Agawamuck Creek Watershed Management Plan

Agawamuck Creek Sub-Watershed Ma

The Village of Philmont, in partnership with Philmont Beautification, Inc. and community stakeholders, are developing a Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) component as a watershed management plan for Agawamuck Creek. This plan will develop management recommendations for improving water quality and restoring critical natural resources throughout the watershed, as well as identify measures to address invasive species.

The project is funded by the New York State Department of State under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund with a grant awarded to the Village of Philmont.

The watershed boundary includes towns and villages of Columbia County, including the Towns of Claverack, Ghent, Austerlitz and Hillsdale. The watershed is approximately 14,656 acres (22.9 sq miles) in size. The project is intended as a collaboration with participating towns located in the watershed.

This Agawamuck Creek Watershed Plan will develop management recommendations for improving water quality and restoring critical natural resources throughout the watershed, identify measures to address invasive species, and incorporate information identified in the watershed analysis (e.g. waterways, stormwater runoff, invasive species, onsite wastewater treatment systems, road weather management best practices, watershed data compilation and baseline monitoring).

A Watershed Advisory Committee includes governmental agencies, participating towns of Claverack, Ghent, Hillsdale, and Austerlitz, stakeholders, non-profit watershed organizations, and other members of the community affected by the watershed.

The goals of the Agawamuck Creek Watershed Plan are to better understand watershed conditions and public accessibility to waterbodies in the watershed.

The project officially kicked-off with a Project Initiation Meeting held on November 10, 2021.

Agawamuck Creek Watershed Management Work Plan (Revised)

Summary Notes of Watershed Advisory Committee meetings:

Watershed Advisory Committee Members as of January 19, 2022

Barbara Sagal, Chair of WAC (former Village of Philmont Trustee)
Brian Johnson, Mayor of Philmont
Larry Ostrander, Trustee Village of Philmont
Clifford “Kippy” Weigelt, Supervisor Town of Claverack
Craig Simmons, Supervisor Town of Ghent
Greg Vogler, Deputy Supervisor Town of Austerlitz
David Lewis Esq., Chair of Conservation Council Town of Hillsdale
Gretchen Stevens, member of Conservation Council Town of Hillsdale
Emily Vale, Hudson River Watershed Alliance
Christine Vanderlan, Columbia Land Conservancy, (Community Projects Manager)
Julia Sedlock, community lead of BOA Subarea 4 Working Group, Philmont
Rob Fitzsimmons, Esq., attorney Village of Philmont

Project Management – Sally Baker, PBI.

Agawamuck Creek Watershed Project Reports:

Summit Lake Study Area

Biological Report for Summit Lake and Adjacent Areas 

Summit Lake showing Invasive Species Overgrowth

Useful Documents and Resources:

Overview: Watershed Planning – What is a Watershed Management Plan?

Watershed Plan Guidebook Cover

These primers are essential reading for understanding why watershed planning is so essential to be taking place in the Agawamuck Creek Watershed.  

Here’s a quick except from the Watershed Planning Guidebook guidebook.

“Communities and individuals across New York State have a strong connection to the water. New York’s landscape holds a diverse array of water resources, ranging from salt marshes, estuaries, and coastal beaches to freshwater lakes, streams, and wetlands. New Yorkers take pride in their water resources, for they help shape communities and provide us with drinking water, economic activity, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and a place to just relax and enjoy the scenery.

With all these benefits, it is no wonder that communities throughout New York are searching for ways to protect and restore these resources while balancing the need for economic growth and development.

Many communities are recognizing that a comprehensive watershed planning approach can help them to protect and restore their water resources. Communities throughout the State are already implementing local watershed plans with great results.”

Please check back to this page as we will be continuing to upload Summary Notes, reports, and progress updates.

Philmont Comprehensive Plan
Take the Survey!

Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution | 2023

Water Tower Work
Be prepared for possible water interruptions and low pressure as the water department continues to work on the water tower.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this process

Mandatory Water Ban in Effect until Water Tower Work is Complete
Permitted: Normal use: showering, teeth brushing and general hygiene-related uses, laundry/dish washing, and toilet flushing.
ABSOLUTELY NO non-essential water use, such as Vehicle/House Washing, Lawn/Flower Watering and Pool Filling.

Your 5 gallon containers can be filled at the DPW garage 6am-2:30pm for plant watering—on Maple Avenue, past Maple Terrace, on the left.
Questions? Watch the public meeting with the DPW

Register Your Rental Property or Vacant Building with the Philmont Buildings Department.
  

To Speak at Village Board Meetings: Remember to sign up before noon the Friday before by emailing [email protected], calling (518) 672-7032, or stopping by the Village office.

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