HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-04-20, Page 43Page 4 Valleys and People
BIRCH TREE TRAIL—An extensive trail when acquired by the Authority.
system existed on the Naftel's Creek property
A
Nal lrf s r irk (uusery ar wn
.area represents an extrr'uely
die erse and integrated wuudlot of
distinct importance to the Mau
land Valley Conservation Author
ity
The property s extensive
variety of vegetation can ac
commodate both forest and wild
life management while the class
one trout stream and existing
trails contribute to the area's
popularity for recreation and its
potential for oatdour education
‘('lit ltil'l'llll
Nalleis ('reek (Conservation
Area was acquired b. the Matt
land Valle% (onser%ation Author
it in two stages during I981 and
1982 The 49 hectares which make
up the mai area are ltx•ated on
the east side of Illghway 21, six
kilometers south tit the Town of
(;oderich
Hlti'I'l)K\ 1)1'
THE 1'1{OPF:1{T1
The history of the property
began to evolve through the land
owners. who. as early as the
19:30s, realized that the sandy
knolls and poor soil fertility made
the property Netter suited tor
forest management practices
than agricultural usgs L)ue to the
fact that the reforestation took
place over many decades, under
the direction of several property
owners, the property has taken
on a patchwork quality which
adds greatly to the area's char-
acter and charm.
The property was officially
named Naftel's Creek Conserva-
tion Area in February of this
year. This name was decided
upon for two reasons; the refer-
ence to Naftel's Creek as found in
Belden's Historical Atlas of
Huron County 1879, and, the
existing association by the gen-
eral public to the name Naftel's
Creek.
'MASTER. PLANNIING';
WHAT'S INVOLVED
All conservation area pro-
perties must now undergo a
planning process that is known as
master planning.
The purpose of developi. _ a
master plan for each specific
property is to establish the goals
and objectives for an area, and to
outline the long term conceptual
C.nsc
w
J1eyelopntrnt and ruatiagenirnl
plans for each particular
property
The master plan for Naltel s
('reek has been underway now for
several months The preliminary
goals and objectives for the area
are outlined on the next page The
most important aspect of these
goals and objectives to mote is.
that the eAerall intentions of the
Authority in regard to this
property . are ones which will
retain the existing character and
usage of the site "!'here will how
eYer be a shift in the emphasis
trunl a pass)', e to a more acts e
leY el tit resource management
Alter the goals and objectly es
for an arra ha'c• been established
in their initial toren. the next step
in the master pt.an process is to
conduct an inventory ot the re
source; and facilities which
presently exist un the site For
Nal tel s (reek (onser'vatiun
Area an extensive vegetation
inventory. was carried out in Sep
tember and t )etober ol 19812 The
results of this study will num be
used to direct the forest man-
agement. erosion control, recrea-
tional, and educational programs
tor the property. Other resource
inventory characteristics which
were studied include: existing
site characteristics, climate,
physiography land forms), soils,
topography 1 land elevation),
hydrology i water characteristics
- flow, amount, temperature,
etc.) and wildlife.
Once the inventory is com-
pleted, the analysis of this
material begins. It should be
noted at this point, that while the
r
ation
tkasl0 steps itl a Irla.ler plarl (na,
tie r. pl essrd P> a step by step
procedure the process itself is
actually a cyclical one This is
especially true in terms of the
goals and objectives fur an area
Therefore throughout the
planning pr'oceas it is necessary
to return to this initial step in
order lu re eYaluate the inten
Duns and accuracy tit the original
statements
l'he analysis itself essentially
I studying tht' niateria1 in
order to determine the capabilt
ties and Ititritatiuns present at the
site This step includes the
mapping til sensitiyt' areas and
bar -aid lands which should be
protected from any inion
deceloprtienl
(.0 I ' 1\I)
t) KJ F: l "I' 11
The goals and objectives of the
property tutus on tour manage-
ment issues VI e will take a closer
look at these issues now
FoltEti r 1I 1\ 1(4:M1-:'\ I'
Al the piaster plan level, the
torest management objective ot
the property mill be discussed at
a general level in order to deter-
mine what areas will he man
aged. what they will be managed
for, and the cost involved in this
work.
Following the approval of the
Master Plan by Authority mem-
bers and the Ministry. of Natural
Resources, a comprehensive
forest management plan will be
described at the site plan level.
This process will involve taking
such factors as; timber demands
and production; accessibility;
wildlife habitat; types of
"to undertake resource management
practices and to provide opporr
tun.ities f.r outdoor recreation and
meted forms of recreation which are
compatible with the resource
management programs of the area."
ea
C7
management for
',ti at and future
use into considerat
!urination will then
in regards to the
straints as dete
\egetatronsoil type
and the age of 'e:
'egelation LUne
F:R1)s14)\ ('1)
The stream ba
control component,
recommended at the
level will desigtiat
n1 the Natty! s free
to be protected ur it
in order to indult
(leek water quality
and the fish habitat
'eye!
1{F: \1
The recreational
1 he property w 111
much as it exists
being an extensive 1
ahon The primary
Iacility ot the pr
reniaun the exte
system. which ca
throughout the year.
At the Master P
conceptual diagram
to designate the pr
system which will,
part, use the ex
system. Some alter
prove necessary o
where existing ones
able to withstand an
use. These alteratio
seen as necessary
direct people from
which now fall
property.
This winter ( 198
signage was erected
ary basis. It is hoped
winter, a permanent
ing system will be
The intent of this m
ensure that any new
property will be a
orient themselves an
property.
NATURAL POND—Scene along the nature trail at Naftel's Creek Conservation Area.
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DEVELOPMENT B