Natural Resources and Climate Resiliency in Germantown Ingrid Haeckel, Andrew Meyer, and Elizabeth Murphy NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University Presentation to the Town of Germantown, December 7, 2013
The Hudson River Estuary Program Germantown Ensure clean water; Protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats; Provide recreation in and on the water; Adapt to climate change; and Conserve the scenic landscape.
Hudson River Watershed Entire watershed ~ 13,500 sq. mi.
Outline Role of local governments The Natural Resource Summaries Future Climate Conditions How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information Discussion
Local government has a critical role in managing water and wildlife
How local governments manage water and wildlife Comprehensive plan Open space plan Zoning SEQRA Project review Town ordinances Natural resource inventory Critical environmental areas Stormwater regulations Climate Smart Community Pledge, Certification Mouth of the RoeJan kayaktrippics.us
Healthy, natural systems provide benefits to our communities: water quality and quantity flood control clean air carbon storage recreation scenery forest products fisheries ecosystem services
Resilience
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc A small town in upstate New York
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc Buildout under current zoning
More roads, roofs, and driveways mean more runoff Changes the way water moves across the landscape More stream crossings, barriers to fish, flooding risk More road salt degrades water quality More pressure on groundwater, impact from septics Less wildlife habitat, more fragmentation Loss of streamside vegetation Changes habitat promotes weedy species Limit animal migrations More negative wildlife-human interactions Reduce hunting and recreation opportunities Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc Many impacts on water and wildlife
Rivers and Streams Wetlands & stream corridors Forests and natural area connections Working Landscapes Identify important resources Cultural & Historic Resources Trails and Greenways Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc A buildout that reduces pressure
Note: this is an idealized cartoon. By working toward this ideal, you can reduce pressure. Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc A buildout that reduces pressure
Outline Role of local governments The Natural Resource Summaries Future Climate Conditions How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information Discussion
What is a Natural Resource Summary? Local data from Farmscape Ecology at Hawthorne Valley Farm Summarizes existing information gleaned from (mostly) state data Descriptions Tables Maps General conservation principles References
Please Note! Primarily for planning purposes Maps have limitations (e.g., scale) Raise questions for project review Will not tell you if a permit from NYSDEC is needed
What is in a Habitat Summary? Regional Context Major Ecological Features Coastal and Shoreline Habitat Streams and Watersheds Large Forests (200+ acres) Wetlands Grasslands (text only) Young Forests (text only)
What is in a Habitat Summary? Tables and Links
What is in a Water Resources Summary? Land Cover Aquifers Floodplains and Riparian Buffers Waterbody Classification, Assessments, and Impairment Stormwater Management SPDES Permits and Wastewater Aquatic Barriers
What is in a Water Resources Summary? Background information Germantown Details Tables Maps References and Resources
What is in a Water Resources Summary? Background information Germantown Details Tables Maps References and Resources
http://www.scenichudson.org/slr/mapper What is in a Climate Summary? Introduction to climate resilience Climate hazards in NYS Projections for Germantown Climate risks and opportunities How to get involved
Outline Role of local governments The Natural Resource Summaries Future Climate Conditions How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information Discussion
Plan for future, not the past
Climate hazards and risks that could impact Germantown Hazards Increasing temperatures Rising sea level Changing precipitation patterns Risks Heat waves Flooding Short term drought
Hazard #1: Increasing temperatures Since 1970: Global annual average temperature up 1 F US annual average temperature up 1.8 F New York annual average temperature up 2 F New York winter average temperature up 5 F
Projections: Increasing temperatures
Hazard #2: Changing precipitation patterns More variability and volatility 74% Increase in heavy downpours between 1950-1979 and 1980-2009 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Hazard #3: Sea level rise Historic: 15 in NY Harbor in the past 150 years NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Climate risks: how hazards affect our communities Heat waves Short-term drought Flooding
Opportunity: become climate resilient
Outline Role of local governments The Natural Resource Summaries Future Climate Conditions How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information Discussion
Area of concern
What is the watershed context?
comely shiner shad Species and habitats of concern?
Large forests that could remain connected?
Wetlands present?
Local water quality?
Compatible with protection of our groundwater? More detailed information?
Sea Level Rise Mapper Future shoreline and floodplains? http://www.scenichudson.org/slr/mapper
What did we learn? Important habitats? tidal wetlands and forest connection
What did we learn? Important habitats? tidal wetlands and forest connection Good quality streams? RoeJan, tribs and mouth maintain its quality
What did we learn? Important habitats? tidal wetlands and forest connection Good quality streams? RoeJan, tribs and mouth, maintain its quality Aquifer concerns? compatible land uses, NY Rural Water Association
What did we learn? Important habitats? tidal wetlands and forest connection Good quality streams? RoeJan, tribs and mouth maintain its quality Aquifer concerns? compatible land uses, NY Rural Water Association Sea level rise impacts? plan for a 6 foot rise along the Hudson
How can a town use the Summaries? Comprehensive Plan Open Space Plan Zoning Town ordinances Natural Resource Inventory SEQRA Environmental Assessment Forms Critical Environmental Areas Conservation Advisory Councils Project review Use future climate conditions for town planning
http://www.dec.ny.gov/eafmapper/ SEQRA Environmental Assessment Forms Online Workbook
Critical Environmental Areas A specific geographic area designated by a state or local agency because it has exceptional or unique environmental or cultural characteristics valued by the community. Hogback Hill CEA, Hyde Park
In Rosendale, the Conservation Advisory Council prepared a Natural Resource Inventory
In Rhinebeck, the Conservation Advisory Council helps the Planning Board
Recommended Conservation Guidelines Identify natural areas early in the planning process. Avoid and minimize disturbance to natural areas. Preserve links between natural areas with broad connections. Direct development toward altered or least sensitive areas. Preserve farmland potential and working forests. From Hudsonia, Biodiversity Assessment Manual
Outline Role of local governments The Natural Resource Summaries Future Climate Conditions How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information Discussion
Where can I get more information? Printed versions CDs Town website
Where can I get more information? Tables and Links
Where can I get more information?
Where can I get more information? Become a Climate Smart Community 116 CSC Communities in NYS
Where can I get more information? Climate Smart Communities: Examples of Certification Actions Create an internal green team Incentivize employee alternative commute Establish a residential energy efficiency financing program Conduct a climate vulnerability assessment Promote residential flood prevention strategies
Where can I get more information? Climate resiliency: next steps Become a Climate Smart Community http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/53013.html Sign up for our Climate Resiliency in the Hudson River Estuary Newsletter http://goo.gl/gyvvs2
Questions? Ingrid Haeckel Conservation & Land Use Specialist ibhaecke@gw.dec.state.ny.us Andrew Meyer Shoreline Conservation Specialist axmeyer@gw.dec.state.ny.us Libby Murphy Helping people enjoy, protect, and revitalize the Hudson River Estuary and its Valley Climate Specialist ecmurphy@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Interesting FEP Finds in Germantown Conrad Vispo mocha emerald Kyle Bradford Lasius murphyii Conrad Vispo field milkwort
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) & Biodiversity Conservation
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 13a. Does any portion of the site of the proposed action, or lands adjoining the proposed action, contain wetlands or other waterbodies regulated by a federal, state or local agency?
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 13b. Would the proposed action physically alter, or encroach into, any existing wetland or waterbody?
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 15. Does the site of the proposed action contain any species of animal, or associated habitats, listed by the State or Federal government as threatened or endangered?
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 1 17. Will the proposed action create storm water discharge, either from point or nonpoint sources? a. Will storm water discharges flow to adjacent properties?
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 2 4. Will the proposed action have an impact on the environmental characteristics that caused the establishment of a Critical Environmental Area (CEA)?
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 2 9. Will the proposed action result in an adverse change to natural resources (e.g., wetlands, waterbodies, groundwater, air quality, flora and fauna)?
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 2 10. Will the proposed action result in an increase in the potential for erosion, flooding, or drainage problems?
SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review) Short Environmental Assessment Form Part 2 11. Will the proposed action create a hazard to environmental resources or human health?