First Name: | Christine |
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Last Name: | Mai |
Email Address: | cmai@fs.fed.us |
Affiliation | USFS Hydrologist |
Subject | Key water related restoration opportunities unaddressed |
Comment |
Two particular areas of concern to me as a water specialist for a land management agency are ground water recharge and protection and accessibility of aquatic habitats. If we are concerned about ecosystem resilience beyond humans it would be good to acknowledge that extensive aquatic habitats have been isolated due to historic road infrastructure that does not allow passage into habitats that could be used for refugia as stream waters get progressively warmer. The aging undersized infrastructure also leads to water quality impacts such as aggradation above road crossing pipes and cutting below. Investing in restoring road crossings would help to restore a hydrologic regime that is less flashy and that promote healthy stream systems. The other key area to protect are the numerous springs throughout California that are still generously contributing to surface water quantity. These areas are providing key habitat for numerous sensitive species as well which are important to overall ecosystem health. Spring data for the state of California is in a state of dismay. Investments in the National Hydrologic Data (NHD) set has excluded updates that are much needed to protect these springs. Old USGS maps and the NHD have significant variation in spring numbers and locations. Why? They are small and easily forgotten unless you are Nestle trying to develop and export the waters. Inventorying, understanding and protecting these resources is key to better understanding and protecting ground water resources. Fuel and biomass reduction as well as wildfires will play a key role in restoring many springs however it is important to protect these key areas as part of the climate change plan. |
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Original File Name:
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2018-05-31 13:06:10 |
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