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Lincolnville Comprehensive Plan
Critical Natural Resources |
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| INTRODUCTION
The natural resources of a community- -its scenic views, wetlands, plant and wildlife habitats, and the fish, fowl and animals that live in these habitats and the scenic resources of the area are all part of what makes a town special. In the following section, we will examine the diversity of Lincolnville’s natural resources. WETLANDS The importance of wetland habitats cannot be underestimated. They form an integral part of the natural water system providing a special habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, aiding in flood control, helping to control soil erosion and playing an important role in a variety of other natural functions. Wetlands serve many functions. Some of the more valuable functions of wetlands are:
Source: A Method for Wetland Functional Assessment (Adamus, 1983) Identification of Wetlands: Maine wetlands are commonly referred to as bogs, marshes, or swamps. Wetlands can be identified in several ways: by soil type, vegetation and degree of flooding. In order for an area to be classified as a wetland, it must meet all three criteria. Hydric soils are soils that are saturated or flooded for a period of time during the growing season. This flooding interferes with free oxygen access to plant roots, resulting in poor plant growth. In Maine, the Soil and Water Conservation Service has defined wetland soils as being those where the water table is within 12 inches of the surface for two weeks or more during the growing season. Twelve hydric soils have been identified in Waldo County, many of which are found in wetlands in Lincolnville. Another way of recognizing a wetland habitat is through the identification of vegetation. Wetland plants are called “hydrophytes,” which means they thrive in an oxygen-poor environment. The State has developed a list of plants which grow in wetlands; the type of wetland can be defined in terms of the various plants growing within it. Among the various plant habitats are salt marshes, inland marshes, bogs, fens, wet meadows, and a variety of forested swamps. Source: Maine Wetlands and Their Boundries (Tiner, 1991) The third and perhaps easiest way to identify wetland areas is to study the movement of water. The “hydrology” of a wetland can be identified by flooding or ponding for one week during the growing season, saturation near the surface for more than two weeks or, in coastal regions, periodic flooding by the tide. This type of hydrology promotes the establishment and growth of hydrophytic plants. Wetland Maps: There have been a number of maps created by State and Federal agencies showing wetlands within the town of Lincolnville. The most recent map, The National Wetlands Inventory Map. attempts to show wetlands as small as one to three acres. At the State level, the Geological Survey has produced the Maine Inventory of Freshwater Wetlands Map. which identifies non-forested wetlands of 10 acres or larger. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has identified and rated wetland habitats important to various waterfowl and wading birds on a topographical map. Regulation of Wetlands: In 1987, the Maine Legislature passed the Natural Resources Protection Act. Wetlands protected under this law include both coastal and fresh-water wetlands. The fresh water wetlands have to be more than 10 acres in size or, if less than 10 acres, be located adjacent to a surface body of water, that, in combination with the wetland, is greater than 10 acres in size. This law, and the rules derived from it, was the model for the wetlands sections in the Guidelines for Municipal Shoreland Zoning Ordinances, published by the Department of Environmental Protection in the spring of 1990, and adopted as part of the Lincolnville Shoreland Zoning of 1991. It is estimated that Lincolnville has more than 250 wetlands. The major wetlands basins are Mullins Bog, which flows into Megunticook Lake, the “meadow” which flows into Norton Pond, and the wetlands associated with Ducktrap Stream and its tributaries. From late 1989 through the spring of 1991, the Lincolnville Conservation Commission researched and recommended a number of wetland areas for inclusion in the Resource Protection District of the new Lincolnville Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. These recommendations have been adopted into that Ordinance. SIGNIFICANT PLANT HABITATS Lincolnville is fortunate to have a wide diversity of natural landscapes. Elevation, soil profiles, and exposure to sun, wind, and salt, all play a part in providing an ecological setting for a host of natural communities. The Natural Heritage Program has defined a “natural community” as “An assemblage of interacting plants and animals cutting across the landscape in which the effects of human intervention are minimal.” For example, the Ducktrap River watershed has a variety of different natural communities within its boundaries: upland bogs with hydric soils and hydrophyte plants, the passage at the base of Ducktrap mountain where the river pitches steeply over exposed bedrock, and the estuarine communities where fresh and salt water mix. These different natural communities combine to form a larger “ecosystem”. Significant plant habitats include those areas where threatened, endangered or rare plant species live. Two State programs, the Natural Heritage Program and the Critical Areas Program, provide information on the condition and location of rare plant species and areas critical to support those species. As of September of 1991, Lincolnville has no sites indexed in these programs. In the context of this section, “rare” refers to plant species that meet one of the following four criteria: species at the limit of their range, species with a small natural range, species requiring a habitat scarce in Maine, and finally, species that are declining due to a variety of reasons. Although Lincolnville has no sites on the State list, there are a variety of habitats that are very special either because the species found in these locations are rare in this part of Maine or the aggregation of species indicates unique ecological conditions, particularly with respect to soils. Three areas deserve special consideration: Moody Mountain, The bog between Knight and Pitcher Ponds, and Megunticook Mountain near the Camden line. Moody Mountain: The flora on Moody Mountain is significant because it differs from the surrounding area. This is primarily attributable to the limestone found in this spot. On the southwest side of the notch and in the hollow and ridge above, the following rare, native plant species are found:
Megunticook Mountain: On the Talus Ledges located below Maiden Cliff and the Millerite Ledges, lime outcroppings also provide an ideal habitat for certain lime-loving species. Deny Mountain: The Eastern slope of this mountain contains limestone. The following lime-loving species live in this habitat:
As previously mentioned, Lincolnville has approximately 250 wetlands. One of the more special is the bog located between Pitcher and Knights Ponds. This quaking bog is home to various species of plants found in both northern and southern bogs. The following rare species can be found there:
Lake Megunticook: In the cove north of Balance Rock, the following unusual species are found:
Ducktrap River: This stream and its tributaries, Black and Kendall Brooks, contain unique natural communities. Much of this land, either because of its inaccessibility or swampiness, has remained relatively undisturbed since colonial times. It serves as a natural preserve for a variety of plant and animal species. Among the uncommon plants found in this environment are:
SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE HABITATS In 1988, the Legislature amended Maine’s Endangered Species Act, by adding essential habitat protection. “Essential habitats” are areas that provide physical and biological features essential to the preservation of “Endangered” of “Threatened”species in Maine. Bald Eagle nest sites are the only areas currently designated as “Essential Habitats”. “Significant Wildlife Habitats” are defined by the Natural Resources Protection Act to include habitats for:
In 1991, the State had 17 wildlife species on its “Endangered Species” list: eight were birds, five were whales and the remainder reptiles. Endangered species are in immediate danger of eradication. The bald eagle is one of the birds identified. The State has reported that bald eagles occasionally use the Ducktrap River in spring and summer as a foraging area. Also in 1991, the State had five wildlife species on its “Threatened Species” list.These are species that will become endangered if current populations continue to decline. The spotted turtle is one of the “Threatened Species”. There was an unconfirmed spotted turtle siting in Levenseller Pond in 1988. In addition to the endangered and threatened species mentioned above, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has developed a species list of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish which are likely to occur in Waldo County. The 30 mammals range in size from shrew to moose. Among the less common species observed locally, particularly in the Ducktrap watershed, are fisher, otter, moose and coyotes. There have also been numerous sightings reported of large cats with long sweeping tails. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has identified three deer wintering areas in Lincolnville. Two are located on the southern side of Moody Mountain and one on the southwest slope of Ducktrap Mountain. Birds: In addition to the bald eagle, 57 individual bird species as well as 17 families of the more common types of birds, have been identified as likely to occur in Waldo County. As part of the program studying Significant Wildlife Habitats, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has identified 15 Waterfowl and Wading Bird Habitats in Lincolnville. Waterfowl include ducks and geese, while wading birds include bitterns, herons, egrets, ibils, rails, coots and moorhens. These 13 habitats are closely associated with the ponds and wetlands system in Lincolnville. Seven of the habitats are located along the Ducktrap and its tributaries. One is located in the bog between Pitcher and Knight Ponds. One is located in the Rankins Point area of Coleman Pond. Six are located in the wetlands associated with the Norton Pond watershed. Four are located in wetlands associated with the Megunticook watershed. Note: Please refer to the “Environmentally Sensitive Areas Map” SCENIC VIEWS Among Lincolnville’s most valuable and important resources are its scenic resources. Lincolnville’s identity, how it sees itself as a community, how it is seen by the many visitors who pass through it, has much to do with the extraordinary quality and number of scenic views within its boundaries. Breathtaking panoramas of the bay and islands can be viewed from the mountains. The mountains and hills, next to ponds, lakes and rivers, are the backdrop to a countless variety of significant views. The views can be from the roads, by the side of a lake or river, along one of its beaches, or looking inland from a boat on the bay. Methods of inventorying and mapping scenic views are still in their infancy. Yet the importance of collecting this data should not be diminished. They are one of this towns most valuable assets. The process of mapping views should be ongoing. The following map includes many but not all of the towns’ significant scenic views. Many of the views overlap each other. The three separate colors were used to achieve some clarity in mapping. They indicate views that are in opposite directions of others. |
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