A key question for individuals involved in managing watersheds is, "What is an effective process that will integrate science, policy, and public participation in order to help manage water resources effectively?" The Watershed Project Management Guide presents a four-phase approach to watershed management that is based on a collaborative process that responds to common needs and goals. It utilizes assessments and decision processes that are based on local knowledge and a combination of biophysical, social, and economic information.

Individually these principles and practices are not new, but in combination they describe an innovative approach for addressing complex water and related management issues. This recommended process consists of a series of four basic phases; Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation, which are built on stakeholder involvement, social capacity, and adequate monitoring. This four-phased approach will assist watershed practitioners develop a plan consistent with the recently released USDA-EPA Watershed Management Planning and Implementation Process guidance. This process can be used to implement a management strategy to meet the load allocations required by an approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), the goals of a Source Water Protection Plan, USDA programs such as EQIP, or Section 319 Project.

The process outlined in the text is applicable for both restoration and prevention projects. The Watershed Project Management Guide focuses on the complexities of the watershed management process, the watershed partnership's role in the processes, and what needs to be done next. The author has kept the technical jargon to a minimum to help the reader easily grasp the important points and where appropriate directs the reader to specific resources and references for further information.

About the Author:

Thomas E. Davenport is an Environmental Scientist for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and was designated as the Agency's National Expert on Nonpoint Source Control in 1991. Dr. Davenport has received seven Bronze Medals from the EPA for outstanding contributions for various activities related to nonpoint source, lake restoration, and watershed management. Dr. Davenport has published over 40 papers, book chapters, and project reports. Present duties include serving as the Water Program Lead for the Great Lakes/Baltic Seas and 3 Rivers 3 Countries Watershed Capacity Building Projects.