The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutHummels Pond Adopted 2021 Town of Southold Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Latest Revision 6/1/2021 st Adopted by the Town Board on June 1, 2021 by resolution 2021-433. Properties included in plan: SCTM# Location Project Funding Acquisition Pursuant To 1000-50.-6-4 15160 Soundview Ave Hanauer & Bagley Open Space Chapter 185 1000-50.-6-5.7 2105 Lighthouse Rd Too Bee Realty Corp Open Space Chapter 185 1000-50.-6-5.11 Lighthouse Rd Too Bee Realty Inc NA Subdivision Dedication Purposes of Property Acquisitions Parcels 1000-50.-6-4 & 1000-50.-6-5.7 were purchased for open space purposes. Parcel 1000.-50-6-6.11 was dedicated to the Town as part of a minor subdivision for the following purposes: 1. The premises shall be kept as open space, in its natural state, with no above ground structures or facilities, and shall be solely used to accommodate drainage and overflow from Hummels Pond. In the event, however, that the Town of Southold determines that it is necessary to construct a sump or open catch basin or a fence enclosing such sump or catch basin, then the Town of Southold shall landscape such areas with evergreens of suitable type and size, so as to conceal said sump or catch basin or fence from view. Note: Although this language applies to parcel 1000-50.-6-11, the existing recharge area created by the Town is on parcel 1000-50.-6-5.7. Prohibited Activities All activities not related to the purposes of the property acquisition are prohibited. Use of motorized vehicles and equipment is prohibited with the exceptions of: vehicles and equipment necessary for approved stewardship work; emergency/public safety vehicles; and motorized wheelchairs/scooters for the handicapped; and registered vehicles used by visitors to access the designated parking area on the properties for parking purposes only. The creation of new trails except as outlined in the Town Approval of Activities section below. Trapping of wildlife with the exception of Town approved trapping of diseased wildlife and feral cats. Fireworks. Weddings, parties, reunions, flea markets, swap meets, antique shows, car shows. Camping, fires, bonfires. Sports whether organized or “pick up” in nature. Paintball and other similar war games. Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 1 of 10 Town Approval of Activities No activities related to the purposes of the property acquisition are allowed on the property without the explicit approval of the Town Board except for the activities listed in the Allowed Activities section below. Allowed Activities Section I Public Uses Due to the importance of the Hummels Pond properties to the Town’s Deer Management Program and the layout of the deer hunting zones which does not provide a safe buffer between the hunting zones and the stth trail this property will only be open to the general public from April 1 through September 30 each year. For the rest of the year it will be considered closed to the general public and only open for participants in the Town’s Deer Management Program. However, during the period of the year where it is considered closed to the general public, the Department of Public Works may grant special permission for the general public to access the property for purposes allowed by this management plan upon request. Should such permission be granted the Department of Public Works shall close the property for the Deer Management Program. In addition, the Department of Public Works may open the property to the general public beyond the period noted above should they decide to shorten the Deer Management Program season. Access shall be from dawn to dusk unless posted otherwise or approved per the Town Approval of Activities section above. Nature walks/surveys, bird watching, citizen science surveys. Hiking, jogging, walking. Star gazing. Pets are allowed per Appendix 3. Deer hunting per the Town’s Deer Management Program Participation in the General Activities outlined below. Section II General Activities Inventories of the properties including flora, fauna, trails, trash, archaeological features, structures and any other aspects provided that conducting such inventories does not alter or damage the properties. Invasive species control and removal provided an invasive species plan using Best Management Practices is approved and followed. The invasive species plan will be updated, expanded and amended as needed based on monitoring of the property for the extent of invasive species present. See Appendix 4. Clean up of man-made trash provided such clean up does not damage the property. Clean up and removal of the abandoned foundation on the property as depicted in Appendix 1, as well as restoration of the area, including spreading of the top soil excavated from the foundation area which is still on site, provided that damage to the surrounding areas is kept to the minimum necessary to safely Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 2 of 10 remove the foundation and restore the area and that a specific plan for this work is developed and approved by the Town Board. Section III Infrastructure Signage – the following signage is allowed: Preserve name sign, entrance signs, trail head kiosks, Town open space signs, posted/no hunting signs, safety signs, rules/regulations signs, directional trail signs and Deer Management program signs. Parking will be limited to the road side parking areas depicted in Appendix 1. The trails as depicted in Appendix 1 shall be maintained as the official trail system. The trails shall be maintained so they are approximately 4 to 8 feet wide and passable with vegetation not to exceed six inches in height. As needed the trails may be mowed and trimmed, fallen branches/trees that block or partially block the trails may be removed, sections of the trails that have been damaged by erosion or ATVs may be restored and leveled using soil or wood chips, areas of the trails subject to becoming wet and muddy may be covered with a layer of wood chips. Wood chips may also be used to reduce or eliminate the need for regular mowing of the trails. Trail maintenance will be kept to the minimum necessary to maintain the trails in a condition that allows the public to use the trails safely. See Appendix 4 for additional trail maintenance standards related to invasive species that encroach on the trails. When the foundation area has been restored another trail segment in this area may be created to get to the corner of Light House Rd and Soundview Ave in order to allow a loop trail in conjunction with the Soundview Ave roadside, provided the standards noted above are followed and no additional accesses to the pond are created along this trail segment. Culvert – There is a culvert at the south end of the pond as depicted in Appendix 1, designed to control the level of the pond and prevent flooding of Soundview Ave. This pipe was originally installed based on an Engineering design and functioned normally for several years, only allowing water to flow out of the pond when the water level approached the level where Soundview Ave would flood. However, the pipe was then modified by cutting a section of the pipe off which lowered the maximum level of the pond and flooded adjacent private property. This lowering of the maximum level of the pond is likely responsible for the degraded condition of the pond based on historic conditions prior to the installation of the pipe and prior to the modification of the pipe after it was installed. This pipe will be modified or replaced to restore the pond to the conditions that existed prior to the pipe being cut and/or the original installation of the pipe. The preserve or any section thereof may be closed to the public should any unsafe conditions exist; or for the purposes of protecting native flora and fauna. Signage denoting such closures is allowed. Appendices 1. Hummels Pond Trail plan 2. Hummels Pond Bird Species Listing 3. Pets 4. Invasive Species Plan Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 3 of 10 Appendix 1 Hummels Pond Trail Plan � � � ' + ;+ :r',. � �. r . �� 7 , 4 , :'� ��:� � �. ae ..,� . �� ,y�� 4 � yd " , �� '1`} �i-. 1 . �� 1 ��' � i. ' '�i �3 f �'� a t t :''w ,� . \� '� � >y. � . . . '�, i� Y� �� Q+��'ve�\� . * ,. � �, � �� ,� �A��' �. i - $� � a ':� a � �;.: �4 1 (�a� �. t � ` "' ' y�i" . x;: � '�1R a.� l��'i+5c-r- .: .L ��b a^ i '��` "'h" 1 �'- , _ � F �'�V � St:s \ �` � L'y ��1 � ,., �` �, . , :•,. � , ;x"` I � ,.,��a �" - v, � > �; � �: :'� .� � '��.�n . � - °+��i: r � � `�',,,...j� � � c. ; �•- �� ppp s �� . 1 3 a��'�,��:�. � n,'��r i ''dnr ' � �� .r. _ ��ry . a ' . ��' '". f� � i � � ��!;..'� r . ':T. _ ' ' � F � �� ,y �,. � �,, \ � • .�,P � �d� " �n . ;� , . �� k #..` � . M� . # c. '` l< ,v '' . . � r '.� , A } � � ' M f'i' . ; .,�j , . . } r- - 7'� '. . �� K.J°� �� ; . � . . � ��. . . . ,� �.•',; �. ��•w.�. , .1'f!.`. � ';l, . 'pe � , \ � h . . l '� � !!R i�� .. f .". *� , +� s •. ..'y� A /H• �'F I �, ' . /-r t.' � y � ' M ar xr � •,G y �slt s. .` F'! �� ' ' � � �� F Appendix 1 Fountla�onRos[oraoonaroa Hummels Pond �Pa'k"9 15160SoundviewAve, Southold �npp�o�eaT�a�is o.imues "'�"- ��'=q�m TfailSys�em �preserveeountlenes �3ncras � Lbv°O°��"°"n° Preserve Parcels Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 4 of 10 Appendix 2 Hummels Pond Bird Species Listing as of May 2020 based on eBird observations beginning in 1990 Audubon NY SGCN Status Breeding Seq Species DEC Status Watch List Status 1 Canada Goose Probable 2 Wood Duck Confirmed 3 Mallard Probable High Priority SGCN 4 American Black Duck 5 Ring-necked Duck 6 Bufflehead 7 Hooded Merganser SGCN 8 Ruddy Duck 9 Wild Turkey Confirmed 10 Mourning Dove Possible High Priority SGCN 11 Common Nighthawk Special Concern 12 Chimney Swift 13 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 14 Sora 15 Solitary Sandpiper 16 Herring Gull 17 Great Black-backed Gull 18 Double-crested Cormorant 19 Great Blue Heron 20 Green Heron SGCN 21 Black-crowned Night-Heron 22 Osprey Special Concern 23 Red-tailed Hawk 24 Great Horned Owl 25 Belted Kingfisher 26 Red-bellied Woodpecker Probable 27 Downy Woodpecker Probable 28 Hairy Woodpecker Probable 29 Northern Flicker Probable 30 Eastern Phoebe 31 Great Crested Flycatcher 32 Eastern Kingbird Probable 33 Warbling Vireo 34 Blue Jay Probable 35 American Crow Probable 36 Fish Crow 37 Black-capped Chickadee Probable 38 Northern Rough-winged Swallow Possible 39 Tree Swallow 40 Barn Swallow 41 Golden-crowned Kinglet 42 Ruby-crowned Kinglet 43 White-breasted Nuthatch Probable Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 5 of 10 Audubon NY SGCN Status Breeding Seq Species DEC Status Watch List Status 44 House Wren Probable 45 Winter Wren 46 Carolina Wren Probable 47 European Starling Probable 48 Gray Catbird Probable High Priority SGCN 49 Brown Thrasher 50 Northern Mockingbird Probable SGCN 51 Wood Thrush Yellow 52 American Robin Probable 53 Cedar Waxwing Confirmed 54 House Finch Probable 55 American Goldfinch 56 American Tree Sparrow 57 Fox Sparrow 58 Dark-eyed Junco 59 White-throated Sparrow 60 Song Sparrow Probable 61 Lincoln's Sparrow 62 Swamp Sparrow 63 Eastern Towhee Probable 64 Orchard Oriole 65 Red-winged Blackbird Probable High Priority SGCN 66 Rusty Blackbird Yellow 67 Common Grackle 68 Northern Waterthrush SGCN 69 Blue-winged Warbler Yellow Probable 70 Black-and-white Warbler 71 Common Yellowthroat 72 American Redstart Probable High Priority SGCN 73 Bay-breasted Warbler Yellow 74 Yellow Warbler Probable 75 Blackpoll Warbler 76 Yellow-rumped Warbler 77 Northern Cardinal Probable 78 Rose-breasted Grosbeak Current Status Notes: NYS DEC  Special Concern: Any native species for which a welfare concern or risk of endangerment has been documented in New York State.(New York State DEC, 2001).  Threatened: Those designated by the DEC as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their range.  Endangered: Those designated by the DEC as seriously threatened with extinction. Audubon Watch List Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 6 of 10  Yellow: This category includes those species that are declining but at a slower rate than those in the red category. These typically are species of national conservation concern.  Red: Species in this category are declining rapidly, have very small populations or limited ranges, and face major conservation threats. These typically are species of global conservation concern. New York Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)  High Priority SGCN: The status of these species is known and conservation action is urgent in the next ten years. These species are declining and must receive timely management intervention or they are likely to reach critical population levels in New York.  SGCN: The status of these species is known and conservation action is essential. These species are expected to experience significant declines over the next ten years and will need management intervention to secure their populations.  Non-SGCN Species of Potential Conservation Need: The trends in abundance and distribution of these species are poorly known, but there is an identified threat to the species, or the species has a high level of intrinsic vulnerability. Further research and surveys are needed to determine their actual population status. Although not classified as SGCN, actions for their conservation will be identified and they will be included in the State Wildlife Action Plan. Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 7 of 10 Appendix 3 Pets o Unless posted otherwise, pets are allowed provided that they are leashed and under control at all times while on the property. o The Town may permanently or temporarily restrict pets from the property or designated areas of the property for reasons including, but not limited to, wildlife and nesting habitat protection and public safety. Such restrictions will be approved by the Town Board and will be posted at the property. o All pet waste must be picked up and properly disposed of as required by Southold Town Code. o Failure to follow pet rules may result in all pets being prohibited from using the property. Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 8 of 10 Appendix 4 Invasive Species Plan for Hummels Pond Invasive species such as Autumn Olive, Russian Olive and Oriental Bittersweet may be present along the trail. In addition these invasives may also occur in off trail areas of the preserve where they hinder the growth of native species. Trimming of these invasive species has proven ineffective in keeping the trails open as the trimming serves as pruning which causes faster growth and more seed to be produced. Since these are invasive species that are preventing the normal growth of native species and creating trail maintenance issues the following maintenance standards will be followed for these species:  Should any specimens of these species be found on the preserve whether along the trails or in off trail areas, the entire specimen will be cut down as close as possible to the ground and either removed from the preserve or cut up/chipped so that it does not encroach on the trail.  If necessary, herbicide may be applied to the stumps to prevent new growth. Use of herbicide will be per the Town’s Policy for the Use of Pesticides & Fertilizers.  Specimens treated will be monitored for new growth. Should any new growth be detected the specimen will be cut and treated with herbicide as above.  Where Oriental Bittersweet has been cut off at ground level and it is not practical to pull the rest of the plant down from where it has climbed the plant will also be cut as high above ground as practical to prevent the cut portion of the plant from becoming an easy vector for new growth to climb up again. Mile-a-minute Weed is another invasive species likely to be found on the properties. The following shall apply for the control of this invasive throughout the preserve:  Where practical it may be mowed or weed wacked to prevent it from covering other species and producing seed.  It may be removed by hand pulling. If it is removed prior to having viable seeds it may be left off trail. If the seeds are viable the pulled plants will be placed in plastic bags and allowed to bake in the sun long enough to kill the seeds.  Any plants or portions of plants that have grown over other desirable plants shall be pulled off to allow the other plants to grow normally. Chinese Bush Clover may also be present. The following shall apply for the control and removal of this invasive:  Integrated management: A combination of complementary control methods will be used for more rapid and effective control of Chinese Bush Clover Sericea lespedeza. Integrated management includes not only killing the target plant, but establishing desirable species and discouraging non- native, invasive species over the long term.  Plants should be mowed when they reach a height of 12-18 inches, and should be cut as close to the ground as possible.  Mow again when plants are producing flower buds, because root carbon reserves are then at their lowest levels.  It is crucial to inspect and mow any remaining plants before seed is set.  A final cutting in late fall just prior to senescence may weaken plants by reducing carbon storage. Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 9 of 10  Cutting treatments will need to be repeated for several seasons. Mowing in the flower bud stage for 2 to 3 consecutive years will reduce stand vigor and control further spread.  Hand digging can be effective for controlling small, scattered populations. Digging or pulling activities that remove the root crown, but not necessarily the entire root system, would be sufficient to kill the plant.  Establishing desirable native species: In year four following three consecutive years completing the prescribed mowing schedule evaluate the affected area. If Bush clover population appears to be under control plant desirable native species such as Switch grass, Pennisetum virgatum 18 inches on center in the affected area.  Note: New planting must be undertaken without mechanical site preparation. Disking well established or "run down" Sericea lespedeza stands may result in stand enhancement, rather than degradation, presumably due to enhanced seedling establishment combined with root crown sprouting. There is a significant Parrot Feather infestation throughout much of the pond which has resulted in degradation of the quality of the pond. Dense mats have formed in shallow areas of the pond, likely due in part to the changing of the historic water levels of the pond, see Infrastructure section of this plan for information on the outfall pipe. The following shall apply for the control and removal of this invasive:  Hand pulling, raking and seining of the plants can be effective in reducing them, especially when the area is a small, self-contained pond, like Hummels. However, any plant fragments left will re- establish so care should be taken to minimize fragments. Plants removed should be disposed of at a dry site well away from the water or wet areas. Regular pulling, raking and seining will likely be necessary to control re-establishment from fragments remaining from earlier removals. Long term monitoring will be necessary to avoid future infestations.  Herbicide control can also be effective and would be subject to NYS DEC permits. The NYS DEC permit process will determine methods and chemicals used.  A combination of physical removal and herbicide control will likely be the best way to control this invasive in the long run. The extent of any invasive infestations will be monitored each year and documented with photos to record the status of the infestations. Stewardship Management Plan for Hummels Pond Page 10 of 10