http://youtube.com/v/L8b8QHknwgk

Black Gum Swamp &

Clyde River Wetlands

Wetland ReclassificationSeren Bagcilar, Zoë Davis, Rachel Markey,

Dana Vesty & Donovan Ward

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

Donovan looking through files at ANR

Wetland ClassesClass I

“Exceptional or irreplaceable in its contribution to Vermont’s natural heritage, and therefore merits the highest level of protection”

-Functional criteria

Why we care

- Rare species - Offer unique services to the

public- Ecosystem services- Historically destroyed

Current Regulations: Buffers● Class II wetlands have at least a 50

foot buffer● Class I wetlands have at least a 100

foot buffer

Locations of the Area Of Interest:

- Both are currently Class II

- ANR is looking to reclassify them into Class I

Clyde River WetlandsEast Charleston, VT

Black Gum SwampVernon, 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

Clyde River Wetlands: Problems ● Many agricultural fields are

adjacent to the wetland areaso But most are already contained within

the buffer

Reclassification of the Clyde River Wetlands● Different types of natural

communitieso Exemplary

● Rarity of natural communities

● Large area that is enjoyed by people

Clyde River: Discussion● Timber harvest

o Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging jobs

● Agricultural lando Definitiono BMPso State Partnerships

● Residential Useo Carry on

● Recreation Use

Figure 3

Figure 4

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

● 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 specieso Jefferson salamander

● Enlarging buffer will affectsilvicultural practices by restricting

o Equipment maintenanceo Logging landingso Construction of timber roads

● If remains Class IIo Designation of area to protect endangered and threatened

specieso Approved conservation plan by Parks and Recreation

Department

Figure 5

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

ReferencesVermont 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+lapieSlide 3: http://www.nhdfl.org/events-tours-and-programs/visit-nh-biodiversity/fox-state-forest-black-gum-images.aspxSlide 4:http://blog.northernforestcanoetrail.org/2011/03/24/discovering-the-clyde-river/Slide 5:http://dandelionrun.org/areainfo.phpSlide 6:http://www.northwoodscenter.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Screen-Capture-2-270x250.jpgSlide 16:http://www.earthrangers.com/wildwire/bbtw_updates/jefferson-salamander/

Questions?