Developing Watershed Plans
Writing Mission Statements
The mission statement provides a brief explanation of the watershed group and what it plans to achieve. An effective mission statement contains one or two sentences and will serve the watershed group for years.
Defining Objectives/Goals
The Planning Committee sets goals that are driven by the problem statements (resource concerns) that have been developed. Goals should be clearly expressed, easy to explain and tied to a desired change or future condition. Effective goals will have the group's consensus, be well documented, and most importantly, be measurable or quantifiable.
The Technical Committee will use the goals to better understand the group's direction, select best management practices, choose implementation methods and write objectives.
An objective highlights how each goal will be accomplished. Whom is in charge of education, the timeline for implementation, maintenance needs and what areas to target are questions that should all be answered in the objective statement.
When completed, the group's goals/objectives should be prioritized and include both short-term and long-term milestones and benchmarks. This provides the group with a foundation from which to build a watershed management plan.
Implementation Plan
A well-written implementation plan describes how the community will work together to complete the proposed activities and meet the group’s goals and objectives. Items to be addressed in the Plan include:
- Policies, action steps and guidelines on how the watershed plan will be completed.
- A schedule outlining the completion date, end results, resources needed, and the contact person or agency
- Short term, visible activities that create public awareness and interest
- Management practices that have been evaluated for effectiveness, cost, maintenance, useful life, adverse effects and public acceptability.
The implementation plan should be updated annually to reprioritize and update activities that have occurred throughout the year in the watershed. The key to success is communication and willingness to modify the plan when new information is available.
Detailed Cost Summary
Developing a detailed cost summary allows the group to compare control options or best management practices and helps the groups select the most cost- effective solution to be implemented. Cost/benefit analysis for each option will be used to determine which alternative will be selected for implementation. A detailed cost summary is an advantage when working to obtain funding sources. The detail cost summary allows the funding sources the option to review and possibly select solutions for financial assistance. The committee should include all resources, matching funds, and in-kind services in their detailed cost summary.
Evaluation Plan
Evaluations are a critical element to any watershed plan. Ongoing evaluation throughout the watershed planning process assists the group in accomplishing tasks and measuring impact. Successful evaluations clearly state objectives and measure results and serve as a valuable tool in documenting the success of the watershed plan. Positive evaluations presented in an easy to understand terms help build support for future projects and funding.
Resources
- 9 Step Watershed Management Plan
From:
Fact sheets for the NRCS nine steps to developing a watershed management plan.
www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/engineer/ResPlng/RPGbk.html - Basics of Developing Mission, Vision
From:
Information from the Management Assistance Program for Nonprofits on developing a effective mission statement.
www.mapnp.org/library/plan_dec/str_plan/stmnts.htm#anchor519441 - Field Office Techincal Guide
From:
Technical Guide which contains information regarding soil, water, wildlife and air conservation practice standards.
efotg.nrcs.usda.gov/treemenuFS.aspx?StateName=Illinois&MenuName=menuIL.zip&MenuType=2 - Guidance Book on Management Measures
From:
Guidance book called Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters that provides background information on nonpoint pollution and promotes management measures.
www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/MMGI/ - Natural Resource Checklist
From:
Natural resource checklist, that contains items that are used in writing a watershed management planning. Provides assist to the watershed planning committee on information for a Watershed Management Plan.
www.ctic.purdue.edu/kyw/tmdl/TipsAndHints/NatResChecklist.html - Putting Together a Watershed Management Plan
From:
Information on what do once a planning committee has been formed.
www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/Brochures/PutTogether.html - Rapid Watershed Planning
From:
Rapid Watershed Planning presentation that provides a basic outline for watershed planning, identifying steps for completing a plan.
www.stormwatercenter.net/Slideshows/rapid_files/frame.htm - Total Maximum Daily Load
From:
Place to find the latest news about TMDL, current 303d List, and an interactive map engine.
www.epa.state.il.us/water/tmdl/ - Watershed Assessment
From:
Information on tools available for watershed assessments.
www.cwp.org/tools_assessment.htm - Watershed Plan Checklist
From:
Checklist of items required for preparing a Watershed Plan with Section 319 funds.
www.state.in.us/idem/owm/planbr/wsm/fy2003checklist.pdf - What should our mission statement say?
From:
Information on creating a mission ( PR) statement that is easy to remember and be used to lobby support for your group.
www.nonprofits.org/npofaq/03/21.html