Focus on ForestsDaniel J. Van Abs, PhD, PP/AICP

Associate Research ProfessorRutgers-The State University of New Jersey

So many acres, so little $$

Setting Priorities – Variations on a ThemeRaritan Basin Method

Highlands RMP Method (33 Criteria)

Forests and Wildlife Habitat

Wellhead Protection Areas Riparian Areas Ground Water RechargeProximity to Preserved

Open Space Not Urban Land Use/Land

CoverOverlay to identify areas

with the highest combined scores

ID highest priorities by parcel

Forest IntegrityWatershed CharacteristicsRiparian CorridorsRecharge AreasOpen Waters and WetlandsCritical HabitatSteep SlopesOverlay to identify areas

with the highest combined scores, group to High/Mod

ID highest priorities by parcel, adding in proximity to preserved open space

Ground Water RechargeNJ Geological Survey

method – GSR-32 (Charles, et al., 1993)

Infiltration to water table, not aquifer recharge per se

Combination of precipitation, surface runoff, evapotranspiration and soil moisture deficit information

Can use average or drought recharge rates

“Prime” Recharge Areas – lands providing best rechargeRaritan Plan: 25% of total

recharge by subwatershedHighlands RMP: 40% of

total recharge by subwatershed

Highlands Council, 2008

Final Results

Land Preservation for Water Supply

Full watershedContra Costa Co., CA

Critical areasAkron, OHMass. WRANJWSARochester, NYSeattle, WA

Other public ownersPortland, OR