June 27, 2000
Legacy Open Space Advisory Group
8787 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Subj: Legacy Open Space Master Plan
MAGIC would like to recommend that a matrix of ecological benefits be put together against which all properties being considered for acquisition under Legacy Open Space be evaluated. All properties in each category would be evaluated against each other, and high score would determine priority of acquisition. No category would be guaranteed funds. This would eliminate projects with little or no ecological value, and insure the limited funds available are spent wisely and on properties that are most beneficial to the environment.
Ecological Considerations Score
Forest Size
| Acres | Score |
| 100-190 | 1 |
| 200-349 | 2 |
| 350-490 | 3 |
| 500-999 | 4 |
| 1000+ | 5 |
Stream Protection (buffer width at least 50 ft. each side of stream)
| Feet of Stream | Score |
| 100-499 | 1 |
| 500-999 | 2 |
| 1000-2499 | 3 |
| 2500 + | 4 |
Wildlife Corridor Protection (minimum width restrictions extend entire length of corridor)
| Corridor Width | Score |
| 100-299 ft. | 1 |
| 300-399 ft. | 2 |
| 400-499 ft. | 3 |
| 500+ ft. | 4 |
Rare, Endangered or Threatened Species Found
| RTE Species | Score |
| Sustainable trout population | 2 |
| One RTE species | 3 |
| Two RTE species | 4 |
| Three or more RTE species | 5 |
| Land surrounded by park property | 1 |
By introducing a scientifically based matrix, the Advisory Group should be able to eliminate some controversy and make better selections of properties with ecologically important values. Its understood these selections must also fall within available funding levels. I’d be glad to discuss these matrix considerations with the Advisory Group and why they are important for ecological purposes.
Sincerely,
Robert DeGroot
President, MAGIC