Horse Hill Nature Preserve Master Plan Committee

Introduction

The Board of Selectmen established the Greenspond Master Plan Committee on June 27, 2002.  This committee shall consist of not more than thirty (30) members and two (2) Selectmen representatives.

The charge of this committee shall be to research and develop plans and policies for this 563 acre site which will promote conservation, open space, recreational and other allowable municipal purposes as approved by the voters of this town at the Town Meeting held on April 9, 2002 (Warrant Article #10).

The plans shall include past history, current uses and proposals for the future that will encourage controlled development to its fullest potential as benefit to the community now and in the future.

At the Board of Selectmen meeting on March 27, 2003, the property was officially renamed the "Horse Hill Nature Preserve".  The Master Plan Committee name changed to agree with the new property name at the Board of Selectmen's meeting of May 8, 2003.

How did Merrimack Acquire Horse Hill Nature Preserve?

Before being purchased by the Town of Merrimack, this property was owned by the NasTam Development Corporation and in recent years was generally known as the Greens Pond parcel. Developers presented various plans for this parcel over the years. A 32-home subdivision was approved, but was not built, on the northeast portion of the land. A conceptual development plan for over 400 homes was presented during the late 1990's. In 2001, a plan for a 110 home development was proposed. 

In the fall of 2001 a group of citizens called the Friends of Merrimack Open Space was formed. They believed it was a mistake to allow the Greens Pond parcel to be removed from the Town's open space. They worked with the Merrimack Conservation Commission, the Merrimack Community Development Department, and the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests to secure the following:

§       A pledge of $150,000 from the Merrimack Conservation Commission toward the purchase of the land.

§       $250,000 in mitigation funds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

§       A $450,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) in recognition of the property's importance to the region's water resources.

§       A $175,000 grant from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) in recognition of the property's importance to the open space available in the southern New Hampshire region. 

The property was appraised at a market value of $5,275,000 but the owners agreed to offer it to the Town for $4,200,000. The remaining $1,075,000 was considered to be a contribution by the owners toward the acquisition.

The Friends of Merrimack Open Space approached the Board of Selectmen (BOS) and asked for their support of a warrant article providing the voters the opportunity to purchase the property. The BOS agreed, and the following article appeared on the 2002 Town ballot: 

Article 10. Passage of this article shall override the 10 percent limitation imposed on this appropriation due to the non-recommendation of the Budget Committee. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,225,000 for the purchase of approximately 563 acres of land to be used for conservation, open space, recreational facilities and other allowable municipal purposes, said land being located westerly of Naticook Road, southerly of Amherst Road, and northerly of Peaslee Road, including the unbuilt subdivision known as Woodside Estates; to finance said sum by the issuance of bonds or serial notes in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Act (RSA 33) and in an amount not to exceed $4,075,000, by the withdrawal of $150,000 from the Land Use Change Tax Conservation Fund, and by any federal, state, or private grants that may be made available in conjunction with said purpose; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to issue, negotiate, sell, and deliver said bonds and notes and to determine the rate of interest, the maturity, and other terms pertaining thereto; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to apply for and accept said grants of federal, state, and private aid; to authorize the Board of Selectmen to take any other action or to pass any other vote relative to said purpose and financing, including subdividing the land and imposing separate and distinct conservation limitations on portions of the land if so required by any financing agency; and to raise and appropriate the sum of $96,188 for the purpose of 2002-03 interest on said bonds or serial notes. (60% ballot vote required) (Recommended by the Board of Selectmen 4-0-0) (Not Recommended by the Budget Committee 9-0-1)

Master Plan Process

The Master Plan Committee was faced with a large task.  To accomplish this task, the Committee followed the process below.  Details of the actual meetings, sub-committees, and various reports can be found in the Meeting minutes and in the files of the Committee kept in the Town of Merrimack Community Development Office.

Below is the general process followed:

1. From a list of tasks initially proposed by the Committee based on its Charter, the Committee decided to create a number of sub-committees to divide up the work and get it accomplished.  

2. The committee heard from many different organizations during its lifespan and these organizations are summarized in the section below.

3. The Committee held 2 Visioning sessions which resulted in a set of goals for the Master Plan.  These Goals are listed below.  The Visioning results are contained in Appendix I of the Master Plan.

4. Throughout the time the Master Plan Committee met, the sub-committees submitted reports as their tasks were completed.

5. As each use of the property was considered, it was evaluated against the goals and objectives earlier agreed upon by the Committee during its Visioning sessions.

6. The Master Plan Committee developed: Uses for the property, recommendations for those uses, and a suggested item list for the immediate future.  General consensus was achieved on all aspects of the Master Plan.

7. The Master Plan was drafted, amended, and eventually approved by the Committee on August 18, 2003.

8. The Plan was then presented to the Board of Selectmen.

9. There was a Public Hearing on the Plan.

10. The Board of Selectmen approved all recommendations in the Master Plan except for Section 9.1 - Management.

11. The Ad-Hoc Committee was created.

Presenters to the Master Plan Committee

A number of organizations and individuals presented information to the Master Plan Committee.  Below is list of the presenters in the order of when they presented.  Refer to the meeting minutes for details on their presentations.

Master Plan Committee Goals

As part of its deliberations, the committee held a two-part visioning session. During the first session, the committee identified and ranked features, problems and potential uses for the property. The results of this session are included in Appendix I (of the Master Plan). 

In the second session, the results of the first session were used to develop a list of goals for the future of the HHNP. The committee examined each goal statement in detail, modified wording where appropriate, and voted on acceptance of each goal. The vote in all cases was unanimous, with no dissenting votes or abstentions. 

The following is the list of goals agreed upon by the committee with a brief description of important points discussed for each. 

1.     Preserve and encourage the biological diversity of the property through the protection and careful management of existing, potential, and emergent plant and animal habitats and species.

Inclusion of the word 'encourage' was intentional, implying potential management of habitat. For example, a dense alder grove next to a field is good woodcock habitat, but as alders mature the habitat is diminished. Management of the alder grove might be considered to preserve habitat diversity.

2.     Preserve and protect the property's surface and groundwater resources including wetlands, vernal pools and beaver ponds to provide for wildlife habitat conservation, groundwater recharge and watershed and aquifer protection.

It was noted that some activities, such as development of trails, might occasionally impact surface water. Use of the word 'protect' was not intended to stop all such development, only to ensure that surface water is protected to the greatest extent  practical.

3.     Develop and maintain a network of trails.

It was noted that a trail network should be developed slowly to ensure that the Town is able to adequately maintain the trails.

4.     Build upon the proximity of the property to other public and private open space through the establishment of wildlife corridors, access easements, and other means.

The intent of this goal is to improve and/or protect the corridors that currently exist and to establish new corridors when possible.

5.     Preserve and protect the historic features of the property.

Extensive discussion clarified that the committee is creating goals, not regulations. In every case, the phrase "to the extent possible or practical" is assumed. For example, should an historic feature become a safety problem, preserving it may not be practical.

6.     Balance competing community interests and uses of the property.

Some potential uses might not be compatible. It is a goal of this committee to attempt to balance the needs of various user groups where possible.

7.     Provide adequate public access and parking.

8.     Minimize impacts to the property between different users and surrounding properties with regard to safety issues, trash, noise, erosion, and other potential impacts.

Some uses generate more negative impact than others, and these impacts should be recognized when various uses are considered.

9.     Emphasize uses compatible with activities such as outdoor education, wildlife conservation, forestry, walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, etc.

    During the visioning session, these uses were overwhelmingly supported. The committee would like that fact recognized when various uses are considered.

Summary of Accepted Recommendations from the Master Plan

As a result of its evaluation, the committee makes the following recommendations. (Recommendations are listed alphabetically and do not imply a priority order.) Refer to Recommended Uses on page 8-2 for a detailed description of each recommendation.

§       Archery target shooting - Archery shoots organized under the direction of the Watanic Bowmen club should be permitted on the property.

§       Athletic complex - An athletic complex(es) not to exceed a total of 50 acres, including infrastructure, could be established on the property.

§       Conservation of Open Space - To promote biodiversity and to ensure a quiet place for future generations to experience the natural world, a minimum of 500 acres should be maintained as open space.

§       Cross country skiing and snowshoeing - The trail network should be open for these activities during the winter months.

§       Hiking - Trails should be developed without negatively impacting the wildlife population, providing for a variety of hiking experiences.

§       Horseback riding - Trails should be designed to provide a rewarding riding experience.

§       Hunting - With a lack of natural predators, wildlife populations (particularly deer) may exceed numbers that can be healthfully maintained on the property. Hunters as part of an overall wildlife management program may be part of a balancing force.

§       Mountain biking - Trails should be designed for varying levels of challenge.

§       Outdoor education programs - The varied terrain, extensive wetlands, variety of wildlife, and connection with historical figures make this a good location for outdoor learning experiences.

§       Snowmobiling - Snowmobile trails should be designed and monitored under the direction of the SnoBuds Snomobile club.

The following activities are not recommended at this time. Refer to Uses Not Recommended at this Time on page 8-7 for a detailed discussion.

§       All-Terrain Vehicles - Establishing an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trail system should not  be permitted unless a local club accepts responsibility to help design, monitor, and maintain the trails.

§       Camping - There are several town-owned properties in the area that permit wilderness camping. Creating a camping area and appropriate sanitary facilities does not seem warranted by community interest at this time.

§       Firearm target shooting - Continual shooting of firearms with minimal regulation creates a potential safety hazard and inhibits enjoyment of the property by other users.

§       Off-road vehicles - Off-road vehicles have proven to be destructive to the trails and wetlands, and are incompatible with other open space goals.

Summary of Suggested Actions 

The committee identified several issues that should be addressed and actions that should be taken in the near term by the managing body. The committee recommends that the BOS authorize the managing body to proceed with the following. The action items are presented in alphabetical order.

·       Adopt-a-Trail Program. The committee recommends that the managing body consider instituting an Adopt-A-Trail program to facilitate trail maintenance.

·       Archeological inventory. The committee recommends that State archeologist Wes Stinson be contacted to evaluate the property for sites that may prove interesting for an archeological investigation. Since the site includes historic features (e.g., the Spaulding foundation), both historic and prehistoric sites should be investigated.

·       Benches. The committee recommends that benches or other resting structures be constructed at logical resting spots. The committee recommends that, wherever possible, natural materials such as strategically positioned rocks might be considered. Where construction is required, funding through sponsorship by local businesses could be considered.

·       Education plan. The committee recommends that the management body develop a plan for educational use of the property.

·       Fish and Game programs. If hunting is permitted on the property, the committee recommends that the managing body work with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department to evaluate the property for habitat enhancement programs, such as pheasant stocking and alder grove improvement.

·       Forest Management Plan. The committee recommends that the managing body work with a professional forester to develop a forest management plan for the HHNP. The plan should include an analysis of the existing forest, wetlands, animal populations, and plant populations, and should include marking of property boundaries. The plan should also assess various management practices, such as tree farming and selective clearing, and make specific recommendations for management of the natural resources of this property.

·       Funding. Construction of parking areas, kiosks, and bridges and culverts on trails will require some funding. The committee recommends that the managing body develop a funding mechanism. Funding possibilities discussed by the committee were grants, establishment of a capital reserve fund, and inclusion of a line item in the Town budget.

·       History Trail. The committee strongly recommends that a 'history trail' be included in the Trail Master Plan. This trail should be designed in consultation with the Merrimack Heritage Commission.

·       Hours of access. The committee recommends that the managing body establish limited hours of public access. The committee recommends that the HHNP be open to the public from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.

·       Improvement of the current trail system. There are potential issues with the trails as they currently exist, including encroachment on environmentally sensitive areas, erosion problems, and areas of known wildlife impact (e.g., the turtle nests in the sand pit). The Trail Master Plan will address these issues, but in the near term the committee recommends that the managing body examine the current trail system and restrict specific uses in some areas.

The committee further recommends that the trail on the easement through the Wasserman Heights property be improved as soon as possible to clarify its location before home construction begins.

·       Kiosks. The committee recommends that rules, maps, and other useful information be displayed on kiosks at the entrances to the property. As a safety consideration, the kiosks should note that cell phone coverage is unreliable on the property. Safety information should be prominently posted at all entrances to the property to ensure that hikers are aware of hunting activity. The posting should include recommendations for wearing hunter orange and other safety measures.

·       Location assessment. The committee recommends that the managing body assess the property to identify areas most suited to various recommended uses. Note that areas containing older forest growth should be left undeveloped whenever possible.

·       Orienteering. The committee recommends that the managing body contact the Up North Orienteers, an orienteering club, to discuss mapping the property for orienteering activities.

·       Signs. The committee recommends that a limited number of signs should be placed in sensitive areas or areas of repeated user abuse to remind users of appropriate activities.

·       Ski team. The committee recommends that the managing body contact the Merrimack High School cross-country ski team to discuss whether the trails on the HHNP can be designed to accommodate their training needs.

·       Trail maintenance. The committee recommends that a program of regular trail maintenance be developed and implemented by the managing body. Erosion and trail degradation caused by various user groups should be carefully monitored. Monitoring the volume of all uses is critical.

·       Trail Master Plan. The committee recommends that a Trail Master Plan be created. This will be a design concept for a network of trails that will accommodate recommended uses in a safe, maintainable, and environmentally sensitive manner. This plan must be developed in consultation with trail management experts, such as the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails.

A variety of trails should be designed to accommodate different fitness and challenge levels for all approved uses, including relatively flat, wide trails for family use. Trails should be developed in accordance with generally accepted trail construction guidelines, including trail signs and identification, with consideration for all approved uses of each trail. The committee recommends that each trail in the system be evaluated individually, as not all activities will be appropriate on all trails.

·       Trail naming. The committee recommends that the Town be involved in naming trails, ponds, and other areas of interest. The committee strongly suggests that some trails be named for historical persons or families.

·       User courtesy code. The committee recommends that a user courtesy code be developed to assist in successful shared use of the property.

§       Volunteer registry. The committee recommends that the managing body create a mechanism for registering trail maintenance volunteers. This registration ensures the volunteer's protection from liability for damages resulting from accidents on the trails.

§       Wildlife inventory. The committee recommends that in addition to the wildlife assessment that will be part of the forest management plan, a turtle survey be performed, looking specifically for Blanding and Spotted turtles, and looking for the Eastern Hog Nose snake. The committee further recommends that a survey for rabbit population should be conducted in the spring, as some are in decline.

·       Wildlife Management Plan. The committee recommends that a Wildlife Management Plan be created. This may be created as part of the Forest Management Plan or may be an independent plan.

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