Steps in Watershed Planning and Implementation Process

Transcription

1 Tracking WWP Implementation Steps in Watershed Planning and Implementation Process Build partnerships Characterize the watershed to identify problems Set goals and identify solutions Design an implementation program Implement the watershed plan Measure progress and make adjustments Handbook p

2 Implement & Measure Creating an organizational structure Implementing activities Preparing work plans Sharing results Evaluating your program Making adjustments Key implementation activities Ensure technical assistance in design & installation of management measures Provide training & support to landowners & others in operating & maintaining measures Manage funding & track expenditures for each action & the project as a whole Conduct land treatment & water quality monitoring, interpretation & reporting Measure progress against schedules & milestones Communicate status & results to stakeholders Coordinate implementation activities among stakeholders & within the implementation team 2

3 Arroyo Colorado WPP Implementation Project Meeting Facilitation Quarterly and Biannual SC and WG meetings Identifying potential projects to meet ACWPP goals Writing grants and tracking applications Encourage implementation of BMPs Implement O&E Campaign Track Implementation Provide Monthly Updates Update Membership Lists Administering Website Watershed Coordinator Role Goal Increase adoption of behavior & practices that improve water quality Roles Provide grant writing assistance Host educational meetings for public Meet with individuals & small groups to encourage involvement Track implementation & share results 3

4 Provide grant writing assistance for both funding & technical assistance to: Local municipalities for improving infrastructure and treatment processes Local counties for additional assistance for activities (e.g. septic inspection) Local Ag groups (e.g. SWCDs) for costshare assistance Watershed plan serves as foundation for preparing proposals Arroyo Colorado WPP Implementation Proposal Questions How does project address issues identified by stakeholders? How will project involve local stakeholders? How will project achieve milestones in WPP? How will project benefit overall efforts of WPP? How does project meet emerging issues not outlined in WPP? How will successes of projects be publicized? 4

5 Arroyo Colorado WPP Promotion of BMP Adoption Get the word out to: Stakeholders-all of them Public Officials, COG, Region M-WPG Environmental Groups Civic Organizations Educators, children 3rd-12th grade General Public Share Results Continuous communication is essential Builds credibility, trust & confidence Builds support for implementation Strengthens accountability among partners Stimulates stakeholder involvement Process outlined in Element E 5

6 Share Results Provide information on interim results Publicize team accomplishments thru: Watershed report card Fact sheet Brochure Annual report Report how plan is working Report how deficiencies are being addressed Encourage stakeholders to contribute ideas on how to improve Share progress reports & results thru various media: Press releases Ads in local newspapers Television or radio public service announcements Presentations at community meetings (HMOs, civic groups, PTA) Local cable station Press conference Arroyo Colorado WPP Constant Communication Monthly Updates Annual Newsletters Public Service Announcements Local News Appearance Website Facebook 6

7 Host educational meetings for public as appropriate related to: Ag related education programs Urban related education programs Updates on current water quality levels and progress to date (2 annually at most) Meet with individuals & small groups to encourage involvement by: Working with influential individuals Working with elected officials Identifying and engaging others that should be involved Rogers, E. (1995). Diffusion of innovations. (5 th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press. 7

8 6.) Measuring Progress Know the plan and supporting documents Set up your files and store everything ASAP-stay organized! Create spreadsheets to track milestones Follow up w/person you ask for the info Highlight milestones when accomplished Conduct monitoring projects to assess water quality Evaluate Your Program Monitor water quality & land treatment Integrate results back into your program Create decision points for reviewing info & deciding need for changes in program 8

9 Evaluate Your Program Track Progress Track Progress Regularly review implementation activities Compare results with interim milestones Provide feedback to stakeholders Determine whether corrections warranted Schedule regular reviews to evaluate Process used to implement program Progress on plan Implementation results Feedback from landowners & stakeholders Key Milestone Categories & Strategies in Arroyo Colorado WPP Habitat Restoration Small and regional wetland systems Agricultural BMPs Acres of agricultural land under WQMPs Wastewater Infrastructure New wastewater connections for colonia residents New wastewater treatment facilities Wastewater facility upgrades Enhanced wastewater treatment systems 9

10 Tracking Progress Anticipated Completion Date Milestones Table Milestone Status Actual/ Anticipated Completion Date Tracking Outreach/Education Date # of Survey Conducted Event Description Attendees Y/N Tracking Agriculture Year # of Soil Samples # of WQMPs Acres County Date Type of Habitat Developed Tracking Habitat Location Size Status Timeline of Plum Creek WPP Implementation Grants 10

11 Plum Creek Tracking of Urban Stormwater Management Evaluate Your Program Analyze Monitoring Data Perform routine (i.e. quarterly) summary analysis of water quality & land treatment to: Track progress Assess quality of data Provide early feedback on trends, change & problems in watershed Tips Accomplish thru progress reports & regular team meetings Designate someone to review data 11

12 Arroyo Colorado WPP Workgroup & Steering Committee Meetings Update on progress of ACWPP Identify current key issues Update on ongoing projects Grants Update Available opportunity and priority areas Solicit suggestions for proposals and partners Evaluate Your Program Analyze Monitoring Data Land treatment data Inventory practices implemented Status of practices implemented Index of effects of implementation Water quality data Evaluate data collection efficiency & quality Screen data Conduct exploratory data analysis Look at supporting data 12

13 Evaluate Your Program Analyze Monitoring Data Perform periodic intensive analysis to assess: Status Changes Trends Watershed response to implementation Arroyo Colorado Analysis of Status, Changes & Trends 13

14 Make Adjustments Not Meeting Implementation Milestones Did weather-related causes postpone implementation? Was there a shortfall in anticipated funding for implementing management measures? Was there a shortage of technical assistance? Did we misjudge the amount of time needed to install some of the practices? Did we fail to account for cultural barriers to adoption? Make Adjustments Not Making Progress Toward Reducing Pollutant Loads Are we implementing and using the management measures correctly? Has the weather been unusual? Have there been unusual events or surprises in the watershed? Are we doing the right things? Are our targets reasonable? Are we monitoring the right parameters? Do we need to wait longer before we can reasonably expect to see results? 14

15 Adaptive Management Addressing Emerging Issues in the Arroyo Sustainability of the Partnership Creation of Financial Development Workgroup Bacteria impairment added to 303(d) list Improving Loading Reductions Quantifying Urban BMP effectiveness (established Urban Stormwater Workgroup) Quantifying Ag BMP effectiveness (SWAT modeling results) Constructed Wetlands Identifying most effective location vs. large regional system Increased Public Awareness Public Meetings Revisit the watershed plan 15

16 Remember The End Goal 16