Watershed Management Goals                                             

Objectives

Phases

Deliverables

The HRAA is committed to a Watershed Management Approach with emphasis on River by River management.

Watershed Management Goals Include:

To maintain species, eco systems and landscapes in sustainable and natural states as possible.

To manage so that the natural quality of water, soil, plant, and animal life are protected.

To manage the linkages evident in the eco system that encompass, the streams, trees, wildlife, birds, soil, plants, all parts that combine to define the watershed.

To advocate watershed management as a life long philosophy and practice.

Scouts repairing streamside area on the Hammond

 

PROJECT DETAILS

Objectives:

1 Undertake a Stream, Habitat, and Land use assessment of the Hammond River Watershed, leading to a stream habitat classification of water quality.

a Development of a procedure for documentation, data, collection and inventory of watershed resources. Establish methodology to collect water quality, habitat and land use information.

b Applying existing DFO, DNRE, DOE, and ACAP standards for Stream Habitat, Water and land use assessment.

c Develop a computer based information map for water quality, stream habitat classification, and land use. To document various aspects of the management plan including: best management practices, riparian needs, target areas for protection, restoration, enhancement, stacking, etc.

d Enhance partnership and community involvement.

e Develop goals for water quality management, using standards for water classification.

f Explore ways that stream (habitat) classification data can help make decisions leading to water classification.

A PHASED APPROACH

We are proposing a phased approach to the harmonized process of determining stream (habitat), water classification and land use assessment.

Phase 1

1 Comparing, evaluation, grouping, stream (habitat) Water classification data systems.
This will consists of applying a harmonized approach to evaluating units which include: the main stem of the Hammond, tributaries, and the estuary. Based on water quality, habitat, land use, and fish species, each unit of the watershed will be classified with respect to both habitat and water quality. Goals intended use and protection criteria will be applied to each unit. Total assessment of all attributes will result in stream and water classification within the watershed.

Community Involvement in the Assessment Process.

Community participation in data collection and information sharing sessions will be initiated with volunteers working on water quality assessment. This group will play a key role in determining the setting of goals for water quality. Further goal setting will be achieved with neighbors and stakeholders in the community. Volunteer members of the HRAA will participate in all stages of the implementation process. Coordination will be developed through the Project Manager, Habitat & Environment Chair and the executive of HRAA.

Land Use Mapping & Best Management Practices.

Land use mapping and application of best management practices will be coordinated with Fresh Water Aquatic Resources Data Warehouse and UNB Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management. Truthing field staff and information session on the work being completed will provide an opportunity to introduce best management practices as a way and means through which stakeholders can contribute to the watershed plan.

The essential components of the Harmonized Management approach for Stream (habitat), water (water quality) classifications are evident in the following papers: A Waster Classification Strategy Proposal for NB Natural Resources Managers (Dec 1996 by William C. Hooper) and the discussion paper "River Classification: Protecting lakes and rivers in NB" by NB Dept. of the Environment. Additional assessment tools include: DFO/DNRE harmonized stream survey and ACAP, Sharing the Challenge: A guide for Community Based Environment Planning. These documents will be the standard for our program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Additional information attached.

Phase II (1999) will involve extending water quality classification to lakes, further development of public participation, stakeholder input, promotion, awareness, educational and training of best management practices, community information and update sessions. The results of the Stream (habitat), Water (water quality) classification, land use mapping will lead to a restoration plan for streams and rivers which will be applied in 1999.

LIST OF DELIVERABLES

1 Revised watershed management plan, incorporating water quality standards, river classification, community participation and development of community based goals, and best management practices a tool for achieving continued action in the watershed.

2 A database of water quality and habitat information.

3 GIS-based land use mapping.

4 A community based focus for watershed management.

5 Stream classification completed on the main stem and tributaries of the Hammond River Watershed.

6 Water classification completed on the main stem and tributaries of the Hammond River Watershed.

7 A harmonized methodology for Stream (habitat) and Water (water quality) Classification.

8 A CD ROM package on the Harmonized Watershed Management Approach utilized on the Hammond River Watershed. To be completed in cooperation with the Hammond River Angling Association and a coalition of partners.

PARTNERS

The HRAA has worked hard to acquire the knowledge and resources necessary to fulfill the task of achieving a watershed management plan. We could not have achieved the success that we have experienced to date without the cooperation, trust, and sheared learning experience of our many partners.

A Member of the