t Watorsed anning Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters DRAFT
Disclaimer This document provides guidance to states, territories, authorized tribes, local governments, watershed organizations, and the public regarding technical tools and sources of information for developing watershed based plans to improve and protect water quality. This document refers to statutory and regulatory provisions that contain legally binding requirements. This document does not substitute for those provisions or regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, states, territories, authorized tribes local governments, watershed organizations, or the public and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. EPA, state, territory, local government, and authorized tribe decision makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance Interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness of the application of the guidance to a situation, and EPa will consider whether or not the recommendations in this guidance are appropriate in that situation. EPA may change this guidance in the future
Disclaimer This document provides guidance to states, territories, authorized tribes, local governments, watershed organizations, and the public regarding technical tools and sources of information for developing watershed based plans to improve and protect water quality. This document refers to statutory and regulatory provisions that contain legally binding requirements. This document does not substitute for those provisions or regulations, nor is it a regulation itself. Thus, it does not impose legally binding requirements on EPA, states, territories, authorized tribes, local governments, watershed organizations, or the public and may not apply to a particular situation based upon the circumstances. EPA, state, territory, local government, and authorized tribe decision makers retain the discretion to adopt approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from this guidance. Interested parties are free to raise questions and objections about the appropriateness of the application of the guidance to a situation, and EPA will consider whether or not the recommendations in this guidance are appropriate in that situation. EPA may change this guidance in the future
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and protect our waters Contents Acronyms Chapter l Introduction 1. 1 What Is the Purpose of This Handbook 1-2 1. 1. 1 How Is This Hand book Different from Other Guides? 1-3 1.2 Who Should Use This handbook? 1. 1.3 What if We already Have a Watershed Plan 1.2 What's Inside? 1.2. 1 Chapter Summaries 1.2.2 Appendices and Back Matter 1.3 How to Use This Handbook 1-6 Chapter 2. Overview of watershed Planning Process 2-1 2. 1 Why Use a Watershed Approach to Manage Water Resources? 2-2 2.2 Common Features of the Watershed Planning Process 2-2 2.2.1 Watershed Planning Is an Iterative and Adaptive Process 2.2.2 Watershed Planning is a holistic process 2.2.3 Watershed Planning Is Geographically Defined 2.2.4 Watershed Planning Should Be Integrated with Other Planning Efforts 2-5 2.2.5 Watershed Planning Is a Collaborative and Participatory Process 2.3 Steps in the Watershed Planning and Implementation Process 2-5 2.4 Watershed Planning for Impaired Waters 2.4.1 What Are the Most Common Impairments? 2-8 2.4.2 Watershed Planning Where a TMDL Has Been Developed 2.4.3 Watershed Planning in the absence of a TMDL 2-11 2.5 Including Water Quality Standards in Goal Setting 2-12 2.5. 1 What Are Water Quality Standards and Why Are They Important? 2-13 2.5.2 How Are Water Quality Standards Set? 2-13 2.6 Nine Minimum Elements to Be Included in a Watershed Plan for Impaired Waters Funded Using Incremental Section 319 Funds 2-16 Chapter 3. Build Partnerships 3.1 Why Do I Need Partners 3-2 3.2 Identify Driving Forces 3-2 3.2. 1 Regulatory Issues 3.2.2 Government Initiatives 3.2.3 Community-Driven Issues 3.3 Identify and Engage Relevant Stakeholders 3. 1 Identify Categories of Stakeholders 3.3.2 Determine Stakeholders' Roles and Responsibilities 3-6 3.3.3 Provide a Structure to Facilitate Stakeholder Participation 3.3.4 Identify Stakeholders' Skills and Resources 3 3.3.5 Encourage Participation and Involvement 3.3.6 Initiate Outreach Activities to build awareness and Gain Partners 3-9 3.4 Integrate Local, State, Tribal, and Federal Programs into Your Watershed Planning Effor 3-10 3.4.1 Local Programs 3-11
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters Contents Draft i Contents Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 1.1 What Is the Purpose of This Handbook? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 1.1.1 How Is This Handbook Different from Other Guides? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1.1.2 Who Should Use This Handbook? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1.1.3 What if We Already Have a Watershed Plan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1.2 What’s Inside? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 1.2.1 Chapter Summaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 1.2.2 Appendices and Back Matter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 1.3 How to Use This Handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6 Chapter 2. Overview of Watershed Planning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 2.1 Why Use a Watershed Approach to Manage Water Resources? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 2.2 Common Features of the Watershed Planning Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 2.2.1 Watershed Planning Is an Iterative and Adaptive Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 2.2.2 Watershed Planning Is a Holistic Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 2.2.3 Watershed Planning Is Geographically Defined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 2.2.4 Watershed Planning Should Be Integrated with Other Planning Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 2.2.5 Watershed Planning Is a Collaborative and Participatory Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 2.3 Steps in the Watershed Planning and Implementation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5 2.4 Watershed Planning for Impaired Waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 2.4.1 What Are the Most Common Impairments? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8 2.4.2 Watershed Planning Where a TMDL Has Been Developed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11 2.4.3 Watershed Planning in the Absence of a TMDL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11 2.5 Including Water Quality Standards in Goal Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12 2.5.1 What Are Water Quality Standards and Why Are They Important? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13 2.5.2 How Are Water Quality Standards Set? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13 2.6 Nine Minimum Elements to Be Included in a Watershed Plan for Impaired Waters Funded Using Incremental Section 319 Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16 Chapter 3. Build Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1 3.1 Why Do I Need Partners? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 3.2 Identify Driving Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 3.2.1 Regulatory Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 3.2.2 Government Initiatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3 3.2.3 Community-Driven Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 3.3 Identify and Engage Relevant Stakeholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 3.3.1 Identify Categories of Stakeholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 3.3.2 Determine Stakeholders’ Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 3.3.3 Provide a Structure to Facilitate Stakeholder Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6 3.3.4 Identify Stakeholders’ Skills and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 3.3.5 Encourage Participation and Involvement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7 3.3.6 Initiate Outreach Activities to Build Awareness and Gain Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9 3.4 Integrate Local, State, Tribal, and Federal Programs into Your Watershed Planning Effort . . . . . . . . . . 3-10 3.4.1 Local Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11 3.4.2 State and Regional Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Contents Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our waters 3.4.3 Tribal Programs and organizations 3-17 3.4.4 Federal Programs and organizations 3-18 Chapter 4. Define Scope of watershed Planning Effort 4-1 4. 1 Why Define the Scope of Your Watershed Planning Effort? 4-2 4.2 Ask Stakeholders for Background Information 4.3 Identify Issues of Concern 4.3.1 Draw a Picture 4.3.2 Take Stakeholders Out into the watershed 4-6 4.4 Define the Geographic Extent of the Watershed 4.5 Develop Preliminary Goals 4-8 4.6 Select Indicators to measure Environmental Conditions 4.6. 1 Select Quantitative Indicators 4.6.2 Select a Combination of indicators 4-11 4.7 Link Concerns with Goals and Indicators 4-16 Chapter 5. Gather Existing Data and Create an Inventory 5- 5. 1 How Do I Characterize My Watershed 5.2 Focus Your Data Gathering efforts 5.2.1 Build on Earlier Scoping Efforts 5.2.2 Consider Stakeholder Goals and Concerns 5.3 Who Has the Data and What Types of Data Do You Need? 5.3.1 Local Sources of Information 5.3.2 State Sources of Information 5.3.3 Tribal Sources of Information 5.3.4 Federal Sources of Information 3.5 Data T 5.4 Physical and Natural Features 4.1 Watershed boundaries 5.4.2 Hydrology 5-12 5.4.3 Topography 5.4.4 Soils 5.4.5 Climate 5.4.6 Habitat 5-16 5.4.7 Fish and Wildlife 5.5 Land Use and Population Characteristics 5-18 5.5.1 Land Use and Land Cover Data 5.5.2 Land Management Practices 5-23 5.5.3 Demographics 5.6 Waterbody and Watershed Conditions 5-26 5.6. 1 Water Quality Standards 5.6.2 Water Quality Reports 5-27 5.6.3 Watershed-Related Reports 5-28 5.7 Pollutant Sources 5.7.1 Point Sources 5-31 5.7.2 Nonpoint Sources 5-32 5.8 Waterbody Monitoring Data 5.8.1 Water Quality and Flow Data 5-36 5.8.2 Biological Data 5.8.3 Geomorphological Data
Contents Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters ii Draft 3.4.3 Tribal Programs and Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17 3.4.4 Federal Programs and Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18 Chapter 4. Define Scope of Watershed Planning Effort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1 4.1 Why Define the Scope of Your Watershed Planning Effort? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 4.2 Ask Stakeholders for Background Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2 4.3 Identify Issues of Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3 4.3.1 Draw a Picture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 4.3.2 Take Stakeholders Out into the Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6 4.4 Define the Geographic Extent of the Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6 4.5 Develop Preliminary Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8 4.6 Select Indicators to Measure Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9 4.6.1 Select Quantitative Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10 4.6.2 Select a Combination of Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11 4.7 Link Concerns with Goals and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16 Chapter 5. Gather Existing Data and Create an Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1 5.1 How Do I Characterize My Watershed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 5.2 Focus Your Data Gathering Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2 5.2.1 Build on Earlier Scoping Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 5.2.2 Consider Stakeholder Goals and Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3 5.3 Who Has the Data and What Types of Data Do You Need? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4 5.3.1 Local Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5 5.3.2 State Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 5.3.3 Tribal Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6 5.3.4 Federal Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 5.3.5 Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 5.4 Physical and Natural Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9 5.4.1 Watershed Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9 5.4.2 Hydrology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12 5.4.3 Topography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14 5.4.4 Soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15 5.4.5 Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16 5.4.6 Habitat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16 5.4.7 Fish and Wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18 5.5 Land Use and Population Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18 5.5.1 Land Use and Land Cover Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19 5.5.2 Land Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-23 5.5.3 Demographics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25 5.6 Waterbody and Watershed Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26 5.6.1 Water Quality Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27 5.6.2 Water Quality Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27 5.6.3 Watershed-Related Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28 5.7 Pollutant Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30 5.7.1 Point Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31 5.7.2 Nonpoint Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32 5.8 Waterbody Monitoring Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-35 5.8.1 Water Quality and Flow Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-36 5.8.2 Biological Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-38 5.8.3 Geomorphological Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-39
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and protect our waters 5.9 Selected Tools Used to Gather, Organize, and view Assessment Information 5.9.1 Geographic Information Systems 5-40 5.9.2 Remote Sensing Techniques to Collect Land Use/Land Cover Information 5.10 Create a data Inventory Chapter 6. Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data if Needed 6.1 How Do I Know if I Have Enough Data to Start My Analysis? 6 6.2 Conduct a Data Review 6.2. 1 Identify Data Gaps 6-3 6.2.2 Determine Acceptability of Data 6.3 Determine whether New Data Collection Is essential 6.4 Design a Sampling Plan for Collecting New Data lect a Monitoring design 6.4.2 Develop Data Quality Objectives 6-11 6.4.3 Develop Measurement Quality Objectives and Performance Characteristics 6-12 6.4.4 Develop a Quality Assurance Project Plan 6-13 6.4.5 Develop Plan for Data Management 6.5 Collect New Data 6-16 6.5.1 Watershed Overview/Visual Assessment 6-16 6.5.2 Physical Characterization 6-18 6.5.3 Geomorphic Assessment 6-18 6.5. 4 Hydrological Assessments 6-20 6.5.5 Water Quality Assessment 6-21 6.5.6 Assessment of Habitat Quality 6-22 6.5.7 Biological Assessment Chapter 7. Analyze Data to Characterize the watershed and Pollutant Sources 7.1 Analyze Data to Identify Pollutant Sources 7-2 7.1. 1 Focus Your Analysis Efforts 7.1.2 Use a Combination of Analysis Ty 7-3 7.1.3 Consider Geographic Variations 7.1.4 Incorporate Stakeholders' Concerns and Observations 7.2 Analyze Instream and Watershed Data 7.2.1 Confirm Impairments and Identify Problems 7-7 7.2.2 Summary Statistics 7.2.3 Spatial Analysis 7.2. 4 Temporal Analysis 7-10 7.2.5 Other Trends or Patterns 7-11 7.2.6 Stressor Identification 7-13 7.2.7 Visual Assessments and Local Knowledge 7-14 7.3 Evaluate Data Analysis Results to Identify Causes and Sources 7.3.1 Grouping Sources for Further Assessment 7-16 7.3.2 Time Frame for Source Assessment 7.4 Summarize Causes and Sources 7-19 Chapter 8 Estimate pollutant loads 8.1 How do i estimate pollutant loads? 8.2 Using monitoring data or Literature values to estimate pollutant loads 8.2.1 Using monitoring data to Estimate loads 8.2.2 Using literature Values to Estimate Loads
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters Contents Draft iii 5.9 Selected Tools Used to Gather, Organize, and View Assessment Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40 5.9.1 Geographic Information Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-40 5.9.2 Remote Sensing Techniques to Collect Land Use/Land Cover Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-45 5.10 Create a Data Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-51 Chapter 6. Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data if Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 6.1 How Do I Know if I Have Enough Data to Start My Analysis? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 6.2 Conduct a Data Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 6.2.1 Identify Data Gaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 6.2.2 Determine Acceptability of Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 6.3 Determine Whether New Data Collection Is Essential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6 6.4 Design a Sampling Plan for Collecting New Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7 6.4.1 Select a Monitoring Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 6.4.2 Develop Data Quality Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11 6.4.3 Develop Measurement Quality Objectives and Performance Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12 6.4.4 Develop a Quality Assurance Project Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13 6.4.5 Develop Plan for Data Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14 6.5 Collect New Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16 6.5.1 Watershed Overview/Visual Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16 6.5.2 Physical Characterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18 6.5.3 Geomorphic Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18 6.5.4 Hydrological Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20 6.5.5 Water Quality Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21 6.5.6 Assessment of Habitat Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22 6.5.7 Biological Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-23 Chapter 7. Analyze Data to Characterize the Watershed and Pollutant Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1 7.1 Analyze Data to Identify Pollutant Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 7.1.1 Focus Your Analysis Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 7.1.2 Use a Combination of Analysis Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 7.1.3 Consider Geographic Variations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 7.1.4 Incorporate Stakeholders’ Concerns and Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 7.2 Analyze Instream and Watershed Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5 7.2.1 Confirm Impairments and Identify Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7 7.2.2 Summary Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8 7.2.3 Spatial Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 7.2.4 Temporal Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10 7.2.5 Other Trends or Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11 7.2.6 Stressor Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13 7.2.7 Visual Assessments and Local Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-14 7.3 Evaluate Data Analysis Results to Identify Causes and Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15 7.3.1 Grouping Sources for Further Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16 7.3.2 Time Frame for Source Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-18 7.4 Summarize Causes and Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19 Chapter 8. Estimate Pollutant Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1 8.1 How Do I Estimate Pollutant Loads? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2 8.2 Using Monitoring Data or Literature Values to Estimate Pollutant Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4 8.2.1 Using Monitoring Data to Estimate Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4 8.2.2 Using Literature Values to Estimate Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our waters 3 Watershed Modeling 8.3.1 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Model 3.2 Using Watershed Modeling Tools to Evaluate Loads 8.3.3 Model Selection and Application Process 8-1 8.3.4 What Models Are Available? 8-17 8.3.5 Capabilities of the Selected Models 8-26 8.4 Model Application Process for the Selected Models 8-29 8.4.1 Watershed Delineation 8-30 8.4.2 Land Use assignment 8.4.3 Parameter Selection 8-32 8.4.4 Model Testing 8-34 8. 4.5 Estimation of Exising Conditions and Baseline Scenarios 8-38 8.5 Presenting Pollutant Loads 8-39 8.5. 1 Consider Spatial Scales 8-39 8.5.2 Consider Time Scales 8-40 8.5.3 Next Steps in the Development of the Watershed Plan 8-41 Chapter 9. Set Goals and Identify load reductions 9- 9. 1 How Do I Link the Watershed Analysis to Management Solutions? 9.2 Translate Watershed Goals into Management Objectives 9.3 Select Environmental Indicators and Targets to Evaluate Management Objectives 4 Determine Load Reductions to Meet Environmental Targets 95 9.4.1 Qualitative Linkages Based on Local Knowledge or Historical Conditions 9.4.2 Mass Balance Approach 9-7 9.4.3 Empirical Relationships 9-8 .4.4 Statistical or Mathematical Relationships 9.4.5 Reference Watershed Approach 9.4.6 Receiving Water Models 9.5 Focus the Load reductions 9-12 9.6 Summarize Watershed Targets and Necessary Load Reductions Chapter 10. Identify Possible Management Strategies 10-2 10.2 Overview of Types of Management 10-3 10.2.1 Nonpoint Source Management Practices 10.2.2 Regulatory Approaches to Manage Pollutant Sourd 10-6 10.3 Steps to Select Management Practices 10-10 10.3. 1 Identify Existing Management Efforts in the watershed 10-11 10.3.2 Quantify Effectiveness of Current Management Measures 10.3.3 Identify New Management Opportunities 10-14 10.3. 4 Identify Critical Areas in the Watershed Where Additional Management Efforts Are Needed 10.3.5 Identify Possible Management Practices 10.3.6 Identify Relative Pollutant Reduction Efficiencies 10-19 10.3.7 Develop Screening Criteria to Identify Opportunities and Constraints 10.3.8 Rank Alternatives and Develop Candidate Management Opportunities 10-23
Contents Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters iv Draft 8.3 Watershed Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8 8.3.1 Factors to Consider When Selecting a Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 8.3.2 Using Watershed Modeling Tools to Evaluate Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13 8.3.3 Model Selection and Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15 8.3.4 What Models Are Available? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17 8.3.5 Capabilities of the Selected Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26 8.4 Model Application Process for the Selected Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29 8.4.1 Watershed Delineation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-30 8.4.2 Land Use Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31 8.4.3 Parameter Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-32 8.4.4 Model Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34 8.4.5 Estimation of Exising Conditions and Baseline Scenarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38 8.5 Presenting Pollutant Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-39 8.5.1 Consider Spatial Scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-39 8.5.2 Consider Time Scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40 8.5.3 Next Steps in the Development of the Watershed Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-41 Chapter 9. Set Goals and Identify Load Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-1 9.1 How Do I Link the Watershed Analysis to Management Solutions? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2 9.2 Translate Watershed Goals into Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 9.3 Select Environmental Indicators and Targets to Evaluate Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4 9.4 Determine Load Reductions to Meet Environmental Targets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-5 9.4.1 Qualitative Linkages Based on Local Knowledge or Historical Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7 9.4.2 Mass Balance Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-7 9.4.3 Empirical Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8 9.4.4 Statistical or Mathematical Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9 9.4.5 Reference Watershed Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9 9.4.6 Receiving Water Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10 9.5 Focus the Load Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-12 9.6 Summarize Watershed Targets and Necessary Load Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14 Chapter 10. Identify Possible Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-1 10.1 How Do I Link My Management Strategies to My Goals? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2 10.2 Overview of Types of Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3 10.2.1 Nonpoint Source Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4 10.2.2 Regulatory Approaches to Manage Pollutant Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6 10.3 Steps to Select Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10 10.3.1 Identify Existing Management Efforts in the Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 10.3.2 Quantify Effectiveness of Current Management Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13 10.3.3 Identify New Management Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14 10.3.4 Identify Critical Areas in the Watershed Where Additional Management Efforts Are Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14 10.3.5 Identify Possible Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15 10.3.6 Identify Relative Pollutant Reduction Efficiencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19 10.3.7 Develop Screening Criteria to Identify Opportunities and Constraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20 10.3.8 Rank Alternatives and Develop Candidate Management Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and protect our waters Chapter ll. Evaluate Options and Select Final Management Strategies 11. 1 How Do I Select the Final Management Strategy? 1.2 Factors that Influence the Selection of Approaches Used to Quantify Effectiveness 11. 2. 1 General Types of Management Practices 11.2.2 Identify the Types of Indicators You're Using to Measure Performance 11.2 3 Consider the Scale of your Watershed 11-4 1 1.2.4 Consider the Synergistic Effects of Multiple Practices 11.3 Select an Approach to Quantify the Effectiveness of the Management Strategies 11-6 11.3.1 Using literature values 1.3.2 USing Models to Assess Management Strategies l1-8 11.3.3 Example Model Applications to Assess Management Strategies l1-21 11. 4 Identify Costs and Compare Benefits of Management Practices 11-26 11.4.1 Identify Cost Considerations 11-26 4.2 Compare Costs and Effectiveness of Management Practices 11-31 11.5 Select Final Management Strategies 11-33 11.5.1 Decision Process 11.5.2 Example Procedures for Selecting Final Management Strategies 11-36 Chapter 12. Design Implementation Program and Assemble Watershed Plan 12 12. 1 What Do I Need to Design My Implementation Program? 12-2 12.2 Develop Information/Education Component 12-2 12. 2.1 Integrate I/E Activities into the Overall Watershed Implementation Program 12-2 12.2.2 Develop an IE Program 12.3 Establish an Implementation Schedule 12-7 12. 4 Develop Interim Measurable Milestones 12-8 12.5 Establish a Set of Criteria to Measure Progress toward Meeting Water Quality Standard and Other goals 12-9 12.5.1 Schedule for Implementation of Management Measures 12-11 12.5.2 Nature of pollutants to Be Controlled 12-11 12.6 Develop a Monitoring Component 12-12 12.6. 1 Directly Relate Monitoring Efforts to the Management Objectives 12-13 12.6.2 Incorporate Previous Sampling Designs 12-14 12.6.3 Monitor Land Use Changes in Conjunction with Water Quality Monitoring 12-14 12.6.4 Use an Appropriate Experimental Desig 12-15 12.6.5 Conduct Monitoring for Several Years Before and After Implementation ..12-16 12.6.6 Build In an evaluation process 12-16 12.7 Estimate Financial and Technical Assistance Needed and the Sources/ Authorities that will Be relied on for Implementation 12-17 12.7.1 Identify Funding Sources 12-17 12.7.2 Leverage Existing Resources 12.7.3 Estimating Costs 12-18 12.7.4 Identify Technical Assistance Needs 12-22 12.7.5 Identify the relevant Authorities Needed for Implementation 12-23 12.8 Develop the Implementation Plan Basics 2.9 Develop an Evaluation Framework 12-25 12.9.1 What Parts of Your Program Should You evaluate? 12-25 12.9.2 Using a Logic Model to Develop an Evaluation Framework 12-28 12.9.3 Evaluation Methods 12-29 12.9.4 Timing of Evaluation 12-30
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters Contents Draft v Chapter 11. Evaluate Options and Select Final Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-1 11.1 How Do I Select the Final Management Strategy? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2 11.2 Factors that Influence the Selection of Approaches Used to Quantify Effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3 11.2.1 General Types of Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-3 11.2.2 Identify the Types of Indicators You’re Using to Measure Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4 11.2.3 Consider the Scale of Your Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-4 11.2.4 Consider the Synergistic Effects of Multiple Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-5 11.3 Select an Approach to Quantify the Effectiveness of the Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-6 11.3.1 Using Literature Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-7 11.3.2 Using Models to Assess Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-8 11.3.3 Example Model Applications to Assess Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-21 11.4 Identify Costs and Compare Benefits of Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-26 11.4.1 Identify Cost Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-26 11.4.2 Compare Costs and Effectiveness of Management Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-31 11.5 Select Final Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-33 11.5.1 Decision Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-34 11.5.2 Example Procedures for Selecting Final Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-36 Chapter 12. Design Implementation Program and Assemble Watershed Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1 12.1 What Do I Need to Design My Implementation Program? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 12.2 Develop Information/Education Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 12.2.1 Integrate I/E Activities into the Overall Watershed Implementation Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 12.2.2 Develop an I/E Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3 12.3 Establish an Implementation Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-7 12.4 Develop Interim Measurable Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-8 12.5 Establish a Set of Criteria to Measure Progress toward Meeting Water Quality Standards and Other Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-9 12.5.1 Schedule for Implementation of Management Measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-11 12.5.2 Nature of Pollutants to Be Controlled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-11 12.6 Develop a Monitoring Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-12 12.6.1 Directly Relate Monitoring Efforts to the Management Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 12.6.2 Incorporate Previous Sampling Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14 12.6.3 Monitor Land Use Changes in Conjunction with Water Quality Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-14 12.6.4 Use an Appropriate Experimental Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15 12.6.5 Conduct Monitoring for Several Years Before and After Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16 12.6.6 Build In an Evaluation Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-16 12.7 Estimate Financial and Technical Assistance Needed and the Sources/Authorities that Will Be Relied on for Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-17 12.7.1 Identify Funding Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-17 12.7.2 Leverage Existing Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18 12.7.3 Estimating Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18 12.7.4 Identify Technical Assistance Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-22 12.7.5 Identify the Relevant Authorities Needed for Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-23 12.8 Develop the Implementation Plan Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-23 12.9 Develop an Evaluation Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-25 12.9.1 What Parts of Your Program Should You Evaluate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-25 12.9.2 Using a Logic Model to Develop an Evaluation Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-28 12.9.3 Evaluation Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-29 12.9.4 Timing of Evaluation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-30
Contents Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our waters 12. 10 Devise a Method for Tracking progres 12. 11 Putting It All Together 12-32 12.11. 1 The Final review 12.11.2 Make the plan Accessible to various audiences 12-35 Chapter 13. Implement watershed Plan and Measure Progress 13 13. 1 What Do I Do Once I've Started to Implement the Watershed Plan? 13-2 13.2 Create an Organizational Structure for Implementation 13.3 Implement Activities 3-4 13.4 Prepare Work Plans 13-4 13.5 Share Results 3-6 13.6 Evaluate Your Program 13.61 Track Progress Against Your Work plans 13-9 13.6.2 Analyze Monitoring Data 13.7 Make Adjustments 13-12 13.7. 1 Not Meeting Implementation Milestones 13-12 13.7.2 Not Making Progress Toward Reducing Pollutant Loads 13. 8 A Final Word Appendix a: Resources Appendix B: Worksheets Bibliography
Contents Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters vi Draft 12.10 Devise a Method for Tracking Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-30 12.11 Putting It All Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-32 12.11.1 The Final Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-34 12.11.2 Make the Plan Accessible to Various Audiences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-35 Chapter 13. Implement Watershed Plan and Measure Progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-1 13.1 What Do I Do Once I've Started to Implement the Watershed Plan? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2 13.2 Create an Organizational Structure for Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-2 13.3 Implement Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4 13.4 Prepare Work Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-4 13.5 Share Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-6 13.6 Evaluate Your Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8 13.6.1 Track Progress Against Your Work Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-9 13.6.2 Analyze Monitoring Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-9 13.7 Make Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12 13.7.1 Not Meeting Implementation Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-12 13.7.2 Not Making Progress Toward Reducing Pollutant Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-13 13.8 A Final Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15 Appendix A: Resources Appendix B: Worksheets Glossary Bibliography
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and protect our waters Figures Figure 2-1. Steps in the watershed planning process 2-7 Figure 2-2. Potential relationships between TMDLs and watershed plans 2-12 Figure 2-3. Incorporating the nine minimum elements into your watershed plan 2-17 Figure 4-1. Simplified conceptual model 4-4 Figure 4-2. A simple conceptual model involving logging road construction effects on stream aquatic life (adapted from USEPA 1998) Figure 4-3. Draft conceptual model for Greens Creek, North Carolina. Figure 4-4. Evolution of goals throughout the watershed planning process Figure 5-1. Example of NRCS watershed delineations within a USGS 8-digit cataloging unit Figure 5-2. Examples of medium-resolution and high-resolution NHD 5-13 Figure 5-3. Example map projections 5-42 Figure 5-4. Example of GiS datasets at different scales 5-43 Figure 5-5. Example fields in a data inventory Figure 6-1. Excerpt from Spa Creek Proposed Sampling Plan 6-15 Figure 7-1. Example graph of observed aluminum concentrations compared to water quality criteria. 7-8 igure 7-2. Commonly used summary statistics Figure 7-3. Example map of average total dissolved solids concentration throughout a watershed 7-10 Figure 7-4. Example graph of monthly statistics for fecal coliform bacteria 7-11 Figure 7-5. Example load duration curve 7-12 Figure 7-6. Stressor identification process 7-13 Figure 7-7. Long-term turbidity levels at two stations in Lake Creek, Idaho 7-15 Figure 8-1. Example of an application of export coefficients to calculate pollutant loads 8-7 Figure 8-2. Typical model evaluation points 8-35 Figure 8-3. Sample calibration tests for hydrologic simulation 8-36 Figure 8-4. Sample model testing graphics 8-37 Figure 8-5. Presentation of annual sediment loads(Ib/ac) by subwatershed, San Jacinto, California Figure 8-6. Seasonal fecal coliform bacteria loads 8-40 Figure 8-7. Total sediment load and percentages associated with each source 8-40 Figure 9-1. Process for identifying final watershed goals and targets 9-2 Figure 10-1. Process to identify candidate management practices 10-2 Figure 10-2. Percentage of buffer area disturbed and impaired waters in the Troublesome Creek watersheds.. 10-15 Figure 11-1. Evaluate candidate management practices to select final strategies Figure 11-2. USing a spreadsheet analysis to evaluate one management practice at a single site Figure 11-3. Analysis of multiple management practices using multiple indicators Figure 11-4. Quantifying the effectiveness of stabilization practices in reducing sediment loads 11-23 Figure 11-5. Quantifying the effectiveness of management practices in improving aquatic habitat 1-24 Figure 11-6. Cost comparison of alternative treatment trains to meet specific water quality and detention performance standards
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters Contents Draft vii Figures Figure 2-1. Steps in the watershed planning process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7 Figure 2-2. Potential relationships between TMDLs and watershed plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12 Figure 2-3. Incorporating the nine minimum elements into your watershed plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17 Figure 4-1. Simplified conceptual model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 Figure 4-2. A simple conceptual model involving logging road construction effects on stream aquatic life (adapted from USEPA 1998). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4 Figure 4-3. Draft conceptual model for Greens Creek, North Carolina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5 Figure 4-4. Evolution of goals throughout the watershed planning process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9 Figure 5-1. Example of NRCS watershed delineations within a USGS 8-digit cataloging unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10 Figure 5-2. Examples of medium-resolution and high-resolution NHD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13 Figure 5-3. Example map projections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-42 Figure 5-4. Example of GIS datasets at different scales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-43 Figure 5-5. Example fields in a data inventory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-53 Figure 6-1. Excerpt from Spa Creek Proposed Sampling Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15 Figure 7-1. Example graph of observed aluminum concentrations compared to water quality criteria. . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8 Figure 7-2. Commonly used summary statistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-9 Figure 7-3. Example map of average total dissolved solids concentration throughout a watershed. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-10 Figure 7-4. Example graph of monthly statistics for fecal coliform bacteria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11 Figure 7-5. Example load duration curve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12 Figure 7-6. Stressor identification process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13 Figure 7-7. Long-term turbidity levels at two stations in Lake Creek, Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-15 Figure 8-1. Example of an application of export coefficients to calculate pollutant loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7 Figure 8-2. Typical model evaluation points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-35 Figure 8-3. Sample calibration tests for hydrologic simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-36 Figure 8-4. Sample model testing graphics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37 Figure 8-5. Presentation of annual sediment loads (lb/ac) by subwatershed, San Jacinto, California. . . . . . . . . . . . 8-39 Figure 8-6. Seasonal fecal coliform bacteria loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40 Figure 8-7. Total sediment load and percentages associated with each source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-40 Figure 9-1. Process for identifying final watershed goals and targets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2 Figure 10-1. Process to identify candidate management practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2 Figure 10-2. Percentage of buffer area disturbed and impaired waters in the Troublesome Creek watersheds. . . . 10-15 Figure 11-1. Evaluate candidate management practices to select final strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2 Figure 11-2. Using a spreadsheet analysis to evaluate one management practice at a single site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-9 Figure 11-3. Analysis of multiple management practices using multiple indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-22 Figure 11-4. Quantifying the effectiveness of stabilization practices in reducing sediment loads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-23 Figure 11-5. Quantifying the effectiveness of management practices in improving aquatic habitat. . . . . . . . . . . . 11-24 Figure 11-6. Cost comparison of alternative treatment trains to meet specific water quality and detention performance standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-28
Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our waters Figure 1 1-7. Example comparing construction cost and pollutant loading for different urban land use types with decreasing levels of imperviousne 11-32 Figure 11-8. Example showing increased cost per pound of total phosphorus removed for urban land uses with highest levels of imperviousness 11-33 Figure 11-9. Evaluation of stormwater management options for the Town of Cary 11-39 Figure 12-1. Logic model components 12-28 Figure 12-2. Sample logic model 12-29 Figure 12-3. Table of contents from White Oak Creek, Ohio, watershed plan 12-33 Figure 13-1. Watershed report card for Clermont County, Ohio 13-7 Figure 13-2. Example adaptive management approach using a logic model 13-8
Contents Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters viii Draft Figure 11-7. Example comparing construction cost and pollutant loading for different urban land use types with decreasing levels of imperviousness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-32 Figure 11-8. Example showing increased cost per pound of total phosphorus removed for urban land uses with highest levels of imperviousness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-33 Figure 11-9. Evaluation of stormwater management options for the Town of Cary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-39 Figure 12-1. Logic model components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-28 Figure 12-2. Sample logic model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-29 Figure 12-3. Table of contents from White Oak Creek, Ohio, watershed plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-33 Figure 13-1. Watershed report card for Clermont County, Ohio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7 Figure 13-2. Example adaptive management approach using a logic model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-8