Bath Community
Forestry Committee
MANAGEMENT PLAN

FOR

BUTLER HEAD

February 17, 1999

Prepared by the Butler Head Subcommittee of the Bath Community Forestry Committee

City of Bath, Department of Cemeteries and Parks,

Division of Forestry

1 Oak Grove Avenue

Bath, Maine 04530

(207) 443-8345

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF APPENDIXES

Appendix A, Bath Tax Maps 4 and 5

Appendix B, Warranty Deed, Book 354, p. 1092

Appendix C, Reconnaissance Bedrock Geology of the Bath and Small Point Quadrangles, Maine, Open File No. 81-32

Appendix D, Reconnaissance Surficial Geology of the Bath Quadrangle, Maine, Open-File No. 77-8

Appendix E, Coastal Marine Geologic Environments of the Bath NE Quadrangle, Maine, Open-File No. 76-57

Appendix F, Hydrogeologic Data for Significant Sand and Gravel Aquifers in Parts of Cumberland, Kennebec, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties, Maine

Appendix G, National Wetland Inventory Map, Bath NW

Appendix H, Customized Soil Information for Butler Head

Appendix I, Butler Head Project, Tree Inventory, August 26, 1995

Appendix J, FLOWERS.XLS

Appendix K, Butler Head Inventory, Animals, Updated 5-7-95

Appendix L, Historical Statement

REFERENCES

(a) Between the River and the Bay, An Inventory and Evaluation of Bath's Shoreline; Hawes, E .L.; Koulouris, H. D. and Stockwell, L.; October 1988

I. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY:

A. General Description: Butler Head is approximately 136 acres of undeveloped, city owned property in the North End of Bath. The property consists of diverse areas such as a tidal cove, a wetlands area, fields and mixed woodlands. The area is also home to a variety of habitats and ecosystems. Flora is widespread as well as numerous species of resident and transient fauna. Soils studies appear to indicate that the land is not suitable for residential or commercial development. The boundary to the north and west is Merrymeeting Bay. To the east is Butler Cove and West Chops Point. The City of Bath lies to the south. Prominent geographic features include the cove mentioned above, Merrymeeting Bay, and a "rock fall" that is about one hundred feet high and approximately one half mile long. Interesting archeological features include stone walls and several stone foundations. Historical data are available which set the occupation by settlers at or near 1714. The Merrymeeting Bay area was also widely used by native peoples. Cultural and historical information of native occupation and use of Butler Head has not been compiled by the city as of this time. Current access to the property is by dirt road, which connects the major sections of the property to Varney Mill Road, and by paths which weave throughout the area. Any reference to Butler Head in this document applies only to the land owned by the City of Bath including the roads. For further description see Section 8 of Reference (a).

B. Political Description:

1. Boundaries:

a. Municipal: The property consists of lot 26 on tax map 4 (See Appendix A) within the City of Bath as described on page 1092 in book 354 in the Sagadahoc County Register of Deeds (Attached as Appendix B).

b. Natural: To the northwest, north and northeast the property is bounded by Merrymeeting Bay and Butler Cove.

2. Ownership: The City of Bath owns lot 26 on tax map 4.

3. Encumbrances: The City's interest in the land is subject to easements of record granting the private owners of abutting parcels rights of ingress and egress for any and all purposes over ways and roads now existing. Utility easements have also been granted. Furthermore, the City has granted a perpetual easement for the establishment, maintenance, and repair of a subsurface sewerage disposal system to one homeowner.

C. Natural Description:

1. Geology: Appendixes C through H provide technical descriptions of various geological characteristics of Butler Head. Appendix C shows that five common bedrock formations underlie Butler Head and Butler Cove. Appendix D indicates that till covers the bedrock. Narrow areas of marsh and flats occur around Butler Head as shown on Appendix E. Appendix E also shows a significant area of supratidal environment and marsh in Butler Cove. No sand or gravel aquifers exist on Butler Head as confirmed by Appendix F. Two wetlands systems, palustrine and estuarine, are indicated on Appendix G as being found in Butler Cove. Details of the eight types of soil found at Butler Head are described in Appendix H.

2. Habitats: Marine, estuarine, supratidal, marsh, palustrine and upland habitats are found.

3. Flora:

a. Trees: Appendix I is a list of the trees that have been identified at Butler Head.

b. Shrubs: Not yet inventoried.

c. Flowers: Appendix J is a list of the flowers and some shrubs which have been identified at Butler Head.

d. Ferns: Not yet inventoried.

e. Grasses: Not yet inventoried.

4. Fauna: Appendix K is a list of the birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians which have been identified at Butler Head.

5. Fungi: Not yet inventoried.

II. STATEMENT OF INTENT: The management plan for Butler Head is founded upon the belief that the Butler Head and Butler Cove area is a critical resource and a treasure for present and future generations of Bath citizens. The plan recognizes that the Butler Head ecosystem is fragile and in need of protection. The plan also recognizes that, as a nature sanctuary, the Butler Head area has potential for providing enhanced educational and recreational opportunities. Therefore, it is the intent of the plan to ensure conservation of the marine and wildlife habitats of the area while promoting long term public awareness and involvement within the context of sound environmental practice. It is not expected that this plan will be complete and accurate at the time of its implementation. Therefore, it is also the intent of the plan to continue its development and to maintain it as events unfold and additional information becomes available.

III. GOAL: The City of Bath, through the Bath Community Forestry Committee, will encourage and provide environmentally sound use of the city-owned, forested land known as Butler Head for educational and limited recreational purposes while conserving the basic resource for the enjoyment and benefit of future generations. Initial activity toward meeting the goal by various organizations within the City of Bath is described in Appendix L. The objectives to support achieving the goal are:

A. Conservation: To protect and maintain the existing ecosystems.

B. Education:

1. Schools: To develop and maintain a natural environment for study by the Bath School Department.

2. Public: To encourage the use of Butler Head as a place of learning for people of all ages.

C. Recreation: To provide a place where the citizens of Bath can experience, observe and enjoy the natural characteristics of the local environment, e.g., bird watching and nature study. To provide a location where low impact recreational activities may be enjoyed, e.g., cross country skiing and hiking.