Watershed Approaches and Watershed Approaches and Community Based PlanningCommunity Based Planning
Presented by Presented by
Dave GriffithDave Griffith
Stakeholder Involvement in Stakeholder Involvement in Watershed Management Watershed Management Workshop Workshop
November 30, 2006 ARDC MeadNovember 30, 2006 ARDC Mead with additional slides fromwith additional slides from
Craig GoodwinCraig Goodwin
Chris HamiltonChris Hamilton
Dan LawsonDan Lawson
Verlon BarnesVerlon Barnes
Where We’re HeadedWhere We’re Headed
Overview of where RWA fits into Overview of where RWA fits into NRCS programsNRCS programs
Community Based PlanningCommunity Based Planning
Stakeholder and Partner InvolvementStakeholder and Partner Involvement
NRCS Strategic Plan 2005-2010NRCS Strategic Plan 2005-2010
Cooperative ConservationCooperative Conservation
Market-Based ApproachMarket-Based Approach
Watershed ApproachWatershed Approach
Overarching Strategies:Overarching Strategies:
Why a Watershed Why a Watershed Approach?Approach?Watersheds are universal well-defined Watersheds are universal well-defined areas that provide a common basis for areas that provide a common basis for discussion of water, related resources, and discussion of water, related resources, and landscape processes.landscape processes.
WatershedWatershed
OutletOutlet
NRCS Planning ContinuumNRCS Planning Continuum
What is aWhat is aRapid Watershed Rapid Watershed Assessment?Assessment?
What are RWAs?What are RWAs?
Are summaries of resource concerns and Are summaries of resource concerns and opportunities.opportunities.
Provide initial estimates of where Provide initial estimates of where conservation investments would best conservation investments would best address resources concerns.address resources concerns.
Are the product of a process which Are the product of a process which evaluates resource conditions and needs on evaluates resource conditions and needs on an 8-digit hydrologic unit basis.an 8-digit hydrologic unit basis.
Rapid Watershed Assessments:Rapid Watershed Assessments:
8-Digit Hydrologic Units8-Digit Hydrologic Units69 HUs in Nebraska (38 primarily in Nebraska) 69 HUs in Nebraska (38 primarily in Nebraska)
Average HU size = 1,637 mi² (1,047,000 acres)Average HU size = 1,637 mi² (1,047,000 acres)
HUs are accounting areas, not necessarily watersheds HUs are accounting areas, not necessarily watersheds
Definition of TermsDefinition of Terms
Rapid Watershed AssessmentRapid Watershed AssessmentResource ProfileResource Profile
Summary MatrixSummary Matrix
++
Resource ProfileResource Profile
A descriptive set of A descriptive set of data portraying the data portraying the significant natural significant natural resource features resource features of the watershed.of the watershed.
Resource ProfileResource Profile
Use of Geographic Information System (GIS)Use of Geographic Information System (GIS)Conservation planning teams working in each Conservation planning teams working in each watershed:watershed:
Meeting with landowners and conservation groupsMeeting with landowners and conservation groupsInventorying agricultural areasInventorying agricultural areasAssessing current levels of resource managementAssessing current levels of resource managementIdentifying conservation recommendationsIdentifying conservation recommendationsMaking qualitative estimates of the impacts of Making qualitative estimates of the impacts of conservation on local resource concernsconservation on local resource concerns
An evaluation of watershed resources to An evaluation of watershed resources to determine the size, scope, and value of determine the size, scope, and value of natural resource needs.natural resource needs.
Assessment MatrixAssessment Matrix
Assessment MatrixAssessment Matrix
Current resource conditions and O&M costsCurrent resource conditions and O&M costsDesired resource conditionsDesired resource conditionsConservation practice and system Conservation practice and system recommendations and operation and maintenance recommendations and operation and maintenance costscostsQualitative effects on primary resource concerns Qualitative effects on primary resource concerns Potential funding sources for implementationPotential funding sources for implementation
Matrix to summarize the following:Matrix to summarize the following:
Level of AssessmentLevel of Assessment
Limited in detail due to the restricted data Limited in detail due to the restricted data collection associated with the process: collection associated with the process:
Does not address cumulative effectsDoes not address cumulative effects
Does not address infrastructure needsDoes not address infrastructure needs
Tends to be qualitative, not quantitative in Tends to be qualitative, not quantitative in naturenature
A more extensive planning process would A more extensive planning process would be used to collect detailed information for be used to collect detailed information for Area Wide Community Based Planning.Area Wide Community Based Planning.
Iowa
Nebraska
SouthDakota
0 5 10 15 202.5
Miles
±
Blackbird-Soldier HU Pilot RWABlackbird-Soldier HU Pilot RWA
HU 10230001HU 10230001
Covers NE and IACovers NE and IA
NE = 810 miNE = 810 mi22
14 sub-watersheds14 sub-watersheds
Parts of 4 countiesParts of 4 counties
Omaha and Omaha and Winnebago Winnebago ReservationsReservations
Burt
Dodge
Thurston
Dakota
Cuming
Washington
Blackbird-Soldier HU
Omaha Indian Reservation
Winnebago Indian Reservation
0 5 102.5
Miles
±
Nebraska
HU 10230001
RWA’s are:RWA’s are:
One Component of Strategic Plan watershed One Component of Strategic Plan watershed approachapproachWill be used as a platform for conservation Will be used as a platform for conservation program deliveryprogram deliveryIs being implemented as a pilot effortIs being implemented as a pilot effort
Current Status of Resource Current Status of Resource Assessments in NebraskaAssessments in Nebraska
Medicine
Blackbird-Soldier
Cherry
Holt
Custer
Sioux
Lincoln
Sheridan
Garden
Knox
Morrill
Keith
Dawes
RockBrown
Gage
Chase
Dundy
Hall
Grant
Buffalo
ClayOtoe
Cedar
Dawson
Kimball
York Cass
Frontier
Cheyenne
Perkins
Hayes
Loup
Platte
BlaineBurt
Arthur Boone
Box Butte
Boyd
Furnas
Banner
Polk
Hooker
Butler
Saline
ValleyLogan
Pierce
Thomas
Harlan
Dodge
Adams
Thayer
Saunders
Phelps
McPherson
Deuel
Seward
Cuming
Greeley
Howard
Hitchcock
Garfield
Nance
Fillmore
Franklin
Wheeler Madison
WebsterNuckolls
Colfax
Merrick
Wayne
Scotts Bluff
Kearney
PawneeRichardson
Sarpy
Antelope
Lancaster
Dixon
Keya Paha
Gosper
Sherman
Red WillowJefferson
Hamilton
Stanton
NemahaJohnson
Thurston
Douglas
Dakota
Washington
Completed 8 Digit HUC Resource AssessmentsAs of 11/ 27/ 2006
Completed
Natural ResourceConservation Service
UPPER NIOBRARA WHITE
NORTH PLATTE
SOUTH PLATTE
MIDDLE NIOBRARA
UPPER LOUP
TWIN PLATTE
UPPER ELKHORN
LOWER LOUP
CENTRAL PLATTE
TRI-BASIN
LOWER REPUBLICAN
MIDDLE REPUBLICAN
LITTLE BLUE
UPPER BIG BLUE
LOWER PLATTE NORTH
LOWER ELKHORN
LEWIS & CLARK
NEMAHA
LOWERPLATTESOUTH
PAPIOMISSOURI
RIVER
UPPERREPUBLICAN
LOWER NIOBRARA
Lower BigBlue
CherryHolt
Custer
Sioux
Lincoln
Sheridan
Garden
Knox
Morrill
Keith
Dawes
RockBrown
Gage
Chase
Dundy
Hall
Grant
Buffalo
Clay
Otoe
Cedar
Dawson
Kimball
York Cass
Frontier
Cheyenne
Hayes
Loup
Platte
Blaine
Burt
Arthur Boone
Box Butte
Boyd
Furnas
Banner
Polk
Hooker
Antelope
Butler
Saline
ValleyLogan
Pierce
Thomas
Harlan
Dodge
Adams
Thayer
Dixon
Saunders
Phelps
McPherson
Deuel
Seward
Cuming
Greeley
Keya Paha
Howard
Hitchcock
Garfield
Nance
Fillmore
Franklin
WheelerMadison
Webster Nuckolls
Merrick
Wayne
Scotts Bluff
Sherman
Red Willow
Kearney
Jefferson Pawnee Richardson
Johnson
Thurston
Sarpy
Douglas
Perkins
Lancaster
Colfax
Gosper
Hamilton
Stanton
Nemaha
Dakota
Washington
Completed DC Administrative Areas Resource AssessmentsAs of 11/ 29/ 2006
Completed
Natural ResourceConservation Service
Panhandle RC & D
North Central RC & D
Sandhills RC & D
Prairie Land RC & D
Loup Basin RC & D
Southwest RC & D
South Central RC & D
Northeast RC & D
Five Rivers RC & D
Trail Blazer RC & D
Loess Hills RC & D
Cherry
Holt
Custer
Sioux
Lincoln
Sheridan
Garden
Knox
Morrill
Keith
Dawes
RockBrown
Gage
Chase
Dundy
Hall
Grant
Buffalo
Clay
Otoe
Cedar
Dawson
Kimball
York Cass
Frontier
Cheyenne
Perkins
Hayes
Loup
Platte
Blaine
BurtArthur Boone
Box Butte
Boyd
Furnas
Banner
Polk
Hooker
Antelope
Butler
Saline
Valley
Logan
Pierce
Thomas
Harlan
Dodge
Adams
Thayer
Dixon
Saunders
Phelps
McPherson
Deuel
Seward
Cuming
Greeley
Keya Paha
Howard
Hitchcock
Garfield
Nance
Fillmore
Franklin
Wheeler Madison
Webster Nuckolls
Colfax
Merrick
Wayne
Scotts Bluff
Sherman
Red Willow
Kearney
Jefferson
Hamilton
Pawnee Richardson
Johnson
Thurston
Sarpy
Lancaster
Gosper
Stanton
Nemaha
Douglas
Dakota
Washington
Completed RC & D Resource AssessmentsAs of 11/ 27/ 2006
Completed
Natural ResourceConservation Service
How do Rapid Watershed How do Rapid Watershed Assessments Relate to the Assessments Relate to the
Area Wide Community Based Area Wide Community Based Planning Process?Planning Process?
Relationship Between the Relationship Between the NRCS Planning Process and NRCS Planning Process and RWARWA
Phase I - Collection and AnalysisPhase I - Collection and Analysis
1. Identify Problems 1. Identify Problems 2. Determine Objectives 2. Determine Objectives 3. Inventory Resources 3. Inventory Resources 4. Analyze Resource Data 4. Analyze Resource Data
Phase II - Decision SupportPhase II - Decision Support5. Formulate Alternatives 5. Formulate Alternatives 6. Evaluate Alternatives 6. Evaluate Alternatives 7. Make Decisions7. Make Decisions
Phase III - Application and Phase III - Application and Evaluation Evaluation 8. Implement the Plan 8. Implement the Plan 9. Evaluate the Plan9. Evaluate the Plan
RWARWA
PlanningPlanning
ImplementationImplementation
Follow-up/Adapt. Man.Follow-up/Adapt. Man.
NRCS Water Resources Programs NRCS Water Resources Programs and Rapid Watershed and Rapid Watershed AssessmentAssessment
Community Based Community Based PlanningPlanning
WWhat is it?hat is it?
Moving from Rapid Watershed Assessments Moving from Rapid Watershed Assessments to Community Based Planningto Community Based Planning
Community Based Planning is a Community Based Planning is a voluntary, locally led planning voluntary, locally led planning process that integrates social, process that integrates social, economic, and environmental economic, and environmental concerns over a defined concerns over a defined geographic area (such as; a geographic area (such as; a county, a watershed, or a region).county, a watershed, or a region).
COMMUNITY BASED PLANNING
COMMUNITY BASEDCOMMUNITY BASEDPLANNINGPLANNING
What is the desired product?
A planning process that results A planning process that results in the development of in the development of
A comprehensiveA comprehensive Management Plan Management Plan
that isthat isFully ImplementedFully Implemented
COMMUNITY BASED PLANNING
COMMUNITY BASED COMMUNITY BASED PLANNINGPLANNING
Key Components-Key Components-1. A common Vision of desired conditions1. A common Vision of desired conditions
2. Identification of Objectives to reach vision2. Identification of Objectives to reach vision
3. Opportunities and concerns drive the 3. Opportunities and concerns drive the processprocess
4. Utilizes adaptive management4. Utilizes adaptive management
5. Utilizes facilitation5. Utilizes facilitation
6. Communication and Education are important6. Communication and Education are important
7. Documentation and Evaluation of outcomes7. Documentation and Evaluation of outcomes
Community Based Community Based Planning ProcessPlanning Process
Part A. PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIESPart A. PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIES
1.1. Identify a Project Sponsor.Identify a Project Sponsor.2.2. Explain the Community Based Planning Process Explain the Community Based Planning Process
and it’s benefits.and it’s benefits.3.3. Explain the roles each group or entity plays.Explain the roles each group or entity plays.4.4. Identify the Project Coordinator.Identify the Project Coordinator.5.5. Identify the planning area on a map.Identify the planning area on a map.
Community Based Community Based Planning ProcessPlanning Process
Part A. PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIESPart A. PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIES
6.6. Gather any readily available maps or data.Gather any readily available maps or data.
7.7. Brainstorm for other sources of information and Brainstorm for other sources of information and data.data.
8.8. Obtain a written commitment from the sponsor Obtain a written commitment from the sponsor to move forward with the planning process.to move forward with the planning process.
Community Based Community Based Planning ProcessPlanning Process
Part A. PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIESPart A. PRE-PLANNING ACTIVITIES
9.9. Establish a Technical Advisory Team made Establish a Technical Advisory Team made up of key resource people.up of key resource people.
10.10. Brainstorm to identify key stakeholders in Brainstorm to identify key stakeholders in the planning area.the planning area.
11.11. Invite all interested stakeholders, agencies, Invite all interested stakeholders, agencies, and organizations to initial public meeting.and organizations to initial public meeting.
Community Based Community Based Planning ProcessPlanning Process
Part B. PLANNING PROCESS STEPSPart B. PLANNING PROCESS STEPS
PHASE I – Collection and AnalysisPHASE I – Collection and Analysis1. Identify Opportunities and 1. Identify Opportunities and
ConcernsConcerns2. Determine Objectives2. Determine Objectives3. Inventory Resources3. Inventory Resources4. Analyze Resource Data4. Analyze Resource Data
Community Based Community Based Planning ProcessPlanning Process
Part B. PLANNING PROCESS STEPSPart B. PLANNING PROCESS STEPS
PHASE I I – Decision SupportPHASE I I – Decision Support
5. Formulate Alternatives5. Formulate Alternatives
6. Evaluate Alternatives6. Evaluate Alternatives
7. Make Decisions7. Make Decisions
Community Based Community Based Planning ProcessPlanning Process
Part B. PLANNING PROCESS STEPSPart B. PLANNING PROCESS STEPS
PHASE III – Application and EvaluationPHASE III – Application and Evaluation
8. Implement the Plan8. Implement the Plan
9. Evaluate the Effects of the Plan9. Evaluate the Effects of the Plan
10. Celebrate Successes10. Celebrate Successes
BENEFITS OF USING COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF USING COMMUNITY BASED PLANNINGBASED PLANNING
Community and stakeholders are much Community and stakeholders are much more informed about what is happening.more informed about what is happening.Community and stakeholders have the Community and stakeholders have the opportunity to be actively involved in the opportunity to be actively involved in the decisions made.decisions made. Projects completed are more successful.Projects completed are more successful.Implementation goes smoother because Implementation goes smoother because of community acceptance during the of community acceptance during the planning process.planning process.
Community Based Watershed Community Based Watershed PlansPlans
Promoting Stakeholder Involvement Promoting Stakeholder Involvement Throughout the Planning ProcessThroughout the Planning Process
Work with stakeholders to identify the Work with stakeholders to identify the resource problems.resource problems.Find out what they are able and willing Find out what they are able and willing to do to address the identified to do to address the identified problems. problems. Find out which partners are willing to Find out which partners are willing to participate (NRCS, RC&D’s, NDEQ, UNL participate (NRCS, RC&D’s, NDEQ, UNL Extension, NRD’s, other state Extension, NRD’s, other state agencies, private conservation groups) agencies, private conservation groups) and what resources they can bring to and what resources they can bring to the table.the table.
Things to Consider When Things to Consider When Defining an AreaDefining an Area
What is the scope of the problem?What is the scope of the problem?
What is the area to be protected or What is the area to be protected or benefited (water body on 303d list, benefited (water body on 303d list, public water supply, etc)?public water supply, etc)?
Is there a local group formed Is there a local group formed already?already?
Is the area small enough to have a Is the area small enough to have a sense of “community”?sense of “community”?
Things to Consider When Things to Consider When Defining Area (continued)Defining Area (continued)
What is the balance between What is the balance between available resources and conservation available resources and conservation needs.needs.
Will what the group is willing to do Will what the group is willing to do adequately address the problem?adequately address the problem?
RecommendationsRecommendations
Make sure you have adequate Make sure you have adequate financial and technical assistance financial and technical assistance resources to ensure success.resources to ensure success.
Keep Project sized appropriately to Keep Project sized appropriately to be able to show a difference with the be able to show a difference with the available resources.available resources.
Keep lines of communication open to Keep lines of communication open to all partners.all partners.
Are There Questions?Are There Questions?
North Blackbird CreekNorth Blackbird Creek