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Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program (HAP)

Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program (HAP). The Appalachian Highlands – A Way of Life. HAP – Geographic Area. Highlands of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. Value cultural, ecological, and economic resources. Cultural, ecological, and economic resources.

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Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program (HAP)

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  1. Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program (HAP) The Appalachian Highlands – A Way of Life

  2. HAP – Geographic Area Highlands of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia

  3. Value cultural, ecological, and economic resources

  4. Cultural, ecological, and economic resources • Globally significant biological diversity • Forests are internationally unique & economically important • Major source of energy for U.S. • Birthplace of major rivers • Nationally recognized cultural heritage

  5. Biological condition shows room for improvement • 50% of Landscape in poor to fair condition • >50% of stream miles in poor to fair condition

  6. Indicators of poor stream quality

  7. Economic conditions affect available solutions Per Capita Income

  8. CVI and HAP • The Canaan Valley Institute conceived HAP in the late 90s. • CVI assists local community organizations build capacity to make scientifically grounded decisions regarding management of their natural and economic resources. • CVI has worked in Virginia since the mid 90s and has provided over $415K in direct grants to Virginia community groups to pursue environmental projects of their choosing. • Provides outreach support to those funded groups and many others.

  9. CVI’s Interest To facilitate the development of an environmental restoration program for the Mid-Atlantic Highlands that operated on certain core principles.

  10. Core Principles • Local empowerment- “bottom up” approach • Focused on Environmental & Socioeconomic Outcomes • Strategic science-based approach • State & locally led with federal support • Leverage existing resources • Acceptable & lasting solutions • Measurable Outcomes

  11. HAP focused on outcomes • ________ stream miles revitalized • ________ square miles reforested • ________ tons/yr of carbon sequestered • ________ tons/yr sediment load reduced • ________ jobs created

  12. Report to Congress • In July of 2002, CVI published Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program – Transforming the Legacy • Prepared for Congress and EPA to document need for the program and to recommend an implementation approach. • Readers can find the report at http://www.canaanvi.org/canaanvi_web/hap.aspx.

  13. Congress Gets Involved • EPA expected to establish and implement a Highlands Action Program (HAP) • Enter into interagency agreements with other federal agencies and cooperative agreements with states, local governments and non-governmental organizations to carry out the goals of the Mid-Atlantic Highlands program.

  14. EPA Takes the Lead • Based on Congressional expectations: • EPA provided funding to place liaisons in each of the states in the Highlands area. • PA, WV and MD have joined VA in this initiative. • EPA awarded the DCR funds for the state liaison and associated programmatic costs for a two-year period starting on June 14, 2005. • DCR executed a MOU with CVI that assigns CVI Virginia Watershed Coordinator, Steve Talley, to DRC, to develop HAP in Virginia. • EPA constituted a HAP Management Team consisting of liaisons and various EPA representatives.

  15. Over-arching Goals of HAP • Protect special places • Revitalize damaged ecosystems • Create a restoration industry • Encourage communities to care for the long-term health of natural resources • Support implementation

  16. Capacity • Four state liaisons • EPA work force out of Region III • A little bit of money • Time – but not much • Enthusiasm • All you guys

  17. Next Steps • The next two years will be a “program-building” period. • The VA liaison will work with a HAP Management Team regularly. • The Virginia liaison will represent the perspective and needs of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the HAP Team. • The liaison will convene a State Advisory Group to provide advice on program matters.

  18. A Short Term Outcome • At least two projects underway in each participating state in the next two years to create a HAP project portfolio. • Virginia liaison will work to get implementation activities underway on at least two identified projects to improve water quality, improve/restore habitat and/or improve/restore living resources. • The Team intends to use that portfolio to demonstrate a HAP “business model” and attract new funding.

  19. HAP Project • Local group involved • Credible “watershed management plan” or other similar locally accepted land use plan • Clear and concise description of the actual project with key issues/stressors identified • Feasibility study or analysis • Clearly defined and measurable environmental, social, cultural, and economic outcomes • Success monitoring • Diverse group of partners • Funding base and leverage • Realistic project budget and schedule

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