MSRA Webinar Series - An Introduction to the USACE's Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework (MSMF) and Fish Passage Tools feat. Nick Ozburn
In an attempt to continue offering opportunities for discussion and to promote advancement of the Maryland stream restoration industry, MSRA is excited to continue the series of webinars featuring leading industry researchers and partners. Stay tuned through our website and social media channels for the series schedule. Continuing Education Credits will be offered for these events. We hope you will join us:
When: Thursday, February 17, 2021
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: GoToWebinar
Following your registration, and prior to the event, you will receive a webinar link from GoToWebinar which will give you access to the webinar.
Will you be attending?
Register Today! Registration will close at 5pm on Wednesday February 16.
EVENT DETAILS:
Cost: Free for members, $10 for non-members
Presenter Bio:
Nick Ozburn has degrees in Environmental Science (University of Illinois) and Fisheries (Auburn University). He spent the first six years of his career managing mitigation projects for an In-lieu fee mitigation program with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. He began working at the USACE Baltimore District in 2013, specializing in stream restoration review, mitigation review, transportation projects, and has lead the creation of the Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework (MSMF) and served as co-lead on creation of the MSMF-Fish passage Beta tool.
Presentation Abstract:
Nick Ozburn will introduce two new tools out of the USACE Baltimore District; the Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework (MSMF) and the associated Fish Passage Tool.
Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework Version 1
The USACE (Baltimore District) and agency partners have developed the Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework (MSMF) to better capture changes in stream functions associated with stream impacts and mitigation regulated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The goals of the tool are to provide a consistent yet flexible framework for determining stream mitigation required and credited for stream impacts and mitigation projects respectively, to provide procedural consistency regarding stream mitigation, incentives for strategic site selection and design, and achieve no net loss of stream functions in Maryland. This presentation will provide an overview of the tool to improve practitioner familiarity, and better inform practitioners during the public notice period for the release of MSMF Version 1.
Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework: Fish Passage Tool (Beta Version)
In collaboration with agency partners, USACE (Baltimore District) has developed a beta tool for use in awarding CWA Section 404 mitigation stream credits to projects improving fish passage through barrier removal. The Beta tool provides a crediting methodology for barrier removal (mostly larger dams) using a prioritization framework hosted by the Nature Conservancy and developed by various resource agencies and NGO’s. Efforts are underway to include crediting for prioritized culverts and other blockages as well in version 1 of the tool (Fall 2022).
