Developing a Working Plan: Functional Diagrams

The Base Map is a historical document. It describes your property before you started your project.

Now, you will go through a series of steps to develop a Working Plan--an action-oriented document that describes what you want the shoreline to look like when you finish your project.

If you've determined that "Protect" is the approach you will take to manage your shoreline, a design is not needed except for possibly creating an access path and dock area and pruning to improve views. If "Prevent Disturbance" is the approach you've selected, your plan may include areas where the disturbance is removed. However, if your shoreline requires the "Plant Native Species" approach, this section will help you design your new native shoreline.

The design process begins with the creation of Functional Diagrams. Integrate the data you have acquired into a basic functional layout.

In this case, we will use "bubble" shapes to define functional spaces:

Highlight areas for preservation Identify the buffer setback zone Activity areas (lawn, swimming area, beach dock) Screening (with taller vegetation) Other uses, preferences

TIP: Use a garden hose, rope, flagging, or stakes to demarcate the outlines of your activity areas, such as walking paths. This will help you visualize the actual size and shape of your plans.