The lowdown on watershed plans

By Lucia Machado, nonpoint source coordinator for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

This column is dedicated to watershed plans – their value, benefits, important elements and who to contact to get started.

The value of developing a watershed plan is threefold:  It addresses EPA requirements for implementation projects using 319 nonpoint source (NPS) funds; the development of watershed plans serves as a catalyst for local involvement and awareness; and it provides a road map to successful implementation projects.

Over the past 20 years or so, many NPS projects were implemented throughout the state and the nation.  One of the lessons learned is that the development of watershed plans significantly increases the effectiveness of the projects selected to implement the plan.

Watershed plans should not be written as an exercise dissociated from local groups – that defeats the main purpose and strength of watershed plans.  On the contrary, watershed plans should be developed with involvement and collaboration of all stakeholders.  The plans should be comprehensive in characterizing the watershed, have clearly identified, measurable water quality goals, and contain specific actions needed to solve the problems.  It is the dynamic characteristic of watershed plan development that builds awareness and involvement at the local level.

A complete watershed plan has these components:

1. Identification of the causes and sources of NPS pollution that will need to be controlled. 
2. An estimate of the NPS pollution load reductions expected once the NPS pollution management measures are implemented.
3. A description of the NPS pollution management measures that will need to be implemented to achieve the estimated load reductions.
4. An estimate of the amount of technical and financial assistance needed to implement the watershed plan.
5. An education and public outreach component that will be used to enhance public understanding and involvement in the project.
6. A schedule for implementing the NPS management measures identified in the watershed plan.
7. A description of interim, measurable milestones for evaluating how NPS management measures are being implemented.
8. A set of criteria that can be used to evaluate how pollution loading reductions are being achieved.
9. A monitoring component to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation efforts.

Developing a watershed plan is a complex but important process.  The Colorado Water Quality Control Division’s project coordinators are an invaluable resource to help navigate the maze of requirements in the watershed planning process.  We’re all partners in the effort to achieve and maintain water quality that meets standards, so when beginning to develop a watershed plan please don’t hesitate to contact the coordinators:

• Upper South Platte Basin:  Tamara Allen at 303-692-3554 or tamara.allen@state.co.us
• Lower South Platte and Lower Arkansas Basins:  Randy Ristau at 303-692-3571 or randal.ristau@state.co.us
• Upper Arkansas and Rio Grande Basins:  Kathleen Reilly at 303-692-3573 or kathleen.reilly@state.co.us
• Upper and Lower Colorado Basin: Bonie Pate at 303-692-3557 or bonie.pate@state.co.us