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ATTACHMENT.V TOWN OF NORTH HAMPTON NATURAL FEATURES INVENTORY PREPARED BY IM NORTH HAMPTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND THE ROCEINGHAM PLANNING COMMISSION Project Leaders: Betsy Ware, Senior Planner; Stephen Wallace, senior Planner (through April) HC 107 N42 t was funded in part by a grant from the Office of State N67 New Hampshire Coastal Program, as authorized by the oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Award 70ZU277-01. 93030 (tip 3F TOWN OF NORTH HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE NATURAL FEATURES INVENTORY INTRODUCTION The New Hampshire Coastal Zone program was established to protect one of New Hampshire's most treasured natural resources, its coastline. Each year state funding is set aside specifically for coastal protection and natural resource studies. In 1993, in response to funding notice issued by the Rockingham Planning Commission (RPC), the Conservation Commission of the Town of North Hampton, New Hampshire contracted for services with the Rockingham Planning Commission to complete a natural resources inventory for the town. The scope of the services was twofold. First, to identify and map the resources using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping and, secondly, to prepare a text to compliment the maps. The Conservation Commission and the RPC staff determined that nine maps needed to be prepared. These included: groundwater resources, surface water resources, farmlands and forest, protected lands and recreation, surficial and bedrock geology, floodplains, historic/ archeological sites, wetlands and wildlife maps. The work, completed by the RPC, with two wildlife studies completed in 1591 and 1994 by students at the University of New Hampshire, was funded equally by the Town of North Hampton, New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Coastal Program. MAP 1. BEDROCK GEOLOGY MAP North Hampton consists of four general types of bedrock geology. They include Rye Gneiss, which consist of metamorphic light colored to gray schists and gneisses, quartzites, and amphibolitds (Zor (z)) and quartz-feldspar granitic gneiss and blastomylonitic migmatite (ZOrb); Kittery Formations, which consist of well-bedded and grade-bedded purple and green phyllite and tan siltstone (OZK) ; Ordovician Plutons, which consist of igneous proxene and pyroxene, composed of hornblende diorite and gabbro (Oe9) ; and Devonian Rocks of the Plutonic Suite, which are plutonic and consist of two mica granites of northern and southeastern New Hampshire (Dlm). Town of North Hampton Natural Resources Inventory Page 2. MAP 2. PAP14LAND AND FOREST SOILS MAP North Hampton has five parent material categories of soil types. These include: till, outwash, alluvial, marine and organic matter. Till has been transported and deposited by glacial ice, has an. absence of layering and generally consists of well-drained sands and gravels. Outwash soils consist of sandy material deposited by glacial stream melt water, which is generally better sorted than till and is well drained. Alluvial soils consist of fine materials deposited along active stream beds. marine soils consist of ocean deposits of silt and clay. Organic matter consists of material originating from decomposition of organic matter and is generally found in wet areas. The marine soils, which contain silts, sands and some clays, with organic matter are considered prime for farming. These soils must be combined with a maximum of an 8% slope and adequate moisture provide to provide ideal farming conditions. Since the land in North Hampton is relatively flat ranging from a three percent (3%) to eight percent (8%) slope the terrain lends itself to field crops, such as corn, and hay, truck crops such as carrots, beans, peas, squash, etc. and fruits, such as strawberries, raspberries and apples. Forests tend to exist in areas where there are more rocky, yet organic soils. Depending on the tree species, trees, such as white cedar and red maple, can thrive in swamps or in upland areas with more rocky, organic soils. MAP 3. SURFACE WATERS AND WATERSHEDS North Hampton has two regional watersheds: the drainage areas for Great Bay and the New Hampshire Coast. The Great Bay watershed consists of the Great Bay estuarine system, which covers approximately 17 square miles and is one of the largest estuaries along the east coast of the United States. This system is formed by the convergance of seven rivers: the Salmon Falls, Cocheco, Bellamy, Oyster, Lamprey, Squamscott and Winnicut with a total watershed of approximately 930 square miles. The northwestern area of North Hampton, consisting of approximately 5.5 square miles, is located within the Great Bay Watershed. Several streams, the Barton, Pine Hill and Cornelius brooks, Knowles Pond and a river, the Winnicut, drain in a northerly direction into Great Bay. The coastal watershed receiving water bodies are the Atlantic Ocean and the Piscataqua River. The area of the entire coastal watershed is approximately 78 square miles, with North Hampton's portion of the coastal watershed being about 8.4 square miles. The Coastal Town of North Hampton Natural Resource Inventory Page 3. watershed is divided into four sub-watersheds within North Hampton: Little River, Philbrick's Pond, Berry's Brook and Bailey Brook. The Little River sub-watershed consists of its tributaries, North Brook, Oliver Brook, Garland Brook, three unnamed streams, and a man-made pond, Mill Pond. The Philbrick's Pond sub-watershed is supplied by Chapel Brook and several unnamed streams and Philbrick's Pond, which is tidal. Berry's Brook sub-watershed is located on the Rye town line, with none of the brook or its associated water bodies located in North Hampton. Bailey's Brook sub-watershed is located primarily in Rye and is less than .2 square miles. All four sub-watersheds flow, into the Coastal watershed. North Hampton's streams are being changed to some degree by beaver activity - in particular the Winnicut River near Lovering Road. This wildlife activity has resulted in streams and rivers that are predominantly small, relatively slow-moving, sediment- carrying and meandering, with a greater potential for pollution. The interchange between North Hampton's two saltwater marshes and three extensive freshwater marshes has resulted in unique and diverse natural environments. North Hampton is fortunate to contain such rare and unique ecosystems. MAP 4. GROUND WATER RESOURCES MAP The Hampton Water Works operates five wells in aquifers in North Hampton. Three are located south of Winnicut Road in the northwest corner of town, one is east of Mill Road, just north of the North Hampton - Hampton town line and one is located north of Exeter Road, just east of Interstate 95. Deep fracture patterns for future sources of water are being studied by 'the Hampton Water Works. MAP S. WETLANDS MAP Wetlands account for approximately forty-two per cent (42%) of the land area in the Town of North Hampton. "Wetlands" are defined as poorly and very poorly drained soils, in accordance with the SCS County Soil Survey Map prepared by the USDA Soil Conservation Service in May, 1980 and a wetlands delineation completed by Normendeau Associates in June, 1986. They consist of salt water wetlands, such as the Little River, and fresh water wetlands, such as the Winnecut River. The Little River wetland is divided into two sections by LaFayette, Atlantic and Ocean Boulevard. The Winnecut River wetland is divided into three sections - divided by Winnecut, Lovering, Walnut and Exeter roads. Town of North Hampton Natural Resource Inventory Page 4. In addition to these two major wetlands systems, there are a number of isolated wetlands, which are located throughout North Hampton. Wetlands serve multiple purposes. They serve as filters for surface water permeating into aquifers, provide nesting and spawning grounds for wildlife, support vegetation which feeds area wildlife and serves as rain water encatchment Areas in times of flooding. MAP 6. FLOOD HAZARD 20NES MAP In general flood zones surround major water courses and are subject to seasonal and/or tidal flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated on "Flood Insurance Rate Maps" flood hazard boundaries within the Town of North Hampton. The designation of the 100-year flood zone is a common designation in some of the low-lying marsh and coastal lowlands. The coastal flood hazard zones generally flood the salt water marshes during coastal storms and extreme high tides. The fresh water flood hazard zone is located along the Winnicut River and consists of three large freshwater marshes which serve as storm water detention areas during times of flooding. MAP 7. HISTORIC SITES/STRUCTURES MAP North Hampton has several areas of rich historical significance. one large area extends from the railroad tracks (the location of the original town center) east to the ocean on both sides of Atlantic Avenue. In this area there are eleven buildings dating from 1760 to 1799, twenty-seven buildings from 1800 to 1850 and seventeen buildings from 1860 to 1900. The buildings, predominantly residential dwellings, are all fairly close together and run along both sides of the street to the marshland. The second area is centered around the intersection of Atlantic Avenue, Post Road and Hobbs Road. This section contains two 1770's buildings, six 1820-Is'to 1850's buildings and two 1890's buildings. Also, of particular note, are the following buildings: Christian Church - built in 1838 on land of Preacher John Lamprey Union Chapel - the funds donated by the Union Chapel Fund Society, which was organized by members of the Little Boars Head summer colony. The land was donated by Mrs. Philbrick. ToWn of North Hampton Natural Resources Inventory Page S. Fish Houses - which were used for supplies and storage by local fishermen. Mill Dam - built in 1693 and the site of a grist mill and saw mill Town Hall - built in 1844 and has a rich history of uses United Church of Christ - built over 250 years ago In addition to these sites there are a number of mill dams, family cemetaries, and other features, such as the electric railroad and rural, historic landscapes which have contributed to North Hampton's rich history. MAP S. PROTECTED LANDS 14AP Within North Hampton there are a number of parcels of land that are valuable undeveloped properties. The Conservation Commission has actively worked to determine which parcels warrant conservation and protection and have contacted key landowners to determine their interest in land protection. In 1989 the Conservation Commission was able to protect three major parcels - they were able to gain title to two pieces of land, totalling 62 acres of land, along the Winnicut River and gain a conservation easement from the Dalton family on a 28 acre parcel of land adjacent to the 62 acres. The Conservation Commission has and continues to promote open space preservation and develop a trail system within the community. In addition the Commission continues to work actively with other land use boards to take an active approach in land conservation and protection. MAP 9. WILDLIFE HABITAT MAP North Hampton's rich land resources attract diverse populations of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. In particular, the Little and Winnicut Rivers and their tributaries serve as feeding, breeding and nesting areas to a wide range of wildlife. There are two known deer "yards" adjacent to these two rivers, in addition to the fur-bearing animals such as muskrat, mink and beaver, that make their home in these river areas. The saltwater marshes attract the endangered and threatened osprey, green herons and great blue heron, as. well as other shoreland wildlife. Town of North Hampton Natural Resources Inventory Page 6. List of Potential Wildlife Species Found in North Hampton Amphibians and Reptiles: Jefferson Salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum Blue-spotted Salamander Ambystoma laterale Spotted Salamander Ambystoma maculatum Four-toed Salamander Hemidactylium scutatum Eastern American Toad Bufo a. americanus Northern Spring Peeper Hyla c. crucifer Gray Treefrog Hyla-versicolor Green Frog Rana clamitans melanota Wood Frog Rana sylvatica Northern Leopard Frog Rana Pipiens Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra s. serpentian Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata Eastern Painted Turtle Chrysemys p. picta Northern Water Snake Nerodia s. sipedon Northern Brown Snake Storeria d. dekayi Eastern Ribbon Snake Thamnophis s. sauritus Northern Black Racer Coluber c. constrictor Birds: Common Loon Gavia immer Pied-billed Grebe* Podilymbus podiceps American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus Least Bittern Ixobyrchus exilis Great Blue Heron* Ardea herodias Green-backed Heron* Butorides striatus Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Yellow-crowned Night Heron* Nycticorax violaceus Mute.Swan* Cygnus olor Canada Goose* Branta canadensis Wood Duck* Aix sponsa Green-winged Teal* Anas crecca American Black Duck* Anas rubripes Mallard* Anas platyrynchos Northern Pintail Anas acuta Blue-winged Teal Anas discors Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata American Wigeon Anas americana osprey* Pandion haliaetus Northern Harrier* Circus cyaneus Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus Red-tailed Hawk* Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus King Rail Rallus elegans Town of North Hampton Natural Resources Inventory Page 7. Virginia Rail* Rallus limicola Sora* Porzana carolina Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus American Coot Fulica americana Black Tern* Chlindonias niger Eastern Screech Owl Otus asio Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus Tree Swallow* Tachycineta bicolor Barn Swallow* Tachycineta Belted King Fisher* Megaceryle Alcyon Marsh Wren* Cistothorus palustris Sharp-tailed Sparrow* Passerculus sandiwichensis Red-winged Blackbird* Agelaius phoneniceus American Goldfinch* Carduelis tristis Wild Turkey* Cardinals* House Finches* Mourning Doves* Cat Birds* White-throated Sparrows* White-crowned Sparrows* Chipping Sparrows* Fox Sparrows* House Sparrows* Song Sparrows* Tree Sparrows* Mocking Birds* Cuckoo* Blue Jay* Mammals: Virginia opossum* Didelphis virginiana Masked Shrew Sorex cinereus Water Shrew Sorex palustris Northern short-tailed Shrew Blarina brevcauda Star-nosed Mole Condylura cristata Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus Keen's Myotis Myotis keenii Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans Eastern Pipistrelle Pipistrellus subflavus Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus New England Cottontail* Syvilagus transitionalis Beaver* Castor canadensis Meadow Vole Microtus pennysylvanicus Muskrat* Ondatra zibethicus Town of North Hampton Natural Resource Inventory Page S. Norway Rat Rattus norvegicus Meadow Jumping Mouse Zapus hudsonius Coyote Canis latrans Red Fox* Vulpes vulpes Gray Fox* Urocyon cinereoargenteus Raccoon* Procyon lotor Long-tailed Weasel* Mustela Frenata Mink Mustela vison River Otter* Lutra canadensis White-tailed Deer* Odocoileus virginianus Chipmunk* Red Squirrel* Grey Squirrel* Skunk* Woodchuck* denotes actual observation or sign of animal Mr Ov MIM Offm "M --------------- -- ------------------ Town of North Hampton ---------- - -------------- LAIVD B e d r o c k G e o I o g y M a p L e g e n d ROAD ... ..... . .. Lill, ANE ...... P-d ROAD 4 COET Miu Pond VY PhUbrick PM --- ---------------------- - ------ AD A TO& 60 .0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - T o w n o f North Hampton ------ F a r rn I a n d a ri d F o r e s t S o i I s M a p .......... 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