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