1. Watershed Assessment and Monitoring
Recommendation 1: Support continued stream feature inventories (SFI) in the tributary streams to the Esopus that have not been previously assessed. The SFI’s are used to help diagnose stream corridor condition and to help identify stream erosion hazards that may require some treatment.
Recommendation 2: Support further riparian corridor assessment for the tributaries to Upper Esopus Creek not previously investigated.
Recommendation 3: Support an investigation of the geotechnical processes controlling coupled hill slope and stream bank erosion in order to evaluate management feasibility. These erosion sites are typically long-lasting and chronic sources of turbidity to Esopus watershed streams.
Recommendation 4: Support glacial geology mapping in the Upper Esopus Watershed to improve turbidity source characterization.
Recommendation 5: Annually monitor performance of stream corridor projects funded by the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program.
Recommendation 6: Assess the impacts of restoration projects on aquatic ecosystems and riparian habitats.
Recommendation 7: Support the completion of Flood Studies by FEMA to produce necessary revisions to the existing Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
Stormwater Management Planning
Recommendation 8: Culvert outfalls create point sources of discharge, collected from the diffuse sources of road runoff. These outfalls can discharge significant amounts of concentrated pollutants into the stream. Identify the most critical outfalls with regard to point-source discharges and substrate stability, and which offer opportunities for mitigation.
Recommendation 9: Advocate an active monitoring program for large woody debris (LWD) that focuses upon (1) the identification and removal of debris that poses a flood hazard to infrastructure and a threat to human welfare and (2) identifies LWD key to ecologic health.
Aquatic and Riparian Ecosystem Assessment
Recommendation 10: Continue research, evaluation, and monitoring efforts on aquatic ecosystems in the Watershed to improve best management practices.
Economic and Community Impact Assessment
Recommendation 11: Study the economic impacts of stream-based recreation and tourism related activities on the local economy.
2. Riparian Corridor Improvements (Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative [CSBI] )
Activities to protect and enhance the riparian corridor of streams in the Ashokan Watershed
Recommendation 12: Develop and improve landowner incentive programs to encourage voluntary participation in riparian zone protection and enhancement programs.
3. Municipal Coordination and Assistance Coordination of Municipal Projects and Plans with Watershed Projects and Assessments.
Providing grants and other support.
Recommendation 13: Support town adoption of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and provide training for local floodplain managers.
Recommendation 14: Where existing communities, structures and facilities are in at-risk locations, encourage the application of flood-proofing measures or relocation.
Recommendation 15: Municipalities in the Watershed should conduct a review of current floodplain ordinances and adopt revisions as appropriate. Prevent inappropriate development in areas of high flood or erosion risk and foster uses that are compatible with the anticipated flooding and erosion conditions. Revisions should reflect current building trends, new technologies compliance and integrate broader community plans as appropriate.
Recommendation 16: Support implementation of Ulster County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan in the Town of Shandaken, with emphasis on addressing flooding and stream erosion hazards, and encourage towns in the watershed without Hazard Mitigation Plans to develop plans.
Coordination around Roads, Bridges and Related Drainage
Recommendation 17: Watershed communities should develop and implement comprehensive stormwater management plans which will protect water quality as well as reduce impacts on stream morphology.
Recommendation 18: Encourage collaboration between state and local highway departments and stream management personnel to develop specifications for applying natural channel design concepts to bridge rehabilitation and replacement, streambank stabilization along roadsides and other routine maintenance activities.
Recommendation 19: Local municipalities, Greene and Ulster County Highway Departments and NYSDOT, should place a priority on vegetation management on critical areas such as roadside ditches and steep slopes. Develop programs to provide road maintenance crews with additional resources for seeding newly cleaned ditches with native ground-cover appropriate for reclamation.
Recommendation 20: Watershed municipalities should evaluate winter road abrasive procedures to address abrasive quality, application methods and spring sweeping. Winter road abrasive materials containing high silt/clay content can have a direct impact on water quality. Municipalities should be encouraged to use high quality washed sand materials. Cost share funding may be needed to provide incentive to use more highly priced materials.
Recommendation 21: Mitigate the impact of public infrastructure (road, railroad, and utility) encroachment on the riparian vegetation community and aquatic habitats by improved planning, management, supplemental plantings and the improved care of existing vegetation.
Coordination with Other Planning and Zoning Activities
Recommendation 22: Work with watershed municipalities to evaluate local ordinances such as comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, site plan review laws, subdivision laws and floodplain ordinances to determine if adequate consideration is given to impacts on riparian and aquatic ecosystems.
Recommendation 23: Support continued exploration of stakeholder liability issues for large woody debris (LWD), as well as jurisdictional responsibility for removal of LWD.
Recommendation 24: Public access to the streams should be enhanced in the watershed.
Recommendation 25: Investigate opportunities to develop multi-use, low impact trail systems along the stream corridor. Trails for hiking, biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing can provide multiple benefits, including drawing visitors to local resorts and increasing user awareness of stream management issues.
4. Reach-level Stream Plans and Projects
Stream restoration and management projects that are identified as a high priority through the Stream Corridor Assessment Process
Recommendation 26: Annually update and prioritize stream restoration and/or channel stabilization projects identified in each management plan and support efforts to obtain funding to design and implement them.
5. Training and Technical Assistance for Resource Managers and Streamside Landowners
Training and technical assistance specifically to increase the knowledge, skills and capacity of resource managers who work in and around streams in the watershed (highway/public works staff; planning staff; floodplain managers; contractors; engineers; etc…). Training and technical assistance for streamside landowners to increase their ability to make decisions about their property and to improve their management of their property - especially as it affects stream stability and water quality.
Recommendation 27: Provide training on revised FIRMs for local floodplain managers.
Recommendation 28: Increase access to flood prevention/protection information in the watershed.
Recommendation 29: During periods of post -flood response, municipalities need information and technical support to minimize impacts on stream system stability. Documented guidelines for “repairs” of flood damaged streams and drainage systems with best management practices advocated by the AWSMP would greatly reduce risk of further instability. Guidelines, which integrate stream form and function, should be developed for use during post flood response.
Recommendation 30: Assist local landowners, contractors and others in designing and implementing best management practices to reduce erosion
Recommendation 31: Advocate an active monitoring program for large woody debris (LWD) that focuses upon (1) the identification and removal of debris that poses a flood hazard to infrastructure and a threat to human welfare and (2) identifies LWD key to ecologic health. Streamside Landowners
Recommendation 32: Assist local landowners, contractors and others in designing and implementing best management practices to reduce erosion
Recommendation 33: Develop a riparian enhancement education program that assists landowners in education on the role of riparian buffers in protecting their property and supports landowner incentive programs, in particular the Catskill Streams Buffer Initiative.
6. Community Engagement and Communication
Activities to help increase general awareness and support in the community for stream stewardship.
Stream Stewards Volunteer Program
Purpose: To develop a local group of volunteers committed to ongoing stewardship efforts in the watershed.
Purpose: Through work with youth, the AWSMP will reach adults in the community. Youth will gain knowledge and skills that will promote long-term stewardship in the watershed. Project examples include wetland identification and mapping, invasive plant identification and mapping, water testing, riparian planting projects.
Public Outreach and Communication
Recommendation 35: Organize public events to support other recommendations and effective stream management strategies
Recommendation 36: Develop a series of publications focused on stream management which can be provided to watershed stakeholders and/or used in training workshops. Fact sheets, landowner stream management guidelines, and other topics should be the focus of such publications.
Recommendation 37: Work with the Catskill Region Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) to publicize and address locations of early detection species in the Ashokan Basin.
Recommendation 38: Work with Trout Unlimited, fishing guides, whitewater recreation, and other partners to develop a Didymo awareness program for the Watershed that emphasizes prevention of further infestation.
Recommendation 39: Provide a community education campaign for recreational safety on the Esopus Creek.