EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
The Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) for the Town of
Branford is a compilation of existing information and
databases of resources for the Town. Due to budget constraints,
additional surveys and data compilations were not possible.
The author recognizes that the inventory cannot be all-inclusive
and that some information may be have been omitted for
various reasons. However, the document does serve as
a starting point and can be updated as additional information
becomes available. The databases used in this NRI include
those presently listed on the State and Town's GIS system
as well as compilations from various agencies both public
and private. The NRI is computer compatible with the
Town's information system and new information can be
readily added. In order to keep the information current,
it is suggested that an update is performed every ten
years.
The information presented in this NRI is a general overview
of the resources in Town. Due to scale considerations
for this report the maps presented here are meant for
general informational purposes only and cannot be used
to judge site conditions at any one locale. For example,
any individual considering building or purchasing a
parcel of land should consult the flood maps on file
in Town Hall before any decision is made.
A general assessment of the information contained in
this NRI suggests that Branford still enjoys a relatively
high level of quality of its natural resources. For
example, water quality (both surface and ground) in
the Town is still quite high despite the fact that the
Town's population has grown significantly over the last
half century. However, there are indications that these
resources may be reaching the limit of their resilience
(e.g., interrupted wildlife corridors, more frequent
closing of shellfish beds, constant flooding in places).
How much further these resources can be stretched before
problems begin to accumulate and degrade the quality
of life in Town cannot be predicted at this time. Future
problems that can be expected to arise from continued
urban sprawl may include reductions in water quality,
limited open space for both passive (e.g., hiking) and
active (e.g., ball fields) recreation, and/or reduced
wildlife habitat.
One area of concern that has not been addressed by the
Town nor the State is relative sea level rise. At present,
there are many low lying areas within Town that will
become susceptible to coastal flooding during storms
as sea levels continue to rise over the next few decades.
Many of the roads and underpasses are already inadequate
and will not be able to handle any further increases
in flooding due to relative sea level rise. The costs
associated with increasing population growth coupled
to environmental changes such as sea level rise will
continue to stress all of the Town's resources (natural
and economic) into the future. If we are not careful
with our natural resources today, we may one day reduce
the quality of life for all of Branford's citizens.
Although this NRI is not a management document, there
are some assessments that can be made based on the available
information that may aid managers and planners in the
future. For example:
• There are large gaps in the availability of
information pertaining to point and non-point pollution
sources in the Town. This may be one area that could
be improved with future funding.
• A number of databases have not been compiled
and are sitting as individual files in offices around
Town. For example, size and location of septic systems
are filed by application rather than compiled into a
single database by the Health District.
• Other databases were not required or regulated
in the past and are at times handled by two separate
agencies. For instance, underground storage tanks were
not registered until recently and those that are registered
are only done so as they are removed (Fire Department)
or new ones installed (Building and Engineering Department).
In neither case is the data compiled into a single database,
but rather it is maintained as individual files within
the respective departments.
• Much of the information from agencies outside
of the Town (e.g. utilities) is not available to the
public or compiled by Town. For example, Southern Connecticut
Gas only has information on an account-to-account basis
and it is not available for public review nor can it
be estimated for the Town as a whole.
• In time, more information will be digitized
and added to the Town's database. As this information
is collected, some of the assessments made during this
NRI may be deemed obsolete and management of the Town's
resources may require new approaches.
It is hoped that the information presented here will
allow the Town to identify information gaps and coordinate
information compilations in the future. |
