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



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                                                  Open Sf)ace Plan


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                                                                 Town of Exeter
                               SB
                               483
                               E9                                                       1(-091
                               R63
                               1991
                                              ired by the Rockingham Planning Commission























                           OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN


                             for the Master Plan of the


                                   TOWN 017 EXETER













                                  Prepared for the


                                   TOWN OF EXETER


                                       and the


                                   PLANNING BOARD


                                       by the


                           ROCKINGHAM PLANNING COMMISSION


                                      May 1991











        The preparation of this plan has been financed by a New Hampshire
        Coastal Program grant funded in part by the Coastal Zone Management Act
        of 1972, as amended, administered by the Office of Ocean and Coastal
        Resources Management, National oceanic Atmospheric Administration.



















                                        PREFACE




                       "Just specimens is all New Hampshire has,
                       one each of everything as in a show-case
                       Which naturally she doesn't care to sell."

                                       Robert Frost, "New Hampshire", 1923.




        "The river and the forests were their only resources beyond their own
        stout hearts and bodies.      The river provided abundant fish for
        sustenance, marsh hay for their cattle, a roadway to the sea, and water
        power for mills. The forest provided the raw materials for a lumber
        and ship building industry which eventually become the basis for the
        Town's prosperity."

             Edward S. Chase, at the Town's; 350th aniversery, 1988, reflecting
             on the first settlers of Exeter.














                                         TABLE OF CONTENTS


         SECTION                                                                          PAGE


         INTRODUCTION    ..........................................................         1


         OPEN SPACE - A GENERAL DESCRIPTION      .....................................      3


         PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND LAND USE       .................................      6


               1) Bedrock Geology     ...............................................       6

               2) Surficial Geology     .............................................       6

               3) Topography   ....................................................         8

               4) Soils  ...................    o.....................   o  ............... 9

               5) Land Use and Zoning   ..................................       o .....  -10


         OPEN SPACE VALUES, INVENTORY, AND ANALYSIS        ...........................      13


               1) Water Resources    ......................    o .....................    -13

                     Watersheds, Perennial Streams, and Waterbodies         .............   13


                     Wetlands  ....... o  ...........................................       17


                     Floodplains    ................................................        21


                     Shorelands  ................   o  ................................     22


                     Groundwater    ................................................        25


               2) Agriculture...     ...............................................        26


               3)  Forestry  ....................................................           o3l

               4)  Recreation  ...................................................          33

               5)  Habitat  ...........................     o ..........................    36

               6)  Aesthetics  ...................................................          39

               7) Education and Research     .....................................        -41

               8) Historical and Archeological     .............................      o ... 42















                               TABLE OF CONTENTS - CONTINUED


        EXISTING PROTECTED LANDS AND OPEN SPACE     ..............................    47
              1) 14ands Administered by the Conservation Commission      ............. 47

              2) Lands Administered by the Recreation Department      ..............  48

              3) Other Town-Owned Lands   ........................................    48

              4) Lands Administered by the Trustees of Swasey Parkway       ......... 48

              5) Lands Administered by the Trustees of Gilman Park       ............ 48

              6) Privately Owned Open Space Areas    .............................    49


        GOALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS     ............................................    50


        OPEN SPACE PLAN    ......................................................     57


              1) General   ......................................................     57


              2) The Plan   .....................................................     57

              3) Methods of Open Space Protection    .............................    59

                    Voluntary Land Protection Techniques    .......................   59

                    Land Use Planning Techniques   ...............................    63

                    Public and Quasi-Public Programs    ...........................   63


                    Conservation Commission    ....................................   65


        CONCLUSION  ...........................................................       68




                                        LIST OF' TABLES


                                                                                     PAGE


        TABLE  1 - EXETER EXISTING LAND USE    ...................................    11


        TABLE 2  - PRINCIPAL COMMERCIAL FARMS    .................................    28


        TABLE 3  - STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION FACILITIES      ................  35











                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS - CONTINUED




                                          LIST OF FIGURES


         FIGURE 1 - DISTRIBUTION OF LAND USES. * * , * *  .... ***** ...             ... **Jj




                                            LIST OF MAPS


                                                                              FOLLOWING PAGE


         MAP 1     LOCATION MAP   .................................................         2


         MAP 2     FLOOD HAZARDS AND BEDROCK GEOLOGY       ............................     7


         MAP3     TOPOGRAPHY   ...................................................          9


         MAP 4     SOIL SUITABILITY FOR SEPTIC' SYSTEMS       ..........................    9


         MAP 5     FARMLAND SOILS   ..............................................         11


         MAP 6     EXISTING LAND USE    ...........................................        12


         MAP 7     GENERALIZED ZONING MAP     .......................................      12


         MAP 8     WATERSHEDS AND PERENNIAL WATERBODIES        ........................    14


         MAP 9     WETLAND SOILS   ...............................................         20


         MAP10 -AQUIFERS     ....................................................          26


         MAP 11    OPEN SPACE VALUES   .......................................        o ... 46


         MAP  12   EXISTING OPEN SPACE AND PROTECTED LANDS        .............  o  ....... 48


         MAP 13    OPEN SPACE PLAN  ........  o.............              ...............  58




                                             APPENDICES


         APPENDIXI   ........................................        FUNCTIONS OF WETLANDS


         APPENDIX II  ................................       @. RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANTS


         APPENDIX III   ..........  LANDS ADMINISTERED BY THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION




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                                       INTRODUCTION


         The Town of Exeter, located in the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire, is
         one of the more historic communities of New England.               With a
         picturesque downtown area and waterfront park located along the
         Squamscott River, the Town has a number of man-made and natural
         features which make it a desirable place to live. In terms of Exeter's
         natural environment, the Town possesses a rich legacy of forests and
         fields, rivers, streams and wetlands, hilltops and shores. Together,
         these natural resources provide the community with clean water, habitat
         for wildlife, protection from flooding, aesthetic and recreational
         enjoyment, and, in general, a high quality of environment.

         Although the above mentioned natural features currently exist in
         abundance, development pressures are jeopardizing their well being, and
         their numerous values will continue to be threatened unless the
         community takes the necessary steps for their protection, preservation,
         and wise management. The unprecedented development boom of the mid-
         1980 1 s has resulted in increased traf f ic congestion, the development of
         valuable forest and farmlands, decreased recreation opportunities, and
         the loss of scenic views. Unless a coordinated strategy for natural
         resource preservation is adopted and implemented, these trends will be
         back in force when the next development boom arrives.

         The following document incorporates natural resource planning
         principals with an open space preservation and management plan in an
         ef f ort to guide f uture development towards the most suitable lands, and
         away f rom environmentally sensitive, resource-rich areas with high open
         space values. This plan will identify the Town's most important open
         space areas, and recommend strategies for their management and
         protection. Used in conjunction with the other chapters of the Exeter
         Master Plan, this document can serve as a useful guide for public
         officials and citizens in their efforts to achieve a balance between
         community growth and the protection of the natural environment.

         Exeter has an extensive history of open space planning, although such
         efforts may not be noticed by the average citizen on a day-to-day
         basis. This plan presents an inventory of the Town's unique open space
         values, an inventory of existing open space areas, and a guide for the
         establishment of new open space areas. In essence, it's an attempt to
         rewrite the Johnny Appleseed story. Picture yourself growing up in a
         country where no one has ever heard of apples, and then, when news
         about apples finally makes its way to you, you look outside and see
         that there are apples hanging outside your window, ready to eat. And











       then you f ind out that two generations ago someone came through the
       area planting a few apple trees, which you had always assumed were just
       ornamental shrubs. And then you see that there's a package with your
       name on it, left behind by the apple planter, and inside are more
       seeds, a couple of shovels, and detailed instructions for setting up
       more orchards.   Exeter residents, consider this plan as the package
       with your name on it.










































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                                                                                                                                Durham

                                                                              Nottingham               Lee
                                                                                                                                               Newirt9ton



                                                                                                                 Newmarket                              Por t
                                                                                            Epping
                                                                  Raymond                                       Newfields                   Greenland

                                                                                                                               Struthom

                                                                                  Fremont
                                                                                                Brentwood
                                                                                                                                           North
                                                                                                                     .............
                                                               Chester
                                                                                                                                               Harnpton




                                                                  Sandown
                                                                                  Danville  Kingston      East      Kensington   Hampton      Hampton
                                                                                                          Kingston                  Falls



                                                    Derry
                                                                                                                South                  Seabrook
                                                                    Hampstead
                                                                                                  Newton         Hampt

                                                                                                                   Massachusetts


                     Londonderry                                        Atkinson        Plaistow
                                         Windham
                       Hudson                                                                                 ROCKINGHAM
                                                          Salem                                                 PLANNING
                                                                                            Eppin:













                                                                                                             COMMISSION


                                       Pelham




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                         OPEN SPACE - A GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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                            OPEN SPACE - A GENERAL DESCRIPTION


        For the purpose of this plan, open space will be defined as land areas
        having natural resources and f eatures worthy of conservation and
        protection. Such areas can consist of forests, farmland, floodplains,
        wetlands, and steep slope areas. open space can also include scenic
        vistas, recreational areas, and historic sites. Too often, open space
        is considered to be merely lands which are not currently developed or
        being used in some manner. The multiple resource values of open space
        lands are often overlooked.       Open space values can be categorized as
        follows:


              1.    environmental protection (e.g. erosion control, flood water
                    retention, groundwater recharge, etc.);

              2.    forestry and agriculture;

              3.    recreation (both active and passive);

              4.    habitat for flora (plant life) and fauna (wildlife);

              5.    aesthetics,    (i.e.,    pleasant    scenery,    visual     relief,
                    maintenance of rural character, scenic vistas, etc.);

              6.    education and research (outdoor classrooms); and

              7.    historic and archeological sites.

        It is difficult to quantify all the benefits which open spaces provide,
        especially in monetary terms.        Most public open space areas have a
        relatively low economic return in the short-term, and a low frequency
        of use for any one individual. Open space is usually considered to be
        a community resource, therefore, public action is usually the most
        practical source of preservation and protection efforts. Traditional
        arguments on the behalf of open space planning have not rested upon
        economic considerations. Rather, they have been founded upon the need
        for protecting environmentally sensitive lands, the need for public
        recreation facilities, and the attractiveness of green spaces.
        However, the preservation of open space does yield a number of economic
        benefits; among them are:

              1,    The prevention of public expenditures in the sense that other
                    types of development can have a net cost to the Town,
                    especially residential development;










             2.   The production of private income through commercial open
                  space uses, including golf courses, agricultural business and
                  timber harvesting;

             3.   The yielding of additional property value to adjacent
                  properties; and

             4.   The maintenance of various "natural process" values which,
                  if disrupted, may require the expenditure of public funds to
                  restore.   These values, which may be considered "avoided
                  costs", are further described below.

        A common argument against open space preservation is that it results in
        the loss of potential property tax revenues for the community. This
        statement may be generally valid for industrial and commercial develop-
        ment, however, it is certainly false for most forms of residential
        development. For instance, the residents of new neighborhoods, having
        made substantial personal investments in their new homes, expect to
        receive adequate public services (e.g., education, police and fire
        protection, road maintenance, etc.) in return for their property taxes.
        The above argument assumes that residential development produces public
        revenues in excess of public costs.

        According to a study conducted by the American Farmland Trust, the
        above assumption is almost always proven false: 11 ... the costs of the
        public services required to serve new residential communities usually
        exceeds the tax revenues generated by them... 11     (source: Density
        Related Public Costs, American Farmland Trust, Washington, DC, 1986)
        As a case study, the Trust evaluated the municipal finances for Loudoun
        County in Virginia. For every $1.00 of tax revenue generated by the
        residential sector, $1.28 in public services was expended. The fiscal
        impacts of residential development have been similar throughout New
        Hampshire.   Thereforel as a general rule, conventional residential
        development rarely "pays for itself".

        Another factor to consider when assessing the economics of maintaining
        open space is that once open space is developed, a wide array of
        private and public benefits are lost. Open space can provide sustained
        economic production which, over the long-term, may exceed those from
        development options in the short-term. Examples of open space-oriented
        land uses which provide direct monetary returns include: farm fields,
        timber stands, campgrounds, and golf courses. In addition, user fees
        charged for the use of Town-owned open space areas can contribute to a
        community's general revenue,. or be earmarked for specific purposes,
        such as open space acquisition.


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        An example of a less direct but measurable economic benefit is what has
        been termed "location rent", which is the added value of a house or lot
        situated in close proximity to protected open space. According to the
        National Association of Home Builders, it is not uncommon for the value
        of building sites to be enhanced by 15 to 20% in the vicinity of park
        and recreation areas. The increased value to the landowner is shared
        by the municipality as well.     Because relative property values are
        higher, assessed valuations and tax revenues are also higher.

        In some instances, it is possible to express the "natural process
        values" of open space in the dollar terms of traditional economic
        analysis.   For example, the value Of fish production from a given
        waterbody can be calculated.     After a flood, the negative value of
        houses built within the floodplain can be determined by assessing the
        flood damage costs.    the value of an aquifer can be calculated by
        determining the replacement cost (the cost of obtaining alternative
        water supplies when the existing water supply has been polluted or the
        recharge rate diminished) .   But the intrinsic values of open space
        (e.g., scenic views, unique ecological areas, and historic sites, etc.)
        are impossible to quantify in economic terms. Still, these values are
        important to consider because they are an integral part of the Town's
        character and natural heritage.

        The provision of open space areas also has a beneficial effect on man's
        psychological view of the world around him.      In essence, open space
        areas are a necessary component of man's psychological well being. Man
        needs to feel connected to the landscape. In the. study, Growing Up in
        Cities (prepared by UNESCO in 1980) , interviews with children from
        different landscape environments around the world found that, without
        exception, "the hunger for trees is outspoken and seemingly universal."

        According to Roger Hart, director of the Childrenfs Environments
        Research Group at the Graduate Center of the City University of New
        York, the provision of open spaces is necessary for a child's healthy
        development as adults. "Part of being a responsible adult is having a
        sense of responsibility for the environment," he says. "And you can
        only care for something you've grown to feel a part of." Thus, open
        space areas are not only beneficial 'assets for individual property
        owners and the community as a whole, they are necessary for man's well
        being.








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                        PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND LAND USE


        The Town of Exeter consists of approximately 13,056 square acres of
        land (or 20.4 square miles). According to the 1990 Census, the Town
        has a current population of 12,481, which results in a population
        density of 611.8 people per square mile.    Exeter is bordered by the
        communities of Brentwood, Epping, Newfields, Stratham, North Hampton,
        Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, East Kingston, and Kingston. The
        majority of the Region's major highways pass through Exeter, including:
        Routes 51, 85, 88, 101, 101-D, 108, 111, and 111-A. Major watercourses
        within Exeter include the Exeter River, Little River, and the tidal
         quamscott River. For a graphic depiction of Exeter's location within
        the Regional context, please review Map 1 (Location Map) on the
        S


        following page.

        The following section will discuss the relationship between physical
        characteristics of land and land use in general. Items to address in
        this section include- Exeter's bedrock geology, surficial geology,
        surface topography, soil development suitability, existing land use,
        and zoning.

        1. Bedrock Geology

        In southeastern New Hampshire, bedrock was formed from layers of sea
        bottom sediments deposited and compacted over millions of years into
        formations of sedimentary rock.     These formations were transformed
        through uplifting, folding, and tremendous heat and pressure into what
        is known as metamorphic rock.

        According to the "Geological Map of New Hampshire", prepared by the US
        Geological Survey and the NH State Geologist in 1986, there are three
        major bedrock types within Exeter, all of the metamorphic variety.
        These bedrock types include: the Exeter pluton formation which covers
        the majority of the Town's northern half, plus a small strip located in
        the Town's southeast corner; the Kittery formation which appears as a
        strip covering the downtown area, as well as two small strips located
        in the southeast corner, and; the Elliot formation which covers the
        majority of the Town's southern land area. For a graphic depiction of
        the Town's bedrock formations, please review Map 2 (Flood Hazards and
        Bedrock Geology) following page 7.

        2. Surficial-Geology


        The presented information is based on a surficial geology map prepared
        by the NH State Geologist in 1988.       The upper layers of geologic
        materials above the bedrock formations are known as surficial deposits,

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       or more easily understood as the earth's surface. In southeastern New
       Hampshire, these geologic materials were deposited by a glacier more
       than 10,000 years ago.      Within Exeter, there are five types of
       surf icial materials: till, marine silt and clay deposits, contact
       deposits, freshwater swamp and marsh deposits, and, alluvium deposits.
       These materials are described in more detail below.


             A. Till


             As the mile thick glacier advanced from the northwest, it
             deposited layers of debris made of sand, clay, and gravel, which
             is collectively known as till. Roughly one third of the Town's
             surficial geology is characterized by till. Exeter's till areas
             are found primarily in the northeast corner, as well as the
             western portion of Town along both sides of the Little River and
             Dudley Brook. Till usually provides adequate loading capacity for
             building foundations, thus indicating that till areas are suited
             for general development purposes.       However, if hardpan (an
             impermeable layer) is located within 18 to 24 inches below the
             surface, conditions may not be adequate for the placement of on-
             site septic systems.

             B. Marine Silt and Clay Deposits

             The formation of these deposits resulted from the following
             processes: the melting glacier caused a rise in sea level which
             inundated most of southeastern New Hampshire; marine sediments
             were formed along the bottom of the ancient sea, as well as its
             bays and estuaries; the land elevation gradually rose as the
             weight of the glacier decreased, and the sea level retreated to
             its present position, leaving the marine deposits in what are now
             upland areas.

             In Exeter, marine silt and clay deposits are the dominant feature
             in the Town's surficial geology, constituting over fifty percent
             of the land area. These areas are found in the Town's southern
             half (including the downtown area), as well as the northwest and
             southwest corners of the community.    Generally, these materials
             are unsuitable or marginally suitable for development because of
             a high water table with poor drainage and unstable conditions. In
             some areas these limitations can be overcome with the provision of
             adequate drainage facilities and special engineering and design
             considerations.






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                                                                                                                                              KENSINGTON
                                                            OFF ICE OF STATE PLANNING         KINGSTON    I

                                                                                     TIDAL WETLAND
                                                                                                                                TOWN OF EXETER










             C. ContaCt Deposits

             As the glacier melted and retreated, sediments were released
             forming layers of sand and gravel called ice contact deposits.
             These deposits have good drainage and permeability characteristics
             with a high water bearing capacity.        These areas are easily
             excavated and are usually the! sites of a community's sand and
             gravel pits. This material also goes by the name of "stratified
             drift".   There are two stratified drift areas within Exeter: a
             large area in the Town's southeast corner, and a smaller deposit
             in the southwest corner.       These deposits may contain large
             quantities of groundwater, thus making them potentially suitable
             sources for public water supplies. For a graphic depiction of the
             Town's aquifer areas, please review Map 10 (Aquifer Map).

             D. Swamp and Marsh Deposits

             These areas consist of muck, peat, silt, sand, and a little
             gravel, underlying poorly drained low-lying areas.         Thickness
             ranges from a few feet to over twenty feet in some places. These
             areas are primarily located within the Town's wetland, floodplain,
             and shoreland areas.


             E. Alluvium Deposits

             These deposits consist of sand., silt, and a little gravel located
             beneath floodplains and existing streams.     Deposits are usually
             ten feet thick or less in most places, and are underlain by marine
             silt and clay. These areas are usually located in close proximity
             to swamp and marsh deposits where the water table is at the
             surface.    In Exeter, these deposits are located along the
             shorelands of the Town's most significant watercourses.

        3. Topography

        Exeter's existing topography is generally a result of the underlying
        bedrock, the effects of glaciation, and the weathering conditions which
        have occurred since the most recent glacier activity.        Erosion and
        deposition caused by the glacier, and the formations created, are the
        most important factors in determining today's topography.        Exeter's
        terrain is predominantly rolling with gentle slopes of 0-8 percent.
        There are no substantial hills or mountains within Exeter.             The
        topography_ ranges from a low of slightly above mean sea level at the
        Squamscott River's edge, to a high of 232 near the Town's northern end,
        along Watson Road.    For a graphic depiction of Exeter's topography,
        please review Map 3 (Topography) following page 9.

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       4.  SOilS


       Knowledge about soils is critical in making sound land use decisions
       With information regarding soil characteristics and limitations for
       development, land alteration and building activity can be directed away
       from poorly suited lands to areas with the capability to sustain
       development.   For example, residential development should be located
       away from areas with unstable soil conditions, high water tables, and
       slow percolation rates because of the constraints for building
       foundations and septic system placement. Other soils are better suited
       for agricultural uses because of level topography, good drainage and
       lack of stoniness - important considerations in defining and
       establishing agricultural zoning districts.

             A. Development Suitability

             Much of Exeter's rural, undeveloped land is not served by the
             Town's public sewer and water systems.      For these areas, the
             importance of soil-based information in the land use planning
             process is critical.   The viability of on-site sewage disposal
             facilities depends on a careful evaluation of soil conditions     -
             Soils should be reviewed in terms of their ability to handle
             wastewater disposal without adversely affecting groundwater
             resources.


             Poor soil conditions and steep slopes cause severe limitations for
             on-site sewage disposal systems, hence restricting development.
             Concentrations of poor soil conditions are scattered throughout
             Exeter, however, significant areas can be found both north and
             south of the downtown area, especially along the Town's riverbanks
             and stream'corridors.   For a graphic depiction of Exeter's soil
             development capability, please review Map 4 (Soil Suitability for
             Septic Systems) which follows Map 3.

             B. Agriculture and Forestry

             Soil information has not only proven to be an excellent indicator
             of general development suitability, but also of critical resource
             areas such as wetlands, prime agricultural land, forest land, and
             wildlife habitat.


             Important agricultural soils include "prime farmland" and
             "farmland of Statewide importance".    As defined by the US Soil
             Conservation Service, "prime farmland" has the soil quality and
             moisture content needed to produce sustained high yields when
             managed according to modern farming methods.     It can be farmed

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                                                                        Map  4
                                                        T o w n        o f      E x e t e r
                     KEY    S o *1 1        S u *1 t    ab i        I t y       f o r       S e p
                      W a t e r




                      Very Low
                      Su i tab i Ii t y


                      Low
                      Suitability


                      Medium
                      Suitability
                                                                                                170 N.-.
                      High
                      Suitability
                                                                     I LL
                      Very High
                      Suitability


                      Not Rated/
                      Too Variable






                                   S c a I ein Miles
                            10       2/3       1 1/3    3
    Sources: "Soils Potential for Deyelb'pment-Rockingham County";
               U.S.D.A. - Soil Conservation Service and Rockingham
               County Conservation Dist.;: May 1987.
               Complex Systems Research  Center, UNH; Februar-y
               1'990. Soils delineation  based on field work,
               conducted by the USDA Soi f Conservation Service,
               completed in 1985. Preliminary Data - Subject
               to Change.
               Prepared by the Rockingham Planning Commission,
               May 1990 .                                   SRG









              continuously or nearly continuously without degradation of the
              environment. It produces the highest yield for the least amount
              of energy used. It also requires the least investment to remain
              productive and is not susceptible to leaching from fertilizer or
              pesticide applications (source: Soils of New Hampsh re, S.A.L.
              Pilgrim and N.K. Peterson, NH Agricultural Experiment Station,
              University of New Hampshire and the US Soil Conservation Service,
              December 1979). "Farmland of' Statewide importance" has many of
              the same attributes of "prime farmland" but is generally of lesser
              quality.

              Map 5 (Farmland Soils) following page 11 indicates that Exeter
              contains several significant concentrations of farmland soils.
              These areas are located along the banks of the Exeter River,
              Squamscott River, along both sides of Hampton Road, within the
              northwest corner of Town, and a large patch located just north of
              the downtown area.


              The US Soil Conservation Service has also evaluated soils
              according to their suitability for timber production. In general,
              soils which are suitable for growing crops are suitable for
              growing trees as well. Thus, the farmland soils depicted on Map
              5 are also suitable for timber stands.


              The soils information for this section comes from soil survey
              sheets of the soon to be published Soil Survey of Rockingham
              County. New Hampshire, prepared by the US Soil Conservation
              Service.   The County soil survey sheets were digitized into the
              Geographic Information System of the Rockingham Planning
              Commission.


        5. Land Use and Zonin


        The previous discussion focused on the natural, pre-developed
        conditions of Exeter's land area.     However, these conditions can be
        significantly altered by man-made activity. For example, a shopping
        center located within soils best suited for farming destroys the agri-
        cultural value of the land.        The ensuing discussion will review
        Exeter's existing land use pattern, as well as its existing zoning
        scheme.


              A. Existing Land Use

              According to the study, Land Use Change: Rockingham County New
              Hampshire; 1953-1982 (prepared by the NH Agricultural Experiment
              Station, UNH, '1987), approximately 48% of Exeter consists of

                                            10










            forest land while an equal percentage consists of man-made
            development.      The remainder of Town consists of active
            agricultural land, idle land, and surface water resources. Since
            1953, Exeter has lost approximately 1,200 acres of farmland and
            over 2,700 acres of forests, while gaining roughly 4,000 acres of
            new development.     This trend towards urbanization, consisting
            primarily of residential development, has led to a corresponding
            reduction in open space. Table 1 below illustrates the changes in
            Exeter's land use pattern.

              Table 1 - Exeter Existing Land Use: 1953, 1974, and 1982

                             Acres in Acres in Acres in % Change
       Land Use              1953      1974       1982       1953-1982


       Agriculture           1,380          864     195       -85.9%
       Forest                8,525       7,805     5,885      -31.0%
       Developed             1,970        31690    5,965      202.0%
       Idle                    185           55     185         0.0%
       other                   135          175     135         0.0%
       Water                   150          150     150         0.0%


       Total  acreage according to study: 12,345 acres.

       Source: Land Use Change: Rockingham County, New Hampshire; 1953-1982,
                prepared by the NH Agricultural Experiment Station, UNH, 1987.


       Figure 1 below (Distribution of Land Use) provides a graphic
       illustration of the Town's change in land use between 1953 and 1982     *
       A graphic depiction of Exeter's existing land use pattern is depicted
       on Map 6 (Existing Land Use) following page 12.        This map has been
       updated to reflect the Town's land use pattern as of January 1, 1991.
                           Distribution of Land Use - Exeter, N.H.
                     1953               1953 and 1982        1982
            Idle/Other-3.8% Agriculture-1 1.2%     Idle/Other-2.4% Agriculture-1.6%


                               Developed-1 6%


                                             Forest-47.7%              Developed-48.3%



         Forest-69.1 %       Source: Befort, Luloff, Morrone, UNH, 1987.
                                                      4@7



                                                                                . Map 5
                                  Town of Exeter                                               Farmtand







                          KEY


                          Water




                          Prime Farmland




                          Farmland of Statewide
                          Importance











                                           Scale in   Miles

                                  0           2/3         1 1/3      3
 0                                1           1          NE
     Sources:   Complex Systems Research Center,      UNH;
                 February 1990.    Soils delineation  based
                 on field w ork, conducted by the    USDA Soil
                 Conservation Service, completed in 1985.
                 Preliminary Data - Subject to Change.

                 Prepared by the Rockingham       Planning
                 Commission, May 1991.                       SRG










              B. Existing zoning

              Another consideration for open space planning is the Town's
              existing zoning arrangement.      Exeter currently has 20 zoning
              districts: eight districts for various types of residential
              development; six districts for various types of commercial
              development; one district for industrial land uses; four
              environmental protection overlay districts, and; an overlay
              historic district. For a graphic depiction of Exeter's existing
              zoning arrangement, please review Map 7 (Generalized Zoning Map)
              on the following page.

              In addition to the provisions; regulating Exeter's environmental
              overlay districts, the Town's "Open Space Development" ordinance
              is another zoning mechanism which promotes open space preserva-
              tion.    This ordinance allows a development to concentrate a
              higher density of dwelling units in exchange for committing
              adjacent areas to common open space in perpetuity. The ordinance
              offers the possibility of a 10% density bonus if open lands or
              easements are conveyed to the Town for public use. Exeter's open
              space ordinance provides flexibility in the design of a
              development so that fragile areas and other important natural
              features can remain undeveloped.



























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                      OPEN SPACE VALUES, INVENTORY, AND ANALYSIS

        one of the primary responsibilities of a local conservation commission,
        as outlined in RSA 36-A:2, is the maintenance of an "index of the
        Town's natural and scenic resources." In addition, the conservation
        commission is charged with "recommending to the Selectmen a program for
        the protection, development and sound utilization of all the areas in
        the index." This plan is developed to assist the Exeter Conservation
        Commission in achieving those objectives.

        Items described in the accompanying index include: water resources,
        recreation, forestry and agriculture, flora and fauna habitat,
        aesthetics, education and research, plus historic and archeological
        sites.


        1. Water Resources


        The ensuing discussion of water resources is broken down into three
        components: a description of values, an inventory, and an analysis
        which includes a needs assessment and recommendations. Water resources
        to be describe in this section include: watersheds, perennial streams
        and waterbodies, wetlands, floodplains, shorelands, and groundwater.
        For a more complete description and analysis of the Town's water
        resources, please review the Water Resource Management and Protection
        Plan for the Town of Exeter, New Hampshire, prepared by the Rockingham
        Planning Commission in 1990.

                    Watersheds, Perennial Streams, and Waterbodies


              A. Values


              As with all natural features, watercourses and waterbodies have
              multiple, interrelated values. These surface water resources are
              a key resource for fish, wildlife habitat, recreation, aesthetics,
              and ground-water recharge.

              1)   Fisheries and Wildlife: Water is the essential element in any
                   wildlife habitat. In addition to providing food, waterbodies
                   and watercourses also provide protection for waterfowl,
                   songbirds, birds of prey (e.g., the Great Blue Heron and the
                   Double-Crested Cormorant.) , and for many small animals and
                   game species. clean, oxygen-rich waters are also necessary
                   for a healthy and diverse fish population.




                                             13










             2)   Recreation and Aesthetics: Areas containing good fisheries or
                  wildlife habitat provide high recreational value to local
                  fishermen and hunters. Other active recreational pursuits
                  include swimming and boating, which require sufficient area,
                  clean water, and adequate access for optimal conditions.
                  Moreover, waterbodies and watercourses often provide high
                  quality scenic views. Examples of scenic waterways in Exeter
                  include the downtown waterfront park, the Squamscott River
                  along the Swasey Parkway, and the Exeter River throughout the
                  Exeter Academy private trail system.

             3)   Groundwater Recharge: The quantity and quality of surface
                  water and groundwater resources are closely related. The two
                  resources often act as discharge and recharge points for each
                  other. When there is little rain, groundwater is released to
                  maintain streamf low.   When flooding occurs, excess water
                  seeps back into wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands to
                  recharge groundwater.       Pumping of wells lowers the
                  groundwater locally and can draw water to the wells from
                  nearby ponds and streams through the process of induced
                  infiltration. Since surface water and groundwater resources
                  have a symbiotic relationship, efforts to protect one will
                  provide some degree of protection to the other.

             B. Inventory

             1)   Watersheds: Exeter contains approximately 150 acres of
                  surface water, which is equivalent to 1.2% of the Town      ,s
                  total acreage.    Exeter forms a portion of four regional
                  watersheds: the drainage areas for the Piscassic River
                  Exeter River, the tidal Squamscott River, and the Coastal
                  Watershed.   Exeter also forms a portion of the smaller
                  Dearborn Brook and Little River sub-watersheds.          These
                  watersheds were identified on the "New Hampshire Hydrologic
                  Unit Map" (Source: US Department of Agriculture, Soil
                  Conservation Service, May 1982).    The watershed boundaries
                  within Exeter are shown on Map 8 (Watersheds and Perennial
                  Waterbodies) on the following page.

                  It should be noted that the Piscassic River Watershed and the
                  Dearborn Brook Sub-Watershed have received a water quality
                  classification of "All from the State Legislature. RSA 149:3
                  defines Class A waters as being "of the highest quality and
                  potentially acceptable as public water supply sources after
                  disinfection. No sewage or wastes shall be discharged into
                  these waters.     The Piscassic River is one of only f our

                                           14



















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                   watersheds in the Rockingham Planning Region to receive a
                   Class A designation.    Although the Piscassic River itself
                   does not flow through Exeter, it is significant to note that
                   the River is the longest stretch of Class A waters within the
                   Region.   The Dearborn Brook Sub-Watershed has received a
                   Class A designation because Dearborn Brook flows into the
                   Exeter Reservoir, and is thus mixed with the Exeter River to
                   become the source of the Town's drinking water supply.

                   All of the other watersheds and sub-watersheds of which
                   Exeter forms a part have received a water quality
                   classification of "B". RSA 149:3 defines Class B waters as
                   being of the second highest quality, with no objectionable
                   physical characteristics.     No sewage or waste shall be
                   discharged into these waters unless they have been treated.
                   The waters of this class are considered acceptable for
                   bathing and other recreation purposes and,     after adequate
                   treatment, for use as public water sources.

             2)    Perennial Streams: There are 31 watercourses   within Exeter,
                   the most significant being the Exeter River, Little River,
                   Dearborn Brook, and the Squamscott River.          The Town's
                   drainage pattern is described in more detail below.

                   The Exeter River flows through Town in an easterly direction
                   for a length of roughly six miles, until it empties into the
                   Squamscott River. The Exeter River is fed by nine perennial
                   tributaries, the most significant being the Little River,
                   Perkins Brook and Great Brook.


                   The Little River flows through Exeter in a southeasterly
                   direction for a length of roughly 6.2 miles, until it empties
                   into the Exeter River.     The Little River is f ed by seven
                   perennial tributaries, the most significant being Bloody
                   Brook, Dudley Brook, and Scamen Brook. The Dearborn Brook
                   originates in a large wetland area in Stratham, between
                   Rollins Hill and Pine Hill.     It flows through Exeter in a
                   southwesterly direction for a length of approximately one
                   mile before it empties into the Exeter Reservoir.

                   The tidal Squamscott River flows through Town in northerly
                   direction for a length of 3.5 miles, until it empties into
                   the Great Bay.      The Squamscott River is fed by eight
                   perennial tributaries, -the most significant being Norris
                   Brook, Watson Brook, Wheelwright Creek, and Rocky Hill Brook.



                                            1.5











                  It should be noted that the Squamscott River falls within the
                  Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve which was
                  designated by the United States Congress in 1989 as the
                  nation's 18th National Estuarine Research Reserve under the
                  federal Coastal Management Act (CZMA) @ The CZMA created a
                  federal-state partnership for the protection and management
                  of coastal areas.    The New Hampshire Coastal Program is
                  administered by the NH Office of State Planning.

                  The Great Bay Reserve includes over 4,400 acres of tidal
                  water areas representing the range of different environments
                  around the estuary (saltmarsh areas, bluffs, rocky shores,
                  woodlands, open fields, etc.). While the highest priority of
                  the Reserve is to preserve Great Bay through an aggressive
                  land acquisition program, there is also a strong emphasis on
                  using the site for long-term research and education.

                  Also of interest is the "Great Bay Hydrologic Unit" project.
                  It is sponsored by the US Department of Agriculture, and
                  involves the following organizations: the Rockingham and
                  Strafford County Conservation Districts, the Rockingham and
                  Strafford County branches of the Soil Conservation Service
                  (SCS), the Agricultural Conservation and Stabilization
                  Service (ASCS) and the UNH Cooperative Extension Service,
                  plus the US Geological Survey. The Hydrologic Unit provides
                  non-point pollution source education to the public for the
                  watershed area covering the Great Bay. The education effort
                  is geared toward providing best management education
                  materials for potentially hazardous land uses.

                  Within Exeter's portion of the Piscassic Watershed, there are
                  three perennial streams which flow in a northerly direction,
                  feeding the Piscassic River. These streams include the Fresh
                  River, Beech Hill Brook, and an unnamed tributary. Within
                  Exeter's portion of the Coastal Watershed, there is only one
                  perennial stream (Ash Brook) which flows in a southerly
                  direction before emptying into the Taylor River in Hampton.

             3)   Waterbodies: There are only four waterbodies of significance
                  within Exeter: Colcord Pond, Judes Pond, Brickyard Pond, and
                  the Exeter Reservoir.    Colcord Pond was created by a dam
                  located along the Little River, near Brentwood Road.       The
                  Pond is roughly 12 acres in size and is located at an
                  elevation of 50 feet mean sea level (MSL) .    Judes Pond is
                  located in south Exeter just west of Drinkwater Road. The

                                          16









                  Pond is roughly two acres    in size and is located at an
                  elevation of 20 feet MSL. Brickyard Pond is located off of
                  Kingston Road. The Pond is a little over one acre in size
                  and is located at an elevation of 50 feet MSL.     The Exeter
                  Reservoir is located just east of Portsmouth Avenue.       The
                  Reservoir is roughly 26 acres in size and is located at an
                  elevation of 40 feet MSL.


             C. Analysis

             All of the Great Bay's tributaries (including the Squamscott River
             and its tributaries) are now closed to shellfish harvesting
             because of the problems associated with improperly treated or
             untreated sewage.    Although the Town of Exeter is currently
             engaged in upgrading its Sewer system and wastewater treatment
             facility, strict and regular monitoring of discharges to the River
             must continue.


             Another factor contributing to the Bay's degradation comes from
             poorly planned development and land alteration within the Bay's
             watershed. To promote the protection of the Great Bay Estuary,
             the Town should work with land owners within the watershed, the NH
             office of State Planning, the Great Bay Estuarine System
             Conservation Trust, the NH Water Supply and Pollution Control
             Division, the NH Fish and Game Department, the Rockingham County
             Conservation District, and the Rockingham Planning Commission on
             wise land stewardship within the watershed.

             In general, there is a direct relationship between land use and
             water quality. Uses located in areas with poor suitability can
             degrade and contaminate surface and ground-water resources,
             increase flood hazards, destroy water-based wildlife, and
             interfere with scenic and recreational values.         It is the
             responsibility of the Town to take precautions, both regulatory
             and non-regulatory, to protect all water resources from
             incompatible uses and, in so doing, protect the health and general
             welfare of the community.


                                       Wetlands


             A. Values


             For the purpose of this study, wetlands will be considered as
             those lands where saturation with water is the dominant factor
             determining the nature of the soil, as well as indigenous plant
             and animal communities. Marshes, swamps, and bogs have been well

                                           3.7










             known features of the landscape for centuries, but only recently
             have attempts been made to group these items under the single term
             of "wetlands".   The Town of Exeter defines wetlands as "Those
             areas of land identified and delineated as consisting of poorly
             and very poorly drained soils as defined by the Soil Conservation
             Service/National Cooperative Soil Survey." (page 6 of the Exeter
             zoning ordinance, as amended through March 1991).

             Historically, wetlands have been considered wastelands of little
             value to society, and have been subject to waste dumping, filling,
             and draining with little thought given to the consequences.
             However, recent scientific inquiry has lead to the understanding
             of the importance of wetlands in maintaining and improving
             environmental quality. They have been found to provide critical
             ecological and socially valuable functions, including:

                  1) acting as flood water storage areas;
                  2) absorbing and filtering pollutants and sediments;
                  3) helping to maintain groundwater and surface water levels;
                  4) providing habitat areas for plants, fish and wildlife;
                  5) providing unique opportunities for recreation and
                     education; and
                  6) contributing to scenic value.

             These values are discussed in further detail below. (Also review
             the diagrams presented in Appendix I - "Functions of Wetlands".)

             1)   Flood Control: Wetlands are natural flood storage areas which
                  reduce peak flood levels and the likelihood of flash flooding
                  by storing and slowly releasing flood waters. For example,
                  when a stream overflows its banks, flood       waters spread
                  horizontally into surrounding wetlands where the vegetation
                  acts to temporarily detain water.     At this point, hydric
                  soils hold the water in a sponge-like manner,  to be released
                  slowly over a period of time. Wetland soils    and vegetation
                  help to maintain the balance of age-old flood and drought
                  cycles. Wetland protection efforts in a predominantly rural
                  community wisely anticipates future development which may
                  cause increased run-off, higher flood levels, and a greater
                  likelihood of flooding.

             2)   Water Ouality: Wetlands have a natural "self-cleaning?#
              -   ability which, if not overtaxed, can filter or absorb
                  pollutants from run-off before they enter a watercourse or
                  waterbody.   In many respects, wetlands function much like
                  sophisticated sewage treatment plants by removing nutrients

                                          18









                  and other pollutants prior to water resource discharge. This
                  is done virtually at no cost to the tax-paying public. In
                  addition, a wetland acts as a buffer zone to trap sediments
                  resulting from natural and/or man-made erosion.

             3)   Water Supply: The flood storage function of wetlands also
                  serves to collect surface water run-off and route it into the
                  ground, thereby recharging groundwater resources.       During
                  periods of low f low, this stored groundwater can then
                  replenish nearby surface water resources.

             4)   Habitat: Wetlands represent a critical link in the life
                  cycles and food webs of fish and wildlife.      Wetlands are
                  nutrient-rich habitats which supply food, shelter, and
                  spawning grounds for a variety of fish and wildlife. Coastal
                  wetlands, such as those abutting the Squamscott River,
                  provide critical habitat for shellfish and wading birds
                  (e.g., herons and sandpipers).

             5)   Recreation and Education: Wetlands offer unspoiled, open
                  space for the aesthetic enjoyment of nature, as well as other
                  recreational activities such as bird watching, hiking,
                  fishing, hunting, photography, and environmental education.
                  High quality wetlands can also be used for biological
                  research and as outdoor classrooms for students of all ages.

             6)   Aesthetics: Wetlands are a vital component of the Town's
                  scenic landscape.      The relatively flat landform and
                  diversified vegetation of wetlands create a distinctive
                  visual character.      Wetland vegetation provides unique
                  seasonal variations in color.


             B. Inventory

             Wetland types found in Exeter include shrub swamps, shallow and
             deep marshes, bog ponds, wet meadows, and forested swamps. Lands
             with soils having high water tables, and classified as poorly or
             very poorly drained soils by the Soil Conservation Service, are
             also considered to be wetlands.     These poorly and very poorly
             drained soils are the foundation of the Town's Wetland
             Conservation District, established at the 1980 Town Meeting.

             Exeter contains approximately 4,197 acres of wetland soils, which
             is equivalent to roughly 32% of the Town's total land area. The
             wetland acreage total can further be broken down by the acres of
             poorly drained soils (3,559 acres) and very poorly drained soils

                                           19










              (638 acres).    Looking over the previous Table 1 (Existing Land
              Use), it appears that wetlands constitute more than 55% of the
              Town"s open, undeveloped lands (note: open, undeveloped lands
              include:   farmlands,    forest    lands,,  idle    land,   and    other
              unclassified lands as identified in Table 1).

              For a graphic depiction of Exeter's wetland areas, please review
              the accompanying Map 9 (Wetland Soils) on the following page.
              This map was created by digitizing the County soil survey sheets
              into the Rockingham Planning Commission's Geographic Information
              System. The County soil survey sheets were taken from the soon to
              be published Soil Survey of Rockingham County, New Hampshire,
              prepared by the Soil Conservation service.

              Also shown on Map 9 are the Town's "Prime Wetlands" which were
              documented and mapped by the Exeter Planning Department in 1983,
              using information provided by the conservation commission, as
              authorized under RSA 482-A: 15. Prime Wetlands are considered such
              in that, because of their size, unspoiled character, fragile
              condition or other relevant factors, these areas are of
              substantial significance. During the review of dredge and fill
              applications, the New Hampshire Wetlands Board gives special
              consideration to wetland areas designated as Prime Wetlands. For
              more information on Exeter's Prime Wetland areas, please review
              the document, Prime Wetlands, a Report; Exeter, NH, on file with
              the Conservation Commission and the Exeter Planning Department.

              C. Analysis

              The filling of wetlands for building construction sites not only
              destroys wetlands and their benefits, but may lead to groundwater
              contamination as well.      Leaching fields constructed in filled
              areas are more likely to be placed too close to the seasonal high
              water tablef thus having an inadequate receiving layer for the
              proper treatment septic system effluent.

              There is an ongoing need to protect wetlands within Exeter.
              Statewide, wetlands are under increasing development pressure due
              to the depletion of the area's most developable land. Although
              the US Army Corps of Engineers and the State of New Hampshire have
              laws and regulations governing wetlands, they do not always
              provide the degree of protection needed.          Existing regulatory
              efforts look at each dredge and fill request as a separate
              application, resulting in a piecemeal approach. In addition, the
              inadequate staffing of federal and State inspectors means that
              some wetland activities escape scrutiny. In addition, the State's

                                              20



                                                                                   Map 9
                                 Town of Exeter                                              Wetland S









                            KP-Y


                          Water




                          Poorly Drained



                          Very Poorly Drained                                          M :7
                          (Prime Wetlands)


                          Tidal Wetlands






                                                                                                      L4-




                                          Scale in  Miles

                                 0           2/3        1 1/3      3
   ISources:   Complex Systems Research Center,      UNH;
                 February 1990.   Soils delineation based
                 on field work, conducted by the    USDA Soil
   I             Conservation Service, completed in 1985.
                 Preliminary Data - Subject to Change.                              ttt
   I             Prepared by the Rockingham Planning
                 Commission, May 1991.                     SRG
   I









              existing regulatory ef f orts only provide f or wetland setbacks f or
              the placement of septic systems, not general development activity.
              For these reasons, the Town should continue to exercise local
              control over its wetland areas well into the foreseeable future.


                                        Floodplains


              A. Values


              Flooding is a natural process of the riverine system and adjacent
              surf ace water network.      Periodic f looding helps to fertilize
              f loodplain soils, and helps 'to maintain their productivity and
              that of the river corridor.          Floodplains are located along
              sensitive shoreline areas which provide habitat for a wide variety
              of animals and plants.

              During periods of flooding, enormous quantities of water are
              stored temporarily within floodplain soils, and within tributary
              wetlands.     During such periods, groundwater reservoirs are
              recharged by excess surface water. As the flood levels decline,
              the water  stored is slowly released back into the stream or river.
              Natural vegetation and wetland soils slow the water flow during
              the flood and help prevent soil erosion. In this manner, wetlands
              and floodplains naturally moderate the extremes of flooding.


              B. Inventory

              Exeter maintains participation in the National Flood Insurance
              Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
              (FEMA).    Exeter's 100-year flood zones were mapped by FEMA in
              1982, resulting in a "Flood Insurance Rate Map" for the Town. A
              small-scale version of this map appears in this document as Map 2
              (Flood Hazards and Bedrock Geology) following page 6.         This map
              also shows the Town's bedrock geology, which is described in more
              detail in the Physical Characteristics and Land Use chapter.

              C. Analysis

              At the 1990 Town Meeting, Exeter voters adopted a revised
              Floodplain Management District Ordinance, which established land
              use control measures for the rown's flood prone areas. Although
              building within the floodplain was not prohibited, special
              construction and floodproofing standards were established. This
              ordinance was necessary to keep the Town in good standing with the
              National Flood Insurance Program, thus remaining eligible for
              flood insurance and federal disaster relief.


                                              2:1











              Even with a f loodplain management ordinance in place, the Town
              should encourage landowners, private agencies, and the state to
              negotiate the purchase or donation of lands, or conservation
              easements, for floodplain areas; especially those located along
              the Squamscott River.      This action would help to maintain the
              ecological and scenic integrity of Exeter's portion of the Great
              Bay estuary system.

              As a general planning rule, floodplains are not suited for
              develop-ment.   Buildings should be located away from these low-
              lying areas because of the potential for flooding and the unstable
              soil conditions. Development within the floodplain may also lead
              to surface water contamination caused by flood damage to septic
              systems, and the general flushing out of materials (such as trash,
              gasoline, oil, etc.) around a house or parking lot. Areas prone
              to flooding need to be protected in order to maintain their
              capacity to absorb, store, and transmit run-off and floodwater.
              Floodplains are part of the overall surface water system and
              should be respected as such.


                                         Shorelands


              A. Values


              Shorelands are herein defined as those lands located adjacent to
              the water's edge of a perennial stream, river, or waterbody. Much
              of the discussion pertains to the riparian corridors of the Town's
              rivers and major streams.        For discussion purposes, the term
              "river" will be used to cover all types of perennial watercourses
              (rivers, streams, and brooks) and waterbodies (lakes and ponds).

              River corridors serve a number of functions, the most significant
              pertaining to: wildlife, floodwater storage, pollution abatement
              and filtration, river bank stabilization and water quality,
              recreation, aesthetics, and unique natural features. These values
              are described in more detail below.


              1)    Wildlife: In general, river corridors provide the richest
                    habitats for fish, wildlife, and plant life. Many fish and
                    wildlife populations need large tracts of land to maintain a
                    viable population.      Most species cannot survive within
                    limited habitat areas.       Wildlife must have travel lanes
                    within their range, and waterfowl and other birds need
                    ground-level nesting habitat.      Protection of these linear
                    river corridors is essential to the stability of wildlife

                                              22









                  populations.    This concept is in contrast with what is
                  commonly known as "habitat islands", where wildlife refuge
                  areas are separated by development, with no way for animals
                  to travel from one area to another.


             2)   Floodwater Storage: The flood absorption function of
                  shorelands and floodplains is described in detail in the
                  previous discussion entitled "Floodplains".

             3)   Pollution Abatement and Filtration: Natural corridors along
                  riverbanks can be considered as "pollution filter strips"
                  because the shoreland vegetation acts to filter out sediment
                  and pollutants from surface water run-off. Many scientific
                  studies have repeatedly confirmed the need to retain a
                  naturally vegetated buffer strip adjacent to the water line,
                  to filter out pollutants from lawn fertilizers, agricultural
                  pesticides, and run-off from roads. An absolute minimum of
                  fifty feet (preferably 75 feet or more) is needed to protect
                  surface waters from such substances, according to recently
                  published data compiled by the Smithsonian Environmental
                  Research Center (source: Planning for the Changing Rural
                  Landscape of New England: Blending Theory and Practice, New
                  England Center, University of New Hampshire, November 1987).

                  In some cases, river corridors can be quite environmentally
                  sensitive. In many instances, these areas consist of coarse-
                  grained soils which have a limited ability to trap and hold
                  contaminants.    This can. lead to water quality problems,
                  especially when septic systems are constructed too close to
                  shorelands. During periods of low water flow (such as the
                  summer months) , contaminated groundwater can seep into the
                  watercourse.    Thus, once again highlighting the need to
                  protect both surface and groundwater resources.

             4)   River Bank StabilizationlVater Quality: River banks stripped
                  of vegetation can be vulnerable to erosion.     The roots of
                  trees and other plant life along a natural shoreline help to
                  stabilize the river banks from the erosive forces of wave
                  action, flood flows, and overall surface water run-off.
                  Removal of shoreline vegetation can raise water temperatures,
                  and in turn lead to a deterioration of cold-water fisheries.
                  In addition, bank erosion can cause sedimentation, which
                  eliminates fish spawning and nursery areas, as well as
                  depleting oxygen needed for adult fish.




                                           23











             5)   Recreation: River corridors can provide ample recreational
                  opportunities.    Examples include: boat docks for power
                  boating, rowing and canoeing, fishing, hiking trails within
                  the corridor, horse trails, cross-country skiing, bird
                  watching, and picnicking.

             6)   Aesthetics: The changes in flow levels, the diversity and
                  color changes of shoreline vegetation, and the associated
                  variety of wildlife, all contribute to the visual quality and
                  scenic beauty of a river corridor. Such corridors present
                  prime opportunities for interacting with the natural
                  environment.


             7)   Unigue Natural Features: Examples of unique natural features
                  along river corridors include: waterfalls, rapids, meanders,
                  and oxbows (such as the oxbow which Exeter shares with
                  Stratham).   In addition, rare and endangered plant species
                  are often located along river banks.

             B. Inventory

             As previously stated, shorelands are found along the perimeters of
             watercourses and waterbodies. Exeter's surface water areas can be
             seen on Map 8 (Watersheds and Perennial Waterbodies) following
             page 14. Despite scientific efforts, there is no set width for a
             protective 11shoreland" corridor. As a general rule of thumb, the
             shoreland values described above diminish as the distance between
             development and the water's edge decreases.          A review of
             regulatory efforts throughout the State indicate that most
             municipalities regulate shoreland widths from lengths of fifty
             feet to as much as three hundred feet. Aside from the downtown
             area, Exeter's watercourses continue to maintain many miles of
             natural, undisturbed shoreland.


             The Town of Exeter established a Shoreland Protection District at
             the 1989 Town Meeting, however, prior to this the Town had been
             regulating shoreland development through other regulatory efforts
             since the 19701s.   According to the existing zoning ordinance,
             Exeter's shorelands are defined as follows: three hundred feet
             horizontal distance from the shoreline of the Squamscott River,
             Exeter River, and their major tributaries, and 150 feet horizontal
             distance from the shoreline of all other perennial streams and
             brooks within Town.




                                           24









             C. Analysis

             Shoreland corridors are very important in terms of water quality,
             wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and scenic beauty.
             However, with 11shorefront" pro, erty being at such a premium, these
                                            P
             fragile lands are under intense development pressures4           Once
             natural shoreland is developed, its social and ecological benefits
             are greatly diminished. Moreover, it is inequitable for a private
             landowner or developer to gain value from a river (which is
             considered by state law to be a public resource) , and at the same
             time exclude the public from using the river by blocking physical
             and/or visual access.


                                       Groundwater


             A. Values


             Groundwater is used to augment the Exeter municipal water system,
             and is also the primary source for several residential public
             water supplies scattered throughout Town.         In addition, the
             Phillips Exeter Academy uses well water to irrigate its large open
             land areas. Favorable groundwater potential is typically found in
             areas of unconsolidated sediment (such as sand, gravel, and other
             stratified drift material) and, to a lesser extent, in bedrock
             fractures.    Because of its high porosity, transmissivity, and
             hydraulic conductivity, areas; of stratified drift material can
             yield  large volumes of water when pumped.

             The primary value of groundwater is as a source of water supply
             for individual water wells and for public water supply systems.
             Because of the great dif f erence in treatment costs, municipalities
             tend to choose groundwater resources over surface water resources
             for the development of public water supplies. These resources are
             less costly to develop than man-made surface water supplies, in
             terms of land-acquisition, engineering, and treatment.

             B. Inventory

             The term "aquifer" is herein defined as earth material containing
             sufficient quantities of groundwater for pumping. The latest and
             most reliable source of information concerning the location of
             stratified drift deposits within Exeter comes from the recent
             groundwater mapping effort conducted by the United States
             Geological Survey (USGS)_.    The USGS has characterized Exeter as
             having two types of stratified drift aquifers, labelled
             "Stratified Drift Aquifer" and "Stratified Drift Aquifer Over

                                            2 5










             Glacio-Estuarine Silts and Clays". This information has recently
             been published as part of a USGS report entitled "Geohydrology and
             Water Quality of Stratified Drift Aquifers in the Exeter, Lamprey,
             and Oyster River Basins, Southeastern New Hampshire", (USGS Water
             Investigations Report 84-4252; 1988).

             As part of the study noted above, the Town's stratified drift
             aquifers were categorized into three transmissivity ranges: less
             than 500 square feet per day, 500-1,000 square feet per day, and
             1,000-2,000 square feet per day. Transmissivity is the rate at
             which water is transmitted through a unit width of aquifer under
             a unit of hydraulic gradient.     It is equal to the product of
             hydraulic conductivity and the aquifer's saturated thickness.
             The Town's aquifers are shown on Map 10 (Aquifer Map) on the
             following page. The Town's Aquifer Protection District, estab-
             lished in 1988, was amended in 1990 to include the aquifer
             boundaries as delineated in the 1988 USGS study.

             c. Analysis

             Undeveloped lands which serve as groundwater recharge areas help
             to protect the underlying groundwater by transmitting precipita-
             tion back into the ground, thus recharging the aquifer. However,
             excessive surface alteration or the presence of impervious
             surfaces (such as buildings, roads, parking areas, etc.) can
             impair the transmission of precipitation by displacing rain water,
             thus limiting recharge possibilities.

             Groundwater guality can be impaired by a variety of materials.
             The most predominant sources of groundwater contamination include:
             landfills, commercial and industrial wastes, excessive use of
             agricultural fertilizers and pesticides, improperly treated human
             sewage, road salt, and underground storage tanks.       Groundwater
             quantity can be reduced through contamination, over-pumping in the
             aquifer zone, excessive excavation, and through reducing the
             recharge area as discussed above.

       2. Agriculture


             A. Values


             Aside from its obvious importance for growing food, farmland has
             value as a scenic resource, as wildlife habitat, and as a ground-
             water recharge area.   Farming also provides economic benefits
             especially to the local and regional economy. The benefits o@
             agriculture are described more fully on the following page.

                                          26






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                                                                                     OFFICE OF STATE PLANNING                          KINGSTON

                                                                                                                          TIDAL WVrLAND
                                                                                     . .....                                                                                           TOWN OF                                   EXETER










               1)    Recreation and Scenic Values: Farmlands of the Seacoast
                     Region are typically large, open areas of rolling fields and
                     pastures.  They provide pleasant scenery and are an important
                     component  of a community's rural character.         In addition,
                     farmlands  are well suited for many types of recreation,
                     including hunting,       cross-country skiing,       and passive
                     recreations uses such as hiking and bird watching. However,
                     cropland and open fields are frequently the most imperiled
                     areas of a community because of their high development
                     suitability.    It is ironic that the rural character of a
                     community serves to attract new residents, while at the same
                     time it is continually threatened as farmlands and fields are
                     developed into new neighborhoods.

               2)    Wildlife: The habitat requirements of many wildlife species
                     (e.g-,    pheasant,    grouse,     songbirds,    mice,     rabbits,
                     woodchucks, deer, etc.) include open fields and the edges
                     between fields and woodlands.       Thus, the loss of farmland
                     thereby restricts the habitat and range of native wildlife
                     populations.

               3)    Aguifer Recharge: Groundwater supplies are replenished by the
                     infiltration of rainwater through the ground. Infiltration
                     cannot occur if the earth's surface is covered with
                     impervious material such as buildings, roofs, driveways, and
                     pavement. Agriculture is a desirable land use in an aquifer
                     recharge zone, as it permits the unimpeded flow of water into
                     the ground. Moreover, the soils which are most suited for
                     agriculture (those which retain moisture for plants) function
                     as water filters, thus providing ideal groundwater recharge
                     conditions.


                     The loss of farmland to development means both the loss of
                     critical recharge surface area and the loss of water volume,
                     as   run-of f . is   artificially    directed    away    from    the
                     development. It should be remembered that while agriculture
                     is beneficial in terms of recharge, some farming practices
                     can be detrimental to water quality unless properly managed.
                     The storage, use, and disposal of fertilizers, pesticides,
                     and animal wastes need to be conducted in an environmentally
                     safe manner.








                                                2 7











             4)  Economic and Social Benefits: The local production of
                 foodstuffs reduces the costs of transporting the goods to the
                 markets, while delivering fresher products to the consumer.
                 With local businesses as the marketplace, the retail trade
                 income is enhanced, while consumer prices are kept low        -
                 Finally, the operation of a farm requires support industries
                 such as farm equipment sales and service, and the sale of
                 feed, fertilizer, and other supplies.

                 As discussed previously in the Physical Characteristics and
                 Land Use chapter, the indirect economic benefits of farming
                 relate to the real estate value of the farmland itself
                 compared to the cost of providing public services to
                 residents. When a residential subdivision consumes farmland,
                 the cost to the Town to provide municipal services for
                 additional residents is typically greater than the increased
                 property tax revenue.


             B. Inventory

             Exeter is not vastly populated with agricultural operations,
             however, there are a few of significance, as depicted on Map 11
             (Open Space Values) following page 46. The majority of uses are
             of the retail greenhouse and nursery variety, however, there are
             a few vegetable farms and large hay field areas. Table 2 below
             lists Exeter's more significant agricultural operations, including
             their general classification and contiguous land area.

                        Table 2 - Principal Commercial Farms


       Farm Name                 Type                 Contiguous Acreage


       Michaud Nursery           Nursery                       2

       Ellison Nursery           Nursery                       2

       Churchill Garden Center   Greenhouse                    2


       Stone Farm                Hay/Vegetables               41

       Source: Rockingham County Cooperative Extension Office   of the
               University of New Hampshire; and Town tax records.





                                          28









              C. Analysis

              As in other parts of Rockingham County, the contribution of
              agriculture  to the economy and work force has been steadily
              declining.   If the conversion of agricultural land continues at
              the existing rate, then the future of farming in Exeter looks
              bleak.   However, there are several land protection mechanisms
              designed to aid the farmer and save farmland. These include: the
              State's current use assessment program; the Trust for New
              Hampshire Lands acquisition program; and the Development Rights
              Program of the NH Department of Agriculture. These mechanisms, as
              well as many others, will be described more fully in the upcoming
              section entitled, "Methods of Open Space Protection".

              other than an outright land purchase, the acquisition of
              development rights is one of the most effective means of
              preserving farmland. After conveying these rights, the farmer
              still retains property ownership and has full farming rights to
              his land. Additionally, by receiving the cash value of the land's
              development rights, the farmer realizes the full market value of
              his land over time. The farmer can eventually sell his land to
              another farmer at an affordable price. Hence, the land and the
              industry are both preserved.

              obviously, purchasing development rights is a costly proposition
              and cannot be applied to every situation.         In the absence of
              unlimited financial resources, there are several land planning
              techniques which can provide varying degrees of protection:

                    1) cluster and open space zoning;

                    2) agricultural zoning, and;

                    3) floodplain conservation zoning.

              1)    Exeter has adopted an open space development ordinance, which
                    is an excellent example of creative zoning for open space
                    preservation.   The ordinance deals with both single family
                    and multi-family residential development.       This ordinance
                    benefits the preservation of agricultural lands by allowing
                    buildings to be clustered on a specified minimum acreage of
                    the development, while keeping the parcel's remaining land
                    open.  This approach does not require either large public
                    expenditures (for the purchase of development rights, etc.) ,
                    or large private sacrifices.



                                             2 9










                  Under such an ordinance, farmers who view their land as a
                  "pension" need not destroy their farms in order to retire
                  with a guaranteed income. In fact, they can pass on the farm
                  house, barns, silos, and a large portion of the agri-
                  culturally productive land to the next generation.          The
                  majority of original farmland could continue to be farmed on
                  a lease-back system from the community association which
                  controls the open space as a permanent conservation area.

             2)   An agricultural zoning district is a planning mechanism which
                  helps to preserve the economic integrity of working farms
                  which have demonstrated a long range commitment to the
                  landscape and the community as a whole. Monetary incentives
                  can be established which encourage the selling of development
                  rights, placing property in the State's current use program,
                  and/or the ongoing use of the land in crops and pasture.

                  In establishing an agricultural zoning district, planners
                  must take care to buffer new residential developments from
                  the existing farming operations. For example, many of the
                  "side effects" of farming (manure odor, machine noise, etc.)
                  can be offensive to nearby residences.         Without proper
                  consideration of existing farming operations, extensive new
                  development in these areas can result in squeezing out
                  agriculture as a land use.

             3)   Floodplain areas typically contain nutrient-rich, high
                  quality farmland soils. Floodplain conservation zoning often
                  prohibits building within the floodplain, but allows for the
                  continuation of agricultural operations.             Protecting
                  f loodplains from development can be justified on the basis of
                  protecting the community's health, safety, and general
                  welfare.


             In Exeter, and throughout the Seacoast Region, there is a lack of
             public knowledge regarding the need for farmland protection, as
             well as the laws and public programs available for resource
             protection. There is also a lack of public consensus (especially
             within the farming community) about the viability of existing
             farmland protection efforts. If the Region's farmlands are to be
             protected, the various interest groups must come together and form
             such a consensus, and quickly.        Without a concentrated and
             coordinated local and regional effort to preserve farmland, these
             resources will continue to dwindle until active farms become more
             like museums than integral parts of the Region's economy and
             landscape.

                                           30












        3. Forestrv


             A. Values


             Forest land is a major renewable resource, providing both
             commodities (e.g., wood products and maple syrup) , and non-
             commodity benefits (e.g., water resource protection, air quality
             maintenance, energy conservation, wildlife habitat, recreation and
             scenic quality). In general, forested lands have values similar
             to those of agricultural lands.

             1)   Economic: Most woodlots in the Seacoast Region are privately-
                  owned, and many are managed for financial gain from the sale
                  of timber products.    There are examples of publicly-owned
                  woodlots as well. The sale of timber from public lands can
                  provide a community with money to cover the cost of managing
                  the timber stand, while helping to increase the future yield
                  of the forest through proper maintenance efforts.

             2)   Water Resource Protection: The broad category of water
                  resource protection includes water conservation, flood
                  control, erosion control, and water quality protection.
                  Forests have a significant effect on the rate at which water
                  will reach the ground, run off into surface waters, and
                  infiltrate the earth's surface. By slowing the rate of run-
                  off, forests serve to reduce flood levels, prevent excessive
                  soil erosion, and filter pollutants from surface waters.

             3)   Air Quality and Energy Conservation: Forests act to moderate
                  temperatures in their immediate vicinity and can provide
                  nearby houses with cooling shade in the summer and can slow
                  the cold winds in the winter. Hence, forests can reduce home
                  heating and cooling costs to some degree.        In addition,
                  forests act as filters by removing particulates and absorbing
                  carbon-dioxide from the air.


             4)   Wildlife Habitat: A rich forest wildlife habitat has a
                  variety of vegetative cover types for browsing, resting,
                  nesting and hiding. Most animals inhabit several different
                  landscape types, including meadows, dense underbrush, and
                  open woods, which provide food and shelter. The greater the
                  number of interfaces between landscape types, the greater
                  abundance of wildlife habitat. For habitats which consist
                  primarily of densely canopied forests, where deep shade
                  inhibits the growth of understory plants, the variety of
                  animal species is quite d"Lfferent from habitats which contain

                                           31










                  an assortment of vegetative cover types.     Thus, a f orest
                  management program designed to improve wildlife habitat will
                  undoubtedly result in an increase in the number of vegetative
                  cover types and landscape types, while retaining adequate
                  areas of old growth forests.

            5)    Recreation and Scenic Oualit : Throughout Exeter, the pattern
                  of forested land alternating with developed land gives the
                  Town its rural character. The complexity and diversity which
                  determine the wildlife value of a forest also helps to
                  determine the scenic and recreational value of a forest.
                  Forests are primarily used for passive recreational pursuits
                  (bird watching, hiking, etc.) , however, active recreation
                  (such as hunting) is also common. The scenic quality of a
                  forest can be improved by increasing the diversity of plant
                  species and cover types, which will in turn enhance the
                  wildlife value.


            B. Inventory

            According to   an inventory naintained by the Rockingham County
            branch of the UNH Cooperative Extension Service, there are four
            "tree farms" within Exeter.    The term "tree farm" refers to the
            National Tree Farm Program sponsored by the American Forestry
            Association.    In order for a woodland to receive tree farm
            certification, the owner must prepare a long-range forest
            management plan approved by a professional forester, and submit
            the plan to the AFA.

            It should also be noted that Exeter has four "big" or "champion"
            trees which are part of the AFA's Big Tree Program. Initiated in
            1940, this program was designed to promote protection of the
            nation's oldest and tallest trees. The AFA publishes the National
            Register of Big Trees every four years, listing the vital
            statistics of all trees in the program.     In New Hampshire, the
            Registry of Big Trees is administered by the UNH Cooperative
            Extension Service and the NH Division of Forests and Lands.
            Please contact these organizations for more information on how to
            nominate a tree.


            Exeter's champion trees include: a magnolia tree located along
            Cass Street; a norway spruce located behind the Main Street School
            and the Lincoln Street School, and: a pin oak and river birch
            located along the Swasey Parkway.      The locations of Exeter's
            managed woodlands and champion trees are depicted on Map 11 (Open
            Space Values) following page 46.

                                          32









             C. Analysis

             As discussed previously, the acreage of the Town's forest land has
             decreased substantially during the past few decades. Even though
             forestry is not the most important component of the Town's
             economy, forested lands provide important wood products such as
             saw logs and cordwood. As with farmland, there are a number of
             land protection mechanisms which can help preserve forest lands.
             once again, these mechanisms will be described more fully in the
             upcoming section entitled, "Methods of Open Space Protection".
             Although the Town has played an active role in promoting forest
             preservation through its open space development regulations, more
             will need to be done in the future. The next development boom in
             the Seacoast area will undoubtedly put pressure on land owners to
             develop lands which are currently considered forests. The Town
             should seek to have forest lands of manageable size (greater than
             ten acres) preserved through long-term forest management programs
             which provide for all forest benefits, including watershed
             protection, wildlife habitat, recreation, and aesthetics.


        4. Recreation


             A. Values


             The importance of outdoor recreation to neighborhoods and the
             community as a whole is widely accepted by professional planners.
             Open space recreation offers a great opportunity to understand and
             appreciate the natural environment.       For many residents, the
             decision to live in Exeter is strongly influenced by the diversity
             of opportunities to interact with the "great outdoors".
             Recreational opportunities are of value in terms of individual
             enjoyment, building a sense of community through group activities,
             and educating both children and adults about the natural
             environment.


             B. Inventory


             Exeter contains a number of areas which can be used for both
             active and passive recreation., Active recreation areas are those
             used for sporting activities, while passive recreation areas are
             those used for nature-oriented activities, such as hiking, bird-
             watching, etc. Within Exeter, there are five significant active
             recreation sites which are open to the general public.         These
             sites are described in more detail below. A graphic depiction of
             these sites can be seen on Mal) 11 (Open Space Values) , as well as
             the recreation areas associated with the Town's school system.


                                           -3 3










             1)   Exeter Recreation Park: This is a 22-acre parcel located off
                  of Route 101 in the Town's eastern corner.        Recreational
                  facilities at this site include: a pool, ten tennis courts,
                  two minor league baseball fields, two basketball courts, an
                  adult softball field, two playground areas, an exercise
                  trail, picnic tables, and a 100-car parking lot.

             2)   Gilman Park: This is a 15-acre parcel located at the
                  intersection   of   Bell   Avenue    and   Crawford    Avenue.
                  Recreational facilities at this site include: a basketball
                  court, a baseball field, a boat launch, a foot-bridge, a
                  playground area, plus a picnic area.

             3)   Park Street Common: This is a three-acre parcel located off
                  of Park Street and Winter Street. Recreational facilities at
                  this site include: a playground area and several picnic
                  tables.


             4)   Front Street Park: This is a three-acre parcel located off of
                  Front Street. This area contains a small basketball court
                  and a playground area.

             5)   Waterfront Park: Located along the Squamscott River in
                  downtown Exeter, this site is approximately 25,000 square
                  feet in size.   Facilities include a 300-foot boardwalk, a
                  parking area, several park benches, and a boat ramp.

             In addition to the above mentioned facilities, the Exeter
             Recreation Department maintains several smaller parks and sites
             which provide passive recreation and open space.       These sites
             include: Gale Park, Juniper Ridge Park, Brick Yard Pond, Founders'
             Park, Pickpocket Dam Park, the String Bridge Park and Dam, and
             several common areas. In addition, the Department maintains the
             grounds associated with Town-owned buildings, as well as the
             Bandstand, Powder House, a number of small commons, and four
             inactive cemeteries (Front Street, Water Street, Guinea Road, and
             Folsom Street).


             It should also be noted that the Exeter Conservation commission
             administers a number of protected open space lands and easements
             which are available to the public for passive recreational use.
             A more complete description of these lands is presented in the
             upcoming Existing Open Space Lands chapter.





                                           34









              C. Analysis

              The NH Office of State Planning has established guidelines to
              assist communities in recreation planning. Table 3 (Standards for
              Outdoor Recreation Facilities and Present Needs) lists several
              recreation planning standards taken from the publication, New
              Hampshire Outdoors: 1988-1993; State Comprehensive Outdoor
              Recreation Plan (prepared by the NH Office of State Planning,
              1989).   These standards are a helpful yardstick in terms of
              evaluating community needs for outdoor recreation facilities.


                                          Table 3


           Standards for outdoor Recreation Facilities and Present Needs


                         Standards Per*     Exeter**     Existing         Facility
         Facility        1,000 Persons      Standard     Facilities       Needs
         Baseball  Fields     1.1              @13-14          4            9-10
         Basketball Courts    0.8                 10           3               7
         Boat Access          1.8             .22-23           2          20-21
         Ice Skating Areas    0.14              1-2            0            1-2
         Open Space/Natural
         Areas (in acres)     51.0              637          909***            0
         Community Parks
         (in acres)           6.0                 75           48             27
         Playgrounds          0.5               6-7            5            1-2
         Soccer Fields        0.16              1-2            0            1-2
         Tennis Courts        0.95              11-12          8            3-4
         Hiking Trails        2.2               24-25    unknown****      ------
         (in miles)

                    Source:   New    Hampshire     Outdoors:    1988-1993;     State
                    Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan; prepared by the NH
                    Office of State Planning, 1989.

                    Based on the 1990 US Census population estimate of 12,481
                    residents.


                    Sum total of open space lands (776.3 acres) and easements
                    (132.4 acres administered by the Exeter Conservation
                    Commission.


                    It should be noted that Exeter has a number of hiking trails
                    throughout its protected lands, however, their lengths are
                    unknown at this time.




                                             3 5










             The previous table indicates that, with the exception of open
             space lands, the Town is slightly deficient in most recreation
             facilities, especially in terms of boating access. While compared
             to many communities in the Seacoast Region, Exeter supports an
             exemplary recreation program, it is clear that gaps do exist.
             With over 30 active adult softball teams, the Recreation
             Department has found it necessary to rent fields from Phillips
             Exeter Academy to supplement the Town's public fields. It should
             be noted that the Exeter Planning Board and Conservation
             Commission do encourage developers to convey open space lands and
             easements to the Town. It is possible that such open space lands
             could   be   developed   into   active   recreation    areas,    thus
             supplementing the community's existing supply.


            Habitat


             A. Values


             All wildlife have three basic requirements for survival: food,
             cover, and water.    Fish, Amphibians, and waterfowl requires the
             presence of water for spawning and egg laying.             Vegetation
             provides the necessary cover to serve as nursery habitat. Water
             also serves as spawning grounds for insects, which, in addition to
             vegetation, provide food for various animals. Fur-bearers such as
             muskrat, otter, mink, and beaver utilize wetlands as habitat.
             Coastal and inland marshes serve not only as breeding grounds for
             waterfowl, but also serve as critical resting and feeding areas
             during spring and fall migration.

             The value of an area as habitat depends on a number of f actors
             including size, contiguity with similar areas, and the amount of
             edge. Edge is the transitional area between habitat types. it
             consists of understory plants and early successional types of
             vegetation which provide both forage and cover for numerous
             species of birds and mammals.      Edge can be created by utility
             transmission rights-of-way, crop and pasture lands, regrown old
             fields, and similar types of clearings.      The habitat value and
             edge effect of an area may be significantly reduced if adjacent
             land uses and encroachments by man create barriers or threaten the
             area's integrity.

             The term habitat can also be applied to plant species.         Plants
             also -require certain environmental conditions for survival.
             Wetland vegetation provides a good example of a variety of plants
             which require a specific set of conditions (i.e., soil type and
             water table elevation).

                                            36










              B. Inventory

              As mentioned previously, Exeter's portion of the tidal Squamscott
              River falls within the federally designated Great Bay Estuary.
              This area provides prime habitat for many wildlife species.
              According to a study conducted. by the NH Fish and Game Department,
              more than 90,000 birds reside in the estuary (source: Inventory of
              the Natural Resources of the Great Bay Estuarine System; NH Fish
              and Game Department, 1981). 'Thousands of Canada geese and black
              ducks rest and feed within the area during Autumn.         Osprey are
              common during the spring and fall migration cycles.         There are
              three rare and endangered species which live in the estuary: the
              bald eagle, common tern, and common loon.

              Terrestrial mammals which utilize the Great Bay area includes:
              raccoons, whitetail deer, red fox, woodchuck, muskratst chipmunks,
              grey squirrels, cottontail rabbits, mink, otter, and beaver.          A
              complete inventory of all aninals (and plants) which reside in the
              Great Bay can be found in the NH Fish and Game study cited above,
              as well as in the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
              Management Plan (prepared by the NH Office of State Planning in
              1989).

              In addition to excellent coastal habitat, Exeter also has
              important inland habitat areas. Examples include: wetlands, river
              and stream corridors, forests (coniferous, hardwood, and mixed
              woodlands), and open lands (meadows and fields). These habitat
              types support a wide range of animals including game species such
              as deer, coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, and turkeys. Exeter's prime
              wildlife habitat areas include: the wetland areas located in the
              Town's western half between Brentwood Road and Epping Road, the
              corridors of the Squamscott River, Exeter River, Little River, and
              the forest lands of the Town's northern sector.        There is also
              quite a variety wildlife and plant types located in the wetland
              area known as "The Covell, which is located in the Town's southeast
              corner. This large wetland area extends into Hampton Falls and
              Kensington.

              The Town's major watercourses are also the sites of fish stocking
              efforts by the NH Fish and Game Department. The Exeter River is
              stocked with brook trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and american
              shad.    The Squamscott River is stocked with heron, smelts,
              bluebacks, and american shad. The Little River is stocked with
              brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout.           Several prime
              fishing spots are shown on Map 11 (Open Space Values) following
              page 46.


                                             2; 7











             Natural plant communities in Exeter are typical of coastal New
             Hampshire, with vegetative patterns reflecting soil and moisture
             conditions.    However, according to the NH Natural Heritage
             Inventory (NHNHI) , there are six rare and endangered plant species
             located within Town. The NHNHI is a division of the NH Department
             of Resources and Economic Development, and is charged with
             collecting data on the status, location, and distribution of rare
             and endangered plant and animal species.

             The rare and endangered plants within Exeter include: Common
             Moorhen, Slender Blue Flag, Climbing Hempweed, Robust Knotweed,
             Water-Plantain Spearwort, and Stout Bulrush. All of these plant
             species, with the exception of Common Moorhen and Water-Plantain
             Spearwort, are considered by the NHNHI as "imperilled in New
             Hampshire because of rarity".     The Common Moorhen and Water-
             Plantain Spearwort are considered imperilled because of extreme
             rarity. The terms used by the NHNHI are explained more fully in
             Appendix II (Rare and Endangered Plants). A graphic depiction of
             the areas within Exeter which contain these plant species can be
             found on Map 11 (Open Space Values) following page 46.

             C. Analysis

             As contiguous tracts of open space become splintered with
             development, wildlife can no longer move easily from one natural
             area to another, and some must move away from the area's
             boundaries into the more protected center. This can be harmful to
             wildlife if the size of the habitat is related to food supply or
             to the amount of genetic diversity necessary for a healthy
             population.   It is well known that some species of wildlife
             require fairly large areas of habitat to survive. For example,
             the ranges for pine marten and white tail deer are roughly 640
             acres. Numerous plant species also require contiguous areas to
             proliferate.

             In addition, small, isolated habitat areas have less diversity of
             plant and animal species than larger, contiguous areas.         Each
             species has its own ratio of habitat needs for water, foodl
             nesting or resting, breeding and cover. A species may require low
             wetland areas for one use and upland areas for another. If both
             types of areas are not accessible because of man-made development
             breaking the linkage between them, the species can no longer
             flourish.





                                           38










             overall, large contiguous tracts of conservation land are
             necessary to protect the Town's current diversity of plant and
             animal species from the impact of habitat isolation and
             fragmentation.   Thus, it is important to consider conservation
             lands not only as individual parcels, but also in relation to
             other protected lands.     For these reasons, the Town should
             endeavor to acquire lands which are contiguous to existing
             protected parcels when possible. In conjunction, the Town should
             seek to preserve the natural corridors which link large tracts of
             open space in an effort to maintain habitat integrity.

             Six rare and endangered plant species have been identified in
             Exeter. There are important biological and ecological reasons for
             protecting these plants.      By preserving different types of
             vegetation, the diversity of ecosystems are maintained.       If a
             species is lost, the overall biological complexity of the habitat
             is reduced. Hence, the Town should seek to protect these areas in
             order to preserve this piece of Exeter's natural heritage.
             Protection efforts should include both regulatory and non-
             regulatory measures.


        6. Aesthetics


             A. Values


             open space maintains a community's rural character by providing
             pleasant scenery and visual relief from developed lands.         it
             provides natural buffers against noise and reduces the
              overcrowded" feeling one can get from an urbanized area.        In
             general, scenic resources contribute to the quality of life for
             Exeter residents, and are a key element of the Region's tourist
             economy.


             The visual-cultural values of such areas are akin to a rich,
             complex, interwoven fabric of' intangible values that can never
             truly be expressed with the spoken or written word.      The value
             changes from person to pers-on, from landscape to landscape.
             Researchers have attempted to measure the aesthetic values of
             scenic views through preference studies. Most of these studies
             have indicated that natural landscapes are preferred over
             landscapes which contain obtrusive, man-made structures (Source:
             A.Proposed Method for Coastal Scenic Landscape Assessment, Maine
             Office of State Planning, 1987).




                                           39










             B. Inventory

             Exeter's primary scenic vistas are located along the Town's major
             waterways. The Henderson Swasey Park area provides a wonderful
             view of the Squamscott River to the north, as well as the Town's
             waterfront park to the south. Strategic viewing points along the
             Exeter River looking west provide impressive sunset views.      The
             golf course of the Exeter Country Club provides several excellent
             viewpoints of the Squamscott River.    The Allen Street Woodland
             Park also provides an excellent view of the Squamscott River's
             tidal marsh areas.


             It should also be noted that the entirety of Garrison Lane has
             been designated as a "Scenic Road" by a Town Meeting vote, in
             accordance with RSA 231:157. Scenic views of rolling fields can
             be seen along either side of this road. A scenic road designation
             prohibits tree cutting and stone wall removal along designated
             roadways, unless consent is given by the Planning Board.        The
             entirety of Jolly Rand Road has also been designated as a scenic
             road, however, much of the road area has been overgrown with
             vegetation.  Map 11 (Open Space Values) shows both of Exeter's
             scenic roads, as well as several scenic vista locations.

             C. Analysis

             One of the community's most valuable aesthetic resources is the
             scenic quality of its landscapes. These scenic areas provide a
             unique visual experience for residents, as well as helping to
             attract tourists who, in turn, contribute to the local economy.
             For the most part, Exeter's scenic views are on Town-owned, public
             land, thus, they are available to the general populace.

             There is a great need to protect the scenic views which serve as
             "gateways" to the Town. As people enter into Exeter, the scenic
             quality of the immediate surroundings greatly influences the
             observer's impression of the Town as a whole. These areas also
             act as visual buffers between communities by interrupting what may
             one day be a road lined with buildings.

             Exeter should protect its prominent scenic views from obtrusive
             development in close proximity.       Scenic resource protection
             measures include encouraging cluster and open space developments,
             as well as the purchase of   visually important lands or scenic
             easements to those lands.       The Town should also consider
             selectively clearing roadside vegetation in order to open views of
             scenic fields and hillsides.


                                          40











       7. Education and Research


             A. Values


             Using a community's open spaces as outdoor classrooms allows
             people of all ages to learn about the natural world.           Many
             environmentally sensitive lands (wetlands and forest lands) can
             serve as areas of scientific research and as outdoor educational
             exhibits which demonstrate the dynamics of ecological relation-
             ships. Interpretive hiking trails also provide an excellent means
             of teaching cultural and environmental lessons to the general
             public.   As environmental education and the natural sciences
             become more common in primary and secondary schools, natural areas
             will become even more valuable! for education.


             B. Inventory

             Exeter's existing outdoor education programs are primarily geared
             toward its youth.    The local schools make use of a number of
             outdoor areas for natural resource education purposes, including
             Henderson Swasey Park and the Allen Street Park. The local Boy
             Scouts also make use of the Brickyard Pond area for learning
             activities.


             Exeter's portion of the Great Bay estuary is one of the primary
             natural resource education sites in the Seacoast Region.        The
             University of New Hampshire, which operates the Jackson Estuarine
             Laboratory in Durham, has beten the primary agency to conduct
             research and education within the Great Bay area.      There are a
             number of additional public and semi-public agencies which make
             use of this resource. For a more complete description of these
             agencies and their programs, please review the Great Bay National
             Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan, previously cited.
             Exeter's portion of the Great Bay Reserve is shown on Map 11 (Open
             Space Values) following page 46.

             C. Analysis

             Environmental education is the: study of contemporary conservation
             issues, ecology, biology, and the overall study, enjoyment, and
             understanding of the natural environment.      Programs have been
             successfully implemented throughout the country for groups of all
             ages. . The Town should promote increased conservation awareness
             and education at the primary and secondary levels. In particular,
             there are two educational programs which the Town should consider.



                                           41










             1)  The School Department should consider instituting a stream
                 study and water quality assessment curriculum.      This is a
                 program which can be set up with assistance from the Biology
                 Bureau of the NH Department of Environmental Services. The
                 program is designed for grades five through eight, and
                 involves indoor classroom activities and outdoor field
                 observations.     Aspects of the program include stream
                 monitoring, water testing, and water resource protection
                 methods.


             2)  The School Department should consider instituting the
                 "Discovering Spring Wetlands" curriculum designed by the
                 Nongame Wildlife Program and the Outdoor Education Unit of
                 the NH Fish and Game Department. The program is designed for
                 fourth and fifth grade students, and involves indoor and
                 outdoor activities relating to wetlands education.

             Implementing these programs should be a joint effort between the
             Conservation Commission and the School Department.        Exeter's
             portion of the Great Bay estuary system also presents a great
             opportunity for outdoor learning.      Through the use of this
             resource, the Town can play an active role in this important
             function of the Great Bay Estuarine Research Reserve program. It
             should also be noted that the School Department owns a number of
             open lands which could be used for outdoor education activities.
             It is recommended that the Conservation Commission work with the
             School Department to investigate the feasibility of this option.

       8. Historic and Archeological Sites


             A. Values


             Historic Sites: Since the focus of this plan is on open space
             lands, this section will discuss only historic sites, rather than
             historic structures. Although historic sites do enhance a town's
             character, their ultimate value for future residents is
             educational. In  an effort to acknowledge a community's heritage,
             it is important for the townspeople to be aware of the historic
             events which have shaped the community's existence. If such sites
             are lost to development, their value is lost forever and cannot be
             replaced elsewhere.

             Archeological Sites: New Hampshire contains a wide array of
             archeological sites worthy of protection. Such sites represent
             nonrenewable resources which contain the unique record of human
             achievements spanning well over 10,000 years of prehistory. This

                                          42









             period spans the age from the first occupation after the retreat
             of the glaciers (at the end of the Ice Age) through the
             displacement of the Native American Indian culture by European
             explorers and colonialists.     Archeological sites are the only
             sources of information about the Native American cultural
             tradition.    For the historical period of the Euro-American
             cultural tradition, archeological sites provide an important
             dimension for the understanding of history. Archeological sites
             may balance, expand, corroborate, or contradict the written and
             oral record of history and, together with our architectural
             heritage, provide physical reminders of the past.

             Generally speaking, prehistoric sites are most likely found in
             areas with the following characteristics: proximity to water (both
             potable water, and waterways for travel) ; sandy and gravelly well-
             drained soils; level ground; exposure; proximity to raw material
             sources (Especially suitable rock for the making of tools, and;
             proximity to food sources (such as estuarine environments for
             shellfish beds, falls and rapids for restricting the passage of
             anadromous fishl freshwater marshes and thickets for other
             shellfish and small game, plus pockets of farmable soils,
             important to late prehistoric horticulturalists).

             B. Inventory

             Historic Sites: Exeter has a rich history, spanning portions of
             four centuries. Settled in 1638 by the Reverend John Wheelwright
             and several exiles from Massachusetts, the Town became one of the
             most significant communities in New Hampshire.     In fact, Exeter
             was the state capitol during the revolutionary war. Once the war
             was over, the legislature voted to move the capitol to Concord, a.
             more central location.


             The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 authorizes the
             Secretary of the Interior to maintain a National Register of
             Historic Landmarks and Places.      Within Exeter, there are two
             historic districts listed in the National Register: the Front
             Street Historic District (containing over 40 structures) , and the
             Waterfront/Commercial     Historic    District    (containing     79
             structures). A graphic depiction of these districts can be seen
             on both Map 7 (Generalized Zoning Map) and Map 11 (Open Space
             Values).     Both districts display an excellent variety of
             architecture, including styles from the Georgian, Federal, Greek
             Revival, Gothic, Victorian, and Colonial periods.




                                           it 3











             In addition to the sites listed above, there were a number of
             structures identified as part of the environmental impact
             statements (EIS) for the various Route 101 expansion projects
             which would be eligible for listing on the National Register.
             Eligible sites include the Conner Farm site, the Rose Farm site,
             the Eastman Brothers Farm, the George Stockell House, plus twelve
             other structures. In addition to containing historic structures,
             several of the identified properties contain critical resources
             such as wetlands and floodplains.       Perhaps the Conservation
             commission could investigate the possibility of acquiring these
             properties through direct acquisition or easement.

             Archeological Sites: The primary investigators of Exeter's
             archeological history are Gary Hume, NH State Archeologist, and
             Donald Foster, an archeologist at Phillips-Exeter Academy.
             According to the work of these gentlemen, there are at least 28
             significant archeological sites within Exeter. These sites are
             depicted on Map 11 (Open Space Values) following page 46. As one
             can see., the-majority of archeological sites are located in close
             proximity to the Town's waterways.      Although the majority of
             identified sites are from the American Indian period, there are
             several sites which date back to prehistoric times. Items found
             at these sites include: bone chips, fire hearths, tools,
             arrowheads, pottery, and old structural foundations.

             C. Analysis

             The historic and archeological sites described above contribute to
             Exeter's unique history and cultural heritage. It is therefore
             in the public interest to protect them.       For privately owne@,
             historic sites, negotiations for easements may be the best means
             of protection. Regarding archeological sites within the Seacoast
             Region, the following is a paraphrased excerpt from a memo written
             by Gary Hume, the NH State Archeologist:

                  Most recorded sites in the Coastal Region are located on
                  flatf dry  areas within 125 meters of various waterbodies.
                  Because of the recreational and residential development which
                  has taken  place on waterfront areas in the Region, many
                  potential archeological areas have been disturbed and
                  destroyed. However, a number of small, undisturbed pockets
                  may remain in the midst of developed areas. Large tracts of
                  undisturbed land have high archeological potential.




                                          44









                   The Division of Historic Resources (within the Department of
                   Resources and Economic Development) recommends that before
                   development takes place along the Region,'s waterfront areas,
                   builders and/or planning boards check with them (the DHR) to
                   see if the development may be disturbing potential
                   archeological sites. Early consultation is preferred, so as
                   to allow time for archeological studies and/or redevelopment
                   of proposed projects.

                   According to RSA 290, it is illegal under*most circumstances
                   to disturb human remains without a permit. According to RSA
                   227-C:8, when unmarked. human remains are discovered,
                   excavation must be discontinued immediately. The discovery
                   should be reported to the local police who will, in turn,
                   notify a medical examiner and the State Archeologist when
                   appropriate.

                   The Coastal Region is art area rich in archeological sites.
                   Due to ideal conditions, the Native American Indians located
                   their settlements on the shores of our various waterbodie's.
                   They left behind them many sites which can yield information
                   about their culture. Unfortunately, the rapid development
                   which has taken place in the Coastal Region has destroyed
                   many sites. Based upon a 1986 field check of recorded sites,
                   the attrition rate from development in the past ten years has
                   been a staggering 25%! By making people more aware of the
                   fact that archeological sites do exist in the Coastal Region,
                   it may be possible to prevent destruction of these valuable,
                   nonrenewable resources.


                               The Open Space Values Map

        The Open Space Values Map (Map 11) on the following page shows a number
        of unique physical and environmental characteristics including:
        significant agricultural operations, certified tree farms, championship
        trees, active recreation areas, rare plant habitats, prime fishing
        spots, scenic roads, scenic views, outdoor education and research
        areas, historic sites, archeological sites, and parcels in "current
        use".


        Although parcels in "current use" do not fit in neatly with the other
        physical and environmental features shown on Map 11, they deserve to be
        identified as open, undeveloped land. The State-sponsored Current Use
        Assessment Program, as authorized under RSA 79-A, is a property tax
        abatement program which provides reduced property assessments of field,
        farm, and forest land of ten (10) acres or more in size.

                                            45











       The current use program is also available to farmlands generating more
       than $2,500 annually. Landowners can apply to the program through the
       local tax assessor. The current use status remains with the land even
       if it is sold.     Once the land is developed, the current owner is
       assessed a land use change tax equal to 10% of the fair market value of
       the property. As of January 1, 1991, Exeter has approximately 4,605
       acres in the current use program; this represents roughly 35% of the
       Town's total land area.



























































                                          46













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                       EXISTING PROTECTED LANDS AND OPEN SPACE


        This section briefly describes the sizable publicly-owned open space
        lands, privately-owned open space lands, and protected parcels within
        Exeter. A distinction must be made: between open spaces and protected
        lands, f or they are not necessarily one and the same. Open space lands
        (either publicly or privately-owned) are not necessarily protected
        f orever unless such a restriction is written into the property deed.

        For the purpose of this report, Exeter's existing protected lands and
        open spaces have been broken down into six categories: lands admin-
        istered by Conservation Commission,      lands administered by the
        Recreation Department, other Town-owned  lands, lands administered by
        the Trustees of Swasey Parkway, lands administered by the Trustees of
        Gilman Park, and privately-owned open space areas.     These areas are
        described more fully below.

        1. Lands Administered by the Conservation commission


        This category consists of lands and/or easements acquired by the Town
        for open space/conservation purposes. These lands are administered by
        the Conservation commission in accordance with RSA 36-A.             The
        Commission is actively involved in acquiring new parcels and/or
        easements through direct purchase or by gift.          Currently, the
        Conservation Commission administers approximately 776.3 acres of
        conservation land, and three conservation easements consisting of
        roughly 132.4 acres.

        A current listing of lands and easements administered by the
        Conservation Commission is presented in Appendix III, while a graphic
        depiction of these areas can be seen on Map 12 (Open Space and
        Protected Lands) following page 48. An inventory of these parcels can
        always be found in the annual Town Report. As one can see by comparing
        Map 12 and the various natural feature maps included in this document,
        the Town has made a concentrated effort to acquire land containing
        critical resources with an eye toward providing large, inter-connected
        habitat areas.


        Appendix III and Map 12 are to be used in conjunction. Appendix III
        presents the lands administered by the Conservation Commission in
        numerical order, and the numerals of the inventory correspond to the
        numbered parcels on Map 12. Parcels which are not identified by number
        are part of larger conservation areas.




                                          47










        2. Lands Administered by the Recreation Department

        This category includes the active recreation areas        described in the
        previous inventory, as well as the smaller parks, common areas, and
        cemetery areas. These sites can be seen on two maps in this report:
        the more significant active recreation areas administered. by the
        Recreation Department are shown on Map 11 (Open Space Values) , however,
        this map also shows the recreation areas associated with the municipal
        school sites; while Map 6 (Existing Land Use) shows a number of lands
        under the category of "Parks and Recreation", however, many lands
        administered by the Conservation Commission also fall into this
        category. The most accurate depiction of the lands administered by the
        Recreation Department can be seen on the map entitled, "Lands Publicly
        Owned or Administered"I which is on file with the Conservation
        Commission and Exeter Planning Department.


        3. Other Town-Owned Lands


        This category includes the land and buildings used by the various
        municipal departments for the daily operation of the Town. Facilities
        included in this category include: the town hall, municipal office
        building, fire station, police station,         town library, the senior
        citizen centerl town garage, wastewater treatment plant, landfill, and
        the waterworks complex. These lands are depicted on Map 6 (Existing
        Land Use) under the category entitled, "Government Function".

        4. Lands Administered by the Trustees of Swasey Parkway

        The land for Swasey Parkway was given to the Town by Doctor Ambrose
        Swasey.   Dedicated and officially opened in 1931, Swasey Parkway was
        designed   by the Olmsted Brothers landscape architectural firm of
        Boston.   It is administered by an elected bard of trustees which works
        to maintain and improve the park solely with the interest of the trust
        fund originally provided by Doctor Swasey for this purpose. The site,
        located along between Water Street and the Squamscott River, is approx-
        imately 18 acres in size and is used for passive recreation. A long
        pedestrian walkway is provided, as well as a number of park benches.
        This site is depicted on Map 12 (Existing Open Space and Protected
        Lands) on the following page.

        5. Lands Administered by the     Trustees of Gilman Park


        The land for Gilman Park was      given to the Town by Daniel Gilman in
        1891.    originally ten acres in size, the site is now a 15-acre
        recreational park located at the intersection of Bell Avenue and
        Crawford Avenue. Facilities at this site include: a basketball court,


                                             48





















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        a baseball field, a boat launch, a f oot-bridge, a playground area, plus
        a picnic area. Maintained by the Department of Recreation, the park is
        administered by an independent board of trustees.         This site is
        depicted on both Map 11 (Open Space Values) and on Map 12 (Existing
        open Space and Protected Lands).


        6. Privately-owned open Space Areas


        This category includes two types of land: the open space lands owned by
        the Phillips-Exeter Academy, and open space lands associated with
        residential subdivisions. The Academy has an abundance of land between
        Court Street and Drinkwater Road which contains several athletic fields
        and an extensive trail system along the Exeter River. In the case of
        residential subdivisions being built under the Town's "Open Space
        Development" ordinance, such developments have set aside open space
        areas to be owned in common by landowners within the subdivision. Both
        types of privately-owned open space areas are shown on Map 12 (Existing
        Open Space and Protected Lands).


































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                               GOALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS


        Thus f ar, this document has provided a general description of the
        concept of open space, a discussion of physical characteristics and
        land use, and an inventory and analysis of natural features and other
        open space values. The information gathered as part of this ef fort has
        been analyzed with a view towards formulating an open space plan for
        Exeter's future. Set forth below are a set of goals for maintaining,
        preserving, enhancing open space opportunities within Exeter, plus a
        set of recommendations designed to achieve the stated goals. Goals and
        recommendations are set forth for all of the previously discussed open
        space values, including: water resources, agriculture, forestry,
        recreation, habitat, aesthetics, education and research, plus historic
        and archeological sites.


        1. Water Resources


        Goal: To protect all environmentally sensitive water resources by
        preventing detrimental land alteration, excessive development, and
        opportunities for pollution.

        Recommendations: There are several options which the Town could pursue,
        including: establishing additional protection standards for Class A
        watersheds, limiting vegetative buffer disturbance along the Town's
        shorelands, working with neighboring communities to protect the
        Squamscott River and Great Bay, acquiring environmentally sensitive
        lands, and providing additional access points along the Town's primary
        waterways. These options are described in more detail below.

             A.    As mentioned previously, Exeter forms a portion of two Class
                   "All watersheds: the Piscassic River Watershed and the
                   Dearborn Brook Watershed.     In an effort to maintain the
                   environmental integrity of the water resources within these
                   two watersheds, the Town should investigate the possibility
                   of enacting stronger development standards for these
                   watershed areas.   Having special standards for these areas
                   would undoubtedly require the establishment of a watershed
                   protection district and ordinance. Items to consider when
                   writing such an ordinance include:          nitrogen    loading
                   requirements for septic systems, limiting the amount of land
                   disturbance allowed per lot, strict requirements for erosion
                   and sediment control, assessing the use of road salt f or road
                   maintenance, and requiring the use of best management
                   practices for potentially hazardous non-residential uses
                   within the watersheds as part of the conditions of an
                   occupancy permit.

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             B.   The provisions of the Town's shoreland and wetland protection
                  districts go a long way in terms of protecting these
                  resources.    However, the issue of altering the required
                  vegetative buffer is not sufficiently addressed by either
                  ordinance.    It is well documented that surface water
                  resources which do not have an adequate natural vegetative
                  buffer are more susceptible to the effects of nonpoint
                  pollution, erosion and sedimentation, and acidity. Thus, in
                  order to mitigate these potential problems, the Town should
                  make the effort to ensure that a sufficient natural
                  vegetative buffer is maintained.        The problem is that
                  residential lawn maintenance often encroaches upon the
                  required buffer. Another problem is the thinning of trees
                  within the buffer in order to obtain better scenic views for
                  the residences along the shoreline. It is recommended that
                  the Planning Board and Conservation Commission work together
                  to come up with a realistic, workable regulatory measure
                  aimed at limiting the amount of vegetative disturbance within
                  the established protective buffers.

             C.   It is recommended that the Town work with other municipal-
                  ities abutting the Squamscott River and Great Bay to develop
                  a regional protection plan for coordinated shoreline
                  protection and wise land stewardship. There are a number of
                  public and quasi-public organizations which could render
                  assistance for this effort, including the NH Coastal Program,
                  NH Fish and Game Department, NH Department of Environmental
                  Servicest Great Bay Estuarine System Conservation Trust,
                  Rockingham    Planning    Commission,     Rockingham     County
                  Conservation District, to name just a few.

             D.   The Town should continue its existing efforts to acquire land
                  and/oreasements for environmentally sensitive areas located
                  along the Town's shorelines, wetlands, f loodplains, and above
                  the Town's aquifers. Methods of open space acquisition are
                  outlined in detail within the upcoming section entitled,
                  "Open Space Plan".

             E.   The Planning Board should conduct a periodic review of all
                  policies, ordinances and regulations to ensure that the
                  stated goals are indeed in the public interest, and that the
                  Town's regulatory framework is working to further the goals
                  in a reasonably satisfactory manner.




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        2. Agriculture

        Goal: To preserve significant farritland areas for future agricultural
        production and the maintenance of rural character.

        Recommendations: It is recommended that the Town pursue a strategy of
        public education, plus conduct a landowner outreach program in an
        effort to preserve and protect important agricultural lands. Such an
        outreach program should be geared toward identifying key parcels and
        educating landowners about options for protection.               Specific
        recommendations include:


             A.    The Conservation Commission should compile an    inventory of
                   agricultural lands which may become available    for donation
                   and/or protection. This inventory should not be limited to
                   existing farming operations, rather, it should  include lands
                   which contain soils suitable for agricultural use.      Map 5
                   (Farmland Soils) can be used to identify areas for
                   protection.

             B.    The Conservation commission should contact landowners
                   regarding possible land preservation techniques in an effort
                   to fully inform these people of their options.        In many
                   cases, bad land use planning comes from ignorance of
                   available options.   This should certainly be done for the
                   Conner Farm property located along Route 101 in the western
                   half of Exeter. In addition to its agricultural suitability,
                   this site contains an abundance of open space values, such
                   as: significant wetland areas, f loodplains, and scenic views.
                   It should also be noted that this site is eligible for
                   nomination to the National Register of Historic Sites.

             C.    In an effort to make the retention of agricultural lands more
                   economically feasible, -the Town Assessor should provide
                   information about the state's Current Use Program to farmland
                   owners who qualify.

             D.    The Conservation Commission should educate farmland owners
                   about creative development techniques so that, if necessary,
                   financial needs may be met while preserving important
                   farmlands.  This should also be done by the Planning Board
                   during its development review process.     In many cases, the
                   Planning Board can work with a landowner to design a
                   subdivision plan which will help the landowner realize his
                   economic interest while at the same time maximizing open
                   space retention.

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       3. ForestKy

       Goal: To preserve significant woodlands and forest areas for future
       resource production, environmental quality maintenance, and the
       preservation of rural character.

       Recommendations: The recommendations listed above for agriculture can
       also be applied to agricultural lands. In addition, the Town should
       seek to have forested lands of manageable size (ten acres or more)
       preserved through sound, long-term forest management programs which
       provide for all forest benefits, including watershed protection,
       wildlife habitat, recreation and aesthetics.


       4. Recreation


       Goal: To maintain and enhance existing active and passive recreation
       sites and facilities; to expand recreation opportunities by securing
       additional lands and by adding or expanding facilities.

       Recommendations: Options here deal with increasing opportunities for
       boating and public access, upgrading existing facilities, investigating
       potential funding sources, and acquiring land for new recreation
       facilities. Specific recommendations include:

            A.   In an effort to increase boating opportunities, the
                 Recreation Department should investigate the possibility of
                 establishing additional public access points along the Exeter
                 and Squainscott River.    This will undoubtedly require the
                 acquisition of shorefront lands or easements.

            B.   The Town should work with the Port Authority to establish new
                 mooring sites within the harbor area and other points along
                 the Squamscott River.

            C.   Regarding existing* public open space areas, the Conservation
                 Commission should map existing interior trailways and
                 establish trails for the parcels where none exist.         This
                 effort will involve clearing out existing trails and creating
                 new ones, establishing a signage system to mark the trails
                 and point out interesting items, and compiling a map showing
                 the various trail systems.       Perhaps this map could be
                 published in pamphlet form and be made available to Town
                 residents. The Conservation Commission should encourage the
                 use of volunteers for the clearing and marking of trails, as
                 well as for trail maintenance. Visitor parking should also

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                  be addressed as part of this endeavor.      In order f or the
                  public to fully utilize the Town's trail systems, adequate
                  parking provisions will have to be made.

             D.   The Planning Board should seek to establish public trail
                  corridors when reviewing open space development proposals.
                  In the event that public trail corridors cannot be obtained,
                  the Planning Board should, at the very least, strive to
                  protect environmentally sensitive areas in the form of
                  private protected lands.

             E.   The Conservation Commission should seek to establish a public
                  hiking trail system by interconnecting (through easements and
                  other agreements with landowners) a network of trails which
                  link public conservation and recreation lands.

             F.   In an effort to meet state standards for outdoor recreation
                  facilities, the Town should conduct an inventory of possible
                  active recreation sites; which may become available for
                  donation/ acquisition. The Town should seek funding sources
                  for additional active recreation sites. Another option would
                  be to designate funds within the Town's Capital Improvements
                  Program for site acquisition and facility improvements.


        S. Habitat


        Goal: To preserve and protect populations and habitats of rare and/or
        endangered plant and animal species, natural habitats of high
        productivity, and migration corridors for wildlife.

        Recommendations: The options described below are aimed at maintaining
        existing wildlife corridors and creating habitat areas which are large
        enough to support a variety of wildlife species.

             A.   The Town should hire a consultant to identify and inventory
                  habitat areas for game and non-game wildlife that are valued,
                  but not necessarily rare; these may include deer yards,
                  freshwater riparian habitats,       and saltwater wetlands
                  associated with estuarine systems.     In addition, attempts
                  should be made to identify important migration corridors for
                  wildlife.


             B.   The Conservation Commission should seek to protect habitat
                  areas for rare and/or endangered species through the use of
                  conservation easements or fee-simple acquisition. Assistance
                  in such an effort could be rendered by the Nature Conservancy

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                  or the NH Natural Heritage Inventory.      Although neither
                  organization contains a funding program available for local
                  communities, the Nature Conservancy can provide fund raising
                  assistance. The Conservancy is willing to work with the Town
                  to identify appropriate fund raising programs and potential
                  financial contributors.


            C.    The Conservation Commission should attempt to preserve
                  wildlife corridors that link large tracts of open   space in
                  order to maintain habitat integrity.     To this end, large
                  tracts of open land adjacent to existing protected lands
                  should be targeted for protection.


       6. Aesthetics


       Goal: To retain scenic vistas and natural areas which enhance the
       aesthetic quality and visual character of the Town.

       Recommendations: The proposals here deal with protecting the Town's
       scenic views along its major roadways, the maintenance of existing
       protected lands, ordinance review and open space planning during the
       Planning Board's development review process.

            A.    The Town should work toward protecting its high quality
                  scenic views through easements and/or land acquisition. The
                  Town currently has a number of publicly accessible scenic
                  views along the Squamscott River and Exeter River, however,
                  the scenic views along the Town's "gateways" could be further
                 ,enhanced. As mentioned previously, the scenic views along
                  the major roadways leading into town greatly influences the
                  observer's impression of the community as a whole. In terms
                  of protecting and enhancing the Town's scenic resources, the
                  Conservation Commission should focus its efforts on the open
                  fields which have frontage along the major gateways to the
                  Town.


            B.    As the administrator of the Town's conservation lands, the
                  Conservation Commission should establish an on-going program
                  geared toward the maintenance of existing open space and
                  protected lands. The Town's numerous amount of conservation
                  lands require continuous maintenance in terms of keeping
                  trails clear, picking up garbage, and rectifying safety
                  hazards. The Conservation Commission should organize a set
                  of volunteers, with each volunteer responsible for the
                  maintenance and clean-up of a particular site.



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             C.   The Planning Board and Conservation Commission should
                  periodically review the Town's Open Space Development
                  ordinance to make sure that it adequately provides for the
                  protection of meaningful, usable open space areas.

             D.   The Planning Board should encourage applicants f or large
                  scale developments to come before the Board for a preliminary
                  consultation before an application is officially submitted.
                  This will give the Board and the applicant the chance to
                  discuss the design concept in an informal matter, before the
                  plan is committed to paper and a significant investment has
                  been made.    During such a discussion, the Board and the
                  applicant could address such items as the location of all
                  proposed structures, the location of roadways and parking
                  areas, the location of open space areas, and the possibility
                  of conservation easements.


        7. Education and Research


        Goal: To provide adequate opportunities for education and research by
        protecting existing natural environmental areas and acquiring new sites
        which could offer expanded learning opportunities.

        Recommendations: The Conservation Commission should work with the NH
        Fish and Game Department to develop education and research
        opportunities within the Great Bay estuary.           In addition, the
        Commission should promote increased conservation awareness through
        education at the primary and secondary school levels. The Commission
        should work with the School Board in arranging for conservation related
        field trips, workshops, and educational programs such as those listed
        on page 41.


        S. Historic and Archeological Sites


        Goal: To preserve significant historical and archeological sites and
        educate the public about these resources, as they are an important and
        irreplaceable part of Exeter's cultural heritage.

        Recommendations: The Town should endeavor to preserve historical/
        archeological sites of significance and educate the public as to their
        value.   In addition, the Town should work with the NH Department of
        Historic Resources to inventory historic and archeological sites of
        significance.





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                                    OPEN SPACE PLAN


        1. General


        Thus far, this document has presented a general description of open
        space, a discussion of physical characteristics and land use, an
        inventory and analysis of open space values, plus a set of
        recommendations designed to guide the community in its future open
        space planning efforts. It is clear from the previous inventory that
        Exeter is fortunate to have a number of high quality natural resources
        and open space lands worthy of protection.

        The next part of the document is the "plan" component, which identifies
        specific parcels to be protected, assesses why they should be
        protected, and describes the various land protection options available
        to the Town.   In addition, proposals for new trail systems, scenic
        roads, and a pedestrian underpass are also described as part of the
        plan.


        2. The Plan


        It would be unrealistic to expect to preserve all of the Town's
        identified critical resource areas in their natural state, therefore,
        prioritizing specific parcels for protection is essential.      Map 13
        (Open Space Plan), following page 58, outlines a two tier open space
        protection strategy: primary acquisition parcels and secondary
        acquisition parcels.   Primary and secondary acquisition parcels were
        identified as such because they contain multiple resource values. For
        instance, several parcels adjacent. to the Henderson Swasey Park were
        identified for primary acquisition.. Acquiring these parcels will help
        to protect several large wetland areas, a large forest area, and
        several archeological sites, while at the same time increasing passive
        recreation opportunities for Exeter residents and enlarging a
        significant wildlife habitat area.

        The designation of primary and secondary acquisition parcels should not
        lead the reader to believe that the primary acquisition parcels are
        more valuable than those designated as secondary. Primary acquisition
        parcels are sites where the landowner has been approached by the
        Conservation Commission regarding protection measures.         Secondary
        acquisition parcels are sites identified for protection, however, the
        Conservation Commission has yet to approach the landowner regarding
        land protection options.




                                           57









       Map 13 on the following page identifies several proposed trail networks
       which will link together some of the more important open space parcels
       throughout Exeter. A trail system is proposed which would connect the
       existing trails located off of Riverbend Circle along the Exeter River
       so that a continuous trail is established from Riverbend Circle to the
       Town's western border. Implementing this proposal will result in 2.5
       miles of trails along the Exeter River.       Another trail system is
       proposed which would utilize the existing utility easement extending
       from Old Town Farm Road to The oaklands Conservation Land.      A small
       trail segment is needed along Brentwood Road in order to link the
       Town's two existing scenic roads: Jolly Rand Road and Garrison Lane.
       A trail is also proposed along the eastern shoreline of the Squamscott
       River which would link the downtown area to the Exeter Country Club
       conservation easement. In its existing state, the Exeter Reservoir is
       an under-utilized community resource. A trail is proposed which would
       begin off of Portsmouth Avenue and follow the boundaries of the
       Reservoir, ending once again at Portsmouth Avenue.

       Regarding the Town's existing protected lands, many parcels have
       existing trail systems which are unmarked, while other parcels need to
       have trail systems created.     It is a priority of the Conservation
       Commission to clearly mark existing trail systems, and establish new
       trail systems for those parcels which have no interior trail network.
       Once this effort is completed, the Commission should prepare an
       educational pamphlet which clearly identifies (in map form) the Town's
       existing protected lands, their points of access, and their interior
       trail systems. Such a pamphlet would help to publicize the efforts of
       the Conservation Commission, while educating the general public about
       their community resources.

       A pedestrian underpass is proposed which would link Henderson Swasey
       Park and The Oaklands Conservation Land. The Conservation Commission
       is currently negotiating with the NH Department of Transportation to
       create such an underpass as part of the Route 101 reconstruction
       effort. This would create a series of connected protected lands which
       would stretch from the downtown area to the Town's northern border.
       The general location of the proposed underpass is depicted on Map 13.

       Map 13 shows the locations of six roads which are proposed for scenic
       road designation, including: Birch Road, Kube Road, Beech Hill Road,
       John West Road, Powder Mill Road, and Pickpocket Road.      Scenic road
       designation will not prohibit development along these roads, rather,
       such designation helps to ensure that future development along these
       roads will unfold in a manner consistent with their rural character.
       Under such a designation, tree cutting and stone wall removal would be
       prohibited unless the Planning Board approves.

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        3. Methods of Open Space Protection

        The previous section identified open space lands which are recommended
        f or protection.   The next step is to outline all of the possible
        options for protection.    Such options can be broken down into three
        categories: voluntary land protection techniques, land use planning
        techniques, and public and quasi-public programs. Also described are
        the duties and responsibilities of conservation Commissions in New
        Hampshire. The section ends with a discussion of the unique challenges
        facing the Exeter Conservation Commission.

             A. Voluntary Land Protection Techniques

             Under this category, there are a number of methods to choose from
             which can help to permanently protect suitable open space areas,
             including: fee simple purchase, purchase and leaseback, purchase
             and resale or lease, purchase of development rights and
             conservation easements, donation of land, bargain sale, transfer
             of development rights, plus options and right of first refusal.
             These methods are described in more detail below.


                   1. Fee Simple Purchase

                   Most lands are commonly held in fee simple, that is, the
                   holder of the title POSSesses all rights associated with the
                   property. The most common method of protecting open space
                   areas has been through direct purchase of property.          An
                   important consideration to remember is that open space lands
                   are often purchased at their market value based on their
                   development potential. Purchasing open space lands at full
                   market value can be prohibitively expensive. The total cost
                   of borrowing, including principal and interest must be
                   carefully studied.

                   Land purchased for conservation purposes will generate no
                   property taxes, however, it will not demand much in the way
                   of public services. There are two options which can be used
                   to recover the costs associated with a fee simple purchase:
                   purchase and leaseback, and purchase and resale with
                   covenants.   The first option allows the community to lease
                   the land back for a particular use compatible with open space
                   preservation (such as farming or forestry), thus recouping a
                   portion of the land's purchase price.        Lease agreements
                   should be written in a manner which protects the community
                   while being sensitive to the landowner's needs. The second

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                  option allows the land to be resold with a deed committing
                  the buyer to maintain the parcel as open space. As above,
                  the new landowner could use the property for uses which are
                  compatible with open space preservation.

                  2. Purchase of Development Rights and Conservation Easements

                  This method operates on the assumption that the right to
                  develop a parcel is separable from the ownership of the land.
                  Thus, the right to develop can be purchased by the community.
                  In this case, the buyer pays the owner the difference between
                  the open space value of the land and its appraised value for
                  other types of uses (residential, commercial, etc.) .      For
                  example, if a parcel is appraised to have a fair market value
                  of $5,000 per acre and an open space value of $1,000 per
                  acre, then the development rights are worth $4,000 per acre.

                  once the development rights are sold, the owner still retains
                  the other rights associated with property ownership. Unless
                  a right-of-way or conservation easement has been purchased,
                  the owner can prevent the public from entering the land. The
                  owner is still responsible for property taxes, which must be
                  assessed by giving consideration to the rights which have
                  been removed. Purchasing development rights allows the land-
                  owner to receive the land's development value without having
                  to convert the land to other uses.     Thus, in a sense, the
                  landowner is paid for not developing the land.

                  Development rights are also referred to as scenic,
                  conservation, or development easements.      Easements which
                  allow the holder (the public for example) to use the land for
                  conservation    or   recreational    purposes   are     called
                  "affirmative" easements.      Easements which prevent the
                  landowner from doing something with the land (such as develop
                  it) are termed "negative" easements. Currently, the Town has
                  three conservation easements. These easements are described
                  in more detail in Appendix III (Lands Administered by the
                  Conservation Commission).

                  There are four methods by which the Town can acquire
                  development rights: direct purchase of development rights    '
                  purchase and resale with restrictions, purchase and lease
                  with restrictions, and donation of development rights and/or
                  easements. By donating development rights, the landowner can
                  receive a reduction in local property tax, federal income
                  tax, capital gains tax, and estate tax. With all of these

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                   methods, the restrictions on development run with the land,
                   and are written into the deed which is binding on future
                   landowners.


                   3. Donation of Land


                   In terms of monetary expense, the outright donation of open
                   space lands is the preferable option. The benefits to the
                   landowner are reductions in a variety of federal, state, and
                   local taxes. There are five methods of donation: fee simple,
                   less than fee simple, donation with a reserved life estate,
                   donation of an undivided interest in the land, and donation
                   by bequest. These methods are briefly described below.

                   The fee simple method is a gift of the entire interest in the
                   property. Full legal title passes by deed to the beneficiary
                   (the community in this case), and the landowner no longer
                   possesses any control over the land. However, the landowner
                   may specify in the deed that the land is to be used solely
                   for a specific purpose (such as tree farming or agriculture).
                   Less than fee simple is a gift of partial interest in the
                   property. The landowner retains legal title to the property,
                   but gives up some of the rights to its use.


                   The donation with a reserved life estate is when a landowner
                   donates property to the community but retains possession and
                   use of the property for his own lifetime and/or the lifetime
                   of other family members. A donation of undivided interest in
                   land is a gift of a percentage interest in the land, not any
                   specific, physical portion. As a result, the land as a unit
                   will be owned as tenants in common by those parties who have
                   interest in the propert- .   Donation by bequest is when a
                                            .Y
                   landowner donates land in his or her will to the community.
                   In such cases, the donated land is not subject to estate or
                   inheritance taxes.


                   4. Bargain Sale

                   This is the sale of property for less than full market value.
                   It can be considered a combination land sale and charitable
                   contribution. The amount deductible for income tax purposes
                   is the difference between the land's fair market value and
                   the actual sale price.     For example, a landowner has a
                   property worth $500,000 based on a real estate appraisal.
                   The land is sold to the community for $200,000.            The
                   difference of $300,000 is the value that the owner is










                  contributing as a gift.     This value is considered a tax
                  deductible donation, however, current tax law limits the
                  deduction to 30% of the owner's adjusted gross income (AGI) .
                  Thus, if the landowner has an AGI of $50,000, the deduction
                  in any one year would be $15,000. The landowner can carry
                  forward any unused amount for five additional tax years.

                  In addition to a charitable deduction, the landowner can
                  receive the following monetary benefits: cash from the sale,
                  a capital gains tax reduction, avoidance of brokerage fees,
                  and the avoidance of a higher tax bracket which could
                  otherwise result from a full value sale of the land.       Any
                  transfer of property, either in fee-simple, development
                  rights, or a conservation easement may be the subject of a
                  bargain sale.

                  5. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)

                  This technique is similar to the purchase of development
                  rights in that the right to develop is separate from the
                  concept of ownership.    A TDR program can protect critical
                  resource areas by shifting development potential from one
                  part of town to another. Such a program requires the zoning
                  of a community to have a transfer zone (consisting of lands
                  designated for protection) and a receiving zone (consisting
                  of a portion of town more suited for intensive development).
                  A landowner would sell a property's development rights
                  directly to a developer or indirectly through a public agency
                  who would then transfer the development rights to the town's
                  receiving area. The property to be protected would then be
                  subject to deed restrictions barring future development. The
                  success of a TDR program depends on a vigorous real estate
                  market. Without strong demand for development rights, just
                  compensation for the seller appears impossible.

                  6. Options and Rights of First Refusal

                  If the community cannot afford to purchase a site
                  immediately, perhaps an option or right of first refusal can
                  be obtained.   An option establishes a price at which the
                  community could purchase the land during a specified period
                  of time.   A right of first refusal is less specific; it
                  simply guarantees the community the opportunity to purchase
                  a site for a price equal to a bona fide offer from another
                  interested party.    once another offer has been made, the
                  community has the opportunity to match the offer.

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             B. Land Use Planning Techniques

             Zoning should be used to protect large, dispersed, critical
             environmental resources such as f loodplains, wetlands, shorelands,
             and aquifers.   For example, it would be very difficult, costly,
             and inefficient for the Town to purchase all of its prime wetland
             areas when effective protection could be accomplished through
             zoning. Exeter has long understood this planning truism, as is
             evident by the presence of wetland, shoreland, and aquifer
             protection districts within the Zoning ordinance. The Town also
             has a Floodplain Development ordinance in place. Although several
             New Hampshire communities have established agricultural zoning
             districts which require larger lot sizes in an effort to protect
             large parcels of farmland, such zoning is not the best method of
             protection and could result in a legal challenge for the Town.

             The Town's Open Space Development Ordinance is another creative
             planning technique.     Essentially a variation on the cluster
             principle, this ordinance allows for homes to be arranged closer
             together in groups or clusters on smaller lot sizes than those
             normally required by the zoning arrangement. Clustering housing
             units permits variation in lot size, shape and orientation without
             an increase in the overall density of the development.             By
             clustering housing units to the side or rear of a site, large open
             space areas can be preserved.       As another means of creating
             protected open space lands, the Planning Board and Conservation
             commission have in recent years moved to obtain conservation
             easement agreements during the development review process.

             C. Public and Quasi-Public Programs

             There are a number of open space protection programs offered by
             various State and local agencies, as well as several programs
             offered by quasi-public groups such as the Audubon Society, the
             Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and the
             Rockingham Land Trust. Many of these quasi-public organizations
             work hand-in-hand with the State, while others work independently.
             The programs offered by these organizations are described in more
             detail below.


                                State and Local Programs

                   1. Current Use - One of the more distressing realities of
                   owning large parcels of open land has been the exceptionally
                   high property tax rates throughout New Hampshire. One method

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                  of reducing this burden is through the State-sponsored
                  Current Use Assessment Program. Authorized under RSA 79-A,
                  this property tax abatement program provides f or reduced
                  property assessments of field, farm and forests lands of ten
                  (10) acres or more in size.     Landowners can apply to the
                  program through the local tax assessor.        As mentioned
                  previously, current use lands cannot be developed without
                  paying a land use change tax equal to 10% of the fair market
                  value of the property.


                  2.    The Office of Recreation Services within the NH
                  Department of Resources and Economic Development administers
                  the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.      This fund
                  provides 50% matching grants to municipalities for the
                  acquisition of open space lands.

                  3. New Hampshire has ten County Conservation Districts to
                  assist landowners in sustaining the productivity of their
                  farmland. As part of their effort to protect the land, these
                  organizations accept and monitor conservation easements. A
                  branch office of the USDA Soil Conservation Service can also
                  be found within the local Conservation District office. For
                  Rockingham County, the County Conservation District office is
                  located in Exeter.


                  4. The NH Department of Agriculture works in a variety of
                  ways to protect the State's farmland resources, including the
                  purchase of development rights program, technical assistance
                  on land use issues, conservation programs and efforts to
                  improve the economic return of farm enterprises. Since the
                  farms of New Hampshire consistently contain multiple open
                  space values (e.g., scenic vistas, farmland soils, wetlands,
                  floodplains, etc.), these programs which work toward the
                  preservation and enhancement of farmlands also help to
                  maintain the integrity of prime open space areas.

                  5. Land Conservation Investment Program (LCIP) - This is a
                  State-sponsored land acquisition program established by the
                  legislature in May of 1987.    It is administered by the NH
                  Office of State Planning.    The program provides funds for
                  land acquisition which must be matched by municipalities in
                  the form of cash, land, or interest in land. Exeter has made
                  use of this program to acquire several key open space
                  parcels. The Town should continue to pursue the LCIP funding
                  option as long as the program is available.


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                                  Quasi-Public Programs

                   1.   The Audubon Society, of New Hampshire encourages the
                   preservation of wildlife habitat and natural areas through
                   education and land acquisition. The Society acquires land
                   through gift, bequest, trust and purchase.       In many cases,
                   the Society will accept unrestricted gifts of land having
                   little or no wildlife oi- natural value for the purpose of
                   resale, thus raising endowment funds to support their land
                   acquisition and management program.

                   2. The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
                   promotes the conservation and wise use of natural resources
                   and strives to protect productive forest and agricultural
                   lands.    It  owns and manages over 18,000 acres of land
                   received by gift or purchase, and monitors conservation
                   easements on  over 15,000 acres. The Society also maintains
                   a revolving Environmental Loan Fund (ELF) which makes loans
                   to municipal, conservation, and other agencies to acquire,
                   protect and preserve open space areas.

                   3. The Rockingham Land Trust, located in Exeter, is a non-
                   profit land trust organization which accepts gifts by
                   donation or bequest, and monitors conservation easements on
                   several properties throughout the immediate area. The Trust
                   can provide communities and landowners with a variety of
                   options for protecting open space areas.

              D.  Conservation Commission


              The Conservation Commission, as well as the Board of Selectmen,
              plays a critical role in the conservation and preservation of open
              space in Exeter.    The Commission typically provides information
              and instruction to other local officials regarding lands in need
              of protection as    well as offering advice on the best way to
              protect identified  parcels. More often than not, the conservation
              Commission is responsible for implementing land protection
              efforts.


              Chapter 36-A of the RSA's establishes the right of a municipality
              to create a conservation commission for the purpose of "proper
              utilization and protection of' the natural resources and for the
              protection of watershed resources of said town." The commissions
              also have the legislative authority to inventory open space lands,
              aesthetic features, water resources and other natural features,


                                             (55










              plus make recommendations to the selectmen on the wise use of such
              lands. In addition, RSA 36-A:4 allows conservation commissions to
              receive gifts of property and/or money for conservation purposes,
              subject to the approval of selectmen.

              There are certain organizational stresses which are unique to the
              Exeter Conservation Commission. For one thing, the mission of the
              organization has changed, with a number of additional duties being
              added. Besides being responsible for compiling and maintaining a
              natural resource inventory for the Town, making recommendations
              regarding lands in need of protection, and administering the
              Town's substantial amount of conservation lands, the Commission
              must, under State law, respond to the State Wetlands Board
              regarding all proposed Dredge and Fill Permit requests within
              Exeter. Since the Town is the site of several substantial, State-
              sponsored highway projects, which typically involve significant
              wetland alteration, responding to Dredge and Fill Permit requests
              can be quite a time consuming endeavor.

              As mentioned previously,         the conservation       Commission is
              responsible for administering over 900 acres of conservation lands
              and easements.     With the land acquisition projects currently
              underway, this total could easily exceed 1,000 acres by the years
              end.   This is a substantial amount of land to care for.              The
              commission is responsible for trail maintenance, marking trails,
              creating trails where there are none, trash pick-up, and providing
              public access. Dispatching these duties properly would be quite
              an endeavor for a professional, let alone a volunteer board.

              In addition to the known conservation lands, the Commission is
              certain that there are a number of parcels which are unclear in
              terms of ownership and location. It is quite possible that the
              Town could lay claim to many of these parcels, however, doing so
              would require a substantial amount of deed research and legal
              work. Thus far, the responsibility for this effort has fallen on
              the shoulders of the Conservation Commission. Additionally, the
              Commission is responsible for land owner contacts regarding
              parcels identified for protection. This endeavor also requires a
              substantial amount of deed research and legal leg-work.

              The Conservation Commission also takes its public education
              responsibility quite seriously. The Commission would very much
              like to be involved with the School Department and other civic
              groups regarding natural resource and conservation education
              programs. The Commission would also like to provide the general
              public with information regarding the Town's numerous land

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             holdings. As mentioned previously, the Commission has long wanted
             to produce a pamphlet and map describing the Town's conservation
             lands and trail systems. Much of this work has had to be put on
             the back-burner, because of the Commission's existing heavy work
             load.


             Since the inception of the Exeter Conservation Commission in 1965,
             its responsibilities and duties have substantially increased. The
             heavy work load has created a great deal of organization stress,
             which could hamper its efforts to plan for the future. Under the
             current situation, the Commission has little time for establishing
             a yearly work program, let alone long-range planning.            In
             addition, the Commission does not have the time to adequately
             review and respond to the Planning Board regarding development
             proposals. Such a situation almost invariably results in a few
             lost opportunities. Factor into the equation that the Board is
             made up of volunteers, whose membership changes from year to year.
             Thus, time must be set aside every year to educate new members
             about the duties, responsibilities, and current activities of the
             Conservation Commission.


             The above  discussion certainly indicates that the Conservation
             Commission is in need of assistance.     The Town should consider
             hiring an  administrator for the Commission, even if only on a
             part-time basis. The duties of this position could entail the
             following: handling the paper work, writing correspondence,
             conducting deed research, preparing maps, organizing trail
             maintenance and clean-up efforts, and helping the Commission put
             together a yearly work program.. If it is not financially feasible
             to create such a position, perhaps the Town's Planning and Zoning
             Department could be rearranged to accommodate some of the
             Commission's existing responsibilities.

             Another item to consider is the method of financing the
             Commission's activities.     Currently, the Commission's funding
             requests are placed on the Town Warrant Article to come before the
             voters at the annual Town Meeting.          Since the Commission
             invariably requests a similar amount of funds every year, perhaps
             it would be wise to weave the Commission's funding request into
             the Town's annual budget.    In this manner, the Town could plan
             ahead for such funding by incorporating the monetary needs of the
             Commission into the Town's Capital Improvements Program.       This
             could, in turn, spur the Commission into establishing long-range
             planning goals.




                                           67











             since the writing of the Town's last master plan in 1985, the
             Exeter Conservation Commission has made great strides in terms of
             protecting environmentally sensitive open space lands. In 1985,
             the Town had approximately 494 acres of protected lands; as of the
             writing of this document, this figure has swelled to over 900
             acres of protected lands and conservation easements. Many of the
             newly acquired parcels contain significant amounts of wetlands and
             floodplains, and many are located above aquifers and along the
             Town's riverbanks. Certainly, the Town can be proud of its recent
             land protection efforts, and it is hoped that this document will
             provide the necessary guidance for the Town to continue along this
             path.







































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                                      CONCLUSION


        The open space resources of Exeter constitute an important component of
        the Town's landscape. Open space provides the basic visual identity of
        the community and provides excellent recreational and ecological values
        as well. Without adequate open space areas, the community's quality of
        life and rural character would be greatly reduced. The Conservation
        Commission should be lauded for past and present efforts to protect,
        preserve, and enhance the Town's open space resources.

        This plan has been prepared to guide the community in its future open
        space protection efforts. The plan is not intended to be a regulatory
        document, rather, it contains recommendations that, if acted upon in a
        timely manner, can help to ensure that important open space lands are
        protected as the Town continues to develop. As a chapter of the Exeter
        Master Plan, this document is intended as a guidance tool for local
        officials and governmental bodies,; to be used for general community
        planning purposes as well as during the development review process.

        The conservation of valuable and unique natural resources and the
        preservation of open space is important to Exeter.        This plan is
        intended to guide the Town in its effort to maintain its historic
        community character while accommodating new growth.     This plan is a
        significant component of the Town's overall community development
        strategy: building what needs to be built while preserving what needs
        to be preserved.























                                           169




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                               FUNCTIONS                          OF                                 WETLANDS                                       APPENDIX I




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          Source:   Open Space and Recreation Plan Bedford, prepared by
                    Environmental Collaborative.* Cambridge, Mass.
                                                                                                   Pv


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                    For a more complete description of wetland functions and
                    values, please review the publication, Method for the
                    Evaluation of Inland Wetlands in New Hampshire, prepared
                    by the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, 1990.














                                       APPENDIX II


                               RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES


                                    TOWN OP EXETER, NH






        S Rank     G Rank     State      Scientific Name           Common Name


         S1          G5        ST        Gallinula Chloropus       Common Moorhen

         S2        G4,  G5     ST        Iris Prismatica         Slender Blue Flag

         S2          G5        ST        Mikania Scandens        Climbing Hempweed

         S2        G31  G5     ST        Polygonum Robustius       Robust Knotweed

         S2          G5        ST        Scirpus Robustus          Stout Bulrush

         S1, S2    G4,  G5     ST        Ranunculus Ambigens       Water-Plantian
                                                                   Spearwart












       THE RANKING SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY   AND USED BY
       ALL STATE NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAMS FOR "ELEMENTS" OF NATURAL DIVERSITY
       (RARE SPECIES AND EXEMPLARY NATURAL COMMUNITIES)

       Each element is assigned a single global rank by specialists under
       the guidance of the national Science Department of The Nature
       Conservancy., State ranks within each state, in which the element occurs,
       are assigned by the state Heritage Program and will vary from state to
       state.



       GLOBAL ELEMENT RANKS*
           G1 =  Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity
                 (5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals
                 or acres) or because of some factor of its biology making
                 it especially vulnerable to extinction. (Critically
                 endangered throughout range.]
           G2 =  Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences
                 or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of or-her
                 faczors demonstrably making it very vulnerable to extJncrion
                 throughout its range. (Endangered throughout range.]
           G3 =  Either very rare and local. throughout its range or found
                 locally (even abundantly at some of its locations) in a
                 restricted range (e.g., a single state, a physiographic
                 region) or because of other factors making it vulnerable
                 to extinction throughout its range; in terms of occurrences,
                 in the range of 21 to 100. (Threatened throughout range].
           G4 =  Apparently secure globally, though it may be cruite rare
                 in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
           G5 =  Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare
                 in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
           GA =  Accidental in North America (not part of the established
                 biota, usually a species of b-ird) .
           GE =  An exotic species established in North*America
                 (e.g., Japanese Honeysuckle).
           GH =  Of historical occurrence throughout its range, i.e. formerly
                 nart of the established biota, with the ex'Dectation that it
                 may be rediscovered (e.g., Ivory-billed Woodpecker).


       The New  HamDshire Natural Heritage Inventory does not inventory GA or
       GE species.













     STATE ELEMENT RANKS:
         S1    Critically imperiled in state because of extreme rarity
               (5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals
               or acres) or because of some factor of its biology making
               it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state.
               (Critically endangered in state.)
         S2    Imperiled in state because ot rarity (6 to 20 occurrences
               or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of other
               factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable to
               extirpation from the state. (Endangered in state).
         S3    Rare in state (on the order of 20+ occurrences).
               (Threatened in state).
         S4    Apparently secure in state.
         S5    Demonstrably secure in state-
         SA =  Accidental in state, including species which only
               sporadically breed in state.
         SE =  An exotic species established in state; may be native
               elsewhere in North America (e.g., house finch).
         SH =  bf historical occurrence in the state with the exDectation
               that it may be rediscovered.
         SU =  Possibly in peril in state but status uncertain; need more
               information.
         SX =  Apparently extirpated -from state.



     The New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory primarily inventories
     elements in the S1 and S2 categories plus several selected elements
     ranked S3.



      Key tQ Status

      NH Native Plant Protection Act: RSA 217-A:3,III (endangered plants)
      and RSA 217-A:3,XII (threatened plants). State protected animals:
      Fish & Game Rules Chapt. Fis 1000 Conservation of rndangered
      Species. Part Fis 1001.01 (endangered animals) and 1001.02
      (threatened animals).

      SE = State Endangered
      ST = State Threatened

      Federal Endangered Species Act, 1973.    Public Law 93-205, as
      amended.


      LE = Federally Endangered
      LT = Federally Threatened
      FC = Federal Candidate Species (includes C1, C2,   3C, etc.)
      PE = Proposed Endangered
      PT = Proposed Threatened
















                                        APPENDIX III


                           LANDS AND EASEMENTS ADMINISTERED BY


                            THE EXETER CONSERVATION COMMISSION



                                                        Approximate           Year
               Lands                                       Acreage         Acquired
               Henderson Swasey Land                       188.0              1973
               Mary Williams Land                            7.0
               Arthur Plouffe Land                          13.0
               Ruth Churchill Land                           3.0              1976
               Industrial Park Land                         16.0              1967
               Eleanor Manix Dawson/Dagostino Land          20.0              1984

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


         1.    Henderson Swasey Park Total                 247.0

         2.    Smith Cove (Drinkwater Road)                 46.8              1979
         3.    Page Land (Drinkwater Road)                   8.5              1978
         4.    Molloy Land (Great Roundabout.)               3.0              1976
               Herman Smith Land (Great Throw)               2.0
         5.    P.E.A. Land (exact location unknown)          8.0              1981
         6.    Houch/Kazanjian Land (Brentwood Road)        74.3              1987
         7.    Cheney Land (Greenleaf Drive)                16.5              1983
         8*.   Colcord Pond                                  2.8              1984
         9.    Tomilson & Kenick Land                       10.5
         10.   Enwright Land (Hampton   Falls Road)         30.4              1986
         11.   P.E.A. Land Oaklands                         15.0
               Eleanor Manix Dawson/Dagostino               44.0              1984
               (several parcels)
         12.   Tara Development Company Land                 5.0              1986
               (Riverbend Circle)
         13.   Irvine Conservation Area                     13.4              1989
               (Powell's Point)
         14.   Irvine Hays Marsh                             3.3              1989
         15.   Wilfred Moreau Nursery                        4.6              1967
         16.   Allen Street Woodland Park                    9.0              1990
         17.   Richard Parker Land                           3.0
         18.   Dudley Land (Brentwood Road)                 12.0
         19.   Simmons Land (Newfields   Road)               1.7              1991












                                APPENDIX III (CONTINUED)



                                                       Approximate           Year
             Lands                                        Acreage         Acquired


             Deene Land                                   153.0              1991
             Chamberlin  Land                               4.0              1991
             Stockbridge Land                               5.0              1991
             Jensen Land                                   37.5              1991

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



        20.  The Oaklands Conservation Land Total         199.5              1991


        21.  Juniper Ridge                                  2.0              1991
        22.  Shaw Land                                      3.0              1979
        23.  McDonnell Property                            11.0              1991


        TOTAL LANDS ADMINISTERED BY THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION: 776.3 ACRES.






                                                       Approximate           Year
             Easements                                    Acreage         Acquired


        24. Exeter Country Club                            55.4              1989
        25. Captain's Meadow                               27.0              1991
        26. Tom Chamberlin                                 50.0              1991


        TOTAL EASEMENTS ADMINISTERED BY THE CONSERVATION         COMMISSION: 132.4
        ACRES.



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