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Jackson Conservation Commission
Minutes -- Meeting of November 16, 2004
Present: Phil Davies, Don Johnson, Gino Funicella, Wink Lees, Thom Perkins, Larry Siebert, Dick Bennett, and Steve Piotrow
Meeting began at 7:30pm.
1. Minutes from the Sept 21, 2004 meeting were read and approved.
2. Prospect Farm. Don Johnson, the forester commissioned to draw up the Forest Management Plan for Prospect Farm, attended the meeting to review the Management Plan itself and to field questions regarding its implementation. He outlined the basic process from goal-setting through to the actual timber-cruising transects and onto the final recommendations for the property. Various topics discussed included: the volume and inventory of resources, property line options, landowner goals and objectives, orchard and cellar-hole maintenance, and educational opportunities within the property. In terms of timber harvesting, Mr. Johnson discussed the viability of selective cutting within the 450 acres. Timber varieties would include: even-age stands of northern hardwoods, mixed hardwoods, and mixed
conifer forest. Mr. Johnson believes that a cyclical-harvesting approach to forest management promotes healthier mixed-age tree stands which improve forest habitat and encourage a greater variety of wildlife. The timber harvesting would also target high risk and/or damaged and undesirable tree species and it would also include the clearing of scenic vistas for recreational purposes while maintaining undisturbed buffer-zones along recreational corridors. The sale of harvested material from the property would realize a small income benefit. It is Mr. Johnson’s opinion that careful and informed forest management can produce more viable timber while preserving sites of scenic, recreational, or historical significance. He recommends cutting in the summer (preferably during a dry period to avoid disturbing winter recreational use of the area). Dick Bennett pointed out that Mr. Johnson was asked to attend the meeting in order to clear up any miscommunication and to help establish
priorities for the future use of the Prospect Farm property. Steve Piotrow requested that management priorities for the property be addressed slowly and with a sense of caution as he hoped the ultimate goal would be maintaining the overall health of the forest. Commission members agreed that Don would be a very valuable and knowledgeable presence at future meetings where Prospect Farm is discussed.
3. NHDES Wetlands Bureau Permit Application Denial – Geraldine Roos. Phil Davies notified commission members that the Department of Environmental Services(“DES”) Wetlands Bureau has completed its review of Permit Application 2004-00759 – Geraldine Roos – Jackson, Tax Map/Lot# R13/11. It was determined that the proposed project to dredge and fill a total of 20,105 sq. ft. including 9,066 sq. ft. to construct a pond, 1,222 sq. ft to construct a driveway crossing, and 9,817 sq. ft. to stump areas of clear cut forested wetlands to convert to wet meadows as part of field/viewscape creation does not comply with the Wetlands Bureau regulations and statute because it does not represent a demonstrated need or the least impacting alternative. The application was
therefore been denied.
The next Conservation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 7:30 pm at the Town Offices.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Piotrow
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