Hawaii Community Foundation’s Post

Fish passage goals nearly reached in Golden Bay! As autumn begins to lift water levels, the Tasman Jobs for Nature Fish Passage project continues endeavours to protect fish populations. With 89% of the costs covered by the Ministry for the Environment through the Freshwater Improvement Fund, this initiative aids Tasman landowners with ensuring in-stream structures are fish-friendly, allowing natural migration patterns. In just two and a half years, nearly 8,000 hours of work have been dedicated to this effort resulting in over 4,400 checks and 765 improvements to in-stream structures like culverts. This has already surpassed one of the initial five-year goals, showing the dedication and speed of the work being done. Currently, the project focus is on completing work in Golden Bay due to its high biodiversity values. Over 80% of privately owned in-stream structures in Golden Bay have now been assessed, thanks to the tireless work of the Kūmānu Environmental field team. The project’s success so far owes much to the local landowners, who have been incredibly supportive, with a 93% participation rate. Their cooperation is making a real difference in preserving our aquatic wildlife and setting a precedent for environmental care that will benefit future generations. This project is funded until June 2026 and work is being carried out throughout the entire Tasman region. Recent work in St Arnaud has moved swiftly with the field team anticipating entering the Murchison area this spring. Landowners who may benefit from the project will be sent further information by mail and contacted directly by the contractor. For more information contact fishpassage@kumanuenviro.co.nz or freshwaterimprovement@tasman.govt.nz.

Credit to JOSEPHINE CODILLA Remate Online May 21, 2024 VILLAR’S PUSH FOR LAS PIÑAS-PARAÑAQUE WETLAND PARK EXPANSION https://lnkd.in/gTQbf3BY IN a recent Senate session, eleven (11) bills were deliberated upon, concerning the declaration of 10 areas as protected zones and the expansion of one protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System or ENIPAS. Notably, among these 11 bills, the proposal to expand the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park stands out, as it has profound implications for environmental conservation and flood prevention efforts. LPPWP, also referred to as the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area or LPPCHEA, was designated as a Critical Habitat in 2007 by presidential proclamation. This designation aims to safeguard the survival of at least 5,000 threatened, restricted range, and congregatory species of birds. LPPWP also plays a crucial role as a natural drainage system, redirecting water from nearby rivers and thereby preventing flooding in densely populated areas like Las Piñas. Globally recognized, LPPWP is included in the list of Ramsar wetlands of international importance. Named after the City of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971, it underscores the significance of wetland ecosystems in supporting biodiversity and environmental health. Senator Cynthia Villar, sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1536, seeks to expand the 175-hectare LPPWP, emphasizing the necessity of legislative protection for the wetlands due to imminent risks posed by the ongoing massive land reclamation projects and mangrove cutting in nearby areas. The proposed expansion will cover an additional 1,761 hectares. https://lnkd.in/gTQbf3BY

It’s not over yet! The North Stoneville development will ultimately be decided by the State Administrative Tribunal at a public hearing expected in 2025 but Minister Plibersek’s environmental approval means that 60,000 trees – breeding ground for black cockatoos, can be bulldozed in Perth's metro area. Mundaring Council’s position remains strongly opposed to SP34 North Stoneville supported by the WA Planning Commission refusals in both 2020 and 2023 because the plan does not comply with 4 State Planning Policies regarding environmental clearing and bushfire evacuation risk. Perth has the lowest tree canopy cover of any Australian capital city at just 16%. Between 2011 and 2020, Perth lost a quarter of its urban canopy, mainly due to the clearing of private land for development. As the Shire’s independent President, I’ll continue to advocate on behalf of our community to save these 60,000 trees that help to provide clean air for greater Perth and a home for our threatened and endangered flora and fauna. 🎥 Channel 7

Learn About Proposed Changes to NY's Freshwater Wetland Regulations Major changes in NY’s Freshwater Wetlands regulations will take effect January 1, 2025. The proposed rule would clarify jurisdictional status of smaller wetlands of “unusual importance” that meet one of 11 specific criteria contained in the Freshwater Wetlands Act as amended in 2022. In addition, the draft regulations provide a revised wetlands classification system and a process for the public to request and appeal jurisdictional determinations. Earlier this year, DEC gathered input through an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (which was the topic of a webinar held in February as part of the Conservation and Land Use Webinar Series). Currently, the DEC is accepting comments on the draft regulations. There are several information webinars planned to discuss the need for the regulatory changes and the contents of the draft regulations. Speaker:  Krista Spohr, Environmental Program Specialist, Bureau of Wildlife and Habitat, DEC Webinar Dates and Registration:  Wednesday, August 14, 2024, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Hosted by the New York Planning Federation To register, send an email to nypf@nypf.org. Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 1:00-2:00 p.m. on WebEx Conservation and Land Use Webinar Series Register to attend. (This webinar may fill up; capacity is limited to 1,000). Once you register, you will receive an email message with a link to submit questions. #wetlands, #newyork #DEC #wetlandprotections

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA)’s Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy (WBRMS) identifies the risks, issues, and challenges the Nottawasaga Watershed faces, as well as the mitigation strategies to address these concerns. Since 1960, NVCA has worked with many funders, partners, volunteers, landowners and residents to sustainably manage the Nottawasaga Watershed by balancing social, economic, and environmental interests through an integrated watershed management approach. Under recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and Ontario Regulation 686/21, conservation authorities in Ontario are required to complete WBRMS on or before December 31, 2024. NVCA has identified seven risks, issues and challenges the watershed faces, as well as the strategies to mitigate them. Let us know if you agree with these risks and strategies. https://lnkd.in/gJ5j2equ

On April 9, 2022, the NYS Legislature made major changes to New York’s Freshwater Wetlands Act (“FWA”) expanding the jurisdiction of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservations to include potentially thousands of smaller freshwater wetlands and wetlands of “unusual importance” and extending, as the NYSDEC believes, new state protections to an estimated over one million acres of freshwater wetlands but were not inventoried on official NYSDEC maps during the 1980’s. The NYSDEC is now in the final process of finalizing its new wetland regulations prompted by the 2022 amendments to the FWA. Two important changes put forth by the NYSDEC are: (1) extending the wetland “adjacent areas” from 100-foot regulated zones to 300-foot regulated zones around wetlands and (2) elaborating on the NYSDEC’s plan for regulating wetlands of “unusual importance.”   Undoubtedly, New York's proposed wetlands regulations will provide important environmental protections, but they also present significant challenges for developers and property owners. As the definition of regulated wetlands expands, the permitting process will likely become more complex and costly.   It's crucial that all stakeholders carefully review the regulations and participate in the public comment period to ensure a balance between environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Our thanks to the Adirondack Explorer for this great piece about the importance of land conservation for water quality protection, and the LGLC's role in protecting Lake George. https://lnkd.in/g2kMVbck

ICYMI! This month, U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro (R; NY-19) and Chrissy Houlahan (D; PA-6) introduced the bipartisan bill "Ensure Funding For Our Environment Act," which would restore federal funding for the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions: DRBC, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Read the news release: https://lnkd.in/e_TJttSw In the release, DRBC's Executive Director Stave Tambini said, "The DRBC thanks Congressman Molinaro and Congresswoman Houlahan for introducing the Ensure Funding for Our Environment Act. By committing to bipartisan funding solutions for our shared water resources, this bill demonstrates the importance of science-based water management for over 14 million people in communities throughout the Delaware River Basin." Learn more about the bill: https://lnkd.in/ebU7hgBE #DRBC #delawarebasin #bipartisan #environmentalprotection #watermanagement #environmentalresponsibility #fundingnews #waterresourcemanagement #waterquality #waterresources #scienceandenvironment #newsrelease #federalgovernment #news #icymi

Local advocates and policymakers are vital to a future that reflects the values of equity and diversity in our society, in our landscape, and in the ecosystems where we live. What conservation-related policy priorities are being addressed by state governments across New England? Read the Policy Chronicle, collected and summarized by Alex Redfield, in the latest issue of From the Ground Up to find out. Here’s a peek: >>Connecticut: A “Green Amendment” that would provide constitutional recognition of clean water and air as fundamental rights is under consideration. >>Maine: How should the state manage lands and waters contaminated by PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, “forever chemicals” that are dangerous to human health even in unimaginably small quantities)? >>Massachusetts: The state has expanded a set of cost-share programs that support private landowners in improving climate and habitat outcomes in their woodlots. >>New Hampshire: The state legislature is considering a number of bills intended to clarify the future of landfills and disposal in the state. >>Rhode Island: Legislative and conservation advocates are rallying around a bill to address the Green Bond funding gap. >>Vermont: The General Assembly is working out the details of the first significant reform in decades to its statewide growth management framework. https://buff.ly/3X6HKZY #policy #localpolicy #landscape #equity #diversity #ecosystems #maine #vermont #connecticut #massachussetts #newhampshire #rhodeisland #conservation #newengland #northeast #landconservation #wwfc #fromthegroundupne

https://lnkd.in/gGcAz969 Even if you think the habitats are irrelevant to you, wetlands reduce your infrastructure costs (taxes to pay for storm water control and costs of flood recovery). From this IndyStar article: "Indiana used to have one of the more protective wetlands laws in the country. That law had been in place for almost 20 years, but that changed in 2021. Even though it received strong opposition from the state's own environmental and natural resource experts — and concerns were even raised by the Governor's Office — lawmakers pushed through a bill in 2021 that gutted protections for Indiana's dwindling wetlands. Why? The bill also removed costly mitigation for developers. IndyStar reporting was able to uncover that several of the lawmakers who penned the bill had close ties to the building industry." "Still, some of Indiana's wetlands had federal protections. But a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year — called the Sackett decision — removed much of those safeguards. Rather, the federal court said it was leaving it up to the states to regulate wetlands. Indiana will continue losing its wetlands to development unless a new bill is passed. Before the 2021 bill was passed, Indiana already had lost 85% of the wetlands it had a century ago, with many being drained for farming and development. Since then, Indiana has lost close to 350 acres of wetlands, according to a report from Hoosier Environmental Council. More than 75% were not mitigated in any way, meaning they did not have to be recreated elsewhere. THAT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A LOT, BUT THINK ABOUT IT IN A DIFFERENT WAY: INDIANA HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO STORE AS MUCH AS 400 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER IN JUST TWO YEARS." [emphasis added] There are two bills in the Indiana state house now, one removing even more wetlands protections and one to help preserve them. If you pay Indiana taxes, live downstream of any rain that falls in Indiana, or simply care about important ecosystems and habitats for the sake of all that they influence, contact your Indiana representative to oppose HB 1383 and your senator to support SB 246. This article provides a summary and links to the bills: https://lnkd.in/g8i452AN