{ "currentVersion": 11.3, "cimVersion": "3.3.0", "id": 0, "name": "Best Natural Areas", "type": "Feature Layer", "parentLayer": null, "defaultVisibility": true, "minScale": 0, "maxScale": 0, "canScaleSymbols": false, "geometryType": "esriGeometryPolygon", "description": "

Best Natural Areas (BNAs) are defined in the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan (PROS Plan,<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

M-NCPPC, 2012) as areas of parkland which contain one or more of the following:<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

  1. Large areas of contiguous, high-quality forest and/or wetland which are generally more than 100 acres, and show little evidence of past land-use disturbance.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  2. Rare, threatened, endangered, or watch-list species.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  3. The best examples of notable plant communities found in Montgomery County (i.e. mesic forest on acidic bedrock, central Maryland floodplain forest, dry forest on acidic bedrock, central Maryland swamp forest, mixed forest on diabase bedrock, riverside outcrops of the Potomac basin, mixed forest on Triassic shale bedrock, mixed forest on serpentine bedrock, Potomac River over-wash savannah, and coastal plain forest complex).<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  4. High quality wetlands, including those of Special State Concern as noted in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 26.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  5. Aquatic communities rated as good or excellent in the Countywide Stream Protection Strategy.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  6. Special Trout Management Areas as noted in COMAR Title 08.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI>

  7. Areas of exceptional scenic beauty.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P><\/LI><\/OL>

    This layer is important to Montgomery Parks because an area being designated as a Best Natural Area affords it special consideration when under scrutiny for development. This designation does not preclude the development of appropriate and needed facilities, but it is hoped it will be a significant consideration and protection would be given to the high-quality natural resources within its boundaries. This layer is primarily utilized by Natural Resources Stewardship Section, Resource Analysis Section, and the Planning Section of the Park Planning and Stewardship Division, <\/SPAN><\/SPAN>Park Development Division and Planning Department<\/SPAN><\/SPAN> when being consulted on development or park improvement plans, as well as to target high quality areas for further surveys or management efforts. <\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

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    Workflow<\/SPAN><\/P>

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    Layer to be updated on an annual or as-needed basis as parcels are added to park boundaries and areas are re-surveyed.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>

    Areas to be added or updated by Natural Resources Stewardship staff must have approval from the Section Manager and the Park Planning and Stewardship Division chief. Documentation of justification is a plus, but not required. Must update \u2018Revised\u2019 field and \u2018Revised by\u2019 in the data, as well as any other pertinent fields. <\/SPAN><\/P>

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    Location(s)<\/SPAN><\/P>

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    SDE:<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P>