Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans Chapter 1 to Restore and protect our waters Introduction 1.1.1 How Is this handbook different from Other guides 2 This handbook is more rigorous and goes into greater detail than most watershed planning guides. It provides tools to quantify existing pollutant loads, develop estimates of the load reductions designed to meet water quality standards, and identify reductions associated with the management measures expected to achieve load reductions to meet water quality standards. Using these tools enables you to then develop effective management measures to reduce the loads. The handbook also provides tools to track progress once the plan is implemented to ensure that the management measures are helping to improve water quality 1.1.2 Who Should Use this handbook We have designed this handbook to be used by agencies and organizations that develop watershed plans. It is specifically intended for those working in a watershed where there are impaired or threatened waters. To use this handbook effectively, you should have a basic level of understanding about watersheds, their processes, and the major components to be included in a watershed plan. You might have to enlist the support of experienced professionals such as engineers, hydrologists, statisticians, biologists, and database managers to provide specific information for your watershed The primary audiences that will benefit from this handbook are the following Watershed organizations that are developing new plans, updating existing plans to meet funding requirements, or considering other watershed issues Local agencies that are developing or updating a watershed plan or need references to research a particular subject related to watershed planning State and tribal environmental agencies that are developing and reviewing watershed plans, participating as stakeholders on A waterbody is impaired if it does not attain state watershed planning committees, or providing guidance to water quality standards. Threatened waters are watershed associations those that meet standards but exhibit a declining trend in water quality such that they will likely Federal environmental agencies that have similar planning exceed standards programs to help identify overlapping activities, provide sources of data, and offer other kinds of financial and technical assistance 1.1.3 What if We already Have a watershed Plan EPA recognizes that many states and local groups already have in place or are developing watershed plans and strategies at varying levels of scale, scope, and pecificity that might contribute significantly to the process of developing and implementing watershed plans using the approach outlined in this handbook
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters Chapter 1 Introduction Draft 1-3 A waterbody is impaired if it does not attain state water quality standards. Threatened waters are those that meet standards but exhibit a declining trend in water quality such that they will likely exceed standards. 1.1.1 How Is This Handbook Different from Other Guides? This handbook is more rigorous and goes into greater detail than most watershed planning guides. It provides tools to quantify existing pollutant loads, develop estimates of the load reductions designed to meet water quality standards, and identify reductions associated with the management measures expected to achieve load reductions to meet water quality standards. Using these tools enables you to then develop effective management measures to reduce the loads. The handbook also provides tools to track progress once the plan is implemented to ensure that the management measures are helping to improve water quality. 1.1.2 Who Should Use This Handbook? We have designed this handbook to be used by agencies and organizations that develop watershed plans. It is specifically intended for those working in a watershed where there are impaired or threatened waters. To use this handbook effectively, you should have a basic level of understanding about watersheds, their processes, and the major components to be included in a watershed plan. You might have to enlist the support of experienced professionals such as engineers, hydrologists, statisticians, biologists, and database managers to provide specific information for your watershed plan. The primary audiences that will benefit from this handbook are the following: Watershed organizations that are developing new plans, updating existing plans to meet funding requirements, or considering other watershed issues. Local agencies that are developing or updating a watershed plan or need references to research a particular subject related to watershed planning. State and tribal environmental agencies that are developing and reviewing watershed plans, participating as stakeholders on watershed planning committees, or providing guidance to watershed associations. Federal environmental agencies that have similar planning programs to help identify overlapping activities, provide sources of data, and offer other kinds of financial and technical assistance. 1.1.3 What if We Already Have a Watershed Plan? EPA recognizes that many states and local groups already have in place or are developing watershed plans and strategies at varying levels of scale, scope, and specificity that might contribute significantly to the process of developing and implementing watershed plans using the approach outlined in this handbook
Chapter 1 Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans Introduction to Restore and Protect our waters The existing plans and strategies should be adapted as appropriate or used as building blocks for developing and Table 1-1. Relationship of Chapters to the implementing watershed plans that contain the nine Watershed Planning Process minimum elements that EPA recommends including in Steps in Watershed watershed plans that address impaired or threatened Chapter Planning and waterbodies. This can be accomplished by adapting existing plans to include the omitted components, incorporating by Process reference existing assessments or other information in a reduction newly developed plan, or merging existing information into an updated plan that includes all the basic components Watershed Planning cess Where existing plans and strategies have been developed at Build Partnerships Build Partnerships a basin-wide or other large geographic scale, they will usually need to be refined at the smaller watershed scale to Watershed Planning provide the information needed to develop a watershed plan Effort The assessment, monitoring. and other data collection 5 Gather Existing Data requirements for larger basin studies typically are not as and Create an detailed as those for watershed plans or assessments Characterize the generated for site-level work plans 6 Identify Data Gaps Watershed and Collect Additional 1.2 What's Inside? Analyze Data to Characterize the The handbook is divided into 13 chapters that move through Watershed and the watershed planning and implementation process(table 1-1). Each chapter includes information that addresses the Estimate Pollutant key issues for each step, along with highlights to illustrate how to apply these concepts to your own situation. In 9 Set Goals and Identify addition, the appendices provide more detailed information Load Reductions on additional resources and worksheets that can be used as Identify Possible part of your watershed planning efforts anagement Set Goals and Identify Solutions 1.2.1 Chapter Summaries 11 Evaluate Options and Select Final Chapter 1: Introduction includes the purpose of the handbook, intended audiences, and guidelines on how to use Strategies the information provided Implementation Program and Program Chapter 2: Overview of watershed Planning Process ides an overview of the watershed planning highlights common features of typical watershed planning 13 Implement Watershed processes Plan and MeasureWatershed Plan P re Progress and make
Chapter 1 Introduction Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters 1-4 Draft Table 1-1. Relationship of Chapters to the Watershed Planning Process Chapter Steps in Watershed Planning and Implementation Process 1 Introduction 2 Overview of Watershed Planning Process 3 Build Partnerships Build Partnerships 4 Define Scope of Watershed Planning Effort Characterize the Watershed 5 Gather Existing Data and Create an Inventory 6 Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data if Needed 7 Analyze Data to Characterize the Watershed and Pollutant Sources 8 Estimate Pollutant Loads 9 Set Goals and Identify Load Reductions Set Goals and Identify Solutions 10 Identify Possible Management Strategies 11 Evaluate Options and Select Final Management Strategies 12 Design Implementation Program and Assemble Watershed Plan Design Implementation Program 13 Implement Watershed Plan and Measure Progress Implement Watershed Plan Measure Progress and Make Adjustments The existing plans and strategies should be adapted as appropriate or used as building blocks for developing and implementing watershed plans that contain the nine minimum elements that EPA recommends including in watershed plans that address impaired or threatened waterbodies. This can be accomplished by adapting existing plans to include the omitted components, incorporating by reference existing assessments or other information in a newly developed plan, or merging existing information into an updated plan that includes all the basic components. Where existing plans and strategies have been developed at a basin-wide or other large geographic scale, they will usually need to be refined at the smaller watershed scale to provide the information needed to develop a watershed plan. The assessment, monitoring, and other data collection requirements for larger basin studies typically are not as detailed as those for watershed plans or assessments generated for site-level work plans. 1.2 What’s Inside? The handbook is divided into 13 chapters that move through the watershed planning and implementation process (table 1-1). Each chapter includes information that addresses the key issues for each step, along with highlights to illustrate how to apply these concepts to your own situation. In addition, the appendices provide more detailed information on additional resources and worksheets that can be used as part of your watershed planning efforts. 1.2.1 Chapter Summaries Chapter 1: Introduction includes the purpose of the handbook, intended audiences, and guidelines on how to use the information provided. Chapter 2: Overview of Watershed Planning Process provides an overview of the watershed planning process and highlights common features of typical watershed planning processes
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans Chapter 1 to Restore and protect our waters Introduction Chapter 3: Build Partnerships provides guidance on initial activities to organize and involve interested parties, such as identify ing stakeholders, integrating other key programs, and conducting outreach Chapter 4: Define Scope of Watershed Planning Effort discusses the preliminary activities you undertake to start scoping out your planning effort. It includes information on defining issues of concern, developing preliminary goals, and identifying indicators to assess current conditions Chapter 5: Gather Existing Data and Create an Inventory discusses the first step in watershed characterization--gathering existing information and creating a data inventory. It includes the collection of information from existing reports and datasets Chapter 6: Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data if Needed discusses low to identify data gaps and collect additional data if needed. This chapter includes a discussion on quality assurance/quality control procedures and the development of sampling plans Chapter 7: Analyze Data to Characterize the watershed and pollutant Sources discusses the primary data analyses needed to identify problems and support development of the plan. It includes information on the types of data analyses that can be conducted and the tools used It also discusses how to link the impairments to the causes and sources of pollutant loads Chapter 8: Estimate Pollutant Loads provides guidance on using watershed models and other tools to estimate pollutant loads. It discusses computer models, identifies the types of models available, and tells how to select appropriate models for your watershed study Chapter 9: Set Goals and Identify Load Reductions discusses how to set management and water quality goals, develop management objectives, and determine the load reductions needed to meet the goals. It provides guidance for identifying critical areas to which management efforts can be targeted Chapter 10: Identify Possible Management Strategies gives an overview of various management measures that might be selected, discusses how to identify existing management efforts in the watershed, and provides considerations for selecting management options Chapter 11: Evaluate Options and select Final Management Strategies discusses how to screen and research candidate management options, evaluate possible scenarios, and select the final management measures to be included in your watershed management plan
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters Chapter 1 Introduction Draft 1-5 Chapter 3: Build Partnerships provides guidance on initial activities to organize and involve interested parties, such as identifying stakeholders, integrating other key programs, and conducting outreach. Chapter 4: Define Scope of Watershed Planning Effort discusses the preliminary activities you undertake to start scoping out your planning effort. It includes information on defining issues of concern, developing preliminary goals, and identifying indicators to assess current conditions. Chapter 5: Gather Existing Data and Create an Inventory discusses the first step in watershed characterization—gathering existing information and creating a data inventory. It includes the collection of information from existing reports and datasets. Chapter 6: Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data if Needed discusses how to identify data gaps and collect additional data if needed. This chapter includes a discussion on quality assurance/quality control procedures and the development of sampling plans. Chapter 7: Analyze Data to Characterize the Watershed and Pollutant Sources discusses the primary data analyses needed to identify problems and support development of the plan. It includes information on the types of data analyses that can be conducted and the tools used. It also discusses how to link the impairments to the causes and sources of pollutant loads. Chapter 8: Estimate Pollutant Loads provides guidance on using watershed models and other tools to estimate pollutant loads. It discusses computer models, identifies the types of models available, and tells how to select appropriate models for your watershed study. Chapter 9: Set Goals and Identify Load Reductions discusses how to set management and water quality goals, develop management objectives, and determine the load reductions needed to meet the goals. It provides guidance for identifying critical areas to which management efforts can be targeted. Chapter 10: Identify Possible Management Strategies gives an overview of various management measures that might be selected, discusses how to identify existing management efforts in the watershed, and provides considerations for selecting management options. Chapter 11: Evaluate Options and Select Final Management Strategies discusses how to screen and research candidate management options, evaluate possible scenarios, and select the final management measures to be included in your watershed management plan
Chapter 1 Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans Introduction to Restore and Protect our waters Chapter 12: Design Implementation Program and Assemble Watershed plan provides guidance on establishing milestones and implementation schedules and identifying the technical and financial resources needed to implement the plan, ncluding information/education(I/E)activities and monitoring and evaluation components. It discusses how to use various analyses and products to assemble and document the watershed plan Chapter 13: Implement Watershed plan and Measure Progress provides guidance on using adaptive management techniques to make changes to your watershed plan and on analyzing the monitoring data to determine whether milestones are being met. It also provides guidance on using a watershed plan to develop annual work plans 1.2.2 Appendices and Back Matter Appendix A: Resources is an expanded list of resources provided to guide you to more detailed information on various aspects of the watershed planning process Appendix B: Worksheets provides a complete set of all the worksheets and checklists included in the handbook as full-size sheets that you can photocopy and use with your planning Look for this Handbook on the Webl You can download a pdf version of this document at eww.epa. gov/owow/nps/pubs. html A Glossary is provided after appendix b to define key terms used in the handbook A Bibliography that lists the sources used to prepare the handbook is included 1.3 How to Use this handbook Although there is no cookie-cutter approach to developing a watershed plan, plans that seek to identify and address threats or impairments to water quality have some common elements. This handbook provides various tools for you to consider when developing your watershed plan and includes many Web links for more in-depth by step through the watershed planning process or can go directly to a section that information on particular topics. The document is structured so you can proceed ste highlights a specific technical tool for use in your watershed planning effort Some common themes are repeated throughout the handbook to reinforce the are identified by th provide shortcuts, and help you to focus your efforts. These tips pts pres ollowing icons. Nine Elements of Watershed Plans. One of the purposes of this handbook is to show how the nine elements presented in the Clean Water Act section 319 guidelines are used to develop effective watershed plans for threatened and impaired waters
Chapter 1 Introduction Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters 1-6 Draft You can download a pdf version of this document at Kwww.epa.gov/owow/nps/pubs.html. Chapter 12: Design Implementation Program and Assemble Watershed Plan provides guidance on establishing milestones and implementation schedules and identifying the technical and financial resources needed to implement the plan, including information/education (I/E) activities and monitoring and evaluation components. It discusses how to use various analyses and products to assemble and document the watershed plan. Chapter 13: Implement Watershed Plan and Measure Progress provides guidance on using adaptive management techniques to make changes to your watershed plan and on analyzing the monitoring data to determine whether milestones are being met. It also provides guidance on using a watershed plan to develop annual work plans. 1.2.2 Appendices and Back Matter Appendix A: Resources is an expanded list of resources provided to guide you to more detailed information on various aspects of the watershed planning process. Appendix B: Worksheets provides a complete set of all the worksheets and checklists included in the handbook as full-size sheets that you can photocopy and use with your planning group. A Glossary is provided after appendix B to define key terms used in the handbook. A Bibliography that lists the sources used to prepare the handbook is included. 1.3 How to Use this Handbook Although there is no cookie-cutter approach to developing a watershed plan, plans that seek to identify and address threats or impairments to water quality have some common elements. This handbook provides various tools for you to consider when developing your watershed plan and includes many Web links for more in-depth information on particular topics. The document is structured so you can proceed step by step through the watershed planning process or can go directly to a section that highlights a specific technical tool for use in your watershed planning effort. Some common themes are repeated throughout the handbook to reinforce the concepts presented, provide shortcuts, and help you to focus your efforts. These tips are identified by the following icons: Nine Elements of Watershed Plans. One of the purposes of this handbook is to show how the nine elements presented in the Clean Water Act section 319 guidelines are used to develop effective watershed plans for threatened and impaired waters
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans Chapter 1 to Restore and protect our waters Introduction Many organizations already have plans that include some of these elements but might require additional information on other elements. Note that most of the nine elements are presented in chapters 10-13 *, Targeting Your Efforts. Although the handbook includes various options to be considered in each step of the watershed planning process, planners must target their efforts to move the process forward to achieve measurable progress in reducing specific pollutant loads. You might already have a good idea of the problems in your watershed and want to identify targeted management measures to address them. Or perhaps your watershed has only one pollutant of concern. The* icon highlights places in the planning process where it makes sense to target your efforts so you car focus your resources to identify the most likely problems and solutions for your watershed STOP Watershed planning is not an exact science. Often we have to make decisions based on our best professional judgment to move the process forward. However, there are several places along the way where you should stop and assess what you know, what information you have, and what additional information you need. If you see the stop sign, take a minute to read the information to make sure you're going down the right path with the right information eThis icon indicates where the topic is discussed elsewhere in the document,or where more information is provided in the text, the Resources appendix(appendix A), other documents or the Internet. a Worksheets and Checklists Worksheets and checklists are provided throughout the handbook to help you work through the watershed planning process with the stakeholders. The worksheets are noted with a. A complete set is provided in ndix b to facilitate photocol
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters Chapter 1 Introduction Draft 1-7 Many organizations already have plans that include some of these elements but might require additional information on other elements. Note that most of the nine elements are presented in chapters 10–13. 7 Targeting Your Efforts. Although the handbook includes various options to be considered in each step of the watershed planning process, planners must target their efforts to move the process forward to achieve measurable progress in reducing specific pollutant loads. You might already have a good idea of the problems in your watershed and want to identify targeted management measures to address them. Or perhaps your watershed has only one pollutant of concern. The 7 icon highlights places in the planning process where it makes sense to target your efforts so you can focus your resources to identify the most likely problems and solutions for your watershed. Watershed planning is not an exact science. Often we have to make decisions based on our best professional judgment to move the process forward. However, there are several places along the way where you should stop and assess what you know, what information you have, and what additional information you need. If you see the stop sign, take a minute to read the information to make sure you’re going down the right path with the right information. KThis icon indicates where the topic is discussed elsewhere in the document, or where more information is provided in the text, the Resources appendix (appendix A), other documents or the Internet. O Worksheets and Checklists. Worksheets and checklists are provided throughout the handbook to help you work through the watershed planning process with the stakeholders. The worksheets are noted with a O. A complete set is provided in appendix B to facilitate photocopying