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Watershed Audits

Watershed Audits. Prepared by the Nashua Regional Planning Commission. What is a Watershed Audit?. Background Created by the Center for Watershed Protection Priority goal is to understand how development effects our streams, lakes and wetlands

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Watershed Audits

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  1. Watershed Audits Prepared by the Nashua Regional Planning Commission

  2. What is a Watershed Audit? Background • Created by the Center for Watershed Protection • Priority goal is to understand how development effects our streams, lakes and wetlands • Inform communities about which tools can be used for Watershed protection

  3. Purpose For Creating A Watershed Audit • To establish a baseline of current strategies and practices within each community in the watershed and identify which tools can be used to maximize protection of the watershed.

  4. The 5 Step Process To Conducting A Watershed Audit 1. Gathering Existing Information 2. Modify The Audit 3. Complete The Audit 4. Compile The Results 5. Recommendations

  5. Step 1. Gather Existing Information • Determine which communities are located in the watershed. • Establish contacts within each of the communities. Ideally you will send the audit to municipal or county engineers, planners, and officials.

  6. Step 2. Modify the Audit • A sample audit was developed by CWP. • Communities need to determine whether the audit fits the nature of their part of the watershed and edit as needed. For example, if your watershed is mostly undeveloped, you may want to lengthen and emphasize the section pertaining to Land Conservation.

  7. Step 3. Complete the Audit • Each community Planning Board will complete the audit based on their existing land use regulations and other protection measures in place. NRPC is available for assistance with completing the audit.

  8. Step 4. Compile the results • NRPC will compile the results and present the findings to the Planning Board for review and comment.

  9. Step 5. Recommendations • The results of the audit will lead to recommendations which can be used as a part of the future River Watershed Management Plans. • Recommendations can also be used to update existing land use regulations and provide directions for protection of open space.

  10. The 8 Tools of Watershed Protection • Watershed Planning • Land Conservation • Aquatic Buffers • Better Site Design • Erosion & Sediment Control • Storm Water Management • Non-Storm Water Discharges • Watershed Stewardship Programs

  11. Tool 1: Watershed Planning • Does the master plan take into account impacts of future land use on water resources? • Are any of the following techniques encouraged to manage land use and impervious cover? Conservation easements Land acquisition programs Transfer of development rights Infill/community redevelopment

  12. Tool 2: Land Conservation • Is the preservation of agricultural lands encouraged? • Is the preservation of critical habitat areas for plant and animal species required or encouraged? • Does your community have local regulations governing the preservation of wetlands during development?

  13. Tool 3: Aquatic Buffers • Are stream buffers required? • Are wetland buffers required under local regulations? • Are there reforestation, restoration or riparian cover requirements for buffers?

  14. Tool 4: Better Site Design • Are open space or cluster development designs permitted? • Is a minimum percentage of a parking lot required to be landscaped? • Are sidewalks always required on both sides of residential streets? • Does a minimum percentage of open space in a residential subdivision have to be managed in a natural condition?

  15. Tool 5: Erosion & Sediment Control • During construction, is erosion and sediment control required for all sites? • Is an erosion and sediment control plan required during the site plan review process? • Are construction sites inspected for compliance with erosion and sediment control requirements?

  16. Tool 6: Storm Water Management • Does your community provide guidance or set forth requirements on the types of storm water practices that may be constructed? • Are storm water practices inspected at construction sites? • How frequently are privately-owned storm water practices inspected?

  17. Tool 7: Non-Storm Water Discharges • Are there regulations pertaining to septic system maintenance? • Does your community conduct inspections of privately-owned septic systems? • Does your community have a spill response plan? • What de-icing compounds are applied to public roadways?

  18. Tool 8: Watershed Stewardship Programs • Does your community sweep public streets? • Are fertilizers used on public lands? • Are pesticides used on public lands? • Are any outreach or education programs administered by the community?

  19. What Now? • Verify the previously answered questions in red. Complete unanswered questions. If not applicable, put N/A next to question. • Complete the Audit and return to NRPC within 1 month (November 20). • NRPC will assess the Audit and schedule a second meeting with the Planning Board to present the results. • Results and a set of recommendations for each community will be provided to Town in an Audit Report

  20. Questions? Comments? Please have the audits completed and sent back to NRPC by November 20th

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