Watershed Management in MA

1. 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

2. MA River Management • Watershed-scale management approach • Emphasis on: • Water quality • Water quantity • Open space • Stakeholder involvement

3. 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

4. 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/

5. 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

6. Landuse http://www.viewsfromabove.com/vfaPublishing/CFeilwebsite/pixs/%20MAB%20photos/MAB.075.jpg http://www.viewsfromabove.com/vfaPublishing/CFeilwebsite/pixs/ %20MAB%20photos/MAB.075.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts

7. Social & Political Characteristics • High social diversity • Class stratification • Value differences • Small governments run by better educated community members • Few economic resources

8. 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.maplehousebb.com/images/zoar.jpg http://www.msp.umb.edu/Gelpke/Finished/shelburne_falls.htm

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. What’s next? • Development of Water Quality Action Plan • Collaboration with Vermont • Identification of funding • Continued Monitoring • Adaptive Management (ecological conservation, stakeholders, collaborative efforts)

14. References • Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan • Deerfield River Water Quality Assessment Report • River Management Society