2. Origin  On October 18, 1997 – 25 th Anniversary of Clean Water Act – Federal agencies were asked to rededicate their efforts to cleaning up the Nations waters.  In February 1998, USDA and DOI were directed to develop a unified federal policy for managing federal lands and resources.  Completed, October 18, 2000

3. Unified Federal Policy:  A Framework for watershed based management  A consistent approach to managing Federal lands and resources  A way to improve water quality, health of aquatic ecosystems and provide for sustained use of our natural resources

4. Participants  U S Department of Agriculture  U S Department of Interior  U S Department of Commerce  U S Department of Defense  U S Department of Energy  U S Environmental Protection Agency  Tennessee Valley Authority  U S Army Corps of Engineers

5. The Watershed Approach  Streams and other bodies of water are a result of the lands that drain to them – A watershed  Management requires an understanding of land and its relationship to water  That understanding must be used in defining management programs and actions  Control of nonpoint sources based on land management practices

6. The Watershed Approach Provides:  An understanding of watershed condition  An understanding of landscape capability  A basis for managing stable ecosystems

7. Why a Unified Federal Policy  Federal land management needs to be consistent across agencies  Most watersheds have more than one land owner  Coordination with all land owners

8. Goals of the proposal  Provide a common approach to watershed management, consistent with individual agency mission, responsibilities and resources  Meet Federal, State and local water quality requirements to the same extent as others  Enhance collaboration and coordination

9. Commitment All agencies will implement this policy as individual agency laws, missions, and fiscal and budgetary authorities and resources permit

10. Elements of the policy 1. A common science-based approach to watershed assessments for Federal lands  A watershed management approach for protecting and restoring watersheds  Improve compliance with water quality requirements under the Clean Water Act  Enhance collaboration with States, Tribes and others

11. Where does the policy apply? Only Federally managed land and resources

12. Current Status of Policy  Formation of a Federal Watershed Management Implementation Team  Letter of invitation was sent to Federal agencies by USDA & DOI in November 2000  On hold / Agency Implementation

13. Administration’s Water Policy  Utilize existing experience & success  Watershed approach  Grass roots approach  Unified Federal Policy – “what’s in a name” “Framework for consistent Watershed Based Management on Federal Lands”

15. Watershed Management for Nonpoint Sources (Adaptive Management / Quality Assurance) Land Management Prescriptions (LMPs) Management Experience Research Implement LMPs Monitor Implementation Effectiveness Mitigate Validation Confirm Design Adjust Design