Building Watershed Committees
Community based watershed management planning occurs when groups or individuals that have a vested interest are encouraged to identify their local issues and assist in building a solution. Local involvement ensures long-term support for the watershed management plan.
An effective watershed management plan will receive input from two committees. The Planning Committee consists of stakeholders, or individuals who have an interest in and/or are affected by the actions recommended in the watershed plan. With this in mind, while using a community-based approach to resource planning, it is important to address social and economic values. By incorporating a diverse cross-section of community members at the beginning, committees will be able to curb costly battles, increase efficiency and enhance communication among parties involved with the management plan.
The Planning Committee identifies the agencies and/or organizations for the Technical Committee. The Technical Committee provides scientific support, including water quality data and best management practices (BMP’s). The Technical Committee may be a subcommittee of the Planning Committee, or it may be a separate entity.
Potential Committee Members
Local Representatives:
Soil and Water Conservation District
Natural Resource Conservation Service
University
of Illinois Extension
City/County Government Officials
City/County Planners
County Health Department
Economic Development Council
Parks/Recreation Staff
Planning Commission
Road Commissioners
School Boards
Supervisors
State and Federal Agencies:
Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois Department of
Natural Resources
Illinois State Geological Survey
Army Corps of Engineers
Fish and Wildlife
Service
Forest Service
Illinois Department of
Transportation
Non-Profit Organizations:
Recreation Groups
Volunteer Organizations
Private Sector:
Engineers
Local Businesses
Financial Institutions
Builders/Developers
Home Builders Associations
Citizen Groups:
Churches
Neighborhood Associations
Landowners
Lake Associations
Youth Groups
Farm Organizations
Resources
- 5 Stages of Group Development
From:
Describes the four developmental stages that a committee will go through to become successful.
www.chimaeraconsulting.com/tuckman.htm - Building Local Partnerships
From:
Guide that discusses the benefits of local partnerships, who should be included, keys to successful partnerships, and how partnerships develop ways to maintain consensus.
www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/Brochures/BuildingLocal.html - Community Based Watershed Management
From:
Ohio Watershed Network summary that discusses characteristics of community watershed groups and keys to success.
oohioline.osu.edu/ws-fact/0001.html - Community Development Toolbox
From:
An online environment where people pursuing community development goals are empowered to make better decisions as they solve problems facing their community
www.communitydevelopment.uiuc.edu/cfarsriit.html - Illinois Resource Planning Fact Sheets
From:
Fact Sheets that help identify stakeholders and establishes operating procedures for the planning committee.
www.il.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/planning/resplng.html - Leading & Communicating
From:
Information on selecting a effective leader and improving communications in watershed groups.
www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/Brochures/LeadingCom.html - Local Community Resources
From:
Provides information for people interested in water quality, land use, government finance, and meeting management.
www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/lcr/index.html - Participation in Watershed Planning
From:
Strengthen participation with information from Ohio Watershed Network on locally lead watershed management.
ecarp.osu.edu/Citizen_Participation.pdf