This is a presentation given at a stakeholder meeting to discuss community views of watershed management in the Wappinger Creek Watershed in the Hudson Valley, New York, May 2010.

1. Community Perspectives on the Wappinger Creek Watershed Shorna Broussard Allred, Ph.D. Margaret Kurth Cornell University Dept. of Natural Resources Human Dimensions Research Unit Allison Chatrchyan Carolyn Klocker Neil Curri Cornell University Cooperative Extension-Dutchess County Presentation at “Protecting Wappinger Creek: A Public Meeting to Discuss Water Quality in the Watershed, May 26, 2010” 2010

3. Water Quality Concerns From: Natural Resource Management Plan for the Wappinger Creek Watershed

4. Top Threats to the Wappinger Creek Watershed 2010 DRAFT List Nonpoint source pollution, especially excess road salt, sediment, nutrients (including phosphorus) and pharmaceuticals. Failure of septic and sewer plants that have potential to discharge into the creek. These failing systems lead to higher amounts of nutrients like phosphorus into the creek. Deterioration/ elimination of riparian buffers. This leads to increased erosion of stream banks, loss of streamside habitat, decreased food resources for aquatic organisms, increase in stream temperature and much more. Illegal dumping of both trash and fill. Increased stormwater runoff and increased occurrence and intensity of flooding along the stream. Invasive species including the aquatic plant water chestnut found in the Wappinger Lake. Lack of protection of steep slopes. Over-development and development practices that lead to increases in impervious surfaces and excessive water consumption. This results in decreased groundwater recharge and reduced base flow of the creek. Lack of information reaching the public about their water supply, how it works and what needs to be done to protect surface and groundwater Lack of or little enforcement of existing ordinances and regulations that protect the water and land resources of the watershed and creek. 11. Lack of funds, volunteers and the public interest needed to implement a watershed education program. 12. Loss and/or fragmentation of habitat and the accompanying loss of biodiversity

5. Wappinger Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council (WIC) “The mission of the WIC is to cooperatively address common issues that may affect the quality of the watershed.”

6. Cognitive Hierarchy-relationship between values, attitudes, and behavior- Numerous Faster to change Peripheral Specific to situations Fewer in number Slower to change Central to beliefs Transcend situations Behaviors Behavioral Intentions Attitudes, Norms Beliefs Values Decker et al. 2001

7. Survey Purpose Learn community perspectives about water quality in the Wappinger Creek watershed (attitudes, policy preferences, current actions, etc.) Identify barriers and constraints to adoption of practices beneficial to the watershed Inform outreach and education efforts of the WIC designed to address locally relevant social factors that promote and hinder adoption of conservation practices to protect waters quality

9. Riparian (29%) and non-riparian (23%)

10. 26% Response Rate (n=342)

12. Non-response bias analysis with landowner sample

13. 3% non-respondents (n=30 riparian, 30 non-riparian)

15. Attitudes Are constructs that represent an individual’s evaluation of something Generally positive or negative Underlie and are expressed by our behaviors Can be changed

16. Use of the Wappinger Creek 1=Never, 2=Infrequently, 3=Sometimes, 4=Often, 5=Very Often

17. How much of a problem is each of the following in the Wappinger Creek Watershed? 1=Not a problem, 2=Slight problem, 3=Moderate problem, 4=Severe problem

18. Low Awareness of Problems

20. Watershed Health Index (Landowners)

21. Watershed Health Index (Municipal Officials)

22. To what extent to you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding what can be achieved with protection of water resources? 1=Strongly disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral , 4=Agree, 5=Strongly agree

23. Who should be responsible for protecting Wappinger Creek water resources? 1=Strongly disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral , 4=Agree, 5=Strongly agree

24. Attitudes toward Management 1=Strongly disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral , 4=Agree, 5=Strongly agree

25. What do you believe is contributing to increased flooding/flood damage in the Wappinger Creek watershed? * 1=Strongly disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Neutral , 4=Agree, 5=Strongly agree

26. Policy Preferences (Landowners)

27. Policy Preferences (Municipal Officials)

28. Policy Preferences (Landowners)

29. Component Policy Preferences (Municipal Officials)

30. Policy Preferences (Landowners)

31. Policy Preferences (Municipal Officials)

32. Do you think local government should handle inspection of septic systems?

33. Do you think local government should handle maintenance of septic systems?

34. Government Role Do you support mandating private well water testing? Municipal Officials Only

35. Government Role At what level should the testing be mandated? (n=56) Municipal Officials Only

36. Government Role What are the key obstacles to mandating private well water testing? Municipal Officials Only

37. Behaviors

38. Behaviors There are many practices that homeowners can do that have the potential to improve water quality Low or no fertilizer and pesticide use Use of phosphate-free fertilizer Capturing rainwater and storm water runoff from their property Establish and maintain a vegetated buffer strip along surface water bodies Have their septic systems inspected and maintained regularly (general recommendation 3-5 years although some households will require more)

39. Behaviors

40. Behaviors 71.6% landowners agree or strongly agree that they would be willing to make changes to their household and property to protect water quantity and quality Lack of awareness and knowledge about the behaviors was the more frequently reported barrier to adoption followed by not perceiving a problem

41. Behaviors 71.6% landowners agree or strongly agree that they would be willing to make changes to their household and property to protect water quantity and quality Lack of awareness and knowledge about the behaviors was the more frequently reported barrier to adoption followed by not perceiving a problem

43. Organize stream walks and clean-ups

46. Curb development

47. Increase outreach and education to residents and municipal officialsPolicy Preferences

48. Shorna B. Allred srb237@cornell.edu (607)255-2149 www.human-dimensions.org