Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16Finally, communities in the watershed are required to comply with evolving regulations for stormwater management, water balance, and water quality. The combined impacts of increasing urbanization and climate change are making regula- tory compliance an uphill battle. Working with a consortium of nonprofit and governmental organizations, the project is comprised of four components: (1) mapping of green infrastructure resources; (2) quantifica- tion of the costs and benefits associated with differing land use futures; (3) development of case studies that highlight the multiple benefits associated with strategic conservation plan- ning; and (4) creation of a training program for local elected officials and board members, municipal staff, and citizens in the watershed. Manomet is leading the first part of the project—the analysis and mapping of green infrastructure resources in the watershed and modeling land use alternatives. The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District is leading the development of the case studies, and Mass Audubon is leading the development of the educational curriculum. The training program will engage local leaders on how to use the newly developed tools and information. GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYSIS The Taunton watershed green infrastructure network identified by Manomet includes lands that are important due to high biodiversity; occurrence of rare species; protection of water quality; limiting damage from freshwater and storm surge flooding; and resilience to climate change. Inputs to the geo- graphic information system analysis include the Massachusetts BioMap2 project, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Resilient Landscapes work, and a riparian buffer analysis by Manomet. Riparian corridors are a key component of the Taunton watershed green infrastructure network due to the important functions they perform in biodiversity support, water qual- ity protection, and flood control. The most important areas for protection are the undeveloped lands directly upslope of the water’s edge. The mix of wetland and upland vegetation in these areas support a mix of amphibious and terrestrial creatures. The intact vegetation slows the flow of runoff from heavy rainfall events into receiving waters, trapping pollutants and limiting peak flows. In addition, the vegetation in these areas helps shade headwater streams, helping to attenuate the water temperature increases associated with a warming climate. Conservation of these areas also limits new devel- opment in areas that will be increasingly flood prone as the climate warms. Map 2 is a draft version of the riparian buffer system for the watershed. Approximately 70% of the 100-foot buffers sur- rounding the rivers and streams in the Taunton watershed are undeveloped, providing a significant conservation opportunity. The buffer width is expanded to 200 feet in areas of high eco- logical integrity (dark green) and the system highlights areas that are vulnerable to sea level rise (red). Seekonk Wrentham Foxborough Stoughton Abington Hanson Halifax Plympton Whitman Brockton West Bridgewater East Bridgewater Bridgewater Easton Mansfield Plainville Dighton Berkley Lakeville Somerset Fall River Freetown Norton Taunton Raynham Middleborough Carver Avon Norfolk Walpole Canton Medfield Weymouth Holbrook Rockland Hanover Marshfield Pembroke North Attleborough Attleboro Rehoboth Swansea Dartmouth New Bedford Acushnet Fairhaven Rochester Wareham Mashpee Falmouth Westport Norwell Duxbury Kingston Plymouth Sharon Wrentham Foxborough Stoughton Abington Hanson Halifax Plympton Whitman Brockton West Bridgewater East Bridgewater Bridgewater Easton Mansfield Plainville Dighton Berkley Lakeville Somerset Fall River Freetown Norton Taunton Raynham Middleborough Carver Avon Norfolk Walpole Canton Medfield Weymouth Holbrook Rockland Hanover Marshfield Pembroke North Attleborough Attleboro Rehoboth Swansea Dartmouth New Bedford Acushnet Fairhaven Rochester Wareham Mashpee Falmouth Westport Seekonk Norwell Duxbury Kingston Plymouth Sharon MAP 3: COMBINED TAUNTON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK MAP 2: RIPARIAN CORRIDOR COMPONENT OF TAUNTON GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK The buffer system surrounding tidal and non-tidal rivers and streams provides flood and water quality protection. The combined green infrastructure network adds lands important for protection of biodiversity. BioMap2 Core and/ or Critical Natural Landscape areas within 200ft of surface water or wetlands that are undeveloped and not already under permanent protection Area < or = to 4m elevation Green Infrastructure Network SurfaceWaters &Wetlands SurfaceWaters &Wetlands 100 ft buffer surrounding water features and flood zones Manomet Partnerships for Sustainability • Fall / Winter 2016-17 | 5