Local Watershed Plans (LWPs) are developed collaboratively with representatives of local governments, environmental resource professionals, nonprofit organizations, and local communities. They provide an important opportunity for local stakeholders to play a role in shaping the future of their watershed. Through the LWP planning process, these groups work cooperatively to identify issues, set priorities, develop strategies, secure funding, and implement watershed protection and restoration projects within their communities.
The foundation of Local Watershed Planning is the identification of watershed assets as well as key factors contributing to degradation of watershed functions, focusing on water quality, hydrology and habitat. There are three key components to the Local Watershed Planning Process:
Watershed Assessment: A technical watershed assessment is developed to inventory and validate information regarding historical and current watershed conditions, including problem areas within the watershed where functional improvements could be realized or protection measures should be applied.
Local Stakeholder Involvement: Local representation is critical to the process for the purposes of providing input and feedback on watershed assessment products and watershed restoration goals.
Project Implementation: A comprehensive suite of specific watershed improvement projects will be identified through the planning process. Projects including wetlands, stream and riparian buffer restoration, enhancement and protection will be pursued by the EEP or other state, federal, local or nonprofit resources. Other recommendations such as Stormwater Best Management Practices and policy recommendations may be pursued through partnerships with state, federal and local programs for the long-term improvement and protection of watershed functions.
Benefits of the Planning Process
- The process promotes cooperative planning for watershed protection and improvement that can address the specific watershed concerns, including consideration of local input and recommendations.
- The process enables technical support to be combined with local knowledge and resources to identify specific sources of watershed degradation and develop appropriate solutions.
- The process enables local stakeholders to guide implementation of strategies developed through the planning process cooperatively with the EEP. Understanding and support of the final Watershed Plans by the local community is critical to the long-term success of the recommended watershed projects and strategies.
You also may contact Michele Drostin at Michele.Drostin@ncdenr.gov.
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