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Thread-Topic: Panel Discussion
Thread-Index: AcbnAn+ts8sW1wJSTmG5KdbAdaDhrgAANycwAAFc24A=
From: "Leverett, Bob" <Robert.Leverett@sphs.com>
To: "DiMaio, James (DCR)" <James.Dimaio@state.ma.us>
Cc: "Patricia Singer (DCR) (E-mail)" <Patricia.Singer@state.ma.us>,
"Gary BeluzoWork (E-mail)" <gbeluzo@hcc.mass.edu>,
"Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)" <lef@goldengate.net>,
"Edward Frank (E-mail)" <edfrank@adelphia.net>,
"Don Bragg (E-mail)" <dbragg@fs.fed.us>,
"Don Bertolette (E-mail)" <FoRestoration@npgcable.com>,
"David Foster (E-mail)" <drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 03 Oct 2006 17:12:20.0122 (UTC) FILETIME=[15B30FA0:01C6E70F]
Jim,
Good question about black maple. Its ideal habitat in our neck of the woods is along the margins of river banks. Several trees both in and outside the marked zone show a sufficient number of identification markers as to entertain a tentative confirmation of the species - I'd say at present it is about a 60/40 proposition. We'll get a firm answer on Oct 26th. In terms of silvicultural treatment, there is conflicting information on how it is best propagated from the sources that I've seen thus far. I'll seek more input and from regions where it grows more commonly, e.g. Wisconsin.
Jim, the best strategy for propagating (or in this case, controlling ) red maple depends on what kinds of future disturbances and of what magnitudes can be expected within the Robinson State Park area. My experience with old growth and old second growth gives me a perspective on red maple that others often don't usually have. I'll present you with additional information on the species in the weeks to come.
Gary and I have committed to HCC to at least have a few presentations on Robinson State Park as part of the Oct 27th Forest Summit. If DCR can't be directly represented, I'll do my best to present DCR's case as seen from your and Dave's viewpoints. Maybe you could send me something in writing to work with. That would be appreciated. Regardless, of who presents, it will be a balanced program. On that you have my word. With respect to Dec 14th, I'll lock it in.
In terms of other rare plants having been identified in the sale area, I think the Friends Group is now preparing a report. So far, all that I am personally aware of is the probable presence of black maple. I've seen about half the trees and have some doubts. I also acknowledge teh positive markers. Several identifications were recently made by a Rhode Island amateur botanist. He found what would represent some rare species for Rhode Island, but they may not be rare in Massachusetts. I am going to push the Friends Group to submit their current findings in writing for independent verification. Until that is done, excepting what Gary Beluzo and I personally confirm, it all remains in the realm of discussion.
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: DiMaio, James (DCR) [mailto:James.Dimaio@state.ma.us]
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 11:58 AM
To: Leverett, Bob; James DiMaio (E-mail)
Cc: Patricia Singer (DCR) (E-mail); Gary BeluzoWork (E-mail)
Subject: RE: Panel Discussion
Hi Bob:
I have Dec 14th open and have penciled in that date. Appreciate your work on this and efforts to make sure folks with the right qualifications make the identification.
At this time, I do not have staff familiar with the project that would be able to present on the 27th. I am wondering if it might not be best to let it rest until the Dec. 14th date?
I do have a question on black maple. As you are probably aware that this species is closely linked with sugar maple, often mis-identfied as well as hybridized with sugar maple. Black maple would be at the edge of the zone. Might not the project actually encourage and maintain black maple possibilities vs the non-management strategy which would revert to red maple and other late successional shade tolerant species such as hemlock, beech, etc.?
Have any other rare plants been identified and confirmed by botanist to date in the sale area? I will call you later today,
Again, thanks for your efforts,
Jim DiMaio
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Acting Chief, Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry
251 Causeway Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02114
Office #: (617) 626-1430 FAX #: (617) 626-1351
james.dimaio@state.ma.us
-----Original Message-----
From: Leverett, Bob [mailto:Robert.Leverett@sphs.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 11:42 AM
To: James DiMaio (E-mail)
Cc: Patricia Singer (DCR) (E-mail); Gary BeluzoWork (E-mail)
Subject: Panel Discussion
Jim,
We can get space at HCC for the Robinson State Park panel discussion on any Thursday or Friday evening during the first 2 weeks of December. We'll fit your schedule. You call the date. Time should be 7:00PM.
While I realize that most likely you can't be present, would it be possible for DCR to make a presentation on Robinson SP during the Oct 27th evening lectures? I don't think Dave Richard wants to be pulled into the controversy any further, so I hesitate to ask for him. Anyone able to explain what DCR wishes to accomplish in places like Robinson SP would serve equally well. The presentation needs to be aimed at the DCR policy and planning level for properties such as Robinson as opposed to the specifics of the proposed silvicultural treatment, although, if that is what you wanted to do, it would be your call.
It looks like Matt Largess will make a presentation for the activist side of the controversy on Oct 27th. That presentation needs to be balanced by DCR's side of the issue. Call it public education, if you will. I will give then the 3rd presentation, in which I will frame the issues in terms of questions to be considered by the panel. I would not draw any conclusions in my presentation.
As I think you are aware, we are looking at Oct 26th for a field visit by several distinguished scientists to Robinson SP. Positive identification or refutation of black maple and river birch will occur on that visit as well as any other unusual, rare, or endangered species tentatively identified by the local friends group. The absolute identification of either black maple or river birch is by no means confirmed at this point. Although, Matt Largess, Ray Weber, and others are extremely enthusiastic and do believe they are identifying some heretofore overlooked species, positive identifications by experts must await the Oct 26th visit. Both Gary Beluzo and I are determined to keeping solid science as our focus. We want to know what unusual, rare, or endangered species are present in Robinson and where they are to be found. We also want to assess historical forest communities, such as the zone containing Liriodendron tulipifera. The determinations should be made by botany professionals with impeccable credentials. The abundance of enthusiasm by members of the friends group is to be applauded, but doesn't not substitue for actual determinations.
Best regards,
Bob
Database Developer and Systems Analyst
Information Technologies
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Thread-Topic: Robinson State Park
Thread-Index: AcbbV4zvJs7sR73SRce4cetwkx0Xpw==
From: "Leverett, Bob" <Robert.Leverett@sphs.com>
To: "James DiMaio (E-mail)" <James.DiMaio@state.ma.us>
Cc: "Dave Richard (DCR) (E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>,
"Gary BeluzoWork (E-mail)" <gbeluzo@hcc.mass.edu>,
"Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)" <lef@goldengate.net>,
"Anthony D'Amato (E-mail)" <adamato@forwild.umass.edu>,
"Steve Tilley (E-mail)" <stilley@email.smith.edu>,
"David Foster (E-mail)" <drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>,
"Edward Frank (E-mail)" <edfrank@adelphia.net>,
"Larry Winship (E-mail)" <lwinship@hampshire.edu>,
"Heidi Ricci (E-mail)" <hroddis@massaudubon.org>,
"Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
"Matt Largess (E-mail)" <largesstree@aol.com>,
"Laurie Sanders & Fred Morrison (E-mail)" <anaturalfocus@crocker.com>,
"Leslie Luchonok (E-mail)" <Leslie.Luchonok@state.ma.us>,
"Will Blozan (E-mail)" <treehunter@worldnet.att.net>,
"Tom Wessels (E-mail)" <twessels@antiochne.edu>,
"Elizabeth Perry (E-mail)" <marineart@hotmail.com>,
"Monica Jakuc (E-mail)" <mjakuc@email.smith.edu>,
"Norton Miller (E-mail)" <nmiller2@MAIL.NYSED.GOV>
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 18 Sep 2006 19:20:52.0244 (UTC) FILETIME=[8E493D40:01C6DB57]
Jim,
On Sunday, Gary Beluzo and I went to Robinson State Park to look at Ray Webers evidence for Black Maple. Ray, obviously, was there, and was accompanied by several members of the local Friends group and a couple of people from Rhode Island, Matt Largess being one. Representatives from the Sierra Club came later and met with the group. However, Gary Beluzo and I left before that meeting.
Ill get to the point. A strong case is building for Black Maple being in Robinson State Park. But despite what we saw, which seemed convincing yesterday, the presence of Black Maple is not yet entirely conclusive. The strongest case for Black Maple is a particular tree outside the zone of logging. More tentative identifications occurred in the logging area, but I stress, the evidence for both cases is not yet conclusive. So, we must call on more expertise.
Beyond Black Maple, Ray Weber and other Friends members are impassioned to identify any rare or endangered species in Robinson that may have been missed anywhere in Robinson. With the assistance of expert botanists, they will likely succeed and some of the identifications will almost assuredly be in the logging zone, though probably not most. In their searches for rare and endangered species, I say more power to them. It is a job that legitimately needs to be done and one that to this point has gone wanting. I realize that Dave Richard was dependent on the Mass Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program to steer him away from protected areas/species and I'm sure he fully complied with the determinations that he was given. However, it is beginning to appear more and more that additional work needs to be done.
Despite my desire to limit my time in Robinson, there is pressure building on me to go the other way. Based on what Ive seen to this point, I have reached the conclusion that we need a more authoritative inventory of the fauna and flora within the Park and that inventory needs to be accomplished by recognized experts. The passionate amateurs have done their job, and are to be commended, but they now need professional assistance. An updated inventory accomplished by botany academics/professionals needs to be completed and submitted in a formal report to DCR. You need to know the precise locations of any rare or endangered species, historically important plant assemblages, exemplary trees or assemblages of trees(my contribution), extent of the archeologically significant area, magnitude of the invasive problem, etc. You also need a better delineation of what may qualify as vernal pools. We might presume that sufficient information in all these areas currently exists and has been used, but it is by no means clear to me that this is the case. I am aware that representatives of Mass Natural Heritage have looked at Robinson in the past. If they had the personnel available, I presume they would have revisited the site of the timber sale when the political climate in Agawam heated up. To my knowledge they weren't able to, presumably relying on whatever they had in their database. However, there appears to be a need to provide DCR with a little more help by calling on independent scientific researchers whose objectivity and credentials cannot be questioned.
Im assessing my capacity to take on more responsibility relative to collecting information in Robinson. If I can see a way, I would work through FMTSF, proposing a formal study charter to DCR, such as the one that FMTSF has for MTSF, i.e. one that spells out the purpose and scope of the study, a timetable, and the deliverables. I would not push forward unless successful in lining up a team of scientists willing to donate time to completing a plant inventory and mapping project in Robinson State Park. I have no idea how long it would take me to do that.
In the interim, I will continue soliciting help for DCR from potentially interested parties capable of providing expert input on a catch as catch can basis. That is not my preferred way of working, but I think DCR does need some help. Accordingly, what follows is an e-mail I sent to ENTS earlier this morning. Although it is rather long, I have reproduced it in full because I intend to circulate it among members of the academic-scientific community who might be willing to help update the inventory of Robinson State Park fauna and flora. Such an effort would be in support of both the Natural Heritage Program and DCR. The e-mail ends with a list of questions that can be used to help us establish the panel discussion agenda for Oct 27th though certainly not an agenda that can include all the questions. The list is just to put some ideas on the table.
Best regards,
Bob
ENTS,
Yesterday, Gary Beluzo and I went to Robinson State Forest. Our purpose was 3-fold: (1) meet Ray Weber and checkout the maples that he has tentatively identified as black maple, (2) complete an initial Rucker Index for Robinson State Park, and (3) meet with Matt Largess and a Rhode Island botanist who is donating some of his time to documenting important species in Robinson. The gentleman is an associate of activist Matt Largess who has championed the cause of the local Friends of Robinson State Park group that opposes the planned timber sale by DCR presently scheduled to take place in November or December.
First to the black maple identification. I believe there is a good chance that we did identify black maple in the Park yesterday based on the combination of leaf shape, winged seed shape, and leaf texture. Ray Weber has done a thorough job of researching the physical characteristics of the black maple as distinguished from the sugar maple and presenting the evidence. He has consulted with outside experts. Others have identified what they thought to be black maple in Robinson in the past. Black maple shows up on species lists. However, several trees that we first thought to be black maple turned out to be sugar maple. The black maple-appearing leaves came from the top of the tree, which, as Lee Frelich has often pointed out, are simpler and smaller. The leaves lower in the crowns of the trees first thought to be black maples had a distinct sugar maple appearance when we examined them through binoculars. The bark appearance was typical of sugar maple. So, the lesson is that one must take great care to distinguish the sun leaves from the shade leaves. And guess which are the first to fall on the ground? Yes, the sun leaves. But, as Lee Frelich points out, the sun leaves of sugar maples resemble the shade leaves of the black maple, so one must proceed to other tests.
At least for one tree, all other leaf and seed criteria favored black maple. One way or the other, we will put this issue to rest. So, for the present, although we are calling one particular tree that we found yesterday a black maple, we will seek additional input to be certain that our tentative identification has the approval of prominent area botanists. Thoroughness is the order of the day. My next step is to call upon retired Smith College botany professor Dr. John Burk to take a look if he has the time and is willing. Dr. Burk is well-known in western Massachusetts and his input would be extremely valuable in settling issues of species identity. It would be great to get John Burk and Lee Frelich together on Oct 26th.
Our second mission was to complete a full Rucker Index for Robinson. We succeeded. The fruits of Garys and my labors are shown below.
Species Height Circumference
Tuliptree 132.5 9.1
White Pine 126.7 9.4
Cottonwood 118.8 9.3
Pignut Hickory 116.7 9.4
Sycamore 109.4 17.1
American Beech 105.4 8.7
N. Red Oak 104.6 7.3
Black Birch 91 5.2
White Oak 87 8
Sugar Maple 84.8 8
Rucker Index 107.7
The list does not include the tentative Black Maple that we measured. It is 81.4 feet tall and 8.1 feet in girth, just missing the top 10. How does Robinson rank in the Valley? Not bad, but with further searching, we will almost certainly raise the sugar maple height to near or slightly over100 feet. I expect the RHI for Robinson to eventually reach 110 or 111. To reach 111, we would have to add 33 feet of height to the top ten. That may sound like a tall order, no pun intended, but it is definitely possible.
As I have previously mentioned, Robinson State Park will be the location of a field trip on Oct 26th for those who can make it to western Massachusetts a day early. Lee Frelich is making time for a visit and his input on the state of that forest will represent an important contribution. Lee will be part of the panel discussion on Robinson scheduled for the evening of Oct 27th. However, we would like to have others with forest knowledge and no ax to grind. This has to be about science.
Our 3rd objective of yesterday was to meet with the Rhode Island botanist and we did. He stayed busy as he searched the area for rare or unusual plants. He has a report forthcoming. I think he found several rare plants although they werent all in the area of the timber sale. The botanizing phase of the Robinson State Park, to include review of past surveys (they have to be located first), needs to continue for at least a cycle of the seasons. Brief concentrated searches over a short period of time are not likely to result in locating all rare or endangered species or make absolute identifications. The mission of the botanists is to not only to identify rare species but also to carefully map out where they occur. If the location of a rare or endangered species does not fall within the zone of the timber sale, then that needs to be understood and acknowledged by all concerned.
A personal goal of mine is to insure that DCR receives a solid scientific report on the fauna, flora, ecology, geology, cultural history, and climate of Robinson State Park. At present, I do not have the time to actively pursue such a mission, but that could change next year. I trust DCRs Chief Forester James DiMaio to make balanced decisions on the management of the forests in properties like Robinson State Park provided he has sufficient and reliable input. However, getting that input to him is no small task. DCRs internal staff is not equipped to do the job. Nor can Jim DiMaio rely on the States Natural Heritage Program to fill the gaps. Natural Heritage perpetually lives on the edge of extinction, and in its present form, has been largely reduced to maintaining a database. One swipe of the budget-cutting pencil and Natural Heritage is gone. In addition, their role and participation in situations like Robinson cannot be separated from the politics. Astute people understand exactly what I mean.
It is unfortunate that the planned timber sale for Robinson State Park has generated an atmosphere of distrust that clouds efforts to better understand this little 890-acre State Park. We need to understand its origin as a park, its current ecological state, its current recreational role, and as an urban park, where it should fit in the greater scheme of forests, parks, and reservations. We also need to understand the work previously done by DEM, the local conservation commission, and others to peg the role of Robinson.
I have gone on record as not opposing the timber sale based on my understanding of the silvicultural objectives presented to me provided that: (1) logging damage is minimized, and (2) sufficient invasive controls are put into place to prevent areas of the canopy that would be opened up from being colonized by the abundant invasive species that surround Robinson. I would not want to see the job left half done and subject to adverse impacts that went counter to the silvicultural prescription which I think began purely as a forest health and regeneration issue. Ah yes, forest health. I suppose that it is valid to say that at the very crux of the disagreement is the role of competing concepts of forest health. What positions do the disagreeing parties hold on these issues? That brings us to the proposed panel discussion scheduled for October 27th.
A number of relevant forest health and diversity related questions need to be addressed and discussed for Robinson State Park. Below, I have presented a series of questions to use in establishing a panel agenda. The questions are in no particular order and straight off the top of my head. Some are detail-oriented and some pertain to big picture issues. I present them to get the interested parties to thinking about the panel discussion and hopefully get suggestions from ENTS members.
1. Is the lack of tree regeneration in certain areas of the Park (partly due to excessive deer browse) an indicator of declining forest health?
2. Do prevailing ideas of forest health accept low levels of regeneration in some areas if they are balanced by abundant regeneration in others?
3. Do areas of mature forest act as buffers against the encroachment of light-loving invasive species?
4. Is logging a significant vector by which invasive species become established in areas otherwise free of those species?
5. What defines forest diversity in the lexicon of:
a. Forestry professionals,
b. Forest ecologists and naturalists?
6. What defines forest health in the lexicon of:
a. Forestry professionals,
b. Forest ecologists and naturalists?
7. Where do non-commercial tree species fit into the picture of forest diversity and health in the minds of:
a. Forest professionals,
b. Forest ecologists and naturalists?
8. What actions are justified to thwart extirpation of a species by an insect invasion or a forest pathogen? The potential impact of the hemlock woolly adelgid is the test case for many Massachusetts forests? Suppose the Asian Longhorn Beetle were discovered in Robinson State Park. What actions would be called for?
9. Who is responsible for tracking and controlling invasive plant species in State Forests? What kind of track record do they have?
10. Is the State aware of European and Asian earthworms as undesirable invaders of Robinson State Park?
11. Should we be concerned with which native tree species dominate the Forests and Park that are not designated as important for timber management, but are also not part of the system of forest reserves?
12. To what degree should weather anomalies figure in to forest management? What is the likelihood of major weather events occurring in Robinson that would significantly impact the forest?
13. For what size DCR properties should we be thinking more at a landscape scale than at the stand level? Where does Robinson fit into that scheme?
14. What kinds of management actions are justified for properties like Robinson State Park that attempt to retain historically present species like Liriodendron tulipifera?
15. What constitutes a legitimate public safety concern in a park like Robinson?
16. Were there conditions prescribed for the use of Robinson State Park by the donator? If so, have these conditions been met?
17. What prior agreements exist between DEM/DCR, other state agencies, special state programs, and the local citizenry with respect to Robinson State Park?
18. What kinds of partnership should DCR be looking from members of the local community to help where Park resources are inadequate to fulfill a responsibility?
19. What kinds of human threats to the ecological integrity of Robinson State Park presently exist? Who is responsible for addressing those threats?
20. What is the status of the archeological sites in Robinson State Park?
Answers to these questions and others are pertinent not only to Robinson State Park, but other State forests and parks that are located within urban areas.
Bob
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X-Return-Path: rayoffice@ndws.com
X-MDaemon-Deliver-To: edfrank@adelphia.net
Reply-To: rayoffice@ndws.com
Bob, great report. The only exception I can make is that the tree that
showed the best Black maple evidence, that was measured on the hill, is
in the cutting area. (edge of it). There are marked trees on the slopes
behind it that continue to a very short distance from it.
I was sent a series of pictures today of black maples that show both
3 and 5 point leaves, as we have seen, but the 3 points are normally
smaller ones from the top. They are also known to have some degree of red
coloration, but less so than sugar. Its a hard call as you have said, but
the
one you measured, plus another large one discovered later are the best
candidates. I've had a couple of outside opinions of the leaves, on twigs
with seed, that were in the "most probable" catagory. The drooping
leaves and that texture on the back are also high positive clues. This
larger tree we just found has very dark leaves as well, and very thick
leaves. That one needs to be measured, its over 100 ft. I have a picture
of one of the "drooping" leaves that fell from a tree near the river/brook
intersection. Bees are preventing much investigation there however :)
Our other concern is the vernal pools that are present. They were not
certified as I thought in the 1980's, and cutting is occuring heavily very
close to them (< 10ft.). Yes they arent certified, but they are pretty
clearly vernal pools. They have been seen in the spring in the past.
29 were certified several hundred yards away across the river in
the West Springfield section of the park. None in Agawam. Logging
around those will spell the end to them, so action has to be taken
to give time to certify them. Only possible in Early spring. We already
started the certification process.
Thanks all.
Ray Weber
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Date: Tue, 03 Oct 2006 23:47:46 -0400
From: "Ray Weber" <admin@snewisp.com>
To: "Leverett, Bob" <robert.leverett@sphs.com>, "Edward Frank"
<edfrank@adelphia.net>, "Steve Tilley (E-mail)" <stilley@email.smith.edu>,
"Gary Beluzo New (E-mail)" <garybeluzo@gmail.com>, "Dave Richard (DCR)
(E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>, "David Foster (E-mail)"
<drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>, "Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
"Thomas Diggins (E-mail)" <tpdiggins@ysu.edu>, "Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)"
<lef@goldengate.net>, "Heidi Ricci (E-mail)" <hroddis@massaudubon.org>,
"Anthony D'Amato (E-mail)" <adamato@forwild.umass.edu>, "Don Bragg
(E-mail)" <dbragg@fs.fed.us>
Subject: Rare Species Identity Confirmed
I received word today that the Great Blue Lobelia's found at Robinson state
park have indeed been confirmed as to identify.
To put these in perspective, there are under a dozen known PLANTS
that still exist in Massachusetts according to NH. Robinson
has three so far.
I've attached a picture taken 9/26. On 9/17, all the flowers were
in bloom on one.
Lobelia
Others are in the process of being confirmed. Natural Heritage has
accepted this identity after an onsite visit. They are checking
samples of other species with known ones from other sites to
confirm those.
Not sure how much further will turn up this late in the season, but
stay tuned.
Old Growth at Robinson?? Lets see how good the 1980's info is.......
Ray
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X-SEF-Processed: 5_0_0_713__2006_10_04_08_22_53
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft Exchange V6.0.6603.0
Subject: RE: Rare Species Identity Confirmed
Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 08:23:23 -0400
X-MS-Has-Attach:
X-MS-TNEF-Correlator:
Thread-Topic: Rare Species Identity Confirmed
Thread-Index: AcbnZ+0ZnRpn7qZuQUCDN3ULVg9j3gAQi97A
From: "Leverett, Bob" <Robert.Leverett@sphs.com>
To: <admin@snewisp.com>
Cc: "Edward Frank" <edfrank@adelphia.net>,
"Steve Tilley (E-mail)" <stilley@email.smith.edu>,
"Gary Beluzo New (E-mail)" <garybeluzo@gmail.com>,
"Dave Richard (DCR)(E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>,
"David Foster (E-mail)" <drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>,
"Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
"Thomas Diggins (E-mail)" <tpdiggins@ysu.edu>,
"Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)" <lef@goldengate.net>,
"James DiMaio (E-mail)" <James.DiMaio@state.ma.us>,
"Monica Jakuc (E-mail)" <mjakuc@email.smith.edu>,
<jburk@email.smith.edu>, <dlello@email.smith.edu>
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 04 Oct 2006 12:23:24.0508 (UTC) FILETIME=[E34809C0:01C6E7AF]
Ray:
Congratulations are in order for you and your group. I am familiar with great blue lobelia from the southern Appalachians, but had not seen it locally, and apparently for good reason.
I am very interested in your identification of river birch. Do you have a digital image the you could send?
As I think that I previously indicated, black maple is going to be a close call, maybe to close to get a definitive answer. Since the field trip on which you located several potential specimens, I've found examples of sugar maple samaras that have the same parallel wings as those often shown for black maple. If Natural Heritage is working on the problem and seeking outside expertise, I think the mystery will be satisfactorily solved. BTW, what was the source of the information on the best means of propagating black maple?
On Oct 15th, Dr. Steve Tilley, a biologist from Smith College, will accompany me to Robinson to have still another look at the species there. Might you be available on that day to help locate each species? Oct 26th is the big field day, but there will be others visiting Robinson, since not all the experts being contacted can meet on Oct 26th. I'm still hoping to get Dr. John Burk, retired Smith College botany professor, involved in species identification. Although I have not met him personally, I'm aware of his work. I was told that he is the scientist who identified red ash in Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Identification of red ash calls for making fine distinctions and that is what is needed in Robinson State Park.
Ray, it is important that all the information that your group has been assembling get formatted into at least a draft report as son as possible. The decision makers and evaluators of the decisions need a chance to digest what is being identified in Robinson, confirmed and tentative. There is little doubt that some adjustments to the current timber plan will have to be made, but the extent is unclear. Outside of adjustments to protect any rare species or habitats uncovered, my main concern continues to be collateral damage from the actual logging and the threat from invasives. One of the academics that I hope to get input from has done work on invasives.
Bob
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Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:17:42 -0400
From: "Ray Weber" <admin@snewisp.com>
To: "Leverett, Bob" <robert.leverett@sphs.com>, "Edward Frank"
<edfrank@adelphia.net>, "Steve Tilley (E-mail)" <stilley@email.smith.edu>,
"Gary Beluzo New (E-mail)" <garybeluzo@gmail.com>, "Dave Richard
(DCR)(E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>, "David Foster (E-mail)"
<drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>, "Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
"Thomas Diggins (E-mail)" <tpdiggins@ysu.edu>, "Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)"
<lef@goldengate.net>, "James DiMaio (E-mail)" <James.DiMaio@state.ma.us>,
"Monica Jakuc (E-mail)" <mjakuc@email.smith.edu>, jburk@email.smith.edu,
dlello@email.smith.edu
Subject: RE: Rare Species Identity Confirmed
Id be happy to help your gentleman see the species.
The lobelia is in a difficult spot to get to, and kind of delicate,
but it may be possible if not too wet.
I've attached the red birch picuture. I need to retake one however,
this one isnt great. The flash went off apparently and washed it out.
Matt can give you the specifics on the ident.
We have a report pretty much done, but its disheartening to hear our
senators come to us and tell us that DCR told them that "all of the major
environmental groups approve of DCR's plan", and naming a few. We checked
with the few mentioned, and its simply not the case. I have put our senators
in touch with the appropriate people to verify this.
Fact is, most of them have told us they support a comprehensive over the
seasons
study be done, and done thoroughly, and the plan be revisited this time
with PUBLIC input. Like one group said, the public near the park knows
the park far better than someone from out of the area.
Black Maple yes is a hard call. We have to get another set of leaves for NH
to
check. Also we have pictures of black maple in the midwest that show
the classic sugar maple bottom leaves with 5 points. We are still trying to
track down how these were identified in the 1980's, but it was apparently
some people with expertise that did so. We have a set of leaves and others
being studied out of state by an older gent thats seen many blacks over
the years. He has a PHD and is in his 90's. Its past bloom time
for most of the fall flowers, but who knows, another look by a differing
set of eyes always seems to find something else there.
Ray Weber
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Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:20:51 -0400
From: "Ray Weber" <admin@snewisp.com>
To: "Leverett, Bob" <robert.leverett@sphs.com>, "Edward Frank"
<edfrank@adelphia.net>, "Steve Tilley (E-mail)" <stilley@email.smith.edu>,
"Gary Beluzo New (E-mail)" <garybeluzo@gmail.com>, "Dave Richard
(DCR)(E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>, "David Foster (E-mail)"
<drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>, "Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
"Thomas Diggins (E-mail)" <tpdiggins@ysu.edu>, "Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)"
<lef@goldengate.net>, "James DiMaio (E-mail)" <James.DiMaio@state.ma.us>,
"Monica Jakuc (E-mail)" <mjakuc@email.smith.edu>, jburk@email.smith.edu,
dlello@email.smith.edu
Subject: RE: Rare Species Identity Confirmed
Sorry missed the propagation inquiry.
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/nhfacts/acenig.pdf
That is natural heritage's document on the species.
See "management recommendations" at the bottom.
Ray
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Subject: Robinson State Park
Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2006 16:03:00 -0400
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Thread-Topic: Robinson State Park
Thread-Index: AcbouUIZLg+OnhvqTcqlkE/7YFkj8Q==
From: "Leverett, Bob" <Robert.Leverett@sphs.com>
To: "Elisa Campbell (E-mail)" <campbell@oit.umass.edu>,
"Jay Mccaffrey (E-mail)" <massachusetts.chapter@sierraclub.org>,
"Heidi Ricci (E-mail)" <hroddis@massaudubon.org>,
"Mike Young (E-mail)" <myoung721@comcast.net>,
"Gary BeluzoWork (E-mail)" <gbeluzo@hcc.mass.edu>,
"James DiMaio (E-mail)" <James.DiMaio@state.ma.us>,
"Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)" <lef@goldengate.net>,
"Edward Frank (E-mail)" <edfrank@adelphia.net>,
"Steve Tilley (E-mail)" <stilley@email.smith.edu>,
"Thomas Diggins (E-mail)" <tpdiggins@ysu.edu>,
"Patricia Singer (DCR) (E-mail)" <Patricia.Singer@state.ma.us>,
"Dave Richard (DCR) (E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>,
"David Foster (E-mail)" <drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>,
"Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
<jburk@email.smith.edu>, "Ray Weber (E-mail)" <admin@snewisp.com>
Cc: "Don Bragg (E-mail)" <dbragg@fs.fed.us>,
"Walnut Hill Tracking (E-mail)" <walnuthilltracking@verizon.net>
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 05 Oct 2006 20:03:01.0010 (UTC) FILETIME=[42920F20:01C6E8B9]
Hello All,
I thought it time summarize the current state of affairs in Robinson strictly from my perspective, including a restatement of my own position. Others are invited to provide input.
HUNT FOR RARE SPECIES:
1. At present there is the confirmed presence of great blue lobelia in Robinson State Park - a rare species. There is the tentative identification of black maple in Robinson, but the jury is still out on the confirmation of this species. Natural Heritage is working on the identifcation as is an independent authority on black maple in Maine. There are several other species in the unusual or rare class that are presently being confirmed both in and outside the marked zone. I don't know the exact number of species at this point. However, one is purple giant hyssop. It is present in Robinson, but may be a cultivar as opposed to a native population. This is being checked out. There also appears to be one or more unclassified vernal pools, which are in the process of being certified by the friends group.
2. There are a number of loose ends associated with past botanical work done associated with a "Greenspace" program in Robinson. Had the results of past botanizing done in conjunction with the Greenspace program found its way into the Natural Heritage Database, the current picture might be different. There are people who evidently have recollections of the process. One is Pamela Jacobson, the recording secretary for the Robinson State Park advisory committee. Another is Richard Morassi, a retired attorney from Agawam. I have not personally talked to either of these people, since neither is a scientist and my focus has been science.
SCHEDULED EVENTS:
1. On the evening of Oct 27, as part of the 4th Annual Forest Forest Summit Lecture Series at Holyoke Community College (HCC), we will have 2 and possibly 3 presentations on Robinson. If we have 2 presentations instead of 3, Gary and I will attempt to balance the points of view. The public is invited.
2. On Dec 14th, we will hold a panel discussion on Robinson at 7:00PM, also at HCC. The public is invited.
CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES:
1. Public safety and forest health are legitimate concerns for all our state parks. However, we need to explore the concept of forest health more fully as it relates to different DCR properties. Forest health seems clear enough when the primary focus is on growing commercially valuable timber and maintaining habitat for game animal species. In both cases, health is tied directly to economics. But the concept of forest health is more illusive when the focus is shifted to species perpetuation through the continuity of ecological processes acting over long time periods, as will be the focus in the forest reserves. Both the concepts have merit, but on different time scales. Where does a property like Robinson fit in if it isn't to be treated as a timber resource like, say Beartown or October Mountain State Forests, but also isn't a forest reserve? These are shades of gray that need to be explored more fully. One final point is that the concept of forest health can quickly become politicized, especially in the media. Sound bites do not do justice to this complex issue regardless of which side of the table they come from. Public safety issues seem clearer, at least in the vicinity of public trails.
2. It is now clear to me that DCR had inadequate input from Natural Heritage at the time of the planned timber sale. DCR was also missing the results of work done in the 1980s under a "greenspace" initiative that included participants from the then DEM. It is unclear what impact the missing information would have had on the timber marking, but the probability is high that there would have been an impact.
MY PERSONAL POSITION:
1. My original observations about the timber marking in Robinson have not changed. It is a relatively light marking - certainly not one designed to maximize timber revenues. The relative lightness of the marking impressed me on my first visit and it still impresses me. The removal of the dying red pines is not in the least bothersome to me. The primary objective of enhancing regeneration of oak and pine in areas where the understory has very little is acceptable, subject to the following conditions:
a. Logging damage is minimal and the slash is cut up and spread out,
b. Invasives are controlled,
c. Areas with rare species/habitats and vernal pools and the archeological sites are fully protected.
2. One of the objectives that I would personally like to see fulfilled in Robinson is the propagation of tulip poplar. I am not sure if this was an objective in the original proposed silvicultural treatment, but from a historical perspective, is a highly desirable one to include. The current plan needs to be revisited in terms of the healthy tuliptrees that were marked for cutting, as inconsistent with tuliptree regeneration. This point has been articulated by the friends group and needs to be addressed by DCR.
CONCLUSIONS:
There are legitimate silvicultural prescriptions that need to be available for Robinson State Park, to include: (1) combating insect invasions, fungal pathogens, and alien plant species, (2) maintenance of historically present species such as tuliptree, and (3) encouraging regeneration of important species such as white pine and oak, should their continued presence become threatened. But given the rare species discoveries (tentative and confirmed) by third parties and Natural Heritage confirmation, DCR should consider delaying its current plan until a full cycle of botanizing has been completed. The silvicultural plan should then be adjusted to protect any rare species identified. The extent and importance of the archeological sites in Robinson has yet to be determined. If the UMASS Archeology Department sees the site as potentially of greater significance than heretofore characterized, that needs to be taken into consideration. DCR's archeologist should confer directly with UMASS. DCR should err on the side of caution around valuable cultural sites.
Bob
Database Developer and Systems Analyst
Information Technologies
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 19:44:34 -0400
From: "Ray Weber" <admin@snewisp.com>
To: "Leverett, Bob" <robert.leverett@sphs.com>, "Elisa Campbell (E-mail)"
<campbell@oit.umass.edu>, "Jay Mccaffrey (E-mail)"
<massachusetts.chapter@sierraclub.org>, "Heidi Ricci (E-mail)"
<hroddis@massaudubon.org>, "Mike Young (E-mail)" <myoung721@comcast.net>,
"Gary BeluzoWork (E-mail)" <gbeluzo@hcc.mass.edu>, "James DiMaio (E-mail)"
<James.DiMaio@state.ma.us>, "Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)" <lef@goldengate.net>,
"Edward Frank (E-mail)" <edfrank@adelphia.net>, "Steve Tilley (E-mail)"
<stilley@email.smith.edu>, "Thomas Diggins (E-mail)" <tpdiggins@ysu.edu>,
"Patricia Singer (DCR) (E-mail)" <Patricia.Singer@state.ma.us>, "Dave
Richard (DCR) (E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>, "David Foster (E-mail)"
<drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>, "Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
jburk@email.smith.edu, "Don Bragg (E-mail)"
<dbragg@fs.fed.us>,friends@friendsofrobinsonstatepark.org
Subject: Re: Robinson State Park
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Hi Bob, this is the list I promised you. I did not particularly want to
list tenative identifications, but there clearly is a need to show
the scope of this problem.
These are the tenative species at Robinson Park. Keep in mind
that there are some plants not on this list that the field botanist found but
we simply cannot determine what they are. He had never seen them
even with his long time experience in the Northeast. And again I
have to qualify, there is a need to include all the seaons in this "hunt",
as the time we had was limited. The botanist was in the field for only
around four hours total, in late September Most of these are on state lists,
but a few are just considered "rare" and on watch lists. These all are going
to take time to properly document and confirm. Also the same
gent that did the list of birds in the 1980's has updated his list and
now lists over 250 species, with 90 nesting species present at Robinson.
Great Blue Lobelia (confirmed , extrememly rare with <12 in state.
listed as endangered three found in Robinson but
not in bloom anymore, likely more)
Purple Giant Hyssop (extremely rare, listed endangered, being reviewed against
herbarium specimens out of state, no other stands are left
in Mass. Three stands of these, one of which would be the
largest in Southern New England. Two of the three stands
are highly threatened by the plan as marked.)
Narrow Leaved Spring Beauty (listed threatened,confirmed in the past, noted
at additional locations)
Dwarf Bulrush
Smooth Rock Cress
Fen Cuckoo Flower
Climbing Fumitory
Shining Webgrass
Rough Panic Grass
Culvers-Root
Red Mulberry
Cornel Leaved Aster
Black Maple
Black Ash (marked for cut)
Red Birch (marked for cut)
Wood Turtle
Triangular Floater Mussel
Bald Eagle (present, not nesting yet)
Barn Owl
Snow Owl
Jefferson Salamander
Four Toed Salamander
Eastern Worm Snake
Others noted in the past with no locations listed.
Like has been said by several, there are so many different forest types, and
over 50 tree species present, which contribute to a very rare ecosystem.
There are at current seven vernal pool candidates, that cannot be certified
until spring. Several at least will be negatively impacted by the current cutting
plan.
Ray
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2006 20:26:55 -0400
From: "Ray Weber" <rayoffice@ndws.com>
To: "Ray Weber" <admin@snewisp.com>, "Leverett, Bob"
<robert.leverett@sphs.com>, "Elisa Campbell (E-mail)"
<campbell@oit.umass.edu>, "Jay Mccaffrey (E-mail)"
<massachusetts.chapter@sierraclub.org>, "Heidi Ricci (E-mail)"
<hroddis@massaudubon.org>, "Mike Young (E-mail)" <myoung721@comcast.net>,
"Gary BeluzoWork (E-mail)" <gbeluzo@hcc.mass.edu>, "James DiMaio (E-mail)"
<James.DiMaio@state.ma.us>, "Lee E. Frelich (E-mail)" <lef@goldengate.net>,
"Edward Frank (E-mail)" <edfrank@adelphia.net>, "Steve Tilley (E-mail)"
<stilley@email.smith.edu>, "Thomas Diggins (E-mail)" <tpdiggins@ysu.edu>,
"Patricia Singer (DCR) (E-mail)" <Patricia.Singer@state.ma.us>, "Dave
Richard (DCR) (E-mail)" <Dave.Richard@state.ma.us>, "David Foster (E-mail)"
<drfoster@fas.harvard.edu>, "Bruce Spencer (E-mail)" <jnbennett@GIS.net>,
jburk@email.smith.edu, "Don Bragg (E-mail)" <dbragg@fs.fed.us>,
friends@friendsofrobinsonstatepark.org
Subject: Re: Robinson State Park
Oh, I forgot to mention, there is also a very nice stand
of old growth in Robinson, not in the cutting area, but that
may be impacted ecologically by all this. Found mention of
it in my 1980's notes and went to see it. WOW. Ill show
it to Bob Leverett.
This stand also is a very good example of what the forest
could look like if the rest if left alone.
Ray
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From: "Robert Leverett"
To: <ENTSTrees@topica.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 2:33 PM
Subject: Out of the frying pan, into the fire
ENTS,
The Robinson State Park timber sale scheduled for December, if not
later, is an issue of concern to local citizens in the Connecticut River
Valley and to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, albeit for
different reasons. And guess who is squarely in the middle of the
controversy? Both sides seem to be looking to yours truly and to my
colleague Gary Beluzo, working as a teaam, to find a compromise. At the
heart of the controversy is a planned timber sale in what is basically
an urban woodland of 890 acres, bordering the Westfield River in the
town of Agawam. State silviculturists are troubled by the lack of oak
and pine regeneration in sections of mature forest. The silviculturists
are also concerned over two dying red pine stands that were planted in
the 1930s. So the DCR managing forest designed a silvicultural treatment
to address what he sees as problems. Local opposition is emotional. Both
sides have good points favoring their positions. One issue that has
become important is whether or not black maple grows in the park.
Several trees have strong black maple characteristics according to some
tree identification sources, but are ambiguous in other sources. A
second question has arisen and that is what is the best silvicultural
treatment to insure the perpetuation of black maple (assuming it
exists). Should the areas be left alone? Is some cutting advisible? The
Chief Forester of Massachusetts posed this question to me earlier today
in an e-mail:
"I do have a question on black maple. As you are probably aware that
this species is closely linked with sugar maple, often mis-identfied as
well as hybridized with sugar maple. Black maple would be at the edge of
the zone. Might not the project actually encourage and maintain black
maple possibilities vs the non-management strategy which would revert to
red maple and other late successional shade tolerant species such as
hemlock, beech, etc.?"
Jim's observation that a non-management strategy would cause a
reversion to red maple seems problematic to me. If there aren't any
major disturbances and regeneration occurs through small canopy gaps,
I'm of the opinion that red maple would not have an advantage over other
species. By contrast, if there are large openings, I would think that
red maple would gain an advantage. What succesional trajectories favor
an over-abundance of red maple in a fairly diverse forest such as
Robinson? Add deer to the equation and what balances are changed?
Any thoughts on these subjects from Ents would be mightily
appreciated.
Bob
Robert T. Leverett
Cofounder, Eastern Native Tree Society
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