Black Gum Swamp & Clyde River Wetlands Wetland Reclassification Seren Bagcilar, Zoë Davis, Rachel Markey, Dana Vesty & Donovan Ward background image URL: http://www.northwoodscenter.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/dollof-mtn-and-clyde-wetlands-from-bird-pt-f9-20040630-jb-1024x768.jpg

Laura Lapierre Supervision and coordination of the Wetland Program of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Figure 1

Outline of Project Identify importance of Clyde River Wetlands and Black Gum Swamp Impacts of reclassification Whether or not reclassification is appropriate Brief methods, who what where Donovan looking through files at ANR

Wetland Classes Class I “Exceptional or irreplaceable in its contribution to Vermont’s natural heritage, and therefore merits the highest level of protection” -Functional criteria Interactive Class Exercise -___ amount of wetlands? Criteria for classes: water storage, surface and ground water protection(ex. recharges a drinking water source), fish/wildlife habitat, exemplary wetland natural communities (over 40 in VT) , habitat for threatened/endangered species, Erosion control. Allowed uses: Image URL: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodscenter/photos/a.386071608069634.96794.192705474072916/437400306270097/?type=1&theater

Why we care Rare species Offer unique services to the public Ecosystem services Historically destroyed image URL: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodscenter/photos/a.192705687406228.49843.192705474072916/804785782864879/?type=1&theater

Current Regulations: Buffers Class II wetlands have at least a 50 foot buffer Class I wetlands have at least a 100 foot buffer Buffer width can vary. Allowed uses? Image URL: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodscenter/photos/a.386071608069634.96794.192705474072916/751404464869678/?type=1&theater

Locations of the Area Of Interest: Clyde River Wetlands East Charleston, VT Locations of the Area Of Interest: Both are currently Class II ANR is looking to reclassify them into Class I Black Gum Swamp Vernon, VT

Clyde River Wetlands Currently Class II - 2703 acres Has many natural community types including a 50 acre intermediate fen 84% of 310 mapped acres were highest qualities in the state Popular area for recreation Zoe Intermediate fen was identified as one of the highest quality examples in the state 84% of the 310 acres mapped were rare/uncommon natural communities that house rare plant species. image URL: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodscenter/photos/a.386071608069634.96794.192705474072916/585536911456435/?type=1&theater

Clyde River Wetlands: Problems Many agricultural fields are adjacent to the wetland areas But most are already contained within the buffer Zoe Image URL: https://www.facebook.com/northwoodscenter/photos/a.386071608069634.96794.192705474072916/846169295393194/?type=1&theater

Reclassification of the Clyde River Wetlands Different types of natural communities Exemplary Rarity of natural communities Large area that is enjoyed by people Zoe wetland used for migration? - something to look into picture URL: http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/images/wetlands_HP_shannon.jpg

Clyde River: Discussion Timber harvest Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging jobs Agricultural land Definition BMPs State Partnerships Residential Use Carry on Recreation Use Figure 4 Has an exceptional example of an intermediate fen. Offers grow food, fiber, Christmas trees, maple syrup, or horticultural crops or manage livestock for profit, must have the consent of the Secretary of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. Figure 3

Vernon Black Gum Swamps Located within the Vernon Town Forest & Roaring Brook WMA Red Maple-Black Gum Swamp Vernon has already implemented their own municipal rules regarding use of the area Rachel Due to the fact its in a town forest pushing this to class I poses little problem for landowners. Wouldn’t impact recreation either. Vehicle access is limited, as well as “sound forest management” (ex. tree cutting within 300 feet discouraged) imposed by the town of Vernon. Vernon wants to work with the state to protect the swamp.

Majority of wetland falls in Vernon Town Forest Remaining area within Roaring Brook wildlife management area Adjusted buffer still remains in Vermont boundaries Should be easy to adjust buffers, both physically and politically

Vernon Black Gum Swamp: Discussion Several rare species Jefferson salamander Enlarging buffer will affect silvicultural practices by restricting Equipment maintenance Logging landings Construction of timber roads If remains Class II Designation of area to protect endangered and threatened species Approved conservation plan by Parks and Recreation Department Figure 5 equipment maintenance: logging landings: construction of timber roads: If remains class II, some areas within the wetland can be moved to class I to protect endangered and threatened species

Final Comparison Why reclassify? Land use implications Community and political implications Overall feasibility Clyde River Wetland --Many unique natural communities --Conserve for recreational use by community --Minor effects on existing timber, agriculture, residential, and recreation uses --Could have some minor effects in surrounding agricultural lands --Communication with town would be needed, but the minor change shouldn’t raise many issues Black Gum Swamp --Many rare and endangered species --Could protect town forest in long term --No change --Entire wetland in existing protected, natural areas --Shouldn’t cause any problems

References Vermont Natural Resource Board. (2010). Vermont Wetland Rules (Vt. Code R 12 0004 056). Montpelier, VT: National Life Records Center Building. http://www.nrb.state.vt.us/wrp/publications/VWR%207-16-10.pdf Slide 2: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=8427242&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=AiVc&locale=en_US&trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Amynetwork%2Cidx%3A1-4-4%2CtarId%3A1428964413506%2Ctas%3Alaura+lapie Slide 3: http://www.nhdfl.org/events-tours-and-programs/visit-nh-biodiversity/fox-state-forest-black-gum-images.aspx Slide 4: http://blog.northernforestcanoetrail.org/2011/03/24/discovering-the-clyde-river/ Slide 5: http://dandelionrun.org/areainfo.php Slide 6: http://www.northwoodscenter.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Screen-Capture-2-270x250.jpg Slide 16: http://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/bbtw_updates/jefferson-salamander/

Questions? Picture: from Zoe’s collection