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High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA: A Resource for Assessing Risk and Improving Resiliency Franklin Regional Council of Governments September 2018 Notice of Nondiscrimination Rights and Protections to Beneficiaries Federal “Title VI/Nondiscrimination” Protections The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) operates its programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administrated by the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, or both prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. These protected categories are contemplated within FRCOG’s Title VI Programs consistent with federal interpretation and administration. Additionally, FRCOG provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166. State Nondiscrimination Protections FRCOG also complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L c 272 §§ 92a, 98, 98a, prohibiting making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in admission to or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. Likewise, FRCOG complies with the Governor’s Executive Order 526, section 4 requiring all programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran’s status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background. If you need help understanding this document because you do not speak English or have a disability which impacts your ability to read the text, please contact FRCOG’s Title VI Specialist at (413) 774-3167 (voice) (MA Relay System: 800-439-2370), 413- 774-3169 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail). If you believe that you or anyone in a specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI and other nondiscrimination laws based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or gender, you or your representative may file a complaint with the FRCOG, which we can help complete. A complaint must be filed no later than 180 days after the date High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 i of the alleged discrimination for Title VI complaints and no later than 300 days for state protected category complaints. If you require further information, please contact FRCOG’s Title VI Specialist at (413) 774-3167 (voice) (MA Relay System: 800-439- 2370), 413-774-3169 (fax), or [email protected] (e-mail). English: If this information is needed in another language, please contact the FRCOG Title VI Specialist at (413) 774-3167. Spanish: Si necesita esta información en otro idioma, por favor contacte al especialista de FRCOG del Título VI al (413)774- 3167. Russian: Если Вам необходима данная информация на любом другом языке, пожалуйста, свяжитесь со cпециалистом по Титулу VI FRCOG по тел: (413) 774-3167. High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 ii Table of Contents Introduction and Project Background……………………………………………………………… 1 Definitions……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards………………………………………………………. 2 High Risk Crossing Tables…………………………………………………………………………………. 3 High Risk Crossing Map……………………………………………………………………………………. 11 Instructions for Using Stream Crossing Data Tools…………………………………………… 12 Funding Opportunities for Upgrading Stream Crossings…………………………………… 21 High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 iii Introduction and Project Background This report provides a summary of the road-stream crossings (culverts and bridges) in the Town of Conway that are considered to be at high risk of failure from heavy precipitation events. The purpose of this project is to FIGURE 1 help municipal officials and public works staff prioritize bridge and culvert upgrades in their towns. This report also provides information on how to make road-stream upgrades more resilient to current and projected precipitation conditions. Roads, bridges, and culverts in the Deerfield River Watershed are particularly vulnerable to flooding, as Tropical Storm Irene demonstrated in 2011. Events like Tropical Storm Irene are projected to become more frequent due to climate change. Upgrading and replacing culverts and bridges with structures that can withstand higher flows will save money over the long term, help protect critical infrastructure, and improve aquatic habitat in the watershed. The information in this report comes from a pilot project completed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass). The intent of the project was to develop a methodology for determining the vulnerability of inland transportation networks to climate change, and specifically, to extreme precipitation events. The analysis identified and mapped road-stream Figure 1: The MassDOT project considered five factors crossings in each town within the Deerfield River Watershed. Over 900 when determining overall vulnerability of a crossing: crossings were evaluated through field work completed by Trout structural condition; geomorphic condition; hydraulic Unlimited. The analysis looked at five factors (Figure 1) when considering condition; disruption of emergency response; and the vulnerability of a crossing. An interactive online tool, SHEDS: Stream potential to improve aquatic organism passage. Image Crossing Explorer,1 was created showing the results of the evaluations, and source: UMass Amherst is described in more detail on pages 15 to 20. 1 http://sce.ecosheds.org/ High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 1 Definitions For the purpose of this report, the crossings identified as having a high Overall Risk of Failure in the SHEDS tool have been included. These crossings are vulnerable due to one or more of the following factors:  Structural Condition – Risk of failure is based on the structural condition of the crossing. Data comes from MassDOT bridge inspection reports or culvert condition assessments conducted in the field by Trout Unlimited or UMass Amherst students.  Hydraulic Risk – Risk of failure is based on how much water a crossing can handle before collapsing, overtopping, or washing out. Hydraulic Risk was determined through models of current and future stream flows for different storm events.  Geomorphic Risk – Risk of failure is based on the likelihood of sediment plugging, woody debris, and channel adjustment at the crossing structure. A geomorphic scoring index was used to assess each crossing for structural alignment, structure width versus stream channel width, stream power versus substrate type, evidence of deposition or erosion, condition of the structure’s footings, existence of a scour pool, and existing blockage. Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards The Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards2 apply to all new permanent crossings, and to replacement crossings to the extent feasible. The standards were created to protect and improve stream health by designing culverts and bridges to accommodate fish and wildlife passage. Common problems for fish and wildlife passage at crossings (Figure 2) also tend to place these crossings at a higher risk for failure during a flood event. While the standards focus on improving river and stream ecosystems, designing crossings with rivers in mind also makes those structures more resilient to flooding, allowing for larger volumes of water and debris to safely pass through. The Stream Crossing Standards establish minimum criteria necessary for fish and wildlife movement and to maintain stream continuity (Figure 3). Further engineering is required to determine appropriate size and design to provide adequate flood capacity and stability. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) updated its Design of Bridges and Culverts for Wildlife 2 https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/08/23/Stream%20Crossings%20booklet%20Web.pdf High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 2 FIGURE 2 Passages at Freshwater Streams3 to incorporate the most recent Stream Crossing Standards and to provide design templates and guidance for municipal officials. The new guidance document is expected to be available in January 2019. High Risk Crossing Tables The following tables display the high risk road- stream crossings in Conway. Each crossing has a Map ID that corresponds to a number on the High Risk Crossing Map. The Crossing ID for each entry was used to download data from two sources: the SHEDS Stream Crossing Explorer tool (data source for Overall Risk of Failure assessment), and the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC, data source for photos and Aquatic Passability assessment). The Crossing ID can be used to look-up crossings in either of these data sources (see the Instructions for Using Stream Crossing Data Tools). Figure 2: Common stream crossing problems for wildlife also tend to make crossings more vulnerable to failure during a flood event. Source: Massachusetts Stream Crossings Handbook, MA Division of Ecological Restoration, June 2012. 3 https://roadecology.ucdavis.edu/files/content/projects/MA_DOT_Design_Bridges_Culverts_Wildlife_Passage_122710.pdf High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 3 FIGURE 3 Figure 3: Good stream crossing design for wildlife also helps pass higher volumes of water and debris, making structures more resilient to heavy precipitation events. Source: Massachusetts Stream Crossings Handbook, MA Division of Ecological Restoration, June 2012. High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 4 CONWAY Map ID 79 Road / Surface Route 116 / Paved Stream South River Crossing Type Bridge Jurisdiction State Overall Risk of Failure High Structural Risk Geomorphic Risk Hydraulic Risk  Aquatic Passability Insignificant Barrier Observation Date 6/26/2015 Latitude: 42.51756 GPS Coordinates Longitude: -72.731985 Crossing ID xy4251757072731970 Map ID 80 Road / Surface Main Poland Rd / Unpaved Stream Trib Chapel Brook Crossing Type Single Culvert Jurisdiction Local Overall Risk of Failure High Structural Risk Geomorphic Risk Hydraulic Risk  Aquatic Passability Significant Barrier Observation Date 6/3/2015 Latitude: 42.491669 GPS Coordinates Longitude: -72.73977 Crossing ID xy4249167072739773 High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 5 CONWAY Map ID 81 Road / Surface Shelburne Falls Rd / Paved Stream Trib Bear River Crossing Type Single Culvert Jurisdiction Local Overall Risk of Failure High Structural Risk Geomorphic Risk  Hydraulic Risk Aquatic Passability Severe Barrier Observation Date 8/18/2014 Latitude: 42.550159 GPS Coordinates Longitude: -72.715684 Crossing ID xy4255015972715685 Map ID 82 Road / Surface Ashfield Rd / Paved Stream Trib South River Crossing Type Single Culvert Jurisdiction State Overall Risk of Failure High Structural Risk Geomorphic Risk  Hydraulic Risk  Aquatic Passability Significant Barrier Observation Date 7/25/2014 Latitude: 42.510151 GPS Coordinates Longitude: -72.711841 Crossing ID xy4251016072711835 High Risk Stream Crossings in Conway, MA September 2018 6