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CCMP Ideas - Page 1 of 28
Revising the Comprehensive Conservation &
Management Plan (CCMP) for the
Delaware Estuary
Initial Expert and Public Input on Ideas for Advancing Goals for Healthy Waters,
Healthy Communities and Healthy Habitats in the Delaware Estuary
The following information is a collection of ideas for actions to work toward healthy waters, healthy
communities, and healthy habitats in the Delaware Estuary collected through two methods. First, ideas
were collected via an informal email survey of people with experience and/or expertise working with
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) on projects and programs related to these topics. Second,
ideas were collected at three listening sessions attended by the public (one each in New Jersey,
Delaware, and Pennsylvania). Responses from both the survey and the listening sessions were compiled
and sorted into categories by PDE.
This is not a plan, or even a draft plan. The information below is raw material, and is not endorsed by
PDE or any of PDE’s agency partners. This information is provided to help stimulate discussion at
upcoming workshops. A great deal more discussion, information, and input is necessary to identify and
shape the most important, feasible, and appropriate actions for the revised CCMP. That is the focus of
upcoming workshops.
A webinar on November 7th will provide additional background information and guidance on the CCMP
revision process so that workshop participants can move quickly on to meaningful discussion on the day
of their chosen workshop(s). Thank you for contributing your time and expertise to this effort.
Healthy Waters
Healthy Waters Goal: Reduce toxic discharges and reduce toxic chemicals in fish
Potential Strategies & Actions:
Promote and implement BMPs to reduce contaminants
o Develop new methods and strategies for BMPs
Next generation BMPs focusing on toxin mitigation and removals
Implement a Watershed Approach to Toxics and Restoration (WATAR) for identifying
sources of contaminated sediments and establish toxic pollutant strategies
Remediate contaminated sediments using innovative technologies for BMPs
CCMP Ideas - Page 2 of 28
Implement more actions that will reduce contaminated soil runoff and contaminated
groundwater migration
o Target and prioritize implementation of BMPs
Focus on areas where they will be most effective
Focus management practices by watershed area
o Increase BMP implementation with respect to PCBs
Develop PCB Pollutant Minimization Plans using BMPs
Identify and rank major and significant minor sources and sinks of PCBs in each watershed
for management practices
Develop PCB implementation strategy and tool for assisting stakeholders to plan and
evaluate toxic management efficiency in their respected watershed
o Increase BMPs with respect to chlorinated pesticides
Reassess chlorinated pesticide data for better management practices
Increase remedial actions of chlorinated pesticides
o Implement BMPs to address stormwater and agricultural runoff, including community gardens, open
spaces, and other green infrastructure
o BMPs to reduce pathogens from agriculture, urban/suburban stormwater, human sewage
Education and outreach to reduce non-point sources of contaminants
o Increase public understanding of contaminants through education programs
Increase public education on emerging contaminants (microplastics, harmful algal blooms,
endocrine disruptors, pcp disposal)
Develop a public education program on chemical usage (household, industrial, commercial
toxics)
Increase public education on pollution prevention awareness (yard/driveway/road
maintenance, storm drain marking, storm water management BMPs)
Increase public understanding of toxics and current technology (Summit, STAC, Estuary
News)
Providing information and guidance to the public on proper disposal of household chemicals
o Engage audiences contributing to contaminants
Coordinate nonpoint source education to target audiences that may be source of toxins
(farmers, businesses, oil recycling)
Increase contact with direct property owners along riparian corridors
Increase education in urban communities to develop projects/programs to reduce future
toxins from entering waterways
o Establish relevant workgroups and partnerships to reduce contaminants
Facilitating communication among water suppliers
Coordinate appropriate agencies and organizations to assist in identifying funds for research
(Toxic Advisory Committee)
Hold a symposium to discuss emerging contaminants and identify next steps
Create regional workgroup for contaminants of emerging concern
Coordinate urban water restoration
CCMP Ideas - Page 3 of 28
Increase stream cleanup and protection by creating more partnerships
Increase partnerships with farmers
Spill response and cleanup to reduce contaminants
o Provide education outreach on current responsibilities of organizations (Coast Guard,
EPA, Early Warning System, DRBC spill modeling)
o Create targeted sessions with community members during spill incidents; provide spill
recommendations and reviews
o Increase cleanup response with respect to brownfields
Increase remediation of urban waterfront brownfields on an annual basis
Create broader reach of urban waters, incentivize through brownfield remedial grants
(Brownfield Area-Wide Planning grant)
o Increase/Improve marine debris prevention tactics (microplastics); implement Trash Free Waters
strategies
o Assess oil industry impacts on water bodies
o Assess impacts of natural gas on stream health in terms of toxics entering into systems
Research and development of new tactics to reduce contaminants
o Increase research on impacts biological endpoints
Assess the need for biological endpoints for defined contaminants of concern
Research biological endpoints for PCBs and other contaminants of concern (copper, other
priority toxics)
Continue to establish monitoring programs to define biological endpoints needed to
effectively identify PCB loadings for all major point and non-point sources
Expand toxics monitoring with additional biological endpoints
o Continue reporting current contaminant trends and increase research
Tracking and reporting conditions and trends on toxics (TREB, State of Estuary)
Research the distribution of toxins in groundwater within the estuary
Continue to perform ambient surveys using short-term toxicity tests
Increase the use of forensic grade analysis of toxics among Delaware Estuary states
Increase surfacewater and groundwater testing, including sediment testing
o Work towards reducing fish consumption advisories through advanced research and findings
Continue to increase monitoring related to fish tissue contamination
Continue to reduce the extent and severity of fish consumption advisories
Eliminate fish consumption advisories (due to PCBs issues by the states)
Improve consistency of fish advisory methods and application among states
o Develop and improve PCB modeling capabilities to provide predictive assessment of resources,
physical dynamics, and PCB reduction in water, sediment, and fish tissue
o Create an inventory of microplastics
o Conduct economic cost analysis for treatability for proposed projects
o Research and evaluate highway stormwater control system ability to reduce contaminant
concentrations before entering surface waters
CCMP Ideas - Page 4 of 28
Utilize the regulatory framework to reduce contaminants
o Identify toxic pollutants that exceed water quality criteria and develop/implement tools to address
them
Collaborate with partners/experts on the development of appropriate water quality criteria
standards
develop and implement an on-going review of water quality criteria and standards for toxic
pollutants
maintain and revise water quality standards for pollutants as needed
o Prioritize emerging contaminants for development of water quality criteria and TMDLs; increase
research on emerging contaminants with respect to human health and wildlife
o Reduce sources of PCBs to the Delaware Estuary through
Implementation of Pollution Minimization Plans
Waste Site Clean-Ups
Technical assistance
Implementation of phased limits on PCBs (TMDL Concepts)
Establishing NRDAs for PCBs (Delaware River)
o Implement TMDLs in more watershed plans
o Implement Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations (WQBELs) for toxic pollutants; enforce/address
non-compliant wastewater facilities discharging toxins
o Evaluate and integrate pre-treatment controls to limit toxic pollutant loadings
o Utilize the NPDES permitting process
Integrate water quality limitations into NPDES permits
Implement TMDLs for point sources through NPDES permits
Increase compliance of MS4 and WPCP NPDES permits (PCBs, ammonia, organic
compounds)
o Explore/Evaluate bioremediation to reduce toxin loads in wastewater effluents
o Implement improved control and mitigation of sewer/stormwater overflows; eliminate combined
sewer pipe systems
o Provide information and education of regulatory process/progress
o Utilize more protective regulations for urban waters brownfield cleanup plans (Living Shorelines
principles)
o Enforce compliance with respected regulatory air, water, and waste emissions permit
o Increase evaluation of current management strategies
Measuring the success for TMDLs
Management of pesticide residue tracking
Track progress of projects addressing unsewered communities (SAN 5-year strategic plan)
Evaluate discharge from underperforming/failing septic tank systems (PBTs)
CCMP Ideas - Page 5 of 28
Healthy Waters Goal: Measure Improvements in dissolved oxygen and ecological health
Potential Strategies& Actions:
Use BMPs to reduce nutrients from non-point source runoff
o Increase BMPs on agricultural lands to reduce soil erosion and nutrient loads to water resources in
priority areas/watersheds
Work with local partners and farmers to strategically implement additional agricultural BMP
projects including:
conservation and nutrient management plans / comprehensive farm management
plans to address farm-based sources
livestock exclusion fencing installed
prescribed grazing on livestock operations
riparian buffers
barnyard management
cover crops
Manure storage tanks on dairy farms
Provide funding and incentives to farmers to adopt new conservation practices
o Increase the implementation of BMPS that focus on stormwater
Increase the use of green infrastructure stormwater BMPs
Use BMPs to reduce nutrient contributions from stormwater to help implement MS4s (local)
achieve TMDLs (state-wide basis)
Establishing No Mow zones (Camden County Park)
Promote BMPs to commercial, residential property owners, and land managers
Increase the amount of lands with BMPs applied in order to minimize pollution runoff,
erosion, consumptive water use, nutrient and pesticide input
o Develop next generation BMPs to prevent nutrients from infiltrating into aquifers
o Track and monitor results; create/share tracking tools with partners across the watershed (ag
database)
Education, outreach and capacity-building to reduce nutrients
o Provide education and outreach on current programs to control nutrients from point sources
(particularly true in estuary).
o Develop education and outreach programs and resources for reducing agriculture fertilizer use
o Increase the capacity of local organizations to work with the agricultural community to deliver
agricultural BMPs
o Improve partner collaboration to develop effective solutions to nutrient reducing strategies
Work with states, utilities, key partners to develop nutrient reduction strategies for drinking
water
Promote the transfer of technology and public understanding of water conservation
(Summit, STAC, Estuary News, Sub-Watershed collaborators)
CCMP Ideas - Page 6 of 28
Create a nutrient management strategy to assist environmental managers in developing
regional prevention and control strategies
o Securing funding to implement nutrient reducing strategies
Coordinate appropriate agencies and organizations to assist in identify funds for resources
Support and encourage collaborative partnerships to leverage resources to implement BMPs
o Educate the public on nutrient reducing strategies
Continue education and outreach on water conservation through partner collaboration
(Kirkwood-Cohansey cluster)
Increase outreach for riparian property owner management
Increase outreach on reducing and eliminating fertilizer use on lawns
Increase education to the public regarding per waste (cleaning up after your animals)
Increase public education on impacts of runoff and nutrients on water quality and stream
health (role of nutrients in waterways, sources, effects etc.)
Develop and implement lawn-care education programs
to educate the general public and landscapers on the benefits of reducing fertilizer
to provide resources and practices for household lawns (Livable Lawns)
to increase consumer education for lawn products (educate homeowners, outreach
on golf courses)
Expand the Livable Lawns program (Delaware)
Increase public awareness on the effects of impervious surfaces on resident properties and
within resident municipalities on nutrients entering aquatic systems
Increase public understanding with respect to nonpoint source contribution and
mechanisms relative to particular watersheds
o Improve tactics to increase community engagement and school-based programs for non-point
source pollution issues; expand green school projects and demonstration sites
o Increase dog waste reduction programs (Philadelphia, Delaware)
Restoration to reduce nutrients
o Increase and tailor restoration projects to reduce nutrients
Land conservation projects
stream restoration projects
ecological restoration within watersheds
Identifying new sites for habitat and ecological service enhancement
o Increase restoration of riparian buffer systems
Restoring current riparian habitats
Increase forested riparian habitats (Delaware River Basin)
Reforest riparian habitat to reduce nutrient runoff and restore habitat for migratory birds
and fish
o Increase mussel populations in streams by:
Creation of mussel gardening program
Mussel restoration
CCMP Ideas - Page 7 of 28
o Increase shoreline and marsh restoration to reduce nutrients (see HH-wetlands)
Research and development of new tactics to reduce nutrients
o Increase research with respect to agricultural lands
Increased mapping of agricultural land (where it would) impact public water supplies
Research and implement whole farm assessments and restorations
Research and implement better incentives to control agricultural runoff
o Continue to increase the use of models to contribute to nutrient research
Develop hydrodynamic models for the estuary to determine Waste Load Accumulation
(CAFOs, MS4s, CSOs, air depositions)
Increase level of water quality modeling to assess nutrient impacts and nutrient levels
needed to maintain well-balanced estuarine system
Support research to model nutrients in multiple watersheds
Continue estuary eutrophication modeling
o Research and evaluate bioremediation and new technologies to reduce nutrient and bacteria
concentrations in wastewater effluents
o Increase the efficiency of existing nutrient removal systems
o Determine new methodologies for calculating nutrient load reductions (MS4 permits)
o Develop TMDL plans for nonpoint sources as well as point sources
o Research and implement new Pollution Control Strategies
Utilize the regulatory framework to reduce nutrients
o Implement appropriate DO standards and criteria to recognize and sustain improvements and
support current uses by aquatic species
Continue to develop site specific DO criteria (highest attainable use from model and
stakeholder input)
Continue to implement appropriate DO standards for aquatic species
Continue to draft Water Quality Criteria for nutrients and DO
Upgrade the designated use and DO criteria for maintenance and propagation of aquatic life
uses (DRBC and state WQSs) if/when warranted
o Develop and implement appropriate nutrient criteria for the tidal and non-tidal river, if appropriate.
o Improve enforcement of manure management obligations on farms
CAFOs program requirements on farms
Erosion and Sedimentation Plan requirements on farms
Nutrient Management Law
Clean Streams Law Manure Management Obligations on all farms
Ensure CAFO are compliant with nutrient management obligations
o Improve regulations for efficient nutrient reduction strategies
Regulations that are easily adaptable (re-evaluated every 3-5 years)
Regulations that allow for facility upgrades of main polluters
Increase in regulatory flexibility
CCMP Ideas - Page 8 of 28
o Promote the use of regional wastewater treatment and disposal systems (permitting for proposed
systems to help meet TMDLs)
o Complete nutrient management and TMDLs addressing acceptable nutrient levels and associated
levels of reduction needed
o Reduce stormwater runoff through:
Increased protection for stream buffers (Riparian Buffer Ordinances)
Review/implementation/enforcement of erosion and sediment BMP construction plans and
Post Construction Stormwater Management plans
Implementation of MS4 program; technical assistance
Develop and update tidal and non-tidal standards for nutrients
o Develop nutrient processing standards in tidal marshes
Bivalve nutrient/algae processing to assist in nutrient reduction goals
Quantifying saltwater bivalves for nutrient uptake
o Standards for nutrient impacts with respect to estuarine resources
o Revise water quality standards to take into account if/when warranted
Healthy Waters Goal: Achieve and maintain flow at benchmarks for drinking water and the ecology
under changing watershed conditions
Potential Strategies& Actions:
Implement BMPs to improve flow, reduce flooding
o Conduct restoration projects that improve flow, including:
Remove dams to restore historic flow and promote historic fish passage
Passive flood control and floodplain reconnection
Daylighting of streams in urban areas
o Increase and improve the use of stormwater BMPs, including:
Strategic implementation of infiltration BMPs
Riparian buffer restoration projects on priority headwater streams
More stormwater BMPs that promote infiltration and groundwater recharge
Use green infrastructure to reduce stormwater flows into CSOs
o Research and develop new BMPs for:
Methods to alleviate ‘flash flooding’ in creeks and streams from storm water
Passive flood control and floodplain reconnection
Practices to manage flooding in non-coastal areas
o Implement a Watershed Control Plan(s) for better management
o Utilize the regulatory framework to:
Enforce and meet current stormwater regulations
Review post-construction stormwater management plans for deficiencies
CCMP Ideas - Page 9 of 28
Conduct education and outreach for water conservation
o Develop, increase, and improve education strategies for the public
Current flow management system (agency responsibilities)
Base flow and land use impacts
Impervious surfaces and incentives for using permeable surfaces
Increasing the amount of workshops, tours, and educational events
Education targeted to watershed stakeholders on best practices for stormwater
management
Increase availability of information regarding groundwater flow and discharge to tidal and
non-tidal waters
Water conservation (especially in targeted areas, like K-C cluster)
o Employ underserved individuals with training for environmental/water careers (Green Jobs)
Use tools like reservoirs and models to adaptively manage flow to protect drinking water and the ecology
o Research and establish human and ecological water needs/budget and manage flow to optimize
these needs under all conditions, including:
A more flexible upper basin dam system that allows for ebbs and flows (spring time)
Providing the Delaware Estuary with enough freshwater to combat sea level rise
Schuylkill River Watershed water budget and flow evaluation
Utilize model-derived ecological and societal benchmarks for flow management as they
become available
Implement and use more broad scale assessments of stream conditions
o Develop region-wide flow plans utilizing water budgets, flow evaluations
o Continue to provide and monitor for accurate water supply numbers
o Research flow with respect to salt line
Develop chloride model linking with freshwater inflows and tidal inputs
Define and monitor salt levels during different flow “outputs” and conditions
Manage withdraws & consumptive use
o Look for opportunities to enhance use efficiency and water supply (for example, changes to building
codes, where necessary)
o Maintain groundwater monitoring network(s)
o Improving flow management with respect to human consumption
Increase supply of suitable quality water to meet demands
Establishing low-range water supply needs (human and ecological)
Increase maintenance for high quality drinking water supply
Maintaining flow for human consumption
Consider climate change when addressing flow issues
CCMP Ideas - Page 10 of 28
Participate and implement necessary work groups
o DRBC Committees (Regulated Flow Advisory Committee)
o Decree party negotiations (states, PWD as technical advisor to PA)
o Delaware Water Supply Coordinating Council
Healthy Communities
Healthy Communities Goal: Restore vacant urban waterfronts and take action to increase resilience
in river and bay front communities
Potential Strategies & Actions
Restore urban and working waterfronts
o Inventory, prioritize/focus, conducting feasibility studies for, plan, design, and cultivate funding,
financial assistance, and funding mechanisms/priorities for:
restoring brownfields
constructing tidal wetlands
Creating urban living shorelines
Using BMPs (like “no-mow” zones along waterways)
o Research and develop metrics for restoration (ecosystem services)
o Revitalize waterfront communities/neighborhoods:
o Removing blighted features like waterfront highways and repurposing legacy assets
Cataloging, celebrating and protecting historic resources
creating trails and green ways to connect people, provide recreation and tourism
opportunities
utilizing abandoned properties (BMPs)
Conducting outreach and to connect communities to waterways, restoration sites, and
issues
Prioritizing environmental justice communities
Using green infrastructure to control stormwater, increase resilience, improve quality of life
o Utilize the regulatory framework…
To conduct soil erosion and sediment control activities on waterfronts in accordance with
existing plans/requirements
To provide efficient permitting for obstruction/encroachment
Plan for resilient coastal/waterfront communities
o Use climate planning to assist/guide restoration, analyze vulnerabilities to natural hazards along
waterfronts
o Plan, use, and promote green infrastructure…
converting grey/hardened to greener alternatives; use to protect valuable infrastructure
CCMP Ideas - Page 11 of 28
expanding use of living shorelines in new areas/applications, industrial sites; conduct
outreach to educate people/contractors on shoreline options
providing technical assistance to municipalities for using green infrastructure to manage
stormwater (meet MS4 requirements)
o Plan and implement restoration for economic and environmental resilience
Shellfish restoration
Workforce development
Water/Nature based tourism (River towns & Bay shore towns initiative)
Trash prevention and cleanup
o Address resiliency with respect to underserved communities
Use and promote green infrastructure:
o To restore urban waterfronts (as described above)
o To increase resilience (as described above)
o Onsite water recycling and re-use (HVAC, irrigation, etc.)
o Zoning for solar arrays on buildings (not fields)
o Bring agency water work all together, develop cohesive strategy including robust stream buffer
program (PADEP, PADCNR)
o Track, measure and promote success stories of green infrastructure projects in the estuary as models to
be replicated in the estuary.
Organize and participate in applicable workgroups
Focus growth in previously developed areas, downtowns; discourage development in rural/suburban
areas
Healthy Communities Goal: Sustain and enhance access to the bay and improve access to the river,
and increase protected land with public access
Potential Strategies & Actions:
Protect and restore natural areas
o Manage and restore natural areas accessible to the public
Standardize restoration techniques using science (connect science and management)
Research/removal of marine debris in and along waterways (derelict crab pots in bay, microplastics
in/along rivers)
Improve management of parks, preserves, and public spaces
using stewardship and trail plans
using BMPs like “no mow” zones
improving land management by municipalities
CCMP Ideas - Page 12 of 28
reduce trash and improve maintenance
Use natural infrastructure for resiliency
Add and maintain trees in cities to reduce heat island effects
Marshland/Upland berm creation to protect woodlands (from sea level rise)
Restore and maintain beaches and buffers to protect marsh and wetland function, resilience
Living shoreline planning and installation
Create/sustain youth jobs programs to engage youth and restore natural areas
o Purchase/acquire/preserve available private lands along waterways and/or that improve water quality
and resilience
Strategically - Identify, map, prioritize lands with high ecosystem services, that create connections,
help attain TMDLs, maximize protection of aquatic resources (waterways, forested stream corridors,
groundwater, tidal and non-tidal wetlands),support tidal wetland migration, provide high priority
habitat
Secure funding for acquisition
Incentivize private landowners to protect priority lands for water, access (transaction costs,
assistance to landowners)
Develop a registry of protected lands
o Utilize the regulatory framework to…
Implement and enforce management plans, (e.g. for soil erosion and sediment control)
Implement and enforce land protection measures (insure that open space is maintained as open
space, no flip-flops - advocate)
Support/improve ordinances for protection of priority resources
Create incentives for development that is better for nature (denser); disincentives for land
consumptive development (large lots); minimize new construction in vulnerable areas
Find new, creative/collaborative, and more effective ways to use TMDLS where needed
o Build/maximize support for by…
Advocating to maintain and grow federal and state funding streams for land protection (Growing
Greener, Delaware Open Space Program, NJ Green Acres)
Tracking/promoting local open space funding measures
Using WTP to leverage support for tidal wetlands protection/management
UsingTreeVitalize Watersheds grant program for reforestations/protection of riparian areas
Identifying/focusing funding for projects the restore, enhance, improve functions of streams,
wetlands, floodplains, other priority natural areas
Improve and promote public access and recreation
o Improve connectivity
Connect trails along waterways
Connect natural areas to/with trails/greenways
Regional open space and trails planning with multi-municipal coordination (DVRPC)
o Promote access and recreation opportunities to engage people in the watershed through recreation and
volunteering
CCMP Ideas - Page 13 of 28
Using EcoDelaware, DiscoverDelawareBay, and other regional web resources
Using social media to share
Using outreach and hands-on education, public festivals, programs
Developing/using an online mapping tool (online guide, app or website with public access points)
Using water/paddle trails
Using cleanups and volunteer activities
Through multi-community collaboration (Bayshore, Rivertown initiatives)
Improved management of parks/preserves (better maintenance, trails, amenities – covered above)
o Work with communities and land trusts to improve and create more access points
particularly in urban areas; include public friendly access in brownfield redevelopment; Rancocas
Creek
using/getting more tourism dollars
make access restoration a priority
Map, monitor, and report; public access inventory/assessment
Maintain, encourage visitation
Continue to improve water quality to invite access
Through multi-community tech transfer and collaboration for promotion and pooled resources
(hydration stations, recycling receptacles, signage)
Take advantage of opportunities to add access to resilience projects (and vice versa)
o Funding / Support
Secure funding for creation and maintenance of access
Create funded entities to take responsibility for trail maintenance/management
Establish and continue dedicated funding sources to complete trails, create parks, improve public
access to waterways
NRDA settlements – need recreational projects to offset losses (NOAA)
Increase Tourism / Economic Development support for access to water
Use ecotourism, outdoor recreation and public and group outreach to connect people to natural areas and
build support for protecting/restoring living resources and natural areas
o Conduct outreach…
On the importance of natural areas, their ecosystem services, funding for open space, the benefits
of access/recreation, nexus of open space and recreation with public health
For collaboration among communities and others to learn about BMPs for natural area protection
To ally fears of denser forms of development and promote urban living
Business development (i.e. overnight stays), meals, as well as outfitters/guides
In communities, schools
Events and BMPs in parks, preserves, and public spaces
Festivals
Workshops (gardening)
Nature walks
Promoting close to home recreational opportunities and green spaces
Engaging recreational users as advocates for water quality
CCMP Ideas - Page 14 of 28
To cultural/historic folks, local decisionmakers to make sure tourism and economic development
strategies preserve environmental and cultural integrity
o Use citizen science
Trash free waters (moving from cleanups to prevention)
Mussel surveys
o Create/sustain youth jobs programs / volunteer corps
o Create/sustain teacher programs, skill-building, using outdoors as classrooms
o Use collaboration, sharing @local/community level, success stories on what works, future needs
o Use mass communications and marketing to build affinity, positive press, recognition (for resilience,
other success stories)
Continue, establish, participate in relevant workgroups
Healthy Communities Goal: Increase PDE web site visits, downloads, and newsletter subscriptions;
engage citizen science volunteers and stewards in major metro areas and watersheds
Potential Strategies & Actions:
Engage people through marketing and mass communications to build affinity and interest
o Continue/expand web presence and education (DelawareEstuary, EcoDelaware, SchuylkillWaters)
o Continue/expand engagement at events (including walks, presentations) by:
Utilizing unique places/concepts, including pop-up events and non-environmental events to reach
new audiences
Using events to build understanding, appreciation, stewardship, affinity, contacts
Establishing events that communicate on local/regional themes and projects
o More sophisticated email and other communication targeted to people’s interests, location, and past
involvement (Estuary News, e-newsletters)
Targeted social media campaigns/posts to promote the Delaware Estuary, highlight work/projects,
clean water messages
Publicize opportunities for volunteers and citizen scientist
Use public-friendly messaging, signage (Water Words that Work)
Conduct/consult market research to focus messages on what the public cares about
(health/recreation/seafood, wildlife species of interest) instead of what we care about (water
quality)
Bigger impact; Madison Avenue type advertising on important issues?
o Topics to include/prioritize in mass communications:
Organization and mission
Coastal storm severity index
Water quality issues, improvements
CCMP Ideas - Page 15 of 28
Environmental progress: More fishable/swimmable stories available for public, increased data
shared, make studies available (DVRPC, DRBC); watch/report on positive change in indicators (i.e.
recent fish consumption advisory changes)
o Collaborate with partners in the watershed to:
Develop/implement a cohesive messaging system from all partners on all topics
Create an inventory of current outreach/educational efforts, portal(s) for information for public
information on key topics (like climate change / sea level rise) for the Estuary and/or key watersheds
(e.g. Christina, underway)
Develop marketing strategies for key watersheds like the Schuylkill
Develop a social-based marketing strategy for the Delaware Estuary
Develop and implement communications strategies for innovative funding mechanisms
o Increase publicity and positive media attention; training on ways to use media and create behavior
change
o Use focus groups to determine if/how attitudes are changing over time
Engage key stakeholders with targeted programs/activities to engage partners, scientists, decision makers
and citizens work together on watershed protection.
o To engage core partners and scientists
Use the NEP structure
Share best practices between scientists, educators, managers at bi-annual Summit
o To engage decision makers and their constituents
Disseminate best available info to policy makers and environmental professionals
Increase capacity for outreach to elected officials
Communicate environmental results, economic value, to inform Legislators and raise citizen
awareness; get citizens to carry more of the weight by supporting with time, sweat, or votes
Work with coalitions of partners, where appropriate, to raise awareness of issues/needs in
watershed (CDRW, CWD, SJBC)
o Target outreach strategies to mindful citizens/stakeholders
Educate about their impacts on water quality and how they can help
Engage through more volunteerism, citizen science, and opportunities to experience the watershed
on a personal level to drive appreciation and stewardship; more comprehensive/organized
volunteer and citizen science programs for mussel monitoring, cleanup and trash surveys (to
determine litter sources), storm drain marking.
Tap into affinity groups / recreational users for volunteers and to relay key educational messages
Engage in park/trail stewardship programs that teach skills and get important work done, also
watershed restoration and cleanup efforts/events
Conduct education/programs on emerging contaminants (i.e. firefighting foams, pharma and PC
products)
Storm drain marking, spokesdog, and other non-point source reduction outreach programs targeted
to key audiences/neighborhoods
o Engage graduate students and interns, including in stewardship programs at local parks/preserves with
water features.
CCMP Ideas - Page 16 of 28
o Engage homeowners
On environmentally friendly practices like eco-friendly lawn care and treatment (Liveable Lawns),use
of native plants, backyard wildlife programs/practices
Using education and incentives (tax breaks?)
Outreach to shape housing preferences
Water conservation
o Encourage farmers and businesses to
use water-friendly practices, using education and incentives
participate in oyster shell recycling (restaurants)
companies (and their volunteers ) in stewardship program/projects (CESP)
make connections to employees, customers
host/support events and programs
Engage water companies for demonstration projects, educational programs
o Develop new tools/techniques for engaging
young and diverse audiences
target audiences for implementing pollution control strategies (Phila and other large pop centers)
non-traditional audiences for targeted behavior changes
Engage community leaders and practitioners with hands on activities and technical assistance
o Continue/expand programs for volunteers and citizen science, including adding new testing, providing
workshops, equipment loans, training and technical assistance
o Continue/expand watershed collaborations to engaging conservation partners on
Creating and implementing plans to increase public understanding
Educating public on conservation related issues (homeowners, communities)
Providing avenues for policy makers and environmental professionals to share the best possible
information; use to create information for public
Developing cost-effective outreach activities and measures of success
Public education on conservation practices for all land uses
Watershed stewardship programs training skilled volunteers
Sharing and improving practices for climate change outreach (PDE Roundtable, UWFP COP, Resilient
Communities Partnership)
More effectively build advocates for clean water (WPF network of education centers)
Planning for municipalities, public access, EPA 319 “A through I plans”
Helping communities make cost-effective investments
Engaging communities in projects with environmental, recreational, educational and other benefits
Outreach projects that link healthy waters with healthy communities, educate on protecting natural
resources
Watershed-based coordination of conservation organizations (SAN, clusters, CBTF)
Cross promoting local resources (e.g. Blue Trail State Park)
Creating and participating in workgroups and partnerships for education/outreach
o Engage teachers, schools, and kids
CCMP Ideas - Page 17 of 28
Develop new school-based outreach activities to reach students, including citizen science projects
(monitoring, restoring), annual awards (SAN, GCCW); reach kids at young age.
Provide workshops for teachers, develop and provide curricula to meet pressing needs (sea level
rise, climate issues), and encourage environmental educators to teach about key issues pertaining to
the Estuary
Increase on-the-water experiences, particularly for school children, to develop a sense of place for
local waterways
BMP demonstration projects on school campuses
Formal education (curriculum development, etc.)
Identify (and diversify) funding mechanisms for resilience, outreach, education, stewardship, marketing
and behavior change – much more (and innovative) funding needed!
Healthy Habitats
Healthy Habitat Goal: Prevent wetland loss and track changes in conditions
Potential Strategies & Actions:
Establish clear baselines for wetland health and extent and track changes over time
o Develop an estuary-wide baseline for tidal wetland health based on MACWA.
o Track changes to baseline
Sustain MACWA to provide a robust, long-term monitoring program for tidal wetlands
across the Estuary that includes assessment of wetland functions using SETs and assessment
of water, soil, marsh grasses, aquatic species diversity and abundance
Develop a tracking system that assesses/incorporates:
net acreage loss of tidal wetlands
net gain techniques for tracking to review progress made
habitat loss (i.e. loss of buffers, connectedness)
lidar data for more accurately detecting and monitoring losses and gains of inland
wetland acreage
Link MACWA monitoring to restoration project performance assessments
o Create wetland maps, status, and trends reports (state and regional basis)
Generate GIS data to help measure extent of connectivity enhanced
Develop habitat quality index for tracking success of habitat restoration projects and
programs on habitat quality
Restore wetlands using traditional and new tactics
CCMP Ideas - Page 18 of 28
o Develop and promote the use of living shorelines and other nature-based approaches to stem tidal
wetland loss
Expand DELSI to include new tools, apply to new areas
Convert ‘hard shorelines’ into living shorelines
Expand use of living shoreline and other nature-based tactics to stem tidal wetland loss
Provide technical assistance to communities for living shorelines
o Develop/use other methods to restore and maintain current wetlands
Install herbaceous plants in intertidal marshes
Experiment with new marsh restoration techniques to find best methods
Increase marsh retention through beach replenishment; monitor outcomes to improve
approach
Restore natural water flows in tidal marshes to reverse wetland loss and decrease saltwater
intrusion
Install reef construction projects to reduce marsh loss from wave and storm energy
Remove ditching and draining impacts
Thin layer placement; raise marsh plain at Maurice River
Focus on connectivity to other habitats, buffers
Take climate change and sea level rise impacts into account
o Restore wetlands that improve resilience by:
Preventing/minimizing stormwater runoff
Buffering neighboring communities and farmland from floods, storms
o Restore wetlands for local flora and fauna use
Restoring nesting shorebird use
Expanding oyster reef protection
Increasing access for native migratory fish to upstream areas for spawning and/or nursery
sites
Removing hazards and improving habitat on horseshoe crab spawning beaches
Managing vegetation in wetlands; clear/control/monitor invasive species (phragmites)
o Integrated management plan focusing on
Regional sediment management; sediment transport in tidal ditches, channels, and flat
improving land use practice
reviewing impacts on water quality and aquatic species
Manage wetlands using BMPs to maximize health and resilience
o Develop and implement wetland management plans using cutting-edge tools/technology like Marsh
Futures to
identify which wetland BMPs to use where
take climate change and sea level rise into account
prioritize conservation and management planning and action
o Develop and implement new BMPs and optimize restoration plans to maximize wetlands health,
including:
CCMP Ideas - Page 19 of 28
BMPs to address/thwart hydrologic alteration and expansion of open water and restore tidal
flow to coastal marshes
BMPs to encouraging natural marsh regeneration
BMPs to restore tidal flow in coastal
BMPs and plans that restore habitat connectivity
Plans that identifying management of restored areas with specific restoration goals
Plans that use a species-based approach as well as habitat-based approach
o Implement waste management practices to reduce marine debris affecting wetlands
Conduct R&D for new tactics to protect and restore wetlands and ecosystem services
o Work collaboratively to increase research and information (and access to it)
Develop and showcase new tidal wetland restoration tactics and construct demonstration
projects
Create a means to provide data to other restoration groups and partners
Provide technical assistance for applicants planning tidal wetland creation as part of
mitigation for impacts, including monitoring of constructed tidal wetlands
Increase education to promote R&D of new tactics; use wetlands condition data to educate
public on wetland protection
Increased citizen science and other methods of community involvement (shoreline
monitoring)
Research methods to collaborate with NGOs to preserve high value tidal wetlands and
preserve adjacent uplands to accommodate the movement of wetlands with sea level rise
o Develop programs to assist landowners in using wetland protection methods on their properties,
including cost share programs to aid wetland restoration and support protection easements
o Increase research on functions and values of wetlands
Collect data on targeted habitat types to assist with development of habitat quality metrics
and assessment methodology
Identify wetlands of high priority for restoration
Assess ecosystem services
Bioremediation studies within salt marsh plant root systems
Research and sustain ecosystem functions provided by wetlands
Conduct stream function research and salt marsh studies at the localized level
o Research strategies with respect to physical factors
Analysis of nutrient pollutant impacts
Analysis of sediment supply sources
Increase wetland research with a focus on acidic soils
Evaluate fresh groundwater discharge to saltmarshes
Nitrogen and carbon isotope analyses
o Evaluate the role of groundwater (saline and fresh) in tidal wetlands characterized according to
biogeochemistry
o Research cost-effective restoration methods (e.g. conduct analysis providing economical marsh
restoration methods)
CCMP Ideas - Page 20 of 28
o Experiment with new marsh restoration techniques
o Determine salinity/flow benchmarks for wetland health
o Prioritize areas prone to wetland migration
Protect wetlands
o Private land acquisition/stewardship that…
Protects forest habitat through stewardship conservation easements to include freshwater
wetlands
Provides cost-share programs to aid landowners with stewardship/easements
Protects open space in areas suitable for landward migration
Strategically focuses on making connections and protecting wetlands that have been
identified as climate resilient
o Education and public involvement to:
Promote wetland protection to a wide audience through written materials, online platforms
Increase education and outreach in local communities emphasizing ecological services of
wetlands
Increase political understanding of the importance of wetlands
Broaden audience to advocate for wetland restoration
o Utilize the regulatory framework to regulatory framework to
Require/encourage wetland buffers (state and county)
Protect wetlands (including freshwater; state and federal)
Prevent building/impacts on wetlands
Prioritize mitigation programs to conserve natural wetlands and provides oversight for
implementing mitigation success criteria
Promote the use of green infrastructure (e.g. living shorelines)
Provide technical assistance and efficient permit reviews
NOAA 312 performance evaluation to include measureable goals for tidal wetlands creation
above Ch 105 mitigation requirements
Streamline permitting process for larger-scale restoration projects
Sustain/improve support for wetland work:
o Write grants to secure funding for planning, design, acquisition, restoration, creation projects
o Seek financial and technical assistance for mapping efforts
o Secure/pool funding through coordinated management across state boundaries of wetlands
o Increase/improve current funding streams for wetland restoration
o Weak funding for wetland monitoring (long-term and short-term)
o Use ACEP-WRE easements purchases to restore wetlands within easement area
CCMP Ideas - Page 21 of 28
Healthy Habitat Goal: Stem forest loss basin-wide and identify and protect high priority forests
Potential Strategies & Actions:
Establish clear baselines for forest health, loss/causes, and connectedness
o Catalyze efforts by land trusts and other partners to expand targeted forest conservation to track
forest health
o Establish inventory of forest tracts using aerial imagery
o (See R&D and strategic protection sections below for additional ideas that might be applied here)
Protect forests
o Utilize strategic land protection for:
Forests with freshwater wetlands
Forests along waterways (including forested floodplains)
Native trees/bushes
Large round tracts of interconnected forested habitat in coastal plain portion of watershed
Critical links (ex. Holly Farm on NJ Bayshore)
Threatened forests
Willing landowners
Adjacent to (and increasing) state lands
o Utilize the regulatory framework to:
Designate a larger portion of areas as wildlife habitat
Encourage forested buffers along streams (state and municipal)
Restore and manage forests with BMPs for health and resilience
o Improve forest stewardship
Remove invasive species and replacing with native species
Utilize private land stewardship (and protection for Delaware’s Land Protection Act?)
Maintain and protect existing forests and wildlife habitats
Improve riparian buffer stewardship (Pennypack on the Delaware)
To develop Coastal Plain Forest habitats
Use forest management plans
Promote community involvement; frame forest protection to be more visible to the public
(cooperation and understanding)
Provide financial and technical assistance to landowners for creating and implementing
Forest Stewardship Plans
o Restore forests
Develop forest restoration plans for all three states; identify geographically where needs are
strongest; prioritize restoration needs and target lands
Restore prior-converted agricultural fields to native forest cover, planting native trees
Restore damaged forests
Remove invasives; Plant more native trees
CCMP Ideas - Page 22 of 28
Monitor sites with newly installed trees (replace and remove trees as needed for the
development of healthy coastal plain forest)
Restore riparian buffer corridors in order to expand and improve habitat, protect water
quality
Restore or promote tree succession of brownfields (previously forests)
Conduct R&D to develop new tactics for forest resilience (ecosystem services)
o Assess and identify lands in highest need of preservation, reforestation, and management and
prioritize
map and calculate least-cost path for forest connectivity
Research new methods to connect urban and suburban woodlands with greenways
Determine property owners, conservation status and threats and rank based on
Categorize based on size, wildlife benefit, water quality
Prioritize high value forests
o Research methods to incentivize forest protection over development; identify ways to enhance
federal and state programs that incentivize landowners to sustainably manage woodlands
o Study brackish and freshwater habitats along Delaware Bayshore
o Monitor/assess saline water impacts on plant roots (esp. tress in/near coastal areas)
o Develop succession BMPs based on latest climate adaptation studies/information
Sustain/improve support for forest work:
o Establish reliable funding streams (Delaware Forestland Preservation Program)
o Identify sources for providing financial assistance to landowners
o Acquire more state funding for land preservation and subsequent stewardship
Healthy Habitat Goal: Maintain or increase oyster beds and productivity; measure and
improve abundance and habitat for freshwater mussels
Potential Strategies & Actions:
Restore Oyster Beds and Productivity in Delaware Bay
o Continue expanding oyster shell recycling to supply restoration efforts
Expand shell collection to all three states
Expand using the shell recycling program to educate community members and
restaurant patrons on Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration efforts/needs
o Maintain and increase the productivity of Delaware Bay oyster beds through shell planting
Continue/expand shell planting as well as other shell manipulations to enhance
oyster recruitment in Delaware Bay
CCMP Ideas - Page 23 of 28
Continue sustainable oyster fishing including annual oyster stock assessment and
quota/management system for sustainable fishing
o Increase/improve oyster productivity with other new tactics
Assess aquaculture and constructed oyster reef impacts on shorebird habitats and
identify ways to expand without impacting (NJ aquaculture)
Expand constructed oyster reefs
Perform research on practices to increase shellfish habitat, recruitment on living
shorelines
Develop new reefs; create additional hard bottom areas suitable for oyster
recruitment/planting
Restore natural oyster reefs for conservation as well as harvests; create
opportunities for the industry to not harvest some seed beds at different times
o Increase the coverage of restoration projects to more frequently include shellfish
o Support state and federal efforts to restore oyster populations in DE Bay and potential new
funding mechanisms through the Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Task Force
Inventory, map, and protect shellfish habitat
o Increase the use of current mapping techniques to create:
Maps of freshwater mussel habitat
Maps of current freshwater and marine shellfish populations
o Increase data collection and tracking on species diversity, abundance, impacts at current
study locations
Review projects near shellfish sites to assess survival, growth, and abundance
Track current stream and habitat conditions by tagging freshwater mussels in
restoration sites
Increase assessments to track benthic habitat requirements for freshwater mussels
Track nitrogen processing rates within freshwater and marine bivalve habitats
o Increase data collection on the distribution of estuarine shellfish species (current and new
locations)
o Incorporate available data on shellfish into future development plans
o Develop a cross-state oyster management plan for Delaware Bay (oyster sanctuaries,
shellfish management areas, aquaculture)
o Monitor freshwater mussels (and conditions, including non-native species) to track progress
of recovery and conservation status
Work with states and others to restore and manage mussels
o Through the Freshwater Mussel Recovery Program:
Regionally expand qualitative and semi-quantitative freshwater mussel surveys,
including in areas that have not been recently assessed
Explore and plan for restoration of freshwater mussels at urban and brownfield sites
Conduct research and restoration to improve mussel abundance and habitat
CCMP Ideas - Page 24 of 28
Create a freshwater mussel hatchery to supply freshwater mussels to re-expand
their range
Test and refine methods of juvenile mussel grow-out in different pond and lake
settings
Coordinate freshwater mussel conservation/restoration initiatives in the region, and
tech transfer with other regions
Establish measures to protect all species of freshwater mussels in the Delaware
River Basin
o Through increased education and outreach initiatives
Strong local community involvement
Exhibit hatchery, demonstration farms, and technical support facilities
Outreach workshops and events to educate the public on freshwater mussels
Volunteer mussel survey training workshops
o Through salt marsh protection and restoration, for ribbed mussels (see HH-wetlands)
Work with states and others to develop ecosystem models, assess ecosystem services, and
improve management
o Collaborate with interested groups/partners to advance research on ecosystem services and
threats, including
Quantifying water quality benefits of marine and freshwater shellfish
Quantifying uplift and ROI of shellfish restoration, using economic models (justify
restoration investments)
Determining physiological rates of mussel species to understand metabolic demands
and ecosystem processing
Determining if microplastics are affecting shellfish
Developing benchmarks for water quality conditions for shellfish
o Coordinate with interested groups/partners to advance restoration efforts by
assessing presence and quality of shellfish habitats (groups to be alerted for
information or other efforts taking place)
Assessing feasibility of salvaging/recycling freshwater mussels
o Utilize the regulatory framework to:
Protect shellfish species from discharges when applicable (NPDES permits;
consulting with USFWS to ensure species protection)
Utilize the best technology available to minimize adverse environmental impacts
(CWA 316(b) through NPDES permits)
Remove barriers to shellfish restoration
Minimize impingement of aquatic organisms
Manage flow for shellfish habitat
Asssess/improve shellfish restoration policies
Sustain/improve support for shellfish work:
CCMP Ideas - Page 25 of 28
o USDA Providing assistance to oyster growers to replace equipment to be compliant with USFWS
recommendations and to restore shellfish beds
o Improve state and federal funding for oyster restoration (oyster restoration, sanctuary and
shellfish management programs)
Healthy Habitats Goal: Measure and improve abundance and habitat for spawning horseshoe crabs,
iconic fish like sturgeon, and nursery habitat for fish and crabs; restore fish passage
Potential Strategies & Actions:
Inventory, map and protect SAV habitat
o Create a robust inventory of SAV in Delaware Estuary (species type and abundance);
perform full-scale analysis of SAV throughout rivers/bays/tributaries; map results
o Establish bay grass restoration, protection, monitoring plans; determine locations for
establishment of new SAV beds
o Conduct education initiatives on benefits of re-establishing submerged grasses
o Increase studies on the ecosystem services (e.g. nutrient removal rates, habitat for fauna) of
SAV beds in Delaware Estuary
o Develop BMPs for SAV restoration and management
Inventory, map and protect benthic habitat, including critical bottom habitat for sturgeon
o Sturgeon habitat
Characterize critical sturgeon habitat, seasonal use, spawning habitat, juveniles
(telemetry study, abundance monitoring on the Christina River)
Draft critical habitat statement for sturgeon
Assess potential impacts of DO, salinity, flow, on successful recruitment of sturgeon
in Delaware River habitat
Provide dredging windows to protect migratory fish species, especially sturgeon
o Other benthic habitat
Reassess DEBI survey every 5-10 years to understand changing benthic habitat
Measure and improve vegetated nursery habitat
Event response mapping of nearshore bottom habitats along southern Delaware
Bay
Create an inventory of submerged habitats and characterization of spatiotemporal
dynamics in those habitats (i.e. storm and climate response)
Inventory, map, and protect horseshoe crab and shorebird habitat
o Horseshoe crab habitat
Expand restoration projects to other priority habitat areas; restore populations to
pre-harvest levels
Collaborate with partners to restore and manage beach habitat
CCMP Ideas - Page 26 of 28
Create living shoreline oyster reefs to protect beaches
Increase beach nourishment projects for HSC restoration
Document hazards for future restoration work
Encourage HSC beach management practices that do not alter natural beach
slope
Implement beach management plan to protect horseshoe crab breeding
sites
Develop long-term maintenance plans and baywide sediment transport
model
Continue sanctuary and community outreach programs (Just Flip and Return
the Favor) to encourage local stewardship
Advocate for bay beaches (Thompson)
o Horseshoe crab and shorebird monitoring, research, and education
Continue annual horseshoe crab spawning surveys to track population trends
(tagging, volunteer counts)
Conduct research and monitoring of habitat to inform efforts to restore shorebird
numbers
Conduct studies to determine intertidal habitat use by shorebirds, sand
conditions (grain size) for horseshoe crabs
Measure impact on shorebirds with respect to horseshoe crab populations
Analysis of the ecological benefits of beach nourishment projects for
horseshoe crabs and shorebirds
Increase shorebird recovery team efforts and shorebird surveys; more volunteers
Engage citizen scientist, schools and communities in horseshoe crab and shorebird
species restoration, rescue, and education programs
o Decrease current rates of harvested horseshoe crabs based on role in food web as keystone
species (unregulated LAL extraction, overharvesting in MD, reduction in quotas)
Work with states and others to restore and manage priority fish populations
o Management and restoration to boost fish populations (to 1970s levels in the Delaware Bay)
Conduct assessments to better understand fish populations/habitats:
Assess fishery management practices in Delaware Bay
Assess targeted rivers/places for fish diversity (Cooper, near fish ladder)
Assess habitat restoration sites to determine success of impacts on fish
More accurate population assessments and regular tracking mechanisms for
priority species; more assessments of anadromous fish; increase surveys of
unassessed areas (for wild trout)
Prioritize:
Greater emphasis on restoration of migratory game fish, including American
Shad and Striped Bass
Migratory species (shad, herring, eel) for cooperative management
CCMP Ideas - Page 27 of 28
Expand actions to all applicable anadromous fish
Wild trout (for increased surveys of unassessed areas)
Address fish kills from impingement/entrainment; ensure facility compliance with
requirements applicable to cooling water intake structures under Section 316(b) of
the Clean Water Act
Assess impacts
Review NPDES Permit renewal applications for compliance with
impingement mortality and entrainment performance standards
Involve small commercial fisherman in planning to allow rebuilding of small
communities
Set targets for restoring freshwater fish communities; re-establish wild trout
population at some sites
Plant/promote riparian buffers
o Restore fish passage
Increase the number fish passage restoration projects, focusing on:
Removing fish passage barriers posing large threat to populations
Dam removal projects for healthier fish populations, prioritized and
including small to medium dams on tributaries to Lehigh and Delaware
Projects with multiple benefits that maintain cultural values and ecological
goals
Removing obstructions and constructing fish ladders
Projects that result in habitat connectivity (Brandywine Creek)
Increase the financial assistance available to restore fish passage on private lands
Develop stakeholder-driven approach to removing barriers to fish migration
Keep fish ladders clear during spawning season (Cooper River)
Improve dam and culvert removal permitting (in some states)
o Utilize research, new/expanded plans, monitoring and task forces to restore populations
Increase method developments for semi-wadable macroinvertebrates
Develop a measure of fish production value for restoration projects
Create and utilize related taskforces (studies, workgroups, projects, public)
Strategic plan for fish; sustainable fishing plan for American Shad (USFWS); striped
bass population plan
Produce a utilization study that identifies the needs for each priority species for
each critical habitat type
Work with states and others to manage rare, endangered, and invasive species
o Educate the public on invasive SAV and proper disposal (i.e. from personal fish tanks)
o Research invasive species impacts on mussel restoration efforts
o Target efforts and funding for removal of invasive species with focus on those that pose the
highest threat
o Use vector management and monitoring for invasive species
CCMP Ideas - Page 28 of 28
o Conduct non-game threatened and engendered species surveys
o Conduct amphibian and reptile population surveys with an emphasis on threatened and
endangered species
Prioritize protection of amphibians/reptiles/non-game species?
Conduct education, outreach, and citizen science to inform and engage citizen scientist, schools
and communities
o Partner with urban communities to educate low income fishers about threats posed to
consuming certain populations they catch
o Increase studies conducted with citizen scientists with respect to managing populations;
develop a volunteer wetland/shoreline monitoring program
o Increase school and community involvement in species restoration programs and rescue
efforts
o Increase public engagement strategies to excite citizens about fish, promote fish protection
among community members