Laura Heady NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University Woodlands and Wetlands: What Communities Need to KnowDecember 5, 2016

Woodlands and Wetlands: Local Conservation Planning Strategies and Case Studies

Photos by L. Heady

Hudson Valley population grew 8-9% between 1982-1997.

Urban land cover increased 29%.

Source: Environmental Advocates of New York

Poorly-planned development can impact natural resources.

Landscape fragmentation reduces habitat quality and ecological function.

S. Cuppett

Landscape fragmentation reduces habitat quality and ecological function.

L. Heady

Home rule provides many opportunities for proactive planning for natural resources.

L. Heady

Photo courtesy of Hudsonia

What can your community do?• Enroll in trainings to gain

knowledge about wetlands, forests, and other natural resources.

• Educate residents about the value of natural areas(e.g., signs, news articles, public programs, field trips).

• Pursue stewardship projects to maintain and improve natural areas (e.g., Trees for Tribs stream buffer plantings).

Photo by L. Federman

• Map natural resources like wetlands, forests, streams, and other natural areas as part of a municipal natural resources inventory.

Photo by L. Heady

What can your community do?

Example: Town of WawarsingSee

Rochester/Wawarsing

map displays!

Example: Towns of Gardiner and Shawangunkwww.habitatmap.net

SeeMarbletown Habitat Map

display!

Example: Town of Hurley

• Map natural resources like wetlands, forests, streams, and other natural areas as part of a municipal natural resources inventory.

• Identify and prioritize high-quality wetlands, wetland complexes, stream corridors, and large intact forests as part of a municipal open space inventory or plan.

Photo by L. Heady

What can your community do?

Example: City of Kingston

SeeRochester/Wawarsing

map displays!

Example: Ulster County

SeeUlster Countymap displays!

• Designate Critical Environmental Areas to enhance recognition and conservation of the community’s vulnerable wetlands, forests, and other natural areas.

What can your community do?

Photo by Patty Lee Parmalee

Example: Town of Shawangunk

Comprehensive plan (July 2003): “The ridge forms the headwaters for a watershed covering a large and developing region…In addition…an important repository of significant plant and animal habitats… recreational opportunities… scenic views…”

“… Tinbrook Valley Aquifer is the source of the Hamlet of Wallkill public water supply…CEA includes Wallkill Public Water Works, the Tinbrook Valley Aquifer itself, and all surface lands draining into the waterworks and aquifer.”

• Ensure that small unregulatedwetlands, along with larger wetlands, are considered early during the planning review process and conserved to the greatest extent possible.

• Consider local protection laws.

What can your community do?

Photo by Laura Heady

Example: Town of Woodstock

Wetland and Watercourse Law• Protects all streams and wetlands,

including small streams, and small, isolated wetlands in the municipality

• Protects adjacent buffer areas of variable width (30-100 ft) based on drainage area or wetland size

• Wetland inspector and planning board refer to townwide habitat map.

• Develop conservation overlay zones and floating zones with added protection.

What can your community do?

Photo by Laura Heady

Example: Town of WarwickWarwick established Biodiversity Zoning Overlay that requires detailed habitat assessments to evaluate potential impacts.

Example: Town of GardinerGardiner established Shawangunk Ridge Protection District that requires applicants to identify habitats and important forest resources; and minimize fragmentation of forests and ecologically significant areas. Conservation subdivisions with 80% set-asides are highly encouraged.

• Recommend voluntary wetland, stream, and forest protection to land use applicants.

• Partner with local land trusts to conserve priority resources.

Photo by L. Heady

What can your community do?

Example: Town of New Paltz

Mill Brook PreserveOriginal concept map (2006):

2016:65 acres – town owned63 acres – village ownedWVLT – easement oversight

“The future is literally in our hands to mold as we like. But we cannot wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is now.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Photos by Laura Heady

For more information:

Connect with NYSDEC:Facebook: www.facebook.com/NYSDECTwitter: twitter.com/NYSDECFlickr: www.flickr.com/photos/nysdec

Laura HeadyConservation & Land Use Coordinator

laura.heady@dec.ny.gov Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University

Thank you!

Photo by Laura Heady