Natural Resources of Chatham Andrew Meyer, Beth Roessler, Karen Strong, and Emily Vail NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University Presentation to Town of Chatham, December 6, 2012
The Hudson River Estuary Program Chatham 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 How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information
Local government has a critical role in managing water and wildlife
How local governments manage water and wildlife Comprehensive plan Open space plan Zoning Town ordinances Natural resource inventory Critical environmental areas Project review SEQRA Stormwater regulations
Healthy, natural systems provide benefits to our communities: water quality and quantity flood control clean air carbon storage recreation scenery forest products ecosystem services
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 Less wildlife habitat, more fragmentation Changes the way water moves across the landscape Loss of streamside vegetation More stream crossings, barriers to fish, flooding risk More road salt degrades water quality Changes habitat promotes weedy species Limit animal migrations More negative wildlife-human interactions More pressure on aquifer, impact from septics 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 How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information
What is a Natural Resource Summary? Local data from Farmscape Ecology at Hawthorne Valley Farm Summarizes existing information gleaned from (mostly) state data Description Table Map 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? Landscape Context Major Natural Features Streams and Watersheds Large Forests (200+ acres) Wetlands Calcium-rich bedrock Grasslands (text only) Semi-natural areas (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 for Chatham Tables Maps References
What is in a Water Resources Summary? Background Information for Chatham Tables Maps References
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.
Outline Role of local governments The Natural Resource Summaries How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information
Area of concern
Compatible with protection of our groundwater? More detailed information?
Species of concern?
Large forests that could remain connected?
Important floodplain forest habitats? Trout stream?
Trout stream? Does it require a permit?
Local water quality?
Why? Requires increased stormwater protection?
Questions raised, answers provided Aquifer concerns? compatible land uses
Questions raised, answers provided Aquifer concerns? compatible land uses Important habitats? Species of concern and floodplain forests
Questions raised, answers provided Aquifer concerns? compatible land uses Important habitats? Species of concern and floodplain forests Protected Stream? Contact the DEC
Questions raised, answers provided Aquifer concerns? compatible land uses Important habitats? Species of concern and floodplain forests Protected Stream? Contact the DEC Impaired waterbody? Stormwater management concerns
How can a town use the Summaries? Comprehensive Plan Open Space Plan Zoning Town ordinances Natural Resource Inventory Comply with stormwater regulations SEQRA Environmental Assessment Forms Critical Environmental Areas Conservation Advisory Councils Project review (case study)
SEQRA requires lead agencies to take a hard look at environmental impacts 1) identify relevant areas of environmental concern 2) thoroughly analyze those areas to determine if the action may have a significant adverse impact 3) support its determination with reasoned elaboration Photo: L. Heady
The summaries can help you with several questions on the new Environmental Assessment Forms
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
Outline Role of local governments The Natural Resource Summaries How you can use the Summaries Where to go for more information
Where can I get more information? Tables and Links
Helping people enjoy, protect, and revitalize the Hudson River Estuary and its Valley Karen Strong Biodiversity Outreach Coordinator klstrong@gw.dec.state.ny.us Andrew Meyer Shoreline Conservation Specialist axmeyer@gw.dec.state.ny.us Emily Vail Watershed Specialist eevail@gw.dec.state.ny.us NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program & Cornell University