Draft Land Unit Plan
THE SITE AND ITS REGIONAL SETTING
Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA), located in northern Kent County, is a 991 acre complex of rolling woodland, agricultural land and wetlands. Given its almost 3 miles of shoreline along the Sassafras River and Turner’s Creek and a variety of habitat types, Sassafras supports a diversity of flora and fauna. Acquired by the State in 1995 with Program Open Space funds and widespread public support, the site conserves important natural and historic resources and provides opportunities for public recreation and education in an area where such a facility was lacking.
Sassafras NRMA is managed by the State Forest and Park Service, as part of the Tuckahoe State Park complex, on the Eastern Shore. It is managed to conserve, protect and enhance existing wildlife habitat, fisheries, and other natural resources. The NRMA currently offers a variety of low-impact recreational opportunities such as hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, nature study, hunting, fishing, and limited group camping, but there are no facilities for the public.
THE LAND UNIT PLAN
The draft land unit plan is the result of a process that includes input from resource professionals within the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a Citizen Advisory Committee and local government officials. Initially, an evaluation of the site’s existing conditions and potential for resource protection and public use was conducted. Based on this information, an interim concept plan for Sassafras was developed and presented to the public for review and comment at a Public Meeting held in 1996. Subsequent to this review, additional resource information as well as management recommendations were collected from an interdisciplinary team of resource professionals, including a fisheries biologist, a wildlife biologist, a Heritage ecologist, a forester and the land manager (check out a copy of Existing Conditions Map #2 118KB). Based on this input, a draft land unit plan was completed and circulated for review by DNR and the Citizen Advisory Committee. A public review of the proposed plan will begin with the meeting scheduled for April 8, 2002.
The draft land unit plan offers a comprehensive set of goals and recommendations for management of natural and cultural resources and for education and recreational use of the site. It includes a concept plan (check out a copy of Land Unit Concept Plan Map #6 98KB) that identifies three broad use areas based on underlying resources and the primary activities appropriate to each area. The site plan emphasizes conservation of natural habitats and proposes limited day use and educational facilities.
MANAGEMENT GOALS
The broad management goal for Sassafras NRMA is:
...to implement land management practices which protect, promote, and enhance the site's natural and cultural resources, and to integrate compatible facilities and programs for recreation and education into this framework.
To achieve this major goal, the planning team developed specific goals for resource management, education, and recreation, which are summarized below. These desired conditions will be achieved through annual work plans developed and implemented by the land manager in coordination with resource professionals at DNR and community partners.
Wildlife Conservation
Fisheries Conservation
Conservation of Rare Species and Other Sensitive Natural and Cultural Resources
Maintenance Of Natural Processes
Forestry And Other Vegetation Management
Agriculture/Soil And Water Conservation
Recreation And Education
SITE PLAN
The site plan emphasizes the retention of forest, the conservation of natural habitats, the enhancement of wildlife and fisheries habitat, and provides opportunities for the public to enjoy and learn about these natural resources. Limited day use facilities are proposed, including two picnic pavilions with attached rest rooms and the renovation of an existing historic home (used in the past as a private hunting lodge) to serve as a nature center. The plan delineates three broad areas within the site and suggests appropriate conservation and public use activities for each. These areas are as follows:
Day Use Area
From the lodge, gently sloping terraces lead eastward down to the tidal marsh. These terraces will be planted with native grasses to provide wildlife habitat and preserve scenic views. An observation tower may be built to provide a birds-eye view of the tidal marsh. Improved trails will provide opportunities for hiking, nature observation, hunting and fishing access. A trail will guide visitors east along the woodland border to a level access point along the shoreline.
Natural Area
Multi-Use Area
Proposed Facilities
The limited facility development at Sassafras will occur in phases. At present, only Phase I capital improvements have been approved for funding. Phase II improvements will be submitted once the plan is approved, but there is no guarantee when the Phase II facilities will be built.
Phase I
Phase II
Siting and construction schedules for all facilities at Sassafras NRMA will be planned to avoid impacts to sensitive areas and wildlife, and will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary team before implementation.
Additional recreational, educational, and safety improvements are recommended in the plan, such as a system of hiking trails, a possible wildlife observation tower, signs and a safety fence along the steep bluffs. Land managers will work cooperatively with the Nature Tourism Program and the interdisciplinary team to locate and obtain potential sources of grants and other funds to implement these and similar objectives.
Raj Williams Eastern Region Planning Chief Department of Natural Resources 580 Taylor Avenue, E-4 Annapolis MD 21401 410-260-8416
|