HOLDEN OPEN SPACE PLAN

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HOLDENOPEN SPACE PLAN
Public Workshop October 27, 2009
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Agenda

• I Presentation
• Introduction, Project Overview
• Why Does This Plan Matter?
• Inventory Analysis
• Overview Draft Goals, Plan Components
• II Discussion
• Small Groups Session
• Re-Group

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Introduction, Project Overview

• What is Open Space?
• What is an Open Space Plan?
• Who is Involved?
• What is the Process Timeline?

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Introduction, Project Overview

• What is Open Space?
• Undeveloped land with
• special qualities worth protecting.
• -Forest -Wildlife habitat -Scenic vistas
• -Fields -Wetlands -Ridge lines
• -Farmland -Valuable habitats -Trail corridors
• -Riparian corridors/buffers -Hunting/fishing
  areas
• -Parks/playgrounds/outdoor recreation

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What does open space in Holden look like? There
are landscapes of forest and field, the
topography that gives us the many scenic views of
surrounding hills
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The woodlands, their ecosystems, habitats, and
other environmental functions
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The open fields along the road
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Lands that are actively managed and harvested,
from woodlots to blueberry fields and other
agricultural land
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Some traditional farms
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Other undeveloped and open land man-made
corridors such as utility corridors
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The many lakes and ponds in town
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Riparian or stream corridors
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Wetlands, natures filtering system and home for
spring peepers
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The landscape as seen by residents and visitors
from the roads through town
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And on the quieter gravel roads through forest
canopies
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We enjoy the seasonal changes in these landscapes
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And the wildlife that the town supports, even
viewed from your back yards
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Opportunities to gather and enjoy the outdoors as
a community
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Or a quiet walk through the woods
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Traditional winter activities such as
snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling
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Outdoor recreation on the water such as boating
and fishing
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There are already some wonderful resources for
the community, such as the Fields Pond Center
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The Holden Community Learning Nature Trails
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School athletic fields
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And other civic spaces such as the memorial and
gazebo
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Holdens open space is part of the towns
character and quality of life.
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Introduction, Project Overview
Open Space, both publicly- and privately-owned,
is an irreplaceable resource which is
critical for - Safeguarding the natural
environment environmental functions -
Promoting health fitness, psychological
well-being - Limiting need for services /
public expenditures - Sustaining community
character prosperity (Quality of Place)
- Maintaining and enhancing business (economy)
community diversity.
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Introduction, Project Overview

• What is an Open Space Plan?
• An open space plan is a critical element of a
  town's conservation blueprint. It not only
  identifies priorities for what to protect and
  where, but in turn guides where growth is most
  appropriate as well.
• An Open Space Plan outlines the vision, goals and
  strategies for conservation and recreation in the
  community.

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Introduction, Project Overview

• What is an Open Space Plan?
• - Envision the future, see the big picture
• - Maintain rural character, quality of life
• - Provide for outdoor recreation
• - Protect natural resources
• - Comprehensive Plan growth management
• - Help secure funding

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Introduction, Project Overview

• Who is Involved?
• This is a community process.
• - Open Space Committee
• - Town Staff
• - Conservation Commission
• - Holden Land Trust
• - Recreation Groups
• - Landowners
• - Public Outreach

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Introduction, Project Overview

• What is the Process Timeline?
• - Consultant Working with Committee, Town
• - Public Outreach
• Public meetings, questionnaires, letters, etc.
• - 6 to 8 Month Project

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Why Does This Plan Matter?

• The Value of Open Space to Holden
• The Costs of Open Space Lost

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Why Does This Plan Matter?

• The Value of Open Space to Holden
• Protecting Irreplaceables
• - Rural Character
• - Wildlife Habitat Natural Resources
• - Environmental Quality

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Wildlife habitat ecosystems there are certain
species that will only be found in town if
diverse habitats are maintained, as well as large
blocks of undeveloped land.
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Other types of wildlife may be less affected by
diminishing natural habitat, but as their natural
habitat decreases their interaction with and
impacts to people increase.
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Wetlands and riparian corridors are highly
valuable natural resources even with the amount
of regulation on the books now, they are
susceptible to degradation and loss due to
development.
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Water quality is important to wildlife, plants,
and people, and greatly influenced by land use
changes and activities within a watershed.
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Farmland is a threatened resource throughout
Maine, susceptible to development and abandonment
agricultural soils are a valuable and
irreplaceable resource both locally and for the
state.
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Holdens topography affords some wonderful scenic
views of ridgelines and distant landscapes
these, too, are open space resources valued by
the community.
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Traditional outdoor recreation and sporting,
including hunting and snowmobiling, have
historically been sustained by the generosity of
private landowners. However, the growing trend
is that fewer landowners are allowing such
access, and new develop limits how much land is
available.
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Residential Growth 1995-2005 Dotshouses Bloc
kssubdivisions
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Residential development is the biggest threat to
Holdens open space natural resources. This is
not to say Holden should close its doors to all
new development, but that its important to look
at what the most important resources are and
identify how to protect to them.
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Much of the shore frontage in town is already
built up. How can the community work towards
improved water quality, aquatic habitats, and
adequate public access?
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Scenic views that the community enjoys may be
impacted by new development along the roadways.
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New development does seem to open up new scenic
views in town
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but development on these hillsides can lead to
significant stormwater erosion problems impacting
soils and water quality
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and views of the hillsides themselves from
other areas of town.
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Why Does This Plan Matter?

• An Open Space Plan for Holden
• - The Plan is not anti-development.
• - The Plan is not an ordinance.
• - The Plan does respect private property rights.
• - The Plan is strategic.
• - The Plan is an investment in the future.

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Why Does This Plan Matter?

• An Open Space Plan for Holden
• Economic Benefits of Open Space
• - Brookings Report, Governors Council on
• Quality of Place
• - TPL Economic Benefits Report
• - Case Study for Mt. Agamenticus Area

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Inventory Analysis

• Existing Resources
• Overview Natural Resources
• Overview Recreational Resources
• Overview Regional Resources

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Inventory Analysis

• Existing Resources
• - 2007 Comprehensive Plan
• - Beginning With Habitat
• - Maine NEMO
• - 2009 Greenprint Report (Trust for Public Land)

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Inventory Analysis

• Overview Natural Resources
• - Scenic Areas Views
• - Roads with Rural Character
• - Off-Road Regions
• - Soils (Development, Erosion,
• Prime Farmland)
• - Forest Resources
• - Wildlife Habitat (Riparian, Large
• Blocks, High Value/NRPA)

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Inventory Analysis

• Overview Natural Resources
• - Watersheds
• - Rivers Streams
• - Lakes Ponds (Brewer Lake,
• Holbrook Pond, Davis Pond,
• Georges Pond)
• - Water Quality, Groundwater/
• Aquifers, Public Water
• - Wetlands
• - Floodplains

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Land Cover
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MNAP Wildlife
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National Wetland Inventory
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Regional Greenprint Priorities
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Unfragmented Natural Areas
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Unfragmented Natural Areas
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Remote Spaces
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Scenic Vistas
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Scenic Vistas
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Water Quality/Resources
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Riparian Buffers, Wetlands
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Working Lands (Farm Forest)
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Inventory Analysis

• Overview Recreational Resources
• - School Facilities
• - Snowmobile Trail System
• - Lakes and Ponds
• - Community Learning Nature Trails
• - Fields Pond Nature Center
• - Holbrook Regional Recreational Program
• - Private Land Access

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Inventory Analysis

• Overview Regional Resources
• - Brewer/Bangor Parks Trails
• - Penobscot River Valley
• - University of Maine Orono
• - Acadia National Park

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Inventory Analysis
What are the Future Needs? - Permanently
conserved land, public access - Trails (walking,
jogging, snowmobile, skiing) - Public water
access - Neighborhood parks, community parks
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Draft Plan Components

• Plan Outline
• - Definition Values/Why Open Space Matters
• - Economic Benefits
• - Open Space Vision
• - Goals for Open Space
• - Inventory Analysis
• - Open Space Priorities
• - Conservation Tools
• - Partners Resources
• - Plan Strategies Recommendations

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Draft Plan Components

• Subject Areas
• - Natural Resources, Plants Wildlife Habitat
• - Water Resources
• - Outdoor Recreation
• - Scenic Views
• - Working Lands

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Draft Open Space Goals
Strategies, Initiatives and Policies to
Address - Preservation of the visual character
of Holden rural character,
natural/undeveloped land - Preservation of
outdoor recreational opportunities establish
areas for public access recreation -
Preservation of wildlife habitat, wildlife
corridors, and unfragmented natural blocks -
Protect water quality
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Draft Open Space Goals
Strategies, Initiatives and Policies to
Address - Maintain/gain access to
waterways/waterbodies - Maintain establish
trail connections - Maintain establish
connections between neighborhoods
(subdivisions) - Preserve viewsheds/scenic
views, scenic character - Protect farmland
woodlots (working lands)
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Draft Open Space Goals
Regional Goals from Greenprint - Protect
contiguous natural areas - Restore habitats -
Maintain scenic values/protect scenic vistas -
Protect working landscapes/waters farms,
forests, and fishing - Protect water quality,
improve water quality - Address Penobscot River
waterfront interests - Create multi-purpose
trails - Establish other areas for public
access/recreation
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Draft Plan Components

• An Open Space Toolbox
• Tools for conservation
• - Conservation Easement, Trail Easement
• - Public/Land Trust Acquisition
• - Current Use Tax Programs (Tree Growth, Open
  Space)
• - Other Voluntary Agreements
• - Smart Growth Practices, Local Planning

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Holden Open Space Plan

• I Presentation
• Introduction, Project Overview
• Why Does This Plan Matter?
• Inventory Analysis
• Overview Draft Goals, Plan Components
• II Discussion
• Small Groups Session
• Re-Group

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Holden Open Space Plan
Thank You For Your Participation