Niagara Habitat Conservation StrategyNiagara Habitat Conservation Strategy

Technical Advisory Technical Advisory Committee MeetingCommittee Meeting

DecemberDecember 8, 2011 8, 2011

Project Purpose and Goals Project Purpose and Goals

PurposePurposeProvide a scientifically driven, stakeholder influenced blueprint Provide a scientifically driven, stakeholder influenced blueprint

for ecosystem-based planning and habitat conservation in the for ecosystem-based planning and habitat conservation in the Niagara River Watershed and Niagara River Greenway.Niagara River Watershed and Niagara River Greenway.

FundingFunding– EPA GLRI Grant (2 years)EPA GLRI Grant (2 years)– GESC Grant (Phase I-9 months)GESC Grant (Phase I-9 months)

GoalsGoals

– Identify key species, natural communities, ecological systems, and Identify key species, natural communities, ecological systems, and biotic processes in greatest need of conservationbiotic processes in greatest need of conservation

– Identify ecological and landscape connections Identify ecological and landscape connections

– Identify opportunities to abate critical threats and restore degraded Identify opportunities to abate critical threats and restore degraded biodiversity featuresbiodiversity features

– Focus actions where most likely to have the most impactFocus actions where most likely to have the most impact

– Contribute to delisting the Niagara River as an AOCContribute to delisting the Niagara River as an AOC

– Foster regional stakeholder support for goals and actions.Foster regional stakeholder support for goals and actions.

ConservationConservation Action Action PlanningPlanning Model (TNC) Model (TNC)

A step-wise framework A step-wise framework intended to guide intended to guide practitioners:practitioners:– Develop and focus Develop and focus

conservation actions on conservation actions on clearly defined clearly defined biodiversity biodiversity features/targetsfeatures/targets

– Fully articulate threats to Fully articulate threats to specific featuresspecific features

– Identify actions to abate Identify actions to abate critical threats and restore critical threats and restore degraded featuresdegraded features

Why the CAP Model?Why the CAP Model?

Scientifically drivenScientifically driven Clearly defined, logical, organizedClearly defined, logical, organized Applicable and useful at all scalesApplicable and useful at all scales Adaptive and flexibleAdaptive and flexible Stakeholder influencedStakeholder influenced Focuses actions where they are likely to have the Focuses actions where they are likely to have the

most impactmost impact Regionally relevantRegionally relevant

Niagara Habitat Conservation Strategy TimelineNiagara Habitat Conservation Strategy Timeline

July through October 2011July through October 2011• Kick-off TAC meetingKick-off TAC meeting• Draft and finalize project scope and missionDraft and finalize project scope and mission• Develop draft biodiversity features and goalsDevelop draft biodiversity features and goals• Stakeholder meeting in SeptemberStakeholder meeting in September• TAC meeting end of SeptemberTAC meeting end of September• Finalize biodiversity features and goalsFinalize biodiversity features and goals

October through June 2012October through June 2012• Assess viability of biodiversity featuresAssess viability of biodiversity features

Draft attributes and indicatorsDraft attributes and indicators• Identify threats and critical threatsIdentify threats and critical threats• Conduct intensive GIS analysis to identify linkages and opportunitiesConduct intensive GIS analysis to identify linkages and opportunities• Meet or conference with TAC at least 4 times formallyMeet or conference with TAC at least 4 times formally• Hold several formal stakeholder meetingsHold several formal stakeholder meetings• Develop conservation actions Develop conservation actions

Timeline Cont’dTimeline Cont’d

July through December 2012July through December 2012• Develop conservation actionsDevelop conservation actions

Field Assessments/GroundtruthingField Assessments/Groundtruthing• Meet formally with TAC 3 timesMeet formally with TAC 3 times• Hold several stakeholder/public meetingsHold several stakeholder/public meetings• Identify indicators and methods to measure effectiveness of actionsIdentify indicators and methods to measure effectiveness of actions• Organize information into strategy documentOrganize information into strategy document• Seek review and comment on strategy document Seek review and comment on strategy document • Finalize strategy documentFinalize strategy document

Project Milestones to DateProject Milestones to Date

• Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) approval Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) approval obtained on October 22, 2011 from USEPAobtained on October 22, 2011 from USEPA

• Vision Statement developed and finalizedVision Statement developed and finalized– Aquatic project scope Aquatic project scope

• Ongoing public and stakeholder outreachOngoing public and stakeholder outreach

• Active River Area map drafted depicting project Active River Area map drafted depicting project planning areaplanning area

Vision StatementVision Statement

Building upon completed and ongoing regional habitat Building upon completed and ongoing regional habitat conservation work, restore and conserve native conservation work, restore and conserve native ecological communities and biological integrity by ecological communities and biological integrity by promoting healthy, self-sustaining aquatic ecosystem promoting healthy, self-sustaining aquatic ecosystem functions within the Niagara River watershed.functions within the Niagara River watershed.

Active River AreaActive River Area- - TNC, 2008TNC, 2008

Active River AreaActive River Area What is it?What is it?

A visual and spatial representation of rivers that includes the A visual and spatial representation of rivers that includes the channels and riparian lands necessary to accommodate the channels and riparian lands necessary to accommodate the physical and ecological processes associated with river physical and ecological processes associated with river systems.systems.– ““Active”-Dynamic physical processes form, disturb and maintain Active”-Dynamic physical processes form, disturb and maintain

different aquatic and riparian habitat components over space and different aquatic and riparian habitat components over space and timetime

– ““River Area”- Lands that contain both aquatic and riparian habitats as River Area”- Lands that contain both aquatic and riparian habitats as well as those that contain processes that interact with a river or well as those that contain processes that interact with a river or channel.channel.

– Physical processes include system-wide hydrologic connectivity, Physical processes include system-wide hydrologic connectivity, floodplain hydrology, and sediment movement along a river corridorfloodplain hydrology, and sediment movement along a river corridor

– Considers physical processes and habitats in relation to three Considers physical processes and habitats in relation to three watershed positions; upper, mid, and lowerwatershed positions; upper, mid, and lower

Why Useful?Why Useful?

Vision StatementVision Statement

Building upon completed and ongoing regional habitat Building upon completed and ongoing regional habitat conservation work, conservation work, restorerestore and and conserveconserve native native ecological ecological communitiescommunities and and biological integritybiological integrity by promoting healthy, by promoting healthy, self-sustaining aquatic ecosystem functionsself-sustaining aquatic ecosystem functions within the within the Niagara River watershed.Niagara River watershed.

The Active River Area (ARA) visually identifies the physical space The Active River Area (ARA) visually identifies the physical space within which to focus conservation efforts to achieve our within which to focus conservation efforts to achieve our project’s vision in the Niagara River watershed.project’s vision in the Niagara River watershed.

Methodology of the ARAMethodology of the ARAUses Geographic Information System (GIS) modeling paired with Uses Geographic Information System (GIS) modeling paired with

scientific frameworkscientific framework

Delineates:Delineates: Five Components Five Components

- Material Contribution AreaMaterial Contribution Area- Meander BeltMeander Belt- FloodplainsFloodplains- TerracesTerraces- Riparian WetlandsRiparian Wetlands

Uses (2) major GIS datasets as inputs:Uses (2) major GIS datasets as inputs:- USGS/USEPA National Stream Hydrography Dataset USGS/USEPA National Stream Hydrography Dataset

(1:100,000 scale) for stream lines and orders(1:100,000 scale) for stream lines and orders- 30m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for elevation and slope30m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for elevation and slope

Upper WatershedUpper Watershed• Uplands where intermittent streams form and come together to create the Uplands where intermittent streams form and come together to create the

first and second order perennial streamsfirst and second order perennial streams• Significant areas that contribute inorganic and organic materials to river Significant areas that contribute inorganic and organic materials to river

system downstream and form the basis of the food websystem downstream and form the basis of the food web

Mid WatershedMid Watershed• Uplands and steep slopes along small tributary streams emerging from Uplands and steep slopes along small tributary streams emerging from

confined valleys and along steep valley walls where no floodplains, terraces, confined valleys and along steep valley walls where no floodplains, terraces, or wetlands existor wetlands exist

Lower WatershedLower Watershed• Most materials coming from upstream sources and from areas within other Most materials coming from upstream sources and from areas within other

ARA componentsARA components• Areas along bluffs or steep banks along small tributaries may be locally Areas along bluffs or steep banks along small tributaries may be locally

importantimportant

Material Contribution Areas:Material Contribution Areas:Headwater areas and certain upland areas Headwater areas and certain upland areas directly adjacent to stream channels; key directly adjacent to stream channels; key building blocks of downstream hydrology, building blocks of downstream hydrology, channel structure and habitat conditions.channel structure and habitat conditions.

Meander Belt:Meander Belt:Area within which the channel will migrate Area within which the channel will migrate over time; most “active” part of the ARAover time; most “active” part of the ARA

Upper Watershed• Can be narrow in small, straight and steep headwater channels or slightly wider in

headwater wetland dominated systems• Step-pool channels common; confined valleys and coarse bed particles limit

lateral movement of meander belt

Mid-Watershed• Wider and more dynamic than upper watershed; degree of valley confinement

determines width in part• Dominant processes are downstream transfer of water, sediment, and energy

Lower Watershed• Often wide and sinuous; fine sedimentOften wide and sinuous; fine sediment• Dominant processes are sediment and flood storageDominant processes are sediment and flood storage

Floodplains:Floodplains:Expansive and low sloped areas, often with multiple channels and deep deposits of Expansive and low sloped areas, often with multiple channels and deep deposits of sediment and other materialssediment and other materials

Terraces:Terraces:Former floodplains when river was flowing at higher levelsFormer floodplains when river was flowing at higher levels

Upper WatershedUpper Watershed• High floodplains and terraces minimal; small expanse of floodplain critical to High floodplains and terraces minimal; small expanse of floodplain critical to

maintain downstream channel and habitat stabilitymaintain downstream channel and habitat stability

Mid-WatershedMid-Watershed• Presence is a function of valley confinementPresence is a function of valley confinement• Critical habitats for aquatic, floodplain, and terrestrial species/communities; Critical habitats for aquatic, floodplain, and terrestrial species/communities;

inundation determines flood water, sediment, and organic material storage inundation determines flood water, sediment, and organic material storage regimes, as well as uptakeregimes, as well as uptake

Lower WatershedLower Watershed• Broad and flat with low to medium energyBroad and flat with low to medium energy• Floodplain inundation and storage of fine sediments transported from upstream Floodplain inundation and storage of fine sediments transported from upstream

are key processesare key processes

Riparian WetlandsRiparian WetlandsLow gradient areas with inundated Low gradient areas with inundated or hydric soils that support or hydric soils that support wetland plant specieswetland plant species

Upper WatershedUpper Watershed• Important role in direct and indirect retention and downstream delivery of Important role in direct and indirect retention and downstream delivery of

organics and nutrientsorganics and nutrients• Extent of wetlands defined by valley confinement versus broad, flat headwater Extent of wetlands defined by valley confinement versus broad, flat headwater

areasareas

Mid-WatershedMid-Watershed• Direct link between channel and floodplain, stabilizing banks and providing large Direct link between channel and floodplain, stabilizing banks and providing large

woody debris and coarse particulate organic matterwoody debris and coarse particulate organic matter• Important water storage areas; help to reduce stream power downstreamImportant water storage areas; help to reduce stream power downstream

Lower WatershedLower Watershed• Wide, often extending across valley floor and within floodplainWide, often extending across valley floor and within floodplain• Integrally linked to river hydrology by ground and surface water, having a strong Integrally linked to river hydrology by ground and surface water, having a strong

influence on disturbance regime of channel and floodplaininfluence on disturbance regime of channel and floodplain

Active River Area GIS ToolkitActive River Area GIS Toolkit

Created by The Nature Conservancy, June 2010– Active River Area (ARA) Three-Stream Class Toolbox Active River Area (ARA) Three-Stream Class Toolbox – Scale: 1:100000 (vector) and 30 meter (raster)Scale: 1:100000 (vector) and 30 meter (raster)– Software: ArcGIS 9.3 with Spatial Analyst extensionSoftware: ArcGIS 9.3 with Spatial Analyst extension

1. Digital Elevation Model– Source: USGSSource: USGS– Scale: 30mScale: 30m– Each cell (pixel) contains an elevation valueEach cell (pixel) contains an elevation value

2. Hydrography– Source: USGS National Hydrography Dataset lines and polygonsSource: USGS National Hydrography Dataset lines and polygons– Scale: 1:100000Scale: 1:100000– Stream Order:Stream Order:

HeadwatersHeadwaters : 1 : 1stst and 2 and 2ndnd Orders Orders MediumMedium: 3: 3rdrd and 4 and 4thth Orders Orders RiversRivers: 5: 5thth Order Order

– Converted from Converted from vector to raster vector to raster for use in ARA modelfor use in ARA model

GIS Data Input

Digital Elevation ModelNiagara River Watershed

Hydrographyby stream order

Niagara River Watershed

GIS Data Input

Model Results - Model Results - Active River AreaActive River Area

Blue areas represent:•Meander Belts•Riparian Wetlands•Floodplains•Terraces•Material Contribution Areas

Percent of Sub-Watershed that is Percent of Sub-Watershed that is Active River AreaActive River Area

SUB-WATERSHED ACREAGE ACTIVE RIVER AREA %

Buffalo Creek 93,190.9 25,216.0 27.1%

Buffalo River 105,391.6 24,846.7 23.6%

Cayuga Creek 81,385.3 25,537.9 31.4%

Eighteenmile Creek 76,843.0 22,415.9 29.2%

Ellicott Creek 76,843.9 29,689.3 38.6%

Lower Tonawanda Creek 78,802.2 44,544.3 56.5%

Middle Tonawanda Creek 79,115.9 45,083.8 57.0%

Murder Creek 46,685.8 17,745.8 38.0%

Niagara River 98,210.9 38,685.2 39.4%

Smoke Creek 39,527.3 10,026.3 25.4%

Upper Tonawanda Creek 127,308.1 36,449.4 28.6%

Total 903,305.0 320,240.6 35.5%

Niagara River Watershed

Hydrography by Stream OrderNewstead and Corfu, NY

Dark blue represents

‘Medium Streams’ Light blue represents

‘Headwaters’

Elevation Model Newstead and Corfu, NY

Darker shading represents lower

elevations

Active River AreaNewstead and Corfu, NY

Active River Area Model Results are

in green

Active River Area with 100-Year FloodplainsNewstead and Corfu, NY

Active River Area Model Results

compared to 100-Year Floodplains

Forested Areas within the Active River AreaNewstead and Corfu, NY

Forested Land Cover based on

NOAA LULC, 2005: Deciduous Forest

Mixed ForestEvergreen Forest

Wetlands and Floodplains within the Active River AreaNewstead and Corfu, NY

Light Blue represents 100-

Year FEMA Floodplains

Dark Blue represents NWI

wetlands.

ConservationConservation Action Action PlanningPlanning Model (TNC) Model (TNC)

A step-wise framework A step-wise framework intended to guide intended to guide practitioners:practitioners:– Develop and focus

conservation actions on clearly defined biodiversity features/targets

– Fully articulate threats to Fully articulate threats to specific featuresspecific features

– Identify actions to abate Identify actions to abate critical threats and restore critical threats and restore degraded featuresdegraded features

Biodiversity Features (conservation targets)Biodiversity Features (conservation targets)Definition:Definition: Limited suite of species, ecological Limited suite of species, ecological

communities, and ecological systems that are communities, and ecological systems that are chosen to represent and encompass the chosen to represent and encompass the biodiversity found in the project area.biodiversity found in the project area.

Nested FeaturesNested Features

Definition:Definition: Species, ecological communities, or ecological Species, ecological communities, or ecological systems whose conservation needs are systems whose conservation needs are subsumed in one or more biodiversity feature.subsumed in one or more biodiversity feature.

ExampleExample::

Biodiversity Feature:Biodiversity Feature: Native Migratory Fish Native Migratory FishNested Features:Nested Features: Lake Sturgeon, Walleye, Lake Trout Lake Sturgeon, Walleye, Lake Trout

NIAGARA WATERSHED Biodiversity Features NIAGARA WATERSHED Biodiversity Features – Draft 12/8/2011– Draft 12/8/2011

1.1. Upper and Middle Tributary Open Water Aquatic HabitatUpper and Middle Tributary Open Water Aquatic HabitatOpenOpen w water habitat in mid and upper tribs including 1st order streams (& ag ditches and drains) in ARAater habitat in mid and upper tribs including 1st order streams (& ag ditches and drains) in ARA

2.2. Riparian/Coastal ZoneRiparian/Coastal ZoneActive floodplain, emergent & woody wetlands in ARA, including springs, seeps and headwater wetland areasActive floodplain, emergent & woody wetlands in ARA, including springs, seeps and headwater wetland areas

3.3. Riparian/Coastal Woodlands Riparian/Coastal Woodlands Deciduous, evergreen and mixed forest within or continuous w/ ARA Deciduous, evergreen and mixed forest within or continuous w/ ARA

4.4. Riparian/Coastal Grasslands/ShrublandsRiparian/Coastal Grasslands/Shrublands Meadows, early successional farmlands, capped landfills (?) within or continuous with the ARA Meadows, early successional farmlands, capped landfills (?) within or continuous with the ARA

AdditionalAdditional NIAGARA GREENWAY/AOC* Biodiversity Features NIAGARA GREENWAY/AOC* Biodiversity Features

5.5. Riverine Open Water Aquatic Habitat: Nearshore and BenthicRiverine Open Water Aquatic Habitat: Nearshore and BenthicNiagara River and lower tribs including Nearshore: 6-foot depth to mean high water; and Benthic: >6 feet deep.Niagara River and lower tribs including Nearshore: 6-foot depth to mean high water; and Benthic: >6 feet deep.

6.6. Natural Beaches and IslandsNatural Beaches and IslandsSand or gravel beaches; islands and breakwallsSand or gravel beaches; islands and breakwalls

7.7. Unique Area: Niagara GorgeUnique Area: Niagara GorgeIncluding six miles of cliffs, talus slope, bedrock shoreline and vegetated rim between falls and n. edge of escarpment Including six miles of cliffs, talus slope, bedrock shoreline and vegetated rim between falls and n. edge of escarpment

8.8. Native Migratory FishNative Migratory Fish Self-sustaining, native fish communities: e.g. objectives of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Self-sustaining, native fish communities: e.g. objectives of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission

9.9. IBA targeted bird species not otherwise captured IBA targeted bird species not otherwise captured Including Including wintering and migratory waterbirdswintering and migratory waterbirds

Contact InformationContact Information

Kerrie Gallo, Project DirectorKerrie Gallo, Project Director

716.852.7483 x 30716.852.7483 x 30

kgallo@bnriverkeeper.orgkgallo@bnriverkeeper.org

Margaret Wooster, Co-DirectorMargaret Wooster, Co-Director

716.852.7483 x15716.852.7483 x15

mwooster@bnriverkeeper.orgmwooster@bnriverkeeper.org