From the Headwaters to the SeaImplementing a Watershed Approach in Southern Maine

Christine Feurt, Ph.D.Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve, Coastal Training ProgramUniversity of New England, Center for Sustainable Communities

Holistic Methodology for Implementing A Watershed Approach

1. Community based ecosystem management- integrates conservation & best management practices for watershed protection

2. Collaborative Learning for stakeholder engagement

3. Geospatial and land use technology tools to “map” conservation values on the landscape

4. Apply “Green Infrastructure” concept to land use planning to capture a critical link connecting conservation, watershed protection and economic development

Community-based Ecosystem ManagementTheory, Principles and Practices for Implementing a Watershed Approach

(Meffe et al., 2002)

1. Retain, restore and sustain ecosystem integrity and ecological services

2. Make the places we live, work and play noticeably better today and in the future.

3. Based upon a collaboratively developed vision of desired future outcomes that integrates ecological, socioeconomic and institutional perspectives

Working Through Environmental ConflictThe Collaborative Learning Approach

By Steven E. Daniels and Gregg B. Walker (2001)“A framework and set of techniques intended for multiparty decision situations… A means of designing and implementing a series of events to promote:

Creative thought, Constructive debate and the Effective implementation of proposals

that the stakeholders generate.”Theoretical Grounding: Systems Thinking, Conflict Resolution, Adult Learning

Chris Feurt’s 20 page practitioners guide

Sanford’s Significant HeadwatersLinking national and local watershed protection goals

PHASE I: Collaborative Learning Assessment

Who will oversee the project?

Who will provide stakeholder input?

How can stakeholders be engaged in the planning process?

What is the status of existing conservation efforts?

Engage the Kaleidoscope of ExpertiseThe Southern Maine Watershed Protection System (Feurt,2007)

Regulations, Ordinances & Enforcement

Engineering & Public Works

Planning &Land Use

Management

Citizen & Business

Watershed Stewardship

Education & Community Outreach

Science: Water Research &Monitoring

Drinking/Source Water Protection

Land Conservation

PHASE II: Stakeholder Visioning to Characterize Conservation Values

1. Stakeholders generate 50 year vision

2. Identified five conservation values in keeping with Comprehensive Plan

1. Water quality protection

2. Conserving productive land for agriculture

3. Conserving significant wildlife habitat and biodiversity

4. Protecting human health and safety through conservation of floodplains, water supply buffers and wetlands

5. Conserving Scenic and Recreational Resources

Sanford’s Conservation Values

PHASE III: Use Technology to Characterize and Map Conservation Priorities

1. Create GIS maps of conservation priorities

2. Stakeholder review of maps with key pad polling and value voting

3. Evaluate conservation strategies for Sanford

Keypad polling is an interactive technology that allows stakeholders to vote on a variety of questions anonymously and see the results instantaneously.

•Collect demographic information•Evaluate the process•Gather feedback on conservation values•Engage group members

Keypad polling can make every voice equal, empowering those who normally might not be heard.

Keypad Polling use for the Sanford Conservation Planning Process

Water quality protection is an important goal for the Sanford Conservation Plan.

Stro

ngly

Agree

Agr

ee

Neu

tral

Disa

gree

Stro

ngly

Disagre

e

73%

20%

5%0%2%

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Neutral4. Disagree5. Strongly Disagree

Protecting health and safety through conservation of flood plains, water supply

buffers and wetlands is an important goal for the Sanford Conservation Plan.

Stro

ngly

Agree

Agr

ee

Neu

tral

Disa

gree

Stro

ngly

Disagre

e

24%

56%

5%0%

15%

1. Strongly Agree2. Agree3. Neutral4. Disagree5. Strongly Disagree

Watershed Ecosystem Services Mapped

Aquifer recharge areas - storageRiparian buffers - filtrationWetlands – storage, filtration, purificationPublic Water Supply SourceFloodplain- hazard protection

Conservation Resources

$5000

$5000

Sanford and Springvale, May 29th 2008

$5000

$5000

Sanford and Springvale, May 29th 2008

$5000

$5000

$5000

$5000

Sanford and Springvale, May 29th 2008

$5000

$5000

Sanford and Springvale, May 29th 2008

$5000

$5000

$5000

$5000

$5000Sanford and Springvale, May 29th 2008

$5000

$5000

$5000Sanford and Springvale, May 29th 2008

Conservation Value % if all equal % after $ voting

Water Quality 20 29Productive Lands 20 22Human Health and Safety 20 10Scenic and Recreation 20 20Wildlife Habitat 20 19

Use Community Viz to map combined conservation values

Sanford Dollars Value Voting

PHASE IV: Use the Green Infrastructure Concept as a Framework for the Conservation Plan

Green infrastructure is strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands, working landscapes and other natural areas that conserve ecosystem values and functions and provide associated benefits to human populations.

The Conservation Fund http://www.greeninfrastructure.net/content/definition-green-infrastructure

Four principles for protecting Sanford’s Conservation Values

1. Economic prosperity is connected to the conservation of natural systems and the services they provide.

2. Protect Sanford’s Quality of Place as an economic asset

3. Recognize Sanford’s Green Infrastructureas vitally important to economic growth

4. Take responsible action to safeguard public health, well being and economic opportunities through conservation of Green Infrastructure.

Adopt Existing Best Practices for Protecting Green Infrastructure

The Eight Tools of Watershed ProtectionBeginning with Habitat ToolboxSaving Maine’s Farmland – A Collaborative Action Plan

THE EIGHT TOOLS OF WATERSHED PROTECTIONScience-based strategies for protecting green infrastructure

Land Use PlanningLand Conservation

Aquatic Buffers Better Site Design

Erosion and Sediment Control Storm Water Management

Non-Storm Water DischargesWatershed Stewardship

Schueler,T. and H. Holland eds. 2000. The Practice of Watershed Protection- The Tools of Watershed Protection,

Chapter 2 from The Rapid Watershed Planning Handbook Article 27.Center for Watershed Protection. Ellicott City, MD.

Available from: http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Center_Docs/PWP/ELC_PWP27.pdf

Focus Areas contain high concentrations of the five conservation values.

1. Sanford Ponds2. Hanson’s & Deering Ridge3. South Sanford Barrens4. Mousam and Great Works Rivers5. Littlefield Pond

Only 3% of the total land in the proposed focus areas is permanently protected.

More than 95%of the land is in a natural condition.

Conservation Potential

Conservation Strategies

1. Conservation Easements2. Cluster Sub-Division 3. Transfer of Development

Rights4. Current Use Tax Program5. Performance Standards6. Resource Overlay Districts

All of this is water over the dam without funding…

Finding the green to conserve Green InfrastructureStakeholder Engagement in Planning is an Asset

Municipal Land TrustsLand for Maine’s Future ProgramFederal programs: farm, forest, wildlifeFoundationsLandownersPartnerships

Who Will Implement the Sanford Conservation Plan?

The Municipal Role:Approval by Planning Board as a part of the Comprehensive Plan. Build on existing strength of municipal boards and committees in plan implementation.

Land Trusts:Integrate the Sanford Conservation Plan with local land trust priorities.Coordinate Sanford actions with regional land trust in adjacent towns.

Watershed and Lake Associations

Large Landowners:A key group determining the future landscape of Sanford.

Community Service Organizations

Business Community

PARTNERSHIPS

“Today’s farms will still be here.” – Maura Herlihy

“… preserve Sanford's rural character.” – Jean Noon

“To develop lands with people in mind so that quality of life is enhanced

by the development, not spoiled” -Marcel Blouin

“My family farm is still a farm.” – Jerry Rivard

“Large blocks of woodland sustainably managed water quality, wildlife, ecological preserves, and timber.” – Lee Burnett

Measuring Progress on Conservation Plan GoalsAs Sanford Grows…

Thanks to Partners and ParticipantsChris Feurt cfeurt@wellsnerr.orgTin Smith tsmith@wellsnerr.orgZack Steele zsteele@wellsnerr.org

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve

www.wellsreserve.org207-646-1555

The Cooperative Institute of Coastal and Estuarine Environmental TechnologyCICEETA NOAA/UNH Partnership

Town of SanfordSouthern Maine Regional Planning CommissionSpatial AlternativesAmericorpsLaudholm TrustMaine State Planning OfficeCenter for Sustainable Communities – UNEEBM Tools Network