The Hanover Conservation Council has been working to gather and share information on the ecologically important lands in the Route 120 Corridor in both Hanover and Lebanon. Please read the Rt. 120 Corridor Vision Statement from the Hanover Conservation Council for this area.
Water Company Land Position Statement
Position Statement on the Municipalization of the Hanover Water Works Company:
The Board of Directors of the Hanover Conservation Council, at a meeting on April 27, 2009, unanimously adopted the following summary and position statement regarding the municipalization of the Hanover Water Works Company.
POSITION STATEMENT:
The Hanover Conservation Council supports the proposal to consider municipalization of the Hanover Water Works Company and the new 50:50 ownership and governance structure of a reconstituted land management company.
The Council believes the open discussion of the proposal is an important step forward and provides the opportunity to explore future possibilities for stronger land protection, consistent with the Council’s mission and the stated aims of the Town Master Plan and Open Space Priorities Plan.
Protection of Natural Habitat in the Route 120 Corridor
Rt. 120 – Mount Support
PROTECTION OF NATURAL HABITAT in the Route 120 Corridor
The Route 120 Corridor in Lebanon and Hanover contains some astounding beauty and ruggedness, with habitats harboring an exceptional richness of wildlife.
Although commercial and residential developments are prevalent along the major roadways (Rt. 120, Greensboro Road and Great Hollow Road), the interior contains more than 500 acres of contiguous forest with diverse habitats and natural features. It is truly a unique landscape worthy of protection.
With further development slated for this growing area, many residents attended public meetings in 2007 and 2008 to expressed their desire to protect the “wild” areas in this corridor. Both Lebanon and Hanover residents voiced their support for this ecologically and geologically diverse area, and their commitment to maintaining its environmental quality.
We recognize the ecological value of the 120 Corridor, and strongly agree with the many residents committed to its protection. The Hanover Conservancy envisions the permanent conservation of this relatively wild core interior area with its diverse flora and fauna, fragile wetlands, critical wildlife corridors, and distinctive geological features. To that end, we have begun working to forge partnerships, facilitate discussions, and begin the necessary steps to make this happen for the future of our communities.
This is a unique opportunity for our two communities to work together to maintain the integrity of this special wilderness. Bears, birds and other wildlife have no concern for town boundaries as they move about the forest. Let us not limit our conservation actions by some line on a map.
THE LAND
It is remarkable that, so close to our town centers, there are lands with qualities we generally associate with much more extensive and remote wilderness. Fortunately, the ruggedness of these areas and long-term stable ownership have protected them from major disturbances in the past.
The core habitat areas of the 120 Corridor are bordered by three major roads: Rte 120, Greensboro Road and Great Hollow Road (see map). The northern part of the 120 Corridor drains to Mink Brook, the southern part to the Mascoma River, and both of these flow to the Connecticut River. This large interior forested area includes Mt. Support, Rix Ledges, many wetlands that support rare species and plant community types on a diverse terrain of large boulders and outcrops.
A network of adjacent conservation lands provides travel corridors for wildlife, and increase the conservation value of the Route 120 Corridor. These neighboring conservation lands include the Appalachian Trail, Mink Brook Nature Preserve, Greensboro Ridge Natural Area, Hypertherm Wetlands and Great Hollow Forest in Hanover, and Indian Ridge, the Landmark Tract, and Boston Lot Lake in Lebanon.
A. THE CASE FOR LAND PROTECTION:
Multiple reports (e.g., Lebanon’s Natural Resource Inventory, and work by The Nature Conservancy and NH Fish and Game) document the many wetland areas, small streams, rich deciduous forests, high quality wildlife habitat, rare plants and unusual rock formations in the Rt. 120 corridor. Noteworthy features include:
- Quality habitat and populations of bear, moose, bobcat and other mammals, characteristic of wilderness areas in New England
- Exemplary bog and acidic seepage swamp habitats
- Barrens strawberry -included on the state’s list of threatened plants
- Stream edges include hemlock talus forests and mixed hardwood deciduous forests
- Extensive forested wetlands with streams flowing north to Mink Brook
- Glacial erratics, boulder fields, ridges, rock faces and amphitheaters
- Extensive bands of maidenhair fern, rattlesnake plantain and cathedral pines.
- Examples of near-old-growth trees
Furthermore, the 2008 NH Fish and Game Department report emphasizes that land conservation efforts are critical for the significant wildlife movement that takes place in the corridor.
B. CONSERVATION PRIORITIES
The Conservancy believes that community plans must protect core natural areas, and separate these undisturbed natural areas from commercial and residential developments with adequate buffer zones. We encourage the use of “smart growth” principles which concentrate buildings near existing infrastructure and conserve open lands and access routes that minimize environmental damage. Project planning must consider these objectives.
- Core natural habitat in the 120 Corridor must be protected from disturbance and increased development. Preserve existing wildlife corridors in the interior and create new ones across roads and developed areas.
- Buffer streams to protect water quality.
- Protect Mount Support and Rix Ledges. These are important examples of geologically uplifted lands with very dramatic topography. This accentuates their remote, wild character.
- Any public access trails should be kept at a minimum and be near developments, avoiding the most sensitive lands.
C. CURRENT STATUS
The City of Lebanon has now granted approval for Phase I of development on 15 acres at the former Wilson Tire site. Conservation of lands on the Lebanon side is included in plans for a later phase that is currently contingent upon further approvals and an inter-municipal agreement to address sewerage treatment. On the Hanover side, discussions have not yet advanced.
CONCLUSION
It is essential to develop an overarching plan for future developments in the 120 Corridor. We need to think beyond our human town boundaries and avoid piecemeal development approvals to define the overall character of this unique area. The Hanover Conservancy supports the conservation of this large, core natural area while development moves forward under smart growth principles.
Mink Brook Bridge Project
On January 16th, 2009 Chippers began the work needed for the construction of the Mink Brook log bridge. Thank you to Chippers for the donation of services to Hanover Conservation Council’s Mink Brook Bridge Project. The Council looks forward to working with Tahawus Trails and many Council volunteers in the coming months as we move towards the completion of the log bridge.
Owner and operator of Tahawus Trails, Eddie Walsh, helped coordinate the efforts of community volunteers who assisted with moving the logs adjacent to the crossings future location.
Slade Brook Dedication Fall 2008
The Hanover Conservation Council dedicated the lower Slade Brook conservation area in honor of Jim and Evalyn Hornig on Friday, November 7, 2008. Jim Hornig has been a visionary leader in land conservation efforts including the protection of the Slade Brook watershed.
Mink Brook Nature Preserve Protected!
See also the article in the Valley News – Thursday, March 11, 1999
A special thanks to all our volunteers and supporters who made this effort possible.
As recently as mid-November 1998 residential development of the Barrett-Ransmeier land on the Mink Brook in Hanover seemed imminent. In a remarkable turnabout, less than three months later the Hanover Conservation Council assumed ownership and responsibility for stewardship of this remarkable property on behalf of the people of Hanover, their children, and for future generations.
As the Mink Brook Nature Preserve, this land, which is home to wildlife including deer, fisher, and fox – as well as mink – will be maintained as a place where people can repair to enjoy the solitude and beauty of wild nature. All within walking distance of downtown Hanover.
The Hanover Conservation Council expresses its thanks and admiration to all who have made this possible:
… to the Barrett and Ransmeier families, who knew and loved this land, and who shared our joy when conservation became a viable alternative to development,
… to the anonymous donor, whose initial magnificent challenge gift galvanized the community to accomplish what so recently seemed impossible,
… to The Upper Valley Land Trust, whose staff skillfully transformed that challenge into an achievable community project,
… to a special friend of the Hanover Conservation Council, whose support provided a giant step toward meeting that challenge and assured ultimate success of the project,
… to the volunteer fundraising committee, whose enthusiasm and persistence met the goal in the time that most committees take to get themselves organized,
… to the over 450 donors, large and small, members of the Council and others, who responded to the challenge and made the dream a reality.
Hanover Conservation Council Board of Directors
Robert Norman, Edwin Chamberlain, Shawn Donovan, Stephens Fowler, Patricia Higgins, James Hornig, Hugh Mellert, and Karen Watson.
For more information contact the HCC at 643-3433