Rivers, Streams, Wetlands and Floodplains
Protection will provide these benefits:
Priority Areas for Protection:
Streams, wetlands and coastal waters are protected by ensuring that buffers of natural vegetation are preserved around them to prevent sediment and pollutants from reaching the stream and to slow the erosive flow of stormwater. Perpetual vegetative buffers can be ensured by the purchase of the land or the placement of an easement on the land by a nonprofit land conservancy or government agency. Depending on the needs of the landowner, the land or easement can be sold at fair market value or donated to qualify the landowner for tax benefits. Five-Year Goal: To double the current rate of protection from 3,000 miles to 6,000 miles of stream buffers in a five-year period. Meeting this goal would protect water quality in an additional 17% of the state’s streams. This goal was developed after consultation with staff of the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Currently, because of limited funding the trust fund is only able to fund about 20% of the applications it receives. Funding Needed: $500 million over five years Funding estimates were developed by doubling the amount of funding needed to protect 3,000 miles. Based on knowledge of recent grant applicants and the projects for which they are seeking funds, Clean Water staff believes local governments and nonprofit organizations have the capacity to work with landowners to at least double the rate of protection if funding were available. |
