Considering the environment in land use decisions

PINE PLAINS — Those who attended the Town Board meeting last Thursday, April 15, saw a presentation on ecologically significant habitats from Hudsonia biologist Nava Tabak.

Hudsonia is an environmental research and educational institute stationed out of Red Hook; it just completed a mapping project for the town. The maps can be instrumental in helping with land use decisions and biodiversity conservation.

Biodiversity refers to the variation in nature at all scales: genes, species, biological communities and ecosystems. According to Tabak, those ecosystems provide people with many everyday services, like drinking water, the air we breathe, places we get food, etc.

“Biodiversity supports these ecosystems,� she said. “It’s in your best interest to protect these ecosystems.�

Why is it important to map such habitats, Tabak asked. Because people make choices that affect land use decisions and agencies like Hudsonia want to provide  the most complete environmental information to base those choices on.

“We can locate areas better suited for land use decisions,â€� she said before specifically noting that  more than 90 percent of Pine Plains is made up of ecologically significant habitats. Non-significant habitats include things like roads, homes, etc.

There are different methods of predicting habitats; a popular method is using GIS (Geographic Information System) on a computer, which makes use of aerial photos. Hudsonia also conducts a lot of field checks, after requesting permission from property owners; it then creates maps with different colors and different habitat types. The final product is a map report with habitat descriptions, priorities for conservation and management recommendations. That’s what’s been done for the town of Pine Plains. Tabak did make special mention that the area of the Carvel Property Development was not included in the study because it already had an existing map that roughly displayed its area.

Getting back to the town’s assets, she said she was impressed with its “rich, biological diversity.� She also said it’s relatively pristine.

“You have a pretty small amount of development,� Tabak said. “Ninety percent is still not developed on the western side where Stissing Mountain and the Wappinger Valley is. That’s a huge habitat that’s recognized by the state and there are some very big complexes located there.�

The biologist went on to inform those present that the most common forest was hardwood and conifer, which is the most effective cover type and very hospitable for certain species. Crest, ledge and talus is a rocky habitat the town has that dictates the type of forests that prevail. Meadows are also common habitat types in the town, but really important for insects, birds of prey and grassland breeding birds.

“You’ve got tons of meadows, which are in trouble because everybody is developing them,� Tabak said.

The town also has fens, a rare type of habitat that supports a lot of rare plant species; it’s also where one can find the endangered bog turtle.

The conservation zone, meanwhile, is based on the biology of the species and the rare or important habitats. It should also be used in taking a more cautious approach in zoning.

Tabak described other town habitats including the circumneutral bog lake, which has rich water and more peat moss than an acidic bog. It also plays host to a lot of rare animal species. Thompson Pond is a good local example.

Intermittent woodland pools, also called vernal pools, are also prevalent in Pine Plains, although only in spring and summer.

“If they had water all year they would have fish that would prey on eggs of salamanders and frogs, for example,� Tabak said. “But salamanders and frogs don’t live there year round, they spend their lives in the surrounding forest.�

There are also perennial and intermittent streams, which must be protected if one expects to protect the larger streams they feed into.

There are also wetland complexes throughout the town.

The maps created as a result of Hudsonia’s research are useful tools in town-wide planning. They can also be used by landowners or the Planning Board regarding specific parcels.

“You  have incredible biodiversity here and a great opportunity to keep it that way while promoting economic development,â€� Tabak said. “Conservation development can be a good tool.â€�