NHESP Guidelines for Certification

Maps required for Massachusetts
vernal pool certification

Certification procedures require that you locate the vernal pool on at least two different maps, one of which is a U.S.G.S. topographic quadrangle map. The others maps could be one you make yourself with compass bearings and distances, an aerial photograph, a professional survey of the site, a townwide topographic map, state highway plans, et cetera. These map types are explained below.

It is important to keep in mind the purpose of the maps. They are not intended as an impediment to certification but as a means for others to find the vernal pool at a later time. Provide as much information as you can to help others to identify your pool. You might consider providing characteristics of the pool and surroundings which might distinguish it from other wetlands nearby. Mention the presence of large rocks, cliffs, tree types, pool vegetation, views in the distance, and so forth.

Example: A pool which had been certified ten years ago was recently involved in a Notice of Intent hearing. The applicant used the Heritage certification packet to map in the field and on his plans the location of the certified vernal pool. When the Conservation Commission made its site visit, it was obvious to them that the applicant had the wrong "wet area" marked as a vernal pool. The person making the certification maps had made a slight error when marking the pool on the USGS map and the applicant had followed only this information in locating the pool. However, the "compass and distance map" also included in the certification packet had a description of the pool which mentioned, "A derelict 1952 Pontiac is in the northwest area of the pool." The actual certified pool was 150' from where the applicant had located it. The Pontiac was still there.

USGS topographic map. All certification packets must contain a copy of a section of the appropriate USGS topographic map with the location of the pool marked. Locate your pool on the map while in the field so that you can reference your actual location with the various features shown on the map. Take the time to check the immediate area to see if there are other potential vernal pools which might be confused with the one you are maping. Label your copy of the map with the map name as shown on the cover page. If you are using a GPS unit, make note of the longitude/latitude readings. There is a space for this optional information on the certification form.

In addition to the USGS topographic map, you need one or more additional maps.

Color infrared aerial photograph (CIR). Aerial photographs are an easy way to get information for finding a vernal pool and for locating it so that others can find it. Your second map can be an aerial photograph, color or black/white, with the pool clearly marked. Label the photograph with all information about its source, the series. You might also mark landmarks such as roads on the photograph. Aerial photographs might be available from your town conservation or engineering department.

CIRs, such as this one, use false colors to highlight certain features. Red represents actively photosynthsizing vegetation, black is open water, dark green is wetland area. Isolated areas of dark green and/or black are often vernal pools.

Compass bearings and distances map. You can make your own map! A map which has compass directions and distances from at least two permanent markers is often called a "metes and bounds" map. If you are new to using a compass for mapping, you might ask help of friends, local scout or orienteering groups, get a book from the library or search the web for information. The USGS has some information about elementary map and compass use.

Professional survey map. Sometimes the vernal pool to be certified is already located on professionally made maps. These maps might be subdivision plans, state highway plans (which often shown quite a bit of detail on either side of the roadway), town topographic maps (engineering department or planning board), soil maps, trail maps, orienteering maps, water department maps, park maps and so on. Do some checking. Everyone seems to have maps!

With any map, clearly label the pool you are documenting and label the map as to source and so on. Look at all of your copies when you are done and ask yourself, "Could I find this pool from these maps?" If not, provide more information.