October 30, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

11/06/2024 03:21:43 PM Page 141 to 144 of 203 36 of 80 sheets 141 was, this thing had been heavily browsed. That's nine1 years of a completely mature forest like this one that2 we're talking -- nine years like this forest that we3 have here of growth. So it's undergrowth and young4 trees coming back into play because to go to your exact5 point, within the deer fencing I can grow young trees.6 I'll get seedlings, I'll get saplings in nine years.7 Different species but I'll get them.8 THE PUBLIC: I do have one last question, I9 promise you. This is a really dumb question.10 THE WITNESS: There's no such thing.11 THE PUBLIC: Really like Botany 000.12 THE WITNESS: Okay.13 THE PUBLIC: Or Deer 000.14 If the forest is so unhealthy, and they're15 eating everything and everything is eaten, why is there16 still so many deer back there?17 THE WITNESS: You have two questions there18 that are very good. First, let me make it very clear.19 When I called the forest unhealthy, this is not to say,20 with the exception of some of these species that I21 stated earlier, which are currently infected like beech22 and ash. What I am saying is it, on a long-term basis,23 from an environmental standpoint, I have a forest that24 cannot regenerate itself and therefore as more trees die25 142 the forest will become sparse over time and I want to be1 clear again, when I talk the life of trees, I could be2 going out 200 years in some cases but not all trees live3 that long. The question was asked earlier on, on that4 same premise, the health of the forest, what if we get a5 hurricane. That forest is going to open up very quickly6 if we have a very bad storm potentially, depending on7 how the storm hits, what trees get thrown down. The8 point in that is that what happens with the deer now,9 why are they in there, I'm not saying they don't eat10 anything, because the trees are dropping seeds. The11 plants are dropping seeds, the animals are bringing12 seeds, they grow. The deer go there to eat them. The13 other thing the deer will do there is nest -- not nest14 but they will rest and sleep because they're15 undisturbed.16 THE PUBLIC: And wouldn't that continue in17 perpetuity though?18 THE WITNESS: For the unfenced areas that's19 very possible that will. In that unfenced area that is20 possible. But as I also stated, it's also possible that21 with the regrowth in the deer fenced areas and

TNESS: For the unfenced areas that's19 very possible that will. In that unfenced area that is20 possible. But as I also stated, it's also possible that21 with the regrowth in the deer fenced areas and the22 abundance of new seed and new plants that could come23 through, there is a chance, I can't tell you it's24 guaranteed of course, but there is a chance that that25 143 abundance of transfer of seed from the fenced areas to1 the unfenced areas might produce enough growth that we2 can reach some basis, some balance and new growth will3 be there. Will I tell you that will occur, I can't4 promise you that. But it is possible that will occur.5 It is possible and studies have shown that the invasive6 species when you have enough native species competing7 lose. Which I would, if you would've asked me that 408 years ago I would have not agreed with that, but studies9 have been done to show that that works and I'm grateful10 for that research. But that is what I'm suggesting. I11 cannot guarantee that in that unfenced area the deer12 won't continue to do damage in perpetuity. I have no13 way of projecting what they will do.14 THE PUBLIC: Not even necessarily that.15 What I meant in perpetuity is, you said they do drop16 seeds and then it grows and the deer do eat them.17 THE WITNESS: And maybe they stay there for18 that reason.19 THE PUBLIC: And seeds will drop again, the20 deer will eat them and everybody will live happily,21 right?22 THE WITNESS: It would be wonderful if it23 worked that way. I vote for it.24 THE PUBLIC: Kind of a form of stasis,25 144 right?1 THE WITNESS: Yes, it is. In a perfectly2 healthy -- you're absolutely right. You did very well3 in botany. In a perfectly healthy forest that's4 essentially what happens.5 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: I'm going to certify you6 in Botany 101.7 THE PUBLIC: I want to be board certified.8 I'll be the next expert hopefully.9 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you very much.10 Appreciate your time.11 Come up to the mic. State you name for the12 record, please.13 THE PUBLIC: Question about the pictures.14 Rachel Klein, Howell Drive.15 Couple questions specifically about the area16 to the east of the ridge line.17 THE WITNESS: Here?18 THE PUBLIC: Yeah.19 THE WITNESS: I have one question, you're20 not overseeing the actual, the putting up this deer21 fencing, right?22 THE WITNESS: That will depend on when that23 gets done and whether I'm

UBLIC: Yeah.19 THE WITNESS: I have one question, you're20 not overseeing the actual, the putting up this deer21 fencing, right?22 THE WITNESS: That will depend on when that23 gets done and whether I'm still under retainer, but the24 plan is to have someone oversee the deer fencing going25