WATERSHED MANAGEMENT a quick overview Elizabeth Trybula, Watershed Information Specialist Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

watershed management what you get when you Google Watershed Management is an iterative process of integrated decision-making regarding uses and modifications of lands and waters within a watershed. This process provides a chance for stakeholders to balance diverse goals and uses for environmental resources, and to consider how their cumulative actions may affect long- term sustainability of these resources. The Guiding Principles of the process are Partnerships, Geographic Focus, & Sound Management (strong science & data).

USEPA watershed management principles  Watersheds are natural systems that we can work with.  Watershed management is continuous and needs a multi-disciplinary approach.  A watershed management framework supports partnering, using sound science, taking well-planned actions and achieving results.  A flexible approach is always needed.

Inventory & Assess Determine What Needs to Be Done Plan Figure Out How To Do It Restore Do It Inventory & Assess Plan Implement and Can Be Done as Effectively as Possible and with which Resources Evaluate Determine if what you’re doing is successful (and/or what you need to be successful) framework of watershed management

phases of watershed management (adaptive management)

inventory & assessment what it is a comprehensive overview of current and historic environmental conditions in your watershed what it isn’t immune to error or omissions ever complete ‘The purpose of doing a land inventory is to bring together a holistic picture of the watershed, as a dynamic system. This piece of the landscape you’ve selected for your attention is teeming with life, history, change, and complexity. To understand how it “works” you need to immerse yourself in it.’ - IWPG (4-1)

inventory & assessment what it should give you (outcomes) a baseline to work from an idea of trends information to identify problems (and potential sources) information to develop priorities information to identify opportunities what a successful assessment entails historic & current research windshield surveys spatial data development environmental (ie. water chemistry, biological communities) monitoring volunteer/community involvement ‘A watershed group needs reliable data to understand and prioritize problems.’

plan what it is a community- based, strategic approach to address the identified problems what it isn’t limited to a document ‘Airing your concerns, developing a practical, clear vision, and agreeing on measurable goals aren’t easy. However, experience shows that groups can’t plan successfully unless they plow their way through these steps. When you cut away the jargon, all you are trying to do is answer a fairly simple question: What concerns us about our watershed, and how do we want it to be different?’ - IWPG (2-1)

plan what it should convey (outcomes) stakeholder-concerns & collective prioritization problem statements clearly articulated, prioritized solutions specific action items specific resources available (includes people) a master schedule relevant indicators what a successful plan requires an accurate, up to date, watershed inventory representative community input stakeholder consensus resource commitment

implementation (restoration & antidegradation) what it is action in accordance with your identified planning outcomes what it isn’t independent from your plan limited to your cost share program ‘Practice: Prescribed manner of doing or building something…A practice may be structural [something that is built or involves changes in land forms or equipment] or it may be managerial [a specific way of using or handling or resources].’ -IWPG 8-4

implementation (restoration & antidegradation) what restoration looks like individual and systemic changes education and outreach ordinance development rules enforcement policy decisions Low Impact Development (LID) installation of BMPs Vegetative Buffers & Swales Sediment/Nutrient Management Ditch Management Pervious materials Biofiltration, etc. successful restoration achievements (outcomes) action items accomplished water quality improvements

evaluation what it is a determination of project success or failure using recognized indicators what it isn’t secondary arbitrary Remember that watershed planning consists of determining where you are now, where you want to be in the future, how you’re going to get there, and how you will know when you’ve arrived. - IWPG 10-1 “You can't control what you can't measure” - Tom DeMarco

evaluation what you should get (outcomes) an understanding of the effects of your efforts documentation of your impact opportunity for growth (adaptation) critical elements for a worthwhile evaluation articulated goals accepted indicators (environmental, social, administrative) comprehensive baseline information critical elements for a worthwhile evaluation articulated goals accepted indicators (environmental, social, administrative) comprehensive baseline information

process of watershed management

an organic process Watersheds are natural systems that we can work with. Watershed management is continuous and multi-disciplinary, it requires: partnering, sound science, well-planned actions, results, and a flexible approach “I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times.” - US Sen. Everett Dirksen USEPA watershed management principles in a nutshell

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