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SMITH CREEK WATERSHED

The Smith Creek Watershed spans 68,000 acres with a focus on agricultural and forestal uses, located along the I-81/US Rt. 11 corridor near Massanutten Mt. and GWNF. The Smith Creek Partnership aims to organize citizen-led groups, secure funding for watershed planning, and implement education, restoration, and conservation projects. The Healthy Waters Initiative, an EPA Region III initiative, supports protecting non-impaired streams through community involvement. More than 150 BMPs are in place, with various conservation and restoration projects ongoing, including Eastern brook trout habitat restoration. Positive developments include the inclusion of greenways in the New Market annexation plan and emphasized protection of rural character in local comprehensive plans. The conservation efforts are further supported by NGOs, local governments, and state/federal natural resource agencies.

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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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