New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle Q - Adirondack Park Agency › Chapter II - Regulation of Land Use and Development and Subdivision of Land › Part 578 - Special Provisions Relating to Freshwater Wetlands › Section 578.5 - Values of particular wetlands

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
The following list describes several wetland covertypes and
					 most other wetland characteristics and assigns one of four value ratings to
					 each. Wetlands may have one or several of these characteristics. The value
					 ratings indicate the overall worth of a given wetland, and in combination with
					 the standards in sections 578.6 through
					 578.10 of this Part, will provide
					 general guidance to applicants whether a permit will be issued pursuant to this
					 Part.
Values of Particular Wetland
					 Covertypes
Value Rating
(a)
Bogs
are relatively specialized
								communities which often contain unusual plant or animal species, including many
								typical of boreal zones, and are usually very slow-growing.
2
(b)
Classic or kettlehole bogs
are
								very rare, support a limited community of plants highly specialized for life in
								bogs and are very sensitive to disruption and slow to recover.
1
(c)
Emergent marsh
is the most
								valuable individual covertype and one of the highest in productivity of all
								temperate ecosystems. The emergent vegetation provides nesting habitat, food
								and cover for many waterfowl and other wildlife, provides large annual
								increases in biomass, and cycles large quantities of nutrients into food
								chains. Emergent marshes usually contrast with surrounding areas in physical
								structure and therefore provide habitat diversity and "edge." Where purple
								loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria)
or reed
(Phragmites
								australis)
constitute approximately two-thirds or more of the wetland,
								however, the value assigned is lower (3) as these species are less productive
								and support much less wildlife use than other marsh species.
2
(d)
Deciduous swamps
are
								  frequently used by nesting and migrating waterfowl. They are also heavily used
								  by other birds and wildlife. Deciduous swamps are often intermittently flooded
								  and desiccated. Their soils exhibit high fertility which promotes rapid plant
								  growth and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Windthrow of the shallow rooted
								  trees found in such swamps tends to create habitat variety. During the growing
								  season, such swamps transpire and filter great quantities of water,
								  contributing to the maintenance of water quality and the moderation of
								  micro-climatic conditions.
2
(e)
Deep water marsh
may be an
								important food source for waterfowl and is frequently a valuable area for fish
								spawning and nurseries. When located adjacent to a larger waterbody it is
								valuable as well as a water storage area.
3
(f)
Shrub swamps
generally have
								variable values for fish and wildlife. Since they are likely to be of different
								vegetational structure than surrounding or adjoining areas, they often supply
								significant nesting and other wildlife habitat. Shrub swamps adjacent to
								permanent bodies of water are frequently flooded and provide additional water
								storage capacity to ameliorate downstream flooding. Shrub swamps may also be
								located in zones subject to scouring by ice or other waterborne debris. In
								these areas, shrub swamps, which contain species resistant to scouring damage,
								stabilize soil and prevent erosion and downstream sedimentation.
3
(g)
Wetlands composed of two or more
								structural groups
have greater value as fish or wildlife habitat.
								Three structural groups are recognized for determining this value:
2
(1) low types, found in wet meadows and emergent
								marshes;
(2) shrubs and trees, found in deciduous, coniferous
								and shrub swamps;
(3) flat or water, found in deep water marshes, open
								water and mudflats.
A group must comprise at least 10 percent of the
								wetland area to be counted as a separate structural group for the purposes of
								this subdivision.
(h)
Coniferous swamps
are capable of
								transpiring large quantities of water over a major portion of the year. This
								process may, during the summer, contribute to the maintenance of low soil and
								water temperatures critical to the survival of cold water fish in streams fed
								by or running through such swamps.
4
(i)
Wet meadows,
when associated
								with other covertypes, are valuable for wildlife, including nesting by wetland
								birds. When associated with open water and certain other wetland covertypes,
								wet meadows may also be valuable for fish spawning. When not associated with
								other wetland covertypes, however, wet meadow is likely to be of relatively
								lower value.
4
(j)
Artificial mudflats
usually have
								limited or no values for fish and wildlife due to the unpredictability and
								usually prolonged duration of exposure.
4
Wetlands Related to Surface Water
								Systems
(k)
Wetlands associated with open
								water
provide breeding and spawning areas as well as food and cover
								for wildlife and fish using the open water. They are an integral part of open
								water ecosystems and provide natural nutrient exchange. They purify water
								entering the open water and may improve its quality whether measured in rate of
								flow, dissolved oxygen content, clarity, or ionic content. They often provide
								temporary storm water storage and ameliorate downstream flooding.
Wetlands with over 20 acres within the mean high water mark of lakes,
								ponds, rivers and streams
are integral parts of those water bodies and
								can dramatically affect quality and flow in those waterbodies and are rated
								highest (1).
Wetlands with under two acres in size or not within the
								mean high water mark
are of much less importance to the adjoining
								water body and are rated lower (3).
2
(l)
Wetlands that are not part of permanent
								surface water systems
have lower hydrological value and are less
								supportive of fish and waterfowl.
4
Wetlands with Values due to Productivity or
								Diversity
(m)
Wetlands with unusual species abundance
								or diversity
are unique ecosystems which may contain large heron
								rookeries, may be the site of other colonial nesting grounds, may be used
								intensively by migrating birds, or may contain some other abundance or
								diversity of wildlife or fish. They are relatively more valuable if they are
								unique or exemplary compared to other wetlands in the State, in the
								Adirondacks, or in the county in which they are located, and are rated highest
								(1).
2
(n)
Wetlands with a total alkalinity of at
								least 50 ppm
are valuable for fish and wildlife since their buffering
								capacity promotes conditions favorable to the growth of vegetation, providing
								good wildlife habitat. Alkalinity also indicates natural fertility of the
								underlying substrate, with potentially high productivity and nutrient
								turnover.
3
(o)
Wetlands adjacent to fertile
								upland,
indicated by the presence of growing crops or soils suitable
								for growing crops in the immediate vicinity, are valuable as fish and wildlife
								habitat due to higher levels of available plant and nutrients and trace
								elements reaching the wetland.
3
Wetlands with Values due to Presence of
								Threatened or Endangered Species
(p)
Wetlands with significant evidence of use
								as key habitat for endangered or threatened wildlife species
contribute significantly to the survival prospects for that species. Wetlands
								providing resident habitat for a species considered endangered or threatened in
								New York State or the Adirondack Park are the most critical. Wetlands providing
								migratory habitat, while also essential for perpetuation of the species, are
								rated lower (2).
1
(q)
Wetlands containing an endangered or
								threatened plant species
similarly contribute to the prospects for
								survival of such species. If five or fewer sites are known where the plant
								occurs within New York State or the Adirondack Park, the wetland provides
								virtually irreplaceable habitat. Wetlands providing any habitat supporting
								plants endangered or threatened in New York State or the Adirondack Park are
								nevertheless valuable (2).
1
Wetlands with Values Due to Geological
								Features
(r)
Wetlands containing, owing their
								existence to, or ecologically associated with high quality or "textbook
								examples" of geological features
are generally of scientific and
								educational interest.
3
(s)
Wetlands with slopes greater than one
								percent
have little hydrologic value due to decreased water
								retention.
4
Wetlands with Values due to Social
								Factors
(t)
Wetlands located in towns where wetlands
								or wetlands of the same covertype are one percent or less of total
								acreage
are valuable due to comparative rarity.
2
(u)
Wetlands that are among the three largest
								in
the town in which located are assigned high values due to
								comparative rarity. Wetlands among the three largest of the same covertype are
								valuable for the same reason (3).
2
(v)
Wetlands with island(s) present
within their boundaries provide nesting and refuge for wildlife, visual variety
								and interest, and an opportunity for recreational or educational
								activities.
3
(w)
Wetlands of demonstrable historical,
								archeological or paleontological significance
are generally of high
								value for scientists and laymen alike depending upon the specific historic
								event, or archeological or paleontological feature involved.
3
(x)
Wetlands that contribute significantly to
								open space or aesthetic values in a hamlet, moderate intensity or low intensity
								use area
serve to preserve open space and aesthetic values in areas
								where most growth will and should occur according to the Adirondack Park land
								use and development plan map. They often provide welcome visual relief due to
								their natural character, and opportunities for wildlife viewing within built-up
								areas.
3