TECHNICAL natural + cultural resources Richmond’s natural and working lands form the landscape of our community, enriching our lives and drawing many visitors to the area. This landscape provides ecological services (e.g., cleaning the air and drinking water, protecting property from flood damage, etc.), habitat for countless plants and animals, outdoor education laboratories for local schools, and a wide range of economic, recreational, and scenic benefits. Protecting our environment and natural lands is one of the best investments we can make in the future of Richmond, with benefits for our people, our economy, and our character. What Are Natural Lands? “Natural lands” are areas that are undeveloped or minimally developed, which conserve natural resources and functions. They may include forests and fields, rivers and other water bodies, or wetlands, which provide benefits like habitat, recreation, groundwater supplies, scenic views, agriculture or forestry, and more. The term overlaps with other phrases such as open space, or subsets of natural area such as working lands. + Richmond is home to some of the richest natural lands in the state, thanks to its location between the high peaks of the northern Green Mountains and the fertile lowlands of the Champlain Valley. Its many acres of working lands are a critical part of our history and our modern economy. More than 600 acres are conserved in the Richmond Land Trust, and over 20 parcels are considered agricultural lands. Richmond is also home to a variety of unique natural communities or ecosystems, such as wetlands, vernal pools, and upland forests. While community members widely benefit from and appreciate natural lands, the integrity and quantity of natural lands is declining. Poorly planned development or invasive land uses can have cascading effects on the environment and community, such as increased erosion and flood damage. Our natural lands also face threats like climate change, severe storms, and invasive species. Vermont as a whole is facing a forest fragmentation crisis, and with a large natural cover percentage in Richmond, the community has the opportunity to mitigate its impact on this statewide issue. Natural and working areas are broken down into categories for the purposes of this plan; the following tables describe these areas, current protections, and priorities for further conservation efforts. Terrestrial Areas + Resources Category Current Local Protections Conservation Priorities Geology and Landforms Federal floodplain regulations, state development regulations, Richmond Zoning Regulations Winooski River floodplain Steep slopes (over 15% grade) Huntington Gorge East Cliffs along Dugway Road and cliffs west of Snipe Island Brook
Two major features dominate Richmond’s landscape: the foothills of the Green Mountains and the Winooski River Valley. Much of Richmond's rural character and appeal results from the scenic vistas that can be observed in many parts of the town and that include an interplay of villages, mountains, forested hills, unbroken ridgelines, farms, fields, rivers, streams, ponds and woodlands. Richmond is also fortunate to have many tree-lined streets in its village and along its outlying roads. Trees provide shade, beauty and habitat; can serve as food sources, and reduce air and noise pollution. Properly sited street trees can also have important traffic calming effects and improve pedestrian safety. In addition to these benefits, street trees can improve neighborhood property values. Species in Richmond include the stately sugar maple and at least one rare American elm. Air pollution can cause a number of serious illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, cancer or damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. There are a number of significant sources of air pollution in Vermont, the largest being the automobile. Another source of air pollution once common in Vermont is trash burning. The US Environmental Protection Agency has required each state to measure its ambient air for six “criteria” pollutants since 1970. Vermont Air Pollution Control Division monitors the ambient air for several hundred pollutants, but the six “criteria” pollutants are considered the most common. + of Vermont Municipal Planning Grant 2012 Richmond Town Plan Richmond Community Members Richmond Community Resilience Organization Richmond Conservation Commission Planning Document Vermont Planning Information Center Richmond Town Capital Plan FY2018-FY2023 Richmond Town Budget FY2017, FY2018 State and regional policies Title 10 V.S.A. Chapter 21, Section 481-506 Title 24 V.S.A. Chapter 118 Title 1 V.S.A. Chapter 5, Sections 310-314