BOQUET RIVER ASSOCIATION, INC.
STRATEGIC PLAN (2011-2013)
Adopted by the Board of Directors on 11/1/10
Strategic Issue #1
How can BRASS improve residents’ understanding of and relationship to rivers?
GOAL:
Expose residents of the Boquet watershed to facts and issues about the river and its riparian corridor. Subjects would include water and habitat quality measures, BRASS strategic issues, why the Boquet River behaves as it does, the interdependent relationships between aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals, and enjoyable pursuits the river environment offers.
Strategy 1.1:
Research/write articles for publication including BRASS Newsletters and the “Boquet Watcher” to highlight watershed focus.
Strategy 1.2:
Provide opportunities for outings/tours (e.g., “Rambles”) with knowledgeable presenters/guides informing participants of river/watershed concepts and BRASS projects.
Strategy 1.3:
Provide opportunities for talks and panel presentations with knowledgeable presenters.
Strategy 1.4:
Re-design and update the BRASS website (www.boquetriver.org).
Strategy 1.5:
Continue participation at education and outreach events as an opportunity to share information about the river, watershed, and BRASS.
Strategy 1.6:
Educate members and residents on the value and status of biodiversity, as well as current impact upon – and future threats to – biodiversity in the watershed. Sample topics include: birding, invasives, rare/endangered species, climate change, etc.
Strategic Issue #2
How can BRASS best reduce the amount of channel sedimentation, nutrients and other non-point sources of pollution to the river?
GOAL:
Improvement of invertebrate and fish habitat to sustain natural reproduction of native and re-introduced fish species and maintenance of minimum water quality standards to meet the NYS DEC requirements of the “Wild, Scenic & Recreational Rivers” act designation. 6/3/10
Strategy 2.1:
Continue streambank restoration projects on a priority “worst-case” basis if possible, given information and access requirements. Maintain streambank erosion control, restoration, and buffer zone projects. Continue to work closely with agricultural agencies and farmers to promote and implement buffer zone plantings of woody vegetation, grass filter strips, and fencing of livestock.
Strategic Issue #3
How can BRASS increase public participation in watershed projects?
Goal:
Continuous and varied projects keeping the public informed and engaged in a variety of watershed issues.
Strategy 3.1:
Invite suggestions from towns, businesses, and riparian residents for where to plant buffer zones, manage stormwater, and implement sediment and erosion control projects.
Strategy 3.2:
Provide unique and varied volunteer experiences for members, school groups, and residents. Projects could include: participation in Watershed Management Planning Advisory Committee, wetland monitoring and other research projects, debris removal, buffer zone and streambank planting, invasive species control measures, river clean-up and “Trashy Art Day.”
Strategy 3.3:
Identify and recruit specialists for recreational/educational programs such as school conservation and water awareness lessons, website maintenance assistance, speakers for and coordinators of educational forums, writers of newsletter articles, response persons for an “Ask BRASS” newsletter column, and leaders of field trips and work groups in the Watershed Management Planning process.
Strategic Issue #4
What role can BRASS play to encourage improvements in private and public wastewater treatment in the watershed, and the handling/recycling of household, business, and agricultural waste?
Goal:
Reduce nutrient loads to the river and Lake Champlain, and reduce waste and toxic substances in the watershed.
Strategy 4.1:
Work with watershed Towns to establish centralized sewage treatment facilities.
Strategy 4.2:
Work with landowners and communities to improve onsite, decentralized wastewater treatment facilities (septic systems).
Strategy 4.3:
Continue to work with the Essex County Water Quality Coordinating Committee (ECWQCC) for waste reduction, recycling, and elimination of banned and obsolete chemicals and with the Champlain Watershed Improvement Coalition of New York (CWICNY) to improve water quality and other natural resources within the NY Lake Champlain counties through project implementation.
Strategic Issue #5
In what ways can BRASS mitigate flood hazards to persons, property, and infrastructure?
Goal:
Increase public awareness of river behavior, the special propensity for the Boquet River to flood, and specific measures and projects to mitigate flood damages.
Strategy 5.1:
Identify woody debris immediately upstream of bridges with center arch supports and problem culverts identified by Departments of Public Works. Remove the material off the floodplain. Investigate opportunities to collaborate with landowners for lawn and streambank debris pick-up and removal.
Strategy 5.2:
Promote public awareness of the special propensity for the Boquet River to flood and the specific measures and projects to mitigate flood damages.
Strategy 5.3:
Promote the development of new flood zone maps utilizing LIDAR technology.
Strategy 5.4:
Conduct research on the natural/human history of the Boquet Watershed, flood events, impacts and the possible amount of historic floodplain and wetland area loss through development, roads, and railroads.
Strategic Issue #6
What is the state of riparian and watershed biodiversity, and what role should BRASS play?
Goal:
Protect, maintain, and enhance biodiversity in the watershed.
Strategy 6.1:
Determine the status of, and issues about, biodiversity in the watershed as part of the Boquet Watershed Management Planning process, specifically:
6.1.1:
Collect and review information on aquatic plants and animal species in the benthic and aquatic zones of the river channel;
6.1.2:
Collect and review information on species and ecosystems in the terrestrial floodplain areas/wetlands;
6.1.3:
Collect and review information on species and ecosystems in upland areas;
6.1.4:
Begin validating list against species actually present in the Boquet watershed and have at least one major source review/approve this list.
Strategy 6.2:
Inventory invasive plant species in the watershed, particularly in the floodplains and wetlands, and determine the native plant species that may be supplanted. Design and deliver an educational strategy including the training of residents in plant identification, control methods, and proper native plant re-vegetation measures.
Strategy 6.3:
Promote land preservation strategies such as easements, purchase, formal and informal agreements, and zoning/planning processes.
Strategy 6.4:
Expand the connectivity of the Boquet Watershed ecosystem with a focus on improving the trout fishery by rehabilitating or replacing culverts that block fish passage. Survey culverts within the watershed and prioritize problem culverts based on fish habitat and passage requirements in conjunction with federal, state and local highway infrastructure surveys.
Strategic Issue #7
How can BRASS help maintain – and provide more – public recreational access to the river without burdening riparian landowners with liability concerns?
Goal:
Promote public access sites along the river for a variety of recreational pursuits and preservation of age-old “swimming holes” without landowner liability.
Strategy 7.1:
Examine existing public fishing rights easements along the Boquet River and determine potential needs and opportunities.
Strategy 7.2:
Investigate level of interest for retrofits to closed bridge areas for handicap fishing access sites, and legal requirements for barrier free fishing construction. Locate nearby advocacy groups and funding sources.
Strategy 7.3:
Work with other groups and individuals to promote the development of trails throughout the watershed.
Strategy 7.4:
Collaborate with other groups to promote swimming access to the river. Also, work with others to change the NYS General Obligations Law (which currently does not hold landowners harmless for injuries to swimmers in rivers) so that the law would hold landowners harmless if they permit their land to be used as public access to recreation.
Strategic Issue #8
How can BRASS help ensure its continuance and growth?
Goal:
Establish BRASS as a vibrant, energetic, and self-sufficient organization with varying sources of income and administrative continuity.
Strategy 8.1:
Complete strategic planning process and research, write, and publish “BRASS at 25″ document.
Strategy 8.2:
Establish effective volunteer task management procedures/policies.
Strategy 8.3:
Expand membership.
Strategy 8.4:
Review, revise and update membership database and develop recording and reporting procedures.
Strategy 8.5:
Create monthly contingency cash-flow fund (certificates of deposit) for payroll, office, supplies, and equipment at the best possible interest rate.
Strategy 8.6:
Expand unrestricted gifts and grants for general operations.
Strategy 8.7:
Maintain and expand unique public-private nature of the organization.
Strategy 8.8:
Create an effective and efficient work environment for board and staff.
8.8.1:
Review/update equipment, software, procedures and policies
8.8.2:
Inventory file cabinets and reference materials, review/update filing procedures, and revise filing system.
8.8.3:
Review/update communication systems.
8.8.4:
Create BRASS How-To Manual (administrative policies, procedures, etc.)
8.8.5:
Establish a sufficiently sized, equipped, and located BRASS Office. Consider the possibility of shared space with other NGOs to reduce costs and increase networking potential. 6/3/10 Page 6 of 6
Strategy 8.9:
Build an effective Board of Directors who volunteer their wealth, wisdom and work toward the Mission of the Boquet River Association.
8.9.1:
Establish Board member responsibilities and roles.
8.9.2:
Establish Board membership and contribution expectations.
8.9.3:
Focus Board members’ efforts through more effective Board Committee work and fewer full Board meetings.
8.9.4:
Annual evaluation of board, staff and progress on Strategic Plan.
Strategy 8.10:
Develop and utilize a Special Projects Fund to finance small visible projects that promote awareness and support of the Boquet River Association.
Strategic Issue #9
How can BRASS help ensure the creation and implementation of a Boquet River Watershed Management Plan?
Goal:
A completed Boquet Watershed Management Plan at the end of 2012 and a revised, updated BRASS Strategic Plan based on priorities identified in the Watershed Management Plan.
Strategy 9.1:
Coordinate and manage the establishment of a Boquet Watershed Management Plan to promote “watershed thinking,” active participation of stakeholder groups and individuals, and the establishment of a watershed-wide prioritizing process for projects and grants.
Strategy 9.2:
Create GIS maps of the watershed for planning and presentations (characterize the watershed).
Strategy 9.3:
Identify priority subwatersheds for focused nonpoint source pollution management action.
Strategy 9.4:
Assess local, state, and federal laws, programs, and practices affecting water quality in the Boquet Watershed.
Strategy 9.5:
Identify Watershed Management Recommendations.
Strategy 9.6:
Create prioritized implementation strategy, schedule and cost estimates.
Strategy 9.7:
Prepare and submit DOS grant applications, progress reports, and reimbursement vouchers.