natural resources planning program handbook

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

DRAFT

r ra

JAN 3 11978

S
932
M4
N38
1977

u.s.d.aL, soil conservation service, amherst, ma. 19""
t I

Coastal_-Zone
Information
Center

FOREWORD

"A few very broad generalizations can serve as a theoret ical basis
for discussing the effects of the environment on human life. Ideally,
all aspects of the environment should form an integrated ecological
system in which the welfare of any part of the system is dependent
upon the welfare of all the others. In the light of ecological theory,
man is part of the total environment and therefore cannot achieve and
maintain physical and mental health if conditions are not suitable for
environmental health. For this reason, it is ecologically and indeed
logically impossible to define an optimum environment if one has only
man in mind." Rene Dubos in So Human an Animal

-Z@

PREFACE

Although there has now emerged a widespread ecological consciousness
and a public ethic towards land and water use, there is presently
little information available to communities to guide them in integrating
information about their natural resources into their planning efforts.
There existed, in fact, a crucial need for a procedure to carry out
natural resources planning. It is intended that the Natural Resources
Planning Program meet this pressing need. Although all references and
guidelines in this handbook are for Massachusetts, the methodology may
be adapted for use elsewhere by adjusting the guidelines to local
conditions and needs.

The Natural Resources Planning Program is based on the understanding
that citizens must be directly involved in both collection and use of
natural resource information and in land use planning and decision-
making. Only through an informed and concerned public will sound
natural resource management be truly integrated into everyday land-use
decisions.' To quote R. M. Davis, Administrator of the Soil Conservation
Service:

"Yet, because natural resources are finite--and because some genuine
interests or concerns in their use and management are not as readily
seen or heard as others--an even broader base of public participation
is needed in natural resource allocation. That's what we're going
after. It's not going to be easy. But it's a challenge we're going
to meet.

"The wise use of America's natural resources cannot be guaranteed by
any agency. It can be assured through what we encourage: full public
involvement in determining how resources will be used."

The Natural Resources Planning Program is a dynamic and ever changing
program. As more experience is gained, refinements will be made in
the program. This handbook presents the "state-of-the-art" at this
point in time.

If any reader has suggestions for changes or comments to make on
any aspect of the program, they should be sent to:

Dr. Benjamin Isgur, State Conservationist
Soil Conservation Service, U.S.D.A.
29 Cottage Street
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002

THE PURPOSE OF THE MNRPP HANDBOOK

This handbook provides a detailed explanation of the Massachusetts
Natural Resources Planning Program's procedure and methodology. It
provides guidance and direction to Natural Resource Technical Team
members, Conservation District officials, other agency personnel and
community leaders in carrying out the program in communities through-
out the state.

Contained in this handbook are the detailed procedures and
instructions necessary for community leaders and volunteers to under-
take a MNRPP in their community. Additional forms, specific inventory
instructions, evaluation sheets, and other necessary data are available
through the local Soil Conservation Service office.

AC1010VILEDGMTS

Those who participated in the developm@nt of program concepts and
procedures including:

Dr. Benjamin Isgur who developed the basic concepts; Clifton E. Mills,
Chairman, Christopher G. Moustakisl Vice.-Chairman, Henry J. Ritzer,
Robert W. Franzen, William P. Annable, Frank E. Resides, and
Charles H. Dauchy of the Soil Conservation Service who, as the Massa-
chusetts Natural Resources Work Group, developed the methodology,
procedure and detailed guidelines; and others who contributed to
program refinement: August I. Reese, Wilson 0. Hill, John Ferwerda,
Charles Holden, Sherrill Fuchs, Lloyd Garland, James Hunt, John Lewis,
Harry Porter, Jr., Carl Thomas, Hans Uhlig, Candace Wheeler,
Michael Whalen, and Sally Schauman of the Soil Conservation Service;
James Toffling, Manuel Corellas, Gilbert Bliss and William Bones of
the Massachusetts Division of Forests and Parks; Richard Burrell of
the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife; Lance Fletcher
of the Office of Planning, Massachusetts Department of Natural
Resources; Arnold Lane and Warren Archey of the Massachusetts Cooperative
Extension Service*; Joel Lerner of the Massachusetts Division of Conser-
vation Services; Dr. William Randall and Dr. Ervin Zube of the Univer-
sity of Massachusetts; Robert Brush of the U.S. Forest Service;
Pon Etzion, Intern with the Massachusetts Audubon Society; Edward Ladd
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; David Worth of the Wannacomet
Water Company, Nantucket, Massachusetts; Drew Kolek of the Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries; Ronald Cooper, Geoffrey Bornemann and
Holly Dominie, former graduate students, University of Massachusetts
working for the Soil Conservation Service; and Doris Sherman, Assistant
to the Planning Board, Acton, Massachusetts.

Those who contributed to the preparation of this handbook including:

Clifton E. Mills of the Soil Conservation Service who coordinated
the preparation; Clifton E. Mills, Christopher G. Moustakis,
Henry J. RitzerS Robert W. Franzen, William P. Annable and Frank.E.
Resides who, as the Massachusetts Natural Resources Work Group,
developed the first handbook draft from which this handbook was
prepared and who provided in-depth reviews and revisions during
the preparation of this handbook; Holly Dominie who organized and
revised the preliminary draft; Charles H. Dauchy who compiled the
final draft; Frank and Sally Rue who prepared graphics; Danny Solomon,
Betty Patric, Geoffrey Bornemann, George Hovorka, Geoffrey Chandler,
Lawrence Beal, Frank Rue, Sally Rue, Ed Himlan, John Duncan,
Nick Everett, Brian Miner, Doug Schleusner, and Mark Davis who con-
tributed information; and Nadine N. Fleming, Lisa Neffinger, and
Linda Giella who brought about the final production.

Those who reviewed and contributed suggestions to this handboo#
including;

The Soil Conservation Service Massachusetts Natural Resources Work 94@
4
Group (Clifton E. Mills, Christopher G. Moustakis, Henry J. Ritzer, e_t@
Robert W. Franzen, William P. Annable and Frank E. Resides) who
34 j
reviewed the several drafts; Dr. Julius Fabos, Dr. Carl Carlozzi,
Dr. Ervin Zube and Dr. Donald Progulske of the University of Massa-
chusetts; Mary Barbara Alexander and Joel Lerner of the Massachusetts".
Division of Conservation Services; Dr. Bette Woody of the Massachu-
setts Department of Environmental Management; Paul White of the
Massachusetts Division of Water Resources; Robert Halstead of the
Soil Conservation Service, Storrs, Connecticut; Donald Burbank of
the Soil Conservation Service, Durham, New Hampshire; Warwick Tinsley, Jr.
of the Soil Conservation Service, Orono, Maine; Austin Patrick and
Kristine Atwood of the Soil Conservation Service, Rhode Island;

Dr. John J. Kupa, University of Rhode Island; Ida Cuthbertson of the
$oil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.; Malcolm Crooks of the
National Association of Conservation Districts; Earl Evans of the
Bristol Conse rvation District; Gordon Williams of the Hampshire
Conservation District; William Sweet of the Norfolk Conservation
District; John Bouker of the Franklin Conservation District;
John Roberts of the Essex Conservation District; Dr. Gene McMurtry;
Christopher Mpelkas and Fred Giebel of the Massachusetts Cooperative
Extension Service; John Torrey of the Sandwich Conservation Commission,
Sandwich, Massachusetts; Doris Sherman, Assistant to the Planning Board,
Acton, Massachusetts; and Mary Grimes, Westminster Conservation Com-
mission, Westminster, Massachusetts.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD PAGE

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 1-1

The Need for Natural Resources Planning 1-1

Natural Resources Planning Program Philosophy 1@-3

Who Is Involved in the Natural Resources Plann ing Program? 1-5

How Natural Resources Planning Works 1-8

History of MNRPP 1-12

Use of the Natural Resources Planning Program in Other States l-,14

CHAPTER 2: ORGANIZATION 2-1

Introduction 2-1

The Role of Each Party 2-1

Developing an Organizational Framework 2-5

CHAPTER 3: INVENTORY 3-1

Introduction 3-1

NRPP Inventories, Maps, and Studies 3-2

Making the Inventories 3-3

Instructions to Inventory Committees 3-5

Inventories and Special Studies in the NRPP 3-11

PAGE

CHAPTER 4: EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS 4-1

Introduction 4-1

The Evaluation and Analysis Procedure 4-1

CHAPTER 5: PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION 5-1

Introduction 5-1

Planning 5-3

Implementation 5-6

CHAPTER 6: VISUAL RESOURCE SURVEY 6-1

Introduction 6-1

Mapping 6-2

Visual Preference Survey 6-9

Mapping the Survey Results 6-23

Uses of the Information 6-28

Sample Information Materials 6-31

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY

B: SAMPLE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

C: SAMPLE INVENTORY MAT17-RIALS

D: SAMPLE RESOURCE EVALUATION SHEET

E: SAMPLE RATIONALES FOR GUIDELINES

F: SENSITIVE AREA CHARTS

G: IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUES

H: REFERENCES

CHAKER 1: INTRODUCTRIJ AND OVERVIBI

THE NEED FOR NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING

Growth and land use policies are crucial issues that presently confront
Americans at all levels of government. In Massachusetts, as in other
states, problems associated with growth and land use are intensified
at the local level where the greatest responsibility for land use
regulation has rested. Many local governments find it difficult to
deal effectively with these problems. They usually have neither the
information, nor the methodology required to confront complex issues
regarding their natural resources. The Massachusetts Natural Resources
Planning Program (MNRPP) offers the methodology and the technical
assistance for communities to systematically collect, evaluate and,
utilize information concerning their natural resources. This program
presents a framework for an ecologically responsible approach to
natural resources planning and to the making of wise land use decisions.

About one million individuals were added to the "Massachusetts popu
lation between the years 1950 and 1970. At the same time, there'
has been a shift in population as residents have left the larger cities
for the suburbs in search of woodlands and fields, clean air and water,
and the other natural amenities of the countryside. Changes in land
use have paralleled decentralization and population growth. In
Massachusetts, the most significant changes are represented by the
decline of agricultural land and the increase in urban uses. Between
1951 and 1971., the amount of agricultural land diminished by over
one-third while the amount of urbanized land nearly doubled.

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To accommodate increased development'9 Massachusetts communities have
had to provide areas for housing development as well as additional
facilities such as schools, recreational areas, sewage treatment plants,
water impoundments, and areas for solid waste disposal to meet the needs
of an ever increasing population. Until recently, little attention has
been paid to changes in the natural resources base brought about by rapid
growth and development. Decisions have seldom been based upon how much
urban development the land was capable of supporting; rather, they have
been framed in the limited context of the'growth expected and desired from
social, economic and political points of view. Seldom, if ever, does the
community have the expertise avai'lable-to study the consequences of urban
oriented decisions on its natural resoucres (life systems)- base.

The costs that urban development has exacted from the natural resources,
and from the quality of the environment, are often extensive and enduring
in their effects. Increased hazards such as air and water pollution,
flooding, and siltation threaten the health and safety of community
residents and often jeopardize the integrity of the ecosystem. Visual
amenities have often been sacrificed and opportunities for Outdoor
recreation have been impaired. Valuable nonrenewable resources such as
sand and gravel have been carelessly used or made inaccessible through
urbanization. Such costs'need to be measured in terms of the quantity
of land use changes, the quality of the resultant environment, and the
distribution of land uses which'often prove to be incompatible with one
another.

The Natural Resources Planning Program is intended to help communities
establish natural resource considerations as of equal importance with
social, economic, political, and physical concerns in the planning
process. The program described here is a systematic procedure for
community involvement in natural resources planning.

1-2

Briefly stated, the purposes of the Natural Resources Planning Program are:

1. To stimulate local interest, discussion, and action for sound
natural resource management, protection, and use.

2. To provide local citizens and decision-makers with an appreciation
and understanding of their community's natural resources; what the
natural resources are, where they are located, what their condition
is, their value, and their potential for benefit to the community.

3. To provide communities with the methodology and technical assistance
to enable local citizens to inventory, evaluate, and analyze their
natural resources and to use this information to make environmentally
sound land-use decisions.

4. To assist communities to identify:

A. Environmentally sensitive areas requiring protection and/or
special management.

B. Areas where resources are being overused and, thereby, degraded.

C. Opportunities for development of natural resources for community
use.

D. Areas with potential for more intensive use or development.

E. Alternative solutions to present or projected problems related
to natural resource use.

F. Probable impacts of proposed land-use changes on the natural
resources system.

5. To enable the community to better utilize the technical assistance
available from state and federal natural resource agencies. '
6. To encourage continuing local monitoring and evaluation of the
natural resources for use in community decision-making.

NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

Four major assumptions form the basic philosophy of the MNRPP:
(1) Citizens should be involved in land use decisions that affect
their community, (2) A community must consider the opportunities and
limitations of its natural resources in formulating land use policies,

1-3

(3) Natural resources differ between major MNRPP areas of the
state, and (4) Land use planning is a continuing process. These
assumptions.are discussed below.

1. Citizens Should Be Involved In Land Use Decisions That Affect
Their Community

"Participatory planning" provides for a partnership between
citizens, their local governmental leaders, and others assisting
in the planning process. The MNRPP provides an opportunity for
a community's citizens to become directly involved in the actual
planning process. It also serves as a valuable educational
vehicle, creating a broad base of informed, environmentally
responsible citizenry.

2. A Community Must Consider the Opportunities and Limitations of
Its Natural Resources in Formulating Land Use Policies

Within any given community, there exists a combination of
natural resource features (its natural resources system) specific
to that community. These resources provide a range of opportunities
for specific uses and have limitations for other uses. Land use
decisions that ignore the opportunities and limitations of the
natural resources systems will result in degradation of those resources
over time, in decreased quality of the community's overall environment,
and in unnecessary additional expense to private landowners and the
public.

Ecological systems, physically and funtionally, do not Usually
conform to political boundaries. Also, the degree of flexibility
that one community may have in planning its natural environment
may not be shared by a neighbor with fewer resources and more acute
social and economic problems. Thus, the planning that takes place
should consider regional as well as local needs.

1-4

3. Natural Resources Differ Between Major MNRPP Areas of the State

As a guideline for evaluation of their natural resources and as
an aid for development of a plan for optimum Natural Resource use,
the Natural Resources Planning Program provides communities with
suggested guidelines for Natural Resource use. To be useful,
these guidelines must reflect the resource characteristics specific
to particular areas of this diverse state. It would be meaningless
for the guidelines used by a community in the Berkshires to include
consideration of surf fishing. Similarly, a community in suburban
Boston does not have the same agricultural opportunities as does
one in the Connecticut Valley. For this reason, the Resource
Evaluation Sheets, used in the MNRPP evaluation process, contain
guidelines developed specifically for each major MNRPP resource area.

4. Land Use Planning Is a Continui ng Process

It is a common misconception that once a community decides upon
a course of action and records this course in a plan, it need do
little further planning for the "life" of the plan. Thus, a plan with
a time frame extending to 1990 should not be considered to take care of
all planning needs to that year. New problems, new needs, and new
opportunities arise on an ongoing basis. 'To be effective,. a community
should have an overall framework or strategy to deal with new
situations as they emerge.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING PROGRAM

The MNRPP relies on local residents working together with a natural
resources technical team - NRTT. A successful program requires a
concerted effort by the community, the conservation district, and the
natural resources technical team. The roles of each of these participants

are:

1-5

Community

"Community" refers to the local government participating in the
MNRPP: a town, a city, a county, or other political subdivision.

The community provides the leadership and the personpower to
carry out the program. The responsibility for making decisions
that affect land use and growth rests entirely with the community.
The process requires a steering committee, a coordinator, and
inventory and evaluation committees composed of local citizens.
If the community has a planning staff and/or a consultant, they should
be involved in MNRPP activities.

Conservation District

Conservation districts in Massachusetts are legally constituted
units of state government created to administer natural resources
conservation work within their boundaries. They set priorities
for agency assistance to communities wishing to participate in
the MNRPP. Each of the fifteen conservation districts is directed
by an elected board of supervisors who decide upon a district-
wide program and plan of action that includes MNRPP activities
along with other fo rms of conservation assistance.

Natural Resources Technical Teams (NRTT)

A natural resources technical team assists each conservation district,
based on a memorandum of understanding. Through working agreements
with each district, the NRTT helps communities to carry out their
MNRPP. The function of the NRTT is to provide technical assistance
to the community. The NRTT offers guidance--it does not make decisions
concerning the community's resources, nor does it perform the work
involved in collecting natural resource information.

1-6

Personnel from the following federal, state and regional agencies
participate as team members:

Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Division of Forests and Parks, Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Management

Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts Department
of Fisheries, Wildlife and Recreational Vehicles

Regional Planning Commissions

Personnel from the following agencies and institutions participate
as needed, via the memorandum of understanding executed with the
community:

Division of Coastal Zone Management, Massachusetts Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs

Division of Conservation Services, Massachusetts Executive
Office of Environmental Affairs

Division of Water Resources, Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Management

Division of Parks, Metropolitan District Commission

Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Department of
Fisheries, Wildlife, and Recreational Vehicles

Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture

Fish and Wildlife Services, U.S. Department of the Interior

Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior

Environmental Protection Agency

1-7

Personnel from the Soil Conservation Service work closely with
each community to provide the primary guidance throughout the

program.

HOW NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING WORKS

The program is divided into four phases:

1. Organization
2. Inventory
3. Evaluation and Analysis
4. Planning and Implementation

A brief discussion of each of these phases follows:

Phase One: Organization

Organizing for action is a critical phase of the MNRPP. During
this phase, participants (representatives of the community and
the NRTT) must decide upon an organizational framework for the
community's involvement in the program. First, the NRTT provides
information to the community, detailing how the program works,
its uses and benefits, and who might be involved. Then the-
community and the NRTT establish a common understanding of what
will be done and by whom, and develop a schedule for completion
of each task. In addition, the community organizes a steering
committee and designates a coordinator. The community and the
NRTT then present their proposed organizational framework to the
conservation district which reviews and sets priorities on the
applications received.

1-8

A Memorandum of UnderstaInd*ing is then signed by the community,
the conservation district and participating members of the NRTT.
This agreement specifies the inputs and commitments of each party.

Prior to beginning the next phase of.the NRPP, the steering
committee locates volunteers that will be needed to make the
inventories. The.NRTT provides dat 'a'sources and training to the
volunteers who will make the inventories. They are especially
concerned with giving the volunteers an understanding of the
ecological importance of the resources and problems that result
when the resources are abused.

.Phase Two: Inventory

This phase involves the collection of information and the prepara-
tion of the various maps and inventories that will provide the
community with a natural resources data base. This activity requires
the greatest volunteer.time commitment for field work. With support
from the NRTT, volunteers compile and field check detailed information
on the quantity, quality and distribution of the community's land
uses and natural resources. MNRPP guidelines are provided for
inventorying each resource.

The coordinator provides leadership and coordinates the activities
of the volunteers with the NRTT.

Phase Three: Evaluation and Analysis

During the Evaluation and Analysis Phase of the MNRPP, committees
evaluate the inventory results to identify the community's natural
resource assets, needs, and problems. The MNRPP provides Natural
Resource Evaluation Sheets and.guidelinesto aidl.in this process.

1-9

In addition, the NRTT assists in the analysis of the inventory
results and other technical natural resources information. This
analysis identifies opportunities for action to enhance, develop,
or protect the community's natural resource base.

Through the evaluation and analysis process, the community will
recognize that its natural resources have a limited capacity for
absorbing ever-increasing urban development. The community identifies
and maps those environmentally sensitive areas and resources that are
most susceptible to degradation. It identifies those natural resource
features that serve a vital function in the community's ecological
systems. The community also locates those areas most suitable for
more intensive use or development to meet community needs. It learns
that the limitations on use of certain resources can be overcome by
special management measures, but that such measures may carry long-term

costs.

Based on its own particular mix of natural resource potentials'and
limitations and on its own goals and qbjectives, the community can
then plan for optimum use of thos@ resources.

The steering committee plays an important role in evaluating the
overall significance of the inventory committee findings. It pulls
together and analyzes these findings, community responses, and other
information within the broad perspective of community needs, attitudes,
and objectives. The committee's major task is to provide the community
with an "Analysis Report", a statement of the present situation of its
natural resources and recommendations of alternatives for future action.
Then it is up to the community to utilize this knowledge concerning its
natural resources in its decisions and actions.

In this phase and the next, the function of the NRTT is primarily
informational and educational. Mem'bers of the team instruct
the community in evaluating and utilizing data and maps. They also

1-10

can assist the community in determining the consequences of proposed
actions on its natural resources.

Phase Four: Planning and Implementation:

Although the community may develop specific plans, take action on
proposals, or make natural resource use decisions at any time during
the program, it is in this phase that the tommunity's attention is
directed to pharting its future course of action.

Natural resource opportunities and constraints are now weighed
by the community with social, economic, and political factors.
Citizens can then make informed decisions in structuring the future
of their community. Based on the "Analysis Report" and recommendation
of the steering committee, specific plans are prepared and actions
are taken by the appropriate local governmental bodies. MNRPP
information may be used in ongoing or future planning efforts, such
as Comprehensive Planning, Conservation/Recreation Planning, Sewer
Facilities Planning and others.

In addition, the community may establish a permanent natural resources
advisory committee and a natural resources monitoring procedure.
The NRTT can be called upon to provide technical assistance in the
development and management of the community's natural resources.

HISTORY OF MNRPP

On April 15, 1970, Dr. Benjamin Isgur, State Conservationist, Soil
Conservation Service, USDA, Amherst, Massachusetts, appointed members
of his staff to a Massachusetts Natural Resources Work Group. The work
group's task was to develop a methodology and procedure for a planning
program to determine the "carrying capacity" of an area's natural
resource base, the effects of increases in population upon this base,
and thereby the quality level of the natural resources. The methodology
would contain provisions for active local citizen participation in all
phases of a program that could be carried out by comm.unities in Massa-
chusetts.

The work group served as a "core" or central committee to guide and
coordinate the development of the Natural Resources Planning Program.
Technical specialists from state and other federal natural resource
agencies, together with the work group and personnel from the Soil
Conservation Service Northeast Technical Service Center made up the
total committee. Those members were selected to insure an interagency
and interdisciplinary approach.

In carrying out its task, the committee first determined.that: (1) the
program would have to closely involve local citizens in all phases;
(2) the program would have to be simple and easily usable by lay people;
(3) guidelines would have to be developed for use by the community to
guide evaluation and use of their natural resources; (4) any guidelines
developed would have to be acceptable to other natural resource agencies,
the academic community, and private citizens; (5) local citizens would
have to provide the maximum amount of manpower, with technical assistance
and guidance from agency personnel, to carry out the program; (6) the
program would have to be designed to permit local citizens to make their
own decisions and to plan for their own future; and (7) the methodology
would have to be adaptable for use in communities elsewhere in the nation.

1-12

The committee designed a methodology to meet the above objectives. Many
of the guidelines had to be based on the sound judgment and experience
since, in some cases, no research or other technical data were available.

An academic field test, conducted by the work group, confirmed the
feasibility of the proposed methodology. Draft standards and criteria,
to be used as guidelines, were reviewed with other committee members,
various natural resource agency personnel, the academic community, and
other individuals and groups concerned with the preservation and conser-
vation of natural. resources.

Based on experience gained in the academic field testing and reviews
with others, the work group refined the draft guidelines and the
methodology and then prepared this "how-to-do-it" handbook for use by
agency personnel and local citizens. This "Natural Resources Planning
Program Handbook" contains the procedure, guidelines, and detailed
instructions on how to carry out a Natural Resources Planning Program
in a community.

The Natural Resources, Planning Program is designed to be "open-ended,"
providing for continuous monitoring of the community's natural resources
and updating, as needed, to keep the community's.plans current and
reflect changing technology.

Since this program requires detailed inventories to be made of all land
and water used within a community, this information is usable in USDA's
inventorying and monitoring program, and in Massachusetts state programs
for wetlands protection, agricultural land preservation, open space
acquisition, land use planning, water quality planning, and others.
Planning Consultants are using this program as a vehicle to provide
them with.needed information.and data for preparing Comprehensive Plans,
zoning revisions, and other.special-purpose plans.

1-13

The Natural Resources Planning Program (formerly known as the Environ-
mental Quality@Planning Program) was tried as a theoretical pilot study
in the town of Fox bo@ough in 1969, and later as operat ional pilot

p Y@
qq,'pcts in the towns of Lincoln, Granby, Lee, Acton, Chelmsford and
Nantudket@-,"a'nc.l.,the three towns (Attleboro, North Attleborough, and
Seekonk) in the Ten Mile River Basin in southeastern Massachusetts. The
MNRPP, now fully operational, continues to serve many of these original
areas and has expanded to include towns throughout Massachusetts.

USE OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING PRO13RAM IN OTHER STATES:

Although the MNRPP guidelines for land and natural resource evaluation and
use have been developed as nearly as practicable for the major land
resource areas of Massachusetts, the approach and procedure are applicable
elsewhere across the country. The keystone of citizen participation is
both feasible and necessary anywhere. The organization can be adapted
for use with different governmental units, and the detail of information
collected can be made appropriate to the geographic scale of use.

Guidelines for land and natural resource use can be developed for other
major land resource areas, or simplified guidelines can be developed
based on average figures for a state, or other geographic area. The
analysis tools and techniques used in the! program can also be applied
elsewhere with minor modifications. Use of the Natural Resources
Planning Program in other states can help to more effectively bring the
technical expertise of the Soil Conservation Service to bear in support
of sound community decisions in natural resource use.

The MNRPP establishes a procedure by which natural resource information
can be utilized in resource planning. The program does not attempt to
offer a "cookbook" approach to land and water use planning. It standard-
izes what information is collected and provides set guidelines for
evaluating the condition of natural resources. Yet, it,offers a com-
munity the opportunity to gear the program to its own particular
situation and constraints.

1-14

MAHER 2: ORGANIZATION @(Jl @s

t@
':'m
Or
INTRODUCTION

Organization is a critical step in the Natural Resources Planning
Program. It is important that a community understand all aspects of
the program from the outset. A thorough understanding of what is
involved will allow the community to take full advantage of the
program and tailor it to meet community needs and objectives. It will
also allow the community to utilize fully the diverse services offered
by the Technical Team. A good organizational framework is vital for a
successful program.

THE ROLE OF EACH PARTY
The Community's Role in NRPP:'
1. Boards and Commissions (e.g., Selectmen, Planning, Conservation,
Recreation, Historic, Finance, Public Works)
a. Apply for NRPP assistance.
b. Provide representatives to form the NRPP steering commi ttee
c. Develop community objectives
d. Determine course of action
e. Sign Memorandum of Understanding
2. Local Citizens:
a. Provide person power to conduct inventories, and assist in
evaluation and analysis of data
b. Form a base of support for local government actions
3. Steering committee (composed of members of the various local boards,
commissions, and interested citizen groups)
a. Directs NRPP activities in the community
b. Organizes public information program and recruits citizen
volunteers to conduct inventories
c. Arranges for necessary working space and materials
d. Designates a program coordinator

e. With technical support from the NRTT, compiles the overall
evaluation and analysis of the community's natural resources,
based on inventory data.
f. Recommends alternatives and priorities for use and management
of the community's natural resources.
Provides' for communication among town boards and commissions
and other NRPP volunteers.
4. Coordinator (designated by the steering committee)
a. Coordinates the work of other volunteers in the inventory,
evaluation, and analysis processes.
b. Is the primary community contact with the NRTT for coordination
of its technical.support.

SCS role in NRPP:
1. As member of Natural Resources Technical Team (NRTT)
a. Assists the Cooperative Extension Service in general information
program to acquaint communities with NRPProgram.
b. Assists conservation districts in establishing priorities for
NRPP assistance.
c. Conducts special studies (such as "Inventory of Sites Having
Natural Resource Use and Development Potentials") and makes
existing data and information available to the community.
d. Assists in an intensive information and education program with a
community applying for assistance to carry out NRPProgram.
e. Provides technical assistance and training to inventory committee
members in preparing inventories, collecting data, and completing
"Inventory Data Sheets," and in evaluating and analyzing inventory
results.
2. Continues to provide technical assistance, as requested, on ongoing
SCS programs within the community.
3. Provides graduate students to directly assist communities in all
phases of the NRPProgram, but primarily in the Inventory Phase and
Evaluation and Analysis Phase. Concurrently, affords graduate
students an opportunity to gain practical experience and training
in working with local citizens, in techniques of evaluating and
planning for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource
base, and in identifying and inventorying the various components of
the natural resource base.
4. Helps to educate local citizens regarding the community's natural
resources and to develop an environmental awareness throughout the
community.

5. Assists in the evaluation of the suitability, limitations, and
potentials of the natural resources for selected possible or
alternative uses.
6. Provides soils data, including interpretations, for use in evaluating
alternative courses of action.

The roles of other local, regional, state, and federal agencies:
(The services listed may be available as agency workload and other
circumstances permit.)
1. Extension Service
a. Conducts the general information program to acquaint communities
with NRPP.
b. Assists a community interested in carrying out an NRPP to conduct
an intensive information program.
c. Holds informational and progress review meetings among committees,
agencies, and town boards to acquaint interested parties with
status of the program and provides coordination between the
various parties.
d. Is a member of the NRTT.
2. Conservation District
a. Receives applications from communities interested in undertaking
an NRPProgram.
b. Assigns priority for assistance from the NRTT.
c. Coordinates work of local, state, and federal agencies and
requests assistance from agencies who are not members of the NRTT.
d. Assists in preparing the Memorandum of Understanding.
e. Assists communities in obtaining technical assistance from state
and federal agencies to implement resource management plans and
decisions.
f. Encourages and assists communities to monitor land use changes and
periodically review and update their natural resource planning
proposals.
3. Regional Planning Agency
a. As appropriate, serves on the NRTT.
b. Provides a community with regional evaluations of proposed
alternatives.
c. Provides existing data to a community, such as land use, population
projections, land use change projections, special transportation
studies, etc.

d. Assists communities to publish reports.
e. Assists communities to utilize NRPP information in the preparation
of conservation/recreation plans or other similar functional
plans.
4. Massachusetts Division of Forests and Parks

a. Serves as member of NRTT.
b. Assists inventory committees to inventory and evaluate land and
water uses within its area of expertise, namely, woodland,
recreation land, and recreation water.
c. Within its operating policies, provides technical assistance in
implementing planned measures, particularly in woodland and
recreation land.
d Provides existing information and data, including unpublished
studies.

5. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

a. Serves as member of NRTT.
b. Assists inventory committees to inventory and evaluate land and
water uses within its area of expertise, namely, wildlife land
and wildlife wetland--assists as requested on others.
c. Within its operating policies, provides technical assistance in
implementing planned actions, particularly as related to wildlife.
d. Provides existing information and data, including unpublished
studies.

6. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

a. Serves as member of NRTT.
b. Assists inventory committees to inventory and evaluate land and
water uses within its area of expertise, namely, coastal wetlands
and estuaries--assists as requested on others.
c. Within its operating policies, provides technical assistance in
implementing planned actions, particularly as related to marine
fisheries and shellfish.
d. Provides existing information and data, including unpublished
studies.
7. Other state and federal agencies may be asked to assist a community.
(Such assistance will be determined by the needs of the community and
the ability of the agency to furnish, such as:)
a. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) ground water data; water yield;
aquifer locations; topographic map data; bedrock geology.

b. Mass. Division of Water Pollution Control - Stream water quality
classifications, test data, and pollution loads; pollution
problem areas.
c. Mass. Division of Water Resources - Water use data.

DEVELOPING AN ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK

Before entering into a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate the sub-
sequent phases of the program, it is essential for participants to arrive
at a common understanding of what will be done, by whom, and when. The
Organization Phase Flow Chart (Figure 2-1) and the step-by-step procedure
detailed below, describe the steps to be followed in establishing an
organizational framework.

The Cooperative Extension Service Conducts General Information Program

The Cooperative Extension Service conducts the general information
program to acquaint communities with the NRPP. Meetings are held to
explain the program to community boards and commissions, private interest
groups, interested individuals, and members of other agencies. Topics
of discussion include: NRPP objectives; how the program works; what is
required to carry it out; who is involved; expenses that may be incurred;
and possible benefits. Individuals from communities already participating
in the program could be invited to explain how their communities are
conducting and using the program. Media such as newspapers, radio,
slide presentations and informational brochures should be used to publicize
the program.

Community Applies to Local Conservation District for Assistance

Interested communities then apply to the local conservation district for
assistance. The request for district help may come from any town board
or commission, although the selectmen, planning board, or conservation
commission are usually the initiators.

FIGUFf' 2-1 0WIZATION PMSE

Extension Service
Conducts General
Information Program

ommunity applies
nservation Distric
1-to Coo for assistance

Conservation Tistrict
Assigns Priority

NRTT Conducts Intensiv
Information Program

Community Develops
Objectives

1
mmunity & NRTT Propose'
r anizational Framewor
0com

District Assigns
Priority

District, NRlT,
Community Sign
Memo of Understanding

Steering Committee and NRTT Prepare for Inventorying:

.Recruitment of volunteers
.Refinement of inventory schedule
.Arrangement for space and equipment
NRTT Provides Inventory
Training to Committees:
Compilation of existing data
.Preparation of base maps

I r-NUITO RY

Conservation District Assigns Priority

The conservation district will consider all applications and determine
priority for those towns wishing to participate in the "Organization
Phase." In establishing priority the conservation district may use
such criteria as the foll owing:
1. The availability of a soil survey. (This is a required survey, to
be available before undertaking the NRPProgram).
2. The intensity of growth pressures within the region and community.
3. Community participation and commitment in past conservation district
activities.
4. Other studies or planning efforts being carried out in the community
or region.
5. Community support for the program.

If the conservation district assigns a high priority to the community's
request for assistance, it will request members of the NRTT to work with
the community in proposing an organizational framework.

NRTT Conducts An Intensive Information Program

The NRTT will meet with members of the community to explain thoroughly
what needs to be done to carry out the program. It will discuss which
inventories are required and which are optional; what evaluation and
analysis tools are available; what is expected of the community; and what
studies and services are available from the NRTT.

A variety of interests and skills is critical at this stage. Although a
particular board or commission may have requested the assistance, it is
in the community's best interests to involve other town boards and
interested citizen groups from the outset. An involved, well-informed
cadre of townspeople will lead to better communications and will increase
the use of the natural resources information in community decisionmaking.

Community Develops Objectives

When the community understands the NRPP, it is ready to develop the
objectives it desires from the program. In examining its needs and
expectations for the program and in developing its objectives, the
community should address the following questions:
What are the community's goals with respect to its natural
resources?
What current natural resource issues may require the collecting
of more information so they can be dealt with effectively?
How is the community going to use the information generated by
the program?
Is the community moving towards a comprehensive planning effort
or is its aim more specific, such as a conservation/recreation
plan? (or both?)
Is additional information needed to gain sources of funding for
special projects?
Are there on-going projects related to natural resources (such as
woodland management?) in which the NRTT could be of assistance?
What groups should be included?
How can residents be encouraged to participate?

Some objectives may be broad while others may be quite narrow in their
intent. They will vary from community to community. The example in
Figure 2-2 demonstrates how a community may wish to use the program.

FIGURE 2-2 DEFINING CT-TIUNITY NOS AND OBJECTIVES: AM EXAMPI F

Community A: The Planning Board held several discussion meetings with
other boards, interest groups and townspeople to determine community
opinion concerning needs and objectives. The items below were proposed.

The Selectmen would like:

To increase inter-board communications.

To have more information concerning townspeoples' views on com-
munity character, growth, and land use.

To utilize the NRPP to gather information to formulate community
growth and development policies.

The Planning Board would like:

To incorporate information concerning the town's natural resources
into an on-going comprehensive planning effort which is being
directed by the board and its consultant.

To revise zoning by-laws.

To secure overlay maps of town's natural resources for use by
developers and by the board in making decisions concerning sub-
division approvals.

The Conservation and Recreation Commissions are concerned about the
effects upon t'he natural resources of a haphazard growth pattern*. They
would like to:

. Update their joint conservation/recreation plan.

The community, in general, would like:

To protect its ground water supply and other natural resources.

To preserve its "rural" character.

To alleviate circulation problems at town recreation areas.

One objective which many communities may share is to fulfill the
planning requirements for participation in the State Self-Help and BOR
Land and Water Conservation Fund programs. In order to be eligible
for these funding reimbursement programs, the community must have a
conservation and/or recreation plan on file with the State Division of
Conservation Services. Once a community has such a plan, then it can
submit project plans for funding assistance which are evaluated on a
priority basis. Communities that wish to use the NRPP as a means to
receive such funding should discuss the possibility with the NRTT in
order to learn the specific requirements. The community's NRPP
activities then can be directed towards this objective.

Community and NRTT Propose an Organizational Framework

When the program is well understood and the community has outlined
its objectives, the community and the NRTT can begin to propose what
will be done, by whom, and when.
1. The first step is to review the flow charts of the subsequent
phases, (Chapters 3, 4, and 5), the inventories and studies to
be made, and the proposed use of information to meet community
objectives.

2. Next, the roles and working relationships among participants should
be clearly spelled out. The community should decide how the
steering committee will be formed, to whom it will be responsible,
how a coordinator will be selected and how any subcommittees'will
be formed. The tasks and responsibilities of each town committee
or individual should be defined as well as those of the technical
team. Figure 2-3 gives an example of how these working relationships
may be organized. In this particular instance, the community has
opted to include the NRPP as a part of it broader planning effort.

3. The steering committee and the NRTT-sh0Uld then agree upon a ten-
tative time framework for accomplishing the specific tasks of the
program. Tentative target dates should be established for the
completion of each activity planned.

4. Lastly, the steering committee should develop an informational
program to keep townspeople informed and involved. Newspaper, radio,
slide presentations, and public meetings; are all possibilities.
An individual or committee may be assigned the task of writing
articles and keeping the press informed of activities and progress.

FIGURE 2-3 SAMPLE ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK

Other Boards Conse rvation
on
and Co lissions Commi s s i@j

Hatural Steering Committee
Resources and Planning
Technical Coordinator Consultant
Team

Spec!al
Stud@,!es Committees

Community Comprehensive
Planning Program

District Assigns Priority

When the organizational framework has been thoroughly worked out and
agreed upon, the community is ready to apply for a commitment from the
conservation district to undertake the program. The conservation dis-
trict will determine priority by evaluating the proposed organizational
framework, and, very importantly, community support for and commitment
to the program. If the town cannot generate enough support, the district
will probably elect to terminate further assistance. The community will
then have to reorganize and reapply to the district.

District, NRTT and Community Sign Memorandum of Understanding

Upon approval of the conservation district, a Memorandum of Understanding
is prepared. The Memorandum of Understanding is a statement of intent;
it is not a legally binding document. It is signed by the community,
the conservation district, regional planning agency (if appropriate),
members of the NRTT, and other agencies who will assist the town with
the program. The document is tailored to the specific organizational
framework agreed upon by the community and the NRTT. It outlines the
inputs and commitments of each party. (See Appendix C).

Community Prepares to Make Inventories

Two elements are critical to the success of the Inventory Phase. First,
the steering committee must enlist the help of dedicated volunteers.
A high degree of involvement is necessary on the part of these volunteers.
Their task is not only to inventory natural resources; they are also
expected to bring their acquired knowledge into the Evaluation and
Analysis Phase of the program. Secondly, there must be a strong coordinator,
a leader with skill in organizing and gain'ing support from the volunteers
and in directing NRPP activities.

Volunteers working on the inventories and exploring the backroads of
the community will find the experience rewarding and enlightening. They
will also have the opportunity to work with -their local government. What,
however, does the community stand to gain? To begin with, those citizens
who have participated in the inventorying will bring their knowledge
and enthusiasm to the process of self-government which allows towns to
control their futures. At the same time, a well-organized public infor-
mation campaign through such media as local newspapers and open meetings
can bring about public awareness of the issues confronting the community.

Besides creating a well-informed citizenry, the community will have a
meaningful way to bring together natural resources data. The inven-
tories should be the beginning of a data library which the community
can compile in a continuing process allowing them to keep abreast of
changes.

Perhaps the most important benefit received through the inventory
process, however, is a common frame of reference concerning a community's
natural resources. It is critical that the people involved in policy
formulation and implementation be able to discuss issues using the
same language. Using the NRPP data as a basis for discussion, different
interest groups, individuals and boards can coordinate their ideas, and
discuss and resolve conflicts regarding the community's resources.

Recruitment of Volunteers: The steering committee is responsible for
recruiting volunteers to serve on inventory committees. These volun-
teers need not be experts; the NRTT will provide the necessary training
that is needed. The number of volunteers required depends on the
number of inventories to be prepared by the community. Usually two or
three individuals are needed for each inventory committee. Most towns
participating in the NRPP have found that a total of fifteen to thirty
volunteers is sufficient.

There is a variety of ways to enlist the help of volunteers. Com-
munities may wish to use previously established committees whose
function is related to gathering or evaluating information for plan-
ning purposes. Members of the steering.committee may know of towns-
people with an interest in natural resources who may wish to serve
on a committee matching their interests. Groups such as the League of
Women Voters, recreation clubs, and high school students also should
be asked to participate. Community boards or commissions could be
given the job for completing certain inventories (or recruiting help
for their completion). Help usually can be generated through newspaper

articles. In one community, where assistance was requested through
the newspaper, at least eighty individuals responded. Such a large
number is, of course, unwieldy, but serves to demonstrate the kind of
community interest that often goes unnoticed. A good public informa-
tion campaign is the key to reaching the -town's most valuable resource,
its people.

A committee is 'formed for each inventory or set of related inventories
to be made. Assignments may reflect particular interests or expertise
of the volunteers and shoul d consider the differing amount of work
involved for different inventories. The NRTT provides guidance-as to
the skills and personpower required for each inventory.

Prospective volunteers want to know what they are being asked to do,
how much time is required, and what the program is all about before
they commit themselves. The steering committee, with the aid of the
NRTT, should be ready to provide answers Ito these questions.

Refinement of Inventory Schedule: The steering committee and the
NRTT review the steps remaining in the Organization.Phase and the steps
in the Inventory Phase, designating a completion data for each step
to meet the target date set for this phase of the program. The
town may be divided into three or four sections, and a target date
established for'the completion of each successive section. Dates are
set for progress reviews.

Arrangements for Space, Equipment, and Funds: The community provides
the space and the supplies necessary to carry out the program. There
are several activities for which space will be required A large room
should be designated for training and progress review meetings. There
should be an office or room where the NRTT and the Coordinator can be
available during certain hours to committee members who need help.
Arrangements for permanent space are made for storing reports, maps and

other information. In other words, a data library is established. A
working area equipped with a light table also is provided for map
making and drafting. The community also allocates funds for expenses
such as maps, "Mylar," light table, and reports. Such items as colored
pencils, felt-tip markers, dot grids (for measuring acreage), and a
roll of "Mylar" (clear plastic) material must be acquired. The total
funds required will range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the size
of the town, map scale used, number of maps prepared, and quality of
graphics and printing desired.

NRTT Provides Inventory Training: Initially, the committees receive
training of a general nature. The coordinator and the NRTT, as
appropriate, explain the program, the community's involvement in the
program, and why the volunteers have been asked to participate. Com-
mittees also need to know what they are going to do, how they are to
accomplish their tasks, what assistance is available, what target dates
and progress review meetings are scheduled, and what relevant information
exists and can be made available to them.

An information packet or folder is prepared in advance for each
committee and contains the following:
I. Instructions to Inventory Committees
2. Glossary
3. Appropriate Inventory Description
4. Appropriate Data Sheet
5. Appropriate Natural Resource Evaluation Sheet
6. Work Maps
7. Names, Addresses and Phone Numbers of the Volunteers, Coordinator
and NRTT Members
8. Schedule of Progress Review Meetings
9. Office Hours of Coordinator and NRTT

.13

More than one meeting may be required to present all of the above
information to the inventory committees. The NRTT also schedules at
least one field training session with each committee, including a
discussion of the natural processes associated with the resources.
Before.the committees begin their inventory and evaluation tasks, it
is extremely important that they have an understanding of the ecological
importance of the resources and the problems encountered when the
resources are impaired. Such an understanding helps them to appreciate
why the resources are being mapped and evaluated. It enables them to
get a good grasp of the importance of the evaluation and analysis

process.

Compilation of Existing Data: All existing information that could-be
included in the community's NRPP is located and brought together in a
central location. In most communities, a multitude of reports, studies,
maps--an1d.other41,,data having a bearing on natural resources, has been
accumulatiNg in@mahy places over time. This information is collected,
annotated and sy.$-@ematically organized. A list of what is available
is compiled and kept up-to-date., The steering committee reviews this
material and notes that information which will be helpful to the inven-
tory and evaluation committees.

Data such as that shown in Figure 2-4 are especially relevant to a
natural resources planning program and should be secured by the steering
committee.

If systematically organized, this information, plus that generated
during the NRPP and other future studies, can be made accessible to
the community on an on-going basis--making problem identification and
evaluation easier.

Figure 2-4 MAPS AND STUDIES WHICH MAY BE AVAILABLE

Master Plan

Zoning Maps

Regional Studies

Recreation/Conservation Plans

Water Resource Studies

Ownership Map or Plat Map

Wetland Studies

Infrastructure Maps (sewers, water lines, etc.)

Results of Opinion Surveys

Fishing Location Map

Lake Bottom Contour Map

Wildlife Studies

Soil Survey (a prerequisite for the program)

Town Natural Resource Inven tory (NRI)
t &P
Flood Plain Identification Map V@ Wffi
USGS Surficial and Bedrock Geology Maps

Massachusetts Map Down Land Use and Vegetative Cover Map
19711

Recent Aerial Photos

Preparation of Base Maps and Other Supportive Maps

Several maps are prepared at the selected NRPP scale as a basis for
actual field inventories and evaluations.

One of the aims of the NRPP is to standardize, to the extent possible,
the scale of the maps used for planning purposes within a community.
A standard scale allows maps of various kinds to be overlayed or

compared. Within any one community, there are often several scales
being used for different purposes. This is often unavoidable and
may be desirable in many instances. It is up to the steering committee
to decide how the maps are to be used and what is an appropriate scale
at which to prepare them.

The following three base maps are prepared by the SCS on "mylar," a
clear plastic material, from which paper copies can be made.
1. Topographic Base Map: Enlarged from USGS topographic quad-
rangle maps covering the community, this map will serve as
the base for many of the inventory and analysis maps to
follow.
2. Massachusetts Map Down Project, 1971 Land Use and Vegetative
Cover Map 1/: This map will be the basis for a preliminary
land use map, to be verified and corrected by the field
inventories. It will also be used to develop a generalized
cover type map to aid in wildlife habitat evaluation.
3. Detailed Soils Map: This map is the basis for a number of
possible interpretive soils maps as explained below.

Land Use Inventory Work Maps are prepared for each inventory committee
to guide their field work. As a first step, a Preliminary Present
Land Use Map is prepared. Based on the Mass. Map Down Map and other
available information, NRPP land use inventory categories are delin-
eated on a reproducible topographic base map. Paper working maps are
then printed for each inventory committee. The boundaries and use's
shown are then verified and corrected during the Inventory Phase.

1/ These maps are available for both 1951 and 1971. By comparing the
vegetative cover and land use maps for both years, the rate of
change in land use can be documented. The comparison is often
astounding. These maps and accompanying data are distributed by
the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, Massachusetts.

Interpretive Soils Maps are also used in preparation for the inventories.
Based on the characteristics of soils shown on the Detailed Soils Map,
the SCS prepares interpretive maps showing the limitations, suitability,
or relationship of the soils for various uses. (See figure 3-1 for a
listing of possible interpretations.) Selected interpretations are
prepared with the Town Operational Soils Report. Any additional
interpretations should be discussed with the SCS and may be prepared on
a cost-sharing basis. Prior to field work, each inventory committee
overlays its preliminary work map on the interpretive soils maps related
to its inventory (on a light table). It should note areas where the
inventoried land use occurs on soils with severe limitations or low
suitability for that particular use. These areas will then be carefully
field checked during the inventory to identify problems that may have
resulted from this inappropriate land use.
(Note: Interpretive Soils Maps will also be used extensively in the
Evaluation and Analysis Phase of the program.)

CHAPTER 3: INVENTORY

INTRODUCTION

The Inventory Phase of the Natural Resources Planning Program is a
process of public involvement and education. Townspeople with varied
backgrounds and interests join together to inventory the natural
resources. Although the NRTT may prepare a few of the more
technical studies, their primary function during this phase is to
train townspeople to make the inventories, to give them support
throughout the process, and to provide the volunteers with an under-
standing of the ecological importance of their natural resources.

The inventory committees must understand how the information that they
will gather will be used in the overall program process. The maps and
data that the inventories produce are not the end of the process.
Instead, this information is the basis for the Evaluation and Analysis
Phase, when the committees evaluate the present condition of their
community's natural resources, identify alternatives for action, and
recommend solutions to problems. Figure 3-1 outlines the collection and
use of natural resource information throughout the NRPP.

Figure 3-1 INFORMATION FLOW IN THE NRPP

ORGANIZATION INVENTORY EVALUATION AND PLANNING AND
PHASE PHASE ANALYSIS PHASE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

Conservation/
Recreation Plan

Topographic Special Site Selection
Base Map Stuies for
Problems Community
Facilities

Massachusetts Community Sensitive Comphensive
Map-Down Inventories Areas Planning
of
Land Uses
and Resource Zoning Revision
Other Resource Potentials
Existing Conditions and and
lnformation Characteristic Limitations Subdivision
Review
Soils Soils ManagementIt Wetlands Regulation
Survey Interpretations Strategies
Other Uses

NRPP INVENTORIES, MAPS, AND STUDIES

Figure 3-2 lists the inventories, maps, and special studies that are
compiled during the inventory phase of the NRPP. Other analyses, using
combinations of these maps and studies, are conducted during the Evalua-
tion and Analysis Phase of the program.

Land and Water Uses (column 1): Each acre of land and water within the
community is classified as being used primarily for one of the eight
NRPP land and water uses. The primary land and water use with-in the
community is then displayed on a composite Present Land and Water Use
Map (PLUM). The PLUM and the separate detailed inventories are
valuable planning tools in themselves, but alone, they do not provide a
complete picture of the community's natural resources.

Resource Conditions and Characteristics (column 2): This additional
information is needed for the community to effectively evaluate,
analyze, and plan for its natural resources. Many of these maps and
studies are directly related to a particular land or water use inventory
and are best done concurrently, by the same committee. Several are
optional, and provide an extra level of detail for evaluation 'to meet a
particular community need. Some, such as the Visual Resources Survey
(see Chapter 6), require a separate committee. Others, such as
"Problem Areas," are best done with input -from all committees. The
NRTT helps the community to select the appropriate inventories to
meet its particular needs.

Interpretive Soils Maps (column 3): Selected maps, based on a detailed
soil survey, are prepared by the Soil Conservation Service on a reim-
bursable basis with the community. They have a wide range of uses, from
preparation for field inventories, through evaluation and analysis, to
planning for specific sites and purposes. See pages and for more
information.

Figure 3-2

NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING PROGRAM

INVENTORIES MAPS, AND SPECIAL STUDIES

To be developed by To be developed by
COMMUNITY INVENTORY COMMITTEES NATURAL RESOURCES TEC~l~lNl~C~AL TEAM or OTHERS

LAND AND WATER USES RESOURCE CONDITIONS and INTERPRETIVE SOILS MAPS SPECIAL STUDIES
CHARACTERISTICS (Soil Conservation Service)

Agricultural land use Prime and Unique Agricultural Land Use
Agricultural lands and Capability - for:
Agricultural lands of Cropland
Statewide Importance Hayland
Agricultural land Pasture land
Preservation itability for Far
----------------------~---- ------ ------------------------
Recreation land use Playgrounds
Athletic fields and similarly
intensively used recreation
areas
Golf fairways, lawns, and
landscaping
Paths and trails
Picnic areas Inventory of sites
Camping areas having natural resource
---------------------- Recreation Facilities -------------- --------------- development potentials
(NRI) by NRTT
Recreation water use
---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Potential Impoundment
sites ~- by ~S~C~S
Municipal water use Community water service
areas Ground Water F~av~ora~bility
Aquifer Recharge Areas

---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Surface Drainage and
Watershed Boundaries
Woodland use Woodland Characteristics Woodland Suitability
---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------
Wildlife land use Wildlife Habitat types Suitability for: Fish a~nd Wildlife
(dedicated or (for entire community) Resources - by NRTT
manage) Openland wildlife habitat
wildlife Habitat evalua- Habitat evaluation for
tion (for selected areas) Woodland wildlife habitat selected species
---------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------
Wildlife wetland use W~etland Identification Wetland wildlife habitat Natural flood Storage
(for entire community) Developing sites for areas
Wetland Wildlife
W~etland evaluation Relationship of sails for
(for selected wetlands) existing wetlands
Depth to seasonal high
---------------------- ----------- ------------------- worker table ------------------ ------------------------
Land slope characteristics
~i~lr~ban land use Zoning Septic tank absorption field
Sewage lagoons Housing needs
Municipal Service Areas Sanitary landfill (trench)
Water, Sewer Sanitary landfill (area) Storm drainage
Public transportation Shallow excavations
Solid Waste Dwellings is without basements Sewer feasibility
Dwellings with basements studies

Property Boundaries Small Commercial buildings Flood Hazard
Local roads and streets analysis by SCS

Areas of pending Source of: Flood Insurance
development Daily cover for landfill, Study
Subdividable land Sand, Gravel, Roadfill,
Topsoil
Surface Runoff
---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------

--------- -- -------- ---------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------

3-2a

Special Studies (column 4): Specialized technical studies may.be made
by the NRTT or private consultants. Which studies are undertaken by
the NRTT depends on the needs of the community and the availability
of personnel from the agency involved. Such studies also depend on
conservation district priorities and commitments as well as the
availability of funding. The community may wish to map or inventory
other factors for consideration in its overall planning process. If so,
the community should consider performing such studies concurrently
with the NRPP inventories and mapping information at a compatible base
and scale. If the town has a planning staff or consultant, they should
be closely involved in the process.

MAKING THE INVENTORIES

Before discussing the steps of making the inventories, many of which
may occur simultaneously, it is important to emphasize the role of the
coordinator during this period. As in other projects where the efforts
of a large number of people are being coordinated, the volunteers
making the inventories need much guidance, encouragement and a sense of
purpose. In order to create a directive and supportive atmosphere, the
coordinator must work closely with both the volunteers and the NRTT.
While the inventories are in progress, it is the coordinator's respon-
sibility to provide the leadership at meetings, and to act as a liaison
among the committees, the NRTT, and the steering committee. The
coordinator also activates any committees which lag behind.

With a strong coordinator, the program.moves smoothly through the steps
discussed below and shown in Figure 3-3.

NRTT or Consultants May Make Special Studies: Special studies to be
integrated in the Natural Resources Planning process are best scheduled
for completion at the same time as the inventories conducted by local
volunteers, so that all are available for the Evaluation and Analysis
Phase. Where applicable, existing special studies should be trans-
ferred to the NRPP mapping scale and base to permit use with other
inventories. Local professional staff can assist in this process.

3-3

Committees Make Inventories: Using base maps and training provided
by the NRTT, the town's volunteer committees conduct field inventories
of the land and water uses and conditions listed in Figure 3-2. Each
committee is assigned to a specific inventory or set of related inven-
tories. These inventories involve field checking the location, current
use, condition, and other features of the land uses and resources
assigned, and recording necessary information on a series of data
sheets and working maps for future use. Detailed information and
instructions for these inventories are found later in this chapter.

Periodic Progress Reviews: Committees should get together with one
another and the Technical Team on a regular basis to report their
progress and to compile the "Present Land and Water Use Map." Each
committee should give an account of its accomplishments to date, any
difficulties encountered, and any information they think is appropriate
to share with other committees. In this fashion, any misdirection or
misunderstanding can be corrected, information can be traded, and shared
enthusiasm can keep committees moving ahead. The preparation of the
composite PLUM is described in The Instructions to Inventory Committees,

page

Data and Maps Become Available to Community: As the inventories are
completed, the NRTT will "spot-check" each map and data sheet for
accuracy. Many of the paper maps can then be transferred to limylaril
material for a permanent reproducible record. Finalized information
will then become available to the community for decisionmaking, or
for informational and educational purposes.

With the inventories finished, the steering committee and its sub-
committees are ready to move on to the next phase--Evaluation and
Analysis.

3-4

FIGURE 3-3 INVENTORY PHASE

ORGANIZATION

NRTT or Consultants May Make Commi ttees Make Inventories
Special Studies:
8 Land and Water Uses
Flood Hazard Analysis Present Land and Water Use Map
Surface Drainage Areas, Unique Areas
Watershed Boundaries Periodic Historic Sites
Potential Reservoir Sites Progress Visual Resource
Natural Flood Storage Areas Review Ownership (Public.& Quasi-Public)
Fish and Wildlife Resources Recreation Facilities Locations
Natural Resource Inventory Future Development Areas
Interpretive Soils Maps Problem Areas
Others

Information
Becomes Available
To Community

EVALUATION AND ANALY:

3-4a

INSTRUCTIONS TO INVENTORY COMMITTEES

The following section provides a more detailed explanation of the
responsibilities of the citizen volunteer committees, and of the inven-
tory procedures suggested for their use.

Responsibilities of Inventory Committees

Each committee is responsible for completing several tasks including:
1. Making a map of its assigned inventory or inventories
2. Recording additional information concerning each mapped parcel
on data sheets or other appropriate forms
3. Evaluating the condition of the resource, and
4. Preparing an inventory report

The coordinator and the NRTT will provide training and assistance to
the committees in carrying out these responsibilities and in overcoming
any difficulties which may arise.

Each inventory committee is provided with the following materials:
1. General instructions to inventory committees
2. A Glossary which explains the terms used in the program
3. An Inventory Description of what is to be inventoried and any special
suggested procedures
4. Data Sheets which will provide a written record of information that
cannot be shown on a map. The Data Sheets are necessary for
evaluating the resource and using the inventory for planning and
informational purposes.
5. A preliminary Present Land Use Map or other appropriate work maps and
interpretive soils maps for making their inventories
6. Guidelines for evaluating the resource. (The committees evaluating
the eight present land and water uses will use Resource Evaluation
Sheets for this purpose).
7. A listing of committee members and their phone numbers; and a
schedule of meetings and completion target dates.

3-5

Inventory Procedures

Several steps are suggested for making the inventories:

Step 1:
Preliminary to inventory and mapping, the coordinator (with NRTT
assistance) should divide the town into sectors convenient for the
organization of workload and access.

This division is best based on identifiable physical features and/or
existing road systems. Easy access to each sector should be available.
These sectors are not equivalent to "parcels" to be inventoried, but
are an arbitrary means of organizing and planning for field work. All
inventory committees should attempt to organize their work based on
the same sectors to facilitate coordination of the various inventories.
It is recommended that all committees first complete one selected
sector and then meet to resolve conflicts in classification and respon-
sibility before proceeding with the remaining sectors..

Step 2:
Before beginning the actual inventory, each committee should familiarize
itself thoroughly with the materials provided. The Inventory Descriptions
explain what is to be included in the inventory, where to find the infor-
mation, whom to consult for assistance, and coding symbols to be used
on the map. The Inventory Descriptions outline what is to be delineated
on a map for each resource.

For each mapped parcel, additional information is shown on the Data
Sheet for that resource. This includes information useful in evaluating
the resource, such as parcel size, ownership, presence of facilities,
and presence of pollution. If a committee is unfamiliar with any of
the terms used on the Inventory Descriptions or the Data Sheets, members
should consult the Glossary of Terms (Appendix B).

Committee members should also familiarize themselves with the maps that
have been provided for the inventory. A topographic map with preliminary
land use delineations will normally be used as a work map for making the
inventory.

3-6

The NRTT will explain the use of the topographic map and other materials,
answer any questions, and provide field instruction.

Step 3:
If a preliminary Present Land Use Map has not already been prepared, each
committee should transfer any existing information concerning its par-
ticular resource onto the work map. For instance, an outdated land
use map may exist that can provide the basis for beginning a particular
inventory. Some committees may find the current Massachusetts "Map-
Down" to be a useful source of information; however, if this map is
used, it may be necessary to consolidate similar small areas into larger
parcels for actual inventory.

Step 4:
Each committee should overlay its preliminary work map on the inter-
pretive soils maps related to its inventory (on a light table). It
should note areas where the land use to be inventoried occurs on soils
with severe limitations or of low suitability for that particular use.
These areas will then be carefully field checked during the inventory
to identify problems that have resulted from this inappropriate land use.

Step 5:
Next, each committee should make a field survey of the town. Beginning
with one sector at a time, the committee should drive or walk through
the area, checking to see that the land and water uses delineated on
the preliminary working map are still correct. Changes should be noted
on the map and Data Sheet. Boundary del.ineation in the field, without
special equipment and training, is expected to be limited in its accuracy.
The NRTT can provide assistance in special situations, but it is generally
best to use existing maps or aerial photographs for boundary delineation.
The committee's primary attention should be given to identifying the use
and condition of the resource being inventoried. Special attention
should be given to identification of problems related to use of the

3-7

resource. Areas where the use is inappropriate for the soil condition,
should be carefully investigated and problems or corrective management
measures should be noted.

During the field inventory, due respect should be given to the privacy
of landowners. Required information can normally be obtained without
actual access to posted areas. Where access seems necessary, a conver-
sation with the landowner and explanation of the program will often
gain you a wealth of information as well as access. In any case, good
public relations are far more important to the long-term success of
the program than a field check of a certain area.

To assure accuracy and efficiency, each map and its Data Sheet should be
prepared concurrently during the field work. Each "parcel" (normally
a contiguous area of the same land use and not an ownership unit) is
given a number on the map and required information is recorded with
the identical number on the Data Sheet for later reference.

The acreages of parcels cannot be determined until the inventory
boundaries have been finalized following a review by the NRTT. In the
case of the present land and water use inventories, the boundaries
cannot be finalized until after the Present Land and Water Use Map has
been finalized and conflicting boundaries have been resolved.

As each parcel is checked or added to an inventory map, it should be
coded to identify its use, code number, type, and ownership as'indicated
"A-i"
on each Inventory Description. A sampl-e code might be 0-M , indicating
"agricultural land, parcel number 1, which is a productive orchard on
state-owned lands." For all inventories, -the top line of the code will
indicate the primary use and parcel number. Each separate parcel
should be numbered consecutively down or across the map. The bottom
line of the code denotes various uses, locations, or other needed

3-8

information. The code letters will vary depending on the inventory
map and the specific information to be shown. The last letter in the
code will always indicate ownership of the parcel. For codes to be
used in each inventory, see the Inventory Description.

Remember to number all of the parcels, even if they are too small
to put the entire coding symbol inside the parcel boundary. After
coding each parcel, it should be shaded using the appropriate color
listed in each Inventory Description.

Step 6:
Present Land and Water Use Map (PLUM) - Each committee working on a
primary land and water use inventory will use a preliminary land and
water use work map to prepare its assigned inventory. These eight
committees will then work together to make a final composite of all
eight inventories to serve as a rough draft of the present land and
water use map.

As committees complete assigned sections of their work maps, they should
transfer the information to a composite map. This map will show all
eight primary land and water uses as verified bv field inventory. To
prepare this ;omposite map, a clear "Mylar" sheet is overlain ori a
topographic base map and the town boundaries, major roads, and water-
ways are carefully traced onto the mylar. Committees then transfer
the information from their work maps by overlaying the mylar composite
map on a work map, lining up the roads, and tracing the parcel
boundaries directly onto the compositemap using the appropriate
colored pencil for each land use boundary and parcel code. In this
manner every acre of land and water in the area is assigned a specific
primary use.

3-9

Care must be taken in transferring the information from paper work
maps to the composite map. Heat and humidity cause the paper work
maps to contract or expand. If this happens, the paper copy will
vary in size from the mylar map. Thus, when overlaying the two maps,
each map must be carefully aligned and checked frequently. As each
parcel is traced onto the composite map, -it should be noted if the
boundary lines overlap or if there are areas that are not accounted
for. Inconsistencies may occur when two or more committees assign a
different land use to the same area. As these inconsistencies arise,
the committees involved should compare and check the individual
inventory maps to determine which classification is correct. The
committees may need to field check the area or seek assistance from a
member of the NRTT to determine the correct land use and boundary
configuration. The incorrect classification and boundaries must be
changed on the inventory work maps and the corrections made on the
composite map.

Step 7:
When all parcels have been verified, the acreages of each parcel should
then be computed and recorded on the Data Sheets. There should be a
line entry on the Data Sheet for each parcel shown on an inventory map.
The acreage of each separately coded parcel should be measured by using
a planimeter or a dot-grid system. The NRTT will explain this procedure.

Each committee should prepare a final version of its inventory map.
This map should include a legend, title block, and other appropriate
information. A final version of the Present Land Use Map should also
be prepared on mylar to permit reproduction. A paper copy can then be
colored for display.

3-10

INVENTORIES AND SPECIAL STUDIES

in the

NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING PROGRAM

The following is a summary of the principal inventories and special
studies compiled during the Natural Resources Planning Program. Other
additional inventories and studies may be conducted by the community
or Natural Resources Technical Team to meet special local needs.
Detailed "Inventory Descriptions" for the principal inventories are
available from the Soil Conservation Service and are distributed to
the inventory committees in the Organization Phase of the program.

Agricultural Land - cropped and farmed areas; managed for grass and
hay; fruit and berry producing; idle farmland; tree and shrub nurseries,
and greenhouses.

Municipal Water - water surfaces used for supplying municipalities,
industry, irrigation; fish hatcheries; commercial fishing ponds; well
fields.

Recreation Land - areas used primarily for intensive outdoor recreation,
with major types of activities available identified.

Recreation Water - areas used primarily for water-associated recreation,
with kinds of recreation permitted; includes streams and rivers.

.Urban Land - "built-up" areas used for residence, commerce, industry,
transportation, institutions--identified specifically as to purpose.

Wildlife Land - areas used primarily for production or preservation
of openland wildlife and woodland wildlife.

Wildlife Wetland - wet and shallow water areas; fresh and salt marshes;
and shrub swamps; used primarily for wetland wildlife and aquatic
animals other than fish.

Woodland - forested areas with at least 30% tree-crown cover, and used
primarily for tree production; relationships to stream corridors, water-
shed protection, and wood production; types of tree stands classified.

3-11

All of the information described for each of the foregoing 8 maps is
then combined into one map, as a composite, showing, in total ...

Present Land and Water Use - the location and boundaries of each block
of land and water--exactly what the town has as a basis for evaluation
and analysis.

In addition, community volunteers collect further information and
compile other maps to complete the picture of their natural resource
base. Some of these maps are:

Problem Areas - plotting of locations affected by air, sight, sound
and material pollution from various sources including road salt,
industrial and household wastes, construction sediment, dumps, junk-
yards; high-level noises from traffic, manufacturing; flood-prone
areas, etc.

Dedicated Land - areas whose use is not likely to change soon, such as
preserves held in trust, historic sites and the like.

Recreation Facilities Location - map is an overall locational view of
public and private recreation facilities presently available in the
town.

Rough Land - a delineation of steep, ledgy or extremely stony land, and
extremely drouthy soils.

Future Development Areas - boundaries of locations already definitely
committed to some type of urban (construction) development, such as
homes, factories, roads, and so on; identified as to type of develop-
ment.

Historic Sites - old mill dams; blacksmith shops, one-room school-
houses; battle grounds; early survey markers; significant homes; and
so on.

Unique Items or Areas - "one of a kind" landmarks of all sorts, such as
geologic formations, waterfalls, unusual views, ancient trees, buildings
of exotic structure, glacial or other physiographic features.
Major Watersheds and Stream Pattern - featuring local drainage patterns
and watershed boundaries, indicating stream classifications in respect
to.water qualities for various uses.

Wetlands'- areas of wet soils, identified in the Town Operational
Soils Report as poorly drained and very poorly drained soils. Includes
swamps and other areas not identified as wildlife wetlands.

3-12

Prime and Unique Agricultural Lands - areas with soils of high pro-
ductive potential whether or not currently in agricultural use; unique
areas such as cranberry bogs or orchards.

Visual Resources - based on a survey of the preferences of local
residents for carefully selected photographs of local scenes, visual
assets and problems are identified and mapped.

Specialized technical studies may be made by the NRTT or private con-
sultants, such as:

Inventory of Sites Having Natural Resource Development Potentials -
(-Natural Resources Inventory or NRI) - report emphasizing the outdoor
recreation or conservation potential of sites or areas in a community.

Soil Interpretations - prepared as part of the prerequisite operational
Soils Report contracted between a town and SCS. Maps of interpretations
on the limitation of soils for such items as construction, farming,
woodland, sewage disposal, etc., which form the basis for a wide
variety of analyses to meet local needs.

Potential Reservoir Sites - locations for water storage including pool
sizes, dam centerlines, design features and estimated costs are pin-
pointed.

Floodplains - areas subject to flooding, up to 100-year frequency.

Ground Water Favorability - areas favorable for developing wells,
including coding as to variable rates of water output in estimated
gallons per minute.

Using combinations of these inventories and special studies, a variety
of "Analysis Maps" can be developed. Using an "overlay" technique,
information is combined to highlight specific problems or potentials,
based on the community's needs and objectives.

3-13

CHAPTER 4: EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

Effective use of the NRPP inventory information in the community's
planning and decisionmaking processes first requires evaluation and
analysis of that information. In this phase the community evaluates
the inventory results to identify its natural resource assets, needs,
and problems. With the assistance of the Technical Team, the inven-
tory results and other natural resource information, such as the
soil survey, are analyzed to identify opportunities for action to
enhance, develop, or protect the community's natural resource base.

The primary participants in this phase are the inventory committees
and the steering committee, but involvement of town boards and com-
missions and of the public at large is necessary if all viewpoints
are to be considered. Detailed below and depicted in Figure 4-1 are
the suggested steps of the Evaluation and Analysis Phase.

THE EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS PROCEDURE

Committees And NRTT Evaluate Inventory Data

Each inventory committee is responsible for evaluating the status of
its assigned natural resource or study area.

The committees make their evaluations in the perspective of community
needs and objectives. They determine the significance to the community
of the problems and opportunities associated with the natural resources.
Trends are delineated. Whenever possible, strategies which may improve
the quality of a resource are explored, and situations which threaten
its condition are examined. The consequences of no change in the
present policy regarding the resource are also explored.

4-1

FIGURE 4-1 EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS PHASE

INVENTO

F
ommittees & NRTT Evaluate
Inventor), Data

Inventory Repor ti

Pu blic Informational Meeting

Steering Committee Brings Toget NRTT Helps By Instructing
Evaluation And Data: Steering Committee, Town
Boards In Use Of Data And
Evaluation of needs, objectives, Maps In Analysis
problems, opportunities, and
trends as identified by community

.Comprehensive evaluation of
resources and priorities

Analysis
T

Public Informational Meeting

PLANNING
AND
IMPLEMENTATION

4-2

For example, the Historic Committee might concern itself with such
questions as: How significant are the historical sites to the com-
munity? To the region? To the nation? Is there a preservation and
restoration program? If so, is it commensurate with the importance
attributed to the sites? Do tours or interpretive programs present
any problems to the community or neighborhood in terms of circulation,
vandalism, overuse, etc.? Are there opportunities to create a his-
torical trail or to link an existing historical facility with other
resource uses such as a recreational activity, bi-walk system, etc.?
There exists a myriad of similar issues which committees might
explore. The Natural Resources Technical Team will guide the committees
through this evaluation process.

Natural Resource Evaluation Sheets:

As an aid to the community in evaluating the information compiled in
the inventory phase, committees are provided with Natural Resource
Evaluation Sheets for the 8 primary land and water use inventories.
These sheets are designed to assist the committees to summarize and
analyze the inventory information. They contain a series of questions
for the committee to answer that will help to raise issues, and to
identify problems, needs, and potentials for action. Much of the
required information is collected by field and map work, but some may
come from community officials or others and from library reference

sources.

The questions on the Resource Evaluation Sheets concern the quantity,
quality, and distribution of the land uses or resources inventoried
and also suggest consideration of town policies and plans. These
sheets also provide the community with the opportunity to compare its
land use characteristics with the suggested guidelines. These are
discussed below and explained in the "Rationale" attached to the
Resource Evaluation Sheets. These guidelines have been developed
through the research and experience of professional natural resource
managers and can provide valuable guidance for land use decisions.

4- _3

When completed, the Resource Evaluation Sheets provide the basis for
an Inventory Report as described on page 4-7. A Sample Resource
Evaluation Sheet for Agricultural Land and the associated Rationale
for Guidelines'are found in Appendices D and E. Resource Evaluation
Sheets for the other seven primary land and water use inventories
can be obtained from the Soil Conservation Service.

NRPP Guidelines:

To assist a community in evaluation of its natural resources and in
development of plans for sound natural resource use, the Natural
Resources Planning Program provides suggested guidelines for natural
resource use. To be useful, these guidelines must reflect the
resource characteristics specific to particular areas of this diverse
state. It would be meaningless for the guidelines used by a community
in the Berkshires to include consideration of surf fishing. Similarly,
a community in suburban Boston does not have the same agricultural
opportunities as does one in the Connecticut Valley. For this
reason, the Resource Evaluation Sheets, used in the NRPP evaluation
process, contain guidelines specifically developed for each major
NRPP resource area.

In Massachusetts the four following NRPP resource areas (see F-igure 4-2)
are defined by particular patterns of soil, topography, climate, water
resources, land use, and type of farming:

The Berkshire Area comprises the Berkshire Mountains in the western
part of the state. The area is characterized by rounded mountains
with strongly rolling to steep slopes and many glaciated, broadened
valleys containing numerous ponds and Wetlands. About 85 percent of the
area is forested. Farming activities occupy about 9 percent of the area.

4-4

BERKSHIRES

The Central Highlands Area includes the largest portion of the state.
The topography varies from rolling land to hilly uplands broken by
many level or gently sloping valleys that terminate in coastal low-
lands. About 65 percent of the area is forested; mainly small private
woodlots, but some is state forests or other large holdings. Thirteen
percent of the area is in agricultural use. Many of the farmsteads are
used as rural residences with 16 percent of the entire area being
urbanized.

4-5

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

4-5

The Connecticut Valley Area is located in the western part of the
state. The landscape is nearly level to sloping lowlands bordered by
north-south trending trap-rock ridges that have hilly and steep slopes.
The area is about 50 percent forested, mostly farm woodlots. Farming
activities, primarily crops in rotation, occupy about 25 percent of
the area.

CONNECnCVr VAU-EY

---------- - -----

Ne-
It
a UMdX

....................
. ...........

NIA,

The Coastal Area includes towns along the coast., Cape Cod and the off-
shore islands. Fifty percent of the area is forested. Agricultural
lands occupy about 11 percent, urban lands 25 percent, and wetlands
about 13 percent of the area. Much of the area is characteriZed by
intensive development for recreation and resorts. The area has. little
relief, being largely an undulating to rolling coastal plain.

4-6

COIA15TIAL_

z
A,
@

7iy@

The Inventory Report

The final activity of the inventory committees, and one of the most
important, is the writing of reports. These are invaluable as summaries
of the findings from the inventories and Resource Evaluation Sheets.
Each report serves as an overall evaluation of the conditions, problems,
and assets associated with the town's resources. They should be
written in a form that can be easily understood. A report is prepared
by each committee according to a format which the Steering Committee
and the inventory committees determine.

The following outline is a sample of one approach:

1. General discussion--Sections of a general nature to include:

a. An explanation of the community's involvement in the program.

b. An explanation of the inventory and evaluation objectives, and
the potential utility of the report to the community.

c. A discussion of who was involved.

4-7

central highlands

.7---

V.-
j

-7i

coastal

.it

be - ------
con. --ticuit
Valley

-lei

mr-p.p. resource areas

massachusetts

U 5. DEP.-t.Ell @CUIT.@E

d. A general description of what the inventories are and how they
were prepared.
e. A summary of the major committee findings and recommendations;
this could assume the format shown in Figure 4-3.

2. Specific findings--A section written by each committee to include:

a. An overview of the kinds of things which were inventories, and
an explanation of the importance of the resource or land use
inventoried.

b. A description of some of the more interesting or significant
items inventoried.

c. An evaluation of the condition of the resource, including
Resource Evaluation Sheet information.

d. An identification of further studies' which may be helpful in
determining future policy.

e. Recommendations concerning future management and maintenance
of each resource.

If the community wishes to use the report as a portion of a Conservation/
Recreation Plan, meeting state requirements, the NRTT can assist in
developing an appropriate format.

The report should include significant information about the resource
inventoried, whether or not it was part of a Resource Evaluation Sheet
or Data Sheet. The Data Sheets and the Resource Evaluation Sheets
should be used as a guide, but anything else that is important to the
community should be included in the report. The report is an oppor-
tunity to personalize the evaluation to the community. The important
points to stress are those that are of interest and relevance to the
community and that have implications for future community actions. The
more thorough and objective the evaluations are, the more useful they
will be. These reports will be the bases for discussions within the
community and for further analysis by the steering committee.

4-9

FIGURE 4-3 SAMPLE SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Land Use Opportunity Or Constraint Or Recommendation
Asset Problem

Recreational a. Areas we have are Lacking in certain Addition of small
Land well used types of facilities playgrounds

b. Good playfields

c. Out-of-town golf Lack of golf courses
courses close by

d. Shooting club with
potential for
expansion

e. Good potential for Implement Rec. Comm.-
nature areas proposals from the
1972 plan

f. Local availability
of ski areas

g. Spring Hill trail Limited development Extension of trail

Picnic areas too small Additional picnic
facilities

Poor distribution of Add small programs
play areas

Off-street parking
lacking

Lack of traf fic con-
trols on access roads

Neighborhood parks
lack water & restroom
facilities

Neighborhood parks
lack emergency aid
facilities

No community parks Encourage private
development

Lack of facilities Add facilities
near trails end

Volunteer help for
developing

Sledding/tobogganing
facilities

Area for snowmobiling

More conservation sites
utilized for nature
programs

4-10

Public Informational Meeting

There are two reasons why a public informational meeting is important
at this point. First, such a meeting will focus attention on the
results of the labors of the committees. Through a formal presentation
by local citizens, the community will be made aware of the data and
evaluations which have been completed and are available for use as a
result of the NRPP activity thus far. Second, the forum can be used
to raise issued to give boards, interest groups and other citizens the
opportunity to respond to or to take action based on committee findings.
One procedure would be to hold several meetings at which boards are
asked to formally comment upon the committee findings in terms of
their own areas of responsibility. In this manner the steering committee
can learn how other boards perceived the condition of community
resources and what ought to be done about them. Through these meetings
the boards may discover that they are working towards many of the same
goals. The next step is to explore ways in which they can combine
their efforts to strengthen their activities.

Steering Committee Brings Together Data and Evaluations

Before the evaluation information can become truly useful, it must be
more systematically organized. The inventory report was the first
step toward this objective. Now the steering committee pulls together
and analyzes the committee findings, community responses, and infor-
mation from other sources in terms of a broader perspective of community
needs, attitudes and objectives. The steering committee explores such
issues as: What kind of a community does the town want to become?
What crucial environmental problems will demand community attention?
Where do priorities lie? Will current trends in land use continue?
Which natural resources require special or immediate action to insure
that community desires for the future are fulfilled?

4-11

These questions are not easy ones to answer; yet each must be
addressed. The Massachusetts Growth and Development Policy Act l/
has institutionalized the need to do so. In fact the Local Growth
Policy Committee may have already provided some answers to these
questions. Even so, there is more to be done to thoroughly evaluate
community resources, and analyze the opportunities for action.

The steering committee may choose to work. collectively during this
period or it may opt to form study committees. Some volunteers from
the inventory committees should be included for continuity. The NRTT
is available to assist the steering committee in this activity. The
task may take several months to accomplish; it is probably unrealistic
to expect members to attend meetings more than once or twice every two
weeks. The committee will find the going slow. This is especially
true as it becomes oriented. Careful guidance is essential to keep the
group from losing sight of its mission and becoming bogged down in
details.

Before commencing to synthesize the data and make further analyses, an
an outline should be prepared showing what is to be done and by whom.
The steering committee may choose to separate the topics for futher
analysis into special study areas for committees. Among those items
which should be explored are:

Identification of Needs, Trends, Opportu ities and Constraints: It is
important to have a clear image of where the community is headed and
what it wishes to become. To gain this understanding, if this has not
already been done, the steering committee should comprehensively
evaluate any needs, trends, opportunities and constraints which have been
identified by the inventory and evaluation committees, the boards, town
reports, census data, opinion survey, newspapers, and other sources,both
within and outside of the community.

l/ Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 807 of the Acts of 1975.

4-12

It may be desirable to collect additional information concerning
people's attitudes. This can be done through opinion surveys or
public meetings. Many communities hold neighborhood meetings on a
regular basis to keep government bodies informed and responsive to
citizens.

Comprehensive Assessment of Resources and Priorities: Earlier in
the Evaluation and Analysis Phase, the inventory committees evaluated
each resource independently. The steering committee should now
examine the relationships among the natural resources and land uses.
The steering committee should explore such issues as:

Natural resources problems or hazards that are severe or need
immediate action. Examples might include excessive storm
runoff or septic tank failure.

Special value resources which require protection or preservation
such as wetlands, scenic vistas, historic sites, or prime
agricultural lands.

.Areas of conflict or consensus involving growth, land use, and
resource utilization. These could either be conceptual things
such as a desired growth rate or the special realities of a
specific site.

.Potential trade-offs or opportunity costs. For instance, if
all prime agricultural land was converted to urban use, the
opportunity to turn it to food production would be lost', as
would the visual amenity that farmland provides.
.The impact upon the community's resources of maintaining
current growth and development policies. For example:
continued shoreland development of a lake may impair water
quality and destroy opportunities for recreation and water
supply.
The consequences of alternative policies affecting natural re-
sources including the impact of different kinds and magnitudes
of growth on the natural resources. For example: if a certain
zoning technique is implemented, what effects will this action
have upon such factors as community water supply, availability
of open space and outdoor recreation, or storm runoff--what
will the community's natural resources look like twenty years
from now?

4-13

.Regional natural resources or growth and development pressures
or opportunities that might significantly influence the
community. For instance: a regional recreation center may
increase local traffic congestion and safety problems. A new
regional recreation area outside of' the community would also
provide increased opportunities for local residents.
.A model of natural resource use for the community, based on
the capabilities and limitations of' its land and water resources,
and the goals, objectives, needs, and priorities of the COM-
munity.
In order to broaden its perspective, the steering committee may wish
to invite individuals with special expertise to discuss the community's
natural resources. A forester, a fish or, wildlife biologist,, an
environmental lawyer, the town engineer, a hydrologist or the town's
water supply consultant--all could be helpful in answering the
steering committee questions.

Another way to approach an analysis of the issues described above,
is to ask each of the appropriate community boards to evaluate them
in light of its special interest. Then, the responses could be com-
pared to reveal conflicts of basic assumptions, objectives, policies,
etc. This could be a meaningful way to evoke discussion and better
understanding.

NRTT Helps by Instructing Steering Committee and Community B)ards in
the Use of Data and Maps in Analysis

Boards and commissions involved with land and water use changes need
to have a working knowledge of what information is available and how
it can be utilized. They need to be familiar with the process of
selecting relevant information to use in decisionmaking. They should
also be able to identify some of the consequences proposed actions
may have on the community's natural resources, and residents,. The
NRTT can work with the steering committee and town boards in exploring
the interpretation and use of the maps and data generated through the
program. They can be particularly helpful in the preparation and use
of analysis maps.

4-14

Analysis maps are an advantageous way to further utilize the infor-
mation collected during the Inventory Phase of the program. Each
inventory map, of course, is useful in itself. The real potential
of the maps, however, exists in combining the information. Depend-
ing upon the nature of the problem being tackled--be it site
selection or an open space plan--the relevant information from
several maps can be combined to show relationships. The purpose
of the analysis can be varied. It may show such relationships as
spatial patterns, as in an open space system; or areas that are
suitable for a given purpose such as areas with potential for a
sanitary landfill for recreational development, or for multi-family
housing.

Several types and uses of analysis maps are described below:

Interpretive Soil Maps:

NRPP communities have available an Operational Soils Report consisting
of a narrative explanation, a detailed soil map, and a number of
interpretive maps. The narrative contains brief descriptions of the
individual soils and a table of interpretations.

The soil map indicates the location and extent of the various kinds
of soils in the community. Each kind of soil has definite character-
istics and qualities. The soils are classified and mapped on the
basis of such properties as texture, drainage, stone content, depth
to bedrock, slope, permeability, etc.

Based on the characteristics of the soils on the map, interpretive
maps are prepared, showing the limitations, suitability, or relation-
ship of the soils for various uses.

4-15

The SCS, as a part of the NRTT, can provide guidance in the use of
these interpretive maps. A partial listing of the interpretations
available is found below:

Soil limitations for: Soil suitability for:

- Septic tank absorption field - Farming
- Sewage lagoons - Openland wildlife habitat
- Sanitary landfill (trench method) - Woodland wildlife habitat
- Sanitary landfill (area method) - Wetland wildlife habitat
- Shallow excavations
- Dwellings without basements Soil relationship to:
- Dwellings with basements
- Small commercial buildings - High water table
- Local roads and streets - Surface runoff
- Lawns, landscaping and golf fairways
- Playgrounds Soil suitability as source of:
- Camp areas
- Picnic areas - Daily cover -for landfill
- Paths and trails - Roadfill
- Sand
- Gravel
- Topsoil

In addition to analysis for community-wide planning, soil maps can also
be used by the SCS to develop detailed plans for improved resource
management on individual parcels of public or private land.

Sensitive Areas Maps:

Many communities find a Sensitive Areas Map to be useful in the analysis
of their natural resources and prospective land uses. "Sensitive Areas"
are land or water areas which are serving an important productive or
protective function for the community in their present natural state,
and whose function would be lost if the natural condition was changed.
Areas selected for inclusion on a Sensitive Areas Map will reflect the
community's particular needs, but might include the following:

Critical wildlife habitat Floodplains
Inland wetlands Ponds,.streams, and creeks
Coastal wetlands with their banks and shores
Beaches and dunes Hillsides and steep slopes
Aquifers and recharge areas Scenic and unique areas
Water supply watersheds and Others, as appropriate
well fields

4-16

Inappropriate use of such areas can lead to loss of an irreplacable
resource, to public and private costs to correct the negative impacts,
or to both. In planning for conservation of sensitive areas, a
community must consider the indirect effects of land use change near
these areas as well as the direct effect of development on the areas
themselves. The nature and importance of these areas, and a
variety of protective measures, are summarized on the "Sensitive
Areas Charts," found in Appendix F.

If overriding community needs require alteration of a sensitive
area, a community should be prepared to use appropriate management
measures to minimize the negative impacts of the alteration. The
NRTT can provide technical assistance in planning such measures.

Special Purpose Analysis Maps:

Interpretive soils maps, Sensitive Areas Maps, inventory maps, and
other mapped information can be further combined to create analysis
maps with a wide range of uses. These uses might include site
selection for a public facility, evaluation of alternative potential
land use patterns, or identification of areas most appropriate for
development, improved management, or protection. Such analysis maps
combine consideration of soils limitations and ecological sensitivity
with consideration of spatial patterns and potential conflicts of
present or proposed land uses. Possible uses of analysis maps will
depend on the community's particular needs and should be discussed
with the NRTT during the Organization Phase to insure that the
required information is gathered and ready for use. Figure 4-4
shows one format that a community might use to plan for analysis maps to
meet its needs.

The information to be compiled on an analysis map depends upon its
intended purpose. In preparing an analysis map, the problem or
objectives should first be clearly defined. Then criteria can be
established to select the relevant information.

4-17

FIGURE 4-4: SELECTING MAPS FOR ANALYSIS
SAMPLE FORMAT

Analysis
Purpose
\ R creation, Conservation Potential Elementary School Site
Source and
Maps Open Space Planning

Interpretive Playgrounds, camp areas, Suitability for commercial
Soils Maps trails, and wildlife building, playgrounds

Wetlands Areas to be protected/ Avoid
regulated

Floodplains Areas to be protected/ Avoid
(HUD) regulated

Present Land Relationship to existing Relationship to existing land
Use Map land uses uses

Sensitive Areas for protection or Avoid
Areas buffer areas

Prime Locate areas for purchase Avoid
Agricultural of Development Rights
Land

Dedicated Identify current public/ Identify current public
Land quasi-public land ownership

Historic Possible protection or link Possible educational value
Sites with trails

Visual Areas for acquisition of Assess visual impact
Resources scenic easements, trail
location

Special N.R.I. Recreation need analysis
Studies Potential Impoundment Sites Housing studies

Municipal Service to recreational Sewer and water service
Service facilities availability
Areas

Others as ? ?
needed

4-18

It is imperative that the community establish priorities early to
avoid costly mistakes. An understanding of the physical require-
ments dictated by each criteria will allow the determination of
hydrological, ecological, soils or cultural information to be shown
on the analysis map. For a technical problem, the community
should enlist the advice of a consultant or a member of the Technical
Team in deciding which information to include. Whenever using soils
information for such purposes, assistance can be requested from a
soil scientist of the Soil Conservation Service.

Figures 4-5 and 4-6 provide examples of the analysis process.
A similar approach can be applied to a wide range of community pur-
poses. Once the community understands the process, it can develop
analysis maps for additional purposes as the need arises.

Analysis Report

This report is one of the most important products of the NRPP. It
will serve as the basis for continuing discussions among community
boards and commissions and the public and will be a major input to
the community's overall planning processes. The report summarizes
the findings of the inventory committees and goes beyond these to
present the combined analyses described above. In this report the
steering committee assigns priorities to the community's natural
resource-related needs and problems and identifies selected alter-
natives for action and implementation.

The community may wish to publish this report in a form suitable for
wide distribution within the town to further stimulate discussion
and public comment. The format and content should be selected by
the steering committee with the intended uses of the report in mind.
An appropriately structured report may serve directly as a portion
of a Conservation/Recreation Plan meeting state requirements for

4-19

FIGURE 4-5 NRPP ANALYSIS MAPS FOR OPEN SPACE, CONSERVATION, AND
OUTDOOR RECREATION PLANNING

Scenario: The Conservation Commission and Recreation Commission wish to develop a joint Conservation/

Recreation Plan which will qualify for eligibility for Self-Help and BOR matching funds.

In the Organization Phase of the NRPP, they establish the following Goals and Objectives:

GOALS OBJECTIVES

1. protection of water resources a. protect the town's water supply watershed
b. identify and protect Wetlands
C. identify and protect potential ground water supplies
d. control non-point. pollution
2. i~r~it~e~gr~ati~on of' recreation a~n~d a. develop trails to link conservation areas with
~c~o~n~s~e~r~v~a~l~~i~Q~1~1 ~a~ct~i~v~it~i~e~!, intensive outdoor recreation areas
b. identify multiple-use possibilities on conservation
and watershed lands.
3. provision of a balanced a. meet BOR standards where appropriate to the town
recreation pio~gr~am b. develop a summer recreation program for the elderly
C. identify areas to meet'. future recreational needs
4. preservation ~of agriculture a. maintain present agricultural land in agricultural use
b. protect prime agricultural land, not now it) ~.
agricultural use, for future agricultural needs
5. direction of the community's ~qr~owt~h a. identify areas with hazards or limitations for
to maintain ~envi~i~onm~e~ntal quality development
It. identify areas with potential for desired d~evelopment
C. identify areas for open space buffers between
incompatible land uses
d. distribute open space and recreation opportunities to
match population distribution
C. identify and protect the town's visual and scenic
resources and unique area

In the Inventory-Phase, maps and other data are compiled and field-check.

In the Evaluation and Analysis Phase, present conditions and supply are compared ith the community's
objectives todetermine needs. Alternatives and potentials to meet those needs are identified.
Using the inventory maps and other data, the following maps can be compiledand used in the analysis

1. Sensitive Areas Map showing:

a. wetlands C. critical wildlife habitat areas

b. floodplain or flood hazard areas f. municipal water supply watersheds and well fields
C. stream, lakes, and ponds with g. "rough lands" (steep,shallow bedrock, droughty)
protective corridors

d. aquifers and recharge areas

2. Special Open Space Features Map showing.
a. unique features C. areas of high visual quality and sensitivity
b. historic sites

3. Present Open Space and outdoor recreation supply map showing:
a. recreation land, water, and C. trails
facilities

b. public and quasi-public lands
4. Agricultural Resource- Map showing:
a. present agricultural land use C. lands,classifid as prime, unique, or of statewide
It. lands under Chapter 61A importance

5. Potential open space and outdoor Recreation Supply Map showing:~eati~on
a. areas with slighht soils limitations for recreatonal uses
b. potential. impoundment sites

These maps can then be used as overlays with the percent Land use Map to determine the needs for
conservation and the potentials for an open space and outdoor recreation system,
In the Planning and Implementation Phase, the community develops on action plan base on this analysis
It proposes a program to protect, control, acquire, or develop the sites or areas identified above

4-20

FIGURE 4-6 ANALYSIS MAPS FOR SITE SELECTION: SCHOOL SITE

Scenario: The community recognizes the future need for an elementary
school to serve.a growing suburban area. It hopes to use NRPP information
to select potential sites.

In the Organization Phase of the NRPP, selection of alternative school
sites is identified as one of the community's objectives for the program.

Criteria for site selection are determined, including:

1. Minimize site preparation and construction costs, but -
2. Avoid destruction of prime agricultural land (another community goal).
3. Include outdoor recreational facilities.
4. Include an Environmental Education area.
5. Avoid environmentally senstive areas.
6. Preserve the scenic character of the community.
7. Serve the area of recent and projected residential growth.

In the Inventory Phase, maps and other data are compiled and field checked.

In the Evaluation and Analysis Phase, the following maps are compiled and
used to identify alternative sites for the proposed school:
I. Sensitive Areas Map (see Figure 4-5 and page page 4-16).

2. Development trends map showing:
a. present land use
b. existing and proposed water and sewer service
C. current zoning
d. subdivided (but undeveloped) and subdividable land

3. Visual Resources Map showing:
a. areas of high visual quality
b. viewsheds
C. town visual character

4. Interpretive soils maps for:
a. small commercial building (Soils requirements equivalent)
b. playgrounds
C. athletic fields
d. wetland wildlife habitat (for adjacent environmental education area)
5. Agricultural Resources Map (see Figure 4-5)

6. Public Ownership Map
In the Planning and Implementation Phase, the community hired a consultant
for detailed investigation of the best identified alternative sites and
selected one for acquisition and construction of the school.

4-21

eligibility for the Self-Helf or Land and Water Conservation Fund
matching grant programs. The NRTT can provide a suitable outline
if this use is intended. Through discussions with its planner or
consultant, the steering committee may adapt the report to fit with
comprehensive planning efforts as well.

An effective report will require time and effort from the steering
committee and continuing support from the NRTT, but will be worth
the price. It will normally be the community's most widely dis-
seminated detailed statement of NRPP findings and will be the core of
natural resources input to the planning process. It will not be a
static plan to sit on the shelf, but a working document for reference
and discussion.

Public Informational Meeting

Informational meetings are essential to promote a discussion of "where
do we go from here" by the community and boards. They are a forum
for making public the findings and recommendations of the steering
committee. Hopefully, a policy or set of policies regarding the
community's natural resources would result from public discussion
of this issue.

4-22

CHAPTER 5:. PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

INTRODUCTION

At this point it is essential to reasser t one of the maj or assump tions
underlying the philosophy of the Natural Resources Planning Program.
Planning is a process; it is a repetitive activity that occurs con-
tinuously. Although an open space plan or a comprehensive plan may
well be some of the results, the intent of this program is not
necessarily to encourage communities to produce The Plan. The major
thrust, instead, is directed toward helping a community to collect,
evaluate and integrate natural resources information into the plan-
ning processes occurring within the community, and to stimulate action
for sound natural resource use.

In the Evaluation and Analysis Phase, the steering committee and its sub-
committees evaluated the condition of the resources and pinpointed
opportunities, problems, and "use" constra.ints. Then, the steering com-
mittee melded this information with the needs and objectives which had
been identified by the community; identified areas of conflict and con-
sensus; set tentative priorities; and determined the consequences of
potential trade offs, thus articulating the hard choices which face the
community regarding the use an d management of its natural resources. Now
it is up to the community--its boards and citizens--to agree on basic
land use policies and to chart a course of action.

The Natural Resources TechnicalTeam doestnot make policy or planning
decisions for the community. However, it can help to assess the probable
impact of proposed policies and plans on the natural resources. Con-
tinuing technical assistance in implementation measures is also available
from the NRTT. The expertise of the NRTT agencies can be requested by
the community as the need arises.

5-1

Detailed below and depicted in Figure 5-1 are the suggested steps of
the Planning and Implementation Phase.

FIGURE 5-1 THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

EVALUATION & ANALYS

Other Information Is
Brought To bear On The
k 01, roblem:

Community Uses Information
In Planning Processes Social
Economic
Regional
Local Grovith Policy

Selectren, Finance Committee, Planning
Board, Conservation Commission,
Recreation Commission, Department of
Public Work@, Public Health, Others
Make Reconimenda t ions For Action

Action By Town.Boards and
Private Sector Town Meeting Commissions Adopt
Policies & Regulations

-7
r 7COMunity Rejects Proposals Fo-..,nity Affirms P rpo sa'l,

NRTT Provides Assistance
in Natural Resources
Panagenlent and Development

Community Community Commun i ty
Carries Out Establishes Establishes
Specific A Permanent Natural
Proposals Planning Resource
Advisory Monitoring
Committee Procedure
@@@T,wn I'le,

5-2

PLANNING

There is no one single planning effort in a community. Planning is,
carried on by diverse groups and at various.levels, often independently
and for different purposes. The selectmen, planning board, conservation
commission, town engineer, and other boards and officials; private
developers; and citizens all make deci,sions affecting land and water use.
An understanding of the opportunities and constraints of a community's-
natural resources not only complements the social, economic.and political
concerns, but also lends a broader,dimension.,to the.decisionmaking
process. Natural resources opportunities and constraints should be an
integral pa.rt of.any-planning process where land and water use is involved,
such as the siting'of a new fire station, the development of a community
park, a zoning change, a subdivision approval, the construction of a trail
system, or the formulation of an dpen spate plan. With sound leadership
and coordination,, 'a'community,can develop a set of land-u,se.policies to
guide these many planning processes towards the desired result.

Community Uses Informa tion In Its Planning Processes

There are many uses to which the community can put-the inventory
data, e,valuations, and analyses prepared by the steering and inventory
committees., This information is of use@to such'di'verse-interests as
town boards, private developers, env.ironmental educators,.,and,com-
munity consultants. It can be incorporated into routine decision-
making processes-such-as subdivision review, or used.to develop new
forms of decisionmaking. It can provide a valuable input to single-
purpose or.functiona.1 planning processes such as the selection of.
sites for municipal-buildings, roadways, recreation facilities or
parks; and the preparation of recreation and conservation plans.
NRPP information is equally useful in comprehensive planning processes
including.f,uture land. use.plans,,,zoning, and other regulatory measures.

5-3

While planning purposes vary from community to community, one of the
primary objectives-of the MRPP is to encourage communities to protect
their valuable natura I resources. A community may wish to develop a
policy statement and action program with regards to its natural
resources, The following excerpt from Performance Controls For
Sensitive Lands: A Practical Guide For Local Administrators
(Thurow, C. et al, 1975) is a helpful guide to follow in developing
regulatory measures. Although the resource being considered is wet-
lands, the advice applies to other resources:

"There is a logical series of steps a community should follow
in developing a regulatory program for its wetlan0s:

(1) A community must recognize the range of use values that
wetlands offer. Then it must

(2) act on a policy level. First, are those values important to
us so that we want to insure that they continue? And then,
if yes, what are the specific values we are most interested
in? Defining these policy goals will make a difference in

(3) choosing the style of regulation. If the policy is-to
guarantee that the community's residents will not suddenly
find their home sitting in a foot of water, there will'be
one set of regulatory procedures. If the goal is to maintain
wetlands as wild areas, so that the community has the red-
wing blackbirds it enjoys now or that it will@ continue tor
see the wild swans pass through in the spring, then it must
develop a different wetland program.

Whatever common resource values the community decides that it wants to
maintain, it is first necessary to understand how the wetlands
function so that the regulatory program can achieve those goals. The
more closely the regulatory program reflects the ecological nature of
the wetlands, the more effective it will be."

The opportunities to integrate natural resource considerations into
the community's planning processes are infinite. It is up to the com-
munity to decide how this will be done and to take action as the need

5-4

and the opportunities arise. Appendix G, Implementation Techniques
and Assistance--has been prepared as a guide for those who are de-
veloping planning proposals within the community. The NRTT can help
familiarize the,community with implementation techniques. Regardless
of what form the planning assumes, those who are involved should bear
in mind several important planning guidelines, including an estimation

of:-

.The impact of the proposal on the natural resources and social
systems. Who or what stands to gain or lose as a result is an
excellent query.
Public and political support for the proposal and the means of
giving direction, force and continuity to the plan.

The need for new institutions to implement the proposal.

Staging or timing requirements.

Budgeting and funding.

Based on the information and analyses of the NRPP, the NRTT can also
help the community to predict the possible consequences of proposed
actions on the natural resources. It can assist in determining what
management measures will minimize the environmental impacts of the
proposed actions.

Selectmen, Finance Committee, Planning Board, Conservation Commission,
And Others Make Recommendations For Action

As the community's various boards and commissions consider the information
and analyses from the NRPP, they develop recommendations for action.
Some proposals may be within the responsibility of a single board, while
others may require coordinated action. It is wise for the community to
agree on a coordinated set of land-use policies so that separate proposals
will complement each other rather than conflicting.

Those who are accustomed to preparing planning proposals are well aware
of the need for a 'wide base of public support to assure success in imple-
menting their projects. It is essential that the public be informed
and involved so that good recommendations are not defeated by misunder-
standing, a lack of interest, or a lack of communication.

5-5

IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation is putting planning proposals into action' whether
they be constructing a reservoir, establishing a new planning process
such as subdivision review, enacting zoning by-laws, or managing a
town forest. Although the implementation process of the NRPP -is con-
sidered last, it is in reality an activity occurring continuously in
a community. As the community moves through the program, immediate
action may be taken at any time, in direct response to an issue or
condition identified by the steering committee, its subcommittees, or
other members of the community.

One cannot predict the exact course a community will take in imple,
menting specific planning proposals. However, several general steps are
suggested for consideration as an approach to putting planning
proposals into action. These steps, shown in Figure 5-1, are briefly
described below:

Town Meeting

Most local governments in Massachusetts use the town meeting for
deciding the fate of many planning proposals and other community issues.
Several small meetings geared to neighborhoods or interest groups are
an effective way to create a broad base of support before a proposal
is brought before town meeting. Some proposal-s, however, such as
clearing trails, can often be implemented without formal approval, un-
less large expenditures of public funds and land taking are involved.

Community Affirms or Rejects Proposals

Although certain proposals submitted by local governments must, be
approved at the state level, for the practical purposes of this dis-
cussion the ultimate decision rests with the community. Once a pro-
posal has been approved, efforts can be directed toward its implementation.

5-6

Community Carries Out Specific Proposals

The community board or group which initiated a proposal is usually
responsible for following through with its implementation. Timing,
staging or funding will depend upon the nature of the proposal.
Figure 5-2 is a scenario describing the planning and development of
water-based recreatio n facilities.

Town Boards and Commissions Adopt Po'licie s or Regulations:

Many planning proposals do not require formal town meeting approval,
but need only action by the appropriate board or commission. Septic
system regulation by the Board of Health, subdivision regulation by
the Planning Board, and wetlands regulation by the Conservation Com-
mission, and storm water management practices of the Public Works or
Highway Department are examples of this approach. It is also impor-
tant that the town's administrative policies be coordinated in support
of the community's chosen goals and objectives. Continued communica-
tion among local boards is an important aspect of that coordination.

Private Citizens and Groups Take Action

Discussions of the NRPP inventory findings and resulting planning
proposals often stim ulate actions by private groups or individuals.
Individual landowners may seek NRTT assistance in improved management
of their lands, land trust may coordinate its acquisition with town
objectives, or a business may improve its landscaping. Taken as a
whole, the sum of many such small actions can be a major benefit to
the community's environmental quality.

5-7

NRTT Provides Assistance In Natural Resource Managemen t and Development

Where matters such as the management of the town's forests, the
engineering of a' wildlife pond, the preparation of a conservation
plan for a "Community Garden," or the technical considerations in-
volved in the stocki-ng of a pond or stream are concerned, the com-
munity can draw upon the services of the NRTT. Appendix G, "Imple-
mentation Techniques and Assistance" outlines many of the services
available from the natural r esource agencies.

An overall community policy for natural resource use will enable the
NRTT to coordinate its assistance efforts in support of community goals.

Community Establishes a Permanent Planning Advisory Committee

Town boards and commissions are faced with two major problems which
may seriously hinder their effectiveness., To begin with, a board is
usually swamped with work and may consider itself fortunate, if it is
able to accomplish routine duties such as subdivision review or wet-
lands hearings. Little time is left for the longer-range actiVities
of natural resources planning, especially that time which is required
to collect data. Secondly, boards often find it difficult to maintain
communications--both in-coming and out-going with other boards and
individuals. They frequently regret not being more in touch wit h the.
opinions of community residents and other town boards. One way to
free'board members for other important activities and to'enable them
to gauge public opinion, is to create a permanent data gathering and
evaluating committee.

In creating an advisory committee, a community board could tailor
the committee's responsibilities, membership and allegiance -to suit
the community's particular needs. Such a committee could be charged
with the identification and assessment of changes in the natural re-
sources, problems associated with resource use, trends in growth and
development, and opportunities for resource use improvements. The
committee could serve as a weather vane to monitor public opinion. It

5-8

could be responsible for researching special problems or study areas
as the need arises.

Community Establishes Natural Resources Monitoring Procedure

It would be advantageous to the community to continually or periodically
identify and assess'changes occurring.in'the condition of the com-
munity's natural resources.. In addition,*maps and data should be
updated from time'to t*ime to keep.information current. How this
should be carried out,'when, and by whom will have to be decided upon
by the community. A special committee or planning assistant could
perform this task. The NRTT can provide suggestions and assistance
in establishing such a monitoring proced ure.

5-9

A SCENARIO: IMPLEMENTING A WATER-BASED RECREATION PLAN

The Setting

The community of Ritzerton experienced rapid population growth between 1956 and 1973. During
that period the population increased about 65S. In order to keep abreast of the natural re-
source needs of the town, the Conservation Commission, Recreation Commission and 'Planning Board
sponsored the Natural Resources Planning Program. After finishing the evaluation process, it
became evident that there was an inadequate amou'ni of open space, especially for wateroriented
recreation. A subsequent survey conducted by the Recreation Commission indicated among other
things that townspeople generally felt a need for more swimming and fishing opportunities.
In response to,the identified need, several potential sites for water-based recreation
facilities were identified in the analysis process. These sites had been identified by the
Technical Team on, the "Potential Reservoir Sites Map" and.the "Natural Resource Inventory."
The Conservation and Recreation Commissions incorporated three potential sit0s'in their Open
Space and,Rpcreation Master Plan. The Open Space and Recreation.Master Plan.was approved at
the Town Meeting.

Putting Proposals Into Action:

To carry out the parts of the master plan that were oriented towards water oriented recrea-
tion, the Planning Board and Recreation and Conservation Commissions agreed upon and followed
the course of action below:

The Conservation Commission t'ook charge of purchasing the three sites jointly selected for
water recreation development and open space preservat'lon. Working with the 'Soil Conserva-
tion, it evaluated the sites for ease and expense of development; management problems;
wildlife and open space value; and the impact of their development on the surrounding
areas. Acting on this knowledge the three town boards then decided to eliminate one site
from consideration and to develop the other two in stages over the follc-ning ten years.
In order to acquire the site that was selected for immediate attention, the Conservation
Commission applied for Self-Help Funds through the Division of Conservation Services.
Information concerning the steps which the commission followed may be obtained from the
Regional Supervisor of the Division of Forests and Parks.

When the Conservation Commission's acquisition program was underway, the Recreation
Commission secured funds through Town Meeting and hired a landscape archite-ct to plan the
site which had been selected for immediate development. The consultant met with all
three boards to determine what objectives should be realized through the development pf
the site. The Recreation Commission also planned -for incorporation of the site i-nto its
active rocreation program. Throughout the process, the Recreation and Conservation
Commissions met informally with small groups of townspeople to discuss the Project.

The Planpipq_qoard played a role that was indirectly related to the project and was
orient7ed-t6ward long-term protection of the community's water bodies for recreation,
water supply and other uses. The board and its planning consultant prepared for sub-
mittal to the next Town Meeting a Shorelands Zoning By-Law which would e$tablish a
150-foot buffer zone around surface water bodies. Some uses such as dredging and filling
would be prohibited from the zone, but other uses would be regulated on a permit basis.
The Planning Board then conducted neighborhood meetings to discuss the proposal with
townspeople.

CHAPTER 6 VISUAL RESOURCE SURVEY

INTRODUCTION

Overview

under the Natural Resources Planning Program, local citizens join with techni-
cal specialists to inventory their community's natural resources and to analyze
alternatives for sound resource use. Many communities find that their visual
resources are an important part of their overall environmental quality.

The Visual Resource Survey provides local boards and other decision-makers with
information about the visual character of their community which can be used for
practical planning purposes. For too long, the visual implications of land use
changes have been ignored. The results have been blighted neighborhoods and
monotonous or ugly landscapes. Unique and aesthetically pleasing landscapes
have been lost. This survey determines the kinds of visual scenes local resi-
dents prefer, and also indicates what it is about the landscape scene that adds
to or detracts from its scenic quality.

Objectives of the Visual Resource Survey

1. To involve a large number of people in the process and to increase their
awareness of the community's visual resources;

2. to determine which local landscapes are preferred by local citizens;

3. to provide communities with information on landscape quality that is
useable for practical planning purposes;

4. to find the community's special image of its land, and preserve this
image, i.e., to preserve the existing rural character, while providing
homesites for new residentsl

5. to measure the visual resource of the community and compare it to the
measured visual resources of other towns;

6. to stimulate local action to improve the visual resource;

7. to relate the visual resource to the other resources inventoried and
analyzed in the NRPP.

6-1

MAPPING

Each person in the community knows which part of the community is beautiful to
him. Everyone has a special mental picture of their present hometown. But,
many people do not know how to work with topographic base maps, and almost no
one knows how to show the limits of beautiful scenery on a flat paper map.

This mapping procedure helps people express what they already know about a
community's beauty. It allows comparison between very personal views. The
end result should be a map which shows the total community opinion about "what
is beautiful in our community."

By the end of the mapping stage, the committee has prepared two documents:
the town character map and the special features map. They are then prepared
to work knowledgeably with the view matrix used to select photograph locations
for a visual preference survey.'

Orientation

To orient the committee to the landscape as it is represented on maps, members
should first identify their homes on the standard base map. This.is a problem
solving exercise. They are then asked to describe the landscape in the immedi-
ate area of their homes. They are asked the direction and length of any promi-
nent views in that area.

This is a good time to introduce classification of visual landscape units.
Visual landscape units are definitions. They try to show, in simpler-form,
all of the combinations of types of buildings and types of landscapes that
exist in a community.

For example, single family homes can be old or new, very close together or far
apart. They can be near the street or distant. They can be large or small.
The community decides which of these types is important. Then single family
homes may be mapped according to three or four types instead of one, which

6-2

does not show important differences, or twenty, which is too confusing. Some
examples of visual landscape units are single family residences on an open
flat site (URL Oa) or the town center (UC).

Visual Character Map

Local citizens have an image of what makes up the visual character of their
community. Visual character is defined as those factors which most effectively
contribute to the "look of the landscape." Vegetation, topography and man-made
features are the most significant factors that define the visual character of
an area. The human activities which occur on the land contribute to distinct
character. For example, a "town center" is an area of distinct visual chara-
cter because of the combination of natural and man-made features and activity
occurring in it.

Based on its judgment and knowledge of the community, the Visual Resource
Survey Committee divides their community into several visually distinctive
areas. Town centers, @illoge centers, large wooded residential areas, strip
development, agricultural districts, recreation.resort areas and large multi-
family apartment complexes are examples of what might be included. Each town
has a different visual character and, therefore, the committee should choose
its own words or phases to describe the "image" that is to be represented on
the map-

The committee draws generalized boundaries on a paper base map to show the
general location of areas of distinct visual character. These areas should be
colored differently and labeled as on the sample map shown on Figure 6-1.

6-3

FIGURE 6-1

'(0
-too,
PROS
\XX\ LAKE
fill
W
WOOI15D
\\tit rOWN
""'D7
TF

-rV9AL-

Special Visual Features Map

The Visual Resource Committee"maket this map through a field study of the
community. The,map should show:

1. Panoramas, and major and minor views

A picturesque scene or view is often (but not necessarily) viewed from
an elevated point and encompasses a large expanse of land or water.
Good vistas are well known to townspeople.

6-4

2. Unique and Critical Visual Areas

These are areas that significantly contribute to the visual character of
the community and should be identified and protected when possible.
These unique or critical areas might include a historic district, parks
or monuments, land/water edges, picturesque mountains or hills, river
valleys, and visually appealing approaches to the town center.

3. Eye Sores

Eye Sores are those features in the community which obviously detract
from its visual character. Eye sores can include unscreened landfill
areas, littered vacant lots, overly cluttered strip developments, and
poorly sited housing developments.

This map is put on mylar and can then be overlain on the Town Character Map.

Roadside Landscape Analysis

The community may wish to do still more study of their roadside landscape.
The following technique will allow them to map the visual features of certain
roads which were identified in the special visual features map procedure:

A. Are you in open fields or surrounded by buildings?

B. What kinds of views do you get?

Views through brief openings?
.Views partly screened by trees?
.No view? You are closed in by trees.
.Major views from higher elevations of large areas?
Panoramic views from the highest point around?

C. Does the edge of the path, the area you can see, parallel the road,
or are there openings on the side?

D. Do the trees grow to the edge of the road? Are there fields or
openings in the trees?

6-5

Figure 6-2 below will orient the committee to the symbols used for this
Roadside Landscape.Analysis.

OPF-N VIEW FR6AA T14E Ro&b

URINAWMED AF.F-A

Mwok VIEW 11+PU TKEES OKBARIZAK

PAPT@-v, SCKEEN =@- Vlr=W OP'F-K V(F-W

9E:GTP-IC.'rff-p VIEW

MAJOK VIEW JOES

PANORAvMA Din

LIMITS OF VIEW
- I-., F
URBANIZ-F-D Ar-F-A

KaMICTED VIEW PARMY SCIZZEN Eb vlf-::w
VIEW

MA@109 VIEW PA%NORAMA LIMIT-% OF VIEW

6-7

Figure 6-3 below shows how the view from a road is translated into visual
symbols.

0
0

.. @001b(

0
0

VISUAL PREFERENCE SURVEY

Survey Process

1. General Explanation:

A large number of citizen volunteers are surveyed to determine their land-
scape preferences. The core of this procedure is an analysis of the
people's choice of photographs of typical local landscapes. The whole
process is known as the "Q-sort" and it has three subparts:

Part I. Photo selection
Part II. Open-ended questionnaire
Part III. Background information

Part I, the Q-sort photo selection survey uses a set of 56 photographs
representing the range of local landscapes. The views are from the road
and other common points. Complete instructions for completing the survey
are provided to the committee. Generally, the participant is instructed,
according to his or her preference, to distribute the photographs among
seven ranked groups:

Group I Highest scenic quality 3 photos
Group 2 High scenic quality 7 photos
Group 3 Medium high scenic quality 11 photos
Group 4 Medium scenic quality 14 photos
Group 5 Medium low scenic quality 11 photos
Group 6 Low scenic quality 7 photos
Group 7 Lowest scenic quality 3 photos

By totaling participants' rankings, a list of mean values is established
which is used to assign a quality score to each scene. For instance, if
participants place a scene in the highest quality grouping with relative

6-9

consistency, then that information will permit that landscape to be
ranked as one which residents consider of highest scenic quality.

Once all photographed scenes have been ranked, the committee and the
whole community will know what kinds of landscapes it values most... or
dislikes most. The results may not surprise anyone! But for citizens
and government to act together to protect what the community values, it
is necessary to define what landscapes exist and to reach common agree-
ment on what is most liked.

Part II of the survey asks participants to indicate, in their own words,
why they placed a certain scene in the highest, middle or lowest grouping.

The open-ended questionnaire allows the participant to state, in his own
words, reasons for choices in the Q-sort. These responses are grouped
and duplications eliminated to produce tables similar to the ones which
follow in Survey Analysis, part 2.

The background information questions provide additional information to
the community. However, the main purpose of this part of the survey is
to ensure a fair sample. By checking this part, the committee can see if
some groups of ages, of sex, of jobs, or of neighborhoods are not being
represented. The committee can then act to encourage these groups to take
part so that the whole community is represented.

This information may also be used in planning to serve the needs of a
particular group or area of the community.

2. View Selection

A. Objectives

Two sets of photographs each containing 56 photos are prepared.
Each set (A and B) is different, but there are certain

6-10

photos which are identical and common to each set so that data may
be correlated.and compared. Set A contains photographs representing
the full range of Visual Landscape Units found in town (a Visual
Landscape Unit is a particular combination of land use, land form and
vegetation). Set A includes the more natural scenes, such as wetlands,
field and wooded areas, as well as more urban scenes, such as resi-
dential areas, strip development and shopping centers. Set B contains
photographs representing only the more urban scenes and requires res-
pondents to select among only more intensively developed areas.
Twenty-eight photographs of urban scenes are common to each set:

SET A SET B

28
28 "urban" 28 "urban"
same
28 11natural" 56 28 "urban"
56 total different 56 total

Total different photos required 84.

Six photographs from other localities, which are included in each
set are called "marker" photos, and are used to compare and validate
information obtained from the survey. It is important that these
photographs be ranked relative to or in comparison with the local
photographs and not be treated as a "foreign" or odd landscape.

Comparing photographs of local landscapes with photographed scenes
from other measured towns is important.

With this information, citizens may be able to show that certain land-
scapes are of extremely high visual quality. Knowing this, decision-
makers could justifiably apply protection to these areas of the town.

6-11

B. View Matrix

Selecting the views for photographs that are typical of the town is
one of the most difficult parts of the Visual Resource Survey proce-
dure. To effectively consider all of the possible landscape types
of the community, they are arranged in a matrix.

On the large matrix, Figure 6-4, land uses are arranged on one axis
and vegetation-topography is on the other axis. The small matrix
below shows how the vegetation-topography categories were made and
shows the general process used on the larger land type matrix.

Veget at ion

Topography Open Brush Tall Forest
types land land 11canopy"
(0) (1) (2)

Flat land AD Al A2
(A)

Steep land BO BI B2
(B)

If other types exist, but were not, listed, they are added. The
committee decides if some land types do not exist in the community.
These types are eliminated. Note: Many studies indicate that
photography used for the Q-sort does not show minor variations of
topography.

Figure 6-4 is a sample land type matrix. The committee should
evaluate this closely, adding and subtracting land types to fit
their town. The symbols relate to the Massachusetts Map Down
system of land use classification, so that the matrix can be
mapped almost directly.
N

6-12

FIGURE 6-4 - LAND TYPE MAIRIX

Topographic-
Vegetation
Elements
Flat Flat Flat Steep Steep Steep
Land Use Open Brush- Land - Open Brush- Forest
land Forest land Canopy
Canopy
aO al a2 bl b2 b3

Typical Topo-Veg.
(aO, al, a2, bO,bl,b2)

Multi-Family
(UA, UT, URH)

Single Family
(URM, URL, URO)

Commercial Center
(UC)

Industry (Ul, UL)

Institutional (UP)

Farms (T)

Wetlands
(SS, SM, M, DM, B)

Recreation Sites (R)

Gravel Pits (SG, OM)

Flood Plains (SF)

Lake, Pond, River (W)

Highway (11W)

Town Roads

Scenic Roads

Historic Areas

6-13

3. Mapping Photo Site Location

Suggested photo sites are marked by the committee on a base map. The map
shows:

1. The matrix name; i. e., single family homes on flat forest (URFa2);
2. The photo view:
A. location
B . direction URFQ2
3. Thenumber of the
"shot" on the roll

of film is later

recorded on both
the matrix and this map.

After the 84 photos are chosen, the sites will be renumbered
according to their Q-sort identification number (1-28, 29A to 56A,
29B to 56B).

4. Photography

After the views are selected, a member of the Natural Resources Technical
Team from the Soil Conservation Service photographs each scene using a
35mm camera with either (but only one) a 28mm or 35mm wide angle lens.
Each photo is taken from a standing position. Kodacolor or any comparable
film is used, and the photograph processing is controlled -for consistency.
The photographs are taken on clear days (with few clouds only) between
10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and record a typical nonwinter scene.

A typical view is one which best expresses the character of a visual
(matrix) unit. All photos should have a consistent level of detail in
the foreground.

6-14

A typical view:

1. Is not the prettiest view;

2. does not show more than one-third sky;

3. is not dominated by roads or paving, unless the view typically is,
i.e., a shopping center;

4. is not specially enhanced by water; it only shows the usual amount
f rom a common view;

5. is not framed by trees or buildings;

6. does not exclude people or cars from usual activities, i.e., shopping
center on Sunday;

7. does not shoot photos at an angle of more than 45 degrees to the
center of the roadway; this is to stimulate the experience of driving
on the road. If scenes are commonly viewed by pedestrians, they
should be photographed from a pedestrian's point of view.

Detailed instructions will be given separately to the photographer.

5. Photo Finishing

Great consistency in finished quality is required.

The photographs are:

A. 5" x 7" color prints;

B. matte finish;

C. no cropping;

D. no border;

E. hand delivered and picked-up;

F. mounted on precut 5" x 7" perma mount (by committee or NRTT) or
attached, following guidelines, to poster board by spray adhesive
and cut along lines, using a steel rule.

6-15

6. Photo Selection

After processed photos are obtained, the committee chooses the 56-urban
and 28 natural (84 total) photos which best express the range of landscape
types in the town.

Survey Participants

Number of Participants Required:

A certain number of persons are needed for the survey to have statistical
validity. More importantly, a large sample is needed to give the study valid-
ity in the community's eyes. For the first thousand residents in the commun-
ity, 50 participants are needed. For every additional one thousand residents,
five more individuals are needed. Therefore, if the community has a population
of 10,000, the study requires a local sample of 50 plus (5 x 9 = 45) = 95
participants.

There are a number of methods to recruit the necessary volunteers. Potential
participants can be randomly selected from a listing of street addresses and
contacted by mail or phone. Other sources of potential participants include
voter registration lists, the phone directory, newspaper ads and articles, or
word of mouth and personal acquaintances of people who take the survey in the
first days. After this first contact, the committee gives further information ,
tells where to take the survey, and makes appointments for the volunteers to
judge the photographs.

Since group choices are sometimes quite different from the sum of individual
choices, there are several possible additional survey participants:

A. Some studies indicate that local government and social leaders reflect the
group desires of the community when they act in their official capacity.
It may be desirable to take the survey to these leaders in their offices.
(This is also important to gain their support for public action on the
results.) 6-16

B. Official groups, the town planning board or selectmen, acting as a group
could complete one Q-sort survey.

It takes 35 to 40 minutes for each participant to complete the three-part
Visual Preference Procedure. The groups would take longer.

6-17

Instructions to Visual Resource Committee:

In preparation for administering the Visual Preference Survey, the committee
members should:

A. Try the survey themselves;
B. Find at least one friend or relative to try the survey;
C. Sign up to administer the survey.

The following is a sample of step by step instructions provided for committee
members.

A. From th e preceding discussion, you are familiar with the Visual Quality
Survey. You need no further instruction in order to try it yourself.
You probably will learn something interesting about your community and
the way you perceive it.

B. Find at least one friend or relative to do the survey. Although we have
placed no age limit on those who are participating, we caution you not
to try it out on someone who is too young to understand the procedure.
In administering the survey to person(s) you have selected, it is jTpor-
tant that you do not explain the directions to him or her in any way.
This is to insure that all participants are given the same conditions in
which to do the procedure.

To start a participant off on Part I, place the instructions'and the
cardboard group markers in order, 1 through 7, on the table in front of
him or her. Make sure participant completes Parts II and III.

C. Sign up to administer the procedure during at least two blocks of time,
each consisting of two hours.

Two volunteers are required to administer the tests at all times. The
workload has been broken up into two hour shifts, and each of you is
asked to sign up for at least two shifts during any of the specified
time periods (a total of four hours).

Your shift: Volunteers should arrive shortly before their shift starts
in order to touch bases with the preceding shift. During your shift,
you are asked to administer the procedure to participants in the follow-
ing manner:

A. Write the participant number in the appropriate s ace on the
instructions. (This will not be traced back to t9e participant;
it is solely to keep tract of how-many participants have taken the
tests.)
6-18

B. Place the instructions and cardboard group markers in front of the
parti ci pant.

C. Do not ive any help in explaining the instructions to the partici-
pant. ?You may explain afterwards why the information is being
collected and how it may be used.)

D. After the participant has completed the procedure, enter the results
of Part I and III in the appropriate Scenic Quality Tabulation Sheet
(A or B):

PART
Tol.
PHOT06RAPH SET A
1 2 .3 4 51 G17 00.561
PAIMCIPANT 15CENIC qUALITY
(a5
6 5 7 NUMBEK 7)
7 4 2 5 A551GNED TO
5.1 6 EA4_H PHOTO
43
5 7 33 5
22 4
6 3 1 5

There are two sets of photographs (A and B) so that two participants
may do the procedure at the same time. Because the rate of completion
will differ between individuals, do not wait to start participants at
the same time. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes.
NOT06RAM

1 2-3 -9 5 ro 7
T
h
5

6-19

Survey Analysis

Although the Statistical Analysis used for this survey is relatively simple,
there Js a large volume of data and a computer is used to save time. This
analysis uses an SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) program
and is processed by the Soil Conservation Service state office. To use the
computer, all data must be put on punch cards. If no local personnel or facil-
ities are available, card punching can be done by the NRTT from data sheets
prepared by the committee. Only numerical data can be punched. The written
answers for all of Part II, the Open-ended Questionnaire, must be done manu-
ally. Punch card format, instructions, and program listings are found at the
end of this chapter.

There are four major results ofthe computer analysis:.

A. Quality score-for each photo (mean score from all responses). These
quality scores are then used to rank the photos from highest to lowest
visual qual.ity;

B. analysis of agreement among individual participants (by standard devia-
tion);

C. comparison of ranking of marker scenes by mean scores;

D. breakdown of Visual Preference results by various subgroups 'Within the
participant population.

Analysis of Open-ended Questionnaire

The Open-ended Questionnaire gives participants in the Visual Preference
Survey the opportunity to explain their photo preferences. To analyze these
results:, committee members read through the questionnaires and list, without
duplication, the factors which add to scenic quality. Then, list the factors
that detract from the scenic quality.

The lists on the following page are an example of the results from one commun-
ity:

6-20

SUMMARY OF FACTORS ADDING TO HIGH VISUAL QUALITY

SENSE OF PEACE SENSE OF OPENESS WATER OTHER FFATURES VEGETATION
Tranquilty spacious marsh dunes use of green
Peaceful clean, open space view of water woods trees
quiet open lake re-adowe vegetation
sense of pence and quiet distant prospects tidal marsh beaches nice grace
quietp peaceful feeling of apace water old houses tall trees
re stful feeling of distance rivers churches
pleasantness wide scope of scenic beauty sea old mainstreets
ense of solitude open apace seascape country homes
:ense of tranquility not crowded in salt marsh country roads
distance golf course
view boats
more or less diatance Wildlife

NATURALNESS SENSE OF PLACE MAINTENANCE DESIGN EDGES

hand of man unseen look like Cape Cod should clean houses tucked into blending of natural
natural beauty charm of Cape Cod uncluttered landscape and artifical
unspoiled this is Cape Cod well-preserved blend of natural waterIvegetation
natural appeal arall. towns street and and tnan-trAde contrast
natural setting sense of history houses well houses are different mixture of scenes
nearest to nature senae of fit kept basic integrity of interplay of land/
not too many houses old Cape scenes neat and clean buildings in land- water (color and
color of landscape uniqueness order scape shapes)
little disturbance local character well kept shoreline
beautiful@ unspoiled village character
little disturbance historical character

ABSTFACT JUDGEM-ENIS

Change of seasons
Just Plain beautlul
relates to past experiences
pretty to the eye
lights and shadow

SUMMARY OF FACTORS DETRACTING FROM VISUAL QUALITY

STRUCTURAL DESIGN NON-NATURAL JUDGEMEN'-T

overhead wires poor design lack of natural vegetation neglect
black top/pavement lack of design no trees -confusion
Indvstrial!building poor color combinations no landscaping unimaginative
concrete mixing Plant building materials no vegetation cluttered
warehouse building height lack of green no Ise
supervarket/shopping plaza setback not enough green and color bar ren
strip development lack of interrelationship with landscape defaced Iformity
igns surroundirZ environment no foliage? trees or shrubs un2 finished look
machinery/car/truck stark qualities
coads effects sensibilities
mia-use of site busy
construction sites unimaginative construction uninteresting
broken asphault poor commercial composition artificial
too much blacktop unimaginative architecture
hodee podge of buildirgs
not in keeping with cape Cod
arcbitectu,re
tone down signs
raw or bare soil
dense development
over-crowding
congestion
no planning
lack of planning

6@ 21

From this list of factors, the committee further reduces the number of common
factors to 10 to 15, which will be a checklist for the ranked photographs of
Part I.

The top 5 or 10 photos are inspected to see if they contain elements which were
listed on the checklist as "adding to scenic quality." A similar procedure is
used with lowest ranked photos to check correlation with scenic detractor
factors.

Research indicates that detracting elements will have a powerful effect on
ratings, while positive elements have only a mild influence.

As the next step in the analysis, the committee ranks the landscape matrix
elements. This ranking is based on the effects of elements adding to or de-
tracting from scenic quality. The following example illustrates this analysis.

W-2A #1 Lake in flat canopied forest A
URL-lB #2 Single family site in steep brush land
UP-OB #20 Institution (school) on open steep land B
UH-2A #25 Strip Development on flat forested site

UT-OA #80 Multi-family on flat open site C

A-B-C cut-offs are based on inspection of the interval between ranked mean
scores.

2.21
.09
2.3 .01
2.31
-1.74 A-B cut-off

4.17
.39
4.56
< 1.23 B-C cut-off

5.79

6.00 .21

6-22

Survey Results

To maintain interest, and out of respect for participants' efforts, Preference
Survey results are publicized as soon as possible.

Results can be published in local papers or posted in public buildings, such
as the town hall. It may not be feasible to publish all the photos with their
rank in a paper. There are other options. The highest 5 and the lowest 5
could be printed. Or working toward a concensus, publish a small number
(highest 6, lowest 4) based on cut-off established by highest level of agree-
ment between participants measured by standard deviation.

Another method of informing and involving the public is a public meeting, at
which survey results are presented. This can also provide a forum for further
discussion of the community's visual resources.

By whatever means, the photo results must be prominently displayed. They can
then serve many persuasive functions. Some effects in other towns include:

1. Influencing a developer's choice of house style;

2. use by the planning board, as a guide to determine the effects of new
development on the visual quality of the community;

3. deterring development in prime scenic areas;

4. raising the general level of awareness in the community;

5. stimulating improved landscaping on a commercial site.

MAPPING THE SURVEY RESULTS

Photo Site Location Map

The final mylar map will show the site of the 84 photographs taken by the
NRTT, and can be overlain on the Town Character and Special Visual Features

6-23

Map. The NRTT and VR Committee should produce this map together. After photo-
graphs have been ranked, the site locations of the photographs can be color
coded to show the location of high, medium, and low visual quality areas.

URFa2

VIEW ANGLE

URFA2= SINGLE FAMILY
HOMES ON A FLAT
FORESTED SITE.
16=PHOTO NUMBER

CIRCLE CENTER=PHOTO
LOCATION

Interpretation and Extension of Results

Visual Quality Map:

To create a Visual Quality Map for the town, it is necessary to make many
generalizations from the data.

It will be especially difficult to know where to draw the dividing line be-

tween zones.

Step One--Overlaying the photo site map with the land use map, create a third
map, color coded, extending the photo results over general areas of the land

use.

Step Two--Overlay this new map with the visual features map. This emphasizes
the area that is intensively viewed. Thus, a low ranked scene will have high
impact if it forms a narrow.corridor and less impact if it allows views to a
better liked scene. 6-24

Step Three--Mark the general limits of all views by interpreting the topo-
graphy and showing the viewsheds. Viewsheds are areas bounded by a barrier
which prevents a person from seeing beyond, without changing his position.
Typical barriers are mountains, ridges, or hills. A viewshed is a good unit
for management because any land use change can be seen from many locations
within the viewshed, but only rarely from points outside the viewshed boundary.
It is desirable to note areas outside the community's government boundary
which are frequently viewed.

Assisted by the NRTT, the committee ranks the viewed areas, considering the
following four factors:

1. Original rank of scene (no more than five classes);
2. degree of confinement of road corridor;
3. size (area) of the view type within the town;
4. view quality (size and scene rank and amount of time viewed from road).

6-25

Natural scenes are generally preferred to man-made scenes. This foreground
rank is raised or lowered (Zube 1970) by background. Visual quality research
indicates some trends:

1. A "disliked scene" in narrow corridor is more intensely disliked (Lynch
1961).

2. Screened scenes with some mystery are generally preferred, raising the
quality rank of both high and low ranked scenes (Kaplan 1976).
3. If a view type dominates the length of the road, it will be less liked
(Denig 1976).
4. Large viewsheds with strong boundaries are highly valued, even if the land
uses within the viewshed are less liked (Denig 1976).

A. This is influenced by the immediate roadside scene.

B. The greater amount of time the view can be seen, the higher its
value will be.

If the community wishes to do further work, the Visual Resource Study can give
information that can be used directly to influence the zoning. One method was
developed by Harvard GSD, illustrated in a study of The Natural and Visual
Resources of Nantucket, 1974. It is possible to establish density and setback
limits based on ratings of preference for each visual landscape type. This is
done by generalizing the photos used in the Q-sort after a second.round citizen
surveys into approximately five groups, or by working with the visual character
map which shows the visually distinct areas., Each group is rephotographed to
show varying density in the same scene. Other photographs show varying build-
ing setbacks from the road in each type.

Citizens then take a third survey of these groups of photos. If flat brush-
land and open field are two of the five types, the results might resemble the
following:

.6-26

A. Density--increases of up to five buildings per acre are accepted on brush-
land before preference scores dropped significantly. Only one unit per
acre was allowed on open land.

B. A setback of only 30 feet was acceptable to most people in the brushland
scene. The open land required 500 feet setback to avoid serious drop in
the preference ranking.

Additional findings:

By knowing what exists now and how the land use will be changed, it may be
possible to determine if the change will improve the visual quality and by how
much. This is one of the primary uses of Q-sort information. The committee
may want to consider other questions, such as those below:

1. Can photo locations ranking be generalized to all land use?

A. Are natural scenes preferred over urban scenes?
B. Are certain types of residential development preferred?
C. Are farm scenes preferred?

2. Which viewsheds (see page 6-18) are of the highest quality?

A. Are there large areas which are screened from view by forest or land
form?

B. What would be the effect of changing this?

3. The foreground along the highway may be the most important feature in the
town's image. Is it undergoing change?
A. Does the Q-sort show this new landscape is a type that is preferred?
B. Note the location of low rated scenes. Can these areas be screened?

C. Can areas of preferred landscape be opened more to view from the road?

6-27

USES OF THE INFORMA TION

The mapping and survey projects will have raised the level of citizen concern
for their community's visual resources to a new high. Now citizens may wish to
include these factors in future community decisions A high level of community
agreement as to visual resource preferences will facilitate this process.

Part A below shows examples of policies adopted by a community. Part B shows
examples of issues raised by the Visual Resource Survey in several communities.

A. Policies related to findings (Example):

As a result of conclusions of the Visual Resource Study, the town meeting
or other community government body may adopt policies such as the following
as guide to action by town departments.

1. To buffer new development with natural open space along roadsides;

2. to encourage residential development plans that provide for screening;

3. to preserve farmland in visually important areas;

4. to develop zoning lines that conform to viewsheds as well as to natural
limitations and political boundaries;

5. to establish landscaping requirements and sign controls for commercial
enterprises;

6. to increase public access to selected views.

B . Issues

The following are issues which have arisen in communities which have used the
Visual Resource Procedure. Communities may wish to develop further policies
and programs which will deal with these subjects and others.

6-28

1. Road alignment--use long curves and short tangents. Reduced cutting and
filling, in general, respecting the present landscape.
2. Visual ab.sorption--encourage development in areas where it will be absorbed
by hills or forestland.

3. Color and scale; lack of naturalness or clash with present twon character--
for example, prevent construction of very large bright metal signs in
residential area.

4. Improving vistas--remove trees to open views or construction of roadside
parking areas or foot paths.

5. Erosion scars--revegetate new construction sites, gravel pits, or powerline
clearings.

6. Roadside woodland management--improve scenic beauty of the road, by removing
brush or encouraging mature tree canopy over the road.

7. Enhancing views of water--screening unsightly industrial storage or waste
disposal or by tree removal to open scenic views.

8. Retain old town appearance--encourage characteristic light fixtures, paving,
signing and other features identified by the community.

C. Legal tools for improving and protecting visual resources.

The following is a list of possible legal tools which can help a community to
protect its visual resources. Some use the local regulatory powers and require
no direct costs. Others require substantial investment. These tools must be
adapted to the specific community.

1. Architectural or Aesthetic Review Board;

2. sign ordinance;

3. encouragement of purchase and transfer of development rights (especially
for farmland);

4. acquisition and protection of scenic land (BOR and Massachusetts Self-Help);
5. historic districts (state and national laws);
6. zoning (density, setbacks, cluster and PUD provisions;

7. scenic roads, rivers, and mountain designation (state and national);

6-29

8. soil or gravel removal ordinance;

9. subdivision regulation:
A. Required'underground wiring;

B. reduced street widths and flexible street layout.

10. landscaping ordinance--clearing and paving limits (as percent of site).

Use with the NRPP Programs:

In the final analysis, the greatest benefit the Visual Quality project can have
is to change people's perception of their town. All of the legal issues have
been mentioned before, but widespread citizen commitment is the only way that
major change will occur in existing patterns of land use in the community's
viewed lands.

Therefore, public involvement and policy issues, rather than not mapping, are
the most important parts of the Visual Resource process.

However, the maps may be used in the Analysis and Planning portions of the
overall NRPP process. Visual resources are thereby considered along with the
community's other natural resources. For example:
The Special Visual Features Map is used for..
scenic roads
zoning review
The Visual Resource Map is used for siting:
parks
schools
sanitary landfills
open space (Massachusetts Self-Help Funds)
zoning boundaries

The following pages contain samples of detailed information for use by the
visual resource committee in conducting the survey and analysis.

6-30

Participant No.

Date

LANDSCAPE EVALUATION STUDY

Anytown, Massachusetts
and the
USDA, Soi 1 Conservation Service

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS:

Please read this page before starting.

This study is concerned with the evaluation of landscapes as scenic resources.
The scenic value of the environment may be an important reason why one chooses
to live where one does. The identification and qualification of scenic re-
sources have often been left to the realm of professional judgement or, more
frequently, ignored.

The study is divided into 3 parts, each containing a questionnaire that you
will complete. A deck of 56 photographs representing a variety of landscapes
will be given to you. While viewing these photographs, you will be asked to
complete the questions in Part I and Part II. When you are completing these
questions, please try to base your decisions on the quality of the landscape
in the photograph and not on the quality of the photograph itself. After
completing Part I and Part II, you will be asked to answer some general back-
ground questions in Part III.

It is important that you complete all parts of every questionnaire.

Thank you for participating.

GO ON TO NEXT PAGE.

6-31

Participant No.

Date

LANDSCAPE EVALUATION: PART I

Instruction Sheet: Part I

Please sort the 56 photographs into 7 piles, according to the scenic quality
of the landscape in the photos.

In pile #1, place the 3 landscapes that you think have the highest scenic
quality.

In pile #7, place the 3 landscapes that you think have the lowest scenic quality.

From the remaining 50 landscapes, place the 7 with the highest scenic quality
in pile #2, and the 7 with the lowest scenic quality in pile #6.

From the remaining 36 landscapes, place the 11 with the highest scenic quality
in pile #3, and the 11 with lowest scenic quality in pile #5.

Place the remaining 14 landscapes in pile #4.

The number of photographs to be placed in each pile also appears on the pile
identification cards on the table in front of you.

You may rearrange the photographs until you are satisfied with their placement,
but please make sure you place the specified number of photographs.in each pile.

When you are finished sorting, turn the piles over. Using the form provided on
the next page, record the photograph number in the pile you selected for it.

GO ON TO NEXT PAGE

6-32

LANDSCAPE EVALUATION: PART II

Instructions:

The purpose of this questionnaire is to measure the relationship of different
factors to the scenic quality of the landscape.

We ask you to identify the factors which add to the scenic quality of Pile #1.
Considering the three landscapes as a group, describe in either a few words or
phrases those factors which add the most to the scenic quality of Pile #1.
Record your responses for Pile #1 below.

Next identify the factors that detract from the scenic quality of Pile #7.
Considering the three landscapes as a group, describe in either a few words or
phrases those factors which detract the most from the scenic quality of Pile #7.
Record your response for Pile #7 below.

Pile #1

Description:

Pile #7

Description:

6-33

Participant No.
SAMPLE - To be adapted to
fit community. Date

LANDSCAPE EVALUATION: PART III

QUESTIONNAIRE

Please answer all of the following questions. Circle the number beside the
appropriate response for each question.

1. Sex: A. Male B. Female

2. What is your approximate age? (Circle one)

A. 18 or less E. 46 to 55
B. 19 to 25 F. 56 to 65
C. 26 to 35 G. 65 plus
D. 36 to 45

3. What is your occupation or profession? (Circle one)

A. Clerical/Secretarial
B. Craftsperson/Mechanic
C. Equipment/Machine Operator
D. Farmer/Farm Laborer
E. Houseperson
F. Laborer (Nonfarm)
G. Manager/Administrator
H. Professional/Technical
I. Sales Worker
J. Service Worker
K. Student
L. Volunteer (Part-time)
M. Unemployed
N. Retired

4. In what sectionof town do you live?

A. Town center D. Western
B. Eastern E. Northern
C. Southern

5. How many years have you lived in this community?

A. 2 or less D. 11 to 25
B. 3 to 5 E. 26 plus
C. 6 to 10

6. Type of home:

A. Rented apartment
B. Own home 6-34

VISUAL RESOURCE INVENTORY

What is it? This inventory is an opportunity to map and evaluate the visual resources of the community by determining how townspeople
perceive the visual character of their environment. It is an excellent and interesting way to involve many people in the NRPP.

What are the end products? What needs to be done? Who does what? When?
I. Town Character Map 1. On a map, show general areas which Visual Resource (VR)
are similar in visual character (i.e., Committee working with
town centers, wooded residential, strip Natural Resources Techni-
development, wetlands, etc.) This is a cal Team (NRTT) in the
conceptual map. Office.

II. Special Visual 1. On a map, show: vistas, unique VR Committee makes this
Features Map and critical visual areas, and eyesores. map through a field re-
connaissance of the com-
munity.

III. An Analysis of the 1. Select 84 sites for photographing. NRTT and VR Committee
Scenic Quality of
the Community Through 2. Photograph sites. NRTT
the Use of Photographs:
3. Process photos NRTT
Photo Site Location
Map 4. Townspeople rank photos according At least 150 townspeople
to quality of landscape scenes. shFu-ldevaluate the photos.
Members of the VR Committee
(or others) will administer
the evaluations and tabulate
data.

5. Computerize the results. NRTT

6. Analyze the results. NRTT and VR Committee

IV. Evaluation of the 1. Analyze other factors with photo VR Committee
Visual Resource rank to make final mapping.

V. Maps, Photos & 1. Write a visual resource report. VR Committee
Evaluations Become
Useful Planning Tools 2. Use informadon in decision-making. Any town boards, commissions.
interest groups, residents,
developers, etc.

What materials are necessary? 1. 3 rolls, 36 exposures each, 35 mm kodachrome film.
2. hard board for mounting (Permamount)
What are the costs? Expenses will range between $150 to $175: $10 film/ $110 processing/ $30 Permamount (estimated).
Other costs might include Mylar for maps and postage, if a mail sample is used to solicit volunteers.

TIME ALLOCATION FOR VISUAL RESOURCE PROCEDURE

Day 1- 7
Meet with Visual Resource Committee (we recommend
five individuals). Introduction. Make rough
"Town Character" and "Special Visual Features" Maps. ONGOING
Refine and
Day 1- 7 draft two maps.
Test, procedural and instructional handouts
adjusted (obtained from state office) to suit town
and corresponding Resource Area. Title pages are
changed. Copies made up.

Day 8-12
Selection of sites to photo.
Tech. Team and Visual Resource Committee.

Day 13-20
Tech. Team take photos.

Day 13-20
Visual Resource Committee obtains random sample
and requests participants and test administrators.

Day 21-28
Tech. Team processes photos and eliminates photos
not used.

Day 21-28
Visual Resource Committee schedules appointments.*

Day 29
Photos mounted.

Day 30
Train administrators to test (we recommend 15-20
volunteers on shifts).

Day 31-38
Administer test.

Day 39-60
Analyze data and interpret results. (Some
professional expertise and town input.)

Day 60
Planning and Implementation.

Test takes 35-40 minutes.

6-36

MASSACHUSETTS
PLANNING BOARD

January 22, 1976

Dear Acton Family,

Finally, the rest of the world is coming to appreciat some-
thing you have known about for a long time- that much of what makes
a town nice to live in is the way it looks. Many times we at the
Planning Board have been told about the appealing semi-rural look
of Acton. Or you have told us of houses and commercial areas you
think are attractive. Equally, you have told us of visual eyesores
you wish we could get rid of.

The Planning Board has not had a good means of finding out
specifically what you found most appealing - was it be stone walls
along narrow roads, the close-growing woods, the open fields, the
rolling lawns? On the other hand, exactly what bugged you abouth a
bad scene?

As we said, finally the rest of the world is coming around to
appreciating the fact that the visual quality of our country is im-
portant and worth working to preserve and improve. The University
of Massachusetts and the United States Soil Conservation Service
have been working with Acton to develop a good survey technique
to register citizens' preferences. They have developed a series of
photographs, taken under carefully controlled conditions, which are
representative of the many scenes of our Town.

Now we need to have your help. The Planning Board has done a
controlled random sampling of all the homes in the town to develop
the list of interview participants. With the helop of volunteers who
will be working at the Department of Public Works Facility over a
four day period we will be able to scheduel all the interviews
Would you look at the enclosed postcard, decide which 45 minute
period would be most convenient, and sign up. We would appreciate
it very much if you would mail the card back to us right away.
Any person, ten years of age and older, may participate for you
family.

This is a unique opportunity for your family to register its likes
and dislikes which could well impact the future look of Acton. The
survey is fun, takes only 45 minutes and the resultes will be used!

The Department of Pubic Works Facility is at 14 Forest Road
(behind the sanitary land fill). If you have any questions please
call the planner Board Office (263-4448).

Sincerely,

William B. Becklean, Chirman

6-37

Town of DENNIS
South Dannis, Mass. 02660

My 3, 1976

Dear Citzen:

The Dennis Conservation Commission and the Dennis Planning Board
are undertaking a visual preference study to aid in inventorying
and evaluation the town's valuable visual resources. Your names
has been randomly elected form the voter registrtion balet as a
potential participant in this survey.

The qustionire involves sorting photographs and filling out a
brief analysis sheet on your choices. It will take 20 to 30
minutes to complete. The questionire will be given by our
volunteers at the Planning Board office oat Town Hall Wednesday,
May 18, through Thuresday, May 20, from 10:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M
and 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.

If you or a reletive are interested in participating in this
study, please return the enclosed postcard immediatly, so that
we may contact you to confirm an appointment time.

Your cooperation in this effort will be very much appreciated

Very truley yours

Curt A. Livingston, Chairman
Dennis Conseration Commission

6-38

VISUAL PREFERENCE SURVEY

SAMPLE Q-SORT SPSS PROGRAM

RUN NAME SPSS ANALYSIS OF SUP FOR NRPP VISUAL RESOURCES SURVEY
FILE NAME NANODOVER NORTH ANDOVER VISUAL QUALITY SUREVEY SET
COMMENT CANANGE FILE NAME TO TOWN USE NO MORE THAN 8 CHARACTERS
COMMENT CHANGE FILE LABLE (AFTER FILE NAME) TO FILT TOWN AND SET
VARIABLE LIST PARTICIP, PHOTO1 TO PHOTO 56 SEX, AGE, OCCUP, PRECINCT,
HOME
INPUT FORMAT FIXED (F6, P, 56F1, , 1X, 2F1, 0, F2, 0, 3F1, 0)
COMMENT VARIABLEL LIST AND INPUT FORMAT MUST REFLECT DATA CARD FORMAT

N OF CASES 7
COMMENT CHANGE N OF CASES TO FIT ACTUAL NUMBER IN SET
INPUT MEDIUM CARD
VALUE LABELS PHOTO 2 TO PHOTO 56 (1) HIGH VISUAL QUALITY (7) LOW VISUAL QUALITY/
SEX (1) MALE (2) FEMALE/
AGE (1)UNDER 18 (2) 18 TO 25 (3) 26 TO 35 (4) 36 TO 45 (5) 46 TO 55
(6) 56 TO 65 (7) OVER 65
OCCUP (1) CLERICAL-SECRETARIAL
(2) PROFESSIONAL
(3) TECHNICAL
(4) ARMED SERVICES
(5) CONSTRUCTION-CREATIVE (6) FORMAN-NOR-FARM
(7)FOREMAN-FARM
(8)FARM MANAGER-OWNER (9) LABORER NON-FARM
(10) LABORER FARM
(11) HOUSEPERSON
(12) SERVICE INCLUDING PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD
\ (13) SALES WORKER
(14) MANAGER-ADMINISTRATION
(15) STUDENT FULLTIME
(16) UNEMPLOYED
(17) RETIRED
(18)OTHER/
PRECINCT (1)ONE (2)TWO (3) THREE (4) FOUR (5)FIVE/
YASRES (1) 2 OR LESS (2) 3 TO 5 (3) 6 TO 10 (4) 11 TO 25 (5) OVER 25/
HOME (1) CITY (2) SUBURB-METRO (3) SUBURB- NONMETRO (4) TOWN (5) RURAL
VAR LABELS OCCUP, OCCUPATION/PRECINCT, NUMBER/
YRSRLS, YEARS OF RESIDENCE IN TOWN/
HOME, HOME UP TO 18TH BIRTHDAY
COMMENT IF PARTICIPANT QUESTONAIRE IS CHANGED, LABLES SHOULD BE CHANGED
COMMENT FOLLOWING IS ANALYSIS FOR EACH PHOT RATED BY ALL PARTICIPANTS
FREQUENCIES INTEGER=PHOTO 01 TO PHOTO 56(1,7)
OPTIONS 7,8
STATISTICS 2,6,5
COMMENT DATA CARDS ARE INSERTED FOLLOWING READ INPUT DATA CARD
COMMENT
READ INPUT DATA
COMMENT FOLLOWING IS ANALYSIS OF PARTICIPANT CHARACTERISTICS
FREQUENCIES GENERAL=SEX, AGE, OCCUP, PRECINCT, YRSRES, HOME
COMMENT FOLLOWING IS ANALYSIS OF PHOTO RATINGS BY PARTICIPANT SUBGROUPS
CROSSTAES VARIABLES=PHOTO 01 TO PHOTO 56 (1,7) SEX (1,2) AGE (1,7) OCCUP (1,18)
PRECINCT (1,5) YRSHES (1,5) HOME (1,5)/
TABLES=SEX, AGE, PRECINCT, YRSHES BY PHOTO01 TO PHOTO56
COMMENT SPECIFICATION AFTER VARABLES SOULD REFELCT VARIABLES IN INPUT
COMMENT SPECIFICATIONS AFTER TABLES MAY BE CHANGED FOR NEW ANALYSIS
OPTIONS 4,9
FINISH

6-36

APPENDIX A: GLOSSARY

Access--availability of roads or paths to land areas. Public roads and
paths constitute formal access, while private rights-of-way are
private access. Lands posted or without defined trails or roads
are considered nonaccessible.

Agricultural Land Use Map -shows all land areas that are used primarily
for the production of some type of agricultural crop, including
livestock, and are three acres or greater in size.

Agricultural Land of Statewide Importance--this is land, in addition to
prime and unique farmlands, that is of statewide importance for
the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops.
Criteria for defining and delineating this land are to be deter-
mined by the appropriate state agency or agencies.

Analysis Map--a map combining or interpreting information from inventories
or special studies for specific planning purposes.

Aquifer -a geologic structure or formation that transmits water in suffi-
cient quantity to supply the needs for water development, such as
a well. Highest water yields occur in permeable deposits of sand
and gravel, such as glacial outwash plain, ice-contact deposits,
and coarse alluvium.

Athletic Field--a specialized type of outdoor recreation intended primarily
for highly organized games and requiring standard field dimensions
and other facilities. Examples include baseball and football
fields.

Base Map -a map upon which other information is placed. It may include
topographic features, waterbodies, roads, railroads, buildings,
and other cultural features as reference,points.
Beach--a tract of land bordering a swimming area (fresh water lakes and
streams or salt water) with facilities which may include bath-
houses, toilets and parking.
@22--an.area with an acid, peaty soil that is water logged and supports
a distinctive plant community which usually includes heath shrubs,
cranberries, pitcher plants, and sedges. A mat of sphagnum moss is
the most characteristic feature.

Buffer Strip -a strip of vegetation at the interface of two different or
incompatible land uses; the strip lends to isolate and screen one
from the other. An example would be a band of trees and shrubs
between an interstate highway and a residential area.

A-]

Bureau of Outdoor Recreation (BOR) Land and Water Conservation Fund--a
fund established by Congress in 1965 which provid-es up to 50
percent reimbursement to states and their political subdivisions
for acquisition and development of lands for outdoor recreation.

Camping Area--an area for tents or trailers, usually including some or all
of the following facilities: fireplaces, garbage disposal, water
supply, bathhouses, and parking. Designed for overnight and long-
term visits.

Can2EL--uppermost layer which consists of crowns of trees or shrubs in a
woodland (see "crown closure").

Cold-water Fi@@n --fresh water which supports or is stocked with cold-
water species. Examples include trout and salmon.

Compatible Use--land uses that can exist together or in close proximity
to each other and can still maintain their integral functions in
a healthy, harmonious way. An example of a compatible use is
recreation land within or near residential land.

Conservation District--a legally constituted unit of state government
created to administer soil and water conservation activities with-
in its boundaries.

Conservation Plan (Soil Conservation Service)--a record of land use and
treatment decisions made by a landowner with technical assistance
from the Soil Conservation Service.

Conservation Plan (Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services)--a
plan prepared by a community Meeting requirements for eligibility
for the Massachusetts Self-Help program.

Conservation Restriction--under the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter
184, Section 23-33, an easement, or other legal agreement in writing
between an owner of real property and a governmental agency or
private charity, by which the owner agrees to restrict development
of his land in certain ways.

Coordinator--a local volunteer responsible for directing the volunteer
inventory committees. The coordinator is usually a member of the
town's steering committee, capable of informing the committee of
the inventory progress.

Crown Closure--the degree to which the lateral branches of one tree inter-
lace adjacent trees to form a cover over (canopy) and close off
light from the forest floor. Degree of crown closure is measured
as a percentage and is estimated from beneath the canopies.
Culvert--a pipe or similar means for carrying water around or under a man-
made construction.

A-2

Data Sheet--in the NRPP, a form used for recording information about a
resource or land use during the field inventory.

Deep Fresh Water Marsh--wetland with fairly expansive open water areas
interspersed with patches of emergent vegetation, such as cattails,
bulrushes, and pickerel weed. The water depth ranges from six
inches to three feet during the growing season. Vegetation often
found in the open water areas include water lilies, duckweed and
pondweeds.

Development: _(l) Natural Resources--the improvement and maintenance of
a particular natural resource to enhance its productivity.
Examples: forest management for timber harvests; creation of
reservoirs for outdoor recreation; land management for wild-
life habitat improvement.

(2) Urban -construction of buildings, paved areas, and
related adjacent land areas.

Easement--a legal right or interest in the land of another which allows
the easement holder specified uses or rights without actual owner-
ship of the land.

Ecosystem--a community of plants and animals, together with their environ-
ment, forming an interacting system.

g.qge--the transitional zone or interface where two different vegetative
cover types or land uses meet, usually having characteristics of
each.

Edge Effect--the tendency for increased varieties and densities of plant
and animal populations at the interface between two diverse
natural communities, such as woodland-agricultural land; wetland-
open water.

Endangered and Threatened_Species--any species of plant or animal which is,
or is likely to become, in danger of extinction throughout all or a
significant portion of its range.
Examples in Massachusetts:
Peregrine Falcon, Eastern Cougar, Bald Eagle, Ipswich Sparrow,
Bog Turtle, Indiana Bat, Shortnose Sturgeon, Bog Rush, Leather-
back Sea Turtle, Ridley Sea Turtle.
Erosion--the group of processes (water, wind, ice, and gravity) whereby
earthy or rock material is worn away, loosened, or dissolved and
removed from any part of the earth's surface. ("Accelerated
erosion" is a term used to compare erosion caused by human acti-
vities with that occurring at natural rates.)

A-3

Eutrophication--a process of aging of lakes, whereby aquatic plants are
abundant and waters are deficient in oxygen. The process is
usually accelerated by enrichment of waters with runoff containing
nitrogen and phosphorous.
Extensive Outdoor Recreation--recreational activities which require little
or no landscape preparation and usually occur over large areas of
land or water. Examples include jogging, hiking, canoeing, cross-
country skiing, fishing.

Evaluation/Analysis Phase--following the NRPP Inventory Phase, when the
volunteers eval e the inventory results to identify the natural
resource assets, needs, and problems. In this phas,e, the NRTT's
function is informational and educational. The steering committee s
role is evaluating the overall significance of the inventory
committees' findings and providing the Analysis Report to the
community.

Flood Frequency--a means of expressing the probability of flood occurrences
as determined from a statistical analysis of representative stream
flow or rainfall and runoff records. The frequency is usually
expressed as occurring once in a specified number of years. (For
example, a "10-year flood" is a flood having an average frequency
of occurrence in the order of once in 10 years. It has a 10 per-
cent chance of being equalled or exceeded in any given year.

Flood Plain--nearly level land situated on either side of a water course
or water body which is subject to overflow flooding.

Fresh Meadow--a type of wetland where the soil is water logged through most
of the growing season, and surface water is present only for short
periods during the spring. Vegetation is predominantly grasses,
rushes, and sedges.

Game Animal--an animal sought for its fur, flesh, or sporting value, or one
so defined by law.

Game Refuge Area--an area designated for the protection of game animals
within which hunting and fishing is either prohibited or strictly
controlled.

Ground Cover--any vegetation providing a protective mat on the soil surface.

Habitat--the natural environment of a plant or animal; the locality where
the organism may generally be found, and where the requirements for
its growth and reproduction are present.

Historic District--an area preserved or restored, due to its significant
association with national, state or local history, tradition or
cultural heritage. A-4

Huntable Land--any upland area outside safety zones (as defined by state
la-w-Tthat is capable of attracting game species and on which hunting
is permitted.
Huntable Wetland--any wetland outside safety zones (as defined by state law)
that is capable of attracting game species and on which hunting is
permitted.

Impervious Surfaces--surfaces which do not permit infiltration of water.
Examples are roads, parking lots, and roofs.,

Implementation--the process of carrying out a plan by specific measures or
actions.

Interpretative Soils_Ma_p--a map showing the limitations, suitability, of
relationship of soils for a selected land use. A partial listing
of interpretations available is found on page 4-16.

Inventory Committees--teams of local citizen volunteers who conduct the NRPP
inventories and evaluate the condition and characteristics of the
resources inventoried.

Inventory Description -an explanation (provided for each NRPP inventory)
which defines the inventory, lists sources of information, and
assistance, specifies the map coding and symbols, and provides any
special instructions.

Inventory Phase--in the NRPP, the period of information collection and pre-
paration of the various maps and inventories that will provide the
community with a natural resources data base. This phase requires
the greatest volunteer time committment and support from the NRTT.

Inventory Report--a short, concise, written description of the character and
existing problems of each of the town's natural resources. The
report is written, following the volunteers' inventory field work.
Land Trust--a private nonprofit corporation formed to hold land as open
space for educational, conservation and/or scientific purposes.
Major Park--an area designated for a variety of recreation uses, often
characterized by natural or historical features and used by a number
of neighborhoods, towns, or tourists.
Massachusetts Mapdown Maps--a set of maps showing use and vegetative cover
type for each USGS quadrangle in Massachusetts. These maps were
made using aerial photographs taken in 1951 and again in 1971.
They are used for land use, wildlife, woodland, wetland, and other
resources planning.

A-5

Meadow--an area of vegetation dominated by grasses and grasslike plants.
Memorandum of Understandin2--a statement of agreement (not a legally binding
document) to cooperate in assisting the town in the NRPP or other
SCS programs. In the NRPP, it is signed by the community, the Con-
servation District, the regional planning agency (if' appropriate),
the members of the Technical Team, and other interested agencies.

Multiple-use Areas and Facilities--land and structures managed, designed,
and/or constructed to meet the space and facility requirements of
several types of activities.
Municipal Water Use--all water surface areas used for public-domestic supply,
industrial use, power development and other similar uses, and which
are often restricted from recreation use. Examples: ponds, reser-
voirs, fish hatcheries and the land area used for Wellfield sites.

!jylar--a transparent sheet of plastic material upon which a map can be drawn ,
and from which copies or prints can be made.

Natural Areas--areas, often small in Size, established to preserve distinc-
tive natural communities of plants and animals of scientific and
esthetic interest.

Natural Resource Base--the soils, topography, minerals, plant and animal
life, surface, and ground water which can be used by man for his
sustenance, convenience, or welfare.

Natural Resource Data Base--an organized system of filed maps and detailed
written information about a community's natural resources.

Natural Resource Evaluation Sheets--NRPP forms containing a seri es of ques-
tions for inventory committees to answer as part of the Evaluation
and Analysis Phase of the program. The questions are answered,
based on the inventory findings and help to raise issues, identify
problems, and point out potentials for action.

Natural Resource Hazard--a natural condition or process which presents a
danger (whether continually or sporadically) to certain land uses
and development. Examples include: floodplains, steep slopes,
landslide prone areas, areas with seismic activity.
NRPP (Natural Resources Planning Prograi)--a program of the USDA, Soil Con-
servation Service in Massachuset , in cooperation with other federal
and state agencies, which offers the methodology and the technical
assistance for communities to systematically collect, evaluate, and
utilize information concerning their natural resources. It presents
a framework for an ecologically responsible approach to natural
resource planning.

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NRPP Resources Areas--four regions of the state defined by the resource
characterist cs particular to those areas. The suggested guide-
lines for resource use offered by the NRPP reflect the inter-
regional resource differences of these separate areas. The areas
are the Connecticut Valley, the Berkshires, the Central Highlands,
and the Coastal Area.

Natural Resources Technical Team--includes personnel assigned to help each
conservation district in its technical assistance to the NRPP
community.

Nonrenewable Resources--natural resources that, once used, cannot be replaced.

Objectives--specific, measurable actions to be taken in order to achieve long
range goals. Example: the planned purchase, within a certain time
period, of land for outdoor recreation.

Open Land Wildlife--wildlife whose habitat lies predominantly outside the
forest canopy.

pen Space--land and water areas which are retained in an essentially
undeveloped (nonurbanized) state on a permanent or semipermanent
basis.

Organization Phase--the initial phase of the NRPP, when community representa-
tives and the Natural Resources Technical Team develop an organiza-
tional framework for the community's involvement in the program.
The NRTT provides background information and then, if the town chooses
to proceed with the program, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed
and volunteers are solicited.

Orientation--the directional placement of a facility or map in relation to
north or some other specific reference line or point.
Parcel--in NRPP, a contiguous land or water area of a single use or cover
type (not to be confused with property ownership).
Park--an area permanently dedicated to recreation use and generally charac-
terized by its natural, historic and landscape features. It is used
for both intensive and extensive forms of recreation and may be
designed to serve the residents of neighborhood, community, state,
region, or nation. (See also "Major Park" and "Town Park".)
Peripheral Species--a species whose occurrence is limited because it is on
the edge of its natural range. Habitat conditions are marginal for
the species. (See SCS publication "Threatened Species of Massa-
chusetts", 1975, or current edition.)

A-7

Picnic Area--an area for outdoor eating designed and used primarily for
short term, day use usually including some or all of the following
facilit'ies: tables, fireplaces, garbage disposal, water supply,
toilets, and off-street parking.

Planning/Implementation Phase--the final phase of the NRPP, when the com-
munity outlines its future course of action, natural resource
opportunities and constraints are weighed with the community's
social, economic and political factors. The leadership role shifts
from the NRPP steering committee to the town department heads and/or
a permanent natural resources advisory committee.

Playground--a basic recreation area in a. residential neighborhood providing
a variety of recreation activities.

Present Land Use Map -in NRPP, the map showing the eight primary uses of the
land within a community. The uses described on the NRPP Present
Land Use Map are agriculture, wildlife land, wildlife wetland, urban
land, recreation land and water, woodland, and municipal water.

Preferential Tax Assessment--the assessment of land at its value for its
current unintensive uses, rather than its full market value.
Example: assessment of farmland under Massachusetts General Laws,
Chapter 61A.

e of a contiguous area
Primary Land Use--the principle or representative us
of land. A parcel of woodland may contain hiking trails, but its
11primary use" or function is growing trees and, therefore, is classi-
fied "Woodland" and not "Recreational Land."

Prime Agricultural Land--prime farmland is land best suited for producing
food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and also available for
these uses (the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland,
forest land, or other land, but not urban built-up land or water).
It has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed
to produce sustained high yields of crops economically when treated
and managed, including water management, according to modern farming
methods.

Problem Areas--sites in a community which present pollution, erosion, sedi-
ment, safety, or other problems. This information can be gathered
from townspeople, newspaper files, SCS studies, and other local and
regional sources.

Quasi-Public Lands--lands in private ownership or control, but available
for public use or protected for public benefit. Examples: Audubon
tracts, areas managed by the Trustees of Reservations.
Q-Sort Procedure--a step in the Visual Resource Survey in which a large
number of citizen volunteers are surveyed to determine their land-
scape preferences. The volunteers individually rank a number of
photographs of their community and answer a questionnaire about
their choices of photographs.

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Recreation Land Use--all land areas used primarily for outdoor recreations
excluding wooded areas used for extensive recreation, such as
hiking.

Recreation Water Use--those areas used primarily for some type of water-
based recreation.

Regional Planning Agency -one of the units of state government created to
aid a single town or the entire area within its purview in the
planning of economic developments and natural resource management.

Relief--the vertical dimension of hills, valleys, mountains, plateaus, and
other land forms. Gross relief of topographic features can be
determined from USGS topographic maps.

Rough Lands--in NRPP, those areas characterized by steep slopes (greater
than 15 percent slope), by ledgy and extremely rocky land, and by
extremely droughty soils.

Sediment--solid mineral and organic material that is in suspension, is being
transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water,
gravity, or ice, and has come to rest on the earth's surface above
or below sea level.

Sedimentation--the process or action of depositing sediment. In water
courses, occurs where the flow slows, as in ponds, lakes and wetlands.
Self-Help Program--a Massachusetts state program which provides up to 50
percent reimbursement for the acquisition of conservation lands by
communities with conservation commissions.

Siltation--the process of depositing silt; filling of a channel, lake, pond,
or reservoir with silt or mud, occurs primarily in slow moving or
still water. More generally termed Sedimentation, which applies to
all particle sizes.
Soil Limitations Rating -a relative rating of the degree to which the
natural characteristics of a soil restrict its use for a specific
purpose. Soils limitations may often be overcome with proper
design or operation, but normally at an added cost. Limitations
ratings of slight, moderate, or severe, are provided for the uses
listed on page 4-16.
Soil Suitability RatjEj--a relative rating of a soils suitability for
selected types of plant growth or for use as a resource material.
Ratings of good, fair, poor, and unsuited are provided for the
purposes listed on page 4-16.

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Steering Committee--the citizens' group responsible for overseeing and
setting the policy for a community's NRPP involvement. Following
the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the municipal
officials and the respective resource agencies, the committee
becomes the motivating force of -the program. It delegates respon-
sibility to the coordinator and meets to review the progress of
the inventory committees. In the latter phases, the committee
addresses problems highlighted by the inventories and instigates
strategies to solve problems and to establish a continuing process
of local resource management.
Stream Corridor--those lands located along streams that provide a protective
zone to the stream. The NRPP maps a stream corridor protection wood-
land for 150 feet on either side of a stream.

Strip Cropping--alternate bands of crops and grass providing food and cover,
for wildlife.
Stubble Mulchiga--crop residues left on fields after harvest to protect the
soil from erosion and to provide food for wildlife.

Subdivision--the division of a tract of land into smaller lots, usually in
anticipation of selling the lots for homes. Planning boards may
regulate the layout of and construction of roads, utilities, and
drainage within a subdivision.

Swamp -an area of land supporting trees and shrubs whose soil is water-
logged to within a few inches of its surface during the growing
season. Seasonally, may be flooded with 6 inches to 12 inches of
water.

Threatened Species--a species which is in danger of extinction'or is likely
to become in danger of extinction. (See SCS publication "Threatened
Species of Massachusetts," 1975, or current edition.)

Town Soil Survey Report--a report prepared by the Soil Conservation Service
(of the U.S. Department of Agriculture) in cooperation with the
local conservation district. It includes an interpretive soils map
and a detailed explanation of the soil interpretations for specific
land uses. Also included is a description of the local soil series
and land types, and a glossary of technical terms.

Unique Agricultural Land--unique farmland is land other than prime farmland
that is used for the production of specific high-value food and fiber
crops. It has the special combination of soil quality, location,
growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high
quality and/or high yields of a specific crop when treated and man-
aged according to modern farming methods. Examples of such crops
are citrus, olives, cranberries, fruit, and vegetables.

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Unique Items or Areas--items or places which are generally considered to
be unique or unusual by local people. Examples: very large or
specimen. trees, vantage points for panoramic views, and unusual
architecture.

Urban Land Use--all lands used for residential, commercial, industrial,
institutional, and transportation purposes.

USGS Quadrangle Sheet--the topographic map produced by the U.S. Geologic
Survey at a scale of 1:24,000. This map is enlarged to serve as
the base map for the NRPP.

Vegetative Cover--all existing or introduced plant species growing in a
particuTar area.

Viewshed--area seen from a selected vantage point, enclosed by high land or
vegetation.

Visual Amenities--those man-made and natural features in the urban setting
and in Ehe landscape which are visually appealing.'
Visual Character--the grouping of natural and man-made factors which gives
an area a distinctive appearance.

Visual Resources--those points or areas deemed significant by townspeople
for their value as visual amenities.

Warm Water Fishing -fresh water which supports or is stocked with warm-water
species. Examples include bass, pickeral and perch.
Waterfowl HuntinQ--the stalking, decoying, and shooting of any waterfowl
species (ducks, geese, etc.) that is declared a legal game species.
Water Pollution--any change in the physical, chemical or biologi cal prop-
erties of water which adversely affects its potential uses.
Watershed--drainage basin; the total area above a given point on a stream
that contr.ibutes water to the flow at that point. The watershed of
a town reservoir may include more land than is protected by the
town for protection of water quality and quantity reasons.
Water Table--the depth below which the ground is saturated with water; the
upper level of ground water.
Wetland--land with poorly drained or very poorly drained soils, that have
the water table at or above the ground surface during the growing
season.

Wetland Class--these are types of wetlands as defined in "Massachusetts
Map Down," Planning and Resource Development Series No. 25, devel-
oped by the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Univer-
sity of Massachusetts.

A-11

Wildlife--undomesticated vertebrate animals, except fish, considered
collective.

Wildlife Border--a strip of low-growing vegetation, herbaceous or woody;
usually-more than 10 feet wide, established along the edges of
fields, woodlands, or streams to provide food and cover for wild-
life.

Wildlife Land--in the NRPP, those areas, generally 3 acres or more, which
are used primarily for the production or preservation of openland
wildlife and woodland wildlife.

Wildlife Wetlands--in the NRPP, those areas, generally 3 acres or greater,
which a-re used primarily for the production or preservation of wet-
land wildlife and aquatic animals other than fish.

Winter Sports -outdoor activities engaged in during the winter season
requiring the presence of snow or ice, such as skiing, sledding,
snowmobiling and ice skating.

Woodland--in the NRPP, all woodland areas, generally 10 acres or greater in
size, that have an estimated 30 percent or greater tree crown
closure and that are used primarily for growing trees.

Woodland Wildlife--wildlife that normally frequent woodland areas of hard-
wood trees and shrubs, coniferous trees and shrubs, or mixed growth
of such plants. Examples include red foxes, red and grey squirrels ,
raccoons, white-tailed deer.

Woodlot--an area of woodland usually privately maintained as a source of
fuel, posts, and/or lumber.

Work !2,p--a map used by NRPP volunteers when inventorying "in the field."
Information from this map is then transferred to a final inventory
map and is incorporated into the Present Land Use Map (PLUM).
Zoning--the division of a community by ordinance into zones or districts,
primarily for the purpose of regulating the use of land. However,
other elements of use, such as building setbacks, heights, bulk,
and coverage, are also controlled through zoning.

A-12

APPENDIX B: SAMPLE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

A Memorandum of Understanding forms the basis for the activities of

the community, the Conservation District, the members of the Technical

Team, the regional planning agency and other agencies in undertaking

and carrying out a Natural Resources Planning Program. It is a

statement of intent and outlines the responsibilities of signatory

parties in the Natural Resources Planning Program. The document is

tailored to the specific organizational framework agreed upon by the

community and the Technical Team. For further explanation, see

Chapter 2, "Organization."

B-1

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

PURPOSE

This Memoran dum forms a basis for the activities of the town of
(name) the (name) Conservation District,, state and
Planning and Economic
federal agencies, and the (name)
Development Commission in undertaking and carrying out a Natural
Resources Planning Program. Each party to this Memorandum will estab-
lish such policies and procedures, and will take such other action as
necessary to carry out its responsibilities.

PARTIES

Units of Government

Local

(town name) Board of Selectmen

(town name) Planning Board

(town name) Conservation Commission

(town name) Recreation Commission

State

(name) Conservation District

Regional

(name) Planning and Economic Development Commission

Agencies

Federal

U.S.D.A. , Soil Conservation Service

l/ Others participate, as appropriate

B-2

State

(naine) Extension Service

Massa.chusetts Department of Food and Agriculture

Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Massachusetts Division of Forests and Parks

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The (town name) Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Conservation
Commission, and Recreation Commission will:

1. Conduct, with the assistance of the (name) Extension
Service, an informational and educational program to explain
the Natural Resources Planning Program to (town name)
residents. This effort will include conducting public infor-
mational meetings and prepare news releases for local media
throughout the Natural Resources Planning Program.

2. Organize a Steering Committee to have the following duties:

a. Organize and help train citizen teams to conduct needed
inventories, prepare inventory maps, and evaluate these
data.

b. Coordinate assistance from signatories -to this agreement,
as necessary.

C. Set target dates, assemble data and materials, and coordinate
citizen teams to facilitate completion of the needed inven-
tories and evaluations.

d. Synthesize and further evaluate inventory data, develop
community objectives for resource use, and identify alter-
native courses of action which will lead to fulfillment of
these objectives.

e. Make and develop with other town boards and commissions
proposals and policies for the use and management of com-
munity resources.

f. Develop an implementation schedule to carry out the planning
proposals and policies.

l/ Others participate, as appropriate

B-3

3. Provide a copy of the natural resources planning proposals
and. an implementation schedule to the other- parties to this
Memorandum.

4. Review and revise annually natural resources policies, as
neces sary, to reflect changed conditions.

5. Provide necessary supplies and working space to carry out the
program.

The (name) Conservation District will:

1. Arrange for and coordinate the services of the Natural Resources
Technical Team.

2. Assist the Town in reviewing and up-dating the natural resources
policies.

C. The (name) Planning and Economic Development Commission will:

1. Collect and make available to Technical Team members and the
Town such existing information and data that it has which is
pertinent to the Natural Resources Planning Program in the
Town.

2. Analyze and determine the regional impact of proposed actions
by the Town.

3. Advise the Town on methods and procedures fox, securing state
and federal funding to carry cut the Town's plans.

D. The Natural Resources Technical Team will:

1. Consist of personnel from signatory federal and state agencies
to this Memorandum.

2. Assist the (town name) Selectmen, Planning Board and
Recreation and Conservation Commissions in carrying out an
informational and educational program to explain the Natural
Resources Planning PPogram.

Provide personnel services to assist tile Town in the inventory,
evaluation and planning, and implementation phases of the
Natural Resources Planning Program.

4. Collect arid make available to other Technical Team members and
the Town information and data. that it has which is pertinent to
the Town's Natural Resources Planning Program.

B-4

E. In addition, the Soil Conservation Service will:

Furnish the Town two mylar base maps at a scale of 1:12,000 and
necessary blueline copies for use in making inventories.

IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED THAT

1. This Memorandum is effective on the date signed by the Town.

2. Each of the parties hereto agrees to commence to meet its
agreed-to responsibilities forthwith and to continue to do so
on a feasibly continuous basis until completed.

3. Assistance supplied to the town by a state or federal agency
will be furnished in accordance with the agency's applicable
authorities and policies, and contingent on the availability
of funds and personnel.

4. This Memorandum shall not be construed to affect the juris-
diction of federal, state, or town government over federal,
state or town-owned land that lies within the town limits.

Agency personnel and facilities shall be under the normal
administrative jurisdiction of the agency involved.

6. This Memorandum may be modified or terminated at any time by
mutual consent of the parties hereto.

7. Other agencies and parties may be made a party to the Memorandum
by mutual consent and by supplementing this Memorandum.

TOWN OF Planning Board

By: Board of Selectmen By:

Title:

Date:

Conservation Commission
Date:
By:

Title:

Date:

B-5

Recreation Commission Conservation District

By: By:

Title: Title:

Date: Date:

Develo Planning and Economic USDA, Soil Conservation Service
_pment Commission
By:
By: Title:

'Title:
Date:

Date:

Massachusetts Department of Food and
Extension Service Agriculture
By: By:
Title: Title:

Date:
Date:

Massachusetts Division of Conservation Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
Services and Wildlife
By: By:
Title: Title:
Date: Date:

Massachusetts Division of Forests and Massachusetts Division of Marine
Fisheries
Parks By:
By:

Title:
Title:

Date:
Date:

B-6

APPENDIX C

SAMPLE INVEN TORY S

This appendix contains:

1. Inventory Descriptions for the following inventories:

Present Land Uses

Agricultural Land Use

Municipal Water Use 0,

Recreation Land Use

Recreation Water Use

Urban Land Use

Wildlife Land Use

Wildlife Wetland Use

Woodland Use

Resource Conditions and Characteristics

Prime and Unique Agricultural Lands and
Agricultural Lands of Statewide and Local Importance

Recreation Facilities Location

Woodland Characteristics (in Woodland Inventory Description)

Wetland Identification

Areas of Pending Development

Unique Items or Areas

Historic and Archaeologic Sites or Areas

Problem Areas

Public and Quasi-Public Ownership

Rough Land
Woodland Suitability (in Woodland Inventory Description)

C-1

2. A sample Inventory Data Sheet

Inventory-Descriptions and Data Sheets for all inventories are
available from the Soil Conservation Service, and are distributed
to the inventory committees in the Organization Phase of the
program.

3. A sample work map for field in ventory

4. A sample final inventory map

5. A sample Present Land Use Map

C-2

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AGRICULTURAL LAND USE INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: All land areas that are ysed primarily for the
@_r_oduction of some type of agricultural crop and are 3 acres or
greater in size.

Where to find information: aerial photographs, town zoning maps,
soil surveys, assessor's map, land use and vegetative cover maps
(Massachusetts Map Down), field reconnaissance, and USQS topographic
quadrangle maps.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT, assessors, and others.

Coding color: Yellow

Coding symbols:
1) Top line - Primary use symbol (A) and parcel number:
(i.e. A-1, A-2, A-3 etc.)

2) Bottom line

a) First symbol - Type of agricultural land:

T - Tilled or tillable crop land, which is or has been
recently intensi.vely farmed.

P - Permanent grassland used for hay or pasture, or idle
land usually mowed annually.

0 - Productive fruit orchards.

AD - Abandoned orchards. In addition to the decadent fruit
trees, grass and woody vegetation are abundant.
N - Nurseries, including greenhouses and land adjacent to
them as well as lands supporting horticultural
specialties, ornamentals, shrubs and Christmas trees.

C - Land in a productive specialty crop, such as cran-
berries or blueberries.

AF - Abandoned fields, woody vegetation and grass are
abundant, but tree crown cover is less than 30%.

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b) Second symbol - Land ownership:

P - Privately-owned M - State-owned

T - Town-owned F - Federally-owned

C - County-owned Q - Quasi-Public

Sample code:
A-1 Parcel No. 1 of agricultural land which is a productive
0-M orchard on state-owned land.

Special instructions: Before fiel d work, check preliminary
delineations of agricultural land against soils interpretations for
agricultural use. Where agricultural use occurs on soils with
severe limitations, be particularly alert for problems. During
field work, check for sediment, erosion, and waste disposal
problems.

C-4

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MUNICIPAL WATER USE INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory defi .nition; All water surface areas used for public-domestic
supply, industrial use, power development, agricultural use, and other
similar uses, and which are restricted for recreational uses. Includes
ponds and reservoirs, fish hatcheries, and the land area used for
well field sites.

Where to find information: town water reports, regional planning
agency, town water department, consultant's reports.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT, local water department, fire
department, board of health, and other local agencies.

Coding color: light blue

Coding symbols:
1) Top line - Primary use symbol (M) and parcel number:
(i.e. M-1, M-2, M-3 . . . etc.)

Note: Symbols are used for high yield well sites and well fields,
small ponds, and fire ponds which otherwise would appear
only as small dots on the inventory map
wells 0 farm ponds fire ponds Z@s

2) Bottom line

a) First symbol - Type of municipal water:

R - Reservoir for private and public water supply including
standpipes

P - Farm ponds

H - Fish hatcheries

W - Wells or well fields

F - Fire ponds

C - Shellfish or fishing waters managed primarily for
commercial production
b) Second symbol - Ownership:

P - Privately-owned T - Town-owned

C - County-owned F - Federally-owned
M - State-owned Q - Quasi-public

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Sample code:
M-7 _ Parcel No. 7 of municipal water which is a state-owned water
R-M supply reservoir.
Special instructions: If 10% or more of' the town area is not serviced
by a multiple-user system, a survey of 5% of the infividual users is
necessary to inventory the condition of individual home or industrial
wells. This survey should be carried out in each of the separately-
defined districts or areas of the community where individual systems
are in use. To determine what questions, are necessary, refer to the
Resource Evaluation Sheet for Municipal Water.

The municipal water supply inventory map will be more useful to decision-
makers if it also shows areas that are Served by either a MUltiple-user
system or individual wells. In this fashion relationships to existing
town water and sewer networks may be more easily picked out when new
municipal facilities are contemplated or if zoning changes are to be
made. It should be kept in mind that the service areas are to be
shown only on the municipal water supply map itself and not trans-
ferred to the Present Land and Water USE! composite map. However, all
other information on the Municipal Water base map should be transferred
to the PLUM composite map.

Boundaries of multi-ple-user systems service areas should be delineated
by a heavy broken line such as: 4%

Areas not included within this boundary are assumed to be Served by
individual wells unless otherwise noted.

Boundaries of the watersheds contributing to water supply reservoirs
may also be delineated by a dotted line such as: e. 00 9 0 1
The NRTT will provide assistance. This information will assist in
evaluation of the impact of other land uses on the water supply.
Areas delineated as public water-supply well site's should include all
public or utility-owned land within a 400-foot radius of the well or
wells. Note if this 400-foot radius area is not in protected ownership.
All information required on data sheets should be obtained and recorded
for town water-supply reservoirs outside of the town boundaries.
However, these parcels will not be shown on the map. The community
may also wish to take stock of protected watershed lands outside of the
town boundaries to determine the adequacy of their protection.

c-6

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RECREATION LAND USE INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: all land areas which are used primarily for
outdoor recreation, including wooded areas used primarily for extensive
recreation such as hiking.

Where to find information: Natural Resource Inventory, and land use
and vegetative cover maps.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT, local recreation commission,
Mass. Division of Forests and Parks, and others.

Coding color; Yellow-green

Coding symbols:

1) Top line - General use classification code letter Z and
parcel number:
(i.e. Z-1, Z-2, Z-3 . . . etc.)

2) Bottom line

a) First symbol - Type of recreation land:

C - Camping area

P - Picnicking area

X - Playgrounds (including small play areas, school
playgrounds; and neighborhood playgrounds)-

L - Playfields

M - Major parks

R - Neighborhood parks
W - Winter sports area (including skiing, sledding, ice
skating, etc.)

G - Golf course (including 18-hole and 9-hole courses,
driving ranges, Par-3 courses and driving ranges)
S - Shooting clubs (including fish and game clubs, game
raising areas and target ranges for archery, rifle,
skeet and pistol)

N - Nature areas for nature study and outdoor laboratories

V - Vista, vantage point, or overlook

T - Trails

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b) Second symbol - Land ownership:

P - Privately-owned M - State-owned

T - Town-owned F - Federally-owned

C - County-owned

Sample code:
ZPT 7 _A town-owned recreation area, parcel 17, used only for
picnicking

Note: The committee inventorying Recreation Land should complete the
"Recreation Facilities Location" map as well.

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RECREATION WATER USE INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: Those areas used primarily for some type of
water associated recreation. Include perennial streams and rivers named
on the USGS Quadrangle Sheets, lakes and ponds over 3 feet deep (except
municipal water supplies), public pools, swimming beaches, navigational
waters such as rivers, harbors, bays, nearshore channels, and anchorages,
and fishing grounds.

Where to find information: aerial pho tographs, USGS Quadrangle Sheets,
land use and vegetaFivecover maps, town recreation plans, Coast and
Geodetic Survey Navigational Charts, state and private recreation area
brochures, assessor's maps, Inventory of Ponds, Lakes, and Reservoirs
(University of Massachusetts, Water Resources Research Center), and
Inventory of Sites Having Natural Resource Use and Development Potential
(Soil Conservation Service).

Whom to consult for assistance: Town or city engineer, recreation
commission, conservation commission, board of health, sportsmen's clubs,
NRTT, and others.

Coding color: Dark blue

Coding symbols:
1) Top line - Primary use symbol (R) and parcel number:
(i.e. R-1, R-2, R-3 . . . etc.)
2) Bottom line
a) First symbol - Water use permitted (one or more):
T - Beach K - Water skiing .
S - Freshwater swimming W - Warm freshwater fishing
Ss - Saltwater swimming C - Cold freshwater fishi.ng
B - Freshwater boating X - Saltwater fishing
Bb - Saltwater boating Z - Shellfish ing
H - Hunting
b) Second symbol - Land ownership:
P - Privately-owned M - State-owned
T - Town-owned F - Federally-owned
C - County-owned Q - Quasi-public

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Sample code:
R-3 -Parcel No. 3 of recreation water which is state-owned and
S____ used for freshwater swimming, and warm freshwater fishing.

Special instructions:
A. For rivers used for warm water fishing, the surface area is
estimated by the following procedure:

1. Divide the length of the river into "reaches" or sections of
approximately uniform width.

2. Scale the length of each reach, in feet, from a USGS Quad-
rangle map.

3. Determine an average width, in feet, for each reach of the
river.

4. Multiply the length of each reach times its average width and
divide by 43,560 to obtain the area of the reach in acres.

Surface Area of a = Length _(Ft.) x Average Width Ft.)
Reach (Acres) 43,560

5. Enter on the Recreation Water Data Sheet. For Warm water
fishing, tabulate these streams on this sheet and total the
acres in all reaches to obtain the total river water surface
acreage in the inventory area.

Note: For cold water fisheries, length of stream or river is
used, rather than area. . I
B. If temperature records are not available, a thermometer should be
obtained for summer field work.

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URBAN LAND USE INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Invento!@X defin ition: All lands used for residential, commercial,
ustrial, institutional, and transportation purposes. This includes
strip or linear developments along roads for a distance of 200 feet
back from the road, turnpikes and interstate highways along the outside
edge of the right-of-way, and farmsteads and other isolated structures
(house, building, commercial establishment, etc.) for a distance of
100 feet in any direction from the building(s). Playgrounds and
athletic fields are not included.

Wh ere to find information: aerial photographs, USGS Quadrangle Sheets,
zoning maps, assessores maps, any previous land use survey, flood plain
maps, drainage studies, water or air quality reports, personal knowledge,
and field checks.

Whom to consult for information: NRTT, town engineer, board of health,
Planning Board, building insp or, and others.

Coding color: Red

Coding symbols:

1) Top line - Primary use symbol (U) and parcel number:
(i.e. U-1, U-2, U-3 . . . etc.)

2) Bottom line

a) First symbol - Type of urban land:

M Mixed commercial, industrial and/or residential

I Industrial - both light and heavy

C Commercial

R Residential

P Public buildings, colleges, schools, hospitals, churches

B Cemeteries

J - Junkyards

G - Gravel pits (active or abandoned)
T - Transportation - (publicly-owned or maintained roads,
airports, etc.)

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F - Farmstead

S - Sewage treatment or disposal areas, landfills

0 - Urban open (open, undeveloped land which -is lying idle)

UP - Urban open space (including town commons and
beautification areas)

E - Urban estates

b) Second symbol Land ownership:

P - Privately-owned

I - Private - Institutionally-owned

T - Town-owned

C - County-owned

M - Stat e-owned
Sample code: F - Federally-owned
U-2 _ Parcel No. 2 of Urban Land which is a privately-owned
T-P airport.

Special instructi ons: In general, parcels should be areas of similar
density and use characteristics. Examples might be: frontage
development along a length of road, a subdivision, a residential area
of several similar blocks, or an industrial park. Within a limited
area of the town, buildings with similar characteristics, but over
200 feet apart, may be numbered and coded as a single parcel. -However,
computed acreage should only include the 100-foot radius area sur-
rounding each building.

During field work, record evidence of pollution, erosion, sedimentation,
and debris. Note storm drain outlets.

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WILDLIFE LAND USE INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: Those areas, generally 3 acres or more, which
are used primarily for the production or preservation of openland
wildlife and woodland wildlife including:

1) dedicated land which is committed to permanent wildlife use,
such as Audubon land or state wildlife management areas.

2) non-dedicated land which is not committed to permanent
wildlife use, but is currently managed primarily for wildlife.

3) Power lines and utility rights-of-way, with vegetation
management.

Private shooting club lands are not included as wildlife land as they
are considered under recreation land.

Where to find information: land use and vegetative cover maps
(Massachusetts Map Down), topographic base map, assessor's map, Natural
Resource Inventory (NRI), sporting clubs, private and quasi-public
conservation organizations, and special studies by universities,
Audubon Society, etc.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT (particularly the Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife), muni-cipal conservation commission, sportsmen's
clubs, and others.

Coding color: Brown

Coding symbols:
1) Top line - Primary use symbol (B) and parcel number.:
(i.e. B-1, B-29 B-3 . . . etc.),

2) Bottom line

a) First symbol - Type of vegetative cover:

T - Tilled land

TU - Unused tillable land without woody vegetation

P - Pasture or wild hayland

AF- Abandoned field with less than 30% woody vegetation

0 - Productive fruit orchard

AO - Abandoned orchard

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Sl - Softwood forest - height Class 1 (< 20 ft.)

S - Softwood forest - height class greater than 1
He - Heath plant communities (coastal areas only)
Hl - Hardwood forest - height Class I (< 20 ft.)
H -*Hardwood forest - height class greater than 1

HS1 - Hardwood-Softwood Mixture, with hardwoods
predominant - height Class 1

HS - Hardwood-Softwood Mixture, with hardwoods
predominant - height class greater than I

SH1 - Softwood-Hardwood Mixture, with softwoods
predominant - height Class 1

SH - Softwood-Hardwood Mixture, with softwoods
predominant - height class greater than I
Sa - Sand areas (coastal area. only)

PL - Power lines and pipe lines

Sc - Scrub vegetation such as bayberry, beach plum,
scrub oak (coastal area only)

b) Second symbol - Land ownership:

Pc - Privately-owned land with its principal use being
for wildlife and which is not available for public
use

Po - Privately-owned land with its principal use-being
Ifor wildlife and which is available for public use

Q - Privately-owned wildlife land (conservation founda-
tions, trusts, long-term conservation restrictions,
easements with individuals, etc.) dedicated for
wildlife and available for public use

R - Privately-owned wildlife land (conservation founda-
tions, trusts, long-term conservation restrictions,
and easements with individuals, etc.) dedicated for
wildlife and not for public use

T - Town-owned wildlife land

C - County-owned

M - State-owned

F - Federally-owned

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Sample code:
B-15 _ Parcel No. 15 of wildlife land which is a softwood-hardwood
SH-Pc mixture, with softwoods predominant with a height class
greater than 1 on private land that is not open for public
use.

Special instructions: Parcels will normally coincide with ownership
or management units.

A single parcel may contain more than one type of vegetative cover
and should be so recorded on the data sheet. The area of each vegetative
type should be delineated on the map. These different vegetative
types would be coded with the same parcel number, but with the par-
ticular appropriate vegetative type code, In the example below,
parcel B-10 consists of four different vegetative types.

U-2 A-11
it f _P

AF Q

S2 Q
&10

La
OUPU

During field work note:

1. Evidence of other uses e.g. hiking, camping

2. Posting or other evidence of limited access or use

3. Presence of outside disturbance - e.g. no ise, off-the-road-vehicles,
excessive recreational, use, abutting urban development

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WILDLIFE WETLAND USE INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: Those areas, generally 3 acres or greater, which
are used primarily for the production or preservation of wetland wild-
life and aquatic animals other.than fish. Wildlife wetlands include
seasonally-flooded basins or flats and areas that have water at or
above the surface (to a maximum of 3 feet) for more than nine months of
the year. (An exception to this would be occasional bodies of water such
as the kettle holes in Barnstable County that may be greater than 3 feet
in depth, these bodies of water should be classified as deep marsh).

Shooting clubs and fish and game clubs for the club memberships'
exclusive use, working cranberry bogs, or wooded areas with more than
30% tree crown cover are not considered as wildlife wetlands. Cranberry
bogs are mapped under agricultural land use. Wooded wetlands with
more than 30% tree crown cover are mapped under woodland use. These
are also included on the separate Wetland Identification Map.

Where to find information: aerial photographs, land use and vegetative
cover maps, soil surveys, Natural Resource Inventory, USDI Circular No. 39,
assessorls maps.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT (particularly the Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife, Division of Marine Fisheries, and the Soil
Conservation Service), municipal conservation commission, sportsmen's
clubs, and others.

Coding color: Tan

Coding syTbols:
1) Top line - Primary use symbol (X) and parcel number:
(i. e. X-1, X-2, X-3 . . . etc.)

2) Bottom line

a) First symbol - Type of wetland:

SM - Shallow marsh

DM - Deep marsh

SS - Shrub swamp

SF - Seasonally-flooded basin or flat

BP - Beaver pond

B - Bog

M - Meadow

TSM - Tidal salt water marsh

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b) Second symbol - Land ownership:

P - Privately-owned land not open to the public

Q - Privately-owned land available for public use

T Town-owned

C County-owned

M State-owned

F Federally-owned

Sample code:
X-5 - Parcel No. 5 of Wildlife Wetland which is a privately-owned
SM-P shallow marsh not open to the public.

Special instructions: A single wetland parcel may contain more than
one type of wetland and should Ibe so recorded on the data sheet. The
area of each type should be delineated on the map. These different
wetland types would be coded for the particular type, but would bear a
common parcel number. In the example below, parcel X-3 consists of
3 different wetland types.

P_ 5
I-Dr a U3

spr
f _1_S
-SOr

During field inventory, check for:

1. evidence of pollution

2. presence of threatened or peripheral plants and animals

3. posting or other signs of controlled access or use.

Lineal and areal measurements may be estimated in the field or
determined from the map at a later time.

A "protected border" is a strip of land in woodland, wildlife land, or
agricultural use that acts as a buffer to the wetland and may or may
not be formally protected.

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WOODLAND INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: All woodland areas, generally 10 acres or
greater in size, that have an estimated 30% or greater tree crown
closure and that are used primarily for growing trees, are to be
inventoried. Where scattered residences or farm buildings are located
in woodland areas, the structures and the immediate area within 100
feet of the structure in all directions, are considered to be 'Urban
Land' and are not to be included with the "Woodland." Forested wet-
lands with over 30% tree crown cover are mapped under woodland use,
but show as wetlands on the separate wetland identification inventory
map.
Where to find information: Aerial photographs, USGS Quadrangle Sheets,
town maps, Land Use a@_dVegetative Cover Maps, i.e. "Massachusetts Map
Down" maps, and Soil Conservation Service operational soil survey
interpretive maps prepared for towns.

Whom to consult for assistance: The Natural Resources Technical
Team (NRTT) especially the local representative of the Massachusetts
Division of Forests and Parks--member of the NRTT, the town tree
warden, and others.

Coding color: Green when transferred to the composite "Present Land
and Water Use Map" (PLUM).

inventory and mapping procedure: The woodland inventory consists of
preparing three maps. The three maps have been devised to make the
inventory job, mapping, coding and recording data easier. The first
of these maps, MAP I is the "WOODLAND USE MAP." The second, MAP II
is the "WOODLAND CHARACTERISTICS MAP." The third, MAP III, which is
optional, is the "WOODLAND SUITABILITY MAP" based on soils data.

MAP I, "WOODLAND USE MAP" - This map will show several general uses of
woodlands and will be used in making the "Present Land and Water Use
Map" (PLUM) and for rating the woodland resource. The map should be
used in conjunction with the data recording sheet entitled, "Data
Sheet for Inventory Map I" - "Woodland Use Map." The map and the
data sheet will facilitate evaluating the "quantity" of the woodland
resource.

The protective functions or uses of the woodland are categorized as the
"Stream Corridor Protection Woodlands" and "Watershed and Critical
Areas Protection Woodlands." They are delineated and coded on the map.
Woodlands with protective functions serve to prevent soil erosion,
maintain water quality, stabilize water yield or flow, etc. Along
stream corridors, woodlands serve to protect the stream, its water
quality, enhance fish habitats, etc. The remainder of the woodland
which serves to enhance the general public welfare in numerous ways
will be categorized as "Other Woodland." This general use of woodland
also is delineated and coded on the map.

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For a base or work. map, a blueline print of a topographic map (USGS
Quadrangle Sheets) of the town is used, For field work, outline the
streams on the base map in a prominent color. Delineate, number,
and code the wooded portions of streams on either side of the streams,
outlined in color, for the defined distance (see below) beyond the
streambanks at right angles to them, Also subdividide, number, and
code on the map other woodland parcels in accordance with these two
categories: 1) "Watershed and Critical Area Protection Woodland"
and 2) "Other Woodland." While entering coded information on the
map, it is also important to record appropriate data on the "Data
Sheet" for Map I.

Especially helpful as sources of information for making this map are
town operational soil survey maps, the "Land Use and Vegetative
Cover Maps" - "Massachusetts Map Down," aerial photographs (especially
stereoscopic pairs), and Town Assessors' maps. The town tree warden
and'the local representative of the Massachusetts Division of Forests
and Parks may have helpful information to aid in the preparation of
this map.

Symbols for MAP I

1. Top line of coded information

General land use classification and the number of the parcel:
i.e. P-1, P-2, P-3, etc.

2. Bottom line of coded information

First symbol - "Other Woodlands"

0 - OTHER WOODLANDS OR

First symbol - Type of "protection" woodland:

S - STREAM CORRIDOR PROTECTION WOODLAND - Those woodlands located
along streams that provide a protective zone to the stream.
For those areas where the streams flow through forests
delineate a strip 150 feet on each side of the stream beyond
its banks as stream corridor protection woodland.

The 300-foot zone of a stream is exclusive of its normal
channel, but includes the wetlands adjacent to the normal
(confined within streambanks) strea-m flow.

P WATERSHED AND CRITICAL AREA PROTECTION WOODLAND - Those
woodland areas that directly or indirectly meet one of the
following conditions:

.Watershed Protection Woodland - Those woodland areas that
drain into a public water supply. This will include wooded
areas that drain into surface reservoirs as well as wooded
areas that serve to protect well fields used for public
water supply.

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.Woodland on Very Steep Slopes Those areas that are found
on 25% slopes or greater where trees serve to keep soil from
eroding.

.Woodland on "thin" soils - Those woodland areas that serve
to prevenF 'soll erosion where bedrock is at or very close
to the.surface of the land.

FOR ALL WOODLAND USES OR TYPES -."Other Woodland" and "Protection
Woodland":

Second symbol - Woodland status:

D - DEDICATED WOODLAND - Those woodlands that occupy areas that are
reserved for public purposes and may include nature areas, town
forests, pr areas reserved for some other dedicated woodland
conservation purpose.

U - WOODLAND NOT DEDICATED - Those woodlands not dedicated for any of
the above purposes.

Third symbol - Woodland ownership:

P - Privately-owned

T - Town-owned

C - County-owned

S - State-owned

F - Federally-owned

FOR "OTHER WOODLAND" only.

Fourth symbol - Woodland treatment:

M - Managed primarily for a specific purpose

U - Unmanaged woodland

Sample Codes:

P-1
-s-DT - Protection woodland parcel No. 1 that is protecting a stream, is
reserved for public purposes, and is town-owned.
P-32 ,Other woodland" parcel No. 32 that is not reserved for public
OUPU purposes, is a privately-owned and unmanaged woodland.

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MAP II - "WOODLAND CHARACTERISTICS MAP" - This map is somewhat general
in nature and when used in conjunction with the "Data Sheet for
Inventory Map - II," Woodland Characteristics Map, it will facilitate
evaluating the "quality" of the woodland resource.

The map and the data sheet provide information such as delineated
woodland parcels, woodland accessibility, woodland composition,
numbers of species, growth characteristics, woodland vigor, and tree
"stand" condition. Also included is other information on management
factors such as degree of stocking, compatible woodland uses, and
areas of threatened and.peripheral plant and animal species.

For a base map or field work map, a blueline print of topographic maps
(USGS QUADRANGLE SHEETS) of the community should be used. As a guide
and an aid in preparing MAP II, utilize the "Land Use and Vegetative
Cover Maps" (Massachusetts Map Down), aerial photographs, and other
town maps or studies, over and above actual field work done.

For field work, divide the town into sectors which are convenient for
the organization of the field inventory work. Sectioning the town
should be based on identifiable physical features and/or existing
road systems. An easy access to each sector should be available. On
MAP II and the corresponding "Data Sheet" number each of the woodland
parcels in each sector to be inventoried on foot or by vehicle and record
data appropriate to the map or data sheet. Proceed from sector to
sector in an orderly fashion numbering the parcels in each sector con-
secutively until the entire "Woodland Characteristics" inventory is
completed.

Symbols for MAP II

I. Top line of coded information

General land use classification and the number of the parcel
within a sector of the town: i.e. W-1, W-2, W-3, etc.

2. Bottom line of coded information

First symbol - Diversity of woodland types:

M - Mixed stand of hardwoods and softwood types (a mixture is con-
sidered such if no less than 20% of each type is found in the
stand)

P - Generally pure stands of either hardwoods or softwoods or
plantations of single species.
Second symbol - Diversity of woodland species:
AF
D Diverse, four or more hardwood or softwood species of trees
present in the parcel

S $omewhat diverse, two to three species
A
N:
Y.A@ried only one species found in the parcel (plantations
or pure stands)

6/77

Sample Codes;
W-1 - Parcel No. I of the woodland characteristics map in which
MCD there is: a mixed stand of hardwoods and softwoods, 20%
or more of each type; a number of tree height classes
(3 or more); a number of tree species (four or more) that
characterize the stand.

Third symbol - Diversity of woodland height classes:
A - Aplantation of uniform height or a seedling of young tree
or intermediate tree, or mature7-s-tand of uniform height is
characteristic of the stand (one height class) and is
present in the parcel.
B - Any combination of two height classes (i.e. seedling - inches
to I foot; young trees - I foot to 20 feet; intermediate trees
20 feet to 40 feet; mature trees - 40 feet in height) is
present in the parcel.

C - Three or more height classes as defined in "B" above, are
present in the parcel. The stand is characterized as having
uneven tree heights.

MAP III - "WOODLAND SUITABILITY CLASSES MAP" - This map is made using
the operational soil survey with its interpretive maps and report. The
soils map scale should be adjusted to fit the topographic map blueline
print used as a base map. The map is optional and if desired, it can
be prepared with guidance from the appropriate Natural Resources Tech-
nical Team member and graduate student assisting the town. Essentially,
the map will show the "Woodland Suitability Classes" that exist in the
town and how the existing woodland is distributed within each class.
Once the classes have been delineated on the base map, or a trans-
parency of delineated areas prepared, the delineated areas will.con-
stitute parcels that can be numbered consecutively.

This map and the corresponding "Data Sheet" for MAP III entitled,
"Suitability Classes for Woodland," when completed will facilitate
evaluating the "quality" of the woodland resource, and assist in
planning for woodland management.

If this MAP III is not prepared, the woodland suitability class infor-
mation may be obtained by following an alternative procedure explained
on the "Data Sheet" for MAP III (see "note" there).
JAN 1978

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PRIME AND UNIQUE FARMLANDS AND INVENTORY DESCRIPTION
FARMLANDS OF STATEWIDE AND
LOCAL IMPORTANCE

Inventory definition: All lands of high productive use or potential for
agriculture, based on soils or present use.

Where to find information: Detailed soils maps, Operational Soils Report,
and agricultural land inventory. The Soil Conservation Service will provide
lists of soils that meet the necessary criteria.

Whom to consult for assistance: Soil Conservation Service, local farmers and
farm organizations, and tax assessors.

Coding: Selected reproducible patterns ("zipatone" or similar material, or
hand drafted) on mylar overlay,

Selected colors on a paper base map or paper detailed soils map.

Classifications: (Select patterns or colors, as appropriate)

Prime Farmland

Prime farmland is land best suited for producing food, feed, forage, fiber,
and oilseed crops, and also available for these uses (the land could be
cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land, or other land, but not urban
built-up land or water). It has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture
supply needed to produce sustained high yields of crops economically when
treated and managed, including water management, according to modern farming
methods.

Unique Farmland
Unique farmland is land other than prime farmland that is used for the pro-
duction of specific high-value food and fiber crops. It has the special
combination of soil quality, location, growing season, and moisture supply
needed to produce sustained high quality and/or high yields of a specific
crop when treated and managed according to modern farming methods. Examples
of such crops are cranberries, fruit, and vegetables.
Additional Farmland of Statewide Importance
This is land, in addition to prime and unique farmlands, that is of state-
wide importance for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed
crops.

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Additional Farmland of Local Importance

In some local areas there is concern for certain additional farmlands
for the production of food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops,
even though these lands are not identified as having national or
statewide importance.

Special Instructions:

1. From the Soil Conservation Service, obtain the detailed soils map
and a list of all the soils for the community which meet the above
criteria.

2. On a paper print of the soils map, directly color or code the
listed soils.

3. Overlay a mylar or paper base map on this soils map, outline the
colored soils, and apply the selected pattern or color.

NOTE: The above three steps can be completed before or during the
Agricultural Land Use Inventory. The following must be
done following that inventory.

4. Overlay the above map on the Present Land Use Map or Agricultural
Land Use map and delineate any additional areas of Unique Farmland
or Farmland of Local Importance.

5. Overlay the above map on the Present Land Use Map to determine:

a. Areas not now in agricultural USe, with potential.for con-
version to agriculture.

b. Areas of potentially or previously productive soils that have
been converted to u@ban use.

6/77

RECREATION FACILITIES LOCATION INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: This map shows the site location of the different
types of public and private recreation facilities which are presently
available in the town. Land and water areas associated with most of
these facilities will be shown on the "Recreation Land Use Inventory
Map" or "Recreation Water Use Inventory Map."

Where to find information: It is recommended that the same committee
preparing the "Recreation Water Use" or "Recreation Land Use" Inventory
Maps also prepare this map. Much of the information required for both
maps can be collected at the same time.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT, local Conservation Commission, and
Massachusetts Division of Forests and Parks, Recreation Commission, and
others.
Coding Pattern: for small areas: 0 or similar point symbol as desired.
for larger areas: outline crosshatch, or color, as desired.

for trails and paths: Indicate bicycle paths with a
solid line, showing the route on the map. Show
nature walks, hiking, and cross-country skiing
available for public use) with a long dashed line.
Show bridle paths (available for public use) with
a short dashed line. Show motorized recreation
vehicle trails (available for public use) with a
dashed line.

Coding Sym bol:

1) Top line

a) First symbol Facility number
b) Second symbol Type of facilities (one or more)

A - Courts for tennis, volleyball, basketball, etc.

B - Boat ramp or boating access

C -Camping sites

D -Diamonds for baseball and/or softball

E -Fields for football and/or soccer

F -Fireplaces

I -Ice skating (managed areas)

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6/77

J - Totlot facilities (sandbox, swings, slides, wading pools,
etc.)

K - Sledding and/or tobagganing

L - Track facilities

M- Marinas

P- Picnicking facilities

R- Riding ring

S- Swimming (either pool or beach)

T- Target range and/or skeet area

U- Sanitary facilities

V- Vistas, vantage points or overlooks

W- Parking area for recreation facilities

X- Roadside or trailside rest area

Y- Cross country skiing facilities

Z- Downhill skiing facilites

2) Bottom line - Ownership

P- Private M - State

T- Town F - Federal

C- County Q - Quasi-Public

Sample Code:
1-B, 5 _ Site No. 1 is a state-owned boat access with swimming
M available. (Other pertinent information, such as name
of water body, type of boat access, and size of swimming
area would be listed on a "Data Sheet.")

Special Instructions: Determine the location of each facility and
denote the location on a base map, as Close to the exact area as
possible, by using a press-on dot or other symbol. Beside each symbol
place a number to identify that particular facility and the appropriate
code letter(s). Fill in appropriate information on the "Data Sheet."

6/77

WETLAND IDENTIFICATION INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventog definition *: This map shows the general location and type of
all wetlands above a size limit determined by the community, including
marshes, swamps, bogs, wet meadows, and other areas where ground water
is at or near the surface for a significant part of the year. Wooded
swamps, wet soils in agricultural use, and wetlands in recreational
use are not included on the Wildlife Wetlands Use Map, but are shown on
this map.

Areas mapped include:

1. Wetland soils classified as "poorly drained" or "very poorly
drained" in the community's operational soils report. In poorly
Tr-ained soils, the water table is commonly at or near the surface
for 7 to 9 months of the year. In very poorly drained soils, the
water table remains at or near the surface most of the time.

AND (if additional field work is conducted by the community)

2. Coastal and Freshwater Wetlands as defined in the Massachusetts
Wetlands Protection Act (Mass. G.L. Ch. 131, S. 40 . The Act
d-efines Coastal Wetlands as "any bank, marsh, swamp, meadow,
flat or other lowland subject to tidal action or coastal storm
flowage." Freshwater Wetlands are defined as: "wet meadows,
marshes, swamps, bogs, areas where ground water, flowing or
standing surface water or ice provide a significant part of the
supporting substrate for a plant community for at least five months
of the year; emergent and submergent plant communities in inland
waters; that portion of any bank which touches an inland waters."
Specific wetland types are further defined in the Act by their
plant communities.

This map, in itself, has no regulatory force. Actual jurisdiction of
the Wetlands Protection Act is determined on a site-by-site basis by
the municipal Conservation Commission.

The map may be used by the community in the Planning and Implementation
Phase of the MNRPP:

- as a component of a Sensitive Areas Map,
- as the first step in development of a Wetlands Zoning District Map,
- as an aid in planning for conservation land acquisition and wildlife
habitat improvement
- if combined with the best flood plain map available, to identify areas
probably under the jurisdiction of the Wetlands Protection Act. Copies
might be provided to the Planning Board, Board of Health, Department of
of Public Works, and Building Inspector to guide them in referring
project proposals to the Conservation Commission.

P- @) a

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Where to find information: Detailed soils map, Operational Soils
Report, Wildlife Wetlands Use Inventory, Massachusetts Map-Down Maps,
USGS topographic base map, aerial photographs, special studies and con-
sultants reports, USDI Circular No. 39.

Whom to consult for assistance: Conservation Commission, NRTT (par-
ticularly the SCS), local biologists, naturalists, and botanists.

Coding: Selected colors on a paper topographic base map,

Selected reproducible patterns ("zipatone" or similar material,
or hand drafted) on a plain mylar sheet, registered to a mylar
topographic base map.

Coding symbols: (if desired)

1) Top line - parcel number

2) Bottom line

a) First symbol - Type of wetland:

SM - Shallow marsh BP Beaver pond

DM - Deep marsh B Bog

WS - Wooded swamp M Meadow

SS - Shrub swamp TSM Tidal salt water marsh

SF - Seasonally-flooded TF Tidal flat
basin or flat

b) Second symbol - Land ownership:

P - Private C County

R - Private land under M State
Conservation Restriction,
easement, or Restrictive F Federal
Order

Q - Quasi-Public

Sample code:
SM5 Wetland Parcel No. 5 which is a privately-owned shallow marsh.

C-30

6/77

Special Instructions: Steps one through six below can best be done
before field work for the Wildlife Wetlands Use Inventory and will
help in preparation for that inventory. Field work for both inven-
tories may then be done concurrently.

1. Obtain a paper copy of the detailed soils map from the SCS.

2. Prepare a list of poorly drained and very poorly drained
soils for the community from the operational soils report.

3. Color all soils fitting these classifications on the soils
map. Use separate colors for each drainage class.

4. If the soils map is not on a topographic base, trace the
identified wet soils boundaries onto a print of the topo-
graphic base map and color as appropriate.

5. Delineate and color any additional wetlands shown by swamp
symbols on the topographic base map.

6. Overlay this map on the Massachusetts Map-Down and add any
additional wetlands to the working map.

7. Field check by inventory volunteers to verify approximate
boundaries and wetland types. If map is to be used to
assist in administration of the Wetlands Protection Act,
the Conservation Commission should be involved in the field
checks, and boundaries should be checked in light of the
legal definitions and plant communities.

8. Draft final map onto a plain mylar sheet or a reverse printed
mylar topographic base, for future reproduction and continued
updating.

C-31

6/77

AREAS OF PENDING DEVELOPMENT INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: This map shows proposed road construction or
relocation and areas within a community that are approved for specific
development projects. This will include:

1) Sites with currently valid building permits for new structures.

2) Approved and currently valid subdivisions, for which subdivision
approval was required.

3) Approved and currently valid subdivisions for which subdivision approval
was not required (frontage lots meeting all zoning requirements).
4) Proposed road and highway construction or relocation.
5) Other development and construction projects known to be approved or pending.

Where to find information: Subdivision Plans, Building Inspector's
files, Registry of Deeds, Assessor's maps, Department of Public Works.

Whom to consult for information: Planning Board, Building Inspector,
Local and Massachusetts Department of Public Works.

Coding Pattern: Selected patterns on a mylar overlay ("Zipatone" or
similar material, or hand drafted).

Coding Symbol:

1) Top line
a) First symbol - parcel number (record also on a data sheet)
b) Second symbol - projected use (use Urban Land Inventory coding)
2) Bottom line - for subdivisions only -
Number of approved undeveloped lots on plan (outline only
entire subdivision)

Sample Code:
3-R _ Parcel No. 3, which is a residential subdivision of 46 lots.
46
Special Instructions: For subdivisions, parcel boundaries should approximate
property lines of undeveloped area, but precision is not necessary. Indi-
vidual lots within subdivisions need not be delineated. For isolated
individual lots with current building permits, a point symbol may be used.

6/77

UNIQUE ITEMS OR AREAS INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: Within a community, there are many items or areas
ich are generally considered by local residents to be unique or
unusual. Although an item may be plentiful in other areas, it may be
unusual in the local area.

Unique items could include:
a. Trees - The largest or oldest tree in the general vicinity or one
of unusual shape or species.
b. Views - A panoramic view of something, the like of which is avail-
able nowhere else in the immediate area. For example: the view
of the Connecticut Valley from the top of Mount Sugarloaf, or the
view of Cape Cod from the top of Scargo Hill.

C. Buildings - An unusually constructed building. For example: an
octagonally shaped house; a house of foreign architecture; a
building made out of unusual materails; or one of unusual
architecture.

d. Natural Area - A natural area containing unusual flora or fauna
that are found nowhere else in the town or region of the state.
For example: the only white cedar swamp in the immediate vicinity.

e. Landforms - An unusual geologic feature or shape. For example: the
Gay Head Cliffs on Martha's Vineyard, a natural bridge, an escarpment,
or an esker.

There may be other areas or items which could be considered unique in
the town. The committee should include these items on the map legend
and assign an appropriate code letter or symbol.

Where to find information: field observations, local citizen interviews,
newspapers, tourist and promotional borchures, New England Natural Areas
Inventory, local clubs and organizations, local schools and universities,
and others.

Whom to consult for information: NRTT, local Conservation Commission,
historical society, local citizens, New England Natural Resources
Center, and others.

Coding pattern: For areas: crosshatching or a pattern of zipatone or
similar material such as: 0
For items: (point locations: symbol such as: 110 11
For views: an arrow showing the direction and breadth
of the view

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6/77

Coding symbol:

1) Top line

a) First symbol item or area number

b) Second symbol 'type of item or area

T - Trees N - Natural area (draw boundary lines)

B - Buildings (add other codes, as necessary)

L - Landform

For views, use an arrow pointing in direction of view.

2) Bottom line - Ownership

P - Private M - State

T - Town F - Federal

C - County Q - Quasi-public

Sample code:
3 PB Site number 3 which is an unusual building, privately-owned.
(Exact type, with other pertinent information, would be
listed on a "Data Sheet").

6/77

HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGIC SITES INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: These are sites of historic or archaeologic signifi-
cance, either local, regional, or national. Any sites included in the
"National Register of Historic Sites" are to be included. Generally, these
historic sites contain less than 5 acres. Larger areas, such as the
"Minuteman National Park," would be included on the "Recreation Land
Inventory Map." This map shows those sites of historic or archaeologic
significance which should be preserved.

Historic sites could include:

a. Old mill dams, which may no longer be used, but are aesthetically
pleasing.

b. Old mill buildings, either active or inactive, which would show mill
operations a century or more ago.

C. Houses or other buildings of historic significance due to age or
historical events connected with them.

d. Battle grounds or an area on which a historic event took place (such
as the tree on which the last horse thief was hung).

e. Historic markers commemorating a particular event.

f. Archaeological sites, such as pre-columbian remains.

Where to find information: Local historic society, town citizens, town
library, "National Register of Historic Places" - Federal Register,
Vol. No. 39, No. 18 - Part II, p. 800.10, January 25, 1974, as supplemented,
County Natural Resources Atlas, and others.

Whom to consult for assistance: Local historians, Historical Commission,
local high school history department, colleges and universities, and others.

Coding: Selected location symbol such as:

Coding symbol:

1) Top line

a) First symbol Site number

b) Second symbol Type of site

D Mill dam Q - Battle grounds

M Mill H - Historic marker
B House or building (add other symbols, as
necessary)

P - 7 1-)

6/77

2) Bottom line - Ownership

P - Private M - State

T - Town F - Federal

C - County Q - Quasi-Public

Sample Code:

4-H
P Site No. 4 which is a historic marker on private land. (Exact
historic event denoted, with other pertinent information, would
be shown on a "Data Sheet").

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6/77

PROBLEM AREAS INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: "Problem-Areas" include a wide range of situations
that the community may wish to pinpoint for possible future action.
Problem areas may be small in size and affect only a limited land or
water area or may be large-scaled and affect an entire town or region.
This inventory should also show significant problems identified in the
course of the other NRPP inventories.

Some of the things that could be identified are:

a. Pollution from road drainage--either from salt and sand used on the
road, or from erosion of road banks and ditches.

b. Pollution from individual residential septic systems--either due to
unsuitable soils, faulty systems, or direct release to nearby
surface waters.

C. Pollution from commercial or industrial wastes such as detergents
from a laundry, oil and grease from service stations, or dirty
waters released from a manufacturing process.

d. Trash 'heaps--generally small in area and often located behind
commercial or industrial buildings or in wooded areas.

e. Old car bodies--either wrecked or abandoned and that are not in a
screened junk yard. Unscreened junk yards could be included in
this category.

f. Noise pollution areas--such as noise from heavily traveled roads,
airports, and manufacturing plants. In these areas noise is
loud enough to be objectionable.

g. Sediment sources--such as high roadbanks which are eroding and
sliding, streambanks which are undercutting and falling into
streams, land under development which is bare and where soils are
eroding, and coastal erosion areas.

h. Sediment deposition areas--areas where sediment is.collecting in
significant quantity; filling ponds, wetlands, or reservoirs;
blocking stream channels or culverts; covering fields, lawns,
or roads.

i. Dead or dying trees which could be a hazard to life or property.
j. Areas with local flooding, drainage problems, or floode d basements.
k. Unsafe and/or abandoned bridges, dams, and buildings
1. Over-used or deteriorating recreation facilities

6/77

Where to find information: Local residents, newspaper stories, requesting
such information through the local paper, regional planning agencies,
section "208" studies, NRPP data sheets, and others.

Whom to consult for assistance: Steering Committee, local boards,
commissions, and departments, other NRPP inventory committees, and others.

Coding pattern: for small areas: or similar symbol as desired.
'0
for larger areas: outline, crosshatch, or color as
desired.

Coding symbol;

1) First symbol problem area number

2) Second symbol type of problem:

R - Road drainage pollution G - Deteriorating Recreation
Facilities
S - Septic system failure
W - Wastes (commercial or
T - Trash heaps industrial)

N - Noise E - Sediment sources

D - Sediment deposition areas J - Car bodies

F - Dead trees B - Unsafe bridges, dams, or
C - Local flooding and drainage buildings
problems (add oth ers, as needed)

Sample code:

11-J Problem Area No. 11 which contains old car bodies or -a junk-
yard. (Exact type of problem, with other pertinent information,
should be listed on the "Data Sheet").

c-4o

6/77

PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC OWNERSHIP INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: Lands owned or administered by a public or quasi-
public agency or organization, or private lands under a Conservation
Restriction or similar easement. -

Where to find information: Municipal assessor's maps, local boards and
commissions, USGS Quadrangle maps, and other NRPP inventory maps.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT, Conservation Commission, Planning
Board, Assessor, quasi-pubTi-E-organizations, and others,

Coding pattern: A selected pattern of zipatone or similar material on a
PT-a-inmylar overlay or selected color on a paper base map.

Coding symbol:

1) First symbol - parcel number

2) Second symbol - type of ownership or restriction

T - Town-owned R - Trustees of Reservations

C - County-owned N - Nature Conservancy

S - State-owned M - Metropolitan District Commission

F - Federally-owned P - Privately-owned lands, under a
Conservation Restriction or
A - Audubon easement)

(add other codes, as necessary)

Sample Code:

7-A - Parcel No. 7 which is land owned by the Audubon Society (other
pertinent information on this panel would be listed dn a
"Data Sheets").

c-41

6/77

ROUGH LAND INVENTORY DESCRIPTION

Inventory definition: Those lands which are steep, ledgy and extremely
To-cky, or extremely droughty.
Steep lands are those lands where the average slope is over 15 percent
(15 feet of rise in 100 feet of distance). Steep slopes are shown in
the following two categories: slopes between 15% and 25% and slopes
over 25%. These lands are subject to erosion and runoff management
problems if disturbed. They require extensive grading for most
development, and are unsuitable for normal septic system installation.

Ledgy and extremely rocky lands are those lands on which the bedrock
is exposed, the soils are shallow to bedrock, or boulders or cobbles
cover over 50% of the ground surface. (Grading excavation and
septic system installation are difficult on these lands).

Extremely droughty soils are those soils which are excessively well
drained and through which water moves rapidly. An example would
be the sand dunes on Cape Cod. These soils form unstable banks and
are difficult to revegetate if disturbed.

Where to find information: Latest USGS Quadrangle maps, town operational
s report, aerial photographs, and field observations.

Whom to consult for assistance: NRTT (particularly the SCS) and others.

Coding Patterns:
1) Selected colors on a paper print of the detailed soils, map or
2) For a final map that can be reproduced and used as an.overlay,
selected reproducible patterns on a plain mylar. Patterns may
be hand drafted or applied with zipatone or similar material.

Special Instructions:
1) Prepare a list of the soils found in your community that meet the
above criteria for Rough Lands. The NRTT will provide assistance.
2) Obtain a paper print of the detailed soils map for your community.
In consultation with the NRTT (particularly the SCS), color in
the soil types fitting these criteria.
3) Overlay a plain mylar sheet on this colored map, trace necessary
roads and other landmarks and registration marks, and trace the
boundaries of the soils onto the mylar. Draft or apply'selected
patterns, title, and legend.
Note: Steep slopes can also be identified using a topographic map.
The NRTT can explain this alternative procedure.

c-43

DATA SHEET FOR INVENTORY MAP

Agricultural Land

Sheet I of 1
Fbr -details refer to Resource Evaluation Sheets
Farms with Pollution Amount Land
Problems rated as Owner-
TYPE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Amount of Amount waste Yert. Sediment- Area , I
Parcel Total uropiand Urassland -r_ch_a_r_d__.-Nu-rser:y-- soils with under Disposal and and Open "Good' ship
Wildlife (Use
No. Area (T) (P) (0) (N) Bog slight conser- Pest. Erosion to Habitat Coding
(C) limitations vation public. Svmbol)
"All Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres Yes or Yes Acres Acres Acres Type
No or no,

4@_

C.n
E@

SAMPLE WORK-MAP FROM FIELD INVENTORY

0
14,

-0 It

-ok-

o'.
VA

c-46

SAMPLE FINAL INVENTORY MAP

300

A 4@r rdnk

000

At.
p4t 13
IN

a 2@v
N,

C-47

SAMPLE PRESENT LAND USE MAP

4 A

IN Pan)(
J@ Ly

255

24i'

lo @*o

All
C,
a 41k
20V
Ce
cb 0
0

v,
160

c-48

APPENDIX D

SAMPLE NATURAL RESOURCE EVALUATION SHEET

As an aid to the community in evaluating the information compiled in the
inventory phase, committees are provided with Natural Resource Evaluation
Sheets for the 8 primary land and water use inventories. These sheets
are designed to assist the committees to summarize and evaluate the
inventory information. They contain a series of questions for the com-
mittee to answer that will help to raise issues, and to identify prob-
lems, needs, and potentials for action. Much of the required information
is collected by field and map work, but some may come from community
officials or others and from library reference sources.

The questions on the Resource Evaluation Sheets concern the quantity,
quality, and distribution of the land uses or resources inventoried and
also suggest consideration of town policies and plans. These sheets
also provide the community with the opportunity to compare its land use
characteristics with the suggested guidelines. These guidelines are
discussed in Chapter 4 and explained in "Rationale" provided for each
Resource Evaluation Sheet. The guidelines have been developed through
the research and experience of professional natural resource managers
and can provide valuable guidance for land use decisions.

When completed, the Resource Evaluation Sheets provide the basis for
an Inventory Report as described on page 4-7. A Sample Resource Evaluation
Sheet for Agricultural Land follows and the associated Rationale for
Guidelines are found in Appendix E. Resource Evaluation Sheets for the
following eight primary land and water use inventories can be obtained
from the Soil Conservation Service:

Agricultural land Urban land
Recreation land Wildlife land
Recreation water Wildlife wetland
Municipal water Woodland

RESOURCE EVALUATION SHEET

AGRICULTURAL LAND

1. QUANTITY - The questions below will highlight trends and the current
status of the quantity of agricultural land use in your
community. Comparison of past and present figures for
acreage wil,l indicate the rate of overall change. The
"suggested guideline" provides a guide based on average
figures for the region concerned and considering the
several environmental values of agricultural land. See
the attached Rationale for detailed explanation.

Total land area of town acres

Total population of town persons

A. Past Agricultural Land Use from MASS Map Down figures:

1951: acres % of total
land area
of town

1971: acres %

B. Present Agricultural Land total from inventory:

(year acres %

C. Suggested Guideline (select guideline for appropriate area)

1. For Central Highlands Area: 50 acres agricultural land/1000
acres total area plus 35 acres
agricultural land/1000 population
a. total town area x 50 x 50 acres
1000 1000
b. total population x 35 x 35 acres
1000 -10-00

c. Total suggested agricultural land area acres
(a. + b. above)

2. For Coastal Area: 30 acres agricultural la nd/1000 acres
total land area

total town area x 30 x 30
1000 1000 acres

-3.. Surplus or deficiency of agricultural land acres

D-1

II. QUALITY - The questions below focus on qualitative issued related
to your community's agricultural land use.
A. Soils: The productivity, environmental impact, and economic
viability of agricultural land use is based in part
on the nature of the supporting soils. The higher
thedegree of limitation for agricultural use, the
more intensive the management required to obtain
optimum yields or prevent erosion and sediment
production.

1. Area in present agricultural use with slight
soils limitations for agriculture = acres

2. Areas in present agricultural use with mod-
erate soils limitations for agriculture = acres

Area in present agricultural use with mod-
erate soils limitations on which adequate
management practices to prevent off-site
problems are not in effect = acres

3. Area in present agricultural use with severe
soils limitations for agriculture = acres

Area in present agricultural use with severe
soils limitations on which adequate manage-
ment practices to prevent off'-site problems
are not in effect acres

4. Area in present agricultural use mapped as "Prime
Agricultural Land" (based on SCS soils classification)
acres % of total agricultural land.

5. Area in present agricultural use mapped as "Land of
Statewide Importance" (based on SCS soils classification)
- acres = % of total agricultural land.

6. Area in present agricultural use mapped as "Unique
Agricultural Land" .=
acres = @ % of total agricultural land.

B. Conservation Planning and Practice: The Soil Conservation Service
assists landowners to plan and install management practices on
their lands to minimize erosion, obtain better production, and
avoid a "worked-out" condition. Conservation planning and
practices can both improve agricultural productivity and reduce
its environmental impacts.

I .. Total number of farms (full and part-time)

2. Number of farms which have conservation plans and! have con-
servation practices applied in the management %
of total number. (guideline: 75% or more)

D-2

3. Acreage of farmlandmith conservation'plans and recognized
conservation pr8*cfices.= acres % of total
ar.ea inIpresent agricultural" use.
C. Agricultural Related Pollution: Agricultural land can be the
source of water pollutants such as sediments, fertilizers,
pesticides, and herbicides.. Inadequate waste disposal can
lead to objectionable odors, pests, pollution, and health
problems. Proper management.practices can significantly
re,duce or el'iminate such problems..'

1.1 W,aste Disposal
..,Number of farms where*waste products are not properly dis-
posed of or neighbors have made complaints about odor,
unsightliness or polluted runoff % of
total number. (guideline: 50% or TessT

2. Fertilizers and Pest icides

Number of farms with evidence of improper use of fertilizers
and pesticides = % of total number.
(guideline: 50% or less) -
Note: List problem sites or identify on map.

D. Erosion and Sediment Production Problems: Erosion not only
reduces the long-.@erm productivity of,agricultural land, but also
results in wafer-borne sediments"that-can cause problems down-
stream, destroying aquatic habitats, clogging ditches and culverts,
filling ponds and reservoirs, increasing eutrophication, and
increasing water supply treatment costs. Proper management can
both protect the land's productivity'and reduce off-sit'e impacts.
1.' Total acreage in agriculture with evidence of erosion
problems acres of total agricultural land.

2. Number of farms with identified erosion problems =
% of total number. (guideline: 50% or less)

3. Number of sites with evidence of significant sediment of
agricultural origin entering ditches, watercourses, ponds,
or wetlands =
Note:_,, List problem sites or identify on map.

D-3

E Multiple Use of.Agricultural Land: The value of agricultural
land to a community stems in part from the several benefits it
provides in addition to crop produc-,tion. It con be an integral
part of 0 seasonal outdoor recreation supply, provide vital
elements of wildlife habitat, and enhance the visual and scenic
character of the community.

1. Informal Recreation Uses:

a. Acreage of agricultural land open for informal public
use and not posted, or, if posted, open by permission,
acres -4 % of total agricultural land.
_Fguideline for.C6ntra Highlands: 80% or more)
(guideline for Coastal Area: 50% or more, excluding
cranberry bogs)

b. Common complaints registered by farm-landowners regarding
public access or use: (list)

2. Wildlife Habitat: (See Inventory Description for
explanation).
Acres of agricultural land rated as "good" wildlife
habitat = acres = % of total agritultural land,'
(guideline: 75% or more)

3. Visual Attributes:

a. List areas of agricultural land that en hance your
community's visual character and note why.

b. List areas of agricultural land that detract from the
community's visual character and note why.

D-4

5. Present and planned water and sewer services - (adjacent to
services or not)

6. Floodplains - (Is agriculture a significant and compatible
floodplain land use?)

7. Zoning and projected development patterns - (_threatening
agricultural use or not?)

8. Scenic roads and vistas - (Are agricultural lands located such
that they are an important visual resource?)

9. Other

IV. PROTECTION AND PROMOTION of Agricultural Land Use

A. Potential Agricultural Land: The figures below will suggest
the feasibility of expanding your community's agricultuy-al
land use if desired.

1. Prime Agricultural Land (based on SCS soils classifications*)

Total area mapped as "Prime Agricultural Land"
now in woodland or wildlife land use = acres

2. Land of Statewide Importance (based on SCS soils classification)

Total area mapped as "Land of Statewide Importance"
now in woodland or wildlife land use acres

3. Pasture Land

Total area with slight limitations for pasture
(based on soil interpretati.ons)._n-ow in
woodland or wildlife land use acres

D-6

B. Protection and Promotion Measures:

1. Land under Chapter 61A agricultural assessment:

Number of farms Total acreage acres

2. Agricultural land under Conservation or Agricultural
Preservation Restriction:

Number of farms = - Total acreage = acres

3. Public or Quasi-Public land rented, leased, or used for
agri cul ture:

Number of parcels Total acreage = acres

4. Public garden plots available to residents:

Number of plots = Total acreage = acres

5. Local markets for local produce:

Type of Market Number Estimated $ Volume

D-7

C. Town Policies:

List town boards, commissions and agencies, and summarize policies
of each affecting agricultural land use or related enterprises.
In dicate the effects of these policies on agricultural land use.

Board, commission, Policies affecting Effect
or agency agriculture

D. Economic Benefit

1. Assessed value of land in agricultural use $

2. Assessed value of improvements and farm buildings $

3. Assessed value or gross sales of agricultural
suppliers or processors = $

4. Number of persons employed in agriculture year-round =

seasonally =

5, Number of persons employed by agricultural
suppliers or processors = 1
6. 'Number of "part-time" farmers

D-8

APPENDIX E

RATIONALE - GUIDELINES FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND

I. QUANTITY

A. Background of Quantity Guidelines

These guidelines are based on the concept that emphasis
should be placed on retaining as much of the present agri-
cultural land as possible. This applies in particular to
prime agricultural land and to unique agricultural land
such as cranberry bogs or orchards--see "Protection and
Promotion" section of agricultural land evaluation sheet.

Agricultural land fulfills a variety of environmental needs.
It produces food and fiber to feed and clothe the population.
While Massachusetts has long since passed the point where
its agriculture satisfies the needs of its people; still,
agriculture is a $170-million industry in the state (5) and
supplies a significant amount of the food needs.

Agricultural land also furnishes ecological support for
diversity of animal, bird, and insect life. It provides
aesthetic satisfaction and it serves educational purposes.
Agricultural land supports a "way of life"; a mingling of
suburbia and rural area, a support for open space, and a
preservation of colonial heritage.

B. Central Massachusetts

The quantity guidelines developed for central Massachusetts
are based on 50 acres of agricultural land per 1,000 acres
total area in the community, and an additional 35 acres of
agricultural land per 1,000 people living in the community.
Using the most recent statewide census, and the total land
area in Massachusetts; these Quantity criteria, applied
statewide, would be approximately equal to the total agri-
cultural land in the state. (3)
The figure of 50 acres agricultural land per 1,000 land acres
establishes a base of "open space"; a green-belt to provide
ecological support, and to help meet aesthetic needs.

The additional figure of 35 acres per 1,000 population
recognizes (a) at least a vestigial need for agricultural
land to grow crops to feed the population; (b) the difficulty,
or impossibility, of returning land to agricultural purposes,,
once taken for other uses and (c) a need for open space.

E-1

One may question the empirical approach of using statewide
agricultural land figures as a benchmark for the guidelines.
Taken as an average, however, between croplands, pastures,
and idle land of sparsely-populated rural communities and
densely-populated cities; the guidelines represent a
working figure for outer-suburb communities, where population
influx is just beginning, and the older suburbs, where over-
crowding and commercialization have started to deteriorate
the quality of life.
As Ann Louise Strong states: "Thus far there has been little
effort to weigh open space advantages of preservation of
agricultural land against the value to the urban area of the
land for development purposes. Nor has there been much effort
to consider how much land, if any, should be kept if agri-
cultural, or to determine the economic cost to the public
of a decision in favor of open space preservation for
agriculture." (4)

Let it be noted that a pragmatist could develop, using pro-
duction rates of fundamental food stuffs, calorie values,
and production values of given soils, a theoretical evalua-
tion of agricultural land acreage requirements to sustain
each thousand population. When, however, proper diet,
taste preference, climate, crop suitability, etc., are con-
sidered, the project becomes one that is beyond the scope
of the Natural Resources Planning Program.
C. Cape Cod and the* Islands

The Cape Cod and the Islands resource area is water-oriented
and ocean-influenced. Where other parts of the state have
fields, pasture, and idle agricultural lands ' this area has
shoreline, dunes, heath, and woody shrubs. These lands and
cover types in this resource area take the place of agricultural
lands found elsewhere in the state.

Thirty acres of agricultural land per 1,000 land acres is a
guideline which provides diversity of land use, and recognizes
the "basic need" function of agricultural land. It is a
figure readily attainable in most of this resource area.
Where it is not attainable, local people participating in the
Program may find that other land types are suitable sub-
stitutes.

The central Massachusetts guidelines also allot 35 acres per
1,000 population. It is recommended this guideline be
deleted for the Cape and Islands resource area. Other cover
types take the place of agricultural lands. The population
varies greatly with the season. Most of the Capes' presently
productive agricultural land is committed to the cranberry
industry (Brennan). Cranberry bogs should be identified as
"Unique Agricultural Land" as well as mapped as present
agricultural land use.

E-2

II. QUALITY

A. Preservation of Prime Agricultural Land
Agricultural land, once covered by paving, houses, roads,
manufacturing plants, or shopping centers, becomes a lost
resource. Yet, many times, the prime agricultural land
is the first to be developed on, The same characteristics
that make it well-suited for agriculture (drainage, slope,
soil texture) also make it choice for development.

The criteria are set up to emphasize the retention of prime
agricultural land for the following reasons:

1. Agricultural land satisfies aesthetic, ecological, and
educational needs. It supports a way-of-life that is
respected, and rooted in our culture.

2. Prime agricultural land is often located adjacent to
streams or rivers, on a flood-plain, and therefore
in a flood-hazard area.

3. Once converted, it is prohibitively expensive (and
probably not feasible from other considerations) to
return land to agricultural uses. In light of various
shortages of meat, grains, vegetables which have
begun to occur, retention of land which does best at
growing agricultural commodities should be encouraged.

B. Conservation Planning and Practices

Land should be used within its capabilities, in a planned
manner, and with the application of needed conservation
practices in order to minimize erosion, obtain the best
production, and avoid a "worked-out" condition.
Guideline: 75% of farms under conservation plans.

C. Agricultural-Related Pollution

Agricultural land can be the source of contaminants in water
by sediments, fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides.
Inadequate waste disposal leads to objectionable odors and
pests such as flies and rats and mice.
Guideline: 50% or less of farms with pollution problems.

E-3

D. Multiple Use of Agricultural Land
Given the context of Agricultural Land as supplying a demand
for aesthetic "open space," then that open space legitimately
services other related demands; as recreational uses
(e.g. hunting or hiking), or wildlife propagation.
Guideline for Central Highlands: 75% or more of agricultural
land services in formal multiple use).

Guideline for Coastal Area: 50% or more of agricultural
land (except cranberry bogs) services informal
multiple use).

Signs of "good wildlife habitat and hunting" are presence
of contour farming, windbreaks, stripcropping, stubble
mulching, hedges, managed grazing, cover crops, odd acres,
field borders, practiced in agricultural land management.

E. Variety of Enterprises

Greater diversity of the crop or livestock enterprises
produce more stable agricultural base.
Guideline: three or more different enterprises.

III. DISTRIBUTION

Significant size is 25 acres. The subcommittee made a judgment
decision in selecting 25 acres, feeling that a block of agri-
cultural land should be of at least this size to have impact;
and probably represents a minimum acreage upon which a farmer
might expect to make a living and, therefore, maintain his land
as agricultural land.

Separated blocks of 25 acres or greater in size and distributed
over the town, will add to the scenic value of agricultural
land, and break up monotony in the landscape.

As a means to quantify "Distribution," the ratings were based
on existence of agricultural land in each "quadrant" of the
subject area, where the quadrants were four sections of roughly
equal-size which could be obtained by drawing a horizontal line
bisecting a map of the area, then likewise vertically. (4)

"Open and green space--These are essentially undeveloped,
visually attractive natural areas strategically located where
most needed to ameliorate intensifying urbanization patterns."

Note the emphasis placed on " . . . strategic . . . " location
to ameliorate intensifying urbanization patterns."

E-4

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

BIBLIOGRAPHY - AGRICULTURAL LAND

1. Soil Conservation Service, Conservation Needs Inventory, U.S.D.A.,
1968.

2. Strong, Ann Louise, Open Space for Urban America, Urban Renewal
Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Washington, D.C., 1965.

3. USDA, Agricultural Statistics, 1971.

4. Water Resources Council, Proposed Principles and Standards for
Planning Water and Related Land Resources, Federal Register,
Volume 36, No. 245, Part II, Tuesday, December 21, 1971.

5. Whyte, William H., The Last Landscape, Doubleday and Company, Inc.,
Garden City, New York, 1968.

E-5

APPENDIX F

SENSITIVE AREA CHARTS

Sensitive areas are areas of land and water that are integral parts of
the community's ecological system and whose protective or productive
functions would be lost through improper management. Such areas include:

wetlands/inland and coastal lakes and ponds
aquifers and recharge areas beaches and dunes
hillsides and steep slopes floodplains
streams and creeks, and water supply watersheds and
their banks well fields
others as selected by the critical wildlife habitat
community scenic and unique areas

Sensitive Area Charts that follow are provided as a general informational
aid to assist communities in protection and sound management of these
areas. For each of the sensitive areas covered, the chart lists the
ecological function, values to society (which includes both the
community and individuals), the impacts of alterations, and management
approaches. Appendix H, References, includes sources of more detailed
information on each of these aspects of sensitive areas. Similar
charts may be developed as needed by a community for other sensitive
areas not included with the following charts.

F-1

SENSITTIVE AREAS CHART

UNDERSTANDING AND PROTECTING: INLAND WETLANDS

Ecological function Values to Society
Impacts of Alteration Management Approaches

Improve1 water quality: Protection from sedimentation and Development in upland can.create more Wetlands Overlap District Mapping and
pollution. nutrient and sediment inflow than Zoning.

Nutrient cycling wetland is able to absorb.
trapping sediments
Groundwater protecton protection and Use restrictions.
replenishment of groundwater Development in and around wetland can
moderate extremes in resources (in some cases). destroy ecological health. Fill and dredge restrictions.
water supply
Visual-cultural values: Increased nutrient and sediment Wetland Protection Act review process,
recharge of groundwater input can speed change to woody Mass. G.L. Ch.131, S.40.
(in some cases) .-wildlife vegetation.
discharge of ground- recreation Building Code provisions.
water. education Dredging and filling--destruction
.aesthetics of all values. Cluster Zoning and Transfer of Development
Retain storm runoff and diversity of experience
release waters over Rights to permit flexibility in land use.
longer time period. Filling wetlands may increase nutrient

Provide stability with in Minimizes destructive effects and sediment load downstream. Land acquisition and conservation
the wetland ecosystem of flood waters. restrictions.
and in adjacent eco- Excessive pumping from aquifer may
system by species lower the water table and change the Runoff and erosion controls on contribu-
diversity and by above- character of the wetland. ting watershed lands.
mentioned water quality
and quality functions. Once polluted and damaged will remain Buffer zones with restricted use to pro-
so for many years. tect the wetlands.

Filling of wetland removes flood Septic system regulation(title 5 of the
Provide essential storage capacity. Mass. Environmental Code).
habitat for fish and
wetland and upland
wildlife .

Are highly productive.

*Development agricultural and
urban land uses.

SENSITIVE AREAS ChIIRT APPENDIX F

UNDERSTAIII'DiNu` AiM PROTECTING: COASTAL WETLANDS

Ecological Functic- Values to Society Impacts of Alteration Management Approaches

-.Prove water cuality: Protection from sedimentation Development* in upland can create. Wetlands Overlay District Mapping and
and pollution. more sediment inflow than wetland Zoning.
.nutr-ent cycling is able to absorb.
I t `
i erMa' o4' sediment Visual-cultural values: Use restrictions.
Development in and around wetland
Store coastal flocd waters. wildlife can destroy ecological health. Fill and dredge restrictions.
.recreation
Prov-,*de ecolocical edUCat4on Dredging and filling--destruction Wetland Protection Act review process.
diversity in association aesthetics of all values.
@sith adjacent ecosystems. diversity of experience Building Code provisions.
Removing wetlands.
Provi@_-a essential habitat Minimize destructive effects Cluster Zoning and Transfer of Develop-
for flsh, shellfish, and of flood waters. Decreased flows from incoming streams ment Rights to permit flexibility in land
I . I
and upland wildlife. and rivers can decrease amount of use.
Support many marine shell and fresh water entering estuary and
Are highly productive fin fish industries. alter ecological communities. Land acquisition and conservation
fc@, marine food chains. restrictions.
Minimize destructve storm Restriction of tidal flow can change
Absorb coastal storm impact. action on shoreline, marine character of wetland. Differential tax assessment based on
life, and property. wetlands use.
Irov4de an abundant diversity Pollution of fresh water streams enter-
r
,of 7arire habitats. ing salt marshes and salt water areas Runoff and erosion controls on contri-
can be harmful to coastal plant and buting watershed lands.
animal communities.
Buffer zones with restricted use to
Alterations through structural means protect the wetlands.
or encroachment on salt marshes and
shorelands of estuaries can be harm-
ful to coastal plant and animal
communities.

*Development agricultural and urban
land uses.

1@j

SENSITIVE AREAS CHART APPENDIX F

UNDERSTANDING AND PROTECTING: RIVERS, STREAMS AND CREEKS

Ecological Function Values to Society Impacts of Alteration Management Approaches

Transoort runoff from Natural drainage system that Development* increases runoff and Stream corridor overlay zoning district to
upian@s. safely transports runoff. erosion resulting in: create:
.Buffer zone along stream margins
.Storage and transport Maintains water quality by Increased downstream flood hazard. (sensitive wetlands and hillside areas)
of flood waters. dilution, OX4 dation, and Increased streambank and channel with a system of permitted uses to main-
biologic action. erosion. tain natural conditions.
Transoort and de 'ocsit Supplies water to surface and Lowered water table and irregular Flood hazard zone to limit flood damages.
se@im,ents and nutr-,ents some groundwater reserves. stream flow.
to I'loodplains, lakes, Higher water temperatures. Land acquisition and conservation ease-
and Qonds. Visual-cultural values. Sedimentation of stream channel ments.
reduces channel capacity, increases
Provide diversity of recreation flooding and degrades aquatic Runoff and erosion control standards for
wildlife habitats. aesthetics habitat. land uses.
.education
.Support aquatic wildlife Sewage discharge and polluted runoff Bank stabilization, land management and
cormun i ty. diversity of experience degrades water quality resulting in: structural measures to control sedimenta-
.Food and water for tion and channel erosion.
upland anfimals. In some drainages, supplies Contamination of water supplies.
.Spawning and migration fine sediment materials and Reduced visual-cultural values. Cluster zoning and density transfer type
pathways. nutrients to flood-prone Destroyed natural vegetation and legal instruments to control hydrologic
areas, thus benefiting wildlife with accompanying noxious impact of development.
Maintain balance in agricultural -land use. odors.
surface and groundwater "Wetland Protection Act" review process,
supplies. Alterations to stream channel can Mass. GL. Ch. 131, S.40.
increase downstream erosion and Control dredging, filling and altering
Natural digestion or flooding and can lower water table. of streambanks.
oxidation of nutrients
and wastes through * Removal of streambank vegetation Floodplain zoning.
aeration and biologic and filling woody wetlands causes
action. heat pollution, bank erosion and Mass. Environmental code.
sedimentation. Septic system regulations.
Moderate micro-climate Sanitary landfill siting and operation.
extremes.
Control of polluted runoff.
.Regulate use of road salt, fertilizers.
pesticides.
Performance controls for land uses.

Intergovernmental cooperation in water
quality management.

*Development agricultural and urban
land uses.

SEASITIVE AREAS CHART APPENDIX F

UNDERSTANDING AND PROTECTING: HILLSIDES

Ecolooical Function Values to Society Impacts of Alteration Management Approaches

Location of greatest erosional Reaulation of erosion and run- Development* removes vegetation, alters Hillside overlay (zoning) district based
activity--source of material of@ by natural vegetation and topography, exposes soils and distrubs on slope or on soil type to regulate:
that forms valleys and plains. drainage: natural drainage causing: Permitted uses.
.Increased amount and rate of runoff Amount of grading.
.Ercsion increases with steep- Controls catastrophic floods resulting in destructive erosion, Amount of impermeable surfaces.
ness and length of slopes. and landslides. downstream sedimentation and Disturbance of natural vegetation.
.Slo'pe steepness, soils and Minimizes erosion, gullying flood hazard.
drainage pattern are in and downstream sedimentation. Ugly erosion scars and exposed Subdivision control--cluster zoning,
dynamic balance with Protects public water supply development reducing visual values. P.U.D.'s, and density transfer
vegeL.ation, geology and and controls the sedimenta- Soil erosion and compaction reducing approaches to limit development impacts.
rainfall. tion of dams and reservoirs hillside's ability to support
.Stabilizes water flow to vecetation. Performance zoning--land use standards
Hillside veqetation controls aquifers, wetlands and streams. Re@uction_in groundwater recharge for runoff and erosion.
runoff, traps sediment, anchors and water quality.
soil and: Visual-cultural values: Destruction of wetlands and streams. Grading control ordinance:
.Review grading plans.
.Protects downstream areas from aesthetics Grading and water use associated with Cut and fill standards.
destructive flooding and recreation development can upset hillside Regulate time and location of grading.
sedimentation. diversity of experience stability causing mass movements--
.Reculates water flow to vistas landslides, slumps, and creep: Catch basins, spreader drains and
wel-liands, streams and ponds. Road cuts and home site grading can revegetation.
Buffers wind, noise and undercut natural retaining formation
Permeable soils and terraces screens eye sores. of hillsides causing mass movement. Innovative design and construction
at base of hills are prime Vegetation removal (reduced shade), approaches.
aquifer recharge areas. hastens snow melt and encourages
landslides and erosion. Site roads and structures with natural
Hillsides provide a diversity contour of land.
of natural habitats: Hillside development can jeopardize Limit grading for home sites.
public safety and generate un- Preserve natural vegetation and
.Variety of elevations. necessary public expenses: drainage.
.Variety of exposures to Increased runoff and sedimentation
sun and wind. increases public expenses for Control the extension of public
drainage, flood control and pro- utilities and roads.
tection of water supply.
Installation and maintenance of Purchase development rights.
public utilities is more
expensive--roads, sewers, water, Underground utilities and architectural
public buildings. standards to protect visual values.
.Poorly designed and constructed
development can incur public expense
for repairs or damage protection.

*Development = agricultural and urban
land uses

SENSITIVE AREAS CHART APPENDIX F

UNDERSTANDING AND PROTECTING: AQUIFERS

Ecological Function Values to Society Impacts of Alterations Management Approaches

Supplywater to wetlands, Provides public drinking Depletion of groundwater quantity: Study and map the critical aquifer
streams, and ponds during water and industrial water Unregulated pumping can deplete ground- recharge areas and determine the
dry periods. supplies. water and can cause land subsidence. safe yield of the aquifer.

Supply soil moisture Helps to maintain surface Development on permeable recharge areas or Prevent pollution of the aquifer:
needed by we'lland plants. water levels in dry periods the alteration of wetlands and streams can Designate a "prime recharge area"
to sustain surface water inhibit the recharge of groundwater supplies. and adjacent buffer zone with per-
Enrich surface water with supplies, visual character, mitted uses.
m*rerals essential to water-based recreation, Lowered groundwater level can reduce dry
aquatic wetland wildlife, and season flows and damage wetlands, streams, Performance controls and land use
fisheries. and lakes. standards within sensitive areas.
Moderate stream
temperatures. Helps moderate the effects Contamination of groundwater quality: Enforcement of sanitary code and
of flooding. Land use practices on permeable recharge landfill regulations.
areas can pollute the aquifer--improperly
Supplies soil moisture to sited septic systems, leaking sewer lines, Maintain recharging of aquifer:
wetland vegetation. landfill operations, or improper handling Runoff and erosion control
of chemicals. ordinances to maintain natural
drainage.
-1water can draw i-
.Overuse of grounu
taminating saltwater (coastal), polluted Limit the amount of impermeable
surface waters,or groundwater of inferior surfaces.
quality.
Artificial recharge using catch
.Deterioration of water quality may escalate basins, berms and wells.
public expense for treatment. Purchase recharge areas for public
open space or purchase conserva-
tion restrictions.

Conserve water supply:
Meter water usage.
Pllhlir education programs.

APPENDIX ,G

IMPLEMENTATION TECHNIQUES AND SOURCES OE ASSISTANCE

INTRODUCTION

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF A
'COMMUNITY'S NATURAL,RESOU@RCES

STOP GAP MEASURES
Building Moratoriums

LAND ACQUISITION
Fee Simple Acquisition
Less-Than-Fee Simple Acquisition
Methods of Land Acquisition
Pre-emptive Buying
Installment Purchase
Purchase and Leaseback
Purchase and Re-Sale
Purchase of Option
Land Banking
Land Trusts
Acquisition of Tax Delinquent Land
Donations
Bargain Sale
Federal and State Funding

G-1

LAND USE REGULATION
Zoning Regulations
Special Permit
Cluster Zoni.ng
Large Lot Zoning
Flood Plain and Wetland Zoning
Aquifer.Recharge Zoning
Critical Resource or Special Conservancy Zoning
Contract Zoning
Incentive Zoning
Performance Zoning
Designation of Scenic Roads
Wetlands Protection

Subdivision Control
Design and Site Review
Historic Districts
Growth Regulations
Septic System Regulations

TAX POLICIES

Woodland

Farmland
@d@-ijnder Conservation Restrictions

TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

,LOCATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES (INFRASTRUCTURE)

DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION

G-2

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

FEDERAL
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Community Development Block Grant
National Flood Insurance Act
USDA, Soil Conservation Service
USDI, U.S. Geological Survey

STATE
Office of State Planning
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
Division of Forests and Parks
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Division of Conservation Services
Department of Environmental Quality Engineering
Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service
Massachusetts Department of Community Affairs
Massachusetts Department of Public Works
Regional Planning Agencies
Conservation Districts

QUASI-PUBLIC AGENCIES
Watershed Associations
Nature Conservancy
The Trustees of Reservations .4n
Massachusetts Audubon Society q-
Conservation Law Foundation
New England Natural Resource Center
Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions
Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
General References
too

Specific and Technical References

G-3

INTRODUCTION
This appendix presents, discusses, and illustrates the many tools,
techniques, and sources of assistance available to communities for the
implementation of land use or natural resource planning proposals.
The format is designed to enable members of the Natural Resources
Technical Team (NRTT), community Steering Committee, its subcommittees,
town boards, and other interested citizens to become familiar with the
different means to protect, develop, and manage natural resources.

Land use management programs may have a profound effect on the economic,
ecological, and social environment of a community. Before adopting
any of the resource management techniques,presented in this appendix,
a community should recognize and evaluate the impact of the specific
techniques on the town and surrounding towns. Although many techniques
appear to solve a community's problems, upon closer inspection they
onlybring additional complications. Land use management plans should
be considered in view 'of their long term as well as their short term
effects. The primary purpose of the land use management program and
the secondary effects should be understood by the community to assure
the desired results.

This..appendix is organized in the following manner: Section II
illustrates the-tools and techniques for the management and the
development 'of natural resources. Section II begins with stop gap or
temporary measures for guiding growth so that significant naturai
resources are not destroyed during the organization and planning of a
more permanent program. The major portion of the section is then
devoted to longer range techniques which vary from land acquisition,
land regulation, and design and construction to such innovative con-
cepts as transfdr of development-rights and growth reg'ulations.
Section III cites specific agencies and organizations that may assist
community planning efforts-or administer state or federal programs
which may affect local land use. Finally, Section IV identifies selected
references where more detailed information can be found concerning pro-
cedures for the protection, development, and management of natural
resources. These references Will assist communities in formulating and
implementing natural resource policies and planning programs.

G-4

In each section the general techniques are discussed first, followed
by a discussion of several specific applications or variations.
Whenever possi ble, examples of communities which have used a particular
method are included, as well as references of where additional infor-
mation may be obtained. In instances where a town or a town by-law
is cited, further information may be obtained by contacting the town
clerk, planning board chairman, or conservation commission chairman.
In other cases the reader may wish to contact the state or federal
agencies and private organizations which have a special knowledge of
a certain technique. Addresses are included. Also following the
discussion of most implementation devices are references of publica-
tions which may be consulted for a more detailed explanation or
analysis of the planning tool under consideration. They are listed
by author, title, relevant page numbers, and, in many instances, a
brief annotation. For the publisher, and in some cases the cost,
refer to the bibliography at the end of the appendix.

This appendix is not intended to be an exhaustive analysis of all
natural resource development and land use management methods. Rather,
it is hoped that the brief descriptions, comments, and references of
the implementation programs and sources of assistance included in
this chapter will establish a basis and direction from which a com-
munity may seek further assistance and knowledge. Communities should
consult with legal counsel, consulting land use planners, or public
or private agencies for assistance in the selection and valid applica-
tion of these procedures.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR THE PROTECTION, AND DEVELOPMENT OF A
COMMUNITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES
The development and management of natural resources may be considered
from two basic approaches: development of a community's natural
resources by the management and development of individual sites, and
the planning and regulation of future growth and development in the
community. Individual sites may b e acquired and improved for the

G-5

benefit of the community or neighborhood for recreation, wildlife,
or protection of a renewable resource such as farmland or woodland.
As more individual sites are improved, use of the community's
natural resources improves. The treatment of individual sites,
however, may produce a spotty effect---islands of relief--unless
attention is paid to the broader patterns of resource use. The
planning and regulation of future growth and development in the
community can be directed at guiding the pattern of growth to best
utilize and protect its natural resources. New development may be
encouraged fn areas well suited for intensive use, while sensitive
or fragile areas may be regulated so that a minimum of the natural
environment is altered or damaged.

The tools and techniques for natural resource management and development
dis-cussed in this appendix could be grouped into one of the above
approaches. Depending on the particular situation of each community and
the scale of the project, certain techniques and combinations of tech-
niques will be more suitable than others. Specific site situability
-and areas with special characteristics (such as development limitations
or hi.gh recreation potential) may be determined from the inventory and
analysis maps and other data and evaluations resulting from the NRPP.

General references:

.The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Reilly, William K., ed. 1973. The Use
of Land: A Citizens' Policy Guide to Urban Growth.
Excellent summary of present values, practices, and regulatory
measures.

.Council of Environmental Quality. 197-4. Fifth Annual Report on
Environmental Quality. Chapter 1, "Land Use."
Provides a clear, concise discussion of the effects of development,
stimulants, and land use controls.

G-6

Frankl i n, Hebert M. ; Fal k, Davi d; and Levi n, Arthur J. 1974.
A Guide for Policy-makers on I P
nclusionary Land Use_@@ram@s_
Tn-evaluation of land use policy literature for policy-makers on
land use controls and their connection with the equitable dis-
tribution of housing in growth ar eas.

.League of Women Voters. 1975. Land Use, Can We Keep Public and
Private Rights in Balance.
Easy to understand summary of land use issues.

Peskin, Sarah. 1976. Guiding Growth and Change: A Handbook for the
Massachusetts Citizen. Massachusetts Audubon Society.

STOP GAP MEASURES
There are two major reasons why communities wish to control growth
temporarily. First, a community may want to prevent unplanned or
inappropriate development until plans are prepared to regulate the
location and quality of future development. Communities may use stop-gap
techniques to allow adequate time to prepare or revise natural resource
inventories, natural resource plans, zoning by-laws, subdivision
ordinances, and master or comprehensive plans. A second reason for
communities to delay future development is to present pollution
problems such as sewage overflows, and shortages of water supply or
other municipal services such as schools or fire protection. Overuse
of natural resources or inadequate development of existing natural
resources can be identified by the evaluation process of the NRPP.

To achieve these objectives, building moratoriums might be employed or
growth rates regulated. The building moratorium is a stop-gap measure
which has been used by many Massachusetts communities to prevent
unplanned or inappropriate development, or to forestall added stress
on already overworked municipal services or resources. Three different
forms of moratoriums may be adopted:
1. The general moratorium prohibits all types of construction for a
predetermined time period.

2. The use-restriction moratorium may be directed at different kinds
of new development, such as apratments, mobile home parks, motels,
and commercial development.

G-7

3. Growth rates may be regulated by requiring that major develop-
ments be timed according to-a specific percentage of the total
proposed development. The town of Tisbury, on Martha's Vineyard,
has adopted a growth rate regulation of this type which restricts
subdivisions of greater than seven units from constructing more
than one-seventh the total approved number of units each year.

.Massachusetts Department of Community Affairs. . Buildinq
Moratoriums in Massachusetts, Their Uses, Effects, and Le al-
Implications.
Definitive work on building moratoriums including survey of cities
and towns with recently enacted or expired building moratoriums.

.Massachusetts Department of Community Affairs

.Conservation Law Foundation

LAND ACQUISITION
Land acquisition, either fee simple (outright ownership) or less than
fee simple (easement or deed restriction), is one of the most secure
ways to assure proper land use management. The major problems with
land acquisition are its initial cost, long-term maintenance costs,
and loss of tax revenue. Land may be acquired by eminent domain,
negotiated purchase, or donation.

.Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. 1973.
Massachusetts Conservation Commission Handbook. pp. 16-20.
Concise explanations of how to acquire land.

Fee Simple Acquisition involves the full title to the land with al I
property rights being passed on in the deed. This is the surest way to
influence the future use of the land, but it is usually the most
expensive. It is particularly applicable when the community must com-
pletely control the land to develop facilities such as schools, recreation
facilities, or water supply reservoirs. It is also normally used to
acquire conservation lands where major public access or resource manage-
ment measures are planned.

G-8

Less-than-fee simple acquisition includes easements and Conservation
Restrictions,-under which ownership is retained by the owner, but cer-
tain rights are transferred in the deed to the holder of the easement
or restriction. A municipality or charitable organization might use
this method to preserve forest, farmland, or other open space in its
present state, or to provide public access to valuable resources.
Rights which are transferred in the deed can include development rights,
access rights, scenic easements, water, mineral, or air rights.

The Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 184, Sections 31-33, formally
establish a mechanism whereby Conservation and Preservation Restrictions
can be held by any governmental body or charitable corporation or trust,
without having to be periodically re-recorded, and allowing the holder
to enforce the restriction despite lack of ownership of related land.
Restricted land must also be assessed separately, which may result in
lower taxes, increasing the appeal.of this program to landowners.

Landowners who consider permanent restrictions to be unacceptable
because of their inflexibility may wish to grant a short term (10-20 years)
restriction. Special tax provisions and reversion clauses would be
needed for short term restrictions.

Some advantages of easements are: less cost than total acquisition; the
land remains on the tax roles, although its value may be lower; the land
will still be available to the owner for recreation, farming, or other
permitted uses as specified in the restriction; the owner will maintain
the land without cost to the community, and yet the community will
have the benefit of protecting natural,resources and, depending on the
terms of the restriction, may be allowed access and its use for passive
recreation. In addition, the value of land adjacent to restricted land
may increase.

Kline, Elizabeth. 1975. Protecting Open Space, A Guide to Selected
Protection Techniques. pp. 4/-52.
Easy to understand explanation with examples.

G-9

.Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. 1973. Massa-
chusetts Conservation Commission Handbook. pp. 24-31.
Brief, clear explanation of conservatioiT-restrictions.

.Metropolitan Area Planning Council. 1969. Open Space Law, Volume 4,
pp. 18-23.
Complete discussion including tax consequences and legal particulars.

.Metropolitan Area Planning Council. 1972. Open Space Law, Volume 4,
Supplement. pp. 22-23.
General discussion of the basic elements of conservation restrictions.
Methods of Land Acquisition : I
The following methods of acquisition may use either fee simple or less
than fee simple acquisition.

Pre-emptive Acquisition
Because the costs of large tracts of land may be prohibitive, a municipality
can purchase a few strategically located parcels. In this manner, access
may be controlled. As abutters, the community or private group would have
legal standing as to the use of adjacent land. This technique has been
used very effectively by:

.The Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Inc.

The Nature Conservancy

Installment Purchase
Purchase of a pre-determined amount or percentage of property annually can
lessen the burden of acquisition, not only to the community, but also to
the seller. By distributing the profit from the land sale over a number
of years, capital gains taxes are reduced. Also, when a percentage of
land is purchased annually, the entire tract may be controlled by the
town agency and/or be put in a holding status. This technique has been
used by:

.The Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Inc.

.The Nature Conservancy

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Purchase and Leaseback
Communities or private groups may acquire land and then lease it back to
the previous owners or to new tenants. The community benefits by the
restrictions which are placed upon the'lease which may prohibit uses that
will have an adverse effect on the natural resources. The restrictions
should be enumerated in the lease so that all parties are aware of the
nature of the restrictions. The lesee benefits by the use of land which
he could not afford to buy outright. This program has been used suc-
cessfully with agricultural land.
.International Independence Institute. 1972. The Community Land Trust, A
Guide to a New Model for Land Tenure in America.
Introduction, concept, and descripiions of how land trusts operate.
West Road, Box 183, Ashby, Massachusetts 01431.

Purchase and Re-sale
Like the previous technique, land is purchased by the town or a private
group. It is then sold back, rather than leased, to the previous owner
or to a new owner. During the transfer, restrictions are fixed on the
deed to define the future allowable uses of the property. These restrictions
do not decrease the existing use value of the land, only the speculative
value. The sell-back price will be lower than the purchase price because
of the lost speculative value of the land.

Another type of purchase and re-sale can also be used. There are some
organizations, such as the Nature Conservancy, which will step in in an
emergency to buy a valuable parcel if it comes on the market suddenly
and if the town or state cannot raise the necessary funds in time. The*
private group will purchase the land and hold it until the governmental
body can allocate the funds and buy it from them. This coordination
allows for more flexibility in order to take advantage of changing situa-
tions than governmental agencies often have.

-Connecticut River Watershed Council, 125 Combs Road, Easthampton,
Massachusetts 01027
-The Coastal Foundation, Box 98, South Gardiner, Maine 04359,
The Nature Conservancy

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Purchase of Option
In situations where a.community has insufficient funds available for
immediate purchase of a particular parcel of land, and if there is not a
clear need to acquire the area immediately, the purchase of an option
is a viable alternative. The cost of an option is generally a small
fraction of the total purchase price.. Land encumbered by an option
agreement could remain in its present use unless it is offered for sale,
at which ti,.me the.community can exercise its option to purchase.

.Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions- 1973.,
Massachusetts Conservation CommissJon Handbook p. 21.
Brief explanation o. ails of option

Land Banking_
Land banking is the acquisition and holding of-land by the'community for
future use. Parcels may be acquired well in advance' of actual need for
specific public purposes (schools, sewage treatment plants, roads,
parks and open space). Another aspect of land banking is to acquire
large tracts of land to enable better planned future development. Land
acquisition may be in the form of options, contracts to purchase, or fee
simple. A land banking program enables the community to actively determine
and direct the nature of future development. The community may sell or
lease the land to developers or'farmers, or both, with stipulations as to
what land uses@ are permitted.

The concept of land banking has been taken up in Lincoln, Massachusetts,,as
a way of planning land use. A group of concerned citizens formed the Rur@l
Land Foundation, a quasi-public charitable foundati on which.,'under an
elected Board of Trustees, can acquire land and subsequently dispose of
it, either for private development, public-development, open space or
farming. This transfer can be fee simple, less than fee simple, sale, lease,
or gift,.and the RLF can make a profit on the transacti.on as 'long as it Is
put back into the land acquisition fund. By being able to both protect
and develop land, the RLF can accomplish this prime. goal of open space-
preservation while at the same time initiating innovative development and
providing benefits to the town such as low-income housing. The key

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difference between land banking, and the somewhat similar concept of
the RLF, and other acquisition and disposal techniques is that the land
is acquired for a future use, not an immediate purpose, although con-
tinuing its pre-sent use might be very beneficial to the community.

American Law Institute. 1975. A Model Land Development Code.
pp. 253-283.
An in-depth, legal discussion which includes model ordinances and
extensive explanatory notes.

Fishman and Gross. 1972. "Public Land Banking," In Case Western Law
Review Vol. 23, No. 4, 1972, pp. 897-975.
Comprehensive discussion including background, experiences in other
countries, and.examples of land banking in this country with detailed
explanations of public corporations, financing, and operations.

Fitch, Lyle C., and Mack, Ruth. 1974. "Land Banking," In Harriss, Lowell C.
The Good Earth of America. pp. 134-154.
General concepts.

Franklin, Herbert M., Falk, David; Levin, Arthur.. 1974. In-zoning,
A Guide for Policy-makers on Inclusionary Land Use Programs. pp. 177-197.
Comprehensive coverage of many aspects of land banking.

Redlich, Susan. 1974. Guiding Growth: A Handbook for New Hampshire
Townspeople. p. 82.
Good introduction to land banking.

Land Trusts
A land trust is a quasi-public body which owns and acquires land for the
public good. A conservation land trust may be initiated by owners of
large tracts of land who no longer want'the responsibility of land owner-
ship but desire to retain some authority or trusteeship over the land.
A second form of land trust, the community land trust, is also formed by a
group of individuals. Its objective is to lease the land with the purpose
of maintaining the land's long-range resource value.

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By their nature, quasi-public land trusts may be established quickly and
may acquire land without complex procedures. Land trusts may work with
local governments to acquire land when it -is available, and then sell it
to local governments when the community is able to appropriate funds.

There are other advantages of land trusts. They are generally acceptable
to landowners whereas public purchase may be frightening. They also have
a long cultural and societal history and may act as a holding-mechanism
for long and short-range strategies.

.International Independence Institute. 1972. The Community Land Trust,
A Guide to a New Model for Land Tenure -in America.
Introduction, concept, and descriptions of how land trusts operate.

.Redlich, Susan. 1974. Guiding Growth: A Handbook for New Hampshire
Townspeople, pp. 87-88.
Good description with examples of land -trusts in New Hampshire.

.Abenaki Regional Land Trust, W.indmill Hill, Putney, Vermont 05346,
(802) 387-5732.
An operating land trust.

.New Canaan Land Conservation Trust, 72 Park Street, New Canaan, Conn. 06840
An operating land trust.

Acquisition of Tax Deling uent Land
Tax delinquent land may be acquired by the community when the person or
persons who hold title to the land either cannot be located or cannot pay
the accrued property taxes. Towns may be able to acquire.s.ignificont
parcels of land by the acquisition of tax delinquent land.

.Kline, Elizabeth. 1975. Protecting Open_Space, A Guide to Selected
Protection Techniques. pp. 53-55.
Easy to understand descriptions with examples.

.Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. 1973. Massachusetts
Conservation Commission Handbook.- pp. 21-22.
Brief explanation of the mechanics of tax delinquent land transfer.

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Donations
A municipal body, agency, or organization may receive land from private
donations, and gifts with restrictions for certain uses. Individuals,
businesses, and organizations may increase the amount of conservation
land in this manner. For such charitable gifts, the donor may be able
to make significant deductions from federal and state income taxes.
Community conservation groups may encourage donations by demonstrating
the tax benefits and generating a feeling of town pride and cooperation.

Kline, Elizabeth. 1975. Protecting Open Space, A Guide to Selected
Protection Techniques pp. 62-67.
Explanation of the benefits of donations and how to encourage donations.

.Massachusetts Association of.Conservation Commissions. 1973. Massa-
chusetts Conservation Commission Handbook. pp. 16-17.
Technical aspects of land tFa-nsfer.

Platt, Rutherford H. 1971. Open Land in Urban Illinois, Roles of the
Citizen Advocate.
Good discussion of legal implications and tax benefits.

Redlich, Susan. 1974. Guiding Growth, A Handbook for New Hampshire
Townspeople. p. 84.
Brief summary.

Conservation Law Foundation

Bargain Sale
A bargain sale is a sale at less than fair market value, which means that
a person who could not afford to donate his land could sell it to a
public or private group for what he originally paid for it. The land-
owner has his investment returned tax-free (Treasury Regulation
Sl 1001-1(e)(1957)), since the capital gains tax the owner avoided is
sometimes higher than the revenue lost by the bargain sale.

Federal and State Funding
Federal funding for outdoor recreation land acquisition and development
is available through the Land and Water Conservation Fund of the Bureau

G-15

of Outdoor Recreation (BOR), which provides up to 50% reimbursement to
states and municipalities. The Massachusetts Self-Help Program provides
up to 50% reimbursement to communities for the acquisition of conservation
lands. When both.programs approve a request, the federal share is 50%,
state 25%, and local 25%. In order to qualify for these funds, a com-
munity must have an approved plan on file with the Division of Conservation
Services. The.plan could be a conservation/recreation plan, an element
of a comprehensive or master plan, or a separate plan concerning the land
for which the applying agency is responsible, but must comply with the
Division of Conservation Services planning requirements.

Community Development Block Grant Funds, administered by the U. S. Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Development, can also be used for certain land
acquisition projects, and may be used to match funds from the above

programs.

.Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. Massachusetts
Conservation Commission Handbook. 1973. pp. 24-28.
Clear descriptions of the complex state and federal programs.

.Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services

.U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

.Ma ssachusetts Department of Community Affairs

LAND USE REGULATION
All ri ghts to the private use of property are subject to the "police
power," which can limit the use of property without compensating the owner
for any loss. in value. The basic requirement of all land use regulations
is that they must be in the interest of the public health, safety, and
welfare. Such land use regulations may be used only to prevent a public
harm or nuisance. Examples of such valid uses are to prevent overcrowding,

G-16

pollution, or unnecessary hazards. But land use regulations may not be
used to create a public benefit such as a recreation area or open space.

The proper use of the regulatory authority is a complex and continuing
question. The following reference will help to clarify the legal
limitations of land use regulation.

Bosselman, Fred; Callies, David; and Banta, John. 1973. The Taking
Issue.
An in-depth, legal, technical study of the constitutional limits of
governmental authority to regulate the use of private land.

Zoning Regulations
Zoning regulations are the most common type of land use controls. In
Massachusetts, the basic authority for municipal zoning is found in
M.G.L. Ch. 40A, the Zoning Enabling Act. Zoning may be used to separate
conflicting and incompatible land uses such as industrial and residential
areas. This type of control may also be used to determine the proper
location of land uses such as conservation and agricultural areas.

A second use of zoning is to regulate the manner in which land is used
so that public harm may be prevented. To prevent overcrowding And pollution
and assure proper health conditions, minimum lot sizes, structure set-
backs, and special provisions for hazardous or sensitive areas may be
required.

Zoning regulations are generally drafted by the planning board, witK input
from the conservation commission, townspeople, and commercial and indus-
trial interests. Accompanying the regulations must be a detailed zoning
map or a similarly detailed description which indicates to all landowners
the zone category of their land and its permitted uses. The zoning by-laws
or ordinances then must be approved by a town meeting or city council,
after public hearing.

G-17

The issues and ramifications of zoning regulations are complex and far
reaching. When considering developing new regulations or revising
existing regulations, communities should investigate the following
general sources: . I

.Babcock, Richard F. 1966. The Zoning Game.
Realistic treatment of the actual operations of zoning from the
viewpoints of its key participonts - developers, planners,
legislators, lawyers, and judges.

.U. S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Extension Service. 1967.
Zoning--An Aid to Community Resource Development.
Basic, brief (15,pages) guide to understanding the objectives and the
process of zoning.

.Massachusetts.Zoning Enabling Act, Chapter 808 of the Acts of 1975.

.Massachusetts Department of Community Affairs

.Conservation Law Foundation.

The remainder of this section will cite selected types of zoning
regulations which are often used for the protection and management of
natural resources. For a general reference on the limi.tations of many
types of natural resource zoning see:

.Kusler, Jon A. 1972. "Open Space Zoning; Valid Regulation or Invalid
Taking." In Minnestoa Law Review, 51:1, November.
Excellent discussion of the constitutionality of open space zoning
techniques, such as: scenic zoning, minimum lot sizes, and other
innovative approaches.

1. Special Permit (Special Exceptions, Conditional Use.)_ - This can be
used to grant an exception to a district's normal uses when A specific
use may be desirable under certain circumstances but when that use
might pose problems if it were allowed throughout the entire zone.
The uses for which a special permit may be obtained (usuAlly from
the Board of Appeals) must be stated in the zoning by-low, and, il f

G-18

carefully drafted, the terms of the special permit will ensure that
the developer will meet requirements and standards which are adequate
to prevent or alleviate potential problems of the use. For instance,
in many by-laws special permits are used to allow cluster development
in a conventionally zoned district, providing the developer meets
certain criteria regarding open space, resource protection, and
community facilities, etc. The use allowed by the special permit
must be in accord with the purpose and intent of the by-law.

The special permit procedure may also be required for specified
uses in flood plains, wetlands, and.other environmentally hazardous
areas, providing review of plans to ensure that the design will
minimize hazards or impacts.

2. Cluster zoning allows for an adjustment in the location and density
of development upon a site so long as the total number of units does
not exceed a set number or density ratio. Thus on a twenty-acre site
zoned for one house per acre, cluster zoning would allow twenty
houses but instead of being spread out one to an acre plot, they
could be clustered on a small portion of the site, such as five
acres, with the rest left as open space. The open space can be
dedicated to the town as recreational land, to a conservation group,
or left in common ownership to the homeowners. Cluster zoning may
be used with single family detached housing, townhouses, duplexes,
or other housing types, and if a town desires to increase the
density, or encourage developers to use cluster zoning, the by-law
may allow higher than normal densities (for that district) as an
incentive to cluster units and leave larger areas of contiguous
open space.

Cluster zoning is used to protect environmentally sensitive areas or
portions of sites such as steep slopes, woodlands draining into
ponds, etc. It is usually combined with a special permit procedure so
that a developer would obtain a special permit in order to use the
cluster concept in a residence zone.

G-19

3. Large lot zoning, one dwelling uni t on two to five acres, is usually
used in areas of poor drainage, steep slopes, or in fragile and
sensitive landscapes. Areas which do not have municipal water or
sewage may require large lots to insure! the adequate separation
of on-site septic tanks and water supply wells.

In some cases, the purpose of large lot ordinances is the preservation
of an area's character. Care must be exercised when using large lot
zoning not to create an exclusionary effect. Minimum lot areas
may not be made so large that a private rather than public interest
is served. Large minimum lot sizes can also increase the cost of
a lot to the extent that it is no longer marketable , thus constituting
an unconstitutional confiscation of property without compensation.

.Metropolitan Area Planning Council. 1969. Open Space L aw,
Volume 4. pp. 28-33.
t-eneral discussion of large lot zoning uses and limitations.

Jown of Sherborn, Mass., Zoning By-Law.
Two and three-acre zones in areas where there are soil limitations
for septic tanks. There are no municipal water or sewer services.

Jown Soil Surveys, by USDA, Soil Conservation Service. Many
interpretive maps will be helpful including depth to water table,
slope, limitations for septi c tanks and home sites.

4. Flood plain and wetland zoning is an effective means of maintaining
the natural hydrologic mechanism of storing and carrying high
seasonal and storm flows and of protecting life and property. Buil-ding
on flood plains can be hazardous to occupants of such structures, and
can also increase flood hazards to others in the flood'plain.
Construction in wetlands can-res ult in both on-site problems and
off-site impacts. Uses maybe limited or a special permit require-
ment can provide the review of projects based on specified standards,

.Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissilons.

.Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Insurance
Administration, Regional Office, Boston, Massachusetts.

G-20

.Flood Hazard Boundary Maps

Natural Flood Insurance Program

U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

U. S. Geological Survey

USDA, Soil Conservation Service

5. Aquifer recharge area zoning is an innovative technique which may be
used by communities which rely on groundwater as their source of
water supply. Urban development such as high density housing,
industry, or shopping centers, with a large percentage of impervious
Surfaces such as roofs, streets, and parking areas may reduce the
recharge of aquifers (groundwater sources). Street runoff, road
salts, landfills, septic systems, or industrial wastes can pollute
the aquifer, thus destroying or impairing an economical source of
municipal water supply.

.EPA. 1975. Performance Controls for Sensitive Lands, pp. 107-157.
Practical ecisionmakers with clear ex -
guide for d planations and
model ordinances.

Jown of Amherst, Massachusetts. Proposed Zoning By-Laws, 1975.
Amherst attempted to enact an aquifer recharge zone in Octobe-r 1975,
but it was defeated because of other more controversial sections
of the zoning by-law.

6. The critical resdurce or special conservancy zone may act as an overlay
zone in sensitive areas such as areas of steep slopes, wildlife
habitats, and fragile vegetation. Development in these zones
would require approval and assurance that there would be no adverse
environmental effects. In the town of Sunderland, Massachusetts,
Zoning By-Law, the Critical Resource District includes a 90-day delay
for any construction in the Critical Resource District. During thi.s

G-21

90-day waiting period, the town evaluates the acquisition of the
property. If the town rejects acquisition, and there are no adverse
environmental effects, the development may proceed.

7. Contract zoning and conditional zonini involve the re-zoning of
property to a zoning classification With fewer restrictions based
on an agreement of conditions between the property owner and the com-
munity. This would allow a landowner to develop his property more
intensively by granting concessions to the community. The legality
of these techniques has been questioned in many states but they
have been upheld in Massachusetts.

8. Incentive or bonus zoning establishes a system whereby developers
who meet certain conditions are permitted higher profits from more
intensive development in return for public benefits. These benefits
could be for building in certain areas, providing open space, or
providing recreation land. This technique has been commonly used in
developed urban areas for the purpose of encouraging attractive
buildings with facilities that the public can use and enjoy.

.Town of Natick, Massachusetts. . "Incentive Bonuses"
Philip Herr and Associates, 230 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. 02116.

.Babcock, Richard F., Banta, John S. 1966. New Zoning Techniques for
Inner City Areas.

9. Performance zoning allows for flexible, and innovative design and
site planning for sensitive areas, such as stream corridors, aquifers,
wetlands, and hillsides. The community establishes the way that it
wants the land to perform, and then it allows the developer to
determine the best method to meet the performance criteria. The.
advantage of this approach is that it ensures local review in the
development of sensitive areas. However, problems arise because few
communities have the staff or expertise to enable the proper adminis-
tration of performance criteria.

G-22

.EPA. 1975. Performance Controls for Sensitive Lands: A Practical

Guide for Local Administrators.
To be used as a handbook by local planning officials in planning
for and regulating the use of five distinct natural areas:
streams and creeks, wetlands, woodlands, hillsides, and ground-
water redharge areas--included are references of where and how
techniques for protecting the sensitive areas are being used.

.Duxbury, Massachusetts, Zoning By-Laws.

.Rahenkamp, Sax, Wells, and Associates, Philadelphia, Pa.
This consulting firm developed the performance zoning system for
Duxbury.

Scenic Road Designation
The designation of scenic roads in Massachusetts is authorized by the
Scenic Roads Act, Mass. G.L. Ch. 40, s. 15C. If a community designates
a road as scenic, road alterations which involve destruction of trees
and stone walls in the right-of-way require planning board approval
after a public hearing. Some towns such as Leverett, Massachusetts,
have designated all town roads as scenic.

Conservation Law Foundation.

Wetlands Protection
Wetlands Protection is authorized by the Wetlands Protection Act and the
Inland Wetlands Restriction Act.
The Wetlands Protection Act (_MGL Ch.131, 5.401 regulates, but does.
not ban development on wetlands and flood plains. The lqw require-s
that any person intending to remove, dredge, fill, or alter a wetland
must file a "notice of intent" and plans with the local conservation
commission. The conservation commission is mandated to i'mpose any
conditions on the proposed activity necessary to protect public or
private water supplies, groundwater supply, fisheries, and land con-
taining shellfish, to prevent pollution and storm damage, and to
control flooding.

G-23

2. The Inland Wetlands Restriction Act (Mass. General Laws Ch. 131, s 40A)
and The Coastal Wetlands Restriction Law (Mass. G. L. Ch. 130, s 105)
are designed to supplement the regulatory approach of the Wetlands
Protection Act. These laws authorize the Department of Environmental
Management (DEM) to impose development restrictions on designated
wetlands and flood plains, after notification of all affected property-
owners and a public hearing.

.Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. 1973.
Massachusetts Conservation Commission Handbook. pp. 34-42.

.Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Open Space Law, 1972 Supplement.
pp. 13-17.

.Conservation Law Foundation.

-Massachusetts Audubon Society, Wetlands Project

Subdivision Control
Subdivision is the process by which undeveloped land is divided into two
or more lots for building or sale, if the new lots do not have legally
required frontage on an existing public way. Subdividing requires the
construction of new rights-of-way and approval by the planning board.
Subdivision controls are designed to protect the buyer and the abutting
residents from haphazard and poorly planned development by requiring
minimum standards for lot size and road frontage, road design, drainage,
and the location of utilities and municipal services. Environmental
impact statements and plan review and approval may be required.

.Subdivision Control Law. Mass. G.L. Ch. 41, ss. 81K-81GG.

.Massachusetts Department.of Community Affairs.

.Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Open Space Law 19.72 Supplement.
pp. 7-13.
Good discussion of Subdivision Regulation.

G-24

Design and Site Review
Communities may take measures to preserve their general appearance both
for the purpose of controlling future development and for the purpose
of preserving the character of historic areas. The two techniques for
exercising such control are design and site review.

Design and site review may be implemented in the following ways:
amendment to the zoning by-law to create site plan review process; the
creation of a special permit process for the construction of certain
types of buildings; zoning amendment to create a special design district;
and the creation of a historic district.

One problem which may arise when design or site review is accomplished
through the zoning process is that the actual design or site review is
performed by the zoning board of appeals. Therefore, the success of the
program is dependent upon the,interest and expertise of the zoning board
of appeals.

Historic Districts
The creation of a historic district protects significant historic areas
from the natural attrition which might occur from the encroachment of
modern development. Rigorous controls may be imposed in historic districts
to prevent visible changes of the historical quality of the area. Many
districts prohibit any alteration of building exteriors which includes
changing the color of the building. Massachusetts communities that have
adopted historic districts include: Nantucket, Boston, Concord, Lexington,
Salem, Falmouth, Ipswich and Deerfield.

.Ipswich Historical Commission. 1 975. Something to Preserve.
Background and detailed descriptions uding legal forms and
descriptions of Ipswich's historic preservation program.

Lower Pioneer Valley Regional Planning Commission. 1974. A Future For
the Past: Historic Preservation in the Lower Pioneer VaIT-ey,
Includes discussion on local preservation planning, sources of technical
and financial assistance, benefits from preservation and the evolution
of the preservation movement.

G-25

.Massachusetts Historical Commission. Guidelines for Establishment
of Historic Districts.
Explains process of creating a historic district.

.Massachusetts Historical Commission, 40 Beacon Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02108.

Growth Regulations
Growth regulations which control the rate of growth within developments
are the most innovative and,.in some cases, untested land use control.
Care must be exercised in the use of such controls to insure that the con-
stitutional "right to travel" principle is not violated and that one
social class is not excluded. Another issue which must be considered is
the community's obligation to accept its share of the regional demand.

Two approaches to growth regulations are growth relations and growth
stretching. The growth relations technique has been adopted by Ramapo,
New York, where it has been tested and upheld by the courts. This system
permits residential development only if the developer can demonstrate
that certain capital improvements are either available or will be avail-
able.by the time the project is completed. The municipal services that
are considered are: sewers, drainage, public parks, recreation, major
road facilities, and fire stations. The growth stretching approach has
been adopted by the town of Tisbury, Massachusetts, on Martha's Vineyard,
but as yet has not been exercised or court -tested. The Tisbury by-law
permits the town to require that subdivisions of greater than 7 units be
developed at the rate of one-seventh each year of the total proposed
lots. This system can prevent sudden surges of growth, but it cannot
alter previous development trends.

.Golden v. Planning Board of town of Ramapo, 334 New York State 2d. 138
(1972).
This case describes the Ramapo growth regulations and'the ensuing
legal issues.

G-26

Septic System Regulation
On-site sewage disposal systems are regulated under Title 5 of the Mass.
State Environmental Code, which delegates many powers to local boards of
health. Good local enforcement of septic system suitability require-
ments can be a powerful tool in controlling location and, indirectly,
amount of growth. Knowledge of soils and natural resource base can be
used to identify areas of town which require particularly careful evaluation
by the local board of health, due to soil character, slope or proximity
to ground and surface water. Local boards of health can adopt regulations
more stringent than the state minimums.

TAX POLICIES

In Massachusetts, preferential tax assessment for open space land is
authorized for forest land, farm land, and land under a conservation
restriction.

Forest land
To qualify under the Forest Tax Law (General Laws, Chapter 61, Sec. 1-7,
as amended in 1969 by Chapter 873) forest land must be in parcels greater
than 10 contiguous acres with a value not in excess of $400 per acre.
The purpose of the law is the preservation of watershed protection and
timber-producing land. The land must be managed under an approved plan and
the local board of assessors must classify land as forest land to qualify
for the tax reduction.

Farm land
The Farmland Assessment Act (General Laws, Chapter 61A) provides for
taxation based on the agricultural use of the land, not for its speculative
or real market value. To quality the agricultural land must be greater
than five acres and have a gross sale of agricultural products of at
least $500 per year.

G-27

Land under Permanent Restriction
Under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 59:, Sec. 11, land under permanent
restriction, such as a conservation restrict-ion, must be assessed as a
separate parcel. Based on the value with the restriction, this will normally
result in lower taxes to the owner.
-Conservation Law Foundation
-Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture
-Massachusetts Division of Forests and Parks

TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is one of the more recent techniques
to be utilized for the protection and preservation of natural resources
areas. TDR's are based upon the principle that a parcel of land is comprised
of a set of rights or fees which may be considered as a whole (fee simple) or
separately (less than fee simple). Development rights may be sold or trans-
ferred in the same manner as mineral rights and utility easements.

Easements which prohibit development or a change in the character of the
land have the same effect as TDR systems. TDR's extend the easement process
to include an additional step. Land in one place i's protected by the sale
of development rights (like scenic easements) and then the development rights
are utilized elsewhere by a developer to increase density within a pre-
determined maximum.

Four applications of TDR of different scale and purpose may be utilized by
communities:

1. Transferring rights to adjacent property.--This system is analogous to
,present cluster zoning, as provided for by the Zoning Enabling Act;

2. transferring rights within a district--This system has been considered
to protect historic landmarks by transferring the density of the land-
mark to another portion of the district (_see Costonis, 1974)_;

G-28

3. Transferring rights to different districts--This system allows for the
protection of open space, agricultural land and environmentally sensi-
tive areas by transferring the density of development which would have
occurred in these areas to other districts which are more suitable for
development;
In Massachusetts, a limited form of the TDR approach has been incorpora-
ted into the zoning by-law of Sunderland. That town hopes to preserve
some of its agricultural land by permitting the transfer of the dwelling
units which could have been built thereon to land within cluster develop-
ments, resulting in clusters with a higher density than would otherwise
have been allowed. This density transfer is conditioned upon the signing
of restrictions which limit the agricultural land involved in the transfer
to agricultural use.
4. TDR's as a total land use package--Proposals for Maryland and Fairfax
Counties, Virginia, represent the most extensive application of TDR.
Under these systems, all land is assigned development rights, but develop-
ment is allowed only where indicated by the comprehensive plan. In order
to build in development areas, developers must buy development rights.

.Costonis, John J., 1973, "Development Rights Transfer: An Explanatory
Essay." In The Yale Law Journal. Technical, legal analysis.

.Costonis, John J., 1974, Space Adrift: Landmark Legislation and the
Marketpl ace.
Detailed discussion of proposed historic preservation plan for Chicago,
with general applications of TDR's.

.Rose Jerome G., ed., 1974, The Transfer of Development Rights: A
New Technique of Land Use R6g-ulation.
Compilation of TDR techniques and applications, citing many examples
of existing programs and proposals.

Sunderland, Massachusetts, Zoning By-law. 1975. Philip H err and
Associates--Preservation of prime agricultural land by transferring
density to "open space communities."
Transfers have not occurred as of this writing.

LOCATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES (INFRASTRUCURE)

The location of infrastructure, such as roads, sewers, and utilities, can
have a major effect on where, when, and how new development will occur.
Municipal boards, private groups, and the general public should all be
advised of future plans for municipal services and contribute to decisions
about their location. Public hearings, required for all projects with
federal fundings, are ideal opportunities for discussion of the issues.
G-29

DESIGN,'-CONSTRUQTI:ON, AND OPERATION

This@final technique is the most direct method for a community to develop
and ma@age its natural resources. Communities may seek technical assist-
ance in the preparation of plans for wildlife areas, recreation areas, and
other conservation-oriented areas. Financial assistance may also be available
for certain projects, through a variety of federal programs. The scale or
size of project can vary from a conservation plan for a single site to the
design of flood control systems for an entire watershed.

.SCS. The Watershed Protection Handbook
Guidance and a set of procedures for use in preparation of contract documents,
advertising for bids, and administration of the contract.
This is available at any SCS office.

.Local Conservation District.

.Soil Conservation Service.

.Consulting Engineers and Landscape Architects.

.Division of Conservation Services.

III. WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
This section identifies the many federal, state, quasi-public agencies,
and private groups that have an expertise in -some aspect of land and
water use planning. Many of these agencies and groups have been
established to serve the public and should be consulted when land use
problems arise. Rather than give an in-depth discussion, this section
will briefly describe the agency or group function and explain how to
contact them. For a more complete listing of natural resource agencies,

see:
.Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service, 1975, Massachusetts
Natural Resource Agency Directory. Publication No. 29, University of
ga-ssachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.

G-30

FEDERAL

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Room 2203, John F. Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02203.

The EPA is one of the most influential federal agencies in affecting
land use. It is the mandate of EPA to control and prevent problems of
air and water pollution from solid waste, pesticides, radiation, and
noise. EPA has established minimum pollution levels for air, water,
solid waste, and noise pollutants, in addition to monitoring these
potential hazards. EPA has also been very important in sewage treat-
ment plant siting and construction at the municipal, regional, and river
basin scales. The current EPA program which could be the most influential
in land use control is the "208" Water Quality Program. This program is
directed at all-wastes which effect water quality, including such non-
point sources as sanitary landfills, private septic systems, construction
and mining activities.

U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Regional Administrator Area Director
John F. Kennedy Federal Building HUD Boston Area Office
Boston, Massachusetts 02203 15 New Chardon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114

The Section 701 Comprehensive Planning Assistance program of the
National Housing Act continues, with HUD paying two-thirds of the cost
of state or community planning studies. Communities, other than large
cities, can apply for 701 assistance through Regional Planning Councils
or the Bureau of Planning Programs, Massachusetts Department of Commu-
nity Affairs, as long as a study is geared to a comprehensive planning
effort.

The HUD National Flood Insurance Program can have a significant effect
on local land use. The purpose of the program is to help protect lives
and property from floods by regulation of flood plain development.
Communities may qualify for the program by initiating a planning process
for the flood plain and by adopting flood plain zoning ordinances.

G-31

Landowners in communities that have adopted the program may purchase flood
insurance at substantially reduced rates. Through this program, the flood
plains of all participating communities are being mapped.

HUD's Community Development Block Grant Program provides communities with
funds for a variety of projects, including certain natural resource and
recreation development activities.

U. S. Department of Agriculture
Soil Conservation Service
29 Cottage Street, P. 0. Box 848
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002
(413) 549-0650
Purpose: The Soil Conservation Service is a technical soil and water
conservation agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is respon-
sible for developing and carrying out a national soil and water conserva-
tion program, and to provide leadership in conservation, development, and
productive use of the Nation's soil, water, and related resources.

Activities: The Soil Conservation Service in Massachusetts carries out
its work mainly through cooperation with the fifteen conservation districts
in the state. (See inside back cover for district offices.)_

.Assists farmers and landowners in preparing and carrying out conservation
plans and in the application of conservation practices.

.Assists groups and units of government with its soil and water conservation
and resource development programs. Provides technical assistance to com-
munities in inventorying, planning, and implementing conservation measures
for the wise use of its soil, water, and related natural resources.

.Carries out the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) in watershed protection and flood.prevention projects and in
river basin surveys and investigations.

.Administers the federal part of the national cooperative.soil survey.
.Provides leadership in USDA's land inventor), and monitori.ng program.

.Assists the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in the
development of USDA's Rural Environmental Conservation Program, Provides
technical assistance to farmers and ranchers participating in the cost-
sharing provisions of that program, and provides technically adequate
designs and specifications for jobs undertaken.
.Provides technical assistance in the planning and applica'tiQn of soil
and water conservation practices financed by, loans frQm the Farmers
Home'Administration.

G-32

Has departmental leadership in assisting in the establishment of income
producing recreation areas on private land and public recreation areas
in watershed protection projects.

-Helps local sponsors develop and carry out resource conservation and
development plans.

-Assists communities in inventorying its natural resources and in prepar-
ing plans of the natural resource base resulting in the maintenance and
enchancement of the communities' environmental quality.

.Gives technical help in rural areas development, cropland conservation
and related activities involving wise use of land and water resources.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
District Chief
Water Resources Division
Room 2300, J.F.Kennedy Federal Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02203
(617) 223-2824

The programs of the USGS include studies of ground and surface water
resources, topographic mapping, and geological mappi.ng.

STATE

Office of State Planning (OSP)
One Ashburton Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02108

The Office of State Planning was established in February 1975 by the
Governor to serve as the central planning agency for the state. OSP
has no regulatory authority. To date, its function has been to coordinate
the policies and activities of state agencies to minimize conflicts between
them. This purpose is also the focus of the OSP preliminary draft of
Towards a Growth Policy for Massachusetts, 1975.
In addition to the Growth Policy Statement, the OSP is administering the
State Growth Policy Development Act which will be used as a basis for
developing state growth policy.
The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA)
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02202
(617) 727-7700
The purpose of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs is to pro-
tect and improve the quality of the natural environment and its resources.
EOEA has jurisdiction over such functions as pollution control, land use
planning, outdoor recreation planning and facilities, planning and monitor-
ing of water resources and supplies, enforcement and administration of the
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act.

G-33

All of the agencies under EOEA are available to assist communities
in some capaci ty regarding their natural resources. The Division of
Forests and Parks and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, both members
of the Natural Resources Technical Team, are discussed below.

Massachusetts Division of Forests and Parks

100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02202
(617) 727-3180

The purpose of the Division of Forests and Parks is to promote the wise
use of the state's natural resources. Their activities include: forest
improvements; inventory of state forest land; reforestation; study and
control of tree diseases and insect pests; mosquito abatement; recommenda-
tion of safe and proper pesticides; administration of state parks and
forests; forest fire protection; and technical assistance on open space
issues to other agencies, communities, organizations, and individuals.

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02202
(617) 727-3151

Purpose: To protect, enhance, and otherwise to manage the fish and wild-
life resources of the Commonwealth for the greatest benefits to.the public
coincident with the highest use of the resource.

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is under the supervision and control
of the Five Man Board. They have power of appointment of the director and
superintendent. The board sets policyand votes on regulations.

Activities:

.Promulgation of regulations pertaining to protection and use of the resource.
.Control of the resources by licensing and permit systems for hunting, fish-
ing, trapping, rearing, liberation, and other uses.

-Improvement of habitat for fish and wildlife.

G-34

Acquisition of lands and waters for public use relating to enjoyment of
fish and wildlife resources.

Propogation of fish and wildlife species and release to suitable environ-
ments.

Research programs to increase basic knowledge, to develop improved
methods of rearing and management, and to assess results of various pro-
grams.

Dissemination of information and establishment of educational programs
relating to public understanding and acceptance of highest uses of the
fish and wildlife resources.

.Providing technical assistance relating to fish and wildlife.

.Coordinating fish and wildlife programs with activities and programs of
other public and private interests.

Planning for recreational use of fish and wildlife management areas.

.General management of the resource by means of field surveys, construction
and improvement to roads, trails, buildings, bridges, boat ramps, etc.,
reclamation, law enforcement assistance, nuisance control, etc.

Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services

100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02202
(617) 727-1552

Purpose: To assist communities, agencies, groups, organizations, and
individuals in instigating and maintaining a sound program for conserva-
tion and development of open space and recreational areas.

Activities:
.Administer Self-Help Program assisting communities financially to acquire
open space areas.
Administer Land and Water Conservation Fund programs as provided by the
Bureau of Outdoor Recreation.

.Coordinate activities of the 15 Massachusetts Conservation Districts.
.Develop and promote education in conservation and development of renewable
natural resources.

.Develop liasion with other public agencies concerning renewable natural
resources.

G-35

.Disseminate pertinent information to conservation districts and conserva-
tion commissions.

.Assist regional planning districts in relevant matters.

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (MDEQE)

100 Cambridge Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02202
(617) 727-7436
The MDEQE is responsible for protecting the public against a wide range
of environmental hazards and pollutants. 'The department assures the safe
disposal of solid and water carried wastes from housing and industry. The
MDEQE establishes minimum standards for drinking water quality, septic
tank system regulations, and pollutant discharges into surface waters.
It is also concerned with appeals under the Wetlands Protection Act and
with construction in waterways.

Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service

Stockbridge Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
(413) 545-2766

The Extension Service serves as the educational arm of the land-grant
colleges and universities. They provide educational assistance, analysis,
interpretation, and dissemination of information. Their programs involve
agricultural production and marketing, natural resources development and
use, home economics and consumer services, and youth (4-H).

On a county basis, the County Extension Service provides assistance in
Community Resource Development by:

.Providing leadership in developing and coordinating Community Resource
Development Programs designed to help people solve community or group
problems.

.Evaluating and developing alternative uses and methods of using and
managing land.

G-36

Identifying and improving controls of the biological, chemical, and
economic factors of air, water, and land pollution.

Applying soil classification principles and practices for the improved
-use and management of soils.

.Understanding and applying the principles and practices of regional and
community resource planning; developing resource inventories and descriptions.

.Understanding the environmental biology of animals and indigenous and
naturalized plants and the conditions necessary to maintain or improve
the quality of the environment.

Activities:

.Provide advice to communities regarding planning, zoning, housing, and
development.

.Establish a training program for municipal personnel in planning, parks,
and recreation work..

.Discharge duties imposed by law relating to formation of any new towns.

.Formulate and submit annually to the Governor and the General Court a
program in community and environmental development including recreation
centers, urban parks, beautification, and recreation.

Massachusetts Department of Public Works (MDPW)

100 Nashua Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02114
(617) 727-4897

The primary function of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works is
the planning, construction, and maintenance of the state highway system.
The MDPW allocates federal and state funds for appropriate projects.
Road improvements, either on existing or new rights-of-way, can encourage
development by reducing travel time and increasing accessibility.

Regional Planning Agencies

The function of the 13 regional planning agencies in Massachusetts is
primarily advisory. They make comprehensive plans for and recommendations
to the cities and towns, and they coordinate such regional planning

G-37

activities as environmental quality (,pollution control), transportation,
recreation, and housing, all of which clearly transcend local boundaries.
Final,ly, regional commissions act as clearing houses for many federal and
state programs.

Massachusetts Conservation Districts

The 15 Conservation Districts in Massachusetts review soil, water, and
related natural resource problems and establish priorities of where and
how technical assistance can be used most efficiently. Conservation
Districts offer a variety of services to communities and landowners, such
as agricultural land planning, improvement of land for wildlife, and
reduction of erosion hazards. See inside back cover for a list; of the Con-

servation Districts.

QUASI-PUBCIC@',@PENCIES

Watershed Associations

Watershed associations provide many services within their river basin
boundaries. River basins are commonly referred to as the most logical.
natural boundaries. Privately-funded watershed associations act as
clearing houses for local environmental information and for the'coordina-
tion of river basin planning activities.

Nature Conservancy

294 Washington Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
(617) 542-1908

The Nature Conservancy is a Connecticut-based private preservation trust
that seeks to acquire sensitive and regionally significant resources to
prevent their development and destruction. The Nature Conservancy can

G-38

provide assistance and information concerning fund raising techniques, ways
to encourage donations, and tax benefits accrued by varying combinations of
gifts and acquisition.
IV

The Trustees of Reservations

224 Adams Street
Milton, Massachusetts 02186
(617) 698-2066

The Trustees of Reservations is a charitable nonprofit organization whose
goal is to preserve places of environmental and historic significance for
the public. To date, the Trustees maintain 53 open space and historic
areas which total more than 11,800 acres of seashore, woodlands, rivers,
wetlands, and wildlife areas.

Massachusetts Audubon Society
South Great Road
Lincoln, Massachusetts 01773
(617) 259-9500

The Massachusetts Audubon Society is a private environmental education
agency whose primary purpose is to increase public awareness of the
natural environment. At present, the Society manages 9,000 acres in 56
parcels in Massachusetts, including 14 wildlife sanctuaries which are open
to the public. In addition, the Society sponsors the Wetlands-Project, a
special program to increase community awareness of the importance of wet-
lands and flood plains to the environment.

Conservation Law Foundation of New England, Inc.

3 Joy Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
(617) 742-2540

The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) provides legal assistance on environ-
mental issues to citizens and town boards. CLF specializes in legal inter-
pretation and research, with the objective of disseminating useful informa-
tion to towns for the maximum utilization of existing environmental legis-
lation.

G-39

New England Natural Resources Center

506 Statler Office Building
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 542-9370
The New England Natural Resources Center is a nonprofit organization
formed to feature education and communication to bring about new environ-
mental management concepts for New England. The objective of the Center
is to improve and strengthen the flow of environmental information and
understanding among all sectors of the New England community. A recent
project of the Center was to catalog close to 5,000 natural areas of New
England based on natural characteristics, location, size, level of signi-
ficance, and present threat to the area.

Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards, Inc.

420 Washington Street
Braintree, Massachusetts 02184
(617) 843-5486 @ I

The purpose of the Federation of Planning Boards is to promote -town, city,
and regional planning by assisting planning and appeal boards. The Federa-
tion provides specific advice to any member board upon request.

Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions

Lincoln-Filene Center
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts 02155
(617) 628-500, Extension 352

The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) is a non-
profit association which provides assistance to local conservation commis-
sions. It encourages coordination and cooperation with governmental
agencies to promote conservation. The MACC also has prepared one of the
most useful guides for the conservation of natural resources, The Massa-
chusetts Conservation Commission Handbook.

G-40

Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, Inc. (Mass. PIRG)

120 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
(617) 423-1796

Massachusetts PIRG is a nonprofit corporation which investigates, lobbies,
and litigates to defend citizen rights; and advocates the public interest
in a variety of consumer, energy, and environmental projects.

IV. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

This bibliography is divided into two sections: first is a list of
general references which apply to all techniques and are easily under-
stood by nonprofessionals; second, is a much larger listing of references,
,many of which are legal, technical, and very detailed. This second list-
ing should be referred to when further information on a specific technique
is desired.

G-41

GENERAL REFERENCES

Council of Environmental Quality. 1974. "Land Use." Chapter 1 In:
Fifth Annual Report on Environmental Qualit . U.S. Government Printing
Tf-fice.

Ellis, Robert A. and Alexandra D. Dawson. 1973. Massachusetts Conservation
Commission Handbook. Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions,
free.

Kline, Elizabeth. 1975. Protecting._Open Space, A Guide to Selected Pro-
tection Techniques. Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests,
Concord, New Hampshire, $2.00.

League of Women Voters. 1975. Land Use Can We Keep Public and Private
Rights in Balance, League of Women Vot;rs Education Fund, $..75.

Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service. 'A Massachusetts Heritage, a
periodical publication of the Community Res ce Development Program.

. Revised 1975. Massachusetts Natural Resource Agency
Directory. Compiled by John H. Noyes, Publication No. 29.

Metropolitan Area Planning Commission. 1969. Open Space and Recreation
Program for Boston, Volume 4: Open Space aw GovernmenT s 'Influence Over
Land Use Decisionst by Stephen F. Ells, MDC and DNR, free.

1972. Open Space Law, 1972 Supplement. Alexandra Dawson.
Redlich, Susan. 1974. Guiding Growth: A Handbook for New Hampshire Towns-
people. Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Concord, New
Hampshire, $1.50.

Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Reilly, William K., ed. 1973. The Use of Land:
A Citizen's Guide to Urban Growth. A Task Force Report by the Rockefeller
Trot-hers Fund. Thomas Y. Crowell Company, New York, $3.96 - paper.

SPECIFIC AND TECHNICAL REFERENCES

American Law Institute. 1975. A Model Development Code. $15.80.

Babcock, Richard F. 1966. The Zoning Game, Municipal Practices and Policies,
University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wi.sconsin, $3.50-
and Fred P. Bosselman. 1973. Exclusionary Zonin9l Land Use
Regulation and Housing in the 1970's. New York: Praeger Publishers, $3.50.
and John S. Banta. 1973. "New Zoning Techniques for Inner City
Areas," In: ASPO, Planning Advisory Service, Chicago.

G-42

Bosselman, Fred P., David Callies, and John Banta. 1973. The Taking
Issue. Prepared for the Council on Environmental Qualiti, -Washington,
D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office, $2.70.
and David Callies. 1971. The Quiet Revolution in Land Use
Control-,for the Council on Environmental Quality, U.S. @oyernment
Printin'g Office, $3.25.

. 1974. EPA, Authori -ty Affecting Land Use. Chicago, Ross,
Hardies, O'Keefe, Babcock, and Parsons. Distributed by NTIS, p. 99.
Brooke, Mary E. 1970. "Bonus Provisions in Central City Areas." In:
ASPO, Planning Advisory Service. Chicago..
Burchell, Robert Wm. and David Listokin. 1975. The Environmental Impact
Handbook. Center for Urban Policy Research, Rutgers Uniyersity, New
Brunswick, New Jersey, $8.95.

Costonis, John J. 1973. "Development Ri,ghts Transfer, An Exploratory
Essay." In: The Yale Law Journal. 83:75.

1974. Space Adrift: Landmark Legislation and the Market-
place. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Illinois, $10.00..

Dawson, Alexandra D., Esq., and Gregor I. McGregor. 1975..Env.ironmental
Law, $4.00.

EPA. 1975. Performance Controls for Sensitive Lands: A Practical Guide
for Local Administrators. EPA #600/_@-_7_5/00.

Department of Community Affairs. 1974. Building Moratoriums in Massa-
chusetts - Their Uses, Effects, and Legal Implications. Research Docu-
ment No. 5.

Fishman and Gross. 1972. "Public Land Banking." Case Western Low Review.
Volume 23, No. 4, pages 897-975.

Franklin, Herbert M., David Falk, and Arthur Levin. 1974. In-Zoning - A
Guide for Policy-makers on Inclusionary Land Use Programs. Washington,
D.C.: The Potomac Institute, $3.50.

Fitch, Lyle C. and Ruth M. Mack. 1974' "Land Banking: In: HArriss,
Lowell C., ed. The Good Earth of Am@rica. The American Assembly,
Prentice-Hall, Inc., New Jersey, $2.95.

International Independence Institute, Swann, Robert S., et al. 1972. The
Community Land Trust, A Guide to a New Model for Land Tenure in Ameri.ca.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Center for Community Economic Development, $3.50.
Ipswich Historical Commission. 1975. Something to Preserve. $4.00.
Kusler, John A. 1972. "Open Space Zoning: Valid Regulation or Invalid
Taking." In: Minnesota Law Review, 51:1 pp. 1-81. November.

G-43

Lower Pioneer Valley Regional Planning Commission. 1974. A Future for
the Past: Historic Preservation in the Lower Pioneer Valley.

Massachusetts Department of Community Affairs. 1974. Buildinq Mora
toriums in Massachusetts - Their Uses, Effects, and Li-g-al Impli7cations.
Research Document No. 5.

Massachusetts Zoning Enabling Act, Chapter 40A, General Laws.

Municipal Planning/Subdivision and Control Legislation,
Chapter 41, General Laws.
Office of State Planning, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 1975. Legal
Authority for Guiding Growth.

Peskin, Sarah. 1976. Guiding Growth and Change: A Handbook for the
Massachusetts Citizen. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, Massa-
chusetts, March.

Platt, Rutherford H. 1971. Open Land in Urban Illinois, Roles of the
Citizen Advocate. Dekalb, Illinois: Northern Illinois, University Press.

Rose, Jerome G., ed. 1974. The Transfer of Development Rights: A New
Technique of Land Use Regulation. Center for Urban Policy Research,
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, $12.95.

Scheffey, Andrew J. W. 1969. Landscape and Communi U, Conservation Commis-
sions in Massachusetts. Mass-a-cE-usetts Audubon Society.

Urban Land Institute. 1975. Management and Control of Growth; Issues,
Techniques, Problems, Trends. 3 volumes.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service. '1967.
Zoning--An Aid To Community Resource*Development. U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. PA-814, p. 15, $15.00.

, Soil Conservation Service. 1975. Guidelines for Soil and
Water Conservation in Urbanizing Areas of Massachusetts. Amherst, Massa-
chusetts.

Van Alstyne, Carol, ed. 1972. Land Bank Handbook. Greensboro, North
Carolina: Piedmont Triad Council of GovernmeFF

Williams, Norman, Jr. 1975. American.Planning Law: Land Use and the
Police Power, Chicago: Callegan Company.

G-44

APPENDIX H - REFERENCES

Andrews, William A., Ed. (1974) Terrestrial Ecology. Ontario: Prentice Hall
of Canada.

Baldwin, H. L. and C. L. McGuinness (1963) A Primer on Ground Water, U.S.
Geological Survey, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
Berg, Barthrop T. (1975) A Methodology of Determining Development Suitability
for Urban Land Use. Thesis: Department of Landscape Architecture and
Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Bishop, A. B., et al. (1974) Carrying Capacity in Regional Environmental
Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.

Bornemann, Geoffrey. (1975) Toward a Sub-model for Ecosystem Stability in the
Natural Resources Planning Program. Thesis: Department of Landscape
A-rchitecture and Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst,
Massachusetts.

Brewer, Michael F. and Patrick Petersilia. (1974) "Carrying Capacity as a
Potential Guide for Community Growth and Regional Development," A National
Public Works Investment Policy, background papers prepared for the Committee
on Public Works, U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C.
Chandler, T. J. (1970) "Mankind's Impact on the Atmosphere." The Geographer
Magazine. 42(2): 83-90.

Clawson M., R. Heldand, and C. Stoddard. (1960) Land for the Future.
Resources for the Future, Inc., Baltimore: John Hopkins Press.

Coates, W. H. and J. N. Noyes, Ed. (1969) Conservation for the Commonwealth.
Twenty Years of Progress and a Look at the Future in the Bay State's Con-
servation Districts. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Massa-
chusetts in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and SCS;
Publication No. 29.

Colman, Steven L. (1974) An Analytical Evaluation of the Environmental
Quality Planning Program of the Soil Conservation Service. Thesis: Depart-
ment of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, University of Massa-
chusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts.

Conservation Foundation. (1974) "Carrying Capacity Analysis is Useful but
Limited." Conservation Foundation Letter (June 1974).
Cooper, Ronald. (1974) An Application and Evaluation of Three La@ @a e
Planning Models for the Town of Granby, Massachusetts. Thesis: Department
of Lardscape Architecture and Regional Planning, -University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, Massachusetts. H-1

Cooperative Extension Service. (1974) Wildlife in an Urbanizing Environmen-t.
Amherst, Massachusetts.

Cotner, Skold and Krause. (1975) Farmland: Will There Be Enough? Economic
Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, ERS-584.

Cudnohufsky, Walter L. (1970) "Qualities of Landscapes That Please." The
Massachusetts HerjjV@t.. Planning and Resource Development Program--Coopera-
tive Extension Service in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agricul-
ture Vol. VIII (Dec.) #4.

Dasman, Raymond F. (1964) Wildlife Biology. New York: John Wiley and Sons,
Inc.
Economic Research Service. (1971) Aqricultu@e in the Environment. Bulletin
No. 481.

Environmental Policy Division Congressional Research Service. (1975) "A
Selection of Recent Articles and Studies on Land Use Policy Issues and Acti-
vities in the United States." Readings on Land Use Policy. Library of
Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., pp. 321-356.

Gabrielson, Ira. (1967) Wildlife Conservation. New York:. The MacMillan Co.

Geraghty and Miller, Inc. (1973) The Ground Water Environment, Port Washing-
ton, New York.

Gill, D. and P. Bonnett. (1973) Nature in the Urban Landscape: The Study of
City Ecosystems. Baltimore: York Press.

Hansen, R. P. (1968) "Urban Open Space: Psycho-Socio and Legal Dimensions."
Man and the Quality of His Environment. Western Resources Conference. 1967,
Boulder, Colorado: University of Colorado Press, pp. 209-220. *
Hartley, Brent A. (1975) "Current Management Practices on the Baltimore
Municipal Watersheds." Municipal Watershed Management Symposium Proceedings.
USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NE-13.

Hawaii Environmental Simulation Laboratory. (1975) "Carrying Capacity Analysis
in Context: Application to Growth Management." Hawaii Report to the 8th
Legislature. University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Higbee, Edward. (1972) The Squeeze. New York: William Morrow Co.

Hirshfleifer, Jack, et. al. (1960) Water Supply. Chicago, Illinois: Univer-
sity of Chicago Press.

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. (1967)
Towards a New Relationship of Man and Nature in Temperate Lands., No. 8.
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H-2

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H-3

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H-5

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H-6

2
12
7
1
6
NO
3 8 5
4 10 13

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

1. Northeastern Worcester 6. Hampshire 11. Franklin
Z Northwestern Worcester 7. Berkshire 12. Middlesex
3. Hampden 8. Southern Worcester 13. Barnstable
4. Bristol 9. Essex 14. Dukes
5. Norfolk 10. Plymouth 15. Nantucket

Applications for NRPlanning Assistance are processed by the Conservation
District (CD) office serving the area in which the applicant town is
located. The offices of the 15 CD's are within easy reach throughout
the Commonwealth.

ACTON (01720) - Middlesex CD, PITTSFIELD (01201) - Berkshire CD,
15 Craig Road, Acton. 20 Elm Street, Pittsfield.
Tel: (617) 263-2679 Tel: (413) 499-4766

HADLEY (01035) - Franklin, Hampden, RAYNHAM (02767) - Bristol, Dukes,
and Hampshire CD's, 4 Whalley Street, Nantucket and Plymouth CD's,
Hadley. Tel: (413) 586-3900 153 Broadway, Raynham.
Tel: (617) 824-6668
HATHORNE (01937) - Essex CD, Essex
County Agricultural and Technical WALPOLE (02081) - Norfolk CD,
Institute, Hathorne. 460 Main Street, Walpole.
Tel: (617) 774-1619 Tel: (617) 668-0995

HOLDEN (01520) - NE, NW and Southern YARMOUTH PORT (02675) -
Worcester County CD's, 680 Main Street, Barnstable CD, 477 Main Street,
Holden. Tel: (617) 829-6661 Yarmouth Port.
Tel: (617) 362-9332

All programs and services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are avail:@@h!.,
to everyone without regard to race, creed, color, sex or national origin.

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