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Limited areas of steep slopes can be incorporated into a farming operation as pasture lands but are generally better left for tree production purposes.

The agricultural lands differ throughout the Township. The lands in the northern part tend to be better suited to fruit production due to the higher elevations. The elevation provides resistance to early fall frosts and early spring warming trends which can result in fruit trees budding and the buds being frozen by late spring frosts. The southern portion of the township is flatter and tends to be better suited to row crops and pastures.

Steep Slopes - The topography or areas of steep slope within a community provides ideas about where development should occur without negatively affecting the environment, as well as guidance for accessing those areas.

Slope is an indication of the change of elevation over the course of a horizontal distance. Generally, the slope is calculated as the amount of rise or fall over a 100 foot distance and is expressed as a percentage.

Land having a slope of 6% or less is "easy" to develop and access year-round. Lands having a slope between 6% and 12% can be developed easily but can be difficult to reach by road on a year­round basis. Depending upon road width, curve radii and weather conditions, roads having grades between 6% and 12% can be impassable by many vehicles including emergency equipment such as fire trucks. Lands having slopes between 12% and 20% are difficult to develop without higher costs and greater amounts of erosion caused by the increased speed of water flowing through the property. Lands in excess of 20% slope should only face limited if any development due to the inability to access the property twelve months of the year. While the structures may not be intended for year-round usage, it is necessary to access the buildings with fire fighting vehicles which is difficult if not impossible to accomplish. Additional problems result from excessive removal of vegetative cover to provide for road access which contributes to greater erosion both during and after construction has been completed on the site. The resulting soil erosion can have a negative impact on water quality through the deposition of sediment into our lakes and rivers.

In addition to the erosion problems, steep slopes present problems with accessing development. As was noted in the section on climate, this area receives a considerable amount of snow fall, as well as cold temperatures. Cold and moisture (rain or snow) on steep roads can place lives and property in danger by hindering access by emergency vehicles.

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