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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. va:ru.d:"•',.....y.si«as..72:To—/T 'eL'ZhS;'.XC.:.'"'_'' n,. Vf5RT.,n v `.!RV:,n, m .. x✓3. ✓ '^*'fi ^*c'�Ci'"f"hi9,�+'�ttft'tJ1:. �cY'.^. ...^?,. r: n..S*" �YM;nse' DEVELOPMENT B