2. Black Gum Swamp & Clyde River Wetlands
Wetland Reclassification
Seren Bagcilar, Zoë Davis, Rachel Markey,
Dana Vesty & Donovan Ward
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3. Laura Lapierre
Supervision and coordination of the Wetland Program of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
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4. 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

5. 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:
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6. Why we care Rare species Offer unique services to the public
Ecosystem services
Historically destroyed
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7. 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?
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8. 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

10. 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.
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11. Clyde River Wetlands: Problems
Many agricultural fields are adjacent to the wetland areas
But most are already contained within the buffer
Zoe
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12. 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
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13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. References
Vermont Natural Resource Board. (2010). Vermont Wetland Rules (Vt. Code R ). Montpelier, VT: National Life Records Center Building.
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19. Questions?
Picture: from Zoe’s collection