Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund. Gregg J. Cassidy RI DEM, Sustainable Watersheds Office

Transcription

1 Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund Gregg J. Cassidy RI DEM, Sustainable Watersheds Office

2 Narragansett Bay and Watershed Restoration Bond Fund 1) Govt. Entities Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Control Fund 2) Non-Govt. Non-point Source Water Pollution Control Fund 3) Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund

3 Goal of the Watershed Restoration Bond Fund Restore and Protect the water quality, enhance economic viability and environmental sustainability of Narragansett Bay and the State s watersheds.

4 Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund Why are Riparian Buffers important? What is the purpose of the grant? Who s eligible? What types of projects are eligible? How are projects selected for funding?

5 What is a Riparian Buffer? Riparian is from Latin ripa, the bank of a river. Land adjacent to rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and coastal waters that is maintained in a natural condition and is integral to the ecology of aquatic systems.

6 Transition Between Land & Water High Levels of Soil Moisture Frequent Flooding Unique Plant & Animal Communities

7 Link Land Uses Within a Watershed

8 Riparian Buffers Provide Water Quality Benefits at Low Cost Remove Sediments Prevent erosion

9 Riparian Buffers Provide Water Quality Benefits at Low Cost Filter Pollutants 50% of nutrients & pesticides 60% of pathogens 75% of sediment

10 Other Benefits of Riparian Buffers Greenways Recharge groundwater Flood storage Aesthetics Recreation Wildlife habitat

11 Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund Who s eligible: government & non-govt. entities & persons Purpose: water quality improvement/protection Goal: re-establishment of native species or other improvement projects that will establish or restore riparian habitats, or enhance the overall quality of riparian buffers

12 Ineligible Projects Experimental Technology Improvement in business operations rather than pollution reduction Research Land Acquisition ISDS Stormwater BMPs

13 Other Important Points Personnel costs (not directly related to project) are ineligible Match required 50% In kind services= match Landowner permission Permits required

14 Cover letter Map Application Requirements Statement of purpose of project Expected water quality improvements Specific sub-fund and why it is eligible for funding Other pertinent information Project schedule and budget Supporting Materials

15 Cover letter Minimum Purpose of project Expected water quality improvements Specific sub-fund and why it is eligible Other pertinent information Suggested Location Water Quality Protection Water Quality Restoration Readiness To Proceed Likelihood Of Success Impact of Restoration

16 Application RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Riparian Buffer Restoration Grant Application A.Contact Information Contact Person Date Received Organization Address Telephone number B. General Information Project Location Town Watershed Length of area restored Width of area restored Total Project Acres Summary of Project Existing conditions Proposed activities Desired outcome Task example: site preparation WorkPlan & Timetable Units 2 acres Schedule March-April 2007 Budget Task/Item example: Trees for riparian buffer planting (red maple, sycamore, pin oak) Units Cost 16 trees (1.5" caliper) 1750 Total Funding Request 0

17 Proposed activities Site preparation (including removal of invasive plants) and establishment of native vegetation in riparian area to reestablish a healthy buffer. The extent and exact location of these activities are shown on the attached map. RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Riparian Buffer Restoration Grant Application A.Contact Information Contact Person Address Date Received Organization Telephone number B. General Information Project Location Town Watershed Length of area restored Width of area restored Total Project Acres Summary of Project Existing conditions Proposed activities Desired outcome Task example: site preparation WorkPlan & Timetable Units 2 acres Schedule March-April 2007 Budget Task/Item example: Trees for riparian buffer planting (red maple, sycamore, pin oak) Units Cost 16 trees (1.5" caliper) 1750 Total Funding Request 0

18 RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Riparian Buffer Restoration Grant Application A.Contact Information Contact Person Date Received Organization Address Telephone number Desired Outcome This project will result in the eradication of invasive plants and an increase in native plant species, improving wildlife habitat and diversity and improving the buffer s capacity for ameliorating/attenuating pollutants in runoff. B. General Information Project Location Town Watershed Length of area restored Width of area restored Total Project Acres Summary of Project Existing conditions Proposed activities Desired outcome Task example: site preparation WorkPlan & Timetable Units 2 acres Schedule March-April 2007 Budget Task/Item example: Trees for riparian buffer planting (red maple, sycamore, pin oak) Units Cost 16 trees (1.5" caliper) 1750 Total Funding Request 0

19 RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Riparian Buffer Restoration Grant Application A.Contact Information Contact Person Date Received Organization Address Telephone number B. General Information Project Location Town Watershed Length of area restored Width of area restored Total Project Acres Summary of Project Existing conditions Proposed activities Desired outcome Tasks Schedules Obtain authorization from Feb-March 2007 DEM WQ/WR team Site Preparation April-June 2007 Planting April-June 2007 Maintenance Task example: site preparation WorkPlan & Timetable Budget Task/Item example: Trees for riparian buffer planting (red maple, sycamore, pin oak) Units 2 acres Units Schedule March-April 2007 Cost 16 trees (1.5" caliper) 1750 Total Funding Request 0

20 Maps Earth.google.com Dem.ri.gov Melissa Street Restoration Project

21 Supporting Materials What extra information should be included in the application? Permits Documentation of match Property owner s permission statement Other (pictures) Should this site be restored?

22 Project Ranking Location Water Quality Protection Water Quality Restoration Readiness To Proceed Likelihood Of Success Impact of Restoration

23 Project Ranking-Location 75 % of streams in a watershed are first (low) order

24 Ranking-Water Quality Protection

25 Ranking- Water Quality Restoration Effects of Different Size Buffer Zones on Potential Reductions of Sediment and Nutrients from Field Surface Runoff (Norris 2001). Width Type Sediment red. N red. P red. 15 Grass Grass Forest Forest/grass Forest/grass Wider is better Trees & Shrubs better

26 Water Quality Restoration Center for Watershed Protection cwp.org Chesapeake Bay Program Chesapeake bay.net Maryland Cooperative Extension riparianbuffers.umd.edu/ Iowa State University Extension forestry.iastate.edu/topics/woodland_ mgmt/buffstrips.html NRCS

27 Ranking- Readiness to Proceed Applicant owns the parcel or has the owner s written permission Necessary permits have been obtained Conceptual Plans and Site Plans have been completed Applicant has demonstrated the capacity to plan and implement riparian buffer restoration There are no known issues that could hinder implementation

28 Ranking- Likelihood of Success The property is permanently protected The application is of high quality The project is cost effective The applicant has a proven track record of successful restoration The project leverages other funding The project leverages partnerships

29 Riparian Buffer Grants Timeline Prepare Proposal Proposals Due May 1st March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June July Grants evaluated by DEM Offe r Le tte r Scope of Work Refined Landowner Permission Letter Permit Approval Contracts signed Project plan Developed Procure Materials Select Contractors Restoration Proceeds Submit Reimbursement Request Record of expenses/invoices P ictures Final Report

30 For More Information Contact: Gregg J. Cassidy Senior Environmental Planner RI DEM, Sustainable Watersheds Office 235 Promenade Street Providence, RI (401) , extension 4403

31 Implementation Schedule Proposals: May 1 Grants evaluated: Offer letter: end of June Scope of work refined Landowner permission letter Permit approval Contracts signed Project plan developed Procure materials Select contractors Restoration Proceeds Reimbursement Record of expenses/invoices Pictures Final report