Proposal - Housatonic River Natural Resource … for the illustrative purposes of this proposal,...
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Transcript of Proposal - Housatonic River Natural Resource … for the illustrative purposes of this proposal,...
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Proposal EEA 09 NRD 02
Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration
University of Massachusetts Amherst April 23, 2009
Part A. Project Proposal Form Page A-2
HOUSATONIC RIVER NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGES FUND ROUND 2, 2008 Massachusetts SubCouncil
Project Proposal Form PART A. APPLICANT AND PROJECT INFORMATION.
Responses may be entered electronically, saved, and printed. Or, print and complete form with black ink.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Type of Entity Check the box that best describes the applicant. [ ] Private individual [ ] Non-profit organization [ ] State government [ ] Federal government [ ] Tribal government
[ ] Municipal government [ ] Corporation or Business [ ] County government [ x ] Academic Institution [ ] Other (explain)
Authorized Representative of Applicant
Name
Title
Address
Address
City State Zip Phone: Email:
Contact Person (if different)
Name
Title
Address
Address
City State Zip Phone: Email:
Jennifer A. Donais, CRA
Associate Director
Office of Grant and Contract Administration
UMass, Research Admin. Bldg, 70 Butterfield
UMass, Amherst, MA 01003-9242
(413) 545-0698
Diane M. L. Mas
Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
224 Marston Hall, 130 Natural Resources Rd,
UMass, Amherst, MA 01003-9293
(413) 348-9738
Part A. Project Proposal Form Page A-3
Project Name Provide a brief working name:
Project Location Attach an 8.5 x 11-inch map or copy of an aerial photograph showing project location and extent. Include pertinent topographic and geographic information, a scale, and north arrow. State(s), Municipality/ies: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Longitude for approximate center of project area: Latitude for approximate center of project area: Restoration Priority Category See instructions for category descriptions.
Primary Category. Check one box.
[X] Aquatic Biological Resources and Habitat [ ] Wildlife Resources and Habitat
Secondary Categories. Check all relevant boxes.
[ ] Aquatic Biological Resources and Habitat [ ] Wildlife Resources and Habitat [ ] Recreational Uses [X] Environmental Education and Outreach
List Specific Injured Natural Resources and/or Impaired Natural Resource Services to Benefit from Project (see Section 1.2 of the Restoration Project Selection Procedure for a summary of injuries) Project Type See instructions for project type descriptions. Check all relevant boxes. [ ] Resource-based [ ] Access-based [ X] Maintenance-based
Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration
Massachusetts: Dalton, Lenox, Sheffield
73.3°W
42.4°N
The following natural resources will benefit from the proposed project: (1) surface waters of the Housatonic River, (2) groundwater resources in the Housatonic River watershed, (3) fisheries, reptiles and amphibians utilizing surface waters of the Housatonic River watershed.
Part A. Project Proposal Form Page A-5
Project Location Map
Project Event Location
A. Project Abstract With nearly 1400 equines in Berkshire County, the horse-owning community has significant potential to cumulatively affect water quality in the Housatonic River through nonpoint source (NPS) runoff of nutrients, sediment, and pathogens. Such impacts have the potential to slow or counteract the recovery of injured natural resources (i.e., surface and ground water) and negatively impact the sustainability of restoration efforts. A substantial amount of information on horsekeeping best management practices (BMPs) to reduce NPS pollution and protect water quality is currently available. However, unlike other livestock owners, horse owners are often outside of the traditional support network for agriculture and therefore benefit from targeted education and outreach. This project aims to reduce NPS contaminants and restore riparian habitat through an Environmental Education and Outreach (EEO) program targeted at the horse owning community of the Housatonic River watershed. Modeled on the success of similar programs in other regions, this project will utilize the existing network of horse-related organizations in the watershed connect horse-owners with information they need to understand their local natural resources and identify BMPs that they can implement to reduce NPS pollution. The project will be accomplished in four phases, including project planning and coordination with horse community liaisons; development of educational outreach materials, including compilation of natural resource mapping and horsekeeping information; delivery of four EEO public forums to be held throughout the watershed, and follow-up assessment of project effectiveness. The total project cost is $37,958 and $30,463 of NRD funds is requested for this 16-month project
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B. Project Narrative
Project Goals and Objectives The goals and objectives of the proposed project Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration support and are consistent with those of the MA SubCouncil, as detailed below. The primary goal of this project is to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in the Housatonic River watershed. This will be accomplished by engaging a portion of the community, horse owners, with significant potential to adversely impact water quality throughout the Housatonic River watershed. This community is outside of the traditional support network for agriculture and therefore will benefit from targeted environmental education and outreach (EEO). Outcomes of the proposed EEO program includes restoration or rehabilitation of injured or lost natural resources and their services including riparian zones and downstream aquatic habitat. Additional goals and objective of this project are to:
• Integrate public participation into the project by leveraging the existing equine community in the watershed to provide targeted outreach. Targeted outreach is more likely to result in behavioral change than simply developing and making available educational materials.
• Facilitate the use of sustainable best management practices that will result in reductions in nonpoint source pollution, resulting in benefits to aquatic biological resources and habitat.
• Support existing and future restoration efforts by reducing nonpoint source pollution impacts that have the potential to slow or counteract the recovery of injured natural resources (i.e., surface and ground water) and negatively impact the sustainability of restoration efforts.
• Benefit aquatic biological resources and environmental education and outreach through a maintenance-based project that both addresses water quality improvements and provides environmental education outreach to promote public awareness of the ecology of the Housatonic River watershed.
Project Benefits Both direct and indirect benefits will be generated by the proposed project. Direct benefits are described and quantified in the table below. Indirect benefits are also listed, but these benefits are more likely to accrue gradually as the cumulative result of numerous individual actions, and thus cannot be measured on a macroscale within the timeframe of the project. In addition, there is relatively limited research on the efficiency/effectiveness of various horsekeeping BMPs, especially when multiple BMPs
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are installed at a farm/stable. However, for the illustrative purposes of this proposal, estimates of potential effectiveness for a common and relatively easy to implement BMP (buffer strip) is provided as an estimated quantification of benefits.
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Project Benefits Project Objective Indirect/
Direct Explanation Quantified Estimate
1 Reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in the Housatonic River watershed to restore and rehabilitate injured or lost natural resources and their services
Indirect Project raises awareness of the Housatonic River, its natural resources and the role of individual horse owners in protecting and improving these resources through the reduction of stressors resulting from elevated nutrient levels, low dissolved oxygen, increased turbidity, increased sedimentation and elevated pathogen levels. The project will benefit downstream aquatic resources as well as restore riparian buffer zones.
Example BMP: Potential reductions from vegetation buffer strip (NRCS, 2008) * up to 50% or more of nutrients and pesticides. * up to 60% or more of certain pathogens. * up to 75% or more of sediment Estimated that at least 50% of participants will implement one or more BMPs.
2 Integrate public participation Direct Project actively engages horse-owning community as both volunteer liaisons and environmental education participants
Estimated that 150-200 people will participate in forums. Estimated that at least 75% of participants will report an increased awareness of potential impacts of their activities (as measured through effectiveness surveys).
3 Facilitate the use of sustainable best management practices
Direct Project educates participants about structural and nonstructural BMPs
Estimated that 75% of the participants will report increased knowledge of BMPs
4 Support existing and future restoration efforts
Indirect See Objective 1 Explanation and Quantified Estimate
5 Benefit aquatic biological resources and environmental education and outreach through a maintenance-based project
Direct/ Indirect
Direct: Environmental education and outreach is key element of project. See Objective 2 Explanation. Indirect: See Objective 1Explanation.
Direct: Four (4) free public events will be held; an estimated 75% of participants will report increased knowledge as measured through pre- and post-event surveys. Indirect: Example from study of Wisconsin stream buffers and aquatic insect index of biotic integrity (IBI) – doubling of buffer, approximately doubles IBI (Weigel et al., 2005)
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Project Implementation Plan
Overall Approach The horse-owning community in Massachusetts is a unique sector of the larger agricultural community. While networking among horse owners is relatively strong, the connection to more traditional agricultural sectors in Massachusetts (e.g., dairy, crop production) is not well established. As a result, regulators and environmental educators have struggled with effective ways to educate horse owners on best management practices to reduce NPS pollution and improve and protect aquatic resources. This project is innovative because it takes advantage of the existing network of horse owners and equine enthusiasts in the Housatonic River watershed. We are partnered with members of that network to provide the information and skills necessary for horse owners to become an informed citizenry, capable of implementing individual actions with positive cumulative effects. Our four partners provide geographic coverage of the watershed:
• Holiday Brook Farm in Dalton • Undermountain Farm in Lenox • Colonial Carriage and Driving Society, based in Lenox, with membership
throughout the region • Sheffield Whinnies 4-H Horse Club in Sheffield
Each partner has agreed to publicize and host at least one educational outreach event open to the local horse community. Key elements of these events are:
• Encouraging an understanding of how natural resources associated with the Housatonic River relate to their geographic location. Helping people to “find their farm” on a map and see it in relation to other mapped resources allows them to place themselves and their actions in a larger environmental context and see their geographic connection to natural resources.
• Teaching basic horsekeeping best management practices (BMPs) centered around mud and manure management that benefit aquatic biological and water resources. BMPs are critical to reducing and preventing stressors like turbidity, high sedimentation, low dissolved oxygen, eutrophication, and elevated pathogen levels as well as emerging pollutants of concern like veterinary pharmaceuticals.
• Education tailored to the audience. The outreach events will be tailored to the needs of adult or youth participants and the specific concerns and interests of horse owners.
• Conducting pre-event and post-event surveys and 6 month follow-up surveys to determine the effectiveness of outreach in terms of participant knowledge gained and actions taken to reduce NPS pollution.
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Project Schedule 2010 2011
Phase/Task July
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May
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Phase 1 Planning and Coordination with Partners
Milestone 1A – Event/Agenda Details Confirmed Phase 2 Development of EEO Materials
Milestone 2A – Presentation/Activities Prepared Milestone 2B – Mapping Completed Milestone 2C – Take-Away Materials Prepared Milestone 2D – Supporting Website Developed Phase 3 Delivery of EEO Forums
Milestone 3A – Outreach Events Completed Phase 4 Evaluation of Program Effectiveness
Milestone 4A – Event Pre- and Post-surveys Completed Milestone 4B – 6 Month Follow-up Completed Milestone 4C – Evaluation Report Completed
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Project Phases and Milestones As shown in the schedule above, the project is broken down into four major phases, with associated milestones described below: Phase 1 – Planning and Coordination with Partners Tasks to be completed during this phase consist of discussions and decision making regarding the format of the event to be hosted by each partner; the topics to be covered; the information to be provided; the location, date and time of each forum; and planning for publicity for each event. Milestone 1A – Event/Agenda Details Confirmed Phase 2 – Development of EEO Materials Tasks to be completed during this phase include interviewing project managers/principal investigators of similar projects (see Technical Feasibility section) to gather information about highly successful and less successful aspects of their projects, development of natural resource maps from MassGIS and local data sources for use in outreach events, review of existing educational materials (see Supporting Technical Documentation) relative to the North American Association for Environmental Education guidelines for educational materials (see Supporting Technical Documentation), compilation of forum materials and design of activities (i.e., presentations, handouts, worksheets, exercises), and design and assembly of take-away materials. By using a pre-registration process for the events, we will be able to locate most participant locations on the resource maps. Allowing them to visually understand the relationship between their actions and the ecology and water quality of the Housatonic River. In addition, a website will be developed to be an online resource for information about the project including upcoming events and available materials for download. The website will also contain a link to a user group, which will create an on-line forum for information sharing. This will be established through a freely available tool such as Google Groups such that individual horse owners may share ideas, successes, and failures as well as seek advice from others. Milestone 2A – Presentation/Activities Prepared Milestone 2B – Mapping Completed Milestone 2C – Take-Away Materials Prepared Milestone 2D – Supporting Website Developed Phase 3 – Delivery of EEO Forums During this phase, the education and outreach forums/workshops will be conducted. A seven month timeframe (October 2010-April 2011) is allowed for this phase to ensure that suitable weather conditions will be available for outdoor activities. Most workshops will be 4-6 hours, held on a Saturday. The exception is that the two to three meetings will be held with the Sheffield Whinnies 4-H Horse Club, in addition to the public event they will host, so that the project team can work with the club to develop an exhibit on horsekeeping, water quality, and the relationship to the Housatonic River that can be used
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in subsequent outreach activities held by the club. For example, the exhibit could be displayed at the Berkshire County 4-H Fair to reach an even larger audience. Milestone 3A – Outreach Events Completed Phase 4 – Evaluation The evaluation phase of the project will begin concurrent with Phase 3 and continue to the completion of the project. The evaluation will include a pre-event and post-event survey for each outreach activity to determine information gained by the participants. In addition, a follow-up mail and/or internet survey will be conducted 6 months after each event to assess what best management practices event participants have implemented as a result of the training. A final report summarizing the results of the evaluation will be completed at the conclusion of the project. Development of the evaluation plan will use guidance from the University of Michigan’s “My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant” or MEERA, an online tool for environmental educators to evaluate the effectiveness of education and outreach. The site is funded by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Forest Service (http://meera.snre.umich.edu/). Milestone 4A – Event Pre- and Post-surveys Completed Milestone 4B – 6 Month Follow-up Completed Milestone 4C – Evaluation Report Completed
Long-Term Effectiveness and Sustainability Because EEO efforts are focused on behavioral change, they implicitly incorporate long-term effectiveness and sustainability. There is no “design life” associate with understanding the benefits and necessity of common-sense actions like manure pile placement away from water bodies and wetlands to reduce NPS. Efforts like those in this project are consistent with the philosophy of the proverb, “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime.” The long-term effectiveness of the project will accrue gradually as the cumulative result of numerous individual actions. To track implementation of BMPs and associated improvements beyond the life of the project, the website will include a database for horse owners to “log-in” the actions they have taken to reduce NPS pollution on their property. We will also set up a user group through a freely available tool such as Google Groups such that individual horse owners may share ideas, successes, and failures as well as seek advice from others. These sites will be maintained through the Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center at UMass Amherst. While not a focus of the project, we will make the groups aware of the resources available through the Massachusetts Water Watch Partnership (www.umass.edu/tei/mwwp) and other sources for setting up a Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program. Also, the educational materials, website and evaluation materials developed for this project will be available for broader dissemination throughout the region.
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Consistency with Other Activities No specific coordination with ongoing planned or restoration activities has been conducted. However, the proposed project will complement other restoration activities throughout the watershed. It is unique in its potential to effect broad improvements in water quality throughout the watershed at low cost by targeting the geographically distributed horse owning community. In addition, it will help to educate the next generation of horse owners through inclusion of K-12 students and 4-H club members. The proposed project is consistent with the latest Watershed Action Plan (WAP) for the Housatonic (MA EOEA, 2003), which identified 5 major goals:
1. Ensure the remediation and restoration of the Housatonic River 2. Work to improve water quality and to mitigate accelerated eutrophication of lakes
and ponds 3. Enhance environmental education and natural resources stewardship 4. Support environmentally sustainable growth 5. Protect and increase biodiversity conservation.
The long-term benefits of this project will reduce NPS pollution, supporting the remediation and restoration efforts (WAP Goal #1) and improving water quality (WAP Goal #2). This project directly addresses WAP Goal #3, enhancing environmental education and stewardship, by engaging the watershed community in addressing environmental issues of that are of regional importance. No permits or regulatory approvals are required for project implementation. No property access agreements, easements, or rights-of-way are required. The only coordination necessary for implementation is the Phase 1 coordination with the project partners in the horse community that are acting as liaisons for the project.
Technical Feasibility This project involves two basic techniques for implementation: (1) environmental education and (2) horsekeeping best management practices. Fortunately, there are well established methods for both. Consequently, there is no uncertainty regarding the technical feasibility of the project, nor are any technical complications anticipated.
Environmental Education There are numerous sources of information regarding techniques for informal environmental education for adults and youth and research which suggests that environmental education efforts lead to behavioral change (Vanderburg, 2009). We will be utilizing guidance developed by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE, 2000; 2004a; 2004b), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 2003) to develop our implementation plan. We will also draw upon experience of the project team with education and outreach activities. In addition, we will be contacting other groups actively involved with outreach to the horse owning community to learn what techniques have been most successful in their programs. These
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include the Mud, Horses, and Clean Water Project at the University of Kentucky; the Maryland Department of Agriculture Horse Outreach Workgroup; the Horses for Clean Water Program in Washington State; and the Horse Manure and Pasture Management Education Project at North Carolina State University.
Horsekeeping Best Management Practices Best management practices for horse owners range from simple behavioral changes (e.g., manure pile placement, rotational grazing) to structural changes (e.g., development of buffer strips, installation of permeable pavers in parking area, etc) to limit point and nonpoint source pollution by reducing pollution sources, reducing runoff, or promoting pollutant removal. Numerous sources of information, including material aimed specifically at horse owners, is readily available. The techniques described are recognized as proven best management practices and most of the guidance material has been developed by state or local regulatory agencies and local offices of the nationwide Cooperative Extension System. A representative bibliography of sources is presented in the Supporting Technical Dopcumentation section of this narrative.
Examples of Approach Used Elsewhere The following are examples of two successfully completed projects using techniques similar to the ones proposed for use in this project. In the Puget Sound in Washington State, the Horses for Clean Water Program, conducted a public involvement and education program that included farm tours and workshops to teach pasture, manure, and mud management practices designed to reduce pollution from farms. More than 345 horse owners attended workshops or farm tours that promoted farm management practices such as installation of gutters and downspouts, a manure management program, and manure composting. A survey of participants showed that 94% of respondents made at least one of these changes; 85% made at least two changes and 74% made at least three changes to their property as a result of the training (Puget Sound Action Team, 2004) In North Carolina, the North Carolina State University conducted a project on horse manure and pasture management education. The state is a national leader in recreational horse production and ownership. The goal of this project was to improve water quality protection on and around horse operations by increasing the understanding of horse owners about best management practices (BMPs) that can be used on their farms. The project took advantage of an existing horse-owner/enthusiast network to disseminate knowledge about horse manure and pasture management BMPs through field days, demonstration sites, workshops, newsletters, and other educational programs. The project was successful in providing practical information directly to over 300 horse owners and farm managers through field days and meetings. In addition, several thousand horse owners were provided water quality information through newsletters and web sites (NCSU, 2005).
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Monitoring/Evaluation and Contingency Plan While a primary goal of this project is to reduce nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in the Housatonic River watershed to restore and rehabilitate injured or lost natural resources and their services, measurable changes to water quality resulting from environmental education efforts are unlikely to occur during the project timeframe of 16-months. Therefore, the parameters to be directly monitored and quantified during this project focus on objectives suitable for environmental education and outreach:
• participation, • knowledge gained, and • resulting actions taken to reduce NPS pollution.
Project-Duration Evaluation
Evaluation Parameter Data Collected* Contingency 1 Number of participants in each event and
the number of horses and horse-related land use acres they represent
Survey of participants at each education events
Events will have both pre-registration and walk-in registration. If pre-registration indicates low attendance at an event, additional publicity and recruiting efforts will be pursued with volunteer horse community liaisons.
2 Assessment of participants’ pre-event (reference) and post-event knowledge about the relationship between their horse-related activities and the Housatonic River
Survey of participants at start and conclusion of each education event
Because multiple events will be held, materials/activities can be adjusted as necessary to improve gains in participant knowledge.
3 Assessment of participants’ pre-event (reference) and post-event knowledge about horsekeeping best management practices to reduce NPS pollution
Survey of participants at start and conclusion of each education event
4 Number of participants that completed farm/stable self-assessment 1 month following each public participation event (self-addressed stamped notification postcard to be mailed to project team)
Postcard responses Follow-up reminder mail/email sent to participants not responding, to encourage response.
5 Number and type of best management practices implemented by project participants 6 months following each environmental education outreach event
Follow-up mail/internet survey with event participants
In the event of low percentages (<25%) of implementation, additional information can be sent to participants to encourage BMP implementation.
*All data will be collected by the project team. Final development of the evaluation plan will use guidance from the University of Michigan’s “My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant” or MEERA,
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an online tool for environmental educators to evaluate the effectiveness of education and outreach. The site is funded by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Forest Service (http://meera.snre.umich.edu/).
Qualifications of Applicant and Project Team
Technical Capacity
Project Team The project team will be led by Diane M.L. Mas who will act as the project manager (PM) and principal investigator (PI). She will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, will be the primary point of contact for the horse community liaison partners, will lead the outreach events, and will supervise undergraduate students involved in map making and materials assembly and preparation. Paula L. Sturdevant Rees will act as the co-PI and will provide input and guidance on the development of education and outreach materials and activities. Drs. Mas and Rees have worked together on various water resources related projects since 1992 and recently presented a participatory learning workshop on water resources and climate change for secondary school students at the Williston Northampton School. They will be assisted in this project by undergraduate students that will be hired to prepare natural resource mapping and assist with development of materials, project website, and outreach events. Brief biographical sketches are provided below and CVs are attached. Project Manager/Principal Investigator Diane M.L. Mas, Ph.D. Post-doctoral Research Associate Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Massachusetts Amherst
Diane M.L. Mas has over 10 years of environmental consulting and research experience in the areas of water quality, watershed management and pollution prevention, and environmental impact assessment. Dr. Mas received her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has held appointments as a Lecturer in Engineering at Smith College and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Water Resources at Hampshire College. At both institutions, she developed new courses related to water resources and environmental impact. Dr. Mas also has over a decade of experience managing complex, multidisciplinary environmental engineering projects including Massachusetts and National Environmental Policy Act (MEPA and NEPA) environmental impact assessments and water quality and watershed management studies.
Throughout her career Dr. Mas has been involved in public education on water quality and watershed management. As an environmental consultant she has organized and led workshops on the relationship between water quality and watershed management, contributed to the development of the Connecticut
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Stormwater Quality Manual, organized public participation efforts for numerous environmental impact assessments in Massachusetts and Connecticut for projects including the proposed construction of an animal vaccine research center and an indoor equestrian facility. Dr. Mas is uniquely suited to conduct this project because her qualifications and background combine a thorough knowledge of the environmental science and engineering issues related to water quality and horse keeping, experience as an horse owner and an ongoing involvement in the Massachusetts recreational horse community, skill in explaining environmental issues to non-technical audiences of varying age and experience. She presented “Using 4-H as a Gateway for Horse Environmental Awareness,” at the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission Non-Point Source Conference in Groton, Connecticut in May, 2008 and presented a workshop on horsekeeping and water quality at the Massachusetts 4-H Equine Seminar in March, 2009.
Co-Principal Investigator Paula L. Sturdevant Rees Director, Water Resources Research Center Director, Education and Outreach for the Engineering Research Center for
Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere University of Massachusetts Amherst Paula L. Sturdevant Rees received her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and Operations Research from Princeton University and from 1999 to 2008 was a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UMass. Dr. Rees currently is the Director of the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The MA WRRC supports research, education, and outreach on water resource issues of state, regional, and national importance. Its main objectives are to conduct research responsive to state and regional needs; to support the education and training of students as water resources professionals; and to disseminate research results to appropriate users. She has worked with various stakeholders to explore alternative management strategies for the Blackstone River watershed, as well as conducted other watershed monitoring and modeling projects across the state.
Dr. Rees is also Director of Education and Outreach Programs for the UMass Amherst Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA), a multi-sector partnership among academia, industry, and government dedicated to engineering revolutionary weather-sensing networks. CASA is a National Science Foundation Engineering Center with over $40 million in federal, university, industry, and state funding. As Director of Education and Outreach for CASA, Rees oversees K-12 through graduate efforts designed to increase participation of women, Hispanics, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering and math disciplines. These activities include a week-long Content Institute for middle school teachers offered each summer, workshops for teachers and students, and research opportunities for K12 teachers (www.casa.umass.edu/main/education_and_outreach).
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Project Partners The following groups have agreed to volunteer services to act as liasions with the horse community in the Housatonic River Watershed. Copies of letters of commitment are attached for 3 of the 4 and a verbal commitment has been provided by Undermountain Farm.
• Holiday Brook Farm is located in Dalton, along the headwaters of the Housatonic River watershed. Four streams (Duncan, Holiday, Anthony and Egypt Brook) run through the farm and empty into Waconah Falls Brook. The farm currently encompasses some 1300 acres of open fields, forest and pasture and farm and produces hay, compost, maple syrup natural and grass-fed meats and firewood. Also on-site is an organic vegetable CSA, horse boarding stable and lessons, and a daffodil bulb & fern production operation. The farm also imports horse manure from off-farm horse stables in order to produce approximately 4000 cubic yards of compost annually. Their role in collaborating on the proposed project consists of providing a location for a public environmental education event, publicizing the event through their website and other outreach mechanisms including their CSA and horse stable, and providing feedback on the environmental educational materials most useful and relevant to horse owners.
• Sheffield Whinnies 4-H Horse Club is the only 4-H horse club in Berkshire County. The club currently has 16 members that participate in a variety of education and public service events including Horse Bowl, Hippology, and Horse Judging. The Massachusetts 4-H program is well known for its emphasis on equine science and agriculture. The horse program is the project with the largest in 4-H membership in our state and is also the most popular program nationally. Their role in collaborating on the proposed project consists of providing a location for a public environmental education event, publicizing the event through their members, and providing feedback on the environmental educational materials most useful and relevant to horse owners, especially the “backyard” horse owners that are constitute the major of the 4-H families.
• Undermountain Farm is a 150 acre farm located one mile from the center of Lenox. A long standing member of the horse community in the Berkshires, Undermountain Farm is a lesson and boarder stable that also participates in the Western New England Professional Horseman’s Association, including hosting horse shows. Their role in collaborating on the proposed project consists of providing a location for a public environmental education event, publicizing the event through their website and other outreach mechanisms including the horse stable and day camp, and providing feedback on the on the environmental educational materials most useful and relevant to horse owners.
• Colonial Carriage and Driving Society, based in Berkshire County, was founded for the purpose of developing and furthering the art of driving for pleasure and to offer instruction and information on all aspects of carriage driving, including horse management. They currently have 100 members from Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York, and hold a variety of events throughout the year including Sleigh Rallies, Pleasure Shows, Tub Parades, Pleasure Drives, Fun Driving Days, Traditional Driving Days and
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Driving Clinics that are attended by horse owners and equine enthusiasts from Berkshire County and beyond. Their role in collaborating on the proposed project consists of providing a location for a public environmental education event, publicizing the event through their newsletter and website to reach horse owners in the Housatonic River watershed, and providing feedback on the environmental educational materials most useful and relevant to horse owners.
Administrative Capacity University of Massachusetts The flagship, public land-grant campus of the University of Massachusetts is a leading research institution, enrolling more than 25,000 students from fifty states and nearly 100 countries. The University's mission is to provide an affordable and accessible education of high quality and to conduct programs of research and public service that advance knowledge and improve the lives of the people of the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst has achieved a reputation for excellence, earning national and international recognition in fields such as computer science, business, nanotechnology, polymer science, linguistics, and engineering. The campus offers ninety-three undergraduate programs (including six associate degrees) as well as seventy master's and fifty doctoral programs. Sponsored research activities total more than $100 million per year, providing a major stimulus for the state's economy. Outside Technical Expertise In addition to the project team, additional technical resources exist both on campus (i.e., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Extension) and through the PI’s contacts within state and federal agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Supporting Technical Documentation
Horsekeeping and Water Quality – Representative Bibliography The following is a sample of the type of material available for horsekeeping and water quality. University of Massachusetts Extension. 2008. Selected publications including, Mud Management for Horse Operations. Available at http://www.umass.edu/cdl/ publications.html City of San Juan Capistrano, 2004. Equestrian-Related Water Quality Best Management Practices. San Juan Capistrano, California. Council of Bay Area Resource Conservation Districts, 2002. Horse Owners Guide to Water Quality Protection. Petaluma, California. EPA, 2007. Agricultural Management Practices for Water Quality Protection. Available at http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/agmodule/ Maryland Department of Agriculture, undated. Multiple publications, including, Pasture and Manure Management http://www.mda.state.md.us/resource_conservation/ technical_assistance/how.php MA DEP, undated. Multiple publications, including, A Horse Owner’s Guide to Protecting Massachusetts Natural Resources. Available at http://www.mass.gov/dep/ water/resources/animal.htm NRCS, undated. Best Management Practices for Horses. Available at http://patriotrcd.org/NRCSNYHorseBMPs.pdf San Francisco Bay Resource Conservation & Development Council, 2001. Horse Keeping:A Guide to Land Management for Clean Water. Petaluma, California. University of Massachusetts Extension. 2008. Selected publications including, Mud Management for Horse Operations. Available at http://www.umass.edu/cdl/ publications.html University of Minnesota Extension, 2000. Manure and Pasture Management for Recreational Horse Owners. Available at http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD7540.html
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Sample Worksheet Used in Outreach The following worksheet was developed and used by the project team at a Horsekeeping and Water Quality workshop conducted at the Massachusetts 4-H Equine Seminar Day in March 2009.
Horsekeeping and Water Quality
Quick Check and Action Plan Manure Management – Quick Check
1. Do I have adequate storage for manure? (2 to 2.5 ft3/horse/day) 2. Am I removing manure from horse areas at least every 1 to 3 days? 3. Is my manure storage properly located – away from horses and resources, accessible to place and
remove manure? 4. Is my manure pile covered?
Action Plan What manure management actions can I take to reduce risks to horse, human, and environmental health? Action Time Frame
Mud Management – Quick Check
1. Am I removing manure and hay from horse areas at least every 1 to 3 days? 2. Do I have bare areas in pastures and paddocks? 3. Is grass in pasture areas at least 3 inches tall? 4. Is roof runoff and overland runoff diverted from bare ground and high traffic areas (watering,
feeding areas)? Action Plan What mud management actions can I take to reduce risks to horse, human, and environmental health? Action Time Frame
Prepared by: Diane M.L. Mas Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA [email protected], http://www.ecs.umass.edu/~dmas
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References Cited in this Narrative Puget Sound Action Team, 2004. Serving Puget Sound with PIE: 1997-2003 Success Stories. [ http://www.psparchives.com/publications/our_work/education/pie/projects/ PIE_Success_Stories.pdf]. Puget Sound Action Team, Olympia, Washington. NAAEE, 2004b. Nonformal Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence. [http://www.naaee.org]. NAAEE, Washington, D.C., NAAEE, 2004a. Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence. [http://www.naaee.org]. NAAEE, Washington, D.C., NAAEE, 2000. Nonformal Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence Environmental Education Materials: Guidelines for Excellence Workbook. [http://www.naaee.org]. NAAEE, Washington, D.C., NCSU (North Carolina State University), 2005. Final Report: Horse Manure and Pasture Management Education. [http://h2o.enr.state.nc.us/nps/documents/FY02-NCSU-FinalRepor-EW03016.pdf]
NRCS, 2008. Buffer Strips: Common Sense Conservation. [http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/buffers/#Anchor-Benefits]
USEPA. 2003. Getting in Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns. EPA 841-B-03-002. [http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/outreach/documents/getinstep.pdf]. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.
Vanderburg, S., 2009. “Research Suggests Education Leads to Behavior Change” in March 2009 Outreach News. Washington State Conservation Commission, Lacey, Washington. Weigel, B.M., E.E. Emmons, J.S. Stewart, R. Bannerman, 2005. “Buffer Width and Continuity for Preserving Stream Health in Agricultural Landscapes” in Research Management Findings, Issue 56. [http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/science/publications/PUB_SS_756_2005.pdf] Bureau of Integrated Science Services, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin,
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C. Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts
The MA SubCouncil will review the information provided and determine whether further information is required. CHECKLIST: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS Project Name: _ Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration Applicant: ___University of Massachusetts Amherst_______________________________________
Impact Category Impact No Effect
Minimal Adverse Impacts*
Significant Adverse Impacts*
Beneficial Impacts*
Mitigation Required*
Permit or Approval
Required**
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Air quality impacts X
Instream flow impacts X
Surface water quality impacts X
Sediment quality impacts X
Soil quality impacts X
Groundwater quality impacts X
Wetlands quality and services X Diversity and abundance of aquatic species X
Diversity and abundance of terrestrial wildlife species X
Diversity of plant communities X
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The MA SubCouncil will review the information provided and determine whether further information is required. CHECKLIST: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS Project Name: _ Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration Applicant: __University of Massachusetts Amherst________________________________________
Impact Category Impact No Effect
Minimal Adverse Impacts*
Significant Adverse Impacts*
Beneficial Impacts*
Mitigation Required*
Permit or Approval
Required**
Soci
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Impacts on minority or low income populations X
Impacts on local sense of community and well being X
Impacts on aesthetics X
Impacts on public health or safety X
Impacts on recreational activity X Impacts to Native American Trust Resources X
Impacts on non-Tribal cultural sites X
Impacts on education X
Impacts on local partnerships and collaborative efforts X
Impacts on availability and quality of drinking water X
Impact on subsistence activity X
Nuisance impacts X
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The MA SubCouncil will review the information provided and determine whether further information is required. CHECKLIST: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS Project Name: _ Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration___ Applicant: __University of Massachusetts Amherst_________________________________________________
Impact Category Impact No Effect
Minimal Adverse Impacts*
Significant Adverse Impacts*
Beneficial Impacts*
Mitigation Required*
Permit or Approval
Required**
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Short-term commercial economic impact of restoration action X
Impacts on property values X
Impacts on recreational expenditures and related businesses X
Impacts on existing resource-based industries X
Impacts on commercial water users X
Impacts on river-based commercial navigation X
Impact on wastewater dischargers X
Other:
Other:
* Requires narrative discussion; see instructions in text. ** List and description of permits required; see instructions in text.
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Narrative The proposed project, Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration, will provide targeted outreach to horse owners. It will result in direct beneficial impacts to:
• Local sense of community and well being by bringing together the equine community to focus on an environmental issue of regional importance and making them stakeholders in the process of restoration,
• Public health and safety since improved water quality benefits public health as it relates to the quality of drinking water supplies and contact and non-contact recreation waters,
• Informal education opportunities because it provides targeted environmental education and outreach (EEO), teaching individuals basic and applied information about the relationship between land use in the context of horsekeeping, water quality, aquatic and environmental health, and public health,
• Local partnerships and collaborative efforts by leveraging the existing network of the horse-owning community in the Housatonic River watershed and offering a platform for ongoing regional collaboration on environmental issues and virtual, on-line collaboration through the project website.
Since the focus of the outreach is on best management practices for water quality protection and restoration, indirect beneficial impacts to natural resources are anticipated to result from the EEO including, improvements in:
• Surface water quality • Sediment quality • Soil quality • Groundwater quality • Wetlands quality and services • Diversity and abundance of aquatic species.
These benefits will accrue gradually as the cumulative result of numerous individual actions. No impacts to economic resources are anticipated as a result of the project. No permits or approvals are required for the project.
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D. Project Budget TABLE 1. HOUSATONIC RIVER NRD FUNDING ALLOCATION BY STATE FISCAL YEARS
PROJECT TITLE: Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration
APPLICANT NAME: University of Massachusetts Amherst
FISCAL YEAR 1 FISCAL YEAR 2 FISCAL YEAR 3 FISCAL YEAR 4 EXPENSE CATEGORY Housatonic River
NRD Funds Housatonic River
NRD Funds Housatonic River
NRD Funds Housatonic River
NRD Funds
A. SALARIES 15,877 2,342.00
B. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 1,180.00 46.00
C. CONTRACTED SERVICES 0.00 0.00
D. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
3,580.00 20.00
E. TRAVEL 952.00 0.00
F. OTHER (postage) 146.00 34.00
G. OTHER (indirect costs @ 26%) 5,651.00 635.00
TOTAL BY FISCAL YEAR 1 27,386.00 2 3,077.00 3 4
GRAND TOTAL (sum of boxes 1+2+3+4) [This sum is the total NRD fund request and should match Part A, Budget Summary, Box 1]
30,463.00
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TABLE 2. PROJECT BUDGET SUMMARY BY TASK AND FUNDING SOURCE
PROJECT TITLE: Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration
APPLICANT NAME: University of Massachusetts Amherst
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS TASK HOUSATONIC RIVER
NRD FUNDS COMMITTED NOT COMMITTED
TOTAL COST BY TASK
A. Phase 1 – Planning & Coordination with Partners 2949.00 725.00 3,674.00
B. Phase 2 –Assembling Materials 15,251.00 3,752.00 19,003.00
C. Phase 3 – Environmental Education and Outreach Activities
8,541.00 2,101.00 10,643.00
D. Phase 4 - Evaluation 3,722.00 916.00 4,639.00
E.
F.
G.
TOTAL BY FUNDING SOURCE 5 30,463.00 6 7 7,495.00 8 GRAND TOTAL
$37,958.00
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Budget Narrative A total budget of $37,958 is proposed for the 16-month duration of the project. Of that, $30,463 is requested from the Housatonic River NRD funds. The remaining $7,495 represents the difference between the actual indirect costs to the University (i.e., rate of 57%) and the discounted indirect cost rate of 26% applied to state agencies. This difference is an indirect cost share committed by the University pending receipt of Housatonic River NRD funding. The 57% indirect cost rate, (i.e., a facilities and administrative cost rate) is the indirect cost rate negotiated between UMass and the federal government. Salary represents the major budget cost, reflecting the effort associated with developing and delivering the EEO materials. The project will fund a post-doctoral research associate, Diane Mas, for 12 weeks over the 16-month project. She will be responsible for project management, and have primary responsibility for EEO material development and delivery. Her salary in year 2 reflects a 3% cost of living increase over the project period. Paula Sturdevant Rees, Research Assistant Professor, will devote one and a half weeks during the academic year in year 1 of the project. One or two undergraduate students will be employed at $11 per hour for 120 hours inYear 1 and 20 hours inYear 2 to assist with materials preparation and organization and delivery of the EEO forums. Employee fringe benefits include workers compensation, unemployment, university health, and FICA for all employees. For undergraduates, a rate of 1.4% is assumed for summer employment only. No fringe benefits are paid for the academic year for undergraduates. A rate of 1.64% is assumed for the post-doctoral researcher. Fringe benefits for Paula Sturdevant Rees, Research Assistant Professor during the academic year are assessed at 26.14% Supplies, material and equipment costs include printing costs and disposable materials for the EEO events including poster board, folders, pencils, markers, way-finding signs, name tags, and refreshments, with a total per person event cost of approximately $17, assuming 200 people. This estimate is consistent with the cost for a recent 4 hour agricultural management seminar in central Massachusetts held by Extension, which had a per person registration fee of $20. Black and white and color printing costs for material for 200 hundred participants, including large format maps, are estimated at $2300. Disposal material costs are estimated at $300 per event, for a total of $1200. Travel cost consist of mileage costs from Amherst at the federal rate of $0.55/mile and include 3 round trips to Sheffield, 1 round trip to Dalton, 2 round trips to Lenox, and 1 round trip to Lee. Total mileage costs are estimated at $952. Other costs include postage consisting of mailing to publicize the event and postage costs for self-addressed surveys and postcards used in the evaluation process, June 2009 postage rates are assumed for 300 postcards and 220 letters.
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Additional Information
Project Team CVs
Project Partners Letters of Commitment
Curriculum Vitae
DIANE M.L. MAS Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Marston Hall
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003 Email: [email protected], Telephone: 413-348-9738
Education University of Massachusetts Ph.D. in Civil Engineering February 2006 Princeton University M.S. in Engineering (Water Resources) January 1995 Amherst College A.B. in Geology May 1992 Academic Appointments Postdoctoral Research Associate January 2006 – Present Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA Supervisor: David P. Ahlfeld • Currently developing data-driven nowcasting models to predict same day bacterial water
quality at Boston Harbor beaches Adjunct Assistant Professor of Water Resources February 2007 – June 2007 School of Natural Science, Hampshire College, Amherst, MA • Developed and taught a course on sustainable water resources, utilizing a combination of
case studies and project-based and traditional pedagogical techniques with the underlying theme that understanding of the hydrologic cycle is necessary for sustainable use of water resources
Lecturer January 2006 – December 2006 Picker Engineering Program, Smith College, Northampton, MA • Developed and taught a research-based course on the use of statistical methods for the
development of beach water quality models • Developed and taught an upper-level undergraduate course on environmental impact
assessment, integrating engineering practice and environmental policy and regulation American Association of University Women Selected Professions Dissertation Fellow July 2004 – June 2005 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA Professional Appointments Senior Environmental Engineer March 2001 – Present Fuss & O’Neill, Inc. Consulting Engineers, West Springfield, MA • Professional practice focusing on water quality and environmental impact assessment • Analysis of relationship between water quality parameters, hydrology and land use for
multiple settings including coastal watersheds, airports, landfills, and beaches. • Co-author of Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual
Environmental Engineer August 1995 – January 1999 Baystate Environmental Consultants, Inc., East Longmeadow, MA Hydrologist August 1994 – August 1995 National Weather Service, Northeast River Forecast Center, Taunton, MA Related Publications D.M.L. Mas and D.P. Ahlfeld, “"Comparing artificial neural networks and regression models for predicting fecal coliform concentrations," Hydrologic Sciences Journal, August 2007, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 713-731. Related Presentations D.M. L. Mas, “Using 4-H as a Gateway for Horse Environmental Awareness,” New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission Non-Point Source Conference, Groton, Connecticut, May 19-21, 2008. Additional Training Michigan State University Extension (2009) – Pasture and Manure Management University of Massachusetts Extension (2008) – Mud and Manure Management for Equine Facilities Peer Reviewer U.S. Department of Agricultural CREES grant program Groundwater Hydrologic Sciences Journal Environmental Practice
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Biographical Sketch PAULA L. STURDEVANT REES
Research Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Director, Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center
Director, Education & Outreach, ERC for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere Blaisdell House, 310 Hicks Way
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
Email: [email protected], Phone: (413) 545-5528 (a) Professional Preparation University of Iowa Civil Engineering B.S. 1992 Princeton University Civil Engineering M.A. 1994 Princeton University Civil Engineering Ph.D. 1997 Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School STPP* certificate 1998 Princeton University Extreme Flood Hydrology Postdoctoral 1997 – 1999 * Science Technology and Public Policy (b) Appointments 2008 - Research Assistant Professor UMass, Public Health/Environmental Health
Sciences 2007 - Director MA WRRC; Director E&O, ERC for CASA, UMass 1999- 2008 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Eng., UMass 1997-1999 Postdoctoral Associate, Princeton U., Dept. of Civil Eng. and O.R. (c1) Selected Publications: related to this proposal Wu, J., P. Rees, S. Storrer, K. Alderisio, S. Dorner. 2008. Fate and transport modeling of
potential pathogens: the contribution from sediments. To appear in: Journal of the American Water Resources Association.
Sturdevant Rees, P.L., Mangarillo, J. and CDM. 2008. Blackstone River HSPF Water Quality Model Calibration Report, Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District, 84 pp.
Sturdevant Rees, P.L. and J. Mangarillo. 2008. Blackstone River HSPF Model Scenario Report, Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District, 53+ pp.
Sturdevant Rees, P.L., S.C. Long, P.K. Barten, R. Baker, D. Bourdeau. 2005. Development of Event-Based Pathogen Monitoring Strategies for Watersheds. AWWA Research Foundation, Denver, CO.
Reckhow, DA, PL Rees and D Bryan, “Watershed Sources of Disinfection Byproduct Precursors”, Water Science and Technology, 4:4:61-69 (2004).
(c2) Selected Publications: other significant work Reckhow, D. A., P. L. Rees, K. Nusslein, G. Makdissy, G. Devine, T. Connelly, A.
Boutin, and D. Bryan. 2007. Long-Term Variability of BDOM and NOM as Precursors in Watershed Sources. AWWA Research Foundation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Denver, CO., 374 pp.
Sturdevant Rees, P., Smith, J.A., Morrison, J., and M.L. Baeck, 2001. Tropical storms and the flood hydrology of the central Appalachians. Water Resources Research, 37(8), 2143 – 2168.
Sturdevant Rees, P.L. Invited. “Hydrology and Hydrometeorology of Extreme Floods in Urban Environments”. Presented at the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum and the
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U.S. National Academy of Engineering 2006 Indo-U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, March 2-4, 2006, Agra, India.
Smith, J. A., Baeck, M. L., Morrison, J. E., Sturdevant-Rees, P., Turner-Gillespie, D. F., and P. Bates, 2002. The regional hydrology of extreme floods in an urbanizing drainage basin. Journal of Hydrometeorology, 3, 267 – 282.
Smith, J. A., Baeck, M. L., Morrison, J. E., and P. L. Sturdevant Rees, 2000. Catastrophic rainfall and flooding in Texas. Journal of Hydrometeorology, 1 (February), 5-25.
(d) Synergistic Activities
Activities Board of Directors, Universities’ Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) (July 2005) Hydrology Section Web Site Editor, American Geophysical Union Contributor to the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic
Science, Inc. (CUAHSI) Ad hoc reviewer
Affiliations American Geophysical Union American Society of Civil Engineers American Meteorological Society Water Environment Federation
Chi Epsilon Tau Beta Pi Phi Eta Sigma
(e) List of Collaborators Collaborators and Co-Editors: David Ahlfeld, U. of Massachusetts Mary Lynn Baeck, Princeton U. Paul Barten, U. of Massachusetts Paul D. Bates, U. of Bristol Witold F. Krajewski, U. of Iowa Jennifer K. Holmann-Dodds, U. of Iowa
Sharon Long, U. of Wisconsin David Reckhow, U. of Massachusetts John Reid, Hampshire College James A. Smith, Princeton U. John Tobiason, U. of Massachusetts Beverly Woolf, U. of Massachusetts
Graduate and Postdoctoral Advisors: James A. Smith(currently Princeton University) Andy J. Miller (currently University of Maryland Baltimore County) Thesis Advisor and Postgraduate-Scholar Sponsor: Russell Adams – Postdoctoral Researcher; Kavitha Ambikadevi – M.S. CEE May 2005, Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering; Daniel Bourdeau – M.S. CEE September 2004, Geosyntech; Frances Cameron – M.S. EVE September 2002, Tighe and Bond; Joshua Cobb – M.S. EVE September 2002; Gregory Devine – M.S. EVE September 2005, Fuss & O’Neil; Megan Patterson – M.S. EVE September 2007, Geosyntech; David Senus – M.S. EVE September 2001, UMass,Woodard & Curran; James Mangarillo – current Ph.D; Rebecca Baker – current Ph.D.;(9 thesis students total, 1 postdoctoral)
April 2, 2009 Massachusetts SubCouncil Housatonic River RFR c/o Stantec Consulting 30 Park Dr. Topsham, ME 04086-1737 Dear Massachusetts SubCouncil Members: Please accept this Letter of Commitment for volunteer participation in the proposed project "Horsekeeping Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration" led by Dr. Diane Mas of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Colonial Carriage and Driving Society, based in Berkshire County, was founded for the purpose of developing and furthering the art of driving for pleasure and to offer instruction and information on all aspects of carriage driving, including horse management. We currently have 100 members from Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York. We hold a variety of events throughout the year including Sleigh Rallies, Pleasure Shows, Tub Parades, Pleasure Drives, Fun Driving Days, Traditional Driving Days and Driving Clinics that are attended by horse owners and equine enthusiasts from Berkshire County and beyond.
Our role in collaborating on the proposed project consists of providing a location for a public environmental education event, publicizing the event through our newsletter and website to reach horse owners in the Housatonic River watershed, and providing feedback on the on the environmental educational materials most useful and relevant to horse owners.
Thank you for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about Colonial Carriage and Driving Society’s role in this project.
Sincerely,
Harvey Waller
Colonial Carriage & Driving Society, President
Holiday Farm, Inc. d/b/a Holiday Brook Farm 100 Holiday Cottage Road
Dalton, MA 01226 Tel: 413-684-0444
Holiday Farm, Inc.
Massachusetts SubCouncil Housatonic River RFR c/o Stantec Consulting 30 Park Dr. Topsham, ME 04086-1737 Dear Massachusetts SubCouncil Members:
Please accept this Letter of Commitment for volunteer participation in the proposed project "Horse-keeping: Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection and Restoration" led by Dr. Diane Mas of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Holiday Brook Farm is located in Dalton, along the headwaters of the Housatonic River watershed. Four streams (Duncan, Holiday, Anthony & Egypt brooks) run through the farm and empty into Waconah Falls Brook. The farm currently encompasses some 1300 acres of hay fields, forest, pasture and vegetable fields and produces hay, compost, maple syrup, natural & grass-fed meats and firewood. Also on-site is an organic vegetable CSA and farm-stand, horse boarding stable and lessons, and a daffodil bulb & fern operation. The farm also imports horse manure from off-farm horse stables in order to produce their top quality, screened compost (about 4000 yards annually).
Our role in collaborating on the proposed project consists of providing a location for a public environmental education event, publicizing the event through our website and other outreach mechanisms including our CSA and horse stable, and providing feedback on the on the environmental educational materials most useful and relevant to horse owners.
Thank you for your consideration of this project. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions regarding Holiday Brook Farm’s participation.
Sincerely,
Desiree Robertson-DuBois Farm Co-manager Holiday Farm, Inc. d/b/a Holiday Brook Farm
