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Highlands Action Program How to Transform the Legacy

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Highlands Action Program How to Transform the Legacy

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  1. Notice: The views expressed here are those of the individual authors and may not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Scientists in EPA have prepared the EPA sections, and those sections have been reviewed in accordance with EPA’s peer and administrative review policies and approved for presentation and publication. The EPA contributed funding to the construction of this website but is not responsible for it's contents. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

  2. Highlands Action Program How to Transform the Legacy A citizens inspired program for collaborative monitoring, research, management, and restoration activities within the Mid-Atlantic Highlands . Canaan Valley Institute

  3. Highlands Action Program--Background • 2001 Congressional language called for EPA to establish HAP • Language for HAP continues in EPA legislation • CVI cited as a logical partner because of its community watershed focus and experience • CVI produced report to: • Show need for HAP • Recommend stakeholder driven approach for HAP

  4. Significant EPA Investment in HAP • EPA already has significant investments in CVI and the Highlands • 6 years of senior staff time • Outreach, science, and technical staff • Education, training, and demonstration sites • ORD focus on Highlands for last 10 years

  5. Highlands Action Program--Existing Regional Programs • HAP is the next generation of geographic programs • Place-based initiatives have added value • Action, action, action • Top-down meets bottom-up DBP HAP CBP DIB MB AP

  6. Achieving Sustainable Solutions--HAP’s Innovative Approach

  7. Biodiversity Terrestrial and aquatic diversity National hotspot Economic importance of natural resources Tourism—$26 billion/year Forestry—$11 billion/year and 186,000 jobs Energy—coal, oil, natural gas, and wind The Highlands--A Special Place

  8. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Pulse • Landscape indicators show that 47% of the region is fair or poor • Based on the type of birds found, 57% of the landscape is not in good condition • Based on the type of fish found in the streams, 67% of stream miles are not in good condition • Based on insects, 75% of stream miles are not in good condition

  9. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Stressors • Water Quality Stressors • 25% stream miles impaired by sediment • 22% by loss of riparian habitat From: US Environmental Protection Agency. (2000). Mid-Atlantic Highlands Streams Assessment. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. EPA/903/R-00/015

  10. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Human Activities • Urban Infringement & rural sprawl fragment natural areas • Assessed streams not meeting standards are shown in 303(d) Stream Listings

  11. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Economic Conditions • High rates of children in poverty • Low educational attainment • High unemployment rates • Low labor force participation rates • Low per capita income Consequences • Environmental justice issues • Outmigration of working-age population

  12. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Economic Conditions • Low Per Capita Income • From: US Department of Commerce, Census Bureau. 1990 Decennial Census. • Lack of High-Speed Internet Access • From: Federal Communications Commission. High-Speed Services for Internet Access: Subscribership as of June 30, 2001.

  13. Opportunities for Stewardship--Create a Restoration Industry • Restoration industry needs the region’s skilled workers • Restoration spending creates more jobs than road construction, utility construction, or defense contracts

  14. Highlands Action Program--Possible Outcomes • 18,000 stream miles will be revitalized • 5000 square miles of forest will be revitalized • 105,954,000 ton/yr reduction in sediment load • 3000 jobs will be created

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