Susquehanna-Chemung Action Plan -- Project Overview
An Ecosystem-Based Watershed Management Plan
Susquehanna and Chemung Basins of New York
Water connects us all...
Residents of the Chemung and Susquehanna Watersheds of New York recognize that water is essential to their quality of life and economic wellbeing. They embrace a sustainable approach to economic and community development that respects the natural functions of watersheds and minimizes flood risks.
The "Susquehanna-Chemung Action Plan" for the Susquehanna and Chemung River Basins of New York is a two-year Water Quality Management Planning Project of Southern Tier Central (STC) and Southern Tier East (STE) Regional Planning and Development Boards. The Action Plan will be completed by February 2012.
The Plan will use an "ecosystem-based management" approach to conserving and protecting water resources. This approach integrates human needs, economic issues, and environmental concerns. The idea is to improve the way that natural and human systems work together. Although the project focuses on water resources, the "Susquehanna-Chemung Action Plan" will differ from traditional watershed management plans by integrating a wider range of issues and perspectives. The Plan will be a concise, highly accessible document that provides a unified vision for the region and promotes funding for projects that benefit the Basin's residents.
Although the Action Plan itself will be a concise report, it will be supported by an abundance of watershed information and site-specific recommendations. Existing reports, data, maps, and plans will be reviewed and made available through an online resource library and data atlas. New recommendations will be developed using Geographic Information System (GIS) data analysis tools, stakeholder suggestions, and public input. New results will be incorporated into local plans with site-specific implementation recommendations.
In order to be relevant and useful, the "Susquehanna-Chemung Action Plan" will be developed cooperatively with stakeholders from throughout the basin. The economic development community will be engaged in this process, as well as those involved in flood mitigation, community planning, transportation, agriculture, recreation, and other issues. Opportunities for involvement include: becoming an Advisory Committee member, taking part in stakeholder meetings, reviewing drafts, including Action Plan recommendations in local plans, providing website links, and working together to implement the Plan.
- Keep the water clean and plentiful - It's priceless.
- Capitalize on water resources as economic assets.
- Use the landscape in ways that support healthy water systems.
- Live in harmony with streams.
- Floods happen, so be prepared.
- Rainwater is good: Slow it down. Spread it out. Soak it in.
- Navigate toward better roadway drainage.
- Support productive working lands that contribute to a healthy landscape.
- Preserve the rich diversity of plant and animal life.
- Connect people to nature.
- Cultivate a watershed ethic.
These goals and additional information are in a Project Summary handout.
Counties in Watershed:
Your insights and perspectives are needed, especially to develop specific recommendations, so that the "Susquehanna-Chemung Action Plan" can improve the quality of life in our watershed in a meaningful and lasting way. The process will be guided by an ad hoc Advisory Committee and a series of county-level public meetings. We invite everyone who is interested to participate. In addition to meetings, there will be opportunities to review drafts, make suggestions, share information, sponsor stakeholder discussions, etc. The latest information can be reviewed on this website. To share suggestions or add your name to the distribution list, please contact Chelsea Robertson ( or 607-962-5092).
This is a joint project of
Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board
and Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board.
"Strategy without action is a daydream;
action without strategy is a nightmare."
(old Japanese proverb)