SWAC Stream Management Plan Implementation Grants Program

Text Box: Schoharie Watershed Program A program of Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District

Schoharie Watershed Advisory Committee (SWAC) Stream Management Plan Implementation Grants Program

Please use the links provided to access information on the SWP, its projects, and watershed issues

What is the Stream Management Plan Implementation Grants Program?

Guided by stream stewardship principles, the Schoharie Watershed Program offers assistance to local communities, residents, and organizations to advance recommendations from Schoharie Basin Stream Management Plans. Stream Management Plans have been written for the Schoharie Creek, West Kill, East Kill, Batavia Kill and Manor Kill. This collaborative program between GCSWCD, NYCDEP, and the Schoharie Watershed municipalities offers funding for eligible projects through the Stream Management Plan Implementation Grants Program.

Stream Stewardship Principles (principles with additional text)

Material from Catskill Streams

Management of natural stream systems often results in the perception of competing or inconsistent goals and objectives. Using sound, science-based principles, stream managers will find it easier to guide their work and achieve a common ground between landowners, municipalities, regulatory agencies and others that play an important role in the health of our Catskill stream systems. These guiding principles set a common framework upon which stream managers may carry out their important activities:

· We will work to protect and restore the environmental services provided by our streams and floodplains

· We will work to protect and restore the health of our stream and floodplain ecosystems

· Wherever possible, we will manage streams so as to maintain their naturally effective channel form and function

· Wherever possible, we will manage floodplains as part of the natural stream system

· Wherever possible, we will protect and restore mature forest in the riparian buffer

· As we manage streams to protect public safety and investments in infrastructure, our actions in one location shouldn’t compromise the health of the stream upstream or downstream, or threaten the adjacent upland ecosystem through which the stream runs

· We will strive to keep abreast of the state-of-the-science and best management practices related to streams and floodplains

· We celebrate the role streams play in the natural heritage of our communities

Who is eligible for assistance from the Stream Management Plan Implementation Program?

Local municipalities, watershed residents and property owners, schools, and not-for-profit organizations that promote watershed programming are eligible for assistance.

What projects are eligible?

Projects that are located within the Schoharie Basin, fall within a municipality that has adopted the appropriate stream management plan, follow the Stream Stewardship Principles and are consistent with the Stream Management Plans are eligible projects. Projects located in Johnson Hollow, Bear Kill, Huntersfield Creek and the Little West Kill are not eligible since stream management plans have yet to be completed in these watershed areas (See map to the right). Other eligibility factors include the proposed project’s consistency with principles set forth in stream management plans, the cost and water quality benefit, and ability to leverage additional funding.

Categories of Funding and Examples:

1. Recreational and stream habitat improvements: enhancing public access to streams, creating low impact trails, providing stream access parking, protecting habitat for trout (e.g. targeted riparian plantings, water quality studies).

2. Education and outreach on watershed protection through public conferences, training for local officials, contractors, school groups, property owners, newsletters, educational kiosks, stream clean ups, volunteer plantings, and resource material.

3. Highway and infrastructure improvements: upgrading undersized culverts, using higher quality road abrasives, incorporating vegetation into road embankments, properly managing utility crossing and floodplains. Examples might include cost sharing with municipalities for higher quality road abrasive and ditch management material, technical assistance for highway departments with permitting.

4. Planning: linking community plans & policies to water quality projects including floodplain management, coordinated flood response, technical assistance, economic development initiatives (e.g. stream celebrations), local environmental policies, and initiatives that encourage county, regional, and local level support of watershed communities.

5. Landowner stream assistance projects: property management erosion prevention plans, access to planting materials to enhance riparian buffers, invasive species control, and land stewardship practices.

6. Creative Stormwater Practices & Critical Area Seeding: hydroseeding of open ditches, stormwater techniques to infiltrate water into ground, wetland enhancement, filter strips, creation of rain gardens & bioswales to manage stormwater, projects that involve working proactively with municipalities, property owners, and developers to leverage funding for creative stormwater projects.

Have a project idea?

The first step in the process is to research whether your proposed project fits with the stream stewardship principles outlined above, and is consistent with the recommendations set forth in the relevant stream management plan. Then, contact the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District to discuss your proposed project at 518-622-3620 or abbe@gcswcd.com. They will assist you with completing the application: Click here for an application for funding.

Schoharie Watershed Program

PO Box 996, 6049 Main Street

Tannersville, NY 12485

Phone 518-589-6871

Fax 518-589-6874