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"Rare peatlands are now being protected as part of a ski area expansion.Pats Peak not only has opened up a whole new side to its ski area on its east face, but as part of that expansion, it has created new conservation easement.The ski area has formed a partnership with the Piscataquog Land Conservancy to permanently protect more than 2,500 feet of Craney Pond\u2019s shoreline and an associated upland buffer.This 13-acre easement is part of the new Cascade Basin trail network with a new triple chairlift and six new trails. The lift and four of those trails opened this past week, just in time for the busy holidays. The other two trails will open over the next two years.Pats Peak Inc. has also contributed resources to the PLC\u2019s Stewardship Fund to assist with the long-term costs of permanently protecting the PLC\u2019s 5,300 acres of conserved land throughout the Piscataquog River region.In late 2011, the ski area first approached the PLC to discuss a proposed easement along the northeast shore of Craney Pond.The easement, required by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, serves as mitigation for wetlands impact associated with the ski area expansion.A four-acre peatland is identified as habitat in the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan.This peatland, although small, has been categorized as high value for wildlife and an important connector between the new Craney Pond conservation land and pre-existing town-owned conservation land.There are plans to maintain a nature trail on the northeastern conservation area, which will be open to the public and will provide views over Craney Pond.The shallow, 47-acre pond is home to several fish species.Peatland habitats are important for carbon dioxide sequestration. The organic material in peatlands contains carbon and other nutrients, storing it away and slowly releasing it into the atmosphere. Drainage and destruction of peatlands increases the rate at which this carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, thereby increasing greenhouse gases.Eleven different natural communities are found in New Hampshire\u2019s peatlands, and are vital to the survival of many of New Hampshire\u2019s rare plant and wildlife species, including the ringed boghaunter and a rare dragonfly that breeds in open peatlands.The New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau tracks 54 rare plant species that occur in various types of peatland habitat.\u201CThis is truly a win-win for all involved. The ski area is able to expand with a new lift and ski trails to provide additional options for our skiers (and) riders, the environment wins with a protected buffer around an important natural resource, and our local conservation group increased the acreage under protection,\u201D said Kris Blomback, general manager of Pats Peak.\u201CWe would like to thank the Piscataquog Land Conservancy and the Town of Henniker\u2019s Conservation Commission for helping put this important easement together. This wasn\u2019t a conventional easement, so it took some creative thinking to come together with a viable plan,\u201D he added.The Piscataquog Land Conservancy is a regional land trust serving 12 communities in the Piscataquog River Watershed. For more information, contact the PLC at www.PLCNH.org or 603-487-3331.19003418"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.wmur.com/article/peatlands-to-be-protected-as-part-of-pats-peak-expansion/5186979>