natural resources of chatham - cornell university...images courtesy dodson associates, ltd. and...
TRANSCRIPT
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
Natural Resources of Chatham
The Hudson River Estuary
Program
• 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.
Chatham
Entire watershed
~ 13,500 sq. mi.
Hudson River Watershed
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
___________________________________________
• Comprehensive plan • Open space plan • Zoning • Town ordinances • Natural resource inventory • Critical environmental areas • Project review • SEQRA • Stormwater regulations
How local governments manage water and wildlife
water quality and quantity
flood control
clean air
carbon storage
recreation
scenery
forest products
Healthy, natural systems provide benefits to our communities:
“ecosystem services”
A small town in upstate New York
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc
Buildout under current zoning
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc
Many impacts on water and wildlife
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc
Changes the way water moves across the landscape
More roads, roofs, and driveways mean more runoff
Loss of streamside vegetation
More stream crossings, barriers to fish, flooding risk
More road salt degrades water quality
Less wildlife habitat, more fragmentation
Limit animal migrations
More negative wildlife-human interactions
More pressure on aquifer, impact from septics
Changes habitat – promotes “weedy” species
Reduce hunting and recreation opportunities
Working
Landscapes
Cultural &
Historic
Resources
Identify important resources
Trails and
Greenways
Forests and
natural area
connections
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc
Wetlands
& stream
corridors
Rivers and
Streams
A buildout that reduces pressure
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc
A buildout that reduces pressure
Images courtesy Dodson Associates, Ltd. And Behan Planning Associates, Inc
Note: this is an idealized
cartoon. By working toward this
ideal, you can reduce pressure.
Outline
Role of local governments
The Natural Resource Summaries
How you can use the Summaries
Where to go for more information
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Summarizes existing information gleaned from (mostly) state data
• Description • Table • Map • General conservation principles • References
What is a Natural Resource Summary?
Local data from Farmscape
Ecology at Hawthorne Valley
Farm
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
___________________________________________
• 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?
___________________________________________ What is in a Habitat Summary?
Tables and Links
• 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?
___________________________________________ 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?
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
Questions raised, answers provided ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
• 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)
How can a town use the Summaries?
SEQRA requires lead agencies to take a “hard look” at environmental impacts
Photo: L. Heady
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
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
Karen Strong
Biodiversity Outreach Coordinator [email protected]
Andrew Meyer
Shoreline Conservation Specialist [email protected]
Emily Vail
Watershed Specialist [email protected]
NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program
& Cornell University
Helping people enjoy, protect, and revitalize the
Hudson River Estuary and its Valley