Spruces Land Committee Mission and FEMA Land Use Requirements The committees mission is to produce specific proposals

as to how to develop the Spruces land to present to the Board to Selectmen, the Conservation Commission, and the Agricultural Commission for their review and consideration. We will do this by being open to the entire Williamstown community and listen to every interested individuals ideas about the best possible future uses for the Spruces land as town property. Limitations based on FEMA regulations. 1. The property is to be dedicated and maintained in perpetuity for uses compatible with open space, recreational, or wetland management practices, and consistent with conservation of natural floodplain functions. 2. No new structures will be built on the property except as indicated below: a. Public buildings that are open on all sides and functionally related to a designated open space or recreational use. b. Public restrooms. c. Structures that are compatible with open space, recreational, or wetland management usage and proper floodplain management policies and practices, which the FEMA Regional Administrator approves in writing before the construction of the structures begins. d. Any structures built on the property according to the above paragraphs will be elevated or floodproofed to the Base Flood Elevation plus 1 foot of freeboard and meet applicable requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program floodplain management regulations at 44 CFR Section 60.3 Allowable uses include: a. Vegetative site stabilization, agricultural cultivation, and grazing. b. Public picnic shelters, pavilions, and gazebos, with associated foundations, provided that the structure does not contain walls. c. Public restrooms. d. Small-scale recreational courts, ball fields, golf courses, and bike and walking paths. e. Campgrounds, if adequate warning will be provided to allow for evacuation. f. Installation of signs when designed not to trap debris. g. Unimproved, unpaved parking areas consistent with open space uses. h. Unpaved access roads, driveways, and camping pads limited to those necessary to serve the acceptable uses. Existing paved roads can be reused for these purposes. i. Small boat ramps, docks, and piers to serve public recreational use. j. Drainage facilities intended to service onsite needs. k. Construction activities, excavation, and other minor water control structures necessary to create areas for water detention/retention including wetlands restoration or restoration of natural floodplain floodwater storage functions. l. Sewer, water, and power to serve the allowable uses. Sewer, water, and power line crossings, where there is no floodwater obstruction created and there are no other readily available locations for these systems. m. Simple structures used exclusively for agricultural purposes in connection with the production, harvesting, storage, drying, or raising of certain agricultural commodities. Uses generally not allowed on acquired open space land:

a. The construction of flood damage reduction levees, dikes, berms, or floodwalls. b. Walled buildings or manufactured homes, except public restrooms. Reuse of pre-existing structures is not allowed unless all walls are removed. c. Fences and all other obstructions in the floodway. Fences outside of the floodway must be designed to minimize the trapping of debris. d. Storage of inventory supporting a commercial operation or governmental facility, including wheeled vehicles or movable equipment. e. Cemeteries, landfills, storage of any hazardous or toxic Materials, or other uses that are considered environmentally contaminating, dangerous, or a safety hazard. f. Pumping and switching stations. g. Above- or below-ground storage tanks. h. Paved roads, highways, bridges, and paved parking areas. Paved parking areas include asphalt, concrete, oil-treated soil, or other material that inhibits floodplain function. i. Placement of fill, except where necessary to avoid affecting onsite archeological resources. j. Installation of septic systems or reuse of pre-existing septic systems, except to service a permissible restroom.