1. Community-based Planning Process Elbert Traylor Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality

2. Purpose Develop a comprehensive plan to resolve resources problems at the watershed levelDevelop a comprehensive plan to resolve resources problems at the watershed level Maximize stakeholder input and partner cooperationMaximize stakeholder input and partner cooperation Minimize conflictMinimize conflict Accelerate and concentrate BMP adoptionAccelerate and concentrate BMP adoption Achieve measurable resultsAchieve measurable results

3. How Does It Work? Identify a resource problemIdentify a resource problem Identify a potential sponsor and appropriate partnersIdentify a potential sponsor and appropriate partners Give stakeholders leadershipGive stakeholders leadership Agree to a comprehensive land treatment strategy (watershed management plan)Agree to a comprehensive land treatment strategy (watershed management plan)

4. How We Do It Generate support through participatory public meetingsGenerate support through participatory public meetings Form a citizen watershed council and a technical advisory teamForm a citizen watershed council and a technical advisory team Collect input through public and watershed council meetingsCollect input through public and watershed council meetings Stakeholders develop and implement a detailed management planStakeholders develop and implement a detailed management plan

5. Watershed Council Select group of private stakeholdersSelect group of private stakeholders Work with technical advisory team to identify effective acceptable BMPsWork with technical advisory team to identify effective acceptable BMPs Set specific quantifiable resource restoration and conservation goalsSet specific quantifiable resource restoration and conservation goals Solicit input and share information with other stakeholdersSolicit input and share information with other stakeholders Assess alternative treatmentsAssess alternative treatments Write the WS Management PlanWrite the WS Management Plan Guide implementation of the planGuide implementation of the plan

6. Technical Advisory Team Sponsor and resource agenciesSponsor and resource agencies Technical experts on resource problems and potential solutionsTechnical experts on resource problems and potential solutions Provide advice and guidance to watershed councilProvide advice and guidance to watershed council Evaluate watershed council’s recommendationsEvaluate watershed council’s recommendations Assist in securing fundingAssist in securing funding Provide implementation assistanceProvide implementation assistance

7. Public Meetings Four progressive meetingsFour progressive meetings Facilitated by neutral partiesFacilitated by neutral parties Transfer leadership to stakeholdersTransfer leadership to stakeholders Develop awareness and concernDevelop awareness and concern Foster understandingFoster understanding Stimulate actionStimulate action

8. Initial Promotion Extensive media outreach (8wk)Extensive media outreach (8wk) Personal letter (6wk)Personal letter (6wk) Posters at popular venues (4wk)Posters at popular venues (4wk) Personal phone call (4wk)Personal phone call (4wk) Personal letter (2wk)Personal letter (2wk) Post card (1wk)Post card (1wk) Follow up call (2Dy)Follow up call (2Dy) Local public meetingLocal public meeting

9. First Public Meeting Agencies explain resource problems and causesAgencies explain resource problems and causes –Water, Soils, Wildlife –Social/Economic Impacts –Mandates (TMDL, etc.) Stakeholders develop a vision statementStakeholders develop a vision statement

10. Second Public Meeting Agencies facilitate refinement of vision statementAgencies facilitate refinement of vision statement StakeholdersStakeholders –Develop goals for watershed plan –Develop a timeline for planning –Identify leaders –Elect Watershed Council

11. Third Public Meeting Council presents draft of the management planCouncil presents draft of the management plan Stakeholders review and amend the draft watershed planStakeholders review and amend the draft watershed plan Document initial interest in project participationDocument initial interest in project participation

12. Fourth Public Meeting Council presents watershed planCouncil presents watershed plan Document landowner or operator commitment to participateDocument landowner or operator commitment to participate Council outlines timeline and ongoing strategy to implement the planCouncil outlines timeline and ongoing strategy to implement the plan Celebrate successCelebrate success

13. Keys to Success Put the stakeholders in chargePut the stakeholders in charge Promote the simplest effective and acceptable BMPsPromote the simplest effective and acceptable BMPs Strive for quantity of treatment over type of treatmentStrive for quantity of treatment over type of treatment Stick with the planStick with the plan Celebrate successCelebrate success

14. Finally Leave a Stakeholder LegacyLeave a Stakeholder Legacy –Sense of accomplishment –Ownership of the watershed –Continued stewardship by stakeholders to protect their investment into the future