When it rains, water can travel on several paths - it can penetrate the soil, move as overland flow, or pass through a network of underground drainage pipes. Eventually, the water will reach the nearest water body, such as a stream, pond or wetland. The area of land that drains into a particular body of water is called a watershed. Protection and restoration of watersheds can contribute to improved water quality, which can be achieved through a watershed planning process. Recently, the South Shore Estuary Reserve has initiated the development of a watershed management plan for Beaver Dam Creek by engaging the services of Nelson, Pope and Voorhis, LLC. A variety of partners are involved in development of the plan, which focuses on the relationship between land use and land cover, the movement and storage of water, and water quality. The watershed plan will guide partners in managing the land and how it is used in a way that will recognize the relationships between economic, social and natural processes, and keep drainage pathways functional and the water that flows through them clean. Development of the watershed management plan involves the surrounding community through an ongoing and flexible process to address their needs for protection and restoration of water resources. Preparation of the Beaver Dam Creek Watershed Management Plan is overseen by a watershed advisory committee, whose members share responsibility in the watershed’s protection and restoration. The group is developing clear planning goals that recognize previously completed work. The South Shore Estuary Reserve Office is organizing this effort, working to keep all participants updated on progress of the planning effort, gain consensus, and ensure an adequate forum for public participation throughout the process.

The following organizations are represented on the watershed advisory committee: • Art Flick Chapter of Trout Unlimited • Bellport High School Students for Environmental --Quality (SEQ) • Brookhaven Village Association • Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County • Ducks Unlimited • Environmental Defense Fund • Open Space Preservation Trust • Open Space Council • Post Morrow Foundation • South Shore Estuary Reserve Council • Suffolk County Department of Health Services • Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation --District • Suffolk County Department of Planning • Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation --and Conservation • Town of Brookhaven Department of --Environmental Protection • Town of Brookhaven Conservation Advisory --Committee • Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge The watershed management plan will contain several components: •   The characterization section will describe the physical aspects of the watershed, such as topography, hydrography, sub-watersheds, soils, precipitation, land cover/land use and development trends, and habitats. This section will be informed by available data, and will identify key resource problems and issues impacting water quality. •   A preventative component will assess existing point and nonpoint source controls to identify gaps and recommend mechanisms to address these gaps, including amendments to local land and water use

controls such as subdivision and site plan review regulations and changes in routine roadway, drainage-way and stream maintenance practices. Recommendations in this section will identify actions that local governments, relevant state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations need to take to protect water quality and living resources. •   The corrective component will analyze gathered information and estimate pollutant loading, and target projects and other priority actions to remove pollutants and restore water quality. Tools such as pollution potential models can help in determining geographic priorities with the goal of reducing water quality and habitat impairments.

•   An implementation component will specify actions to implement the preventive and corrective actions, including a strategy for monitoring pollution reduction performance. This section will also propose changes in institutional arrangements to coordinate implementation, and identify steps to revise local land and water use controls to protect and restore water quality and living resources.  By developing and implementing a watershed management plan for Beaver Dam Creek, this important local resource will be protected, and the overall quality of the stream and its surrounding habitat will improve over time. Local residents are invited to become involved by attending a public outreach meeting March 4th, 2008 or by contacting the South Shore Estuary Reserve Office at 516-470-BAYS or sser@dos.state.ny.us to learn more about the planning process.