Natural resources inventory ready

SALISBURY — The Natural Resource Inventory was presented to the town at a brief meeting at Town Hall Friday evening, Dec. 18.

The glossy 92-page book, with copious photographs and fold-out maps, contains data that will assist town officials in planning, and a wide range of recommendations for future action.

First Selectman Curtis Rand opened the meeting by noting that when the Conservation Commission was first formed in 1973, it was decided the commission would have jurisdiction over the town’s natural resources.

And with the state-required 10-year revision of the Town Plan of Conservation and Development coming up, town officials believed an inventory of those resources would be helpful.

The Salisbury Association stepped up, and with Elaine Hecht as editor and Lou Hecht handling the design and production, produced what Rand called “an extraordinary document.�

Elaine Hecht said the last inventory, from 1999, was “seven pages, in three different fonts.�

She added that the volunteers “wanted to produce descriptive, science-oriented data, to provide baseline resources of the town for the commission members.�

She thanked all the contributors and noted the efforts of the Housatonic Valley Association and Sharon Audubon.

The inventory identifies nine resource areas — Geology and Topography, Water Resources, Forest Resources, Agricultural Resources, Critical Habitats, Open Space, Scenic Roads, Recreational Resources and Historic Landmarks.

Each section has maps and recommendations. Several provide bibliographies. All include photographs, some modern, some historic.

“Multiple computer formats had to be tamed� to produce the book, the Hechts said.

Copies are available at the Academy Building. The cost is $25 (to help offset the costs of production).

Rand presented the Hechts with a wooden sandpiper, carved by Don Stevens, in appreciation of their efforts.

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