Vernal Pools

Vernal pools are small wetlands which often dry up for part of the year. Because fish are not able to establish themselves, vernal pools provide critical breeding habitat for a number of amphibians found in Massachusetts. Some of the frogs and salamanders that use vernal pools breed exclusively in these areas.

Vernal pools are protected under Massachusetts law and are certified by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

The image on the right shows the location of three (3) certified vernal pools within Great Island and one (1) certified vernal pool just outside the community.

Click to Enlarge

• The northern-most certified vernal pool is on Great Island property located between Great Island's Little Island Pond and Great Island Pond (upper, right-hand red marker on the map). This vernal pool is specifically mentioned in and protected by the Great Island conditions, covenants and restrictions (CCR - §6.5).

April 16, 2006

The pool is about 5 feet deep and surrounded by a thick stand of Greenbrier (Smilax sp.) visible in the foreground of the (leaf-off) image above.

• There is a certified vernal pool on Great Island property located in a deep kettle hole about 250 feet west of Great Island Pond behind Highbank Landing. This vernal pool is 2-3 feet deep. There is a foot trail between the pool and the pond.

• There is a certified vernal pool adjacent to Great Island property located south of the wastewater treatment. This vernal pool is 1-2 feet deep. There is a foot trail near the northern edge of the pool.

• There is a certified vernal pool on Great Island property located in the undisturbed open space between White Trellis and Clam Pudding. This vernal pool is about 2 feet deep and vegetated with high bush blueberry, inkberry, leatherleaf and Sphagnum moss.

April 16, 2006

On April 13, April 20 and May 23, 2001, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. environmental scientists, on behalf of The Pinehills LLC,  investigated the wetlands on the Pine Hills Community site to determine use by vernal pool-dependant wildlife species. Nine wetlands were determined to provide breeding habitat to a variety of vernal pool-dependent species, including spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) and wood frogs (Rana sylvatica).

On May 6, 2002, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., on behalf of The Pinehills LLC, filed the vernal pool certification forms with the NHESP.

Click on the image on the right to view a larger version of the vernal pool certification letter issued to The Pinehills.

A 100' buffer zone around the vernal pools is protected by the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. c. 131 s. 40 and Regulations 310 CMR 10.00 et seq., and Plymouth's Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Article 27 s.4 and Regulations. 3 (B) (1), (2). The Plymouth Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over the buffer zone. Disturbing the buffer zone around the vernal pools will result in an enforcement action by the Commission which will include fines, restoration costs and potentially incarceration.