A large-scale Watershed Restoration And Stewardship Project
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- Vision of the Land and Watershed as Improved by this Project
- Reduced risk of fire and loss of property.
- IV. Partnerships: Who We Are
- Other Players and Alliances
- Table 1 - Partner Roles, Interests, and Outcomes
- Virginia Department of Forestry
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The targeted Monocacy and Antietam watersheds have over 18,000 acres of sensitive species habitat areas, including the upland sand piper, brook floater, white trout lily, and Short’s sedge. Many of these species could expand their habitat in restored streams, woodlands, warm season grass meadows, and wetlands. Once superior cold and cool water fisheries, measurements of Biotic Integrity currently show severely degraded benthic communities and elevated water temperatures. Years of gypsy moth infestations have left expanses of insect-killed standing timber, and have created a significant fire hazard. Forestland ownership has fallen into increasingly smaller parcels, making areas vulnerable to conversion from protective and productive forest uses to sprawl development. S 
henandoah River, Virginia - The Shenandoah River Watershed encompass over 1.5 million acres. This area occupies Fredrick, Prockingham, Shenandoah, and parts of Augusta, Page and Warren Counties. The George Washington National Forest manages about 358,000 acres or 23% of the watershed. The Shenandoah River is a Category I Priority Watershed and has numerous segments listed on the state's 303(d) impaired watershed inventory. Primary problems are nutrients and sediment contamination from agricultural uses, stream erosion, and floodplain encroachment. Virginia’s flora and fauna are among the most diverse to be found anywhere in the temperate latitudes. Within the Shenandoah Valley, there are over a hundred threatened, endangered, or sensitive plants and animals designated by the state and/or federal listing. These include the federally endangered Indiana bat, Virginia big-eared bat, and peregrine falcon. Restoration of upland forests, riparian areas and wetlands will improve overall habitat conditions and help protect these species. The Shenandoah River has one of the lowest percentages of intact riparian forests and the greatest potential for restoration in the state of Virginia. There have been a significant number of insect and disease outbreaks, wildfires, mountain harvesting activities, and growing use conflicts at the urban/wildland interface - including recreational growth through greenways and dispersed recreation (hunting, hiking ORV/ATV use). Historically, row cropping and cattle grazing, and more recently, chicken and hog farming have occurred on riparian and upland areas. Severe flood events over the last decade have increased attention on the river corridors. Recently completed re-vegetation work has the promise of returning some areas to a native condition. Efforts to conserve riparian areas through conservation easements are increasing. Recreation use associated with the Shenandoah River is increasing annually with current use estimated at 250,000 recreation visitor days a year. The results have been a reduced quality of human life and decline in forest ecosystem health. Vision of the Land and Watershed as Improved by this ProjectIII. Our Customers and the Public Benefit People and the Land as Customers“A watershed is an area where people, the land and an aquatic environment come together. Healthy watersheds support a high quality of life. This project helps restore healthy watersheds for both our customers – the land and the people.” The PeopleThe PeoplePeople of the Potomac watershed and the Chesapeake Bay will receive a positive return from the combined actions of restoration and research. The returns may be short term, as with landowners whose management objectives include conservation and habitat creation, or they may be delayed in terms of receiving economic gain from the products that can be derived from the riparian forests or wetland. The anecdotes below help to illustrate the impacts of these efforts to various customer groups. Farmers and Forest Landowners - In Virginia, 77% of all land is held in private hands and Maryland has 90% in private ownership. Consequently, any riparian or upland protection or restoration efforts must focus on the private landowner. The private landowner possesses the final responsibility for land management decisions on their land; hence, any governmental assistance should help at this basic level. Investments in technical assistance, education, training, and implementation on the ground have the greatest impact toward improving management and reducing risks with potential future costs. Examples: Since 1998 when the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program was introduced, Maryland has enrolled almost 15,000 acres, more than all the Maryland agricultural land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program in the past. In Maryland, deer and bird hunting fees to private landowners range from $3 to $5 per acre per year, and up to $80 per hunter per day for waterfowl hunting access. Reducing air pollution by 20 percent would cut agriculture losses in half, saving Maryland farmers $20 million. In Fairfax, VA, open space trees and buffers are estimated to have reduced the cost of traditional air pollution controls by over $4.5 million in 1995. Local Citizens and their Communities - Virginia and Maryland citizens derive benefits from watershed restoration activities such as reduced wildfire hazard, improved water quality from bioremediation techniques and better logging practices, lower impacts from insect and disease outbreaks, and higher quality of life from urban and community forestry efforts. Examples: According to a 1995 attitude survey, 77 percent of Maryland resident respondents said that it is important to have natural areas close to where they work and live. Almost half said that they would be inclined to move if existing open space in their community were lost. After public outcry about degrading streams due to increased run off in urban areas, Montgomery County, MD, is spending $20,000 to $50,000 per housing lot in some areas to repair damaged streams and restore riparian forests. Retaining forest area and buffers has reduced storm water costs in Fairfax County, VA by $57 million. Downstream Water-users – Restoration actions within a watershed reach all people that live there. Private landowners benefit from managed forests for their own objectives, but stewardship spills over benefits to others in that community and watershed. Tertiary benefactors of healthier forests, protected streams, cleaner water, and enhanced wildlife habitat are the diffuse citizenry of the two states and users of the Chesapeake Bay. Examples: Last year, 80% of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s water supply came from the Potomac River basin. Wastewater treatment facilities in the Washington, D.C. area have annual costs of $2 to $10 million per year per facility, which equates to $3 to $5 per pound of nitrogen removed. In Maryland, Forest buffers have been found to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus removal costs by 4.24 and 29.99 $/pound, respectfully. Marylanders spent $270 million observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife in 1991. In 1991, Maryland recreational anglers contributed $467 million to the state economy. The Benefits to People:Reduced risk of fire and loss of property.Improved water quality. Reduced erosion and land loss. Improved flood control and less property damage. Increased land values. Increased forest products for economic gain and farm income diversification Increased productivity of livestock forage adjacent to riparian areas. Improved terrestrial and aquatic habitats for consumptive and non-consumptive uses. Improved ecosystem stability for communities. Opportunities for short-term project employment. Community pride - opportunities to restore and enhance the public places together. Customer Survey - A Potomac River Watershed Visions Project was conducted in 1993-94 as a cooperative effort among fourteen public and private agencies. This intensive effort conducted a series of one-on-one and small group meetings at state, regional and county levels, along with regional focus-group citizen meetings to seek basin resident’s perceptions of their local watersheds, their degree of involvement, and what they valued about the watershed. The team’s findings are published as the Report on the Potomac River Watershed Visions Project. They found a wide diversity of community led activities and interests occurring on the river, but not one cohesive picture. The findings from the Visions Project will be reviewed for customer information pertinent to this effort. The LandIf we take care of the land, we sustain the basis for life. As a customer, it focuses our attention on what is needed to restore a healthy watershed. Both research and management will work together to address this. Forests provide the natural land cover for large portions of the focus watersheds. Many upland and riparian areas are degraded and nonfunctional. Actions taken to restore forests, riparian areas, and wetlands will help create healthier watersheds. Examples: Each mile of 100-foot buffer on both sides of a stream protects 24 acres of high quality habitat along shorelines and creeks. The relationship between stream shade and trout production is firmly linked. Studies have shown that when stream surface shade is reduced to 35 percent, trout populations can drop by as much as 85 percent. Riparian forest buffers are a low maintenance and long-term solution. It is estimated that forest buffers can remove 21 pounds of nitrogen per acre each year for $.30 per pound, and about 4 pounds of phosphorus per acre every year for $1.65 a pound A single mature tree releases about 100 gallons of clean water vapor per day into the atmosphere and provides the cooling equivalent of nine room air conditioners operating at 8000 BTUs per hour for twelve hours a day. The Benefits to the Land: Improved and connected riparian areas. Increased wetland areas. Reduced sediment and nutrient pollution to waterways. Maintenance of stream banks and channels. Improved water quality, water storage, and moderated flows. Restored/enhanced terrestrial and aquatic habitats, resulting in increased numbers and diversity of wildlife and fish species. Recovery of threatened and endangered species. More fully functioning conditions. Less risk of catastrophic fire. Re-establishment of native plant species and communities. All of the proposed project activities are intended to help restore healthy watershed functions and conditions. Restoration is a process of taking short-term actions to gain long-term results. Collectively these actions help off set demands that deteriorate watershed function. Returning important features to the landscape, while educating and connecting people during the process, will serve both our customers.
IV. Partnerships: Who We AreThe Players: Primary PartnersForest Service Northeastern Area – State and Private Forestry - The Forest Service (FS) is the largest land manager in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (1.4 million acres) and an important partner in support of private forest land management and conservation. The FS, through the Northeastern Area (NA), State and Private Forestry, has been working on the Chesapeake Bay restoration effort since 1989. The NA is working with USEPA, State Foresters, and other state, federal, and private interests to assess forest and riparian conditions, conduct scientific studies, implement education and outreach efforts, implement upland and riparian forest demonstration and restoration projects, and develop restoration incentives through the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Forestry Work Group. The NA provides direct technical and financial assistance to the States through its Cooperative Forestry Programs in both rural and urban areas.The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest – The Forest manages about 1.5 million acres in the Chesapeake region and approximately 358,000 of public lands in the headwaters of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Within these watersheds are approximately 422 miles of perennial streams and 10,280 acres of riparian area. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have a knowledgeable and diverse work force that conduct natural and forest resource management on the National Forests. Activities range from prescribed burning and wildfire suppression to watershed restoration projects and environmental education for all aspects of forest management. With recent emphasis on collaborative management and the emphasis to reach beyond the boundaries of the National Forest, the Forest Service is working in cooperation with state and local agencies and private conservation organizations to provide technical assistance and leadership in cooperative public-private ownership. State Forestry Agencies (States) - The Maryland Department of Natural Resource’s Forest Service (MD), and the Virginia Department of Forestry (VA) are designated by their Governors as the lead State agency for accomplishment of both CBP and CREP Riparian Forest Buffer Goals. Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry will be asked to assist with the PA portion of the Monocacy and Antietum Watersheds. The States played a pivotal role in the establishment of CBP riparian goals and are implementing activities to support the effort, including education and outreach, delivery of cost-share programs, technical assistance to landowners and local communities, and monitoring and tracking accomplishments. State Foresters currently provide technical assistance to landowners and work with other agencies and groups in the watershed. Both state forestry agencies conduct programs to address wildfire, eliminate danger at the wildland/urban interface, and reduce risks associated with pest and disease. Both states are committed to urban forestry and increasing urban residents awareness of the role of forests and forestry in their community. MD has established Watershed Foresters to provide focused assistance in the watershed and VA has established a Shenandoah Valley “Team” to enhance coordination. The States produce and coordinate the delivery of tree and shrub seedlings used for restoration efforts. MD has worked to establish its nursery as one of the largest suppliers of quality hardwood seedlings in the Mid-Atlantic. Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) - DU has a long history of working with local, state and federal conservation partners to restore wetland, riparian, and upland habitats across the country and in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 1996, DU announced the Chesapeake Bay Initiative (Initiative), a 10-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) to restore water quality and wildlife habitat within the Bay. As part of this Initiative, DU is working with state, federal, and private partners in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware to deliver landscape restoration programs on a watershed approach. Through its partnerships, DU has been able to leverage grass root dollars with public funds at a 4:1 ratio. DU’s focus is to provide direct outreach and restoration assistance to landowners, to provide funds to assist with landowner cost-share expenses, and to cover the cost of additional restoration actions not covered by existing programs. Other Players and AlliancesThere are many players interested and committed to the restoration of the Potomac River Basin. Some of the key players are listed below. The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) – The CBP is a unique regional partnership that’s been directing and conducting the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay since 1983. CBP partners include the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; the District of Columbia; the Chesapeake Bay Commission; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and participating advisory groups. Over 20 federal agencies participate in the CBP. It provides financial support, maintains monitoring data and information to carry out scientific modeling, research, and works with Bay states to implement actions to accomplish CBP goals. The NA will coordinate projects with CBP. Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) – CBF is a private-sector organization created in 1967 to advocates the best interests of the Chesapeake Bay. It serves as a catalyst for bold and creative solutions to Bay problems through environmental education and resource protection. It builds public concern and encourages government and private citizens to deal with these problems together. In 1996 an agreement was signed between CBF and DU to restore 20,000 acres of wetlands in the Bay by the year 2005. Interstate Commission of the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) – The ICPRB is tri-state legislative body created in 1940 to enhance, protect and conserve the water and associated land resources of the Potomac River basin and its tributaries through regional and interstate cooperation. Primarily a technical group, the ICPRB has no regulatory authority. It provides inter-jurisdictional coordination, water quality monitoring, technical support to state and local agencies, information about the Potomac and serves as liaison between citizens and their governments. Potomac American Heritage River Initiative – This initiative is intended to facilitate and support community-led efforts that will: protect and restore water quality and living resources; promote enjoyment of natural, recreational and heritage assets; encourage more citizen involvement in community decision-making; and foster sustainable economic development. Friends of the Potomac (FOP) is the lead organization to implement the American Heritage River designation on the Potomac. The National Park Service (NPS) is the lead federal agency. Two River Navigators are designated for the initiative, a federal and FOP representative. Additional Federal Agencies (NRCS, USFWS, USGS, EPA) – These federal agencies are active in the Potomac and are partners in the Chesapeake Bay Program. Each has technical, financial, and analytical resources that could assist in meeting the objectives of the project and accelerate its accomplishments. NPS has 13 areas, with over 100 sites within the Potomac River Basin. These provide a “window on the Potomac,” providing public access to view and enjoy the watershed. NRCS has been an active participant in stream buffer restoration and can provide additional field technical and landowner outreach assistance. NRCS can help with landowner contact and technical assistance; USFW is a leader in living resource research, and field assessment and management, and USGS is a leader in analysis. EPA and its CBP are a national leader and model in watershed restoration. 
Figure 1 - Partnerships in the Potomac This figure represents key players in the Potomac River Basin. Solid lines indicate financial relationships with PRP through one of the primary partners. Dashed lines indicate an opportunity for developing new relationships. American Forests (AF) - American Forests is the oldest private conservation organization in the United States. The FS and State Forestry Agencies have worked with American Forests (AF) to develop “Global ReLeaf for the Chesapeake Bay”. ReLeaf promises to plant over a million trees funded through corporate donations in riparian areas in the watershed by 2010. AF is especially successful in education efforts and skilled in organizing local volunteers for planting efforts. The Land Trust and Watershed Association Community – A number of land conservation organizations such as the Piedmont Environmental Council, The Potomac Conservancy, and the Valley Conservation Council are active in the Potomac River basin. These groups can assist in landowner contact and help implement strategies for long-term protection of restored lands through the use of conservation easements. The Potomac Conservancy is being funded by the PRP in FY2000 to conduct local community outreach work. Shenandoah Valley Pure Water 2000 Forum - A local forum with five overall goals: improve water quality, promote environmental education, coordinate efforts of participating groups, create a database for watershed data, and promote riparian restoration activities. The communication structure established by this forum can be used to transfer information quickly. Potomac River Keepers – A River Keeper is designated for the Potomac River. A River Keeper organization is forming from members of the American Canoe Association and others. This group acts as legal advocates to ensure environmental legislation is implemented. Potomac Collaboration Partnerships Forum – New watershed wide coalition to bring together governmental and private sector leaders interested in partnership efforts among public agencies and private organizations within the Potomac River watershed. Creates a forum to communicate interests and minimize competition for dollars between agencies and groups. Each of the primary partners has many connections with other players that will assist, council and influence day to day activities. The table below gives a range of groups and organizations that may be involved in some aspect of the total project effort.
Table 1 - Partner Roles, Interests, and Outcomes
Table 1 - Partner Roles, Interests, and Outcomes (Continued)
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