Highlands Action Program How to Transform the Legacy

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2. Highlands Action Program How to Transform the Legacy A citizens inspired program for collaborative monitoring, research, management, and restoration activities within the Mid-Atlantic Highlands . Canaan Valley Institute

3. Highlands Action Program--Background • 2001 Congressional language called for EPA to establish HAP • Language for HAP continues in EPA legislation • CVI cited as a logical partner because of its community watershed focus and experience • CVI produced report to: • Show need for HAP • Recommend stakeholder driven approach for HAP

4. Significant EPA Investment in HAP • EPA already has significant investments in CVI and the Highlands • 6 years of senior staff time • Outreach, science, and technical staff • Education, training, and demonstration sites • ORD focus on Highlands for last 10 years

5. Highlands Action Program--Existing Regional Programs • HAP is the next generation of geographic programs • Place-based initiatives have added value • Action, action, action • Top-down meets bottom-up DBP HAP CBP DIB MB AP

6. Achieving Sustainable Solutions--HAP’s Innovative Approach

7. Biodiversity Terrestrial and aquatic diversity National hotspot Economic importance of natural resources Tourism—$26 billion/year Forestry—$11 billion/year and 186,000 jobs Energy—coal, oil, natural gas, and wind The Highlands--A Special Place

8. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Pulse • Landscape indicators show that 47% of the region is fair or poor • Based on the type of birds found, 57% of the landscape is not in good condition • Based on the type of fish found in the streams, 67% of stream miles are not in good condition • Based on insects, 75% of stream miles are not in good condition

9. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Stressors • Water Quality Stressors • 25% stream miles impaired by sediment • 22% by loss of riparian habitat From: US Environmental Protection Agency. (2000). Mid-Atlantic Highlands Streams Assessment. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. EPA/903/R-00/015

10. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Human Activities • Urban Infringement & rural sprawl fragment natural areas • Assessed streams not meeting standards are shown in 303(d) Stream Listings

11. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Economic Conditions • High rates of children in poverty • Low educational attainment • High unemployment rates • Low labor force participation rates • Low per capita income Consequences • Environmental justice issues • Outmigration of working-age population

12. The Mid-Atlantic Highlands--Economic Conditions • Low Per Capita Income • From: US Department of Commerce, Census Bureau. 1990 Decennial Census. • Lack of High-Speed Internet Access • From: Federal Communications Commission. High-Speed Services for Internet Access: Subscribership as of June 30, 2001.

13. Opportunities for Stewardship--Create a Restoration Industry • Restoration industry needs the region’s skilled workers • Restoration spending creates more jobs than road construction, utility construction, or defense contracts

14. Highlands Action Program--Possible Outcomes • 18,000 stream miles will be revitalized • 5000 square miles of forest will be revitalized • 105,954,000 ton/yr reduction in sediment load • 3000 jobs will be created