Section 4 - Environmental Inventory and Analysis

West Newbury Town Center

A. Geology, Soils and Topography

1. Topography

The West Newbury terrain is gently rolling. The landscape consists of a series of elongated drumlin hills, upland terraces, and broad valleys formed by a succession of glacial ice advances and retreats. Elevation ranges from less than 50 feet above mean sea level (msl) along the Merrimack River to 260 feet above msl on Brake Hill. Surface drainage is to the Merrimack River (along the Town's northern boundary) and, to a lesser extent, the Parker River basin (from the Town's southern corner).

2. Geology

Much of the Town is underlain by Merrimack Quartzite bedrock, a resistant formation of fine-grained slatey phyllite that extends in a wide belt along the Merrimack River from the western boundary of Essex County eastward to Newburyport and Salisbury. Much of this bedrock resisted glacial scour, and now serves as the core of a plateau that stands somewhat above the terrain to the east and south. Topping this plateau is a series of elongated drumlin hills (examples are Archelaus Hill and Long Hill) composed of thick deposits of very clayey, slowly-permeable till. Away from the drumlins, in the lowland areas along stream courses and wetlands, the till is irregular and thin (in places less than several inches thick). Outcroppings of bedrock are found only in the far-southern part of Town, and expansive deposits of sand and gravel are essentially absent.

3. Soils

The soils of West Newbury vary widely, often changing types within small areas. They range from small, excessively-drained deposits of sand and loam on hill sides to extensive deposits of very poorly drained organic materials and till in wetland areas and on ridge tops. The many soil types present in the Town have been grouped into 5 general soil associations that are identified in Table 4-1. Descriptive information on the five general soil associations follows Table 4-1, and includes the land use constraints of each. The soil types grouped by development limitations are mapped by the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service and are illustrated in Figure 4-1.

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A. Geology, Soils and Topography, Continued

Table 4-1: General Soils Associations and Distribution

General Soil Associations	WN Acres	WN %	Topography	Slope	WN Soils within Association
Charlton-Sutton	3,495	37	undulating; 50 to 150' above msl	3-30%	Charlton (wd)- 40%, Sutton (mwd)-30%; remainder: Canton (wd), Paxton (wd), Action (mwd), Leicester (pd), Whitman (vpd)
Scantic-Biddeford-Leicester	1,739	19	level to slightly undulating	0-8%	Scantic-30%, Biddeford-25%, Leicester-15%, remainder: Muck (vpd), tidal marsh, Whately (vpd), Swanton (pd), Whareham (pd), Buxton (mwd), Charlton (wd)
Hollis-Charlton-Sutton	1,498	16	irregular knolls rising 50-100' above surroundings	3-35%	Hollis (wd)-45%, Charlton (wd)-25%, Sutton (mwc)-10%, remainder: Muck (vpd), Biddeford (vpd), Whitman (vpd), Leicester (pd), Scantic (pd), Buxton (mwd)
Paxton-Woodbridge	1,049	11	scattered hills rising about 100' above surroundings	3-30%	Woodbridge (mwd)-60%, Paxton (wd)-15%, remainder: Hollis (wd), Charlton (wd), Sutton (mwd), Leicester (pd), Ridgebury (pd), Whitman (vpd)
Windsor-Scantic-Hadley-Elmwood	665	7	undulating to hilly; elevations less than 50' above msl	0-25%	Windsor (vwd)-25%, Scantic (pd)-10%,Hadley (wd)-10%, Elmwood (mwd)-10%, remainder-Merrimac (wd), Charlton (wd), Agawam (wd), Deerfield (mwd), Swanton (pd), Saco (vpd)
Excluded from survey (Ash Swamp, surface waters, Merrimack River)	935	10
TOTAL	9,382	100

vwd = very well drained, wd = well drained, mwd = moderately well drained,

pd = poorly drained, vpd = very poorly drained

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Figure 4-1: Soil Types Grouped by Development Limitations

use map from Essex County survey here. Replace soil association names with development limitation info on legend.

A. Geology, Soils and Topography, Continued

The Town continues to be divided into three residential districts with increased density (Zone C, 20,000sf) being located near Main Street, which is serviced by Town water service. The areas that require wells remain in two acre zoning (Zone A). Thus, the “outlying” areas of Town are zoned as two acres minimum lots, whereas lots along Main Street and towards the Merrimac River are zoned at one-half and one-acre minimums.

Because the entire Town is reliant on private septic systems, lot sizes are also designed around the land’s ability to host them. In general, the soils and topography south and east of the Main Street corridor are less capable of supporting higher density residential development than other sections of Town. These “outlying” areas have steeper slopes, less permeable soils, and areas of ledge (in the southeastern corner of Town).

Until recently, zoning has not attempted to protect desirable areas such as farm lands, scenic
views, well protection areas, and public water supply watersheds. However, in 2002, the
Planning Board initiated efforts toward protecting open space through newly adopted zoning
by-law changes such as the Open Space Preservation Development (OSPD), or “Green
Neighborhoods.” By implementing such changes, the Town seeks to provide
incentives to developers who preserve open space for all residents without limiting the
property rights of the individual landowner. The Planning Board hopes to use such zoning
initiatives to manage the Town’s inevitable growth as wisely as possible.

B. Landscape Character

West Newbury's unique rural character has attracted many newcomers. Yet despite unprecedented growth in recent years, its long and rich agricultural history is still evident throughout the Town, with some remaining farms, orchards, and nurseries dotting the landscape.

Geologically speaking, West Newbury is blessed with a landscape of rolling hills, valleys, and abundant wetlands. This rich diversity of land types supports all manner of wildlife and plant species.

Wending along Main Street (Route 113) and down its less traveled side streets, quiet country lanes, and riverside roads, West Newbury's landscape rises and dips to reveal large open fields still used for haying, expanses of woods, and scenic hilltop vistas. As the Town grows, the expanses of open space, especially along the river and Main Street, have been greatly diminished. But West Newbury has not yet lost completely it's "old New England" flavor.

So much of West Newbury's charm and character depends on the lively activities that occur in the Town's numerous "centers of activity," which stretch out along and just off of Main Street. The Townspeople conduct their daily business and attend church services in Elwell Square, the small "commercial center" of Town. They congregate at Cammett Park, to cheer on Little Leaguers and soccer players in the "sports center" of Town. They come together to enjoy seasonal celebrations at the Training Field, where the Town's Historic District, its well-used library, and Old Town Hall form West Newbury's "historic civic center."

Further east down main Street, just across from the grammar school, the community gathers each year for a Winter Carnival at Mill Pond Recreational Area, the Town's "passive recreation center." In addition to these community activities, hikers, bicycle riders, cross-country skiers, horseback riders, birders, and others make frequent use of its trails and open fields all year long.

Just above Mill Pond on Pipestave Hill, the "equestrian center" of Town fields frequent horse shows and the start of the annual Myopia Hunt.

The equestrians share the hilltop with the West Newbury Youth League’s regulation-sized soccer field and baseball diamond — forming another “sports center” for older soccer players and Babe Ruth ball players. In an effort to accommodate a growing number of young baseball, soccer, and lacrosse players, the Youth League sought and received funds in 2001 to add three new athletic fields at Pipestave Hill, along with two new softball fields behind the Page School. Work on those fields is now nearing completion.

A conservation restriction, proposed and approved in conjunction with the athletic field expansion, will protect in perpetuity much of the remaining Mill Pond/Pipestave acreage from further muncipal development of any kind.

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B. Landscape Character, continued

These recent changes on Pipestave Hill – the construction of new playing fields in conjunction with a conservation restriction – represent a year-long effort by the Pipestave Hill Land-Use Study Committee. Setting aside old grievances and special interests, representatives of the Youth League, the Parks & Recreation Commission, the Open Space Committee, the Mill Pond Committee, the Conservation Commission, the Riding & Driving Club, the Highway Department, and other, at-large members of the community formed a unique collaboration to forge a land-use compromise for Pipestave Hill. This compromise will serve the needs of all West Newbury residents for generations to come.

As West Newbury grows, all of its residents can appreciate the Town's foresight in acquiring this Conservation Restriction, as well as in purchasing Agricultural Preservation Restrictions on Orcland Farm, Merrill Farm, and Long Hill Orchard; in obtaining the Cardinal Cushing Academy lands for conversion into Page School and the Mill Pond Recreation Area; and in acquiring the 60+ acre Mingo Property for the Riverbend Conservation Area, the 100-acre Brake Hill property, and the Cherry Hill viewshed.

Residents also benefit from the generous acts of individual landowners who have preserved their land through conservation restrictions, or by donating undeveloped parcels to the Town and to private conservation trusts.

As growth and development pressures increase, Town officials and residents continue to work together to protect the lovely landscape that defines the character of the Town.

C. Water Resources

The water resources of West Newbury include both surface water and groundwater. Surface water resources consist of a diverse array of interconnected reservoirs, streams, ponds and wetland areas that serve important ecological functions, as well as provide drinking water and a variety of opportunities for recreation. Groundwater resources supply the Town’s drinking water needs through a public water supply system and private drinking water wells. Figure 4-2 shows the Town's surface waters, major wetlands, flood hazard areas, Town well field and proposed drinking water well locations, and the watershed for the Artichoke Reservoir system (Newburyport's water supply).

1. Surface waters

The Merrimack River: The Merrimack is the region's pre-eminent freshwater resource. This river forms the Town's northern border and offers outstanding opportunities for motorboating, canoeing, fishing, wildlife observation, hunting, and scenic enjoyment. The Town owns a public

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C. Water Resources, continued

boat access near the Rocks Village Bridge, commonly used for fishing by local residents.

The Artichoke Reservoir System: The Artichoke Reservoir watershed covers about one third of the Town, and is shown in Figure 4-2. The Upper and Lower Artichoke system lies on the Town's eastern border with Newburyport. This system is linked to the Indian Hill Reservoir,

and serves as the public water supply for the City of Newburyport. As West Newbury currently purchases a large portion of its drinking water from the City of Newburyport, this reservoir system also provides drinking water to residents of West Newbury on the public water system.

Mill Pond: Mill Pond is a scenic, 16 acre impoundment of the Indian River (a partially tidal river which connects Mill Pond to the Merrimack River). Mill Pond lies just south and east of Main Street and is part of the Town-owned Mill Pond Recreation Area. A cherished recreational resource, Mill Pond was drained in 2001, and 54 thousand cubic yards of sediment were dredged to save the pond from naturally converting into wetlands.

Little Crane Pond: This small open water body is created by a broadening of Beaver Brook near the Town's southern border. Little Crane Pond is connected to Ash Swamp, a 600 acre wetland system consisting of both wooded and open wetlands.

Streams: The Town's major streams are the Indian River, Beaver Brook and the Artichoke River. These three streams and others have recently been afforded additional protection by the 1996 Rivers Protection Act (http://www.state.ma.us/dep/brp/ww/files/riveract.htm). There are numerous tributary streams and wetlands scattered throughout the Town. Together these waters form a rich network of fish and wildlife habitat and afford numerous opportunities for water-based outdoor recreation.

2. Flood Hazard Areas

Figure 4-2 shows the 100 year flood areas (from the 1979 Flood Insurance Rate Map) for the Town. The flood zone along the Merrimack River is based on high waters from the flood of 1938.

3. Wetlands

West Newbury's non-surface water wetlands can be divided into five major types, which are shown in Table 4-2.

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C. Water Resources, continued

Table 4-2: Wetland Resource Types

Type	Description
freshwater marshes	examples occur throughout the Town, most notably within the state-owned Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area (Ash Swamp)
tidal or estuarine marshes	examples in Town include the low-lying areas bordering the Merrimack River, such as the outfall of the Indian River and the shoreline north of Way to the River Road and Emery Lane. (According to the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program, high quality natural communities of this kind are rare in the state. These particular areas bordering the Merrimack are considered the finest example of the "Gulf of Maine Freshwater Tidal Marsh" within the Commonwealth.)
shrub or wooded swamps	examples occur throughout the Town
wet meadows	occur in select locations as part of the more expansive freshwater marshes and wooded swamps
vernal pools	A number of as-yet non-certified vernal pools exist within the Town. (Since 1996, one vernal pool has been certified, and further certification efforts are being pursued by the Conservation Commission.)

The Town has performed rough mapping of its wetland. Orthophoto maps, acquired from the Wetlands Conservancy Program in the late 1990s, provide additional general wetlands information, but do not constitute delineation of wetland resource areas and are no substitute for an on-site delineation. The Conservation Commision would like to update the information from the Wetlands Conservancy Program every few years.

4. Aquifer Recharge Areas

There are two types of aquifers which supply drinking water in West Newbury. These are unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers and consolidated bedrock aquifers. The unconsolidated materials lie on top of the bedrock in varying depths and ability to transmit groundwater. The Town has conducted investigations into the ability of both types of aquifers to provide drinking water for the public water supply system.

Drinking water for the public water supply system is currently obtained from a shallow unconsolidated aquifer located adjacent to the Artichoke Reservoir on the eastern border of the

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C. Water Resources, continued

Town. This wellfield system consists of seven vertical and one horizontal well and is capable of producing an average of 110,000 gallons per day. Numerous investigations in the past have been unsuccessful in identifying additional unconsolidated wells with adequate production rates for public drinking water supply. This has led to investigations into the ability of the bedrock

aquifers to provide drinking water sources. In order to meet the projected demand for drinking water over the next 20 years, exploration of deep bedrock well locations has been a priority. Numerous geologic studies and groundwater investigations have been completed in order to identify locations that would be capable of producing adequate volumes of drinking water. After preliminary pumping tests and consideration of land purchase issues and site constraints, the Town has identified two sites for development as bedrock drinking water wells. These are the Andreas site and the Dunn site.

The Andreas well site is located off Indian Hill Street between Garden and Middle Streets. Extended pumping tests have been completed on the single 6-inch diameter well on site and indicate a safe yield of 145,000 gallons per day. An option to purchase this property was approved at Town Meeting in 2001. In December 2002, the DEP provided the necessary permitting of this site as a public drinking water supply, and the Town will move forward with the actual purchase of the Andreas parcel before June 2003.  This well will not be available for use until at least 2008.

The Dunn well site is located at the intersection of Chase and Middle Streets. A single 6-inch well exists and preliminary pump testing indicates a safe yield of 187,000 gallons per day. Installation of an 8-inch well at this site is predicted to yield closer to 200,000+ gallons per day. Voters at Spring 2002 Town Meeting voted to purchase the entire 71-acre Dunn Property, and permitting is in progress. The well is not likely to be available for use until 2008 or later. Contiguous to Pipestave Hill, the Dunn land will be used for combined water, recreation, agriculture, and future municipal use.

In addition to these public water supply wells, one third of the Town’s residents have private drinking water wells. These are installed in both the consolidated and unconsolidated aquifers, depending on site-specific conditions.

4. Water Resource Protection

The Artichoke Reservoir watershed covers about one third of the Town, and is shown in

Figure 4-2.

Protection of the Town’s water resources is afforded through Federal, State and Local regulations. The permits, which are required for activities affecting water resources, trigger the

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C. Water Resources, continued

review by Town committees and boards, which are familiar with these regulations.

For the reservoir system, land use restrictions are mandated by the State Department of

Environmental Protection (DEP) and are organized into three zones, which are dependent on the

distance from the reservoir. They are designed to prevent contamination of the drinking water

supply directly by discharge to the reservoir and indirectly by runoff or leaching from contaminated land. While recreational use on the water is restricted, most recreational use around the reservoirs – such as hiking and horseback riding – is not. The City of Newburyport has enacted a Surface Water Protection Bylaw, which further restricts land uses around the reservoir system. Although not required by State regulations, West Newbury is considering the adoption of a Surface Water Protection Bylaw to help protect the reservoir system as a drinking water source.

Groundwater drinking water wells in West Newbury are also protected by State DEP regulations, as well as a recently enacted Groundwater Protection Overlay District Bylaw. The Water Department must control a land area with a 400 ft radius around each public drinking water well. Land uses are restricted to those that will not impact the quality of the groundwater as specified by the regulations. Passive recreational uses such as hiking, cross country skiing, bicycling and horseback riding are allowed within the protected area.

The Town is rich in water resources. In an effort to protect our drinking water, the Town
enacted an amendment to the Zoning Bylaws by adding a section entitled “Groundwater
Protection Overlay District ByLaw” in 2000. In order to further the protection of wetlands in
West Newbury, the general mapping of wetlands resource areas, the certification of vernal pools,
and the delineation and protection of Zones of Contribution to the Town's wellfield should be
continued.

Figure 4-2: Water Resources

start with Dawne's map, add delineation of Artichoke watershed (use USGS topo to figure this out), wetlands (again, use USGS topo), and 100 year flood delineation from FIRM map

D. Vegetation

West Newbury contains a diverse mixture of vegetation types, ranging from dense stands of hardwoods in the upland areas and on hill slopes to scattered assemblages of grasses and reeds in the low-lying areas and along stream courses. In between is an assortment of mixed hardwood and softwood forests, abandoned farms, and active farms. The active farms include open land for hay, pasture, apple orchards, nursery plants, and vegetables.

1. Forest Land

Characteristic native tree species include white pine, eastern-red cedar, Atlantic white-cedar, hemlock, white and red oaks, American beech, shagbark hickory, black locust, black cherry and sugar maple on the well-drained uplands; and red ("swamp") maple, various birches, cottonwood, alder and green ash in wetter or lowland areas. American elm and American chestnut saplings are still found in scattered locations throughout the Town. Introduced species (i.e., buckthorn and Norway maple) are naturalized, but are undesirable because they out-compete native species.

2. General Inventory

Common West Newbury plant communities include upland forests (pine and hardwood), wooded swamps, shrub swamps, fresh water marshes, tidal marshes, wet meadows and grasslands. A list of common shrubs and herbaceous plants is provided in Table 4-4.

Table 4-4: Common West Newbury Shrubs and Herbaceous Plants

Shrubs: Open wet meadow plants:

Viburnum recognitum arrow-wood Galium sp. bedstraw

Viburnum lentago nannyberry Mentha sp. mint

Viburnum trilobum cranberrybush Thalictrum sp. meadow rue

Cornus amonum silky dogwood Arisdema sp. jack in the pulpit

Cornus stolinifera red osier dogwood Lilum superbum turks cap lily

Cornus foemina stiff dogwood Lythrum sp. loosestrife

Cornus alternifolia pagoda tree Barbarea sp. winter cress

Lonicera sp honeysuckle Lychnis sp. ragged-robin

Magnolia virginiana sweetbay Lobelia sp. blue lobelia

Clethera alnifolia pepperbush Spiranthes cernua nodding ladies tresses

Lindera benzoin spicebush Eriophorum viriginium cotton grass

Ilex verticillata winterberry Scirpus cyperinus wool grass

Ferns: Woodland wildflowers:

Osmunda regalis Royal fern Cornus canadensis bunchberry

Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon fern Veratrum viride false-hellebore

Thelyperis thelypteriodes Marsh fern Sanguinaria canadensis bloodroot

Osmunda daytoniana Interupted fern Erythronium americanum trout lily

Thelypteris simulata New York fern Cypripedium sp. lady's slipper

Anthynum Filix-foemina Lady fern

Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive fern

D. Vegetation, Continued

3. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program’s BIOMAP is based on verified natural community and rare species data that correspond to actual locations on the ground. The BIOMAP of West Newbury identifies significant “core habitat” and supporting “natural landscape” acreage throughout the Town. In the future, this BIOMAP will be posted on the Open Space website.

The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has identified several plant species occurring in the Town which are state or federally classified as rare, endangered or threatened. These are shown below in Table 4-5.

In addition, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program has identified a special natural community within the Town, the "Gulf of Maine Freshwater Tidal Marsh," within which many of the species of concern occur.

Table 4-5: Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plant Species

Species	Federal/State Status	Last Year Officially Observed
Seabeach Dock (Rumex pallidus)	T	1984
Eaton's Beggar-Ticks (Bidens eatonii)	T	1989
Estuary Pipewort (Eriocaulon parkeri)	3C/E	1995
Pendulus Bulrush (Scirpus fluviatilis)	SC	1990
Englemann’s Umbrella Sedge (Cyperus engelmannii)	SC	1981
Swamp Dock (Rumex verticillatus)	T/SC	1953

* 3C = Federal Candidate Status + E = Endangered, T = Threatened, SC = Special Concern

E. Fisheries and Wildlife

1. Inventory

West Newbury's abundant wildlife is a tribute to the size and diversity of open spaces remaining within the Town. The birds, fish and mammals within the community are characteristic of those found throughout much of Essex County, and consist both of migrant and resident populations. Some species are found in large numbers throughout much of the Town; others are rare and are confined to localized habitats.

The Town’s beaver population has increased greatly since 1996, turning wetlands areas on Bachelor Street, Kelly Brook Lane, and Crane Neck Street into large “beaver lakes,” where otter have been sighted.

The Town’s large deer population has contributed to an increase in Lyme Disease in recent years. Rabies, which had been on the decline, made a comeback in the raccoon population in 2001. West Nile Disease, which most commonly affects birds (especially crows and other raptors), but which can also be found in horses and humans, has been found in West Newbury.

Moose and black bears are occasional visitors to West Newbury. Recently, there was a confirmed sighting of mountain lion in nearby Newburyport.

The state actively manages wildlife for hunting in the Crane Pond Wildlife Management area, which lies partially within the Town.

The following tables ( 4-6, 4-7, 4-8, and 4-9) list fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds found in West Newbury.

Fish

Table 4-6: West Newbury Fish

Atlantic Salmon	M	Yellow Catfish	M	Smallmouth Bass	P
Striped Bass	M	Channel Catfish	M	Sunfish (various)	P
Bluefish	M	Yellow Perch	P	Carp	M
American Eel	MS	White Perch	P	Brook Trout	P and S
Bullhead	M	Pickerel	P	Brown Trout	P and S
Hornpout	M	Largemouth Bass	P	Pike	P
Shad	M	Minnows	all	Crappie	P
Shortnosed Sturgeon	M

M = found in the Merrimack River, S = found in streams, P = found in ponds

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E. Fisheries and Wildlife (continued)

Atlantic salmon, striped bass, and shad are anadromous species, spawinging and hatching in freshwater, then migrating to the sea to live out most of their adult life cycles. The American eel is a catadromous species, and follows the reverse strategy by which the young hatch at sea and

then migrate into freshwater. A very small population of shortnosed sturgeon lives in the Merrimack River below the Rt. 125 bridge in Haverhill.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Table 4-7: West Newbury Reptiles and Amphibians

Snakes	Snakes (cont.)	Salamanders	Frogs
Common Garter	Milk	Northern Dusky	Spring Peeper
Fox	Eastern Hognose	Blue-Spotted *	Gray Treefrog
Ring-Necked		Four-Toed *	Pickerel
Red King	Turtles	Red-Backed	Green
Eastern Ribbon	Box	Yellow-Spotted	Wood
Redbelly	Musk	Slimy	American Toad
Northern Water	Painted		Leopard
Black Racer	Snapping	Newts	Bullfrog
Black	Spotted *	Eastern
Brown	Wood *

* - classified as "Species of Special Concern" due to rarity.

The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) is found in select shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands. The Blue-Spotted and Yellow-Spotted salamanders inhabit moist woods and wooded swamps and depend on vernal pools to complete their reproductive cycle, as does the Wood frog.

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E. Fisheries and Wildlife, Continued

Mammals

Table 4-8: West Newbury Mammals

Family	Common name	*	Family	Common name	*
Cervidae	Whitetail deer	C	Sciuridae	Eastern gray squirrel	C
Leporidae	Eastern cottontail	C		Red squirrel	C
	N.E. cottontail	C		Eastern chipmunk	C
	Varying hare	C		Woodchuck	C
Mustelidae	Striped skunk	C		Northern flying squirrel	C
	Short-tailed weasel	C		Southern flying squirrel	C
	Long-tailed weasel	C	Castoridae	Beaver	C
	Mink	C	Erethizontidae	Porcupine	P
	Otter	P	Cricetidae	White-footed mouse	C
	Fisher	C		Red-backed vole	C
Pyrocyonidae	Raccoon	C		Meadow vole	C
Didelphidae	Opossum	C		Pine vole	C
Canidae	N.E. coyote	C		Muskrat	C
	Gray fox	P	Zapodidae	Meadow jumping mouse	C
	Red fox	C		Woodland jump. mouse	C
			Muridae	Norway rat	C
Vespertilionidae	Little brown bat	C		House mouse	C
	Big brown bat	C	Talipidae	Eastern mole	C
	Red bat	C		Hairytale mole
	Hoary bat	P		Starnose mole
	Silver-haired bat	P	Soricidae	Masked shrew	C
	Eastern pitistrelle	R		Shorttail shrew	C
	Eastern long-earred bat	R

* abundance codes: P = present, status unknown A = absent

C = common R = rare

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E. Fisheries and Wildlife, Continued

Birds

Table 4-9: Birds Common to Eastern Massachusetts (italics = not sighted in W.N.)

Acadian Flycatcher	Canada Warbler	Golden-Crowned Warbler
Alder Flycatcher	Canvasback	Golden Plover
American Bittern	Cape May Warbler	Grasshopper Sparrow
American Black Duck	Carolina Wren	Gray Catbird
American Coot	Cattle Egret	Gray-Cheeked Thrush
American Crow	Cedar Waxwing	Great-Crested Flycatcher
American Goldfinch	Chestnut-sided Warbler	Greater Black-Backed Gull
American Kestrel	Chipping Sparrow	Great Blue Heron
American Redstart	Chimney Swift	Great Cormorant
Amercian Robin	Cliff Swallow	Great Egret
American Tree Swallow	Common Bobwhite	Greater Scaup
American Widgeon	Common Flicker	Greater Yellowlegs
American Woodcock	Common Goldeneye	Great Horned Owl
Bald Eagle	Common Grackle	Green Heron
Baltimore Oriole	Common Loon	Hairy Woodpecker
Bank Swallow	Common Merganser	Henslow's Sparrow
Barn Owl	Common Moorhen	Hermit Thrush
Barred Owl	Common Night Hawk	Herring Gull
Barrow's Goldeneye	Common Redpoll	Hoary Redpoll
Bay-Breasted Warbler	Common Snipe	Hooded Marganser
Belted Kingfisher	Common Yellowthroat	Hooded Warbler
Blackburnian Warbler	Connecticut Warbler	Horned Lark
Black-Bellied Plover	Coopers Hawk	House Finch
Black-Billed Cuckoo	Coot	House Sparrow
Black-Capped Chickadee	Crow	House Wren
Black Crowned Night Heron	Dark-eyed Junco	Iceland Gull
Blackpoll Warbler	Dickcissel	Indigo Bunting
Black-Throated Blue Warbler	Double-Crested Cormorant	Kestrel
Black-Throated Green Warbler	Downy Woodpecker	Killdeer
Black and White Warbler	Dunlin	King Rail
Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher	Eastern Bluebird	Lawrence's Warbler
Blue Jay	Eastern Kingbird	Least Bittern
Blue-Winged Teal	Eastern Meadowlark	Least Flycatcher
Blue-Winged Warbler	Eastern Pewee	Least Sandpiper
Bobolink	Eastern Phoebe	Lesser Scaup
Bohemian Waxwing	European Starling	Lesser Yellowlegs
Brant	Evening Grosbeak	Lincoln's Sparrow
Broad-Winged Hawk	Field Sparrow	Little Blue Heron
Brown Creeper	Fox Sparrow	Loggerhead Shrike
Brown-Headed Cowbird	Gadwall	Long-Eared Owl
Brown Thrasher	Glaucous Gull	Louisianna Waterthrush
Bufflehead	Glossy Ibis	Mallard

E. Fisheries and Wildlife, Continued

Table 4-9 (Cont.): Birds Common to Eastern Massachusetts (italics = not sighted in W.N.)

Canada Goose	Golden-crowned Kinglet	Marsh Wren
Maryland Yellowthroat	Red-Tailed Hawk	Veery
Merlin	Red Winged Blackbird	Vesper Sparrow
Mourning Dove	Redhead	Virginia Rail
Mourning Warbler	Ring-Billed Gull	Warbling Vireo
Mute Swan	Ring-Necked Duck	Water Pipit
Nashville Warbler	Ring-Necked Pheasant	Western Sandpiper
Northern Bobwhite	Rock Dove	Whip-Poor-Will
Northern Cardinal	Rose Breasted Grosbeak	White-Breasted Nuthatch
Northern Goshawk	Rough-Legged Hawk	White-Crowned Sparrow
Northern Harrier	Rough-Winged Swallow	White-Eyed Vireo
Northern Mockingbird	Ruby-Crowned Kinglet	White-Rumped Sandpiper
Northern Oriole	Ruby-Throated Hummingbird	White-Throated Sparrow
Northern Parula Warbler	Ruddy Duck	White-Winged Crossbill
Northern Shrike	Ruffed Grouse	Wild Turkey
Northern Shoveler	Rufous-Sided Towhee	Willow Flycatcher
Northern Waterthrush	Rust Blackbird	Wilson's Warbler
Olive-sided Flycatcher	Savannah Sparrow	Winter Wren
Orange-Crowned Warbler	Saw-Whet Owl	Wood Duck
Orchard Oriole	Scarlet Tanager	Wood Pewee
Osprey	Screech Owl	Wood Thrush
Ovenbird	Sharp-Shinned Hawk	Yellow-Bellied Flycatcher
Palm Warbler	Sedge Wren	Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker
Pectoral Sandpiper	Semi-Palmated Sandpiper	Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
Peregrin Falcon	Snow Bunting	Yellow-Breasted Chat
Philadelphia Vireo	Snow Goose	Yellow-Rumped Warbler
Pied-Billed Grebe	Snowy Egret	Yellow-Throated Warbler
Pileated Woodpecker	Snowy Owl	Yellow Warbler
Pine Grosbeak	Solitary Sandpiper
Pine Siskin	Solitary Vireo
Pine Warbler	Song Sparrow
Prarie Warbler	Sora
Prothonotary Warbler	Spotted Sandpiper
Purple Finch	Stilt Sandpiper
Purple Martin	Summer Tanager
Red-Bellied Woodpecker	Swainson's Thrush
Red-Breasted Merganser	Swamp Sparrow
Red-Breasted Nuthatch	Tennessee Warbler
Red Crossbill	Tree Swallow
Red-Eyed Vireo	Tri-Colored Heron
Red-Headed Woodpecker	Tufted Titmouse
Red-Shouldered Hawk	Upland Sandpiper

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E. Fisheries and Wildlife, Continued

Many areas of the Town contain excellent habitat for resident and migratory birds. Species commonly nesting along the Merrimack River include the common yellowthroat, swamp sparrow and marsh wren. Herons, egrets, American bitterns, mallard ducks, black ducks, wood ducks and Canada geese frequent the marsh grasses along the river.

Winter brings bald eagles to the Merrimack River; these can be found along the stretch from the harbor to Lawrence. Rough-legged hawk, red-tailed hawk and harriers frequent the marshes along the river. Great cormorants and numerous gulls appear upriver. Many ducks winter on the river including common and red-breasted mergansers, common and Barrow's goldeneyes, ring-necked ducks, canvasbacks, buffleheads and scaups. Canada geese are found year round.

The Pike's Bridge Road/Artichoke Reservoir area provides nesting habitat for many species, including yellow and blue-winged warblers, common yellowthroat, blue-gray gnatcatcher, rufous-sided towhee, tufted titmouse, chickadee, swamp sparrow, hummingbird, warbling vireo, Baltimore oriole, willow flycatcher, a variety of woodpeckers and rough-winged swallows. Marsh wrens, Virginia rails and woodcocks likely nest in the marsh along with possible moorhens and least bitterns. Wood ducks and red-winged blackbirds also nest here. The fields off Pikes Bridge Road support bobolinks, and the woodlands near Garden Street are drumming grounds for ruffed grouse. The reservoir also provides habitat for osprey, wild turkeys, Canada geese, pied-billed grebe and tree swallows.

2. Corridors for Wildlife Migration

Merrimack River: Numerous passerine birds migrate along the Merrimack River or use the edge as a stopping point on northern or southern migrations. Common migrants include warblers, vireos, thrushes, orioles, tanagers and blackbirds.

Reservoirs: The Indian Hill Reservoir is a stopping place for migrating ducks in spring and, especially, fall. Large numbers of American widgeon, bufflehead, northern shovelers, gadwall, ring-necked and ruddy ducks, greater and lesser scaup, red-breasted mergansers, brant, snow geese, and, of course, Canada geese often fill the reservoir. Pied-billed grebes, redhead ducks and hooded mergansers also sometimes appear. The area around the reservoir attracts spring and fall migrants, and northern shrike and sharp-shinned hawks in winter. Bluebirds have nested near the Cherry Hill Nursery.

The Pikes Bridge Road/Artichoke Reservoir area is another popular spot for migrant birds, with numerous warblers, vireos, wrens, tanagers and cuckoos reported.

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E. Fisheries and Wildlife, Continued Continued

3. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species

The following animal species (all classified by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program as rare, threatened or endangered) have been found in West Newbury.

Table 4-10: Rare, Threatened and Endangered Animal Species

Species	Federal Status*	State Status*	Last Year Officially Observed
Twelve-Spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela Duodecimguttata)		SC	1944
Purple Tiger Beetle (Cicindela Purpurea)		SC	1944
New England Siltsnail (Cincinnatia Winkleyi)		SC	1989
Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)	LE	E	1991
Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii)	C2	E
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)		T	1977
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)		T	1954
Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis)		E	1962
Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)		SC	1994
Wood Turtle (Clemmys insulpta)		SC	1965
Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)		SC	1992
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)	LT	E	1981
Golden-Winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera)		E	1979

* LE = Federally Endangered, LT = Federally Threatened, C2/3C = Federal Candidate Status

+ E = Endangered, T = Threatened, SC = Special Concern

F. Scenic Resources and Unique Environments

West Newbury is defined by its scenic open vistas, wooded hilltops, farm lands and historic homes. The Town's easily viewed, wide-open spaces coupled with its small-town charm give the Town a special flavor that is unique among the North Shore communities. Many of the Town's special scenic features are listed below, and are mapped on Figure 4-3.

1. Scenic Landscapes

The Town contains many locally significant scenic landscapes, vistas and roadways. A partial list of scenic landscapes is included in Table 4-11 below.

Table 4-11: Partial List of Scenic Landscapes

	Road/Scene/Vista	Attributes/Comments
1	River Road	views of the Merrimack River as seen along the entire length of the road, also of the Indian River from the unused portion of the River Road
2	Rocks Village Bridge	views of the historic bridge from Church Street; views of the river from the bridge
3	Merrill Farm	views of the river, fields and pastures
4	Long Hill Farm	views of the orchard and river
5	Emery Lane	pastoral and woodland views
6	Bridge Street	view of the river from base
7	Whetstone Street	views across the river; open space along street (McGrath, Sullivan properties)
8	Main Street	views of Brown Spring Farm, Daley's field, the Knapp's property, Cherry Hill Nursery lands, Parker’s Farm and Brake Hill.
9	Church Street	pasture and river views from the top of hill; river view from base
10	Coffin Street	views of open lands (Boucher property)
11	Cherry Hill /Indian Hill Reservoir	view across reservoir
12	Mill Pond Area/Pipestave Hill	views of rolling farmland, woods and pond
13	Page School	views of hills, fields and river
14	Beaver Brook area	as seen from Middle Street, Tewksbury Lane
15	Crane Neck Street	views of farms, Ash Swamp and hills beyond
16	Crane Neck Hill	views of surrounding hills and the old Orcland Farm
17	Ash Street	views of Ash Swamp
18	Kimball Lane	views of surrounding hills and open lands
19	Rogers Street	views of open lands (Hayden Farm, Knowles property)

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F. Scenic Resources and Unique Environments, Continued

Table 4-11 (Cont.): Partial List of Scenic Landscapes

	Road/Scene/Vista	Attributes/Comments
20	Indian Hill Street	Indian Hill Farm and meadows
21	Indian Hill	Views to the ocean, west to the Town center and the river
22	Moulton Street	Expansive views of the Reservoir, pasture lands, nursery lands and woods
23	Turkey Hill Road	Farm and pasture views
24	Pikes Bridge Road	Meadow views
25	Georgetown Road hayfields	As seen from Georgetown Road, Crane Neck Street, and Tewksbury Lane
26	Numerous local Christmas Tree farms	These include White Gate, Lovejoy, Tagney, Fusco, and several on Crane Neck Street

The scenic areas listed above, along with other areas which contribute to the Town's character, are shown on Figure 4-3.

The Town must continue to takes steps to preserve the most unique and scenic environments
for the enjoyment of all townspeople and as habitat for the wide array of wildlife that still lives
within our borders.

Since 1998, when the OSC hosted a “Conserving Family Lands” workshop, the idea of placing
land in conservation restriction has really taken hold. Thanks to the generosity of conservation-
minded landowners, and to the help and cooperation of Greenbelt, the Gowen, Nichols,
Atherton, and Ordway properties have all been preserved in perpetuity through conservation
restrictions.

Other progress has been made, as well. In Spring 2000, the Town passed a “Scenic Roads
Bylaw,” designating all roads within the Town of West Newbury, except Main Street, as

scenic. In Fall 2001, the Town passed the Pipestave Hill Conservation Restriction, saving

the most scenic acreage in Town from further development of any kind. And finally, the new

“Green Neighborhoods” zoning bylaw is designed to encourage the protection of open space

and viewsheds.

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F. Scenic Resources and Unique Environments, Continued

2. Major Characteristics or Unusual Geologic Features

West Newbury's major geologic/geographic features are its drumlin hills and its location next to the Merrimack River. West Newbury's drumlins are the first major hills to be found moving inland along the Merrimack River. An interesting geologic feature is the fault line that extends into Town from Groveland. The fault passes beneath the Elwell farm (on Moulton Street), into the Scotland Road area of Byfield and then runs north to Seabrook. Active earthquakes were felt in Newbury in the 1700's, and several minor quakes have awakened townspeople in the last few years.

3. Cultural, Archeological and Historic Areas

The Town's only designated historic area is the Training Field on Main Street, which is

surrounded by Revolutionary vintage homes. The field was the site of training soldiers for the

Battle of Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War, and was also the Civil War training site for the 28th Massachusetts Regiment (the Irish Brigade). Also of historic interest are the approximately eighty pre-revolutionary homes and approximately ninety post-revolutionary colonial, Greek Revival and farm houses dating from post-revolution through the 1800s scattered throughout the Town. There is a Quaker burying ground off Turkey Hill Road, and a potter's field and three other "old" burying grounds in Town. There are remnants of a commercial wharf and ferry landing along the Merrimack River. An old stone cellar on River Road dates to pre-colonial times and is attributed by some to Nordic explorers.

Others areas of cultural importance include the Town Office Building, Old Town Hall, the G.A.R. Memorial Library, Cammet Park, the Mill Pond Recreation Area, the Hill House, the Fire Station, Page School, the Pentucket Regional Schools, the John L. Carr Post, the Rocks Village Bridge, the Curzon's Mill Bridge, St. Ann Catholic Church, West Newbury Congregational Church, and the All Saints Episcopal Church.

4. Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

West Newbury does not contain any State recognized "Areas of Critical Environmental Concern" (ACEC) within its borders. However, the Town does contain many significant resource areas. These include:

· The Town’s many wetland areas, the largest of which is Ash Swamp;

· Large tracks in the southern end of Town identified as BioMap Core Habitat  (areas which represent the highest priority of biodiversity conservation and protection in the State);

· The West Newbury wellfield, and potential new well sites;

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F. Scenic Resources and Unique Environments, Continued

· The Artichoke Reservoir system and watershed;

· The Mill Pond watershed;

· The Merrimack River, especially that section near the mouth of the Indian River that is classified as a "Gulf of Maine Tidal Marsh;"

· Beaver Brook, Indian River, Artichoke River and smaller streams;

· remaining farm lands, nurseries, orchards and hay fields;

· large tracts of woodlands (along the Merrimack River and in the eastern section of Town).

Figure 4-3 (part of Required Map 2): Areas Contributing to the Community Character

start with base map of Town roads, then add:

location of hills

numbers from scenic landscape list

cemetaries, rock chamber

cultural areas

critical resource areas

G. Environmental Problems

1. Hazardous Waste Sites

There are no known hazardous waste sites in West Newbury. However, Superfund sites exist in both neighboring Groveland and Newburyport. In the late 1970's two of Groveland’s municipal wells were found to be contaminated with trichloroethene. The clean-up process on these sites has been completed. The Newburyport site is at the northern end of Rolf's Lane along the Merrimack River. This site was contaminated by PCBs, but following a large cleanup effort now has a "remediated" site status.

Other notable pollution sources include the Crestfoam Company of Newburyport, which has been listed as 9th on the Top 10 Polluters List in the state. Also, the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, within 10 miles of West Newbury, is a high-level toxic waste site.

The OSRC's research shows that there have been no major spills within West Newbury. Underground storage tanks have been removed from the Page School and Dick's Citgo (the Town's only gas station).

2. Landfills

West Newbury has no landfills in current use. Until 1985, the Town used a municipal landfill located in the southern portion of the Town, at the intersection of Middle Street and Georgetown Road. The landfill has since been closed and capped and is being monitored in accordance with DEP requirements. After closure, the landfill property was deeded to the Conservation Commission to be preserved as open space. West Newbury currently disposes of its trash at the MRI incinerator in North Andover. There are currently no Town bylaws regulating the importation of fill to Town. Such a bylaw, requiring all fill materials to be certified as “clean” (e.g., not containing hazardous substances or waste), should be enacted.

3. Erosion

The major erosion problem in West Newbury is along the Merrimack River where it appears that the banking on River Road is being eroded by increased boating activity. Without remedial measures (such as plantings, gabions, or walls) River Road may be adversely affected. The building of new subdivisions gives rise to temporary erosion problems during construction.

4. Chronic Flooding

Flooding is a recurrent problem on a portion of Ash Street which passes through Ash Swamp. Winter and spring flooding has led to fairly frequent temporary closures of this road. A 100-year flood would cause many more areas to be flooded, notably certain portions of the Merrimack River shoreline, the Indian River and the upper Beaver Brook watershed.

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G. Environmental Problems, Continued

5. Sedimentation

Sedimentation of streams and ponds can result from construction activities. West Newbury's only notable sedimentation problem was at Mill Pond, which experienced decreased depths and increased aquatic plant growth.. With State and local funds, the Mill Pond Committee had the pond drained and dredged, and it has now been returned to its original depth. The Committee has also enacted a nutrient reduction management plan for the Mill Pond watershed.

6. Development Impact

The population of West Newbury has grown approximately 20% per decade since 1950. The West Newbury Comprehensive Plan anticipates that the Town’s population and housing units will nearly double by 2020, from a baseline of 1,325 houses and 3,794 people (February 2000). The population increase has had and will continue to have a marked impact on the cost of Town services, school overcrowding, and the Town's public water supply. Road maintenance work can be used as an example of how growth affects infrastructure costs: increased residential development not only increases the costs for road maintenance, repair and snow removal, but also strains existing storm drainage systems (causing problem runoff and, potentially, nonpoint source water pollution problems). Failing septic systems (West Newbury has no municipal sewerage system) are also potential sources of non-point ground and surface water pollution. As development occurs within the more marginal lands (areas close to wetlands, on slopes, or with poor soils) the chances of septic systems working improperly rise. Increased development also has an impact on the Town's water supply, since most new subdivisions are required to have access to Town water. West Newbury's current well cannot meet its current needs, much less the needs of future residential development, and new well sites have been aggressively sought-out, tested, and purchased. However, due to the lengthy state permitting process, the new sites will not be available for use until at least 2008. (See Section 4, Water Resources).

7. Ground and Surface Water Pollution

West Newbury has no known major problems with nonpoint source pollution which are not currently being addressed. However, as noted above, storm water and failing septic systems are a potential sources of ground and surface water pollution - and both tend to increase as population density rises. West Newbury's public water supply, Newburyport's public water supply, Mill Pond, and West Newbury's extensive wetland areas could conceivably be impacted by nonpoint source pollution if care is not taken to protect these resources from the effects of too many people living too close to them. The Merrimack River, once severely polluted by industry and municipal sewage treatment plants upstream of West Newbury, has been the subject of recent concerted clean-up efforts and has improved greatly over the last twenty years. It would be terribly unfortunate if increased population growth within the Towns along the Merrimack River led to a future decline in its water quality due to nonpoint source pollution.

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G. Environmental Problems, Continued

West Newbury is very fortunate to have no major existing environmental problems; however
the Town could face a large threat from increased development. The Town should continue
to enact growth management measures and continue to make changes to zoning regulations
to focus new growth away from critical environmental and scenic areas. The Town should
also consider a bylaw regulating fill materials used in construction projects.