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Watershed Connections
Economic and Ecological Values of
A Conference at the Mohonk Mountain House 
On Friday, November 16, 2007, nearly 200 local government officials,
citizens groups, water resources professionals and state and local
agencies attended a full day conference at the Mohonk Mountain House.
The conference theme was riparian buffers and the audience included
watershed group representatives, local elected officials, Citizen
Advisory Council members, water resource professionals, state and
federal agency representatives, environmental groups, land trusts, the
agricultural community and many others.The conference explored the ecologic importance of riparian buffers for maintaining stream health and function. Additionally, the economic importance of riparian buffers was discussed as it relates to floodplain development, infrastructure concerns, low impact development, protecting our property values and the cost of treating drinking water from our polluted streams. 
Featured keynote speaker, Dr. Bern Sweeney of the Stroud Water Research
Center, discussed the importance of resurrecting the in- stream side of
riparian forest buffers. Dr. Sweeney focused on the quality and
quantity of clean fresh water in streams and rivers on both a national
and global basis, using the NYC drinking water supply as a local
example. As Dr. Sweeney pointed out, the re-establishment of riparian
forest buffers are critical, not only to keeping pollutants out of
streams, but also to restoring the stream’s ability to deliver important
and quantifiable ecosystem services.Mark Vian is the restoration ecologist with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Stream Management Program. Mr. Vian presented an overview of stream systems, riparian buffer zones, and floodplain systems. Mr. Vian discussed threats to those systems, key concepts and definitions, and how we value these systems. 
Focusing on regional and local efforts, several representatives from
agencies and organizations discussed buffer protection projects in the
Hudson Valley and impediments to best practices, including: programs
offering technical assistance in buffer plantings, such as HREP’s ‘Trees
for Tribs’ initiative and NYC DEP’s Streamside Assistance Program;
information about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
for the agricultural community; biodiversity efforts in buffer zones;
and HRWA projects supporting riparian buffer efforts regionally.William Nechamen, the State Floodplain Management Coordinator for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, presented information about the interrelationship between floodplain management, natural resources and water resource protection. Mr. Nechamen discussed how floodplain regulations, while designed to protect property, offer strong tools to help protect stream corridors. Mr. Nechamen then provided an overview of the regulatory tools available for protection. 
Peter Ferrante, Jr., is a partner in the family owned and operated
Wallkill View farm, and has more than 30 years arming over 200 acres in
the Wallkill River floodplain, raising fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Mr. Ferrante expressed the special connection created between a farmer
and the land, when farming next to a stream. Mr. Ferrante also
described economic constraints and opportunities of farming in or near a
floodplain.
Greg Edinger, Chief Ecologist with the New York Natural Heritage,
stressed the importance of vegetative maps for conservation planning and
resource management. Mr. Edinger’s presentation featured vegetative
maps and methodology for three National Park Service sites along the
Hudson River, including: Gateway National Recreation Area,
Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historical Sites, and Saratoga National
Historic Park.
John Dickerson, Finger Lakes Conservation Service, discussed small-scale
bioengineering projects and their dependence upon root development for
success. Mr. Dickerson stressed that the development of strong,
extensive, and deep roots will pay dividends in long-term stabilization.
Mr. Dickerson also presented information about common invasive species
and their ability to hinder or thwart reclamation and stabilization
efforts.
Sean Nolon, Director of Pace University Land Use Law Center, discussed
the legal authorities available to local government to adopt watercourse
buffer ordinances and regulations. Mr. Nolon discussed the extent of
several these authorities and provided participants with examples of
successful model ordinances.Barbara Kendall, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program, discussed better site design (also known as low impact development), which is a set of design principles that can be used by developers, landscapers, engineers and municipalities to protect natural areas, reduce impervious surfaces and better integrate stormwater treatment in development projects. Ms. Kendall presented an overview of better site design, described principles relating to riparian buffers and floodplains, and highlighted a case study where two municipalities in Dutchess County conducted better site design roundtables resulting in proposed code revisions. 
Joel Dubois is the Stream Program Leader for the Greene County Soil and
Water Conservation District. Mr. Dubois spoke about how erosion,
transport and deposition of sediment are naturally occurring processes
in our watersheds. He added that the management practices applied to
our landscape can significantly change the rate at which these processes
occur. Mr. Dubois’ presentation explored the sources of stream borne
sediments (and debris), and the real impacts that their fates can have
from an infrastructure management perspective.Panel Discussion featured Dr. Bern Sweeney, Barbara Kendall, Joel Dubois, and William Nechamen. The following questions were posed to the Panel: Assuming that resources are unlimited, how will riparian areas be managed in twenty years? What are the more immediate steps that need to happen in the next five years to prevent destruction of riparian corridors? A question and answer session followed. 
For more information on presentations described above, please contact
845-454-7673 x116 katy@hudsonwatershed.org |
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