Mohawk River Basin Action Agenda

2012 – 2016 Conserving, preserving, and restoring the environmental quality of the Mohawk River while helping to manage the basin’s resources for a sustainable future

Additional information is available from:

Katherine M. Czajkowski Mohawk Watershed Coordinator NYSDEC Mohawk River Basin Program 1130 N. Westcott Road Schenectady, New York 12306 Phone: (518) 357-2383 e-mail: [email protected] http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/58571.html

Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 1

Mohawk River Basin Action Agenda ...... 3

Progress in the Basin ...... 4

Action Agenda Goals and Targets ...... 8

Goal 1: Fish, Wildlife and Habitats ...... 9

Goal 2: Water Quality ...... 12

Goal 3: Flood Hazard Risk Reduction ...... 16

Goal 4: Community Planning and Revitalization ...... 21

Goal 5: Working Landscapes, Land Use and Open Space ...... 24

Literature Cited ...... 28

Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP

Introduction associated resources sustainably. Unresolved legacy problems, such as inundation of flood Known as “Te-non-an-at-che, the river flowing prone areas, PCB contamination, erosion of through mountains” by the region’s native stream banks, and remaining sewage pollution peoples (Hislop, 1948), the Mohawk River has must still be addressed. External forces such as long been a driving force in shaping the natural climate change, competing human uses, environment and the life of communities invasive species and economic transition throughout the Mohawk River Basin. It is a continue to challenge the health of the region. grand and magnificent river. In April of 2009, the New York Ocean and The Maquas, the Mohaugs, the Mohawk, many and one, Great Lakes Ecosystem Council issued a report Depending on your angle and when you were born. to the Governor and the Legislature of NY Our creeks and kills belong to us and none else; The Chuctanunda, Potash Creek, Burch, titled “Our Waters, Our Communities, Our Briggs Run, Kayaderosseras, the Sandsea Kill, Future”. The report outlined a set of Schoharie, Otsquago, Alplaus and the Stony; recommendations to help New York State Garoga, Canajoharie, the Sauquoit and the Flat; better manage natural resources and human They all make one river, friend, activities by implementing an ecosystem-based The Maquas, the Mohaugs, the Mohawk, many and one, Many yet one, compounding a thousand streams management (EBM) approach. EBM is an That drain these hills. . . . . innovative approach to management that recognizes that humans are integral parts of - Codman Hislop, The Mohawk (Rivers of ecosystems and that ecosystems are vital in America) 1948 supporting human life. Development of a regional EBM program for the Mohawk River For centuries people have flocked to the Basin was specifically recommended in the Mohawk Valley to capitalize on its fertile report. floodplain soils, abundant fisheries, and transportation opportunities provided by the The Mohawk River Basin Program and the Mohawk River and Erie Canal. For over 100 th Mohawk River Basin Action Agenda, New years, starting in the early 19 century, the York State and collaborating partners, seek to environmental quality of the river and many of promote the integrated and coordinated its tributaries declined due to the overwhelming management of the many environmental and pressures of human settlement and economic cultural resources of the river and its activity. Manufacturing and transportation watershed. Using the model of the Hudson brought dams, factories, roads, and rails to the River Estuary Program and other successful basin and adjacent to the river. Substantial watershed and estuary programs, New York areas were cleared for agriculture. Waterfront State is seeking to undertake an ecosystem- centers of population were established and based management (EBM) approach to the grew. Many unknowingly contributed to Mohawk Basin through the Department of reducing the quality of the river they relied so Environmental Conservation’s Mohawk River much upon. Environmental laws and Basin Program. In addition to addressing key regulations enacted in the 1970’s, especially the goals and objectives that are specific to the Clean Water Act, have helped reduce these region, this Action Agenda is also intended to impacts and reverse the degradation of the support undertaking a ”whole Hudson” river. Today the environmental quality of the approach for managing the Hudson River and river and many of its tributaries has Hudson River Estuary. The Mohawk River and substantially improved. However, we must its watershed drain directly into the Hudson protect these gains and manage the river and its 1

Action Agenda 2012

River, providing major upstream inputs that can an excellent area for advancing New York affect the estuary and ultimately, the Atlantic State’s EBM goals by integrating our goals for Ocean. The Mohawk River Basin’s unique environmental sustainability with our many concerns, culture, and history warrant compatible goals of smart and sustainable organizing its own regional, landscape-scale economic growth, and heritage protection and approach to address its particular challenges, development. To be adaptive and responsive to but can be done in a way that is mindful of its change, the Action Agenda seeks to promote relationships within the larger Hudson- coordination and cooperation among sectors, Mohawk Basin. balance competing uses, and to inspire compromise. In addition, results of planned As a partnership-based initiative, the Mohawk actions must be monitored to guide future River Basin Program and Action Agenda actions and to see that the use of our limited promote collaborative decision-making based resources are effectively achieving the desired on an understanding of the whole ecosystem. results. It is hoped that all parties interested in The many complex issues within the region sustaining the Mohawk River Basin will come cannot be fully resolved based by managing together to assist in reaching the goals set forth certain sectors, species or pollutants on in this Action Agenda. individual basis. The Mohawk River Basin is

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Mohawk River Basin Action Steering Committee Agenda and “Mighty Waters” The involvement of partners in the Working Group development of the Action Agenda is essential to develop a plan that integrates a Under direction from Governor Cuomo, in shared set of goals for the Basin and 2012 a multi-agency “Mighty Waters” establishes a clear set of priority actions. Cabinet-level Working Group was The Mohawk River Basin Program Steering established to promote community Committee oversees the development and revitalization, environmental sustainability implementation of the Mohawk River Basin and flood-hazard risk reduction in the Action Agenda and reports to the Mighty Mohawk River Basin. This Action Agenda Waters Working Group. Duties of the is intended to help guide those efforts. The Steering Committee include bringing Department of Environmental Conservation together the appropriate partners in the (DEC) will coordinate the Working Group’s Basin to implement the Action Agenda, partnership efforts to related to advising on the use of program resources for environmental sustainability and flood current and long-term environmental issues hazard risk reduction. DEC’s specific roles facing the Mohawk River Basin, and will be carried out through implementation suggesting revisions to the Agenda as of its Mohawk River Basin Program and appropriate over time. The Steering other core DEC programs. Coordination of Committee is comprised of individuals from the Working Group efforts related to the DEC, DOS, other State agencies and economic development and community partnering stakeholder organizations revitalization will be undertaken by NYS working in the region including academia, Department of State (DOS). This effort not-for-profits, and local municipal builds upon, and will work within, the government. Governor’s Regional Economic Development Councils for the Capital The Steering Committee forms Region and Mohawk Valley. Within the subcommittees, as necessary to accomplish framework of the Mighty Waters Working each of the goals listed in the Action Group, DEC and DOS will coordinate their Agenda. The role of subcommittees is to management of these two facets through the provide greater in-depth focus on the process of developing and implementing the identified priority action steps, work plans Mohawk River Basin Action Agenda. and project proposals which will achieve the Action Agenda’s goals and targets. The membership in each subcommittee draws together the relevant expertise and interests necessary to oversee the particular goal in their purview.

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Progress in the Basin reform, economic development, public access and enjoyment and effective There are many federal, state, regional, environmental and cultural resource county and local organizations within the management. Mohawk River watershed working on enhancing or preserving the natural, social, Following information collected at three economic, and cultural resources of the successive Mighty Waters Conferences held Mohawk River Basin. These include but are each June, meetings of the Mighty Waters not limited to the DEC, DOS, New York Task Force, listening tours with key State Department of Agriculture and constituencies, dozens of meetings with Markets, and Transportation, New York federal and state agencies and maintaining a State Canal Corporation, Federal Emergency close connection with the region’s higher Management Agency (FEMA), US Army education and non-profit community, Corps of Engineers, Erie Canalway National Congressman Tonko introduced federal Heritage Corridor, Capital District Regional legislation (H.R. 5927), to create a Hudson- Planning Commission and Herkimer-Oneida Mohawk Basin Commission, a federal-state Counties Comprehensive Planning Program, commission that will enhance and preserve Mohawk River Basin Coalition of Soil and the economic, environmental, historic and Water Conservation Districts, Schoharie cultural values of one of the most River Center, New Netherlands Routes, Inc., demographically and politically important and various colleges, universities and not-for regions in the nation. The Commission profit organizations. Many municipal would require the cooperation of the governments also have specific programs governors of the states included in the and activities focused on enhancing and Hudson-Mohawk River Basin (New York, protecting the natural, social, economic and New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, and cultural resources within the Mohawk River Connecticut). The Commission would Basin. coordinate activities being undertaken by the Fostering partnerships and relationships with states, advisory committees, local these organizations is vital to ensuring the governments, institutions of higher successful achievement of the Mohawk education, and nongovernmental River Basin Program and the Action organizations to address environmental, Agenda’s goals and objectives. The economic, and cultural issues associated following is a sampling of activities taking with the management and use of resources place: in the Hudson-Mohawk Watershed.

Mighty Waters Working with the Mighty Waters Task Force, Governor Cuomo’s cabinet working Conceived at Congressman Paul Tonko’s group and DEC’s Mohawk River Basin first annual Mighty Waters Conference in Program and other key stakeholders, July of 2010, the mission of the Mighty Congressman Tonko hopes to inspire greater Waters Task Force is to help create a climate collaboration and a long term commitment of investment, recovery and public to the environmental and economic awareness for the waterways and sustainability within the Mohawk Basin. communities of the Mohawk River, Erie Canal and related waterways by mobilizing federal resources that encourage policy 4

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Erie Canal The NYS Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the NYS Thruway Authority, is responsible In 2000 Congress adopted the 524 mile New for the operation, maintenance and York State canal system, its historic promotion of four historic canals including districts, and the more than 230 the Mohawk River portion of the 524 mile communities along its shores as a federally New York State canal system. As the designated National Heritage Corridor (NPS Mohawk River is directly integrated with the 2006). This designation recognizes the Canal for much of its length, the operation significant heritage of the Mohawk Valley and maintenance of the canal system has a associated with Native Americans, European vital bearing on the health of the River and settlement and other epochs of American the availability of its resources. One of the history, including the building of the Erie Canal Corporation’s major goals is to Canal. One of the major products of the Erie transform the canal system into a world- Canalway is its Preservation and class recreational facility, fostering tourism Management Plan for the corridor. The plan and economic development. With an integral offers guidance on implementing policies role in redeveloping the canal corridor, the that protect and preserve the historic, Canal Corporation will be an important natural, cultural, and recreational resources partner in the success of the Mohawk River in the corridor (NPS 2005). Basin Program and Action Agenda.

The Erie Canalway is a dynamic example of Watershed Management Plan emerging area-wide programs that recognize major themes of our heritage and advance With support from the DOS and DEC, the the intersecting goals of conservation, Mohawk River Watershed Coalition of Soil recreation, education and sustainable and Water Districts was formed in March of development. Under New York State law, 2009 and includes the 14 counties of heritage areas are defined as an amalgam of Albany, Delaware, Fulton, Greene, natural and cultural resources. Both state Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, and national heritage programs are Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Saratoga, compatible with the mission of a Mohawk Schenectady, and Schoharie. The Coalition’s River Basin Program and Action Agenda. mission is to implement conservation Similar to the Erie Canalway, counties such initiatives that protect, promote, and as Oneida have begun to work enhance the resources of the Mohawk River collaboratively to set in place “Greenways” Watershed in partnership with local, state, along sections of the Mohawk River corridor and federal stakeholders. that course through their jurisdictions. A Greenway is a network of open spaces The Coalition is currently developing a bringing together the ecological, cultural and watershed management plan funded through recreational aspects of an area (Oneida the Department of State’s Local Waterfront County 2008). These greenways, like the Revitalization Program. The management Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor plan is designed to advance the efforts of the provide for the protection of natural DEC and other members of the NY Oceans resources while maintaining their and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation availability for use by the public. Council by introducing the concepts of Ecosystem-Based Management at the local level in the Mohawk River watershed. By

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Action Agenda 2012 developing the watershed management plan ongoing, and the Army Corps will be and partnering with DEC and others, the partnering financially with the Mohawk Coalition hopes to make significant River Watershed Coalition of Soil and contributions toward the accomplishment of Water Districts while working with various many of the goals outlined in the Action other partners such as DEC and DOS to Agenda, most notably Goal 1: carry out the purposes of the feasibility Understanding and managing the natural study. systems in the Mohawk River watershed; Goal 2: Protecting and improving water There are many other examples of important quality in the Mohawk River watershed; and cooperative work being conducted in the Goal 5: Preserving working landscapes” Mohawk River Basin. The efforts mentioned (MRBCCD 2009). here only briefly introduce some of the progress partnerships in the basin are Flood Mitigation Planning making. Much of this work has been carried out by various government agencies, not- Following the floods of 2006, Congress for-profits, colleges, and universities. Each requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers organization has a specific expertise and a conduct a reconnaissance study of the valuable role to play in sustainably Mohawk River (Army Corps 2008). The managing the Basin’s resources. Bringing all study intends to develop recommendations groups together to work towards a common to enhance flood resiliency in the watershed end will ensure the greatest success. and determine if a cost-shared feasibility study would be warranted. This project is

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Action Agenda Goals and Goal 3: Flood Hazard Risk Reduction Targets Promote flood hazard risk reduction and enhanced flood resiliency by providing the Five priority goals have been identified for the tools to ensure that communities are prepared Mohawk River Watershed, which if fully for climate change and important cultural, realized, would enhance ecosystem health and recreational, economic and environmental the vitality of the region for people and their assets protected. communities. This list draws on the input from many partners working in the region (Table 1) Goal 4: Community Planning and who share a passion for the conservation and Revitalization revitalization of the Mohawk River, its Revitalize Mohawk River Watershed watershed and its communities.These goals will communities utilizing sustainable development serve as a benchmark by which the Mohawk principles, integrating environmental, social, River Basin Action Agenda will define its historic, cultural, recreational and economic priority actions. Specific measureable actions factors, in order to shape the region as a and timeframes have been identified and are vibrant, healthy, desirable place to live, work expected to lead to the fulfillment of each and visit. Action Agenda goal.The proposed actions for each goal are described on the pages that Goal 5: Working Landscapes, Land follow. These goals represent an initial list of Use and Open Space priorities for the near-term. As conditions Maintain and encourage those land uses within change and scientific knowledge expands our the Mohawk River Watershed that support understanding of the river and its watershed, working landscapes such as well-managed the Action Agenda will be revisited and farms and forests that help sustain the regional revised. economy, protect and enhance open space and rural development patterns, and provide for the sustainable use and protection of resources. Goal 1: Fish, Wildlife and Habitats

Conserve and protect fish, wildlife and their habitats in the Mohawk River watershed while communicating to the public about their value In the pages that follow, targeted actions are to human communities and natural processes so provided for each of these five goals which that people can enjoy the unique natural describe the activities and timeframes needed character of the watershed and its living to help fulfill each goal. Short term actions, ecosystem. which should be the primary focus of current efforts, are listed under the heading “2016 Goal 2: Water Quality Targets.” Longer-range actions, those which Protect and improve water quality in the are important but may not be either fiscally or Mohawk River watershed and communicate the programmatically feasible at this time, are issues so that people are protected from health listed under the heading “Longer-Range hazards, drinking water supplies are conserved, Targets.” These targets are likely to be aquatic communities flourish and natural implemented during the 5-15 years following processes are sustained. the accomplishment of the 2016 targets. It is important to include these to provide a long- range vision for the Basin and to direct future action agendas.

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Goal 1: Fish, Wildlife and predict and study new invaders, such as the round goby, and the potential risk to native fish Habitats species. Conserve and protect fish, wildlife and their habitats in the Mohawk River watershed while The flow of species is not necessarily communicating to the public about their value dependent on the direction of water flow and to human communities and natural processes so can move in other directions as well. For that people can enjoy the unique natural example, every spring blueback herring move character of the watershed and its living from the coast up the Hudson River and ecosystem. through the locks up the Mohawk River to spawn. Juvenile herring are an important food Challenge: source for predatory species in the river, but the adult spawning run appears to be decreasing While the rich cultural history of the Mohawk with unknown effects to the food webs of the River is widely celebrated, the Basin’s natural river. history is under-studied and, perhaps with the exception of its warm water fishery, under- In general, fisheries in the Mohawk River are in appreciated. With the wealth of natural a state of transition. Freshwater drum, resources in other regions of New York, such previously absent, are now common to as the Great Lakes, Adirondacks, Catskills, and abundant throughout the river; Northern pike, Hudson River Estuary, the Mohawk is often once rare, are now common throughout the over-shadowed and dismissed as an industrial river, and most are large. Even the popular river. But the Mohawk is worthy to be counted smallmouth bass fishery has shifted from one among New York’s premier natural treasures. of quantity to one of quality (meaning fewer The Mohawk River Basin is located in the bass, but larger fish). Over twenty years has center of the state and ties together many of the passed since the last river-wide fisheries survey state’s prominent ecosystems. The Mohawk of the Mohawk, and new studies are needed to connects the western watersheds of the Great better understand these transitions. Other Lakes and the Hudson River in the eastern part aquatic resources are also in need of further of the state, and its tributaries drain a portion of study. For example, freshwater mussels are the Catskills and Adirondacks. All of these recognized as one of the most imperiled group connections make the Mohawk River a of species, and two major tributaries of the transition between diverse ecosystems, adding Mohawk, Schoharie Creek and West Canada to its biological diversity and unique character. Creek were historically home to mussel species that are currently in decline. These connections are not without their challenges, and understanding the ecology of Additionally, New York State has lost more the Mohawk River and its surrounding than half its historic wetlands, and the Mohawk watershed is a complicated task. The Erie River Basin is no exception. Wetlands and Canal has been a significant pathway for riparian buffers serve important ecological invasive species, such as zebra mussels, to functions including absorbing stormwater move from the Great Lakes to the Hudson runoff, improving water quality and providing River, and will likely continue to be a pathway wildlife habitat. Restoring wetlands and for future invasions. Researchers, managers, riparian buffers will serve these important and communities need to better understand functions in the Mohawk Basin. what effects invasive species are having on the Mohawk River resources and be poised to 9

Action Agenda 2012

The strong agricultural land base in the determining current angler use of the fisheries, Mohawk River Basin is not only important for including subsistence fishing by low-income its regional identity and economic value, but populations. While DEC can serve an important also provides important wildlife habitat. As a role, these efforts should be carried out in group, grassland birds are in decline throughout conjunction with other agencies and institutions the U.S. and the Mohawk Basin is recognized capable of providing fishery information. as an important area for conserving grassland Natural System Information - Conduct a bird species. However, as land use changes and review of historical data and literature development continues, efforts to protect and regarding fisheries, wildlife, and natural enhance grassland habitat will continue to be systems within the Mohawk River Basin. needed. Synthesize the information in a “white paper” Climate change is expected to bring more addressing the current and historical state of the severe flooding and more frequent short-term Mohawk River ecosystem and make droughts, and disease and invasive pests are recommendations for management. expected to pose increased risks to human and Public Education and Awareness - natural resources. Changes in the regional Educate and involve the public in the basin’s water and temperature regime will likely affect natural systems by creating a network of species composition of natural communities community-based environmental education and threaten wetlands. Diseases and pests will programs such as the Schoharie River Center affect natural communities, humans, and and the Environmental Clearinghouse of agricultural crops. All natural resource Schenectady. Determine areas where language management planning must take place in the and cultural differences may affect the success context of changing climatic conditions and of public education programs. Work with local consider the best available science on the community leaders to develop educational regional and local effects. programming targeted to local audiences. This

Certainly, one of the greatest challenges the would foster greater public awareness of the Mohawk River faces is in changing its image ecosystem, its conditions and resources. from a river that is defined by its industry, to a Develop educational materials available for river that is appreciated for its natural teachers to bring Mohawk-based curricula into resources. Education and outreach, in the form their classrooms. Develop Mohawk River- of citizen science programs, watershed based curricula targeted toward urban students, associations, and community involvement, will who often perceive little connection between help to reconnect people to the Mohawk River their lives and natural resources. Create a and foster a new generation of New Yorkers forum for monitoring data and encourage that value the diverse natural resources, symposia on the Mohawk to highlight research. recreational and economic opportunities available throughout the Basin. In addition to specific Mohawk based curricula each participating agency should be encouraged 2016 Targets: to promote natural systems education in their Mohawk River Fisheries - Begin to existing programs and activities. implement the Lower Mohawk River Fisheries Evaluate and prioritize need(s) for fixed versus Management Plan including; improving angler mobile environmental educational venues. access to the river, updating the river-wide Options can include the creation of a floating survey of Mohawk River fisheries, and classroom similar to the Hudson River 10

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Clearwater Sloop using Onrust or other vessels Invasive Species - Track and monitor the such as the tugboats Urger or Scow to bring movement of invasive species in the watershed. environmental and history education to the Support and assist the State Invasive Species public that is specifically geared toward Council in monitoring and managing new and highlighting the Mohawk River and its existing invasive species. Cooperate with the watershed. Other options include the Capital Mohawk Partnership for Regional development of a “Wildlife Education Center” Invasive Species Management (PRISM) and such as is recommended in the Oneida County other PRISMs that intersect the basin for Greenway Plan or through expansion of the invasive species monitoring and management. Schoharie River Center’s Environmental Study Teams. The target of these programs should be Implement achievable and targeted invasive students within the region, in order to reconnect species eradication projects in the Mohawk young people with nature and to influence the River Watershed. continued protection of the river for Develop local action plans for invasive species generations to come. management using the data and knowledge of local stakeholders and special interest groups. Longer Range Targets: Mohawk River Fisheries - Continue to implement actions listed in the Lower Mohawk River Fisheries Management Plan, and begin to update management strategies for Mohawk River fisheries based on accomplishments through 2016. This would include expanding the river-wide fisheries survey to the tributaries and determining the current status of blue back herring in the river.

Habitats and Species - Restore and protect critical habitats and species of concern including grasslands, wetlands, and riparian buffers. Monitor restoration projects to measure the success and colonization of grassland and wetland birds, and conduct census studies to determine the distribution and health of populations of species of concern throughout the basin such as freshwater mussels.

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Action Agenda 2012

Goal 2: Water Quality continuing to threaten the health of fish, wildlife, and human populations. In the Utica Protect and improve water quality in the area, PCBs are present in fish at levels that Mohawk River watershed and communicate the exceed the US Food and Drug Administration issues so that people are protected from health tolerance value of 2 parts per million, resulting hazards, drinking water supplies are conserved, in continued fish consumption advisories. aquatic communities flourish and natural Identifying the remaining sources of PCB processes are sustained. contamination followed by remediation and control procedures is imperative to improve Challenge: water quality and the safety of fish, wildlife and Water quality monitoring in the Mohawk River humans in the Mohawk River Basin. Basin has been conducted since the early 1970’s as part of the DEC’s statewide ambient The headwaters of the Mohawk River are in the water quality monitoring program. Monitoring southwestern corner of the Adirondacks. In this is conducted in all the state’s major river basins area, acid precipitation, combined with low on a five-year cycle. Surface water quality is buffering capacity of the waters, increases the assessed by means of chemical, biological, and availability of some contaminants, such as physical parameters. Water quality assessment aluminum and mercury, as well as producing can identify which contaminants are present, low pH waters. Available information suggests their sources, and the extent to which they the headwater region of the Mohawk River has affect the health of the waterbody. This high levels of mercury in aquatic invertebrate information is important to the state and local tissues compared to other regions across the municipalities in planning for new State. Stream studies have indicated that the development, permit compliance and increased acid deposition in the region has also recreational use assessment. Although many of contributed to the release of nutrients into the sub-watersheds of the basin have been surface waters from natural sediments causing monitored through this program, there are still eutrophication in some streams. Information on significant numbers of un-assessed streams, the regional effects of acid deposition and other rivers, and lakes. Sampling locations are atmospheric pollutants, such as mercury, is selected to give a basin-wide perspective on limited. The effects on water supply systems water quality, and sometimes this information and stream, river and lake water quality is not is not of a scale appropriate for local completely known; more extensive monitoring municipalities seeking to use this information should be conducted to determine the extent of for planning and other purposes. A finer scale the problem in this portion of the Mohawk assessment for use by municipalities as well as Basin. basin-wide monitoring should be supported and adapted to reflect current and potential future The transport of sediment by rivers is a natural contaminants and their sources. process associated with the evolution of river systems. However, land use and human Addressing PCB contamination has been a activities such as agriculture, development focus of the DEC for many years, and these (residential and commercial), increasing efforts have reduced the discharge of PCB from impervious surface cover, removal of point sources and hazardous waste sites. vegetation along riparian buffers, and poor road However, in the western main stem Mohawk ditch, bridge, and culvert design can River near Utica and some tributaries, sources dramatically increase the amount of sediment remain that contribute PCBs to the river, available for transport. Too much sediment has

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Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP a detrimental impact on the ecological health of through efforts of the DEC Ambient Water a river by limiting light penetration and in Quality Monitoring Program, and the general reducing the viability of aquatic remaining 20% can be achieved through the organisms. Suspended sediment can be a enhanced relationships fostered among transport mechanism for spreading volunteer water quality monitoring groups and hydrophobic chemicals such as PCBs and water quality coordinating committees. This dioxins from contaminated areas to more translates to an assessment of approximately 24 pristine waters downstream. Bedload sediment unassessed river/stream segments, the clogs the mouths of tributaries as well as equivalent of approximately 636 river/stream receiving waters in the Mohawk main stem, miles. necessitating dredging to maintain channel conveyance and navigation depths. The U.S. Integration of Additional Water Geological Survey (USGS) has been Quality Monitoring Information - In periodically collecting suspended sediment data addition to DEC’s state water quality from the mouth of the Mohawk since the mid- monitoring programs, other government and 1950s. Its data indicate the Mohawk annually not-for-profit organizations collect useful exports on the order of 500,000 metric tons of information on the quality of surface waters. suspended sediment. A recent 4-year study by Incorporating this information into New York the USGS indicated the yield of suspended State water assessment efforts will expand the sediment from the Mohawk watershed was 2.8 coverage of state monitoring networks. The times that of the Upper Hudson (48.3 versus Mohawk River Basin Program will implement 17.3 metric tons/km2) just above its confluence the DEC’s Wadeable Assessment by Volunteer with the Mohawk – some of this difference is Evaluators (WAVE) program. This program likely attributable to the differing geology and works with outside partners gathering geography between watersheds, but some of the additional data sources and develops pathways difference is also attributable to the relative of data integration to DEC. The program amount of development and land uses in the provides strict quality assurance and quality watersheds control plans.

Warmer water temperatures and increased Mohawk Basin Monitoring System - weather extremes associated with climate Long-term scientific information is important change are expected to lead to greater intensity to support good resource management and duration of stratification, nutrient loading, decisions and adaptive management. Evaluate turbidity and eutrophication. These conditions gaps in existing data collection programs will increase the risk of harmful algal blooms funded or operated by DEC, Ag & Markets, and could affect drinking water quality and USGS, and others that are necessary to function of wastewater treatment plants. understand changing conditions and trends. Expand the current network as needed. This 2016 Targets: may include additional river gages, sediment Ambient Water Quality Monitoring - monitoring stations and expanding the Hudson Continue to support DEC’s ambient surface- River Environmental Conditions Observing water quality monitoring program; reduce the System (HRECOS) into the Mohawk. number of unassessed waters by 40% giving Sedimentation Monitoring - A network priority to trout spawning and water supply of sediment monitoring stations should be waters in the basin. A 20% reduction in established to identify subwatersheds with the unassessed waters should be accomplished 13

Action Agenda 2012 greatest amount of erosion. Considerable events. Significant improvements to the river resources are spent on an annual basis for water quality will be limited until such efforts dredging New York ports and the Mohawk are undertaken. River portion of the Erie Canal to maintain these water bodies for commercial and Best Management Practices - Develop recreational navigation. The Mohawk River and distribute a list of Best Management watershed is a significant source for these Practices for water quality management for sediments. For some Mohawk Valley municipalities, landowners, and industries as communities and the State’s Canal system, part of an educational effort in the watershed. these costs can be significant burdens on Work with local partners such as Soil and already restricted budgets. Reduction of erosion Water Conservation Districts, NRCS, county and sedimentation from source areas within the and regional planning and local watershed Mohawk River Sub-basin would be the most organizations, to facilitate the adoption of best cost-effective long-term approach to lessen the management practices by landowners and existing reliance on dredging as an “end-of- management agencies. pipe” solution and to improve water quality. - Continue to Key tasks include the quantification of the Legacy Contamination identify remaining sources of legacy source areas and assessment of relative contaminants (e.g. PCBs) to the main-stem sediment loads from each tributary. This Mohawk River. Once identified, existing DEC would enable agencies to best target potential programs which are developing and carrying land-use management, remedial measures, best out remediation and control projects for sources management practices and limited resources to of contamination should be supported through address the greatest achievable and cost- additional funding. In doing so, fish effective improvements in water quality and consumption advisories should become less reduction in sediments. restrictive for the entire main-stem Mohawk, Establish Critical Total Maximum especially in the areas between Oriskany Creek Daily Loads (TMDL) for the Mohawk and West Canada Creek and West Canada Creek, and Fivemile Dam. Work with the DEC River - The discharge of untreated and partially treated sewage has significantly Office of Environmental Justice to identify altered water quality and impaired aquatic life areas where fish consumption advisories should be printed in Spanish and other languages. in many areas of the Mohawk River. Sources of pollution include Sanitary Sewer Overflows Trees-for-Tribs - Encourage and provide (SSOs) and Combined Sewer Overflows incentives to communities to inventory (CSOs). Restoration of river water quality by conditions of important stream segments, and controlling such pollution sources would develop programs and incentives to encourage greatly improve wetlands, wildlife, aquatic communities and landowners to enhance green health, as well as the public's ability to use the infrastructure. Included in these programs and river for recreation. Critical Total Maximum incentives would be planting of riparian buffers Daily Load (TMDL) for affected portions of through the DEC’s Trees-for-Tribs program. the Mohawk River should be established. This This program provides low to no-cost riparian effort would regulate the types and quantities of vegetation for stream bank restoration. pollutants allowed to be discharged from Additionally, communities should investigate current sources and should include the use of urban and community forestry, rain consideration of the effects of warmer gardens and other green infrastructure temperatures and increased severity of weather practices. 14

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Longer Range Targets: Ambient Water Quality Monitoring - Continue to support DEC’s ambient water quality monitoring program and the assessment of waters throughout the Basin. Expand assessment methods to include algal sampling and the tracking of invasive aquatic species. Continue to coordinate assessment efforts with other organizations to increase the number of assessed waterbodies. In light of continued collaborative assessment efforts, DEC’s water quality monitoring program should hire a data coordinator to oversee the use of data from other organizations and target their efforts.

Legacy Contamination - Expand legacy target contaminants to include studies of mercury. Continue to identify and correct sources of both mercury and PCB contamination with a goal of eventually eliminating restrictive health advisories for fisheries.

Polluted Precipitation - Implement a monitoring network of sampling locations throughout the headwaters of the Mohawk River Basin to fully document the levels and extent of acidification and mercury contamination. Study the effects of these contaminants on the pristine headwaters of the Mohawk and their wildlife populations. Support federal and state actions to affect controls on non-state sources of emissions that contribute to mercury and acid precipitation.

Stormwater Runoff - Study stormwater inputs and associated contaminant loads to the Mohawk River and its tributaries. Develop and implement methods to decrease and slow stormwater runoff from urban and suburban areas to surface waters in the watershed, including installation of green infrastructure.

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Action Agenda 2012

Goal 3: Flood Hazard Risk overflow their banks during flood events, slowing the flood waters, reducing peak Reduction discharges, and cutting down on the amount of Promote flood hazard risk reduction and erosion and sedimentation as a result of enhanced flood resiliency by providing the flooding. tools to ensure that communities are prepared for climate change and important cultural, In the Mohawk River basin there are four main recreational, economic and environmental types of flood events for which management assets protected. strategies are required:

Challenge: 1. Spring breakup, Snowmelt and Winter Rains - The annual breakup and thaw Floods are a natural occurrence in every river produces regular flooding associated with system and can damage valuable infrastructure rising temperatures and thaw of stored and buildings located in flood zones. In spite of waters from winter-accumulated snow. the risks, humans have inhabited floodplains to While March has been the most typical time capitalize on ease of travel, commerce and for this flooding, the current window is access to food sources since the beginning of January through April. This is the one of human history. In modern times, flood events the leading causes of flooding in the have been physically and financially watershed. Ice jamming during these events devastating to communities that are adjacent to provides a unique component to this hazard. flood-prone rivers. Many communities were Historically, some of the most significant established long ago in close proximity to the floods in the basin have been winter rain on water, so relocation is not usually possible and snow events (such as January 1996 which is can be financially challenging. To some people, the second highest recorded peak flow on the benefits of living in close proximity to the Schoharie Creek at Burtonsville - rivers are more important than the occasional records dating back to 1939). As climate flood. As a result, people and structures will change brings warmer spring temperatures, continue to be located in areas susceptible to snow melt is predicted to occur earlier and flood damage. Floods are the most costly more rapidly. Further, more late-winter natural disaster in terms of our lives and precipitation is likely to fall as rain, rather property – and the most frequent. than snow. Both phenomena will increase In the Mohawk River Basin, many water level the risk of flooding. control structures, such as dams, currently cross the river. However, the natural structure of the 2. Cyclonic disturbances - Precipitation from river in some areas makes them particularly large-scale atmospheric systems such as prone to flooding. As the region experienced in hurricanes, remnants of hurricanes, and 2011 with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm stalled frontal systems can produce Lee, floods can have catastrophic enormous quantities of rain in the consequences. It is important to develop watershed. Damages to public infrastructure strategies that will help reduce the from the June-July 2006 floods, which consequences of these types of events on resulted in Presidential Disaster Declaration human populations and communities, as well as DR-1650, approached $400,000,000. our critical infrastructure and cultural assets of FEMA estimates public infrastructure the Basin. We must recognize that properly damages from Hurricane Irene and Tropical functioning floodplains allow rivers to Storm Lee in 2011 (Presidential Disaster 16

Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP

Declarations DR-4020 and DR-4031, As the region experienced with Hurricane Irene respectively) will surpass $1.7 billion. and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011, floods can Climate change is projected to increase the have catastrophic consequences. Given that frequency of severe cyclonic events and flooding will continue, and may in fact increase may permit more northward tracking of in probability with climate change, flood hurricanes. hazard risk reduction is the most prudent response for the Mohawk River Basin. The 3. Localized summer outburst events - focus for collective action should be to develop Thunderstorms and other summer strategies that will increase our resiliency by disturbances that result in intense local reducing the consequences of flood events on precipitation may cause severe flooding in human populations and communities, as was as small tributaries. The July 2008 event our critical infrastructure and cultural assets. caused intense scour, sediment transport, We must recognize that landscape changes and and over $3 million in damage to human development have contributed to the infrastructure in Schenectady County. flooding impacts. As the NYS2100 Report has Climate change is projected to lead to an suggested, following Super-storm Sandy, the increase in the potential for formation of use of green and natural infrastructure is an conditions conducive to summer outbursts effective approach that emphasizes the use of and flash flooding. solutions that maintain and support service provided by natural systems. For example, the 4. Catastrophic release of impoundments - restoration of properly functioning floodplains, The failure of upstream impoundments (i.e., to the degree feasible, would allow rivers and reservoirs) could cause devastating floods streams to overflow their banks during flood in the watershed. A catastrophic event of events, slow the flood waters, reduce the peak this type has not occurred yet, but dam- discharges and cut down on the amount of break analyses have shown how erosion and sedimentation caused by the problematic such an event would be. flooding. Underappreciated is the ecological With all of the types of potential flooding, the value of floods to sustain many natural habitats creation, movement and deposition of debris and biological communities that have evolved presents an additional challenge to managing to withstand and thrive with such conditions. and reducing the consequences of flooding. To address flood hazard risk reduction in an Woody debris can have beneficial impacts to informed and cost-effective manner, a better waterways by providing habitat and reductions understanding of the hydrology of the in flow velocity. However, debris can also watershed is needed, including the spatial and construct the flow capacity of a waterway and, temporal distribution of precipitation that falls thereby, cause additional flooding in areas of in the watershed, the amount of water stored in floodplain constrictions such as road crossings. the watershed (snow/ice, and groundwater), and Reducing flood risks in certain areas may how the water moves through the system. To involve management of debris. However, better adapt to flood hazards, all three debris management must be done without components must be carefully monitored so sacrificing the integrity of critical riverine that specific events can be evaluated and habitats and the wildlife they support. Debris predictive models can be developed and management should be done in consultation refined. As such, a primary outcome should be with experts in the field and through the development of an accurate and modern development of proper site plans. real time stream gage network to aid in

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Action Agenda 2012 mitigation. In addition, reliable, up–to-date, and are accurate to less than a foot. Older elevation accurate maps of the floodplains, and flood- models are only accurate to 2.5-10 feet. The inundation maps and response tools for flood- result of using LiDAR and updated flood prone communities should be a priority. studies is more accurate flood maps, providing Mitigation strategies should include ways of information that would allow building and increasing floodplain efficiency by restoring infrastructure construction to avoid areas of wetlands and reducing obstructions, and high flood risk. The USGS is working with protecting cultural resources that are prone to State and local agencies to continue to expand damage. A study done by Day (1970) shows the availability and coverage of LiDAR in New that as little as 4-hours warning of a flood can York. Much of the area adjacent to the reduce the cost of damages by 10-percent. Mohawk River has advanced floodplain mapping in place, or is in progress. However, Hydrologic analyses and flood mitigation this mapping is not complete for many of the strategies for the Mohawk must integrate the tributaries, sub-basins or areas upstream of expected effects on the region from climate Utica. change. To effectively implement successful flood-mitigation measures, plans and designs Flood Inundation Maps and tools - must not be based solely on historical or Work with the USGS, National Weather observed data. Rather, development of sound Service (NWS), and U.S. Army Corps of and cost-effective strategies must consider the Engineers (ACE) to develop flood inundation environmental variables that are expected to maps and forecast tools in flood-prone change in the future. communities using LiDAR, real-time stream gages, and NWS flood forecasts. These tools 2016 Targets: provide the capability of showing how deep the Public Education and Awareness - water may get, what areas will and will not be Greater public understanding is needed of the flooded, what roads will become impassable, contributing factors, causes of flooding, and providing emergency managers important tools potential climate change impacts. A to help save lives and property. coordinated basin-wide flood summit would be valuable to bring together scientists and Flood Hazard Restudies - Continue to engineering professionals, along with work with FEMA to perform restudies of the government officials and stakeholders to most outdated or flood-prone segments of the discuss recent flood events and present the Mohawk and its tributaries. In the Mohawk range of options being explored to increase Basin, FEMA is completing a detailed flood community resilience, mitigate flooding and restudy (update of flood hazard maps) of the main stem of the Mohawk River from the adapt to flooding. Albany - Schenectady county line to the Floodplain Mapping - Work closely with western boundary of the City of Utica, also the Federal Emergency Management Agency included in this restudy are West Canada Creek (FEMA) to update and improve flood maps of (2.4 miles upstream from the confluence with the Mohawk River Basin, including developing the Mohawk) and East Canada Creek (9.1 miles more detailed digital topographic layers based upstream from the confluence with the on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Mohawk). Note, however, that current FEMA technology, a remote sensing system used to flood insurance study methodologies are based collect very high-resolution topographic on historical data and do not include climate data. LiDAR results in topographic data that change projections. Development of such 18

Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP methodologies and the data to support them are Facilitate educational workshop(s) for areas of active research. Pending completion of municipalities on local options and available flood-hazard studies that include climate resources to: change projections, communities should be  Evaluate vulnerabilities to extreme encouraged to include addition of “measures of weather events, including shoreline safety” in zoning and building code decisions. erosion and flooding; and  Illustrate local adaptive strategies that Flood Alert System - Work with the NYS can help enhance resilience for Canal Corporation, office of State Emergency economic assets and natural resources. Management and appropriate federal partners including USGS, ACE, and FEMA to establish Sedimentation and Flooding - Evaluate a real-time flood inundation alert system. To do the relationship of sediment/gravel build-up to so a network of real-time stream gages in the flooding and the subsequent impacts of that basin will need to be expanded and maintained. flooding on increased scour, erosion and There are already a number of key real-time sediment loading in the basin. stream gages in the basin, but some are threatened by budget cuts, and more are needed Longer Range Targets: in key reaches. The implementation of a basin- Floodplain Mapping - Continue to wide real-time stream gage network would modernize floodplain maps of the basin using provide considerable benefits to emergency LIDAR data to provide updates to maps on a managers, communities, and the public as well ten year cycle. Increase the effectiveness of as providing the information the National FEMA investments by looking into incremental Weather Service needs to improve flood funding so that hydraulic modeling used in forecasts in the basin. Stream gages can serve studies is adequate for flood and water quality multiple functions and are an indispensible part goals (scouring and stream bank erosion). of flood mapping, infrastructure design, navigation operations, and drought analysis. Flood Hazard Restudies - Identify and prioritize remaining river segments in the basin Climate Change and Flood Hazard Risk which are in need of restudies or initial flood Reduction of Key “At Risk” Community hazard investigations. Assets - Increased risk of severe storms and flooding presents the most direct and Public Education and Awareness - immediate climate hazard. A 2011-2012 Specifically target for educational FEMA-funded study developed an inventory of programming low-income populations and key “at risk” local assets, including other constituencies in floodplains who may infrastructure. need additional education and/or economic assistance with flood-hazard risk reduction and As a follow-up, conduct public education and mitigation. outreach activities to foster better understanding of the potential impacts of Flood Inundation maps and tools - climate change on the region and to encourage Continue to develop inundation tools for at risk the development of local climate adaptation communities and expand the coverage as strategies that emphasize natural protective additional real-time gages come online, or as features. LiDAR coverage is expanded or new Flood forecast points are developed.

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Action Agenda 2012

Dams and Reservoirs - Understand and Ice Jam Hazards - Understand and predict evaluate the effects of dams and reservoirs on the hazards associated with ice jams. During flooding and flood mitigation, including spring freshets, ice jams are severe and chronic considerations of climate change. There are on several key reaches of the Mohawk River. three primary reservoirs within the Mohawk This includes ice jams in Schenectady as well watershed and several immovable dam as ice jams along Fulmer, Moyer and Steele structures on the lower main-stem Mohawk creeks in Herkimer County. Real-time monitors River. A key question is whether dams and may provide critical information for forecasting reservoirs can be used to mitigate flooding and and understanding ice dynamics, and will in some cases do they exacerbate flooding? provide key data for emergency personnel. An Independent evaluation of these types of ice-based stream gage system would improve structures and their effects are an important the coordination related to ice jam movement component of long-term planning for flood risk along the Mohawk River in Montgomery and reduction. Basin Program partners should work Schenectady counties. to conduct a complete hydraulic and hydrologic analysis of all hard structures on the main-stem Mohawk River including its reservoirs.

Flood Mitigation Structures - Evaluate the effects of dry detention/retention structures, sediment basins, ice control structures, and debris structure on flooding and flood hazard mitigation. A key issue is whether strategically placed structures on tributaries and in sub- basins can be used to mitigate or lessen the impact of flooding within the Basin. Work with partners to investigate the potential and cost- effectiveness of using flow control structures for small-scale power generation.

Hydrodynamic model - Develop a real- time hydrodynamic model of the Mohawk watershed. This would serve as both a forecast tool and an operational tool for decision making during flood events. This tool may be able to provide a more reliable method for providing flood forecasting in order to issue time sensitive projections for what areas would be flooded within the Mohawk watershed. This program would have substantial benefits for operational decision making, emergency management, and the public. Forecast points could be created at flood prone locations and/or population centers to increase the knowledge and communication of how the Mohawk watershed reacts to wet weather inputs. 20

Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP

Goal 4: Community Planning the watershed, especially along the Mohawk River and Erie Canal. This renewed focus on and Revitalization local planning and reinvestment in existing Revitalize Mohawk River Basin communities centers would have the benefit of capitalizing utilizing sustainable development principles, on existing infrastructure systems, maintaining integrating environmental, social, historic, existing open space, supporting local business cultural, recreational and economic factors, in development, and expanding opportunities for order to shape the region as a vibrant, healthy, non-auto dependent mobility. These practices, desirable place to live, work and visit. in turn, will better protect the valuable natural resources within the Basin and can have Challenge: positive fiscal implications for local The Mohawk River Basin is endowed with an governments. abundance of historic, scenic, cultural, natural Specific challenges to broad-based community and recreational resources that serve as planning and revitalization within the Basin valuable economic assets for the region. This include: grand American historic setting encompasses the homeland of the Mohawk and birthplace of a) Focusing and coordinating the many the Iroquois Confederacy, early European diverse public and private organizations settlements significant during the American and community planning initiatives to Revolution, and the opening of the continent strengthen the focus on conservation and with the construction of the Erie Canal. The productive use of the natural, historic Region’s assets have been recognized by the and cultural resources of the watershed; U.S. Congress through establishment of the b) Fostering new development consistent Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and with Smart Growth and other sustainable by the New York State Legislature through growth and development principles and establishment of the Mohawk Valley Heritage c) Availability of non-regulatory technical Corridor, the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, assistance for conservation and as well as other heritage areas throughout the economic development to help basin. communities and private organizations.

While the region has drawn upon some of these One of the challenges for community planning historical and cultural assets, through State and development in the Basin is the overlap of programs such as the Local Waterfront multiple management plans and involvement of Revitalization Program, to a large degree these many individuals and agencies at the local, resources remain under-utilized and under- county, regional, state, and federal levels. Each valued. In addition, broad economic trends over agency and organization has developed many decades have caused some communities individual plans with a specific purpose in to suffer declines in key economic sectors, mind – whether that purpose is for local land disinvestment and population loss. use management, national heritage, development of a Canalway trail, wildlife Nevertheless, converging recent factors such as management, or general economic fiscal austerity, higher energy costs, State development. While these plans may not be in smart-growth policies and climate change could conflict with one another, there is a need to stimulate more focus on local planning that improve regional coordination among the discourages suburban sprawl and investments entities that have developed them. in the compact settlements that already exist in 21

Action Agenda 2012

2016 Targets: inventories of vacant and under-utilized Regional Coordination - Initiate an annual structures in cities and villages within the roundtable to meet, discuss respective watershed. Use this data to anticipate future programs, develop opportunities for development pressures to support sustainable collaboration, share ideas, create a unified development and to meet special demographic approach, and coordinate implementation of needs anticipated over time. efforts wherever possible. For example, there Substantial effort should be made to initiate are numerous museums, historic organizations smart growth plans individually and and other heritage entities throughout the collectively for towns, cities and villages within region that offer programming that may the watershed. A unified approach will further stimulate visitation and economic activity to revitalize communities and promote the the Mohawk River Basin. Increasing visitation resources of the watershed as a whole. to, and within, the region may not only increase economic activity derived from heritage and Expand upon the number of communities cultural tourism, but may also educate the advancing local waterfront revitalization general public about the environmental and programs in the region in Mohawk Valley natural resources within the Basin. Local communities. businesses and agri-tourism might also benefit from such collaboration. Climate Smart Building Code Toolkit – As climate change begins to effect the human Local Capacity - Improve local capacity to interaction with the landscape we must begin to undertake sustainable, environmentally develop land-use, transportation and building responsible planning and community code toolkits. Working through the Climate revitalization. Technical capacity is an essential Smart Communities program these toolkits will ingredient that will allow many rural areas and provide guidelines for dealing with climate older industrial cities and villages to address change in planning programs. economic distress and embrace change. Arts and Culture - Promote recognition of the Assistance is needed to provide the on-going natural, cultural, and historic resources of the capacity that is necessary to enable local Mohawk River Basin through the arts. Work governments, private organizations, and with partners to develop programs, festivals, individuals, to shape the future of the Mohawk and art installations that increase public River Basin. Efforts should include planning visibility of these resources in Mohawk Basin and technical assistance to communities to help communities. For example, events such as lake them, singly and together, protect the festivals, River Days, Canal Fests, will help environment and strengthen a sustainable residents connect with the natural, cultural and economy through local action. This capacity historic, resources of the region. should assist communities to enhance existing city, village and hamlet centers in a manner Marketing Resources - Market the that: a) takes advantage of existing resources of the Mohawk Basin through infrastructure, land and buildings; b) is facilitating links between partners and consistent with smart growth principles; and c) respective websites. Regional marketing can be fosters the use of green infrastructure in accomplished through organizations and revitalization efforts. websites such as the Erie Canalway National

Analyze data such as population changes, Heritage Corridor, RiverSpark and I Love NY. population projections, and GIS-based 22

Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP

Work with communities and partners to develop plans and activities that promote resources related to agri-tourism. Enhance linkages between local agriculture and tourism amenities such as new and/or enlarged farmers’ markets and scenic bike trail expansion.

Recreational opportunities - Work with partners to increase recreational opportunities associated with the Mohawk River such as developing additional boat access points, expanding and linking trail networks, and developing recreational, educational and interpretive facilities.

Mobility - Work with partners to develop a more coordinated transit and mobility plan for the watershed. Identify and emphasize the need for direct linkages between population centers in the basin. Identify the mobility needs of target audiences within the Basin such as seniors or low-income families.

Longer Range Targets: Basin Commission - Foster the Creation of a Hudson-Mohawk Basin Commission such as that introduced in H.R. 5927. Such a commission would significantly enhance and preserve the economic, environmental, historic and cultural values of one of the most demographically and politically important regions in the nation.

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Action Agenda 2012

Goal 5: Working Landscapes, stewardship of land and water resources that is sustainable and economically viable, and (3) Land Use and Open Space long-term protection of open space, Maintain and encourage those land uses within agricultural, and forest lands from conversion the Mohawk River Watershed that support to other land uses. To help ensure that working working landscapes such as well-managed landscapes remain, local governments should farms and forests that help sustain the regional be encouraged to adopt local laws that are economy, protect and enhance open space and supportive of this strategy and do not rural development patterns, and provide for the unnecessarily or unreasonably burden such land sustainable use and protection of resources. uses and associated operations.

Challenge: Well managed open space, farms, and forests For centuries, the Mohawk River Basin has help protect water quality when sustainable been renowned for its open space, agricultural, management practices are implemented, while and forested landscapes. From the rolling hills providing habitat to fish and wildlife. Existing of pasturelands and fertile valleys of row crops agricultural practices and programs such as the to the pristine forested regions of the Agriculture Environmental Management southwestern Adirondack Mountains, (AEM) program have been assisting farms to agricultural and forested areas continue to protect and enhance the natural resources of the dominate the landscape and are important to the Mohawk River Basin. Encouraging viable, economy of the region. Both agriculture and environmentally-sound farming in the Mohawk forestry have been important parts of the River Basin is critical to reducing water quality historical, cultural and recreational foundation impairments to the River and its tributaries and of the Basin. Although agriculture is now inter- is important to ensuring a sustainable future for mixed with suburban development, and forest the Basin. habitats have become fragmented, the region Key to maintaining the ecological integrity of remains an important part of the state’s the Mohawk River Basin is the necessity to agricultural and forest products industries. have sufficient lands to allow ecological There is, however, increased pressure from processes to continue to function. Land urban sprawl, conversion to other land uses, acquisition methods of protection such as burdensome local regulations and economic conservation easements, purchase of stress that may threaten these resources. development rights, and local land use Many do not recognize the economic and social regulation may be needed to link units of land value that open space, agriculture, and forested together, thereby protecting lands that have lands bring to their communities, such as ecological, cultural, historic or scenic value, safeguarding local food supplies, providing and provide for the access to and use of these scenic views, and helping to keep property resources. Many of these same goals are taxes low by requiring far fewer local outlined in New York’s Open Space government services than residential land uses. Conservation Plan, which is updated every There is a need for a sustained 3-tiered strategy three years (2013 update in process). The Open to ensure that working lands remain active and Space Conservation Plan describes state and productive through: (1) local government local recommendations for open space planning that acknowledges agriculture and management, including specific forestry as important land uses and economic recommendations for the working landscapes activities; (2) environmentally-sound of the Mohawk River Basin.

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Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP

Lastly, productive and viable agricultural and the Mohawk River by promoting Conservation forest lands serve as the essential resource on Easement Programs. which farm and forestry operations depend. To help ensure their long-term sustainability as Marketing Working Landscape working lands, these land uses and business Resources - Promote and create operations must be protected from conversion opportunities for the public to support local to other land uses. Offering landowners the farms and forests by increasing the availability financial alternative to sell their development of local products. Encourage recreational rights associated with such lands through the opportunities and agri-tourism opportunities as use of conservation easements has been an a means to connect farm and forest owners with effective means to provide long-term, even their communities. Create news articles or perpetual, protection from conversion to other media spots which promote stewardship and less desirable land uses. new opportunities to purchase local products within the community. 2016 Targets: Encourage farms and other agricultural or Working Land Preservation - Work with forestry businesses to develop business plans partners to develop and support land trusts, in that enhance their long-term economic order to implement land protection options viability, thereby enhancing the local and such as conservation easements, purchase of regional economy, and supporting their ability development rights and other stewardship to engage in environmental stewardship. agreements to protect key farm and forestland within the Mohawk River Basin. Best Management Practices - Identify and promote various Best Management Community Plans and Land Use Practices (BMPs) that encourage sound Regulations - Coordinate assistance and stewardship by agricultural and forestry encourage communities to develop and/or operations. Encourage agricultural operators to revise Comprehensive Plans and local land use reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients regulations to incorporate policies and support entering tributaries by actively participating in land uses that sustain the economy within the the AEM process, following up-to-date Basin while protecting valuable resources. conservation plans and meeting all regulatory Better inform and educate community leaders compliance requirements. regarding Ecosystem-Based Management, Smart Growth and other sustainable Encourage owners of private forests to develop development practices. management plans that enhance the health, diversity and long-term viability of woodland Working Landscapes - Work with partners and support environmental stewardship. to maintain viable traditional agricultural and forested landscapes while increasing owner and Explore opportunities to bring Federal farm public awareness of environmental and Bill programs, such as CREP, CRP, and EQIP economic benefits of agriculture and forestry to the Mohawk Basin to implement projects to through the efforts of local, regional, state and enhance riparian buffers on agricultural lands. federal resources. Support and improve the Forestland Stewardship - Encourage viability of agriculture with regional, state and forestland owners to practice sustainable forest federal agriculture programs. Work to preserve management through the development of forest prime soils or soils of statewide importance in management plans, implementation of Best

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Action Agenda 2012

Management Practices, and participation in Agriculture - Develop a long-range plan for State and federal programs. Encourage agriculture in the Mohawk River Basin that will enrollment in the Forest Tax Law (480a). include a strategy for long-term viability, increased market opportunities, and agriculture 2009 New York State Open Space Plan as a perpetual land use. Conservation Plan - Foster the plan’s objectives for the Mohawk River Basin by Work with local communities to endorse using available tools and programs to respond agriculture as a preferred land use by adopting to climate change, implement buffers in the farmer-friendly laws, and documenting Mohawk River Valley Corridor, protect the agriculture as a preferred land use in their prime farmland of the Schoharie Valley Comprehensive Management Plan. Corridor, as well as, the karst soil formations and their aquifers, and promote grassland habitat in the Central Leatherstocking Area. DEC will be revising the Open Space Conservation Plan in 2013, giving communities and the public a chance to provide input on specific objectives for the Mohawk River Basin.

Public Education and Awareness - Utilize communication tools such as social media, agency websites and the Conservationist to highlight working lands in the Mohawk River Basin; particularly those that support agri-tourism and public access for recreational uses.

Longer Range Targets: Forestland - Reinvigorate Regional Forest Practice Boards in the nine designated regions across New York, as well as the State Forest Practice Board. Under New York State Environmental Conservation Law, Article 9, Title 7 – Cooperative Forest Management Program, the DEC is charged with establishing Regional Forest Practice Boards that review and approve forest practice standards and make assistance available for these approved practices.

Bolster the availability of technical resources for small tract forestland owners that will help improve or maintain the health of their forests through regional planning for forestry and incentive-based programs.

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Mohawk River Basin Program MRBP

Table 1. Partners Currently Represented on the Mohawk River Basin Program Steering Committee

Audubon Capital District Regional Planning Commission City of Utica Engineering Department Congressman Paul Tonko Empire State Development Environmental Clearinghouse of Schenectady Herkimer-Oneida Counties Comprehensive Planning Program Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition Montgomery County Department of Economic Development and Planning National Park Service, Erie Canalway National Heritage Area NOAA National Weather Service NYS Canal Corporation NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets NYS Department of Environmental Conservation NYS Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services NYS Department of State, Coastal Resources NYS Energy Research and Development Authority Soil and Water, Mohawk River Watershed Coalition of Conservation Districts US Army Corps of Engineers US Fish and Wildlife Service US Geological Survey Union College

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Action Agenda 2012

Literature Cited

Army Corps. 2008. Section 905(B) Reconnaissance Study Mohawk River, New York. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, New York District; North Atlantic Division.

Day, H.J. (1970). “Flood warning benefit evaluation-Susquehanna River Basin (urban residences).” ESSA technical memorandum WBTM Hydro-10. National Weather Service. Silver Spring, MD.

DEC. 2009. New York State Open Space Conservation Plan http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/47990.html

DEC. 2003. 2002 Mohawk River Basin Waterbody Inventory and Priority Waterbodies List. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Water. 318 pages plus appendices.

Hislop, Codman. Illustrations by Calapai, Letterio. 1948. The Mohawk (Rivers of America). Rinehart & Company, Inc. 367 pages.

McBride, N. D. 1994. A Fisheries Management Plan for the Lower Mohawk River. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 4, Fisheries. Technical Report 109 pages.

MRBCCD. 2009. Environmental Protection Fund Application for State Assistance Payments Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (2009-2010). Soil and Water Mohawk River Basin Coalition of Conservation Districts. 19 pages.

MRRC. 2006. The Mohawk River Watershed. The Mohawk River Research Center, Inc. http://www.mohawkrivercenter.org/about.htm

NPS. 2005. Erie Canalway Preservation and Management Plan. The National Park Service, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Waterford NY.

NYS. 2007. Transitioning the Ocean and Great Lakes to a Sustainable Future: Implementation of Ecosystem-Based Management in New York State. New York State Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Council.

NYS. 2009. Our Waters, Our Communities, Our Future: Taking Bold Action Now to Achieve Long- term Sustainability of New York’s Ocean and Great Lakes New York State Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Council. www.nyoglecc.org

Oneida County. 2008. Creating a Greenway in Oneida County: Part of the Mohawk River Corridor. Oneida County Department of Planning, Utica, NY. 49 pages plus appendices.

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Helpful references on the Mohawk River, its valley and history:

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Website, “The Mohawk River Watershed” http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/48041.html

 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Surf Your Watershed, “Mohawk Watershed” http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/huc.cfm?huc_code=02020004

 National Park Service, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Erie Canalway Preservation and Management Plan. http://www.eriecanalway.org/index.htm

 Oneida County Greenway Planning Project http://ocgov.net/oneida/planning/greenwayproject

 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Region 4, Fisheries Technical Report “A Fisheries Management Plan for the Lower Mohawk River” McBride, N.D. 1994.

 Hislop, Codman. Illustrations by Calapai, Letterio. 1948. The Mohawk (Rivers of America). Rinehart & Company, Inc.

 Suro, T.P., Firda, G.D. and Szabo, C.O. 2009, Flood of June 26–29, 2006, Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River Basins, New York: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009– 1063, 354p. Available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/ofr/2009/1063

 Nystrom, E.A., 2008, Ground-water quality in the Mohawk River Basin, New York, 2006: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1086, 33 p., online only at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1086/

 Wall, G.R.,2010, A new look at the formation of Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River, Albany County, NY: in Cockburn, J.M.H. and Garver, J.I., Proceedings of the 2010 Mohawk Watershed Symposium, Union College, Schenectady, NY, March 19, 2010, p. 71-74. Available at: http://ny.water.usgs.gov/pubs/abs/abs10-cohoesfalls-grwall.pdf

 Shindel, H.L., 1969, Time-of-travel study, Mohawk River Rome to Cohoes, New York: New York State Water Resources Commission Report of Investigation RI-6, 48 p. Available at: http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/djvu/Misc/ri_6.djvu

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Action Agenda 2012

The Mohawk River Basin Program and Action Agenda is a collaborative project supported by, but not limited to the following:

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