Watershed Management in MA The Deerfield River Watershed Action Plan Kate Crawford, River Corridor Management, October 10,

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 mi mi 2 = VT 347 mi 2 = MA ~70 mi long elevation change: ~ 3,880 ft. 12 major sub-watersheds

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 %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

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 ReportDeerfield River Water Quality Assessment Report River Management Society