outs as a natural resource decision-making tool Try to reach a broad
audience by tying habitat protection to other community concerns NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Town Selection Chester, Hooksett, Salisbury Initial CTAP connection SNHPC recommendations / contact in town Range of development & planning capacity
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Project Components
Outreach to community Alternate build-out
analysis Audit of planning documents Recommendations
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Community Outreach Regular contact with Planning Board & Conservation
Commission Citizen advisory groups Public meeting & survey Local newspapers
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Challenges Busy schedules and full agenda Lots of complex information Community buy-in Misperceptions about objectives
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Interpreting Natural Services Network Information at the Municipal Scale
Natural services are the benefits nature provides “free” to humans: “fundamental life-support services without which human civilizations would cease to thrive.” (Daily et al. 1997)
Natural Services Network Water supply lands Flood storage areas Economically important soils High ranking wildlife habitat + Strategic overlays: Developed, protected, unbuildable, working farms, local conservation priorities...
Natural Services Network Town Summary
The New Hampshire Natural Services Network (NSN) covers approximately 4051 acres within Chester, approximately 24% of the town’s 26.1 square miles. Economically important soils comprise the largest proportion of the NSN in Chester, followed by flood storage lands and important wildlife habitat. No high priority water supply lands occur in Chester. Some lands are in more than one resource category (e.g., some lands may provide water supply and flood storage as well as important wildlife habitat), so percents do not add to 100 and acres do not add to the NSN total of 4051 acres. Table 1 provides the acreage breakdown for the four natural resource categories.
Acreages for natural resource categories in New Hampshire Natural Services Network in Chester, New Hampshire.
Component Water supply lands
Acres
% of town 0
0
Economically important soils
1872
11.2
Important wildlife habitat
1133
6.8
Flood storage lands
1683
10
Total NSN
4051
24
Interpreting Wildlife Action Plan Information at the Municipal Scale
New Hampshire Wildlife Habitat Land Cover Map
Matrix Forests Appalachian Oak-Pine Hemlock-Hardwood-Pine High Elevation Spruce-Fir Lowland Spruce-Fir Northern Hardwood-Conifer
Wetlands Floodplain Forest Marsh and Shrub Wetlands Peatlands Salt Marshes Vernal Pools
Other Habitats Alpine Habitat Caves and Mines Cliffs Coastal Islands Dunes
Grasslands Pine Barrens Rocky Ridges and Talus Slopes Aquatic Habitats
Highest Ranked Habitat by Ecological Condition
All polygons of a given habitat type were scored for a variety
of biological, landscape, and human impact factors. Polygons with scores in the highest 10-15% for the entire State were identified as highest ranking for New Hampshire. Polygons of terrestrial habitats with scores in the highest 1015% for each of the State’s nine Ecoregional Subsections were identified as highest ranking for the ecoregion. Polygons of aquatic habitats with scores in the highest 10-15% for each of the State’s eight Watershed Groups were identified as highest ranking for the watershed group. Supporting landscapes include areas that are important to maintaining the integrity of high-ranking habitat.
Acreages for Important Wildlife Habitat categories in Chester, NH.
Habitat type
State Ecoregional Priority Priority
Total NSN
Supporting Landscape
Appalachian Oak-Pine Forest
0
0
0
4291
Grassland
0
71
71
0
Hemlock-Hardwood-Pine Forest
0
0
0
934
227
338
565
29
0
64
64
0
629
181
810
23
Marsh and Shrub Wetland Peatland Small-scale Watershed Aquatic Habitat
Small-scale watershed aquatic habitat Aquatic habitats include areas of flowing or impounded water, including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. New Hampshire’s Wildlife Action Plan evaluates aquatic habitats within seven watershed groupings, in which small-scale watersheds with similar geology and other characteristics are considered together. Aquatic habitats support fish, various species of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, and numerous invertebrates. In addition to their habitat value, aquatic systems provide water for human domestic and industrial uses and a variety of recreational opportunities. The quality of aquatic habitats depends heavily on land use and human activity within the surrounding watershed.
Floodplain forests Floodplain forests occur on lowlands adjacent to river channels and are subject to periodic flooding. The vegetation of a particular floodplain forest depends on the underlying soil and the frequency and duration of flooding. Silver maple floodplain forests occur along New Hampshire’s major rivers, including the Androscoggin, Connecticut, Merrimack, and Pemigewasset, and the lower reaches of their larger tributaries. Floodplain forests dominated by red maple, sycamore, or swamp white oak occur along floodplains of smaller rivers. Floodplain forests provide important habitat for furbearing mammals, a number of amphibians, several species of turtles, and numerous breeding and migrating birds. Beyond their habitat value, floodplains provide critical storage area for floodwaters during spring run-off and periods of unusually high rainfall, and provide the surface over which a river’s meanders can shift over time.
Wildlife Habitat Summary Chester # acres
% town
Hooksett % protected
# acres
% town
Salisbury % protected
# acres
% town
% protected
Appalachian oak-pine
8,089
48.7%
9.4%
2,289
13.8%
13.0%
721
2.9%
4.1%
Hemlock-hardwood-pine
4,891
29.4%
6.0%
13,695
82.4%
17.0%
21,306
84.6%
18.8%
Northern hardwood-conifer
544
2.2%
17.1%
Lowland spruce-fir
216
0.9%
22.0%
797
3.2%
18.5%
Grasslands over 25 acres
1,246
7.5%
7.8%
180
1.1%
0.0%
Pine barrens (known and predicted)
304
1.8%
0.0%
Floodplain forest
226
1.4%
5.7%
1,609
6.4%
83.2%
Wet meadow/shrub wetland
860
5.2%
12.2%
853
5.1%
24.8%
1,018
4.0%
41.4%
Peatland
212
1.3%
20.0%
387
2.3%
33.1%
379
1.5%
85.0%
Highest state condition
775
4.7%
16.9%
11,446
49.8%
21.2%
14,070
55.8%
27.2%
Highest ecoregional condition
622
3.7%
18.3%
145
0.6%
18.3%
1,068
4.2%
5.9%
2,742
16.5%
9.2%
63
0.3%
5.9%
2,742
10.9%
9.2%
Supporting landscape
Auditing Municipal Planning Documents for Natural Resource and Wildlife Habitat Protection
Review of existing land use regulation documents
Master Plan Zoning Ordinance Subdivision and Site Plan Review regulations checklist Strengths of current document Additions/revisions to consider
Addressing Wildlife Habitat and Natural Resource Protection in Municipal Land Use Documents: Ideas for New Hampshire Municipalities
25 topics Text outline
Descriptive paragraph Suggestions for addressing in Master Plan Reference to available model ordinances and regulations Pertinent application checklist items
Topics Addressed
Agriculture Energy Efficiency Erosion Control Floodplains Forestry Forests Greenfield Development Green Infrastructure Groundwater Growth Management Impervious Surfaces Landscaping Light Pollution
Natural Hazards Natural Services Network Natural Vegetation Ridgelines Shorelands, Surface Waters, and Wetlands Sprawl Steep Slopes Stormwater Runoff Terrain Alteration Urban Growth Boundary Watersheds Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife Habitat Wildlife habitat includes the resources that native species need to survive: food, water, and shelter, including safe places to produce young. Wildlife habitat contributes to human amenities such as clean water, clean air, recreation opportunities, aesthetic values, and rural character.
Master Plan In order to enact ordinances and regulations designed to protect wildlife habitat, a municipality must address this topic in the Master Plan and include goal or vision statements pertaining to wildlife habitat protection. Land Use and Natural Resources chapters of a Master Plan provide opportunities to discuss the importance of wildlife habitat to the community. Sample Master Plan goals/objectives pertinent to wildlife habitat include: Promote development that protects important wildlife habitat and
travel corridors. Identify local priorities for open space protection that include core areas of important wildlife habitat.. Encourage developers to adopt voluntary practices to protect areas of important wildlife habitat.
Zoning Ordinance In order to enact regulations pertaining to wildlife habitat, a municipality should include language in the zoning ordinance that authorizes the adoption of such regulations. Purposes of a Zoning Ordinance that include conserving natural resources, maintaining rural character, and preventing adverse environmental impacts may provide justification for regulations pertaining to wildlife habtat. The “Growth Management,” “ Feature-based Density,” “Lot Size Averaging - One size Does Not Fit All,” and “Shoreland Protection” chapters of Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques: A Handbook for Sustainable Development provide model language for zoning ordinance articles that provide opportunities to protect wildlife habitat during development and information about pertinent existing ordinances in New Hampshire.
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations The “Wildlife Habitat Management” chapter of Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques: A Handbook for Sustainable Development provides model language for subdivision and site plan review regulations pertaining to wildlife habitat and a comprehensive application checklist.
Sample pre-application checklist items pertaining to wildlife habitat include: Existing habitat types (per NHFG Wildlife Action Plan) Deer wintering areas Vernal pools Wetlands Surface waters Headwater streams Mast stands Location relative to high quality habitat for state and
ecoregion
Voluntary Practices to Protect Wildlife Habitat
Application of Voluntary Practices
Useful for features that are scattered on the landscape Useful where flexible approaches are more
appropriate than “one-size-fits-all” regulations Can contribute to incentive approaches Require pre-application conferences Negotiated practices become special conditions of site plan or subdivision permit
Topics Addressed Deer wintering areas Mast stands Headwater streams Natural vegetation Raptor nest trees Shorelands and riparian areas Vernal pools
Document format
Issue statement Objectives Justification and Benefits Implementation Strategies Technical References
Mast Stands Issue: Development may destroy or eliminate wildlife access to stands of nut-producing trees, especially oak, beech, and hickory, which provide high value food sources important to winter survival of some wildlife species, especially black bears. Objectives: Ensure access to adequate fall food supply for mast-dependent wildlife. Minimize negative interactions between mast-dependent wildlife and people, including Wildlife/vehicle collisions Human exposure to wildlife-borne diseases Property damage from deer and bears.
Justification/Benefits (sample) Wild nuts, known as hard mast, are especially important food sources for native
wildlife. New Hampshire’s wild nut crops become available during the time of year when wildlife are preparing for winter by storing food or increasing their fat reserves. American beech and red, white, and black oaks are the most widespread and abundant mast-producing tree species in New Hampshire. Scarlet, chestnut and swamp white oaks; bitternut, mockernut, pignut, and shagbark hickories; beaked and American hazelnuts; and butternut also occur in New Hampshire, but are less abundant and have limited distribution in the state. Wildlife species that rely heavily on nuts (hard mast) include black bear, whitetailed deer, red, gray, and northern and southern flying squirrels, eastern chipmunk, white-footed mouse, fisher, pine marten, wood duck, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, and blue jay (Martin et al. 1961). Food abundance influences the age at which bears first reproduce, the size and frequency of litters, seasonal movements, and mortality rates (Pelton 1980).
Implementation Strategies
Consult with New Hampshire Fish & Game Department biologists to identify locations of black bear habitat blocks and important mast stands in your area of interest. Within or adjacent to black bear habitat blocks Avoid construction of houses within 300 m of important mast stands. Avoid construction of paved roads within 200 m of important mast stands. Maintain travel opportunities between important mast stands and large blocks of protected or undeveloped habitat. In other areas Avoid locating house lots within important mast stands. Avoid locating roads between important mast stands and large blocks of protected or undeveloped habitat.
CommunityViz Build-out Analyses
GIS Software
CommunityViz® Scenario 360™ Version 3.2 Scenario 360 helps to view, analyze and understand
land use alternatives and impacts ArcGIS® Version 9.0
What is Build-out?
A build-out study is an analysis of growth
capacity… …and a build-out is a theoretical condition that exists when all available land suitable for residential and non-residential construction has been developed.
Build-out Process Four build-out scenarios for each town: Current regulations Natural Services Network (NSN) Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) and Master Plan
Current Scenario
Current regulations (setbacks, lot size)
NWI wetlands Conservation Land 100-Year Floodplain
NSN Scenario
Allowable densities were adjusted to allow for a growth neutral scenario NSN added as a constraint
WAP Scenario
Different for each town Certain WAP habitats or areas constrained in addition to base constraints
Town Scenario
Based loosely on features of the Master Plan New constraints added
Data Used in Analyses Layer
Source
Constraint
100-Year Floodplain
FEMA
Yes
Amenities
DES, modified by NHA
No
Buildable Land (Chester, Hooksett)
Created by NHA using RPC data
No
Buildable Land (Salisbury)
Created by NHA
No
Community Centers
Created by NHA using DES data
No
Conservation Land
SPNHF
No
Current Buildings
Created by NHA
Yes
Land Use
Regional Planning Commission
No
Natural Services Network
Varies, see NH GRANIT
Yes
National Wetlands Inventory
USFWS
Yes
Roads
NH DOT
No
Sewer and Water Service
Regional Planning Commission
No
Tax Parcels
Regional Planning Commission
No
Wildlife Action Plan
NHFG
Yes
Zoning
Regional Planning Commission
No
Buildable Land For CTAP towns: Vacant Agricultural Brush or transitional between
open and forested Forested land Barren land (except for strip mine/quarry or gravel pit)
Buildable Land For Salisbury, no build on: Roads Hydric soils A and B Water Conservation easement
properties
Blackwater
floodplain Slopes greater
than 30%
Gravel pits Cemeteries Recreational
areas
Current Buildings Digitized based on most recent aerial image (2005/2006) Primary buildings only Single-Family Residential,
Multi-Family Residential, or Non-Residential # Dwelling units or gross
floor area Based on town assessment data
Build-out Methods Current regulations were examined for: Allowable uses by right Minimum lot size or density, including changes to the above due to
service availability
Floor area ratio Other regulatory overlays Setbacks: front, side and back Lot set-aside requirements Any other regulation that would significantly affect new development
Build-out Wizard Places hypothetical
buildings based on landuse designations Estimates numeric
capacity as well as spatial distribution of buildings Results can be assessed
for impacts
Numeric Build-out Numeric build-out provides an estimated building capacity
for each polygon in a layer based on its size, density rules, and other factors Efficiency Factor Average Building Footprint
Spatial Build-out Spatial build-out refines the numeric building counts by
taking into account the actual geometry of land-use areas and buildings Setback rules Minimum separation distances
Assessing Build-out Impacts Common Impacts Wizard:
Automatically generates several commonly used impact indicators associated with growth and development over time Custom Template:
Approximately 40 indicators in these categories: Build-out totals Demographics and Employment Transportation Water and Energy Use Municipal DemandsLand Use Characteristics
How are Indicators Calculated? Build-out produces two main numbers:
New residential dwelling units New commercial square feet Most indicators are one of these numbers multiplied by an
assumption. Example: Additional Population = new residential dwelling units x persons/household assumption
TimeScope Wizard Watch the build-out occur over time Set rules:
Rate over time Proximity to another feature Used projected population rate or growth ordinance
number Built-out in proximity to >Class VI roads first
Build-out Results
Chester Impacts
List of CTAP Indicators Annual CO, CO2, hydrocarbon
and NOx auto emissions
Commercial energy use, floor
area, jobs, imperviousness, and commercial jobs to housing ratio
Developed residential and non-
residential acres
Development footprint Police and fire and ambulance
service calls
Percent imperviousness Population Residential housing density,
energy use, water use and imperviousness
Population & school kids Solid waste demand Total density & energy use Vehicle trips per day Walkability
Chester The build-out analyses helped to visualize where
WAP, NSN, and Town priorities differed A future land use map helped to guide the
Town/Master Plan Scenario
Hooksett The complexity of Hooksett’s zoning made it
difficult to incorporate many changes Presenting the build-out maps during public
meeting created interesting discussion Hooksett pursued further CommunityViz work
with Complex Systems Research Center
Salisbury Salisbury decided that educational materials that
could be used in town were more important than pursuing a desired future scenario Citizens’ interest in the WAP and NSN made it easier
to show how to incorporate these into town planning
Summary Overall, the build-out analyses helped to: Visualize important natural resources Convey differences between scenarios (both spatially
and with indicators)
Lessons Learned It can be difficult to educate people about important
natural resources and a new software tool at the same time CommunityViz is an effective but challenging tool
that requires patience, communication, and commitment
CAROL
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Lessons Learned
Find willing partners Work consistently with
one group over at least several months Be clear about project scope & focus Connect your issue to others’ concerns
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Thank you! CAROL FOSS, [email protected] VANESSA JONES, [email protected] MAURA ADAMS, [email protected]
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Funded By NH Fish & Game Department Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Agenda 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Goals and Objectives Project Activities Presenting WAP & NSN information Audits of planning documents Voluntary practices Community Viz alternative build-out analysis Lessons Learned Questions & discussion
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Goals & Objectives Explore ways to achieve
wildlife habitat protection through town planning Test alternative build-
outs as a natural resource decision-making tool Try to reach a broad
audience by tying habitat protection to other community concerns NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Town Selection Chester, Hooksett, Salisbury Initial CTAP connection SNHPC recommendations / contact in town Range of development & planning capacity
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Project Components
Outreach to community Alternate build-out
analysis Audit of planning documents Recommendations
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Community Outreach Regular contact with Planning Board & Conservation
Commission Citizen advisory groups Public meeting & survey Local newspapers
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Challenges Busy schedules and full agenda Lots of complex information Community buy-in Misperceptions about objectives
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Interpreting Natural Services Network Information at the Municipal Scale
Natural services are the benefits nature provides “free” to humans: “fundamental life-support services without which human civilizations would cease to thrive.” (Daily et al. 1997)
Natural Services Network Water supply lands Flood storage areas Economically important soils High ranking wildlife habitat + Strategic overlays: Developed, protected, unbuildable, working farms, local conservation priorities...
Natural Services Network Town Summary
The New Hampshire Natural Services Network (NSN) covers approximately 4051 acres within Chester, approximately 24% of the town’s 26.1 square miles. Economically important soils comprise the largest proportion of the NSN in Chester, followed by flood storage lands and important wildlife habitat. No high priority water supply lands occur in Chester. Some lands are in more than one resource category (e.g., some lands may provide water supply and flood storage as well as important wildlife habitat), so percents do not add to 100 and acres do not add to the NSN total of 4051 acres. Table 1 provides the acreage breakdown for the four natural resource categories.
Acreages for natural resource categories in New Hampshire Natural Services Network in Chester, New Hampshire.
Component Water supply lands
Acres
% of town 0
0
Economically important soils
1872
11.2
Important wildlife habitat
1133
6.8
Flood storage lands
1683
10
Total NSN
4051
24
Interpreting Wildlife Action Plan Information at the Municipal Scale
New Hampshire Wildlife Habitat Land Cover Map
Matrix Forests Appalachian Oak-Pine Hemlock-Hardwood-Pine High Elevation Spruce-Fir Lowland Spruce-Fir Northern Hardwood-Conifer
Wetlands Floodplain Forest Marsh and Shrub Wetlands Peatlands Salt Marshes Vernal Pools
Other Habitats Alpine Habitat Caves and Mines Cliffs Coastal Islands Dunes
Grasslands Pine Barrens Rocky Ridges and Talus Slopes Aquatic Habitats
Highest Ranked Habitat by Ecological Condition
All polygons of a given habitat type were scored for a variety
of biological, landscape, and human impact factors. Polygons with scores in the highest 10-15% for the entire State were identified as highest ranking for New Hampshire. Polygons of terrestrial habitats with scores in the highest 1015% for each of the State’s nine Ecoregional Subsections were identified as highest ranking for the ecoregion. Polygons of aquatic habitats with scores in the highest 10-15% for each of the State’s eight Watershed Groups were identified as highest ranking for the watershed group. Supporting landscapes include areas that are important to maintaining the integrity of high-ranking habitat.
Acreages for Important Wildlife Habitat categories in Chester, NH.
Habitat type
State Ecoregional Priority Priority
Total NSN
Supporting Landscape
Appalachian Oak-Pine Forest
0
0
0
4291
Grassland
0
71
71
0
Hemlock-Hardwood-Pine Forest
0
0
0
934
227
338
565
29
0
64
64
0
629
181
810
23
Marsh and Shrub Wetland Peatland Small-scale Watershed Aquatic Habitat
Small-scale watershed aquatic habitat Aquatic habitats include areas of flowing or impounded water, including lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. New Hampshire’s Wildlife Action Plan evaluates aquatic habitats within seven watershed groupings, in which small-scale watersheds with similar geology and other characteristics are considered together. Aquatic habitats support fish, various species of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, and numerous invertebrates. In addition to their habitat value, aquatic systems provide water for human domestic and industrial uses and a variety of recreational opportunities. The quality of aquatic habitats depends heavily on land use and human activity within the surrounding watershed.
Floodplain forests Floodplain forests occur on lowlands adjacent to river channels and are subject to periodic flooding. The vegetation of a particular floodplain forest depends on the underlying soil and the frequency and duration of flooding. Silver maple floodplain forests occur along New Hampshire’s major rivers, including the Androscoggin, Connecticut, Merrimack, and Pemigewasset, and the lower reaches of their larger tributaries. Floodplain forests dominated by red maple, sycamore, or swamp white oak occur along floodplains of smaller rivers. Floodplain forests provide important habitat for furbearing mammals, a number of amphibians, several species of turtles, and numerous breeding and migrating birds. Beyond their habitat value, floodplains provide critical storage area for floodwaters during spring run-off and periods of unusually high rainfall, and provide the surface over which a river’s meanders can shift over time.
Wildlife Habitat Summary Chester # acres
% town
Hooksett % protected
# acres
% town
Salisbury % protected
# acres
% town
% protected
Appalachian oak-pine
8,089
48.7%
9.4%
2,289
13.8%
13.0%
721
2.9%
4.1%
Hemlock-hardwood-pine
4,891
29.4%
6.0%
13,695
82.4%
17.0%
21,306
84.6%
18.8%
Northern hardwood-conifer
544
2.2%
17.1%
Lowland spruce-fir
216
0.9%
22.0%
797
3.2%
18.5%
Grasslands over 25 acres
1,246
7.5%
7.8%
180
1.1%
0.0%
Pine barrens (known and predicted)
304
1.8%
0.0%
Floodplain forest
226
1.4%
5.7%
1,609
6.4%
83.2%
Wet meadow/shrub wetland
860
5.2%
12.2%
853
5.1%
24.8%
1,018
4.0%
41.4%
Peatland
212
1.3%
20.0%
387
2.3%
33.1%
379
1.5%
85.0%
Highest state condition
775
4.7%
16.9%
11,446
49.8%
21.2%
14,070
55.8%
27.2%
Highest ecoregional condition
622
3.7%
18.3%
145
0.6%
18.3%
1,068
4.2%
5.9%
2,742
16.5%
9.2%
63
0.3%
5.9%
2,742
10.9%
9.2%
Supporting landscape
Auditing Municipal Planning Documents for Natural Resource and Wildlife Habitat Protection
Review of existing land use regulation documents
Master Plan Zoning Ordinance Subdivision and Site Plan Review regulations checklist Strengths of current document Additions/revisions to consider
Addressing Wildlife Habitat and Natural Resource Protection in Municipal Land Use Documents: Ideas for New Hampshire Municipalities
25 topics Text outline
Descriptive paragraph Suggestions for addressing in Master Plan Reference to available model ordinances and regulations Pertinent application checklist items
Topics Addressed
Agriculture Energy Efficiency Erosion Control Floodplains Forestry Forests Greenfield Development Green Infrastructure Groundwater Growth Management Impervious Surfaces Landscaping Light Pollution
Natural Hazards Natural Services Network Natural Vegetation Ridgelines Shorelands, Surface Waters, and Wetlands Sprawl Steep Slopes Stormwater Runoff Terrain Alteration Urban Growth Boundary Watersheds Wildlife Habitat
Wildlife Habitat Wildlife habitat includes the resources that native species need to survive: food, water, and shelter, including safe places to produce young. Wildlife habitat contributes to human amenities such as clean water, clean air, recreation opportunities, aesthetic values, and rural character.
Master Plan In order to enact ordinances and regulations designed to protect wildlife habitat, a municipality must address this topic in the Master Plan and include goal or vision statements pertaining to wildlife habitat protection. Land Use and Natural Resources chapters of a Master Plan provide opportunities to discuss the importance of wildlife habitat to the community. Sample Master Plan goals/objectives pertinent to wildlife habitat include: Promote development that protects important wildlife habitat and
travel corridors. Identify local priorities for open space protection that include core areas of important wildlife habitat.. Encourage developers to adopt voluntary practices to protect areas of important wildlife habitat.
Zoning Ordinance In order to enact regulations pertaining to wildlife habitat, a municipality should include language in the zoning ordinance that authorizes the adoption of such regulations. Purposes of a Zoning Ordinance that include conserving natural resources, maintaining rural character, and preventing adverse environmental impacts may provide justification for regulations pertaining to wildlife habtat. The “Growth Management,” “ Feature-based Density,” “Lot Size Averaging - One size Does Not Fit All,” and “Shoreland Protection” chapters of Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques: A Handbook for Sustainable Development provide model language for zoning ordinance articles that provide opportunities to protect wildlife habitat during development and information about pertinent existing ordinances in New Hampshire.
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Regulations The “Wildlife Habitat Management” chapter of Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques: A Handbook for Sustainable Development provides model language for subdivision and site plan review regulations pertaining to wildlife habitat and a comprehensive application checklist.
Sample pre-application checklist items pertaining to wildlife habitat include: Existing habitat types (per NHFG Wildlife Action Plan) Deer wintering areas Vernal pools Wetlands Surface waters Headwater streams Mast stands Location relative to high quality habitat for state and
ecoregion
Voluntary Practices to Protect Wildlife Habitat
Application of Voluntary Practices
Useful for features that are scattered on the landscape Useful where flexible approaches are more
appropriate than “one-size-fits-all” regulations Can contribute to incentive approaches Require pre-application conferences Negotiated practices become special conditions of site plan or subdivision permit
Topics Addressed Deer wintering areas Mast stands Headwater streams Natural vegetation Raptor nest trees Shorelands and riparian areas Vernal pools
Document format
Issue statement Objectives Justification and Benefits Implementation Strategies Technical References
Mast Stands Issue: Development may destroy or eliminate wildlife access to stands of nut-producing trees, especially oak, beech, and hickory, which provide high value food sources important to winter survival of some wildlife species, especially black bears. Objectives: Ensure access to adequate fall food supply for mast-dependent wildlife. Minimize negative interactions between mast-dependent wildlife and people, including Wildlife/vehicle collisions Human exposure to wildlife-borne diseases Property damage from deer and bears.
Justification/Benefits (sample) Wild nuts, known as hard mast, are especially important food sources for native
wildlife. New Hampshire’s wild nut crops become available during the time of year when wildlife are preparing for winter by storing food or increasing their fat reserves. American beech and red, white, and black oaks are the most widespread and abundant mast-producing tree species in New Hampshire. Scarlet, chestnut and swamp white oaks; bitternut, mockernut, pignut, and shagbark hickories; beaked and American hazelnuts; and butternut also occur in New Hampshire, but are less abundant and have limited distribution in the state. Wildlife species that rely heavily on nuts (hard mast) include black bear, whitetailed deer, red, gray, and northern and southern flying squirrels, eastern chipmunk, white-footed mouse, fisher, pine marten, wood duck, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, and blue jay (Martin et al. 1961). Food abundance influences the age at which bears first reproduce, the size and frequency of litters, seasonal movements, and mortality rates (Pelton 1980).
Implementation Strategies
Consult with New Hampshire Fish & Game Department biologists to identify locations of black bear habitat blocks and important mast stands in your area of interest. Within or adjacent to black bear habitat blocks Avoid construction of houses within 300 m of important mast stands. Avoid construction of paved roads within 200 m of important mast stands. Maintain travel opportunities between important mast stands and large blocks of protected or undeveloped habitat. In other areas Avoid locating house lots within important mast stands. Avoid locating roads between important mast stands and large blocks of protected or undeveloped habitat.
CommunityViz Build-out Analyses
GIS Software
CommunityViz® Scenario 360™ Version 3.2 Scenario 360 helps to view, analyze and understand
land use alternatives and impacts ArcGIS® Version 9.0
What is Build-out?
A build-out study is an analysis of growth
capacity… …and a build-out is a theoretical condition that exists when all available land suitable for residential and non-residential construction has been developed.
Build-out Process Four build-out scenarios for each town: Current regulations Natural Services Network (NSN) Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) and Master Plan
Current Scenario
Current regulations (setbacks, lot size)
NWI wetlands Conservation Land 100-Year Floodplain
NSN Scenario
Allowable densities were adjusted to allow for a growth neutral scenario NSN added as a constraint
WAP Scenario
Different for each town Certain WAP habitats or areas constrained in addition to base constraints
Town Scenario
Based loosely on features of the Master Plan New constraints added
Data Used in Analyses Layer
Source
Constraint
100-Year Floodplain
FEMA
Yes
Amenities
DES, modified by NHA
No
Buildable Land (Chester, Hooksett)
Created by NHA using RPC data
No
Buildable Land (Salisbury)
Created by NHA
No
Community Centers
Created by NHA using DES data
No
Conservation Land
SPNHF
No
Current Buildings
Created by NHA
Yes
Land Use
Regional Planning Commission
No
Natural Services Network
Varies, see NH GRANIT
Yes
National Wetlands Inventory
USFWS
Yes
Roads
NH DOT
No
Sewer and Water Service
Regional Planning Commission
No
Tax Parcels
Regional Planning Commission
No
Wildlife Action Plan
NHFG
Yes
Zoning
Regional Planning Commission
No
Buildable Land For CTAP towns: Vacant Agricultural Brush or transitional between
open and forested Forested land Barren land (except for strip mine/quarry or gravel pit)
Buildable Land For Salisbury, no build on: Roads Hydric soils A and B Water Conservation easement
properties
Blackwater
floodplain Slopes greater
than 30%
Gravel pits Cemeteries Recreational
areas
Current Buildings Digitized based on most recent aerial image (2005/2006) Primary buildings only Single-Family Residential,
Multi-Family Residential, or Non-Residential # Dwelling units or gross
floor area Based on town assessment data
Build-out Methods Current regulations were examined for: Allowable uses by right Minimum lot size or density, including changes to the above due to
service availability
Floor area ratio Other regulatory overlays Setbacks: front, side and back Lot set-aside requirements Any other regulation that would significantly affect new development
Build-out Wizard Places hypothetical
buildings based on landuse designations Estimates numeric
capacity as well as spatial distribution of buildings Results can be assessed
for impacts
Numeric Build-out Numeric build-out provides an estimated building capacity
for each polygon in a layer based on its size, density rules, and other factors Efficiency Factor Average Building Footprint
Spatial Build-out Spatial build-out refines the numeric building counts by
taking into account the actual geometry of land-use areas and buildings Setback rules Minimum separation distances
Assessing Build-out Impacts Common Impacts Wizard:
Automatically generates several commonly used impact indicators associated with growth and development over time Custom Template:
Approximately 40 indicators in these categories: Build-out totals Demographics and Employment Transportation Water and Energy Use Municipal DemandsLand Use Characteristics
How are Indicators Calculated? Build-out produces two main numbers:
New residential dwelling units New commercial square feet Most indicators are one of these numbers multiplied by an
assumption. Example: Additional Population = new residential dwelling units x persons/household assumption
TimeScope Wizard Watch the build-out occur over time Set rules:
Rate over time Proximity to another feature Used projected population rate or growth ordinance
number Built-out in proximity to >Class VI roads first
Build-out Results
Chester Impacts
List of CTAP Indicators Annual CO, CO2, hydrocarbon
and NOx auto emissions
Commercial energy use, floor
area, jobs, imperviousness, and commercial jobs to housing ratio
Developed residential and non-
residential acres
Development footprint Police and fire and ambulance
service calls
Percent imperviousness Population Residential housing density,
energy use, water use and imperviousness
Population & school kids Solid waste demand Total density & energy use Vehicle trips per day Walkability
Chester The build-out analyses helped to visualize where
WAP, NSN, and Town priorities differed A future land use map helped to guide the
Town/Master Plan Scenario
Hooksett The complexity of Hooksett’s zoning made it
difficult to incorporate many changes Presenting the build-out maps during public
meeting created interesting discussion Hooksett pursued further CommunityViz work
with Complex Systems Research Center
Salisbury Salisbury decided that educational materials that
could be used in town were more important than pursuing a desired future scenario Citizens’ interest in the WAP and NSN made it easier
to show how to incorporate these into town planning
Summary Overall, the build-out analyses helped to: Visualize important natural resources Convey differences between scenarios (both spatially
and with indicators)
Lessons Learned It can be difficult to educate people about important
natural resources and a new software tool at the same time CommunityViz is an effective but challenging tool
that requires patience, communication, and commitment
CAROL
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Lessons Learned
Find willing partners Work consistently with
one group over at least several months Be clear about project scope & focus Connect your issue to others’ concerns
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
Thank you! CAROL FOSS, [email protected] VANESSA JONES, [email protected] MAURA ADAMS, [email protected]
NH Audubon & The Jordan Institute 2008
