Jericho VT Natural Resources Overlay Workshop

Jericho, Vermont Natural Resources Committee held a public workshop on April 3, 2018, at the Jericho Elementary School. First up was a brief review of the Natural Resources Overlay District (NRO) purpose and previous supporting studies authorized by the town. 

The interactive workshop on the draft Natural Resources Overlay proposed for the Land Use Regulations provided citizens an opportunity to learn, offer feedback, ask questions, and help shape the overlay. 

Jens Hilke from the VT Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Community Program showed (along with other charts) a landscape-scale map. He then explained (in response to a question) we are trying to maintain forest blocks including some with permanent developed properties, to maintain ecological functions that are deemed most important at a landscape scale. We are trying to maintain a working landscape lifestyle - a forest economy, wildlife habitat, and keep us on the land doing what we love to do. This is all about people and how do we live with the landscape together with the diversified wildlife species we have.  

Natural Resources Overlay is an attempt to combine the science (data the town paid for that was gathered over a number of years) with the Development and Land Use Regulations. This is a tool to guide development, and protect the natural resources that are believed to be the most worthy of protection. The latest map is improved and more accurate than the (2016) previous map. 

The NRO draft seeks some form of protection as desired for the primary and secondary ecological resources. The NRO resources are a small portion of the total Jericho natural resources. The NRO resources provide flood protection, storm-water protection, water and air quality, wildlife habitat.  

Karina Dailey, Jericho Conservation Commission, and Susan Bressee, Jericho Planning Commission presented Why, Where, What, How, and other (exemptions) of the draft NRO. 

Terms in the NRO draft (Five basic sections)
Why: The purpose statement is To Preserve, Conserve, and Protect Protected (very defined) Natural Resources. Standards are precisely defined to preserve their (Nat resources) ecological functions and prevent degradation of ecological functions. 
Where:  Based on Jericho inventory. Important to protect Jericho's natural environment and VT quality of life. Location identified by NRO map or Impact Study, if the study is done. 
What: Definitions consistent with those in the zoning regulations.

Note: Buffer sizes were determined by the science. 

How: Standards of NRO explain the rules that if followed will allow development to move forward. Uses (allowed, permitted, conditional, or prohibited). 
Impact studies clarify where the resources are on the ground as opposed to on the map because they might have shifted; and if the development can proceed and coexist with the resources. 
Note: Impact study cost estimate ~$500 to $1000 depending on lot size and amount of fieldwork required. Consulting Ecologist perform impact study. NRO regulations provide for Conservation Committee to assist the applicant through the impact study.   

General Standards
Do no harm. Minimize impact. Care during construction. Restore conditions. Comply with impact study (if study done). Develop away from Resource and Buffer (can develop inside some larger resources and buffers - standards still apply.) 
- Minimize landscape fragmentation, maintain habitat connectivity.
- Restore natural vegetation
- Allow wildlife to continue to use the resource.
- Insure hydrology is minimally affected.

Other: Exemptions (true of all zoning) in some cases the NRO will not apply. 

The attendees then broke out into small groups. Each group was provided a written and illustrated scenario with a written description (for example 3 lot subdivision on 20 acres with identified protected natural resources present). Each group was asked to ID what resources are present, how did the NRO standard affect the development - what changes or modifications required to meet the standards of the overlay, how did the overlay protect the resources, what comments, questions, or reactions, impressions you have related to the process. 

Scenarios were an exercise to allow folks to work with the standards, and give some feedback on how the language feels and how it works. 

Teams reported back (to the entire audience) with a summary of what they determined regarding their specific scenarios.  

Contact the Town Planner, Katherine Sonnick at ksonnick@jerichovt.gov with questions or see the Planning Commission page of the Town website for more details. www.jerichovt.gov

Questions asked during the workshop were recorded by Katherine for follow-up. 

Video of workshop/meeting available at https://vimeo.com/263214545

Click here  for my posting on the first Natural Resources Overlay public meeting held on March 20 which explained what the natural resources are in town, how we know what they are, and why protect Jericho's natural resources. Also, the meeting covered what the Town has been doing to protect open land. 

Bernie Paquette ‘discovers’ by observation, then shares photos and stories highlighting why Jericho Vt. is a special place!  Send your comments or Jericho stories to Bernie.paquette@yahoo.com. 

Additional related Resources

Jericho Web site - Planning Commission page

Jericho Web site - Conservation Commission page 

Significant Natural Communities and Natural Community Systems of  Jericho, Vermont

Planning for forest and wildlife connectivity. 

Vermont's Wildlife Action Plan

Vermont Resources and Technical Assistance

VT State BIO FINDER
BIOFINDER INTRODUCTION (YouTube)
BIO FINDER TIPS AND TRICKS

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