Watershed Management in MA The Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan Kate Crawford, River Corridor...
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Transcript of Watershed Management in MA The Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan Kate Crawford, River Corridor...
Watershed Management in MA
The Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan
Kate Crawford, River Corridor Management, October 10, 2005
http://www.mass.gov/envir/water/publications/WAPs/Deerfield_WAP_2004.pdf
MA River Management • Watershed-scale management approach
• Emphasis on:
– Water quality
– Water quantity
– Open space
– Stakeholder involvement
MA River Management (cont.)• Development of Management Plans:
– Federal – Wild & Scenic Rivers (Connecticut)
– State = Watershed Action Plan (WAP)
• State DEP (Blackstone River)
• Local Resource Planning Commissions (Millers River)
• Private Consultant (Deerfield River)
– Community
The Deerfield River Watershed
• 665 mi2
• 318 mi2 = VT
347 mi2 = MA
• ~70 mi long
• elevation change:
~ 3,880 ft.
• 12 major sub-watersheds http://www.deerfieldriver.org/
Watershed Landuse Characteristics • Population: 47,000 people
• 81% Forested – Mohawk Trail & Debuque State Forest Land, large pieces of private, undeveloped land– PS pollution prevalent
• 13% Agriculture/Open Land – hay, corn, dairy production– Significant source of NPS pollution
• 4% Urban/Residential – southern portion of watershed (Greenfield = 18,000 people)– Significant source of PS pollution
• 2% Water
Landuse
http://www.viewsfromabove.com/vfaPublishing/CFeilwebsite/pixs/%20MAB%20photos/MAB.075.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts
http://www.viewsfromabove.com/vfaPublishing/CFeilwebsite/pixs/
%20MAB%20photos/MAB.075.jpg
Social & Political Characteristics
• High social diversity
– Class stratification
– Value differences
• Small governments run by better educated community members
• Few economic resources
Why Manage the Deerfield River?• Conflicting river use
– Hydroelectricity production vs. recreation
• Water quality
• Aquatic and riparian habitat
• Land use management
• Federal and State mandates
http://www.msp.umb.edu/Gelpke/Finished/shelburne_falls.htm
http://www.maplehousebb.com/images/zoar.jpg
Management Documents
• Deerfield River Water Quality Assessment Report (2000)– Guide for DEP work
• Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG 2004)– Guide for local governments, Deerfield River Watershed
Association
• Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan (2004)– Guide for stakeholders, non-profits
The Planning Process• Strong collaboration between the DRWT, FRCOG and
the State
• Collection of appropriate data – Obtaining from various databases
– Monitoring
• Stakeholder involvement – Series of meetings, public forums
• Development of 6 goals
• Action plan for achieving goals
• Formulation of document by private consultant
• Review of document by stakeholders
• Identification of potential funding sources
WAP Goals• Coordinate Flow Management to Benefit Multiple Uses
• Protect and Improve Water Quality in the Watershed
• Restore and Improve Stream Continuity and Aquatic Habitat
• Protect Wetlands and Promote Terrestrial Habitat Diversity
• Provide Safe Recreation and Public Access/Use
• Protect Open Space and Maintain Rural Landscape
Recommendations
• Education – landuse BMP’s, ecological effects of dumping, septic system maintenance, importance of community involvement, safe recreation
• Regulations/Incentives – septic system maintenance, illegal dumping, riparian buffers, open space
• Ecological Conservation – continued and improved monitoring, river continuity (i.e. dam removal, fish passage structures), cold water fishery habitat (increased protection), invasive species, open space
• Collaboration – state agencies, town governments, interest groups,
• Funding – identify and secure sources of funding for various recommended projects
What’s next?• Development of Water Quality Action Plan
• Collaboration with Vermont
• Identification of funding
• Continued Monitoring
• Adaptive Management (ecological conservation, stakeholders, collaborative efforts)
References
• Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan
• Deerfield River Water Quality Assessment Report
• River Management Society