Headwater Streams: Identifying and Protecting an Essential Resource 3-Part Webinar Series
November 2021, 3-part webinar
Small headwater streams are often unnamed and unmapped, and unprotected by state or federal regulations. Yet these streams support distinctive biological communities, play ecological roles important to the surrounding landscape, and are essential sources of water, organic materials, and organisms for the larger downstream systems. In this webinar series, we discussed the ecological values of small streams; how to identify them remotely and in the field; threats to stream habitats and water quality; the status of state and federal regulatory programs for small streams; and how to extend local protections to these important resources.
Headwater Streams: Values and Threats
Wednesday, November 3, 3:00-4:45pm
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In the first session of this webinar series, our presenters discussed the physical components, benefits of, and threats to perennial, intermittent, and perennial headwater steams. Additional topics included a discussion of vegetated streamside buffers and an introduction to basic protection methods.
Presenters:
Gretchen Stevens, Hudsonia Ltd
Beth Roessler, DEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University
Nate Nardi-Cyrus, DEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University
Headwater Streams: Mapping and Planning
Wednesday, November 10, 3:00-4:45pm
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In the second session of this webinar series, our presenters demonstrated how to use online resources to identify mapped headwater streams and how to analyze topographic maps and aerial photos to find unmapped streams. We walked through examples of map analysis to predict the occurrence of streams and discussed how newly identified streams can be incorporated into local conservation planning. There was also a presentation exploring the role of headwater streams in densely developed cities and villages.
Presenters:
Nate Nardi-Cyrus, DEC Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University
Gretchen Stevens, Hudsonia Ltd
Emily Vail, Hudson River Watershed Alliance
Headwater Streams: Protection
Wednesday, November 17, 3:00-4:45pm
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In the third session of this webinar series, our presenters discussed state and federal regulatory protections for streams, the potential for local regulations, how to address stream issues in environmental reviews of land development projects, and approaches for crafting and adopting local laws and zoning for wetland protection. The session ended with a case study of a local stream protection law.
Presenters:
Gretchen Stevens, Hudsonia Ltd
Emily Svenson, Gordon and Svenson LLP
Max Garfinkle, Town of Philipstown