The following recommendations are a compilation and adaption of recommendations from the three existing SMPs in the Ashokan watershed, recent stream assessments, and input from the Riparian and Aquatic Ecosystem working group. Last updated 5-09
Recommendation 25: 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.
Action Item 25.1 Review local ordinances for municipalities in the watershed in regards to floodplain management (riparian buffer, flood hazard mitigation, stormwater management). Compare local laws to best practices/model regulations. Examine how existing laws/policies are being applied at the local level.
Action Item 25.2 Work with towns to refine laws, regulations, or policies as appropriate.
Recommendation 26: Recommendation: Assess the impacts of restoration projects on aquatic ecosystems and riparian habitats.
Action Item 26.1 Evaluate ecological impacts associated with restoration projects.
Recommendation 27: Develop and improve landowner incentive programs to encourage voluntary participation in riparian zone protection and enhancement programs.
Action Item 27.1 Identify riparian areas of particular environmental benefit or concern and create a database of targeted properties for riparian zone improvement programs.
Action Item 27.2 Identify existing incentive programs that are applicable to landowners in the watershed and develop outreach materials for landowners regarding these programs. Directly contact landowners with targeted properties.
Action Item 27.3 Initiate riparian buffer programs on lands currently not covered by DEP watershed programs.
Action Item 27.4 Provide long term riparian buffer protection through permanent conservation easements for both currently degraded and intact buffer areas.
Action Item 27.5 Identify barriers to enrolling targeted properties in the programs and work with program managers to improve the programs, to the extent possible.
Action Item 27.6 Develop reliable local sources of native plant material.
Recommendation 28: 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 Streamside Assistance Program
Action Item 28.1 Provide streamside landowners and others detailed technical information through publications and the project website on the best practices for establishment and maintenance of riparian buffers.
Action Item 28.2 Develop a pool of CCE Master Gardeners and other qualified volunteers to provide advice and recommendations for material for maintaining and restoration of riparian buffers.
Action Item 28.3 Develop pool of local volunteers to assist with outreach and with planting projects
Action Item 28.4 Include youth programming to teach youth about the value of riparian habitats, with goal of reaching adults and for general outreach about programs
Action Item 28.5 Offer general education programs on the value of riparian buffers in the watershed.
Action Item 28.6 Write articles for newspapers, newsletters, radio and television on the value of riparian buffers to reach wide audience
Recommendation 29: 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.
Action Item 29.1 Work in cooperation with highway departments, utility companies, and Catskill Scenic Railroad, to identify and prescribe specific sites for planting or improved management
Action Item 29.2 Provide funding for plantings either as buffers or as bioengineering/biotechnical stabilization projects.
Action Item 29.3 Identify critical road embankment/streambank locations where side cast snow is likely to affect riparian vegetation and develop strategies to strengthen the riparian vegetation through planting of native species combinations that are both hardy to having their “feet” buried, and which can serve to trap fine sediment.
Action Item 29.4 Identify locations where utility line right-of-ways pass through vegetation that is critical to bank stability. Work with utility companies to improve management practices to reduce loss of riparian buffer during routine maintenance or replacement of utility lines.
Action Item 29.5 Develop management prescriptions for minimizing stress to trees resulting from trimming stream and roadside vegetation. Develop strategies and programs to replant these areas with tree and shrub species which require less maintenance, and seek resources to implement these strategies and programs.
Action Item 29.6 Encourage development and implementation of alternative management practices at US Army Corp flood control projects that enhance in-stream and streamside habitat conditions.
Recommendation 30: Work with landowners and other partners to develop a Japanese knotweed eradication program for the Watershed that emphasizes starting in the headwaters and main tributary streams.
Action Item 30.1 NYC DEP and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the Catskill region should establish a program researching the ecology of Knotweed and testing various management prescriptions. The findings of this research would be applied to management programs in the watersheds.
Action Item 30.2 Encourage and assist watershed municipalities to manage knotweed areas in a manner that will prevent the spread and further infestation of the watershed stream corridor. In particular work with local and county highway departments
Action Item 30.3 Continue mapping and monitoring the presence of Japanese knotweed in the Upper Esopus Creek watershed through multi-agency and public collaboration.
Action Item 30.4 Continue use of the Upper Esopus Creek at Woodland Valley Restoration Project site as a Japanese knotweed control demonstration site.
Action Item 30.5 Provide education to landowners through publications, website, and public programs on identification, proper disposal and eradication of Japanese Knotweed
Recommendation 31: 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.
Action Item 31.1 Work with TU and DEC to disseminate information about Didymo and how to prevent it
Action Item 31.2 Assess the feasibility of possible management strategies for preventing the spread of didymo in the watershed (i.e. wader cleaning stations)
Action Item 31.3 Provide financial assistance for outreach activities and to help implement feasible management strategies.
Recommendation 32: Work with the Catskill Region Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) to address locations of early detection species in the Ashokan Basin.
Action Item 32.1 Attend CRISP meetings
Action Item 32.2 Work with West of Hudson DEP education and outreach group to develop and disseminate outreach materials and offer public programs on Invasive Species for the West of Hudson Watersheds
Action Item 32.3 Provide resources to support efforts to address early detection species
Recommendation 33: Continue research, evaluation, and monitoring efforts on Aquatic Ecosystems in the Watershed to improve best management practices.
Action Item 33.1 Explore opportunities for operational adjustments of the Shandaken Tunnel to accommodate the needs of biota along with other stakeholders.
Action Item 33.2 Further inventory and characterize wetlands along the main-stem Esopus Creek.
Action Item 33.3 Support further aquatic bio-monitoring and studies of other wildlife, their habitats, and interactions in the watershed by the multitude of public agencies and interest groups.
Action Item 33.4 Assist with coordination to make the sampling consistent and data reporting consistent, organized and accessible.
Action Item 33.5 Support identification and characterization of spring seeps that provide critical cold-water habitat to trout and other biota.