Summary of Open Space Acquisition and Conservation Easement Recommendation Metrics How Metric is Measured
Indicates Higher Protection Priority When
Metric Points
Parcel Area (acres)
Parcel size is large, suggesting greater opportunity for contiguous undeveloped areas to benefit wildlife and provide recreation.
> 50 ac = 5pts; 25 to 50 ac = 4 pts; 15 to 25 ac = 3 pts; 10 to 15 ac = 2 pts; < 10 ac = 1 pt.
2. Connectivity
Area of adjacent protected open space and/or connectivity to existing or proposed trail systems
Connectivity is high; the parcel is adjacent to other protected areas (prevent fragmentation of a large protected forest tract), undeveloped forested areas, or provides access to existing or proposed trails.
Ranking from 1 pt = minimal adjacent existing open space or connectivity to trails to 5 pts = parcel adjacent to large unfragmented forested area with access to trails.
3. Development Potential
Based on slope, wetland, and floodplain areas
Development potential is high; suggesting that the parcel is a good candidate for future development based on slope, wetland, and floodplain areas.
Ranking from 1 pt = low development potential to 5 pts = high development potential.
4. Floodplain Area
Percentage of parcel containing 100- or 500-year flood zone areas
A higher percentage floodplain area in the parcel; preserve natural flood storage or function (to the 500 year flood level).
5. Wetland Area
Percentage of parcel containing wetland soils
Wetland soils percentage is high; suggesting that the parcel supports, enhances or protects biodiversity.
6. Stream Vicinity
Length of stream that is within or buffering the parcel
A high order or headwaters stream is located on the parcel; suggesting that protecting the parcel would maintain stream buffers for wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
Metric
1. Parcel Size
Ranking from 1 pt = no flood zone area in the parcel to 5 pts = majority of parcel contains flood zone areas. Ranking from 1 pt = no wetland soils in the parcel to 5 pts = majority of parcel contains wetland soils. Ranking from 1 pt = parcel does not buffer or contain a stream to 5 pts = parcel buffering or contains a high order or headwater stream. Higher ranking is given to higher order streams and headwater streams compared to tributaries.
F:\P2007\1468\A10\Watershed Management Plan\Appendices\E - Open Space\Open Space Parcel Assessment.doc Corres. (MA)
Ranking Results for Priority Parcel Acquisition and Conservation Easement Recommendations
Development Potential
Floodplain Area
Wetland Area
Stream Vicinity
Total Score
Parcel Parcel Size Location (acres) No. Parcels Recommended for Acquisition: 1 Griffin Rd/Newbury Rd 33.7 4 Tunxis Ave @ 2 Ridgeview Dr 11.2 2 Tunxis Ave @ 3 Ridgeview Dr 13.6 2 Tunxis Ave @ Terry 4 Plains Rd 2.2 1 Tunxis Ave @ Terry 5 Plains Rd 2.6 1 6 Albany Ave 35.0 4 7 Sharon St 3.2 1 8 Woodland Ave 21.8 3 Duncaster Rd 9 (Kelly Farm) 44.9 4 10 Simsbury Rd 15.1 3 Parcels Recommended for Conservation Easement: 11 Hall Blvd 28.3 4 Homestead Ave (Goodwin’s Wild) 12 26.0 4 13 Maple Ave 109.3 5 14 Dorothy Dr 17.5 3 15 Ryefield Hollow Dr 63.6 5 Homestead Ave (Goodwin’s Wild) 16 4.1 1 17 Wintonbury Ave 70.5 5 18 Harvest Ln 36.3 4 19 Mark Twain Dr 24.0 3 20 Wyndemere Rd 1.1 1
Connectivity
Parcel Size
Criteria Ranking (scoring ranges from 1=low priority to 5=high priority)
3
4
4
4
4
23
3
2
5
4
5
21
3
2
5
4
5
21
3
2
5
4
5
20
3 4 4 3
2 5 3 5
5 1 1 2
4 2 5 2
5 3 5 3
20 19 19 18
5 1
4 3
2 1
2 5
1 4
18 17
5
1
5
5
5
25
5 1 3 4
3 2 2 5
4 5 5 1
4 5 4 2
5 5 5 5
25 23 22 22
5 4 4 1 3
3 5 2 1 2
4 1 1 5 5
4 2 5 5 4
5 4 5 5 5
22 21 21 20 20
F:\P2007\1468\A10\Watershed Management Plan\Appendices\E - Open Space\Open Space Parcel Assessment.doc Corres. (MA)