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New Rope Corridor Open Space Masur Plan <br />environment. The Plan recognizes that when site analysis is undertaken at the time <br />of implementation, it may be found that because of flooding conditions, wetlands, or <br />other environmental factors, a particular trail in a particular location may not be <br />advisable. The recreational and transportation value of trails needs to be balanced <br />with the environmental values and impacts when determining trail locations and types. <br />It is understood that the decisions about where trails should be built and what type at <br />each location, can only be made at the time of implementation. <br />One of the important actions to achieve the goals is protection of steep slopes. In <br />general, the steep slopes rise from the edge of the floodplain, but sometimes form an <br />irregular pattern of slopes and ravines both near and somewhat distant from the <br />floodplain. Although steep slopes of 20 % or greater are usually considered unsuitable <br />for building, strict protection of 20% slopes would result in a patchwork of isolated <br />areas too small to serve as habitat or survive over time. Therefore, it was determined <br />that in keeping with the environmental, recreational, and educational purposes of this <br />Plan, a buffer 200' wide should be preserved adjacent to certain floodplains as <br />indicated in the appropriate components. This buffer includes much of the steep <br />slopes and will provide a protected natural system of floodplain and slopes, integrated <br />and contiguous to provide optimum benefit for wildlife habitat, community integrity, <br />and for scenic and aesthetic benefits. <br />To facilitate planning, the land area contained within the New Hope Corridor was <br />divided into ten major geographic components (with two subcomponents). The <br />following information is provided for each component: <br />1. Jurisdiction within which the component lies; <br />2. Existing land use and ownership; <br />3. Future land use as indicated in local government plans; <br />4. Significant resources within the component; and <br />5. Recommendations for protection and use. <br />The ten geographic components are described in detail in the following section. <br />21 <br />t <br />