watershed management in ma
DESCRIPTION
Watershed Management in MA. The Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan. http://www.mass.gov/envir/water/publications/WAPs/Deerfield_WAP_2004.pdf. Kate Crawford, River Corridor Management, October 10, 2005. MA River Management. Watershed-scale management approach Emphasis on: Water quality - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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