Environmental Responsibility Statement for Landowners

The Shoreline Greenway Trail is committed to building a trail with respect for natural resources and the environment of the Shoreline community. The Shoreline Greenway Trail will be designed in harmony with its surroundings—- ideally, it will blend with and all but disappear into each of its varied sections.

Ecological Factors
To the extent possible, human-wildlife conflicts will be minimized by avoiding environmentally sensitive areas such as known nesting areas, wildlife feeding areas, migration corridors, vernal pools, and areas with endangered species. To this end, we will consult with wildlife experts.

Trail Construction Considerations
Consulting with experts we will design trails which are environmentally sensitive with trail surfaces appropriate to the locale. Mature trees and stone walls will be respected. No radical changes to ground contours will be considered. Natural (sheet flow) drainage principles will be used to the extent possible and currently faulty drainage on existing trails will be corrected. To prevent fragmentation of open space, existing trail routes will be used to the maximum extent possible and new trail routes will only be cut where no other alternative exists. Boardwalks will be used to bridge wetlands and marshes. Materials used in trail construction will be environmentally sensitive products. To prevent access by motorized vehicles, bollards will be installed at trail heads.

Maintenance
Each trail section within each town will be monitored by volunteers at regular intervals throughout the year. If erosion problems occur, they will be addressed promptly. Spreading of invasive species will be avoided using state-approved guidelines. Only native plants approved by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will be used in trail corridors. Pruning of shrubs and tree branches will only occur within the prescribed width of the trail. Invasive species, once identified, will be dealt with according to state-approved protocols. Trash containers will be provided at trailheads and emptying will be the responsibility of trail patrols organized by volunteers.

NOTE: as new information becomes available, these guidelines will be updated by the Shoreline Greenway Trail Environmental Task Force to reflect current knowledge and practices.

Any questions about these principles should be addressed to Ted Braun, Trail Coordinator, Shoreline Greenway Trail 203 453-5688

Posted: Jun 8, 03:31 PM

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