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SMITH CREEK WATERSHED

SMITH CREEK WATERSHED . 68,000 acres Primarily agricultural and forestal uses I-81/US Rt. 11 corridor (GROWTH) Massanutten Mt./ GWNF Town of New Market. SMITH CREEK PARTNERSHIP. Informal meetings with landowners and agency/NGO representatives (3 since fall ’07) Goals:

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SMITH CREEK WATERSHED

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  1. SMITH CREEK WATERSHED

  2. 68,000 acres • Primarily agricultural • and forestal uses • I-81/US Rt. 11 • corridor (GROWTH) • Massanutten Mt./ • GWNF • Town of New Market

  3. SMITH CREEK PARTNERSHIP • Informal meetings with landowners and agency/NGO representatives (3 since fall ’07) • Goals: - Formally organize citizen-led group, building upon existing SC citizen groups - Seek funding to support watershed planning and implementation for new education, restoration and conservation projects - Build upon existing and ongoing projects

  4. Partnership Status • Applied for NFWF Grant to support watershed coordinator and conservation/ restoration projects • Secured EPA Healthy Waters Funding to develop watershed implementation plan

  5. HEALTHY WATERS INITIATIVE • EPA Region III Initiative – launched ’07 • Objective: focus on protecting non-impaired streams and watersheds where ongoing community involvement is showing positive results • Private citizen and local government roles are vital • VA and PA selected for pilot project funds (Grant managers: DEQ and DCR) • Smith Creek selected for VA pilot

  6. BUILD UPON THE POSITIVE • 150+ BMPs in place (80+ farms) • 5 CREP projects/150+ acres enrolled • Approximately 500 acres enrolled in conservation easements • Eastern brook trout habitat restoration projects (USFWS, VDGIF,TU, JMU) • Demonstration/education projects in place and visited by local school groups

  7. MORE POSITIVES • New Market annexation plan includes greenway • Rockingham and Shenandoah Comprehensive Plans emphasize protection of rural character and agricultural economy • Active NGO support: Valley Conservation Council, Friends of North Fork of the SR, Pure Water Forum • Seasoned state and federal natural resource agency support • Smith Creek watershed selected by HAP for project focus

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