Erin Moran has been working on implementing a water leveler AKA “Beaver Deceiver” in Yankeetown Pond since she acquired rights to the wetland in 2018. Yankeetown Pond is a circumneutral bog lake in Woodstock, NY part of the Ashokan Watershed. Residents utilize the wetlands for recreational activities, even though the majority of it is owned by New York City and utilized to meet the city’s water needs.
In recent years, Yankeetown Pond has been flooding because of persistent beaver activity and no wetland maintenance. According to a study done in 2019 by Hudsonia, there are over 14 active beaver lodges in the wetland. Unfortunately, some members of the public have breached these dams to maximize areas for water activities, not fully understanding the impacts of these actions on the beaver habitat or wetland. Some locals have even hired an illegal beaver trapper, which is inhumane for the beavers, as well as dangerous for residents who frequently use the land for outdoor recreation, including kayaking and fishing.
Moran completed climate stewards training in the fall of 2021. She said the course helped her navigate fact from fiction when it comes to climate change information and understand how to find resources for her steward project.
Moran hopes to implement a long-term solution for the human-beaver conflict in Yankeetown Pond, as well as develop a management plan to protect the wetlands. The water leveler will help to manage these wetlands which are vital for flooding mitigation and adaptation in Woodstock. Moran has applied for a permit for a water leveler, but the NYS DEC has denied the request several times, stating vague reasons. Currently, Moran has partnered with the owner of Hudson Valley Beaver Strategies in Westchester County to work towards the permit.
Throughout this process, Moran has learned a lot about wetland mitigation and community environmental policy, and she has been able to share this knowledge with her municipality. Moran is an active member of the Town of Woodstock Environmental Commission and was recently appointed to represent Woodstock in the Ulster County Environmental Management Council. Moran is confident residents and the greater community can peacefully coexist with the beaver population. Her persistent efforts are truly something to admire.
