4.6 4.6
Critical Enviromnental Area—Marl Fen—Airport—SPH—10-19-15
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING DESIGNATING
MARL FENS AND ADJOINING LANDS AT FLOYD BENNETT
MEMORIAL AIRPORT AS CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS
PURSUANT TO §617.14(g) OF RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
NYS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
RESOLUTION NO. ,2015
INTRODUCED BY:
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY:
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board is authorized to designate specific geographic
areas within the Town of Queensbury as critical environmental areas in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation adopted in
accordance with the authorization and directives of the State Environmental Quality Review Act,
and
WHEREAS, two (2) areas of marl fen as shown in Figure 1 of a Memorandum by Greg
Edinger of the New York Natural Heritage Program, re: Marl Fen at Floyd Bennett Memorial
Airport, dated December 3, 2014, and all lands outside those designations and adjacent thereto
within one hundred (100) feet appear to be exceptional and unique character and a critical
environmental area, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board is considering the designation of such area as a critical
environmental area as the aforesaid area may meet criteria contained in §617.4(g) of the Official
Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York for the Department of
Environmental Conservation as having exceptional or unique character covering one or more of
the following:
A) a benefit to human health;
B) a natural setting (e.g. fish and wildlife habitat, forest and vegetation, open space and
areas of important aesthetic or scenic quality);
C) agricultural, social, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, or educational
values, or
D) an inherent ecological, geological, or hydrological sensitivity to change which may be
adversely effected by any change; and
WHEREAS, in the event that the Town Board should designate the aforesaid area as a
critical environmental area, the potential impact of any Type I or Unlisted Action on the
environmental characteristics of the CEA is a relevant area of environmental concern and must
be evaluated in the determination of significance prepared pursuant to §617.7 of this Part, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with such rules and regulations of the Department of
Environmental Conservation, prior to designating any area within the Town of Queensbury as a
critical environmental area, a written public notice must be issued and a public hearing held,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall meet and hold a public hearing at
the Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury, Warren County, New York, on
Monday, November 2"d 2015, at 7:00 p.m., for the purpose of conducting a public hearing to
hear all persons interested in the subject thereof, in person or by way of agent and to entertain
any comments concerning the proposal to designate two (2) areas of marl fen as shown in Figure
1 of a Memorandum by Greg Edinger of New York Natural Heritage Program, re: Marl Fen at
Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, dated December 3, 2014, and all lands outside those
designations and adjacent thereto within one hundred (100) feet as a critical environmental area,
and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town
Clerk to publish and post a Notice of Public Hearing concerning this Resolution in the official
newspaper of the Town of Queensbury and in the manner provided by law.
Duly adopted this 19th day of October, 2015, by the following vote:
AYES :
NOES :
ABSENT:
\ New York Natural Heritage Program
'� �%iNew York Natural Heritage Program,625 Broadway,Albany,NY 12233-4757
/-' Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
..ILL.L.61.16._......„ i
To: Kevin Bliss, DEC Env. Analyst(Permit Manager), Environmental Permits;
Tim Post, DEC Biologist II,Wetland Program Manager, Fish, Wildlife, &Marine
Resources;
From: Greg Edinger, Chief Ecologist,NY Natural Heritage Program
CC: John O'Connor,DEC Senior Wildlife Biologist, Region 5 -Ray Brook- Regional HQ.
Sharon Tabor, Region 5 - Ray Brook- Regional HQ.
Date: December 3, 2014
Re: Marl Fen at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport
On Wednesday,Nov. 19, 2014 a survey team comprised of Greg Edinger, Tim Post,John
O'Connor and Sharon Tabor surveyed the wetlands located southwest of the south end of the
runway at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Our survey had the
following goals:
1) Locate previously documented marl fen patches at the site(NYNHP EOID 4358).
2) Collect vegetation composition and structure data(NYNHP Form 1 Observation Points)
from all marl fen patches found to confirm community classification, condition, and
extent.
3) Sample at least one soil core and record texture, color, and pH at each soil horizon as
conditions allow.
4) Remap and update the NY Natural Heritage Program marl fen Element Occurrence
Record based on our survey data.
Findings
We found two patches of marl fen at the site(Figure 1). The first(0.8 acre) is about 150 m SW
of the south end of the paved runway and the second(0.2 acre) is about 475 m S of the runway.
We collected three observation points, GFA01 and GFA02 in the first patch, and GFA03 in the
second(Figure 1).
The marl fen patches stood out from the other wetland communities at the site, because of the
notable low growth habit(15-20 cm)of the dominant plant(avg. 78% cover),variegated
horsetail(Equisetum variegatum) (Photo 1). Other characteristic marl fen plants observed
include yellow sedge (Carex(lava) and pendulous bulrush(Scirpus pendulus). Most of the
vegetation had already died back by this late date and plant identification was challenging.
Several species were recorded as "ID uncertain".
The fen patches were flooded with shallow(12-25 cm)water,most of which was frozen at the
surface and easily broken through. We sampled one soil core at GFA01. The soil sample
revealed a shallow peat layer(15 cm)underlain by thick layer of silty clay loam(to 65 cm deep)
grading to pure clay where it became impenetrable at 75 cm deep. The pH of the soil ranged
from 6.9 to 7.4 and is very close the expected pH of 7.5 for marl fens (Edinger et al. 2014). The
air temperature was about 28°F and may have impacted accuracy of pH meter readings. We did
not observe characteristic marl deposits at the surface of the fen at any point. The cold air
temperature may have suppressed marl deposition. Warmer water is reportedly more conducive
www.nynhp.org I 625 Broadway,5th Floor Albany,NY 12233-4757 I (518)402-8935
for marl deposition(Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station 1911)and may be more
productive in the summer. Other wetland types observed at the site include large areas of cattail
marsh,reed canary grass marsh,and dogwood shrub swamp.
1
Photo 1. Marl fen dominated by variegated horsetail (GFA02).
Threats
Threats to the fen include alteration to the natural hydrology, such as ditching, draining, and
filling of wetland. Excessive and prolonged flooding caused by beaver or muskrat may be a
threat to the fen. Development activities related to the airport are also a threat. Invasive species,
such as common reed grass(Phragmites australis),buckthorns (Rhamnus spp.), and purple
loosestrife(Lythrum salicaria) are present and may spread into the fen. Native species may
become problematic at this site and should be monitored, such as reed canary grass(Phalaris
arundinacea)and cattails (Typha spp.).
Management Recommendations
Where possible restore/maintain the natural hydrology of the fen. Avoid permanent flooding of
the fen by clearing debris from culverts and removing obsolete, artificial impoundments.
Control/remove invasive plants in and around the fen, such as such as common reed grass,
buckthorns, and purple loosestrife.
Inventory Needs
Releve plots are needed in all marl fen patches during the growing season. The extensive reed
canary marsh and shrub swamp areas to the west need to be surveyed for more patches of marl
fen. No additional patches were found in these areas by looking from the chain link fence west of
the runway on Nov. 19, 2014. The wetland between the two existing patches of marl fen needs to
be surveyed at low water stage for additional patches that may have been flooded on Nov. 19,
2014.
Significance of the Marl Fen
The marl fen at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport is one of five extant occurrences currently
documented in the state(Table 1). One additional occurrence is ranked"F" for"Failed to Find"
after several searches in the presumed historical location. The NY Natural Heritage Program
State Rank(S Rank) for the marl fen community is S 1: Typically 5 or fewer occurrences, acres,
or some factor of its ecology making it especially vulnerable in New York State(Edinger et al.
2014). Each occurrence is given a viability rank or EO Rank(A to D). The best example(EO
Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
Rank A) is at Bergen Swamp in western New York. The airport occurrence is the most eastern
location and has an EO Rank of CD (fair to poor)based its size, condition, and landscape
context. Most occurrences are on protected public or private conservation lands.
Table 1. Marl fen occurrences in NY Natural Heritage Biotics database.
EO
Rank EOID Survey Site Acres Observed County Town Managed Area
A 7391 Bergen Swamp 5.00 1999 GENE Bergen Bergen Swamp Preserve
B 5630 Junius Ponds Lowery Pond 0.12 2014 SENE Junius Junius Ponds Unique Area
BC 10465 White Lake Swamp 3.65 1999 ONON Dewitt,Manlius White Lake Swamp Preserve
BC 8781 Bergen Swamp East Lobe 2.92 1997 GENE Bergen Bergen Swamp Preserve
CD 4358 Glens Falls Airport Marsh 0.96 2014 WARR Queensbury Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport
F 4111 Quaker Pond Fen 0.00 1943 MONR Mendon Mendon Ponds Park
NatureServe maintains the National Vegetation Classification and classifies this community as a
Shrubby-cinquefoil/Needle Beaksedge - Low Nutrush Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation
Association- CEGL006356 (NatureServe 2014). This association is equivalent to the NY
Natural Heritage Program marl fen(Edinger et al. 2014).
The NatureServe Global Rank(G Rank) for this marl fen association as G1,because it is known
from only 2-3 localities in New Jersey and 5 in New York, with very few potential additions. It is
restricted to a precise habitat, seepage areas of thick marl deposits on the shores of calcareous
lakes. Total acreage is less than 10 acres, a liberal estimate(NatureServe 2014).
Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
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Miles Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport 2014
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Figure 1. Marl fen patches and Observation Points sampled on Nov. 19, 2014.
Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
References
Edinger, G.J., D.J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T.G. Howard, D.M. Hunt, and A.M. Olivero(editors).
2014. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded
edition of Carol Reschke's Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural
Heritage Program,New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,Albany,NY.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/ecocomm2014.pdf
NatureServe. 2014. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application].
Version 7.1. NatureServe,Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org.
(Accessed: December 4, 2014).
Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station. 1911. Commercial fertilizer limes and liming.
Bulletin No. 16 June, 1911. University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, Burlington,
VT. (page 397).
Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
e�t New York Natural er tage Program
j<„ New York Natural Heritage Program,625 Broadway,Albany,NY 12233-4757
' ' Facilitating Conservation of New Yorks Biodiversity
To: Gayle M. McKee, C.M., Senior Project Planner, C&S Companies
From: Greg Edinger, Chief Ecologist,NY Natural Heritage Program
Date: July 30, 2015
Re: Ecological and Botanical Surveys at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, May—July, 2015.
This memo presents the results of our four surveys to the wetlands at Floyd Bennett Memorial
Airport. The memo follows the list of bulleted tasks and deliverables included in the May 8,
2015 Agreement with C&S Companies.
NY Natural Heritage Program tasks to be performed at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport:
1. Sample a releve plot in each of the two marl fen patches that were previously
documented in November 2014. On June 10, 2015 NYNHP Chief Ecologist Greg Edinger
sampled a 20 m x 50 m Peet plot(Peet et al. 1998, Feldmann and Spencer 2014, point CO1,
Figure 1) in the (0.8 acre)marl fen patch located about 150 m SW of the south end of the paved
runway. Four 10 m x 10 m subplots (02, 03, 05, 06)were intensively surveyed within the 20 m x
50 m array. Since a standard 20 m x 50 m
Peet plot would not fit in the second(0.2
acre)marl fen patch located about 475 m
-; i . . S of the runway, four 10 m x 10 m releve
, plots(Edinger et al. 2000)were sampled
along a 40 m transect(point CO2).
evti',rr 2. Search for additional patches of
marl fen between the two existing
patches in the area that was flooded in
November 2014.The area between the
two existing marl fen patches was
o..
" surveyed by NYNHP Chief Ecologist
Greg Edinger on four separate dates (May
29, June 10,June 24, and July 2, 2015)
Figure 1.Center line of 20 m x 50 m Peet plot facing south and no additional patches of marl fen were
from north end of tape. found. This area was flooded with>0.5 m
of water for the entire survey period.
3. Search for additional patches of marl fen in areas west of the two existing patches that
have similar signature on digital aerial imagery. The areas west of the two existing marl fen
patches were surveyed by NYNHP Chief Ecologist Greg Edinger on four separate dates (May
29, June 10,June 24, and July 2, 2015) and no additional patches of marl fen were found. These
areas were found to be either flooded with>0.5 m of water, dominated by reed canary grass
(Phalaris arundinacea), dominated by cattails(Typha ssp.), and/or dominated by dogwood
(Cornus spp.) shrub swamp.
www.nynhp.org I 625 Broadway,5th Floor Albany,NY 12233-4757 I (518)402-8935
4. Sample releve plots or detailed observation points in all new patches of marl fen
found as time allows.No additional marl fen patches were found and no additional plots were
sampled.
5. Assist DEC wetland biologists with wetland delineation of all ll m
marl fen patches using
GPS.We will assist DEC wetland biologist with the delineation of other adjacent wetland
types as time allows.On June 24,2015 a team of eight wetland biologists surveyed the(0.8
acre)marl fen patch located about 150 m SW of the south end of the paved runway and the
second(0.2 acre)marl fen patch located about 475 m S of the runway. The team included Greg
Edinger(NYNHP), Brad Sherwood(USACE),Justin Strong(C&S), Tom Wirckx(M&J),Aimee
Rutledge(M&J),John O'Connor(DEC),plus two others. Justin Strong collected GPS points in
the second(0.2 acre)marl fen patch located about 475 m S of the runway. Greg Edinger sampled
a soil core from this fen patch(Figure 2).
4 7" 7:17r1:177". -
Figure 2.Soil core from marl fen located about 475 m soutt the runway.
In the afternoon,the team surveyed two proposed wetland mitigation sites located along the west
side of the Warren County parcels. The sites were accessed via Ridge Road. The mitigation sites
are currently successional old fields that were probably agricultural fields prior to county
acquisition. The fields are surrounded by, and grade into, successional shrubland and
successional northern hardwoods. Theses successional communities are not significant from a
statewide perspective and not tracked by NYNHP.
6. Survey for Small White Ladyslipper(Cypripedium candidum G4 S1 E) and Elk Sedge
(Carex garberi G5 S1 E) in and around the existing marl fen patches.Two people will
survey for these two rare plants on two separate days (e.g., one day in May and one day in
June). Survey for rare plants in the areas west of the existing marl fen patches as time
allows (e.g.,including the northern white cedar swamp).NYNHP Chief Ecologist Greg
Edinger surveyed the(0.8 acre)marl fen patch located about 150 m SW of the south end of the
paved runway(points BO1, CO1, DO1,E01, E02)and the second(0.2 acre)marl fen patch located
about 475 m S of the runway for the two target rare plants (points B03, CO2,D02). Neither
species was found in either of the marl fen patches,or in the wetlands adjacent to the fen patches.
All specimens collected that were tentatively identified as Carex garberi in the field were
determined to be golden-fruited sedge(Carex aurea)(Figure 3)by NYNHP Chief Botanist Steve
Young. No species of Cypripedium were found on Warren County property on any of the four
Facilitating Conservation of New York'J Biodiversily
separate survey dates (May 29, June 10, June 24, and July 2, 2015). The only native orchid
found at the site was one plant of Loesel's twayblade(Liparis loeselii)which is not tracked by
NYNHP. It was found at the north end of the marl fen patch located about 150 m SW of the
south end of the paved runway.
7. Send the following deliverables
about 2-4 weeks after the last field survey
day: copies of all field forms (pdf); digital
photographs of field surveys; copies of
updated Element Occurrence Records
(pdfs), GIS data layers including GPS
points and community polygons related to
surveys; summary memo with survey
findings. Copies of all completed field
forms,digital photographs, Element
Occurrence Records, and GIS data were
provided via NYS DEC's File Transfer
Service(FTS)on July 30,2015.
Figure 3.Golden-fruited sedge(Carex aurea).
Summary of Findings
• Marl Fen—the marl fen(G1 Si, EO Rank CD)occurs in two patches,the first is about
0.8 acres and located about 150 m SW of the south end of the paved runway and the
second is about 0.2 acres and located about 475 m S of the runway.No additional patches
of marl fen were found in 2015 and it is unlikely that additional patches will be
discovered in the future if current flooding conditions persist. The first patch is in good
condition despite past human disturbances that include ditching,damming, and filling in
and around the fen since the mid-1980s. There are a few invasive species present,but
characteristic marl fen species persist and dominate. The smaller, second patch was
flooded with>0.5 m of water from May to July 2015. This patch of marl fen appears to
be transitioning to a marsh or pond community as a result of permanent flooding(e.g.,
deep emergent marsh or eutrophic pond). The NYNHP marl fen community GIS
polygons created in Nov. 2014 were confirmed accurate and no changes were made to
them as a result of the 2015 surveys.
• Rare Plants—no rare plants were found on Warren County property on any of the four
separate survey dates (May 29, June 10, June 24, and July 2,2015). The lead for elk
sedge(Carex garberi G5 S1 E)was determined to be golden-fruited sedge(Carex aurea)
which is not tracked by NYNHP. The marl fen patches were thoroughly searched and it is
very unlikely that small white ladyslipper(Cypripedium candidum G4 S1 E)occurs in the
fen. However, openings in the northern white cedar swamp located west of the airport
should be surveyed for this rare orchid in early to mid-May(Figure 4). It is currently
ranked as extirpated from this site by NYNHP.
• Northern White Cedar Swamp—the 113-acre cedar swamp west of the airport was
surveyed and tentatively determined to be significant from a statewide perspective. One
15 m x 15 m releve plot(Edinger et al. 2000)was sampled on June 10, 2015. Based on
NWI maps there are two patches of cedar swamp on Warren County property(north
patch 87 acres, south patch 26 acres)(Figure 4). Although its size does not put it into the
top ten largest northern white cedar swamps currently documented by NYNHP, it appears
Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
to be the second largest in Warren County after the one at Dunham Bay Marsh(169
acres). The swamp is in very good condition with negligible amounts of non-native
species and includes several large cedar trees (up to 35 cm dbh) (Figure 5).
r -
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Figure 4. Northern white cedar swamp west of Floyd Bennett memorial Airport.
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Figure 5. Large northern white cedar(Thuja occidentalis).
References
Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, A. D. Finton, D. M. Hunt, L. Lyons-Swift, and A. Olivero. 2000.
Community field form instructions: Community Forms 1, 2, & 3. New York Natural Heritage
Program, Latham,NY.
Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard,D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero. 2014.
Ecological communities of New York State, Draft Second Edition. A revised and expanded
edition of Reschke, C. 1990. Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural
Heritage Program, Albany,New York.
Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
Feldmann,A. and E. Spencer. 2014. Draft EPA wetland workflow for plot set-up, sampling. June
2014.New York Natural Heritage Program,Albany,NY.
Peet,R.K.,T.R. Wentworth,and P.S. White. 1998. A flexible,multipurpose method for
recording vegetation composition and structure. Castanea 63(3): 262-274.
Facilitating Conservation of New York's Biodiversity
71:
SBL:297.15-1-1
Owner.Warren County
t Acreage 512
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Acreage in entire 100 Ft Buffer:3.7
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Owner:Warren County ,r
Acreage 180
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Owner:Warren County
Acreage 4.2
SBL:303.8-1-4
- Owner.Warren County
Acreage 24.47
_ A Fen A creage:.2 Marl Fen at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport
Acreage in entire 100 Ft Buffer:2.1
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