Working with communities to protect and restore streams in the Ashokan Watershed Annual Report 2013 Water Quality Streamside Infrastructure Floodplain Management Landowner Assistance Aquatic and Riparian Habitat Stream Access & Recreation Our Areas of Focus 2 Annual Report AWSMP 2013 yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzy z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z Contents 2013 in Review 3 Letter from AWSMP Managers 4 Program goals 6 Performance and outcome metrics 6 Protecting and enhancing stream stability and water quality 7 Stream restoration projects 7 Stream assessments 7 Stream stewardship education 8 New approaches to stream management 9 Educating future generations of stream managers 10 Sharing information with the online public 10 Floodplain management and planning 11 Assistance to streamside landowners 12 Focus on a riparian buffer planting 12 Protecting and enhancing aquatic and riparian ecosystems 13 Stream-based recreation and public access 15 Educating the public about angling and the importance of aquatic insects 15 Funding 16 Stream Management Implementation Program grants 16 Partner agreements 16 AWSMP staff and stakeholders 17 Photographer and fly fishing guide Mark Loete describes the photo shown on page 15: The photograph is of the adult insect, typically referred to as a “dun”. The Ephemera guttulata (referred to by East Coast aficionados simply as the “gutts” - long “U”) is the largest and most intricately marked of all the Eastern mayfly species. It’s true that the gutt hatches can reach mythic density on rivers like the Beaverkill and the Delaware system, and these hatch events are a major milestone in the fly fishing season, but they can be sporadic and unpredictable, and so can the fishing. I encountered this situation last year on the West Branch Delaware, the third week in May. A Green Drake hatch commenced early afternoon, and by mid- afternoon, the river surface was literally carpeted with big fat Green Drakes wiggling around on the water (that’s when I took the photo). I began to prepare myself mentally and spiritually for a once-in-a-lifetime fly fishing experience, but the trout were having none of it. They totally ignored the Drakes, and instead were imperceptibly sipping tiny Sulpher Duns. Green Drakes can be found on the Esopus some years, but never in great numbers that would constitute a hatch event. Annual Report AWSMP 2013 3 yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzy z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z yzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyz yzyz 2013 in review March 7 April 19 April 27 June 8 Shandaken Tunnel Earth Day Volunteer Riparian 4th Annual Ashokan Family Fun & Fish Day Operations Workshop Buffer Planting Watershed Conference July 13 July 24 August 28 September 28 Town of Shandaken Adopts National Flood Insurance Stream BMP Filming Begins Kanape Brook Stream Walk Flood Mitigation Plan Program Education Session September October November November 27 Construction Ends Warner Construction Ends Stony Construction Begins Stony 2013 SMIP Grant Creek Restoration Project Clove Restoration Project Clove/Warner Restoration Applications Received Project 4 Annual Report AWSMP 2013 yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzy z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z Dear Stakeholders, 2013 was a year of major achievements for the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program with completion of proj- ects to improve water quality and flood control, and protect public infrastructure and private property. The stream projects completed this year are major steps forward in reducing turbidity in the Esopus Creek and stabilizing streams in our water- shed communities. 2014 promises to be another big year of stream restoration projects, riparian buffer plantings, streambank bioengineering, flood hazard mitigation, and education and outreach. Stream restoration efforts were substantially boosted in 2013 by the availability of federal funding to match local funds. Federal funding through the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection program allowed AWSMP to stretch New York City funds further and provide more local match for Town-sponsored projects. Three stream stabilization and restoration projects were completed or started in 2013, and three more are planned for 2014. In 2013, the AWSMP helped communities understand a major development in federal policy on floodplain development. The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 changed the rate structure for federal flood insurance. Homebuyers obtaining mortgages for homes located within the Special Flood Hazard Area will now pay actuarial rates for flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Others in the NFIP will see their annual premiums rise 25% per year until actuarial rates are reached. The changes will not only have an impact on individual families, but also businesses and potentially the town tax base. AWSMP developed an educational session to inform municipal officials about the changes and options for lowering flood insurance costs. Responding to frequent and larger flood events over recent years, AWSMP along with the entire NYC Watershed Program is making flood mitigation a higher priority in stream management planning. Looking ahead to 2014, AWSMP will begin a new Local Flood Analysis program to help communities identify the most effective flood mitigation measures for protecting pop- ulation centers. We’ll also be launching initiatives to treat eroding streambanks using bioengineering through the AWSMP’s Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative, and funding Towns to meet priority stream management needs through a fresh round of implementation grants. In April, the AWSMP will hold its 5th Annual Ashokan Watershed Conference celebrating our rivers that flow through time, from the cold beginning of glaciers through Native and European settlement toward a future of adaptation to a changing environment. As always, the Ashokan watershed’s strongest asset is the people who live here and their willingness to under- stand and appreciate the rivers around them. Thank you for another year of partnership and support. AWSMP Project Managers Adam Doan Leslie Zucker Danyelle Davis Ulster County SWCD CCE Ulster County NYC DEP yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzy z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z 2013 Stony Clove Creek Stream Restoration at Chichester - Before, During and After (from top to bottom) 6 Annual Report AWSMP 2013 yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzy z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z Goals of the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (AWSMP) Partnerships founded on stream stewardship principles The Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program is a partnership between Cornell Cooperative Exten- sion of Ulster County, Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Our success is based on partnerships with watershed communities and relationships with individual watershed residents. We invite community participation in the program through our Stakeholder Council and working groups, watershed events, and through stream management implementation grants. Our program’s mission is to protect and restore stream stability and water quality in the Ashokan Reservoir watershed. We are guided by stream stewardship principles and commitment to a science-based management approach to streams. We utilize the Esopus Creek Stream Management Plan and tributary plans as primary guidance documents. The AWSMP’s objectives are to improve stream stability and reduce erosion threats to water quality and infrastructure, mitigate potential damage from flooding, and enhance aquatic and riparian habitat. We work to educate and inform the community about stream stewardship best management practices and coordinate stream management activities in the watershed. 2013 performance and outcome metrics Reached 736 community members through stream education programs Completed 10 partnership projects to improve stream integrity or flood resilience Assisted 11 landowners with riparian buffer enhancements Provided technical assistance to 8 municipalities Distributed 8,000 newsletters and launched a new website Circulated articles to over 1,000,000 media subscribers Annual Report AWSMP 2013 7 yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzy z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z y z yzyzyzyzy z yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyzy yzyzyzyzyzyzyzyz yzyz Protecting and enhancing stream stability and water quality Stream restoration projects, stream corridor assessments, monitoring, outreach and education to encourage stream stewardship Stream restoration projects are valuable for their ability to reduce the sources of cobble and gravel that accumulate in streams near our hamlets and at bridge crossings. When stream channels begin to erode, they send stream- bed materials and sediment downstream, along with trees from eroding banks that are Stream assessment crew member Christina Appleby records bank pulled down by the eroding bed. When the erosion on Bushnellsville Creek during an assessment walkover streambed and bank materials are composed in July 2013. AWSMP uses the gathered information to determine of silt and clay, the erosion leads to muddy (or where future stream restoration will be most beneficial. turbid) water flowing through the watershed. Stream restoration projects are designed to stabilize channels, reduce erosion, and restore the stream’s ability to transport water and sediment. The result is improved water quality and downstream conditions. Two major stream restoration projects completed In 2013, AWSMP in partnership with the Town of Shandaken completed two major stream restoration projects and started a third in the Stony Clove Creek watershed. These projects were designed to meet multiple stream management goals, including improved water quality, infrastructure and residential protection, and public use and enjoyment of streams. The projects took three years to plan and complete and were sponsored by the Town of Shandaken with funding from the AWSMP and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.