Watershed Approaches and Community Based Planning

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


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


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.



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.



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.


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



PHASE I I – Decision SupportPHASE I I – Decision Support

5. Formulate Alternatives5. Formulate Alternatives

6. Evaluate Alternatives6. Evaluate Alternatives

7. Make Decisions7. Make Decisions



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

Documents

Watershed Approaches and Community Based Planning