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44 <br />Habitat Enhancement <br />The most effective enhancement of the natural habitats will be the responsible preservation of as <br />much of what is present as possible.. This could be accomplished by concentrating the proposed <br />development on the akeady o Pbeteond wineurrinate~veryrhttle habitat ofesignififiCantval tithe <br />ponds. Draining and filling P <br />Draining and filling the Pond will provide more open azea to allow relocation of athletic facilities <br />off of the existing forest communities, which support a much greater biological diversity than do <br />the open fields and pond. <br />It is most important that the drainage into the vernal pools not be altered. The surrounding Dry <br />pal;-Hickory Forest surroundwg the Llpland Depressi ool wetland ec Ystem-hThrs~ ~buffe~ <br />pools, is critical as a protectve buffer for this vernal p the Ion er, non-breeding season in <br />is also an essential habitat for the fooraginmg sa~lamandoeunding fforest, th evernal Pool wetland <br />their yeazly cycle, In addition top g <br />system will be enhanced if future development on the adjacent clear-cut site to the east were to <br />include allowing the vernal pool wetlands situated there to naturally succeed back to its former <br />Upland Depression Swamp Forest community type. <br />ether enhancements would be design and establishment/mainten nativets ecies elruninatmg <br />buildings and the fields for wildlife.. This should include planting P <br />exotic invasive species and reducing mowing. With the increasing positive use and acceptance of <br />environmental landscape maintenance practices, the elimination of chemical fertilizers, pesticides <br />and herbicides will be an additional enhancement for the natural plant and anima] as well as <br />human environments. <br />14 <br />