Implementation of the Forest Futures Visioning Process:
Landscape Designations for DCR State and Urban Parks
Current Status: Fall 2011
DCR hosted seven public workshops in May and June to seek public input on the application of landscape designations for DCR properties. At the workshops, DCR presented the statewide context for the draft designations and hosted a public dialogue focused on park land in that particular region of the Commonwealth.
Notes from the meetings have been compiled and are available at: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/materials/ld/meeting_notes_spring_2011.pdf
Public comments on the draft designations and management guidelines final draft were also solicited through the end of August 2011. They have been compiled and are now available at: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/ld/Spring%20Landscape%20Designation%20Comments-%20final%20version.pdf.
DCR is currently reviewing all feedback provided through the workshops and the public comments received, and will be finalizing the designations and management guidelines in early 2012.
Draft Landscape Designations for DCR Parks & Forests: Selection Criteria and Management Guidelines
Background: Forest Futures Visioning Process, April 2009 – April 2010
DCR convened the Forest Futures Visioning Process in April 2009 to seek input on its stewardship and management of the 308,000 acres of forest lands within the state parks system, and to develop a renewed vision for these lands taking into account their attributes and place in the overall context of the state’s 3 million acres of public and private forests. The goals were to consider the range of public benefits and values associated with forests and to generate recommendations to guide DCR’s future forest stewardship
As part of the process, an 11-member Technical Steering Committee, composed of individuals with expertise in the various values associated with forests, was formed to develop recommendations to DCR. This Committee received input from an Advisory Group of Stakeholders as well as from the general public. Opportunities for public input included five public forums that collectively attracted more than 500 participants, approximately 450 written submissions, and more than 250 responses to an on-line survey.
The Technical Steering Committee presented its final recommendations to DCR in April 2010. Please see: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/tsc_final_recommendations.htm
The Patrick Administration has accepted and embraced the core Forest Futures recommendations.
Current Process: Landscape Designation, Fall 2010 – Fall 2011
DCR kicked off the Landscape Designation process in fall 2010 to implement a key recommendation of the Forest Futures Visioning Process: allocating DCR State and Urban parklands into three different designations to clarify management objectives and uses. Those designations are Parklands, Reserves, and Woodlands.
This new paradigm is centered on setting priorities for stewardship based on the ecosystem services these lands can sustainably provide. In addition, certain activities and uses will be separated among the designations. Importantly, commercial timber harvesting will not take place in Parklands or Reserves. Woodlands, however, will be actively managed through timber harvesting.
The Technical Steering Committee also provided a recommended allocation of acreage for each category. In April 2010, then-EEA Secretary Ian Bowles accepted this recommendation with a specific direction that reflected the Committee’s recommended allocation – namely, that at least 60 percent of the land would be allocated as Parklands and Reserves – and at the same recognizing the importance of Woodlands within the parks system.
This recommendation and the Patrick Administration’s policy direction are the starting point for the Landscape Designation process.
The series of public workshops and the public comment period held in Fall 2010/Winter 2011 sought input on how to accomplish the designation process, focusing on what criteria to use to select lands for each designation and how to manage the Parklands, Reserves, and Woodlands within the framework set out by the Technical Steering Committee.
Public Workshop Series for State Forest and Parks Landscape Designation
Press Release (10/28/10)
2010 Workshop Notes:
November 15 | November 16 | November 18 | November 22
November 30 | December 2 | December 13
Written comments on the Landscape Designation Process were accepted
through January 21, 2011
Comments Via Email | Comments Via Hard Copy: Part 1 Part 2
2nd Public Workshop Series to Discuss Draft Landscape Designation for State Properties
Press Release (5/2/11)
2011 Workshop Notes
For additional reference purposes:
DCR 2007 Off Highway Vehicles Siting Criteria and Policy (Coarse and Fine Filter Criteria)
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