Mohawk River Watershed Management Plan March 2015 This plan was prepared with funds provided by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund. Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................... v Abbreviations and Linked Documents .................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.1 Evolution of the Mohawk River Watershed Management Plan .......................................................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Vision and Goals for the Watershed ............................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1.2 Related Initiatives ......................................................................................................................................... 1-2 1.2 Overview of the Watershed: Political Boundaries, Natural Boundaries .............................................................. 1-2 1.3 Value of a Watershed Management Plan ............................................................................................................ 1-3 1.4 Planning Process and Partners ............................................................................................................................ 1-4 1.5 Sources of Data and Information ......................................................................................................................... 1-5 1.6 Challenges to be Addressed ................................................................................................................................ 1-5 CHAPTER 2: Watershed Characterization 2.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Watershed and Subwatershed Boundaries ......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Evolution of the Basin .................................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2.2 Current Basin Configuration ......................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Environmental Setting ......................................................................................................................................... 2-3 2.3.1 Water Resources .......................................................................................................................................... 2-3 2.3.2 Geology ........................................................................................................................................................ 2-5 2.3.3 Soils .............................................................................................................................................................. 2-5 2.3.4 Habitat .......................................................................................................................................................... 2-5 2.4 Cultural Setting .................................................................................................................................................... 2-6 2.4.1 Historical Perspective ................................................................................................................................... 2-6 2.4.2 Municipalities and Population ...................................................................................................................... 2-6 2.4.3 Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................................... 2-7 2.4.4 Land Cover and Land Use ............................................................................................................................. 2-7 2.5 Potential Sources of Pollution ........................................................................................................................... 2-10 2.5.1 Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants .................................................................................................. 2-10 2.5.2 Stormwater Outfalls (MS4s) ....................................................................................................................... 2-10 2.5.3 Combined Sewer Overflows ....................................................................................................................... 2-11 2.5.4 Runoff from Developed Areas .................................................................................................................... 2-11 2.5.5 Runoff from Agricultural Areas .................................................................................................................. 2-12 2.6 Surface Water Quality Conditions and Compliance with Ambient Standards ................................................... 2-12 2.6.1 Impaired Waterbodies ............................................................................................................................... 2-12 2.6.2 Sensitive Areas ........................................................................................................................................... 2-13 2.7 Groundwater Quality Conditions and Compliance with Ambient Standards .................................................... 2-13 2.8 Regulatory and Programmatic Environment ..................................................................................................... 2-14 2.8.1 Approach to Reviewing Local Laws, Plans, and Programs .......................................................................... 2-14 2.8.2 Findings: Comprehensive Plans .................................................................................................................. 2-15 2.8.3 Findings: Zoning, Subdivision Regulations, and Site Plan Review .............................................................. 2-15 2.8.4 Findings: Stormwater and Erosion Control Programs ................................................................................ 2-16 2.8.5 Gap Assessment as Related to the Desired State....................................................................................... 2-16 Mohawk River Watershed Management Plan, March 2015 Contents, i CHAPTER 3: Subwatershed Assessment 3.1 Objective of the Assessment ............................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 Assessment Criteria and Procedure ..................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3 Summary of Assessment Results ......................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.3.1 Water Quality Indicators and Scores ............................................................................................................ 3-1 3.3.2 Land Use Indicators and Scores .................................................................................................................... 3-3 3.3.3 Habitat Indicators and Scores ...................................................................................................................... 3-4 3.3.4 Overall Score ................................................................................................................................................ 3-6 3.4 Discussion of Assessment Results ........................................................................................................................ 3-7 3.4.1 Low-Scoring Subwatersheds (Total Scores: 62–72.5) ................................................................................... 3-7 3.4.2 Mid-Scoring Subwatersheds (Total Scores: 73–83.5) ................................................................................... 3-9 3.4.3 High-Scoring Subwatersheds (Total Scores: 84–94) ................................................................................... 3-10 CHAPTER 4: Recommendations 4.1 Overview of Goals and Strategies ........................................................................................................................ 4-1 4.2 Strategy 1: Implement Best Management Practices ........................................................................................... 4-2 4.2.1 Strategy Component 1A: Implement BMPs to Protect and Restore Natural Hydrology .............................. 4-2 4.2.2 Strategy Component 1B: Implement BMPs to Reduce Erosion and Sedimentation .................................... 4-3 4.2.3 Strategy Component 1C: Implement BMPs to Minimize Pollution .............................................................. 4-3 4.2.4 Strategy Component 1D: Implement BMPs to Protect and Restore Habitats ............................................. 4-4 4.2.5 Watershed-Wide BMP Recommendations .................................................................................................. 4-5 4.2.5.1 Agricultural Areas ............................................................................................................................ 4-5 4.2.5.2 Developed Areas ............................................................................................................................