Watershed Analysis and Issue Characterization for Education and Outreach (03-DG-11083150-640)

This project includes information on how urban and community forestry can play an important role in water quality specifically in watershed protection.

Urban and community forests play a vital role in protecting water quality and controlling water quantity in our communities. Watershed councils are proliferating across the country to assist governments and citizens in addressing issues relating to water resources. However, these councils are often ill equipped to understand the positive impacts urban and community forests have in their watersheds, or to actively protect and manage these forests that enhance water quality.

This case study seeks to identify how urban, rural, and riparian forests are critical to protecting water quality and flood reduction in watersheds. This project includes GIS analysis to identify areas where forests are most valuable for protecting watersheds; identification of issues within the Banklick Creek Watershed that impact forest cover and water quality and quantity; public participation and education; and the creation of a manual for Watershed Councils.

Banklick Creek is the principal watershed in Kenton County, Kentucky and is located directly across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati. It is the most visibly and notoriously polluted local stream in the County. The Banklick Creek was designated by the Kentucky Division of Water as one of three "highest—priority" watersheds in the Licking River Region.

Project Objectives:

Generally, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data and aerial photography of the watershed will be used as the basis for the stream, riparian corridor, and urban forest assessments. Based on that analysis and from public input, issues will be identified and criteria developed to determine priority areas for education and where best to begin with pilot projects and focus limited resources. A composite map of areas of concern and issues will be created. A variety of communication and education tools and strategies will then be developed and used.

Specifically, it is anticipated that the project's objectives will be met by following these steps:

1.Data Gathering — All applicable GIS layers will be located and obtained for this project. These layers will typically include: topography, hydrology, vegetation cover, land use, political subdivision, soils, impervious surfaces, flood plains, etc. Orthographic photographs will also be obtained. By querying a variety of local organizations, the type, amount, and location of in-stream blockages and streambank erosion problems will be collected.

2.Scientific Data Analysis — GIS analysis of the data will be performed to identify areas of concern and trends, such as the presence and "intersections" of steep slopes, lack of forest cover and riparian buffers, impervious surfaces, development in the flood plain, etc. In this step, the criteria for evaluation will be developed.

3.Public Participation — Open meetings will be held to invite the public to identify what issues and problems they see in the watershed. This step will gather additional facts and opinions about watershed and urban forestry issues.

4.Issues Characterization — From the scientific data analysis and the public input, the project will define, identify,and locate the urban forest and water resources issues, problems, and "hot spots" in the watershed. This information will be compiled and will be used to determine where pilot projects should be performed. This step will be the basis for the watershed council to develop a plan of work for urban forestry projects and solutions.

5.Education And Outreach — Based on the issues and priorities determined, a series of education and public outreach materials and tools will be created. These will be a combination of PowerPoint presentations about the project and the findings, a "stewardship manual" for property owners, a brochure on urban forestry 'do's and don'ts' in the watershed, a 10-minute video about the findings and recommendations to use for presentations and as Public Service Announcements (PSAs), and web-based templates of four issue-based fact sheets that can be customized and used by a wide variety of organizations.

6.Watershed Council Manual/Action Plan — A document will be produced that outlines every step and resource used in completing this project. Additionally, a compendium of technical, financial, and political resources will be compiled and included in the manual. This manual will allow other watershed councils to duplicate this project and successfully develop a scientifically and politically based action plan with realistic and achievable goals.

Attachments

Click here to download this final grant report as a PDF.

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