Watershed Management Plans Address Specific Restoration and Protection Actions. These Plans Document How, Who and When.
The Problem(s)	Reduce Phosphorus loading to meet standard.
The Goal	Farmers and agencies cost share BMPs target 80% covered by 2001
How, Who and When	Local and State cost-share upgrade of treatment plant construction assistance grant 20M by 2001

<< Back   Next >>

Core Principle 2: Watershed management is continuous and needs a multi disciplinary approach

Before we explore this emerging watershed management framework, let's define exactly what we mean by "framework." A watershed framework is simply a lasting process for partners working together. It's a support structure making it easier to coordinate efforts--a structure made of agreed upon standard operating procedures, timelines, and forums for communicating with each other.

This is different than a watershed management plan that describes environmental problems, outlines specific restoration and protection actions, and documents where and how actions will be taken and by whom.

Essentially a coordinating management framework leads to coordinated management plans.

The emerging framework isn't one size fits all. It takes as a given that you often need to work at different geographic scales, weigh multiple management objectives, and address unique local concerns.

A state agency might be interested in major river basins since it's charged with assessing and managing water quality statewide. A local government wanting to protect its drinking water supply may need to work with neighboring jurisdictions throughout a medium sized watershed. A federal agency may need to implement a multiple use management plan on a watershed in public ownership. A local watershed association may be trying to solve a sedimentation problem in a small watershed. If designed well, the watershed approach links all these initiatives with state, local, and regional frameworks complementing and strengthening each other and individual projects.