Due in part to the geographic diversity of New York State, there are many regional planning and environmental organizations that can help you throughout the development and implementation of your watershed plan.
New York State Association of Regional Councils (NYSARC) fosters coordination among neighboring communities and provides a regional approach to issues crossing municipal boundaries. A map showing NYSARC Water Resources Management Program coverage by New York State Drainage Basins can be viewed here.
If you watershed lies within Appalachia, the Appalachian Regional Commission may be able to assist you in your watershed planning effort. This commission is a state-federal partnership that looks for opportunities to create a better quality of life and enhance economic development. The Appalachian Regional Commission can provide guidance on funding sources, preparing grant proposals, strategic planning, and regional data.
The Adirondack Park Agency can provide assistance related to land use management within the boundary of the Park. The Agency can provide local assistance with zoning, reviewing local regulations, and administering Agency approved programs. The Agency also has GIS data related to watershed planning.
Watersheds in the Tug Hill Region of New York can benefit from contacting the Tug Hill Commission. The Commission provides technical assistance to local governments and organizations in regards to natural resource management, land use planning, and economic development.
Great Lakes Commission, a bi-national agency, fosters the conservation and protection of water and natural resources within the Great Lakes Region. Resources include data and monitoring information, management strategies, and land use and soil management information.
The Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council provides community planning grants and technical assistance through the Greenway Communities Grant Program and the Greenway Compact Grant Program. These programs help eligible communities develop and achieve a vision for their future and assists in the development of the Greenway Compact, a regional planning strategy for the Hudson River Valley.
The Hudson River Estuary Program is a unique regional partnership designed to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the estuary. The Hudson River Estuary Action Plan sets forth twenty commitments intended to protect and conserve the estuary's natural resources and ecosystem health, clean up pollution and other impairments, and promote public use and enjoyment of the river. Grants are available from the Environmental Protection Fund to enable communities to help implement the Action Plan and protect and enhance the Hudson River Estuary.
The Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve protects four tidal wetland sites on the estuary. Spaced along the river from the brackish Tappan Zee to tidal freshwater shallows north of the City of Hudson, these sites provide ideal settings for education and comparative research. The Reserve is managed in partnership by NYS DEC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (http://nerrs.noaa.gov/HudsonRiver/).
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection can provide water supply information, maps of watersheds and drainage areas, water treatment systems, groundwater data, and reservoir data. The DEP also has a variety of outreach and education programs that address water and the environment.
The Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve can provide technical assistance in the preparation and implementation of local watershed plans. Reserve Office staff also assist in education, outreach, and stewardship programs to enhance public awareness and appreciation of the Reserve’s many resources.
The Long Island Sound Study provides assistance in the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and can provide technical data including water quality monitoring data, restoration assistance, and education and outreach.
The New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program, part of the US EPA National Estuary Program, implements the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The Harbor Estuary Program provides technical assistance, data, and encourages stewardship and outreach activities.