Background
The foundation of the stream management implementation program (SMIP) are the stream management plans. Stream management plans were designed as comprehensive reviews of stream characteristics, conditions, processes and management strategies. The management strategies consist of measures that can be taken individually and collectively to improve and/or protect water quality, reduce the flood risks associated with living streamside, improve the ecology of the stream and floodplain, while protecting the stream’s many resource values. Ultimately, the plans are meant to assist watershed municipalities and residents in planning for a sustainable future for their property, infrastructure, water and biological resources. Please visit the stream management plan page to view the plans developed in the NYC West-of-Hudson watershed.
As of 2011, the Stream Management Program (SMP) has finalized plans for all major watersheds – 89% of the West of Hudson watershed area – and has advanced implementation of plan recommendations in most basins. Stream management plans and the dialogue fostered with stakeholder groups supported the extension of stream management approaches and technologies, such as natural channel design and restoration. This information transfer has been critical to the successful implementation of the plans. Adoption of the plans by municipalities was a significant public outreach effort that resulted in greater understanding of the contents of the plans and a commitment by both the community and local partner to support its implementation. In each basin, the partnering agency met with municipal leaders, presented the plan and asked that the municipality formally adopt the plan, stream stewardship principals and sign an memorandum of understanding (MOU) to guide implementation. Of the 38 municipalities covered by the plans, all but one municipality adopted their plan and signed an MOU. Adoption cleared the path for the implementation of the plans and the initiation of the locally implemented stream management grant programs. Although many of the rules and processes are similar, the grant program in each basin operates independently. This independent genesis has fostered creativity and boosted local buy-in.
* This page contains summaries of stream management implementation program grants awarded to date throughout the NYC West-of-Hudson watershed. Please note, construction projects are also listed on the basin’s “project” page. Finally, when the stream management program is referenced it includes NYCDEP SMP and its primary partners: Greene County SWCD (Schoharie), Ulster County SWCD and Cornell Cooperative Extension (Ashokan), Delaware County SWCD (East and West Branch Delaware) and Sullivan County SWCD (Neversink and Rondout). To research applying for a stream management implementation program grant start here.