challenges in managing the natural and beneficial resources of floodplains jeanne christie executive...
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Challenges in Managing the Natural and Beneficial Resources of
Floodplains
Challenges in Managing the Natural and Beneficial Resources of
FloodplainsJeanne Christie
Executive Director
Association of State Wetland
Managers
Jeanne ChristieExecutive Director
Association of State Wetland
Managers
Functions and ValuesFunctions and Values
WetlandsWetlands
• WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
• FLOOD PROTECTION• WATER QUALITY PROTECTION &
IMPROVEMENT• SURFACE WATER AND
GROUNDWATER • RECREATION AND AESTHETICS• FOOD, JOBS, AND THE
ECONOMY
• WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE HABITAT
• FLOOD PROTECTION• WATER QUALITY PROTECTION &
IMPROVEMENT• SURFACE WATER AND
GROUNDWATER • RECREATION AND AESTHETICS• FOOD, JOBS, AND THE
ECONOMY
FloodplainsFloodplains
• WATER RESOURCES VALUES – Natural Flood Storage and
Conveyance. – Water Quality Maintenance – Groundwater Recharge
• LIVING RESOURCES AND HABITAT VALUES (wildlife)
• CULTURAL RESOURCES VALUES (historical significance, aesthetics, recreation)
• WATER RESOURCES VALUES – Natural Flood Storage and
Conveyance. – Water Quality Maintenance – Groundwater Recharge
• LIVING RESOURCES AND HABITAT VALUES (wildlife)
• CULTURAL RESOURCES VALUES (historical significance, aesthetics, recreation)
Functions and Values?Functions and Values?
Wetland Floodplains
Floodplain Functions and ValuesFloodplain Functions and Values
Floodplain Functions and Values?Floodplain Functions and Values?
MappingMappingWetlands
Boundaries of wetland vegetation
FloodplainsBoundaries of 100 year
floodplain in urban areas
Rivers + Floodplains + WetlandsRivers + Floodplains + Wetlands
DOQQ Map BaseUSGS HydrographyDigital Hydric Soils from NRCSDigital NWI
Partners and AdvocatesPartners and Advocates
Wetlands• Duck Hunters• Bird Watchers• Tree Huggers• Natural floodplain protection
advocates• Pollution Prevention
Advocates• Fishermen and Fisheries
experts• NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!)• Other?
• Duck Hunters• Bird Watchers• Tree Huggers• Natural floodplain protection
advocates• Pollution Prevention
Advocates• Fishermen and Fisheries
experts• NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!)• Other?
Floodplains• Duck Hunters?• Bird Watchers?• Tree Huggers?• Natural floodplain protection
advocates?• Pollution Prevention
Advocates?• Fishermen and Fisheries
experts?• NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!)?• Other?
• Duck Hunters?• Bird Watchers?• Tree Huggers?• Natural floodplain protection
advocates?• Pollution Prevention
Advocates?• Fishermen and Fisheries
experts?• NIMBY (Not In MY Back Yard!)?• Other?
A Short History of Wetlands Policy
A Short History of Wetlands Policy
500,000 acres per year mid 50’s-to mid 70’s
290,000 acres per year mid 70’s to mid 80’s
60,000 acres per year mid 80’s to mid 90’s
No Net Loss Achieved 2006 (if golf course ponds count)
National Focus on Wetland Quality rather than Quantity
500,000 acres per year mid 50’s-to mid 70’s
290,000 acres per year mid 70’s to mid 80’s
60,000 acres per year mid 80’s to mid 90’s
No Net Loss Achieved 2006 (if golf course ponds count)
National Focus on Wetland Quality rather than Quantity
A Short History of Wetlands Policy
A Short History of Wetlands Policy
National Wetland Inventory
Mapping Started around 1971
Based Vegetation (Cowardin)
Current Coverage Incomplete
National Wetland Mapping Standard 2009
National Wetland Inventory
Mapping Started around 1971
Based Vegetation (Cowardin)
Current Coverage Incomplete
National Wetland Mapping Standard 2009
A Short History of Wetlands Policy
A Short History of Wetlands Policy
The Impact of Federal Programs on Wetlands Part I published 1988
The Final Report of the National Wetland Policy Forum 1988
President-Elect George Bush Endorses ‘No Net Loss’ policy1988
Mitigation Policy, Delineation Manual, Wetlands Reserve Program 1988-90 (to name a few)
The Impact of Federal Programs on Wetlands Part I published 1988
The Final Report of the National Wetland Policy Forum 1988
President-Elect George Bush Endorses ‘No Net Loss’ policy1988
Mitigation Policy, Delineation Manual, Wetlands Reserve Program 1988-90 (to name a few)
Lessons Learned from WetlandsLessons Learned from Wetlands
• Identify Partners and Advocates• Identify Current Incentives and Disincentives
and Revise Public Policies• Articulate Revisions and Inform Your Friends• Pay Attention! Public Opinion and Support
Must Keep Pace with Changes• Be Careful What You Wish For - NNL
• Identify Partners and Advocates• Identify Current Incentives and Disincentives
and Revise Public Policies• Articulate Revisions and Inform Your Friends• Pay Attention! Public Opinion and Support
Must Keep Pace with Changes• Be Careful What You Wish For - NNL
Some IdeasSome Ideas1. Principals and Guidelines
Revisions2. Proposed Floodplain
Executive Order3. National Flood Insurance
Program Reauthorization4. Stafford Act5. Climate Change Legislation6. Levee Safety Program7. Farm Bill Implementation
(big push on WRP and WREP)
8. Other???
1. Principals and Guidelines Revisions
2. Proposed Floodplain Executive Order
3. National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization
4. Stafford Act5. Climate Change Legislation6. Levee Safety Program7. Farm Bill Implementation
(big push on WRP and WREP)
8. Other???
Some IdeasSome IdeasIdentify the Impacts of Federal Programs on Natural and Beneficial Values of the Floodplain (A study similar to the on done for wetlands)
Bring together partners with similar interests in addition to the ‘likely suspects.’
Map the ‘natural’ floodplains (after we figure out what they are)
Identify the Impacts of Federal Programs on Natural and Beneficial Values of the Floodplain (A study similar to the on done for wetlands)
Bring together partners with similar interests in addition to the ‘likely suspects.’
Map the ‘natural’ floodplains (after we figure out what they are)
Some IdeasSome Ideas Document floodplain values by demonstrating overlap with wetlands, fishery habitat, etc.
Develop river restoration science to reconnect rivers and floodplains (reduce erosion and improve stability and values)
Talk about floodplains functions and values using terms the broader public can understand and support
Document floodplain values by demonstrating overlap with wetlands, fishery habitat, etc.
Develop river restoration science to reconnect rivers and floodplains (reduce erosion and improve stability and values)
Talk about floodplains functions and values using terms the broader public can understand and support
What has risk got to do with it?What has risk got to do with it?
Providing Clean Water and Reducing Flood Risk Can Be Solved
Together
Providing Clean Water and Reducing Flood Risk Can Be Solved
Together
But First Federal Funding and Programs Must Support Multi-Service
Projects
But First Federal Funding and Programs Must Support Multi-Service
Projects
• Control + Wildlife + Water Pollution• Aesthetics + Flood Control + Wildlife• Recreation + Groundwater Recharge +
Sediment Control• Wildlife + Erosion Control + Recreation• Water Quality + Water Quantity
• Control + Wildlife + Water Pollution• Aesthetics + Flood Control + Wildlife• Recreation + Groundwater Recharge +
Sediment Control• Wildlife + Erosion Control + Recreation• Water Quality + Water Quantity
Ideas Must Be Shared in Ways People Can Understand
Ideas Must Be Shared in Ways People Can Understand
Federal, State, and Local Programs Must Stop Supporting Actions that Increase Risk and Start Supporting
Actions that Reduce Risk
Federal, State, and Local Programs Must Stop Supporting Actions that Increase Risk and Start Supporting
Actions that Reduce RiskExamples• WHIP Funding Incentives (NRCS)• Stream Migration Easements (MT)• Sewer Service Areas (WI)
Examples• WHIP Funding Incentives (NRCS)• Stream Migration Easements (MT)• Sewer Service Areas (WI)
Questions&
Discussion
Questions&
Discussion
Jeanne Christie(207) 310-8708
www.aswm.org
Jeanne Christie(207) 310-8708
www.aswm.org