Natural Resource Inventory and Open Space Conservation Plan
Abstract
Willington’s Natural Resource Inventory and Open Space Conservation Plan (NRIOSCP) serves as a comprehensive index of the town’s open space, and its natural and cultural resources.  It sets out goals and recommendations for using, promoting, and protecting those resources and spaces.  The NRIOSCP was developed by the town’s Conservation Commission over the course of several years with help and diverse input of townspeople and professionals from related fields.  It was completed in October 2007 and is included as an appendix in the town’s 2006 Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD).  The Conservation Commission intends to update and amend the NRIOSCP at least once every ten years, as is required for the PoCD, to stay current with the contemporary conditions and goals of the town.

The NRIOSCP is organized into four chapters.  Chapter 1 provides a review of the responsibilities of the Conservation Commission and the benefits of open space, and most importantly, defines the purpose of the document.  Chapter 2 describes the methods employed in the data gathering phase of the project.   Chapter 3, broken down by resource type, provides an index of the natural and cultural resources in town and offers goals and recommendations for protecting each of those resources.  The final chapter of the NRIOSCP presents an inventory of the undeveloped open space in Willington, and using the data gathered in Chapter 3, makes recommendations for continued protection of open space areas in Willington.

Frequently asked questions regarding Willington’s NRIOSCP:
  • Why was this document drafted?  
The NRIOSCP was drafted to meet the Commission’s state and municipal obligations and responsibilities.  As specified in Chapter 97, Section 7-131a of the Connecticut General Statutes (as revised in 1994), the purpose of the Willington Conservation Commission is to foster the development, conservation, supervision, and regulation of natural resources, including water resources within its territorial limits.  In accordance with state statutes, the Commission must also conduct research into the utilization and possible utilization of land areas of the town.  State statutes also permit the Commission to make recommendations on proposed land use changes and to recommend plans and programs for the development and use of all open areas in town to other municipal agencies.   The timing of the development of the NRIOSCP was driven by the Willington’s Planning and Zoning Commission’s review and redrafting of the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (PoCD).  Under Section 4.5 of the PoCD Action Plan (Chapter 6, Table 6.1), the development of a NRIOSCP is highlighted as a specific objective of the Conservation Commission.  For more information regarding the PoCD, please refer to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  

  • Is this document exclusive to Willington or do surrounding towns have documents similar to this?
This document is not exclusive to Willington.  As stipulated by the Connecticut General Statutes, all conservation commissions must produce similar open space inventories and land-use research.  Therefore the surrounding towns with conservation commissions have (or are mandated to have) similar documents.  Willington’s NRIOSCP is modeled after documents previously produced by the Conservation Commissions in Brooklyn and Woodstock, Connecticut.  

  •  What is “Open Space” and what is the difference between committed open space and uncommitted open space?
Generally, open space refers to undeveloped land and water areas.  As defined by the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetland Commissions, uncommitted open space consists of areas that are undeveloped, but not permanently protected by legal restriction.  One example of uncommitted open space in town is the University of Connecticut’s 320 acre Moss Forest.  The Conservation Commission has defined committed open space as “land or water that is permanently preserved in either a near –natural or agricultural state that is absent of commercial or residential development and where any development would be limited to agricultural structures or passive recreational improvements, such as hiking trails, swimming or picnic areas.”  The Nipmuck State Forest and the Fenton-Ruby Park are examples of committed open space in Willington.  For more information regarding committed and uncommitted open space in Willington refer to pages 27-29 and Appendix C of the NRIOSCP.

  • Where did the Conservation Commission get the information presented in this document?
The Willington Conservation Commission spent many months reviewing sources of conservation information to determine which natural resources and cultural features were important to catalog and protect.  We investigated various methodologies used by other towns and we sought advice and assistance from additional sources to determine what information to gather, how to interpret it, and how to create basic and integrated maps.  The acknowledgement section of the NRIOSCP identifies the individuals who assisted in the development of the document and a full reference list for our data gathering is provided at the end of the document (pp. 31-34).

  • How were the maps of the NRIOSCP produced?  
Most of the maps included in the NRIOSCP were created using geographic information system (GIS) data available from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection.  We were fortunate to have a town resident, who is a professional GIS specialist, assist the Commission with the development of the maps.  As these maps are living documents, members of the Conservation Commission have been trained to update the maps as necessary.

  • I am interested in the information the Conservation Commission put together; where can I get a better look at the maps of this document?
In addition to the internet links included on this page, all the maps produced for the NRIOSCP are available in the copies of the NRIOSCP kept at Willington’s Land Use Office, Town Clerk’s Office and Library.  They are also displayed in the downstairs meeting room of the Town Office Building, 40 Old Farms Road and are available for public viewing when the Town Office Building is open.

  • On Map 16 of the NRIOSCP my property is highlighted as a “Conservation Priority Area.” Does that mean that the Conservation Commission or the town is going to take my land?
No, in no way does Map 16 indicate that the Conservation Commission or the town is looking to take land from landowners.  Map 16 is a product of the Conservation Commission’s systematic natural and cultural resource survey (see question 5 for more details).  The areas on Map 16 contain undeveloped parcels of land that are larger than 25 acres and include a high concentration of  important natural and/or cultural resources.   See page 29 of the NRIOSCP for a thorough description of the methods used to produce Map 16.  This map does not suggest the Conservation Commission is looking to acquire the high resource areas in town.  Rather, the Commission is looking to ensure that resources contained in these areas are identified as valuable and will try to work with landowners to consider conservation options that may ultimately preserve or minimize impact to these resources.  

  • How are the recommendations at the end of Chapter 4 to be used?  Are they town law?
The recommendations at the end of Chapter 4 of the NRIOSCP are not town law.  They are recommendations for the town to consider when drafting land-use policies.  According to state law, conservation commissions have no regulatory role.  Our mission is to compile and analyze information to provide guidance to municipal boards and town residents.  As such, this document is strictly advisory.  
 
  • How can I get involved to help Willington meet the conservation goals laid out in this document?
There are a number of ways individuals can get involved.  You can attend the Conservation Commission’s monthly meetings, which are held on the fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 pm in the downstairs meeting room of the Town Office Building.  You can become a member of the Friends of Fenton-Ruby Park, a group that is involved with the activities and upkeep of Fenton-Ruby Park and receives regular updates from the Conservation Commission regarding conservation topics.  Alternatively, you can get involved with Joshua’s Trust or one of the other conservation organizations that are listed on our links page.  

Below are links regarding the Conservation Commission's Natural Resource Inventory and Open Space Conservation Plan: