The implementation of the best stream, wetland and riparian-buffer restoration projects begins with planning. The Ecosystem Enhancement Program considers long-range projections of road-building and other development-related impacts in conjunction with environmental data to determine high-priority watershed sites across the state for program resources, and conducts both broad-scale and in-depth planning in these areas.

EEP's planning component is comprised of three major parts:

Strategic Planning for eight-digit Cataloging Units (CUs) - Based on long-range projections of future impacts from transportation projects, EEP develops strategies for watershed-based compensatory mitigation in each of the 54 CUs statewide. These CU-specific strategic plans are updated annually.

Setting Priorities for Restoration – EEP develops River Basin Restoration Priorities to guide its restoration activities within each of the state’s 54 cataloging units. The River Basin Restoration Priorities identify Targeted Local Watersheds, at the 14-digit hydrologic unit (HU) scale, that have a combination of resource assets, restoration needs and opportunities for partnership with local stakeholders. Targeted Local Watersheds receive priority for EEP restoration and Local Watershed Planning.

Local Watershed Planning - In collaboration with local stakeholders and resource professionals, EEP works to identify projects and management strategies to restore, enhance and protect local watershed resources. Through its Local Watershed Planning initiative, EEP focuses resources in specific 14-digit hydrologic units -- local watersheds -- in order to address critical watershed issues.

This process involves conducting a detailed assessment of the condition of the watershed, involving the local community in identifying solutions to water-quality, habitat and flooding problems, and working to get agreed-upon solutions implemented within priority sub-watersheds. The solutions include "traditional" mitigation tools such as stream- and buffer-restoration projects, in addition to more "flexible"approaches such as urban and agricultural best management practices.