2020 Annual Meeting Frid riday ay, , No Novemb ember er 13 13 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Schuylkill Action Network

2020 Annual Meeting

Frid riday ay, , No Novemb ember er 13 13th

th, 2020

, 2020 10A 10AM – 12PM 12PM Vir irtu tual v al via Zoo ia Zoom

Zoom Webinar Tutorial

• 1. All participants are automatically muted,

with video off

• 2. Please use the Q&A feature for all

questions for our presenters

• 3. Webinar is being recorded and will be

available to re-watch on YouTube

POLLS: Who’s in the room? & Where are you from?

POLL: Favorite fall activity?

Angelica Creek, Berks County

POLL: Favorite outdoor activity in the Schuylkill Watershed?

Wissahickon Creek, Philadelphia

Introdution to The Schuylkill Action Network Video: https://youtu.be/TRmySYkvXZE

“One Water Approach and Integrated Water Management”

Harry Zhang, Ph.D., P.E.

Research Program Manager – Integrated Water & Stormwater The Water Research Foundation Alexandria, VA

“Fundamentals of Environmental Justice & EJSCREEN Overview”

Matthew Lee

Southeast Environmental Justice Coordinator United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III Philadelphia, PA

Kevin Munley “SAN MVP” Awards

Jineen Boyle* & Lori Reynolds

*Statement from Jineen Boyle “SAN MVP”

“Good day to everyone at the virtual SAN meeting - I sincerely thank ALL of you for this beautiful SAN “MVP“ award.... I am sorry that a personal obligation today will not allow me to join you. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: in my 20-year involvement with watershed restoration efforts, the SAN collaboration was one of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of my work for PA DEP. I learned so much from all of you, and I applaud your deep dedication. Watershed restoration, whether it’s happening in a small sub-basin, or a huge area like the Schuylkill River, is the result of many small successes, knitted together over time. So, everyone, please keep plugging away at it, with creativity and patience, and take time to celebrate your achievements. SAN’s long-running track record since 2003 IS exceptional, and something to cheer on!

Statement from Jineen Boyle “SAN MVP”

“Please be safe and well in these difficult times - while my retirement, now about 9 months, has not exactly turned out as planned due to COVID, YOU, by contrast, have all had the arduous, challenging task of continuing to work under these circumstances - another thing for which I applaud you! Especially to the whole SAN AG Workgroup, THANK YOU more than anything, for your friendship. I look forward to the post-pandemic day when I can join you for some in-person SAN events, and see everyone again. I’d like nothing more than to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, and plant some trees!”

Statement from Jineen Boyle “SAN MVP”

“These days, we’ve all grown accustomed to watching people on TV, speaking from home, with lots of bookshelves behind them.... well, MY bookshelf, if you could see it, will proudly display this thoughtful, lovely

• award. On a last note, that award is given each year in honor of Kevin
• Munley. I had the joy and good fortune to work closely with Kevin at

DEP for several years. I miss him. He believed in what you are all doing, and I humbly accept this award in his memory. Best wishes to all, and have an inspiring SAN meeting today. Thank you, too, Virginia and Erica from PDE, for your outreach and kind words.” Jineen Boyle, from Pine Grove, Schuylkill County.

BREAK

5 minutes

Project Funding Panel

Tim Fenchel

Deputy Director

Tim Ifill

Associate Director of Trees

Drew Gilchrist

Regional Advisor

Nick Ramsey

District Conservationist

Early 2019: PC Process Planning Late 2019: PC input, SAN Annual Meeting & Key Partner Meetings Early 2020: ESC & Workgroup Planning Sessions Mid 2020: Public Survey & Public Listening Sessions (all virtual) Mid-Late 2020: Compile & Analyze Feedback to Draft Plan End of 2020: Finalize Plan 2021: Launch Plan

Strategic Planning Timeline (2019-2021)

We are here!

Draft sections reviewed & approved by respective workgroup / committee

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• Committed, collaborative

partners

• Cross-sector communication
• Leveraging resources and

funding

• Implementing on-the-ground

projects

• Improving water quality and

protecting source water

• Events and workshops
• Engaging schools and

recreators

Weaknesses

• Lack of accessibility to natural

spaces

• Including underrepresented

communities and partners

• Youth leadership
• Making socioeconomic impact

connections

• Tracking metrics and leveraged

dollars

• SAN branding and promotion

Opportunities

• New and expanded funding for

SAN administration, programs, and project

• Engaging new sectors
• Expanding public outreach
• Increasing recreational
• pportunities for all
• More on-the-ground projects
• Leveraging resources, tools,

and lessons learned from other collaboratives and initiatives

Threats

• Climate change
• Urbanization and development
• Aging infrastructure
• Public apathy
• Political and regulatory

changes

• Loss of institutional knowledge
• Increasing presence of

contaminants of emerging concern

SWOT Analysis - Example

• Example SWOT Analysis wordclouds from the

Abandoned Mine Drainage Workgroup

• Which strengths do we keep and continue to expand

upon in the new plan (left)

• What weaknesses, threats, and opportunities need

attention, emphasis, or addition in the new plan (right)

Vision

• Clean water and a healthy

Schuylkill River Watershed accessible for all.

New (2021- 2025)

• Members of the Schuylkill Action Network

share information, expertise, and technology to help each other achieve this shared vision of clean water and a healthy environment for the Schuylkill River and its tributaries.

Current (2016- 2020)

Mission

• To improve water resources

through collaborative action in the Schuylkill River Watershed.

New (2021- 2025)

• The mission of the Schuylkill Action Network is to improve

water resources in the Schuylkill River watershed by working in partnership with local watershed organizations and land conservation organizations, businesses, academics, water suppliers, recreational communities, local governments, and regional, state, and federal agencies to transcend regulatory and jurisdictional boundaries in the strategic implementation of protection measures.

Current (2016- 2020)

Values

• Implementing programs, restoration projects, and other on-the-ground

initiatives for clean water, healthy habitats, & strong communities

Action

• Forming diverse, inclusive, adaptive, and trusting partnerships that

communicate and work together effectively

Collaboration

• Making decisions that create positive ecosystem, climate, and community

impacts for the present and future

Resilience

• Guiding partners toward shared source water protection goals and providing
• pportunities and resources to maximize effective collaboration and

beneficial outcomes

Leadership

• Working to ensure our collaborative action benefits community members

fairly across race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, income, age, or ability.

Equity

• Utilizing and promoting research-based practices, technology, and innovative

solutions

Science

 No values in current plan.

Implementation & Evaluation

Implementation

• The plan identifies workgroup and committee goals, objectives, and actions.
• The plan is supported and further detailed by yearly work plans for each workgroup and committee.

Evaluation

• Annual review of progress towards strategic plan goals, objectives, actions, and progress indicators by Planning

Committee and respective workgroups.

• Annual development and evaluation of workgroup and committee work plans.
• Annual progress report to share success with partners and the public.

Adaptation

• The SAN is a voluntary partnership dedicated to meeting our mission and vision for the Schuylkill River.
• The deadlines, actions, and commitments of this plan are subject to the capacity of partners and availability of

sufficient resources to carry them out.

• The SAN leadership – Planning Committee and Executive Steering Committee – will periodically review the

progress of the plan, make adjustments as needed to reflect the latest priorities, needs, and available resources, and continue to work toward the vision and mission of the SAN at an efficient and feasible pace.

SAN Workgroups

Abandoned Mine Drainage* Agriculture* Education and Outreach Pathogens and Point Source* Recreation Stormwater* Watershed Land Collaborative Executive Steering Committee Planning Committee

Engagement & Stewardship

Engagement & Stewardship Workgroup Model

• Different themes & audiences
• Similar to Stormwater workgroup
• Different topics per quarterly workgroup meeting

Engagement & Stewardship Environmental Educators Recreation Stewardship Communications & Messaging

Other SAN Workgroups

Each workgroup section has:

• About workgroup
• Streamlined and shortened; only 1-2 sentences
• Goal
• Overall goal is not changing; just reworded
• Objectives & Actions
• Objectives start w/ key action word (verb) bolded
• All actions relate to an above objective
• Actions were formerly Strategies

All sections have been reviewed and approved by each respective workgroup

Workgroup Section Example

About the Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Workgroup

The Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) workgroup addresses AMD pollution—including acidity, metals, and coal silt--from Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Southern Coal Region, one of the primary sources of pollution in the headwaters of the Schuylkill River.

Goal To reduce the impact of abandoned mine lands on water quality Objectives & Actions

• 1. Remediate AMD -- Remediate AMD pollution from untreated

discharges, streams, and lands a)Create a prioritized list of untreated discharges and coal silt lands with potential solutions. b)Design, construct, and complete treatment system projects. c) Reduce the amount of coal silt impacting the watershed. d)Research innovative practices for treating AMD

Progress Benchmarks

• Previously metrics were associated in respective workgroup
• In one place to easily reference and track progress towards
• Overarching progress indicators: allows workgroups flexibility to reach goals

Protect & Restore Educate & Engage Collaborate Finance

Protect & Restore

• Complete 5 AMD remediation projects
• Increase pH of AMD treatment outflow to 6.0 or above to

support fisheries and aquatic life

• 25 new or updated comprehensive nutrient management

plans

• 40 new or updated manure handling systems
• 150 agricultural BMPs implemented
• 25 green infrastructure projects implemented
• 100 acres of riparian buffer planted
• 5,000,000 pounds of trash removed from the watershed
• 5,000 acres preserved

Educate & Engage

• 500 new members on the SAN’s email list-serv
• 2,000 combined new followers on social media
• 100,000 volunteers at 2,000 trash cleanups, including the

annual Schuylkill Scrub

• 15 SAN events, including public events, workshops, trainings,

and project tours

• 5,000,000 trail users
• 1,500 students reached
• 50 schools engaged
• 150 storm drain medallions and/or street art stickers installed
• 5 new water access points for recreation

Collaborate

• 20 new organizational partners engaged in workgroups
• 5 sub-watershed coalitions supported
• Increased diversity among SAN leadership and workgroups
• 10 water utilities engaged with the SAN

Finance

• Annual funding secured for SAN administration and coordination
• Increase the Schuylkill River Restoration Fund to $500,000 per

year

• 2 new water utilities financially supporting the SAN
• Funding secured to develop a State of the Schuylkill report
• Funding secured to meet SAN project implementation goals
• $500 million in infrastructure investment in watershed

Questions?

Erica Rossetti

Schuylkill Action Network Coordinator Partnership for the DelawareEstuary erossetti@delawareestuary.org