DOCSLIB.ORG

Appendix E. Detailed Inventory of Unique and Critical Resources

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Appendix E. Detailed Inventory of Unique and Critical Resources APPENDIX E MARCH 2012 Appendix E. Detailed Inventory of Unique and Critical Resources Introduction and Purpose This Comprehensive Plan is established to help the Town of Sharon reach its community goals. These goals were based on community input that established a consensus on what the desired future should be. The goals articulate resident’s desire for neighborhood scale building, continuation of agriculture, a mix of residential and small business development, and re- establishment of the area as a tourist destination. Residents feel that there should be appropriate commercial development, but only when located in existing commercial locations and around the Village of Sharon Springs. Sharon residents do not want industrial, heavy industry, large scale manufacturing, high density residential, large business or commercial uses, landfills, and mobile home park land uses1. Public input also establishes that long-term protection of vistas and scenic overlooks, water quality and quantity, open spaces, steep slopes, floodplains, wetlands, and the many natural features that contribute to the environment and character of Sharon is desired. The Town’s goals are: Goal 1: Protect and maintain the rural character and small town atmosphere of the Town of Sharon while promoting appropriate economic development. Goal 2: Improve pedestrian and traffic safety. Goal 3: Protect the quality of surface and groundwater supplies, protect the integrity of mapped floodplains, preserve the integrity of unique physical environments and preserve wildlife habitats. Goal 4: Secure safety from all hazards in Sharon. Since the Plan was adopted in 2009, new concerns have arisen over potential industrial and heavy industrial activities that could take place in Sharon that could threaten the vision and ability of the Town to reach its community goals. To address these concerns, the Town reviewed the Comprehensive Plan for guidance and determined that additional information was needed on specific natural and cultural resources of importance in Sharon. The Town Board determined that additional information was needed to more fully document and locate important and sensitive environmental resources. This Appendix contains an updated, detailed profile and inventory of Sharon’s resources. It is intended to augment and be part of the full adopted 2009 Comprehensive Plan. Although pages 9 through 11 of Part I contains generalized descriptions of these resources in the Town, this Appendix provides maps, detailed descriptions, and analysis of environmental resources considered to be essential to the health and welfare of its residents and landowners. 1 See Part II of the Comprehensive Plan for survey and public input results. 1 APPENDIX E MARCH 2012 Resources determined to be critical in Sharon include the following: A. Hydrological Resources: streams and stream corridors, surface water bodies, wetlands and hydric soils, floodplains, unconsolidated aquifers, and the limestone (Karst) bedrock found throughout the Town of Sharon. B. Land Resources: slope, topography, and soils. C. Ecological Resources: unique natural areas and natural heritage sites, species and habitats of importance. D. Agricultural, Historical and Scenic Resources: agricultural areas, scenic areas, and archaeological resources. Each one of these resources contributes to the Town of Sharon in a unique way, and are described and analyzed below. A. Hydrological Resources Summary Role of Resource: The Town of Sharon recognizes that most ecological and economic systems (such as provision of drinking water, recreation, wildlife habitats, and future economic growth of tourism and small business) are all dependent on adequate sources and quality of water. Agriculture and recreation are also dependent on high quality water sources. Wetland ecosystems and streams (along with associated floodplains and stream corridors) are important habitats, and work to remove and recycle nutrients and sediments, filter impurities, and store water to reduce flood damage and feed groundwater aquifers. In Sharon, groundwater aquifers are the source of drinking water for all residents outside the Village of Sharon Springs. The Village of Sharon Springs depends on surface waters flowing to the Engelville Pond for drinking water. Groundwater’s importance cannot be overstated. High quality water sources are critical to achieve goals 1 and 3. Reference Maps: Streams and Water bodies, Watersheds, Wetlands/Hydric Soils, Floodplain, Unconsolidated Aquifers, Karst Threats: Certain land use activities can adversely affect the health of water bodies, impairing their current and potential economic and environmental functions. Threats to local surface water include both point source pollution and nonpoint source pollution (originating from construction, agriculture, parking lot and street runoff, stormwater runoff, on-site wastewater systems, and commercial, industrial, and residential activities). Increases in impervious surfaces in watersheds prevent the natural recharge of groundwater. Building in floodplains and removal of stream side vegetation results in loss of habitat and increased risk of erosion and flooding. Groundwater resources can be impaired by surface pollution as well as by water withdrawals. Groundwater resources are especially vulnerable in the limestone (Karst) areas of the Town of Sharon due to the porous nature of the rock. Other threats include 2 APPENDIX E MARCH 2012 broken connections between wetlands and surrounding uplands, draining and filling wetlands. Water diversions and excessive removal of groundwater disrupts the natural flow of water in streams. Streams and Watersheds: A watershed is the land area that contributes water to a given point, such as a stream or lake. Contributing sources of water for a watershed include (but are not limited to) springs, streams, seeps, ditches, culverts, marshes, wetlands, swamps, and ponds. Eventually, all surface water, some groundwater resources, and precipitation falling within a watershed, drain into a single receiving water body such as a stream, river, lake, or wetland. Within a watershed, land uses and water quality and quantity are directly related. Land use is often controlled by the availability of reliable water supplies. Conversely, the single most important determinant of the quality, quantity, and availability of local water resources is land use. Several significant ponds exist in the Town of Sharon. These are Engleville Pond, Bowmakers Pond and Clausen’s Pond. Engleville is significant because it is the source of public water for the Village of Sharon Springs. Bowmakers Pond is not only an important and highly valued recreation location (picnics and fishing, especially), but is also an integral part of the flood control system for the Village of Sharon Springs. Clausen’s Pond is privately owned, but it is connected hydrologically to Bowmakers Pond. Streams in Sharon are all part of headwaters draining to either the Mohawk River (Canajoharie Creek) or Schoharie Creek systems. All streams ultimately drain into and are included in the Upper Hudson River Basin Watershed. The Mohawk River watershed includes the Canajoharie Creek in the northwestern corner of the Town, Brimstone Creek, which is immediately north of the Village of Sharon Springs and Flat Creek flowing north through the hamlet of Sharon. In the Schoharie Watershed, West Creek and its tributaries drain the south western portion of the Town as it runs southward toward Cobleskill. Brimstone Creek is spring fed and is the largest tributary to Canajoharie Creek. The headwaters of Brimstone Creek is at the Old Maids Hole near the intersection of NYS Route 10 and 20. In Sharon, streams are all regulated by DEC and almost all are classified as “Class C” fresh surface waters. The best usage of Class C waters is fishing. These waters are suitable for fish propagation and survival. The water quality of these streams shall be suitable for primary and secondary contact recreation, although other factors may limit the use for these purposes. Erosion, sedimentation, compaction, introduction of chemicals and excess nutrients, and removal of streamside vegetation are activities that can impair streams. There are two tributaries that are designated as a Class A stream (suitable for drinking water) and these are located near Engleville Pond. As per NYS Title 6, Chapter X, Part 701, the discharge of sewage, industrial waste or other wastes shall not cause impairment of the best usages of the stream. Portions of West Creek (lower tributaries), Canajoharie Creek, and Flat Creek in Sharon are listed on the NYS DEC List of Impaired Waters as having minor impacts and indicates that “aquatic life is suspected of being stressed” due to excess nutrients and agriculture. West and Flat creeks have minor impacts due to excess nutrients from non-point sources such as agriculture. West Creek has minor impacts due to silt and sedimentation. Parts of the 3 APPENDIX E MARCH 2012 Canajoharie Creek are also listed as having minor impacts due to silt and sedimentation. Brimstone Creek, and Clausen/Bowmaker Ponds are un-assessed by the DEC. Engleville Pond is also considered a Priority Water Body (See discussion under ‘Public Water Supplies’). Wetlands: According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), “Freshwater wetlands are those areas of land and water that support a preponderance of characteristic wetlands plants that out-compete upland plants because of the presence of wetlands hydrology (such
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mohawk River Watershed – HUC-12
    ID Number Name of Mohawk Watershed 1 Switz Kill 2 Flat Creek 3 Headwaters West Creek 4 Kayaderosseras Creek 5 Little Schoharie Creek 6 Headwaters Mohawk River 7 Headwaters Cayadutta Creek 8 Lansing Kill 9 North Creek 10 Little West Kill 11 Irish Creek 12 Auries Creek 13 Panther Creek 14 Hinckley Reservoir 15 Nowadaga Creek 16 Wheelers Creek 17 Middle Canajoharie Creek 18 Honnedaga 19 Roberts Creek 20 Headwaters Otsquago Creek 21 Mill Creek 22 Lewis Creek 23 Upper East Canada Creek 24 Shakers Creek 25 King Creek 26 Crane Creek 27 South Chuctanunda Creek 28 Middle Sprite Creek 29 Crum Creek 30 Upper Canajoharie Creek 31 Manor Kill 32 Vly Brook 33 West Kill 34 Headwaters Batavia Kill 35 Headwaters Flat Creek 36 Sterling Creek 37 Lower Ninemile Creek 38 Moyer Creek 39 Sixmile Creek 40 Cincinnati Creek 41 Reall Creek 42 Fourmile Brook 43 Poentic Kill 44 Wilsey Creek 45 Lower East Canada Creek 46 Middle Ninemile Creek 47 Gooseberry Creek 48 Mother Creek 49 Mud Creek 50 North Chuctanunda Creek 51 Wharton Hollow Creek 52 Wells Creek 53 Sandsea Kill 54 Middle East Canada Creek 55 Beaver Brook 56 Ferguson Creek 57 West Creek 58 Fort Plain 59 Ox Kill 60 Huntersfield Creek 61 Platter Kill 62 Headwaters Oriskany Creek 63 West Kill 64 Headwaters South Branch West Canada Creek 65 Fly Creek 66 Headwaters Alplaus Kill 67 Punch Kill 68 Schenevus Creek 69 Deans Creek 70 Evas Kill 71 Cripplebush Creek 72 Zimmerman Creek 73 Big Brook 74 North Creek 75 Upper Ninemile Creek 76 Yatesville Creek 77 Concklin Brook 78 Peck Lake-Caroga Creek 79 Metcalf Brook 80 Indian
    [Show full text]
  • 113 Hudson River Basin 01350101 Schoharie Creek At
    HUDSON RIVER BASIN 113 01350101 SCHOHARIE CREEK AT GILBOA, NY LOCATION.--Lat 42°23'50", long 74°27'03", Schoharie County, Hydrologic Unit 02020005, on left bank 200 ft upstream from bridge on County Highway 322, 0.2 mi west of village of Gilboa, 0.4 mi downstream from dam on Schoharie Reservoir, and 0.8 mi upstream from the Platter Kill. DRAINAGE AREA.--316 mi2. PERIOD OF RECORD.--October 1975 to current year (since October 1983, discharges only for days of Schoharie Reservoir spill and since October 1989, discharges only for days of mean flow exceeding 10 ft3/s). REVISED RECORDS.--WDR NY-90-1: Drainage area. GAGE.--Water-stage recorder and crest-stage gage. Datum of gage is 939.56 ft above NGVD of 1929. REMARKS.--Records fair except those for estimated daily discharges, which are poor. Entire flow, runoff from 315 mi2, except for periods of spill, diverted from Schoharie Reservoir through Shandaken Tunnel into Esopus Creek upstream from Ashokan Reservoir for water supply of city of New York. Satellite gage-height telemeter at station. EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD.--Maximum discharge, 70,800 ft3/s, Jan. 19, 1996, gage height, 30.60 ft, outside gage height, 32.2 ft, from floodmark, from rating curve extended above 14,000 ft3/s on basis of flow-over-dam measurement of peak flow; minimum daily discharge, 0.04 ft3/s on many days, June to October 1976, and Sept. 11-13, 1980, but may have been lower since October 1983 (see PERIOD OF RECORD); minimum instantaneous discharge not determined.
    [Show full text]
  • NENHC 2008 Abstracts
    Abstracts APRIL 17 – APRIL 18, 2008 A FORUM FOR CURRENT RESEARCH The Northeastern Naturalist The New York State Museum is a program of The University of the State of New York/The State Education Department APRIL 17 – APRIL 18, 2008 A FORUM FOR CURRENT RESEARCH SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR CITING ABSTRACTS: Abstracts Northeast Natural History Conference X. N.Y. State Mus. Circ. 71: page number(s). 2008. ISBN: 1-55557-246-4 The University of the State of New York THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ALBANY, NY 12230 THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Regents of The University ROBERT M. BENNETT, Chancellor, B.A., M.S. ................................................................. Tonawanda MERRYL H. TISCH, Vice Chancellor, B.A., M.A., Ed.D. ................................................. New York SAUL B. COHEN, B.A., M.A., Ph.D.................................................................................. New Rochelle JAMES C. DAWSON, A.A., B.A., M.S., Ph.D. .................................................................. Peru ANTHONY S. BOTTAR, B.A., J.D. ..................................................................................... Syracuse GERALDINE D. CHAPEY, B.A., M.A., Ed.D. ................................................................... Belle Harbor ARNOLD B. GARDNER, B.A., LL.B. .................................................................................. Buffalo HARRY PHILLIPS, 3rd, B.A., M.S.F.S. ............................................................................. Hartsdale JOSEPH E. BOWMAN, JR., B.A.,
    [Show full text]
  • SUNY Albany Concept Plan
    1 Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan 1 1 Prepared for Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc. (SALT) Prepared by University at Albany Graduate Planning Studio Spring 2016 Graduate Planning Studio Students Abdullah Alhemyari Kyle Hatch Jamie Konkoski Katie O’Sullivan Matthew Rosenbloom-Jones Schoharie Creek Trail Concept Plan 2 2 Table of Contents I. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 3 II. Project Context ....................................................................................................................... 5 III. Trail Benefits Analysis ............................................................................................................. 8 IV. Vision Concept ........................................................................................................................ 9 V. Next Steps ............................................................................................................................. 30 VI. Sources .................................................................................................................................. 31 VII. APPENDICES ....................................................................................................................... 33 APPENDIX A: Existing Conditions Report .................................................................................. 34 APPENDIX B: Data Sources and Analysis Methods ..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Explore Data from Each Sampling Site, Year-To-Year Patterns
    Mohawk River: % Samples Achieving EPA Safe Swimming Guideline Samples collected and processed by SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Polytechnic and Riverkeeper. Results are based on 11-32 samples per site, collected from May-October, 2015-2019. EPA's recommended Beach Action Value (BAV) is a guideline for day-to-day beach management. Rome- Delta Lake outlet 4% 96% Rome- Barge Canal at city boat ramp 33% 67% Rome- Bellamy Harbor Park 44% 56% Whitestown- Route 32 Bridge 54% 46% Oriskany- Oriskany Creek tributary* 59% 41% Utica- Barge Canal at Historic Utica Marina 31% 69% Utica- Reall Creek tributary* 83% 17% Utica- Park & Ride fishing access 69% 31% Frankfort- Dyke Road Bridge 76% 24% Schuyler- Frankfort Harbor* 79% 21% Schuyler- Moyers Creek tributary* 83% 17% Ilion boat launch* 67% 33% Herkimer- Gems Along the Mohawk kayak launch 57% 43% Herkimer- I-90 bridge*** 64% 36% Herkimer- Fishing access at STP 75% 25% Herkimer- West Canada Creek at East German St. Ext 68% 32% German Flatts- Barge Canal at Lock 18 25% 75% Little Falls- Canal Harbor boat launch at Rotary Park 36% 64% Manheim- East Canada Creek at Route 5 Bridge 54% 46% Minden- Barge Canal at Lock 16 19% 81% Fort Plain- Lock 15 kayak launch 52% 48% Canajoharie- DEC boat launch at Route 10 37% 63% Glen- Riverside Drive kayak access 42% 58% % Beach Advisory (>60 cells/100 mL) % Acceptable (0-60 cells/100 mL) Sampling began in *2016, **2017, ***2018 2/25/20 Mohawk River: % Samples Achieving EPA Safe Swimming Guideline Samples collected and processed by SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Polytechnic and Riverkeeper.
    [Show full text]
  • Ashokan Watershed Adventure Guide
    ASHOKAN WATERSHED ADVENTURE GUIDE A Self-Guided Tour of the Ashokan Landscape for All Ages #AshokanWatershedAdventure AWSMP Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program The Ashokan Watershed Adventure is sponsored by: AWSMP Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County AWSMP Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program About the Ashokan Watershed Adventure The Ashokan Watershed Adventure is a self-guided tour of the AshokanAshokan landscape Watershed for all ages. Adventurers explore the Ashokan Reservoir watershed at theirSt rowneam Managementpace and earn Program prizes based on the number of Adventure Stops visited. From the humble headwaters of the Stony Clove Creek to the shores of the mighty Ashokan Reservoir, Adventurers will experience the landscape like never before. Adventure Stops have been thoughtfully curated by Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) staff to highlight some of the most interesting and beautiful places in the watershed. Grab your friends and family or head out on your very own Ashokan Watershed Adventure! How it works Pre-adventure planning There are 11 Ashokan Watershed Adventure Stops. Visit as As with any adventure into the wild lands of the Catskill many as you can to earn a prize. Adventure stops can be Mountains, planning is a very important part of having a fun visited in any order. Each stop has a chapter in the Adventure and safe experience. Guide that includes the site name and location, geographic coordinates, directions and parking instructions, safety guide- 3Cell phone service is limited to non-existent. We lines, and an educational message to inform Adventurers recommend downloading a map of the area to your phone about the unique aspects of the site.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Redevelopment Vision Former Beech-Nut Facility, Village of Canajoharie, Ny March 2018
    COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT VISION FORMER BEECH-NUT FACILITY, VILLAGE OF CANAJOHARIE, NY MARCH 2018 INTRODUCTION Site facts The former Beech-Nut facility sits in the heart of the Village of • 27 acres, 35 structures Canajoharie, a quaint town on the Mohawk River in New York. • Downtown Canajoharie, NY Imperial Packing Company started operations on the site in 1891. Imperial grew the business selling vacuum-packed hams • Access to I-90 Thruway, Route 10 and Route 5 using the adjacent Erie Canal, and the founders invested in the • Former food production facility Village as the industry grew. The facilities expanded rapidly • Located adjacent to the Mohawk River when Beech-Nut began producing a growing number of food products including chewing gum, coffee, baby food and more. For decades, Beech-Nut’s thriving operations provided jobs, community support, significant tax revenue and a sense of identity for the Village. Since the former Beech-Nut facility closed in 2010, the property has remained inactive and many of the 35 vacant buildings have fallen into disrepair. The Village and Montgomery County foreclosed on the property in 2017, creating the opportunity to begin visioning and planning for redevelopment of the iconic site encompassing 27 acres. During 2017, the EPA Superfund Redevelopment Initiative (SRI) provided reuse planning assistance to engage the community in developing a redevelopment vision for the site. The SRI team has worked with Montgomery County Erie Canal and Beech-Nut factory ca. early 1900’s. and the Village of Canajoharie to facilitate reuse discussions with local stakeholders including the Village of Canajoharie administrators, the Exit 29 Task Force, the Montgomery County Executive office, and local business owners.
    [Show full text]
  • Freshwater Fishing: a Driver for Ecotourism
    New York FRESHWATER April 2019 FISHINGDigest Fishing: A Sport For Everyone NY Fishing 101 page 10 A Female's Guide to Fishing page 30 A summary of 2019–2020 regulations and useful information for New York anglers www.dec.ny.gov Message from the Governor Freshwater Fishing: A Driver for Ecotourism New York State is committed to increasing and supporting a wide array of ecotourism initiatives, including freshwater fishing. Our approach is simple—we are strengthening our commitment to protect New York State’s vast natural resources while seeking compelling ways for people to enjoy the great outdoors in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. The result is sustainable economic activity based on a sincere appreciation of our state’s natural resources and the values they provide. We invite New Yorkers and visitors alike to enjoy our high-quality water resources. New York is blessed with fisheries resources across the state. Every day, we manage and protect these fisheries with an eye to the future. To date, New York has made substantial investments in our fishing access sites to ensure that boaters and anglers have safe and well-maintained parking areas, access points, and boat launch sites. In addition, we are currently investing an additional $3.2 million in waterway access in 2019, including: • New or renovated boat launch sites on Cayuga, Oneida, and Otisco lakes • Upgrades to existing launch sites on Cranberry Lake, Delaware River, Lake Placid, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, Chautauqua Lake and Fourth Lake. New York continues to improve and modernize our fish hatcheries. As Governor, I have committed $17 million to hatchery improvements.
    [Show full text]
  • Town of Lexington Draft Long Term Community Recovery Strategy
    Town of Lexington Draft Long Term Community Recovery Strategy September 2014 i This page intentionally left blank ii Acknowledgements Town of Lexington Town Board Dixie Baldrey, Supervisor Jo Ellen Schermerhorn William Pushman Michael Barcone Bradley Jenkins Long Term Community Recovery Strategy Steering Committee Dixie Baldrey Mary Palazzolo Lynn Byrne Joe Cuesta Karen Deeter Bonnie Blader Beverly Dezan Adam Cross Alice M. Cross Rose Williams Andy Labruzzo, NYS Department of State Consultants Nan Stolzenburg, AICP CEP, Community Planning & Environmental Associates Don Meltz, AICP, Don Meltz Planning & GIS Ellen Pemrick, E.M. Pemrick & Company Ben Syden, Laberge Group Adam Yagelski, Community Planning & Environmental Associates This Plan was prepared for the New York State Department of State with funds provided under Title 3 of the Environmental Protection Fund Act. iii Table of Contents List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. v Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 6 Introduction and Flood Event Background ..................................................................... 7 Flooding From Hurricane Irene .................................................................................................... 8 The Planning Process ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Waterbody Classifications, Streams Based on Waterbody Classifications
    Waterbody Classifications, Streams Based on Waterbody Classifications Waterbody Type Segment ID Waterbody Index Number (WIN) Streams 0202-0047 Pa-63-30 Streams 0202-0048 Pa-63-33 Streams 0801-0419 Ont 19- 94- 1-P922- Streams 0201-0034 Pa-53-21 Streams 0801-0422 Ont 19- 98 Streams 0801-0423 Ont 19- 99 Streams 0801-0424 Ont 19-103 Streams 0801-0429 Ont 19-104- 3 Streams 0801-0442 Ont 19-105 thru 112 Streams 0801-0445 Ont 19-114 Streams 0801-0447 Ont 19-119 Streams 0801-0452 Ont 19-P1007- Streams 1001-0017 C- 86 Streams 1001-0018 C- 5 thru 13 Streams 1001-0019 C- 14 Streams 1001-0022 C- 57 thru 95 (selected) Streams 1001-0023 C- 73 Streams 1001-0024 C- 80 Streams 1001-0025 C- 86-3 Streams 1001-0026 C- 86-5 Page 1 of 464 09/28/2021 Waterbody Classifications, Streams Based on Waterbody Classifications Name Description Clear Creek and tribs entire stream and tribs Mud Creek and tribs entire stream and tribs Tribs to Long Lake total length of all tribs to lake Little Valley Creek, Upper, and tribs stream and tribs, above Elkdale Kents Creek and tribs entire stream and tribs Crystal Creek, Upper, and tribs stream and tribs, above Forestport Alder Creek and tribs entire stream and tribs Bear Creek and tribs entire stream and tribs Minor Tribs to Kayuta Lake total length of select tribs to the lake Little Black Creek, Upper, and tribs stream and tribs, above Wheelertown Twin Lakes Stream and tribs entire stream and tribs Tribs to North Lake total length of all tribs to lake Mill Brook and minor tribs entire stream and selected tribs Riley Brook
    [Show full text]
  • Subwatershed Characterization
    Chapter 3: Subwatershed Assessment 3.1 Objective of the Assessment The structure of watersheds is dendritic or tree-like with smaller streams joining progressively larger ones (see Map 2-5). Thus, the watershed as a whole can be divided into a series of nested “subwatersheds” as illustrated by the HUC-8 through HUC-12 notation. Effective management of water quality in the basin as a whole depends on recognizing this fundamental structure of the watershed, starting with smaller units and addressing restoration and protection efforts to progressively larger, more inclusive ones. The objective, therefore, is to assess water- quality issues at their source, and to set priorities for remediating degraded parts of the watershed and protecting those that are not degraded but may be in danger of becoming so without effective management. Recommendations for addressing the restoration and protections issues uncovered in this assessment are discussed in Chapter 4. 3.2 Assessment Criteria and Procedure To complete this assessment, each of the 12-digit HUC subwatersheds in the Mohawk River Watershed was evaluated using a set of quantitative indicators for three aspects of watershed health: water quality, land use, and habitat. The evaluation assigned a score of 1 to 5 for each of various quantitative indicators (metrics) of watershed health. The scores associated with these metrics of watershed health were combined to a final score; some were weighted for overall significance. The amalgamated scores can be used to help define priority areas (subwatersheds with the lowest overall scores), while preserving important information regarding the underlying causes for concern. Quantitative indicators and resulting scores for the three aspects of watershed health are described in this section.
    [Show full text]
  • Exhibit 23 Aquatic Resources and Ecology
    NEXTera® ENERGY. RESOURCES EAST POINT ENERGY CENTER Case No. 17-F-0599 1001.23 Exhibit 23 Water Resources and Aquatic Ecology Contents Exhibit 23: Water Resources and Aquatic Ecology ...................................................................... 1 23(a) Groundwater ................................................................................................................1 (1) Hydrologic Character ................................................................................................ 1 (2) Map of Groundwater Aquifers and Groundwater Recharge Areas ............................ 2 (3) Impacts on Groundwater Quality and Quantity ......................................................... 3 (4) Private Well Survey Results ..................................................................................... 5 23(b) Surface Water .............................................................................................................5 (1) Surface Water Map .................................................................................................. 5 (2) Surface Water Characteristics .................................................................................. 5 (3) Downstream Drinking Water Supply Intakes ............................................................. 9 (4) Surface Water Impacts ............................................................................................. 9 (5) Groundwater Mitigation Methods .............................................................................13 (6) Surface
    [Show full text]