This document outlines the key elements of a watershed-based plan according to the EPA. A watershed-based plan is a strategic framework for addressing water quality issues within a watershed. It involves stakeholder participation, identifying and quantifying causes of water quality problems, setting measurable goals, and implementing specific actions. An effective plan also includes elements such as load reduction estimates, management measures, assistance needs, public education, a schedule, milestones, performance monitoring and evaluation. The overall goal is to improve water quality, support sustainable development, and regenerate depleted resources through a collaborative watershed management approach.

1. WATERSHED-BASED PLAN
Nikki Rose D. Dapanas
Environmental Scientist - ECOWEB

2. WATERSHED…
Basin or geographic area which water
flows across the land & drains into a
common bodies of water.

3. BASED-PLAN..
roadmap for
communities to
systematically
define and
address water
quality
problems within
a given
watershed

4. BASED-PLAN..
participation from
stakeholders
analysis and
quantification of
the specific
causes and
sources of water
quality problems

5. BASED-PLAN..
identification of
measurable water
quality goals
implementation
of specific
actions needed
to solve those
problems.

6. BASED-PLAN..
EPA def’n:
 strategy and a work plan
for achieving water
resource goals, provides
assessment and
management information
for a geographically
defined watershed.

7. WBP PROCESS..
Analysis
Actions
Participants
Implementati
on of the plan
Monitoring
and
Evaluation

8. WATERSHED-BASED PLAN…
excellent opportunity to
educate community
members about water
quality issues
get them involved in
restoration activities.

9. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
1. IMPAIRMENT
identification of the causes and
sources of pollution, that will need
to be controlled to achieve the load
reductions estimated to fix the
impairment, and to achieve any
other watershed goals identified in
the watershed-based plan.

10. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
2. LOAD REDUCTION
An estimate of the load reductions
expected for the management
measures described. Modeling can
be simple or quite complex
depending on the
application. Spreadsheets and
landcover mapping are typically
employed in these models
to estimate load reductions.

11. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
3. MANAGEMENT MEASURES
A description of the NPS
management measures that will
need to be implemented to
achieve the estimated load
reductions. (include a map or
detailed description)

12. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
4. TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
An estimate of the amounts of
technical and financial assistance
needed, and/or the
sources and authorities that will
be relied on, to implement this
plan.

13. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
 EPA’s Guidelines:
5. PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION
An information/education
component that will be used to
enhance public understanding of the
project and encourage their early
and continued participation in
selecting, designing, and
implementing the NPS management
measures that will be implemented.

14. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
6. SCHEDULE
An expedited schedule for
implementing NPS
management measures
identified.

15. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
7. MILESTONES
A description of interim,
measurable milestones for
determining whether NPS
management measures or
other controls are being
implemented.

16. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
8. PERFORMANCE
Criteria to determine whether
loading reductions are being
achieved over time, and if
progress is being made towards
attaining water quality standards
and, if not, the criteria to
determine if this plan needs to
be revised.

17. 9 ELEMENTS IN PLANNING…
EPA’s Guidelines:
9. MONITORING
A monitoring component to
evaluate the effectiveness
of the implementation
efforts over time.

18. CHARACTERISTICS OF A
GOOD PLAN…
Issue-based
Clear and Persuasive
Implementable
Supported by factual data
Participatory
Realistic management
action

19. WHY WBP?
Increasing threats to our
resources
Restoration of a polluted or
otherwise impaired water body
Environmental degradation
and water resource
deterioration

20. IF WE CAN MAKE IT…???
 Improved Quality
of life
 Sustainable
development
 Food Security
 Regeneration of
depleted
resources and
degraded
environment

21. REFERENCES…
EPA. 2010.South Carolina
Simplified Guide to Developing
Watershed-Based Plans. South
Carolina
Anderson G.2013.Handbook for
Developing Watershed Plans to
Restore and Protect Our Waters.
Virginia

22. THE END…
Thank You for
Listening…
God Bless 