A watershed protection plan (WPP) is a comprehensive plan that addresses pollutant loading in a watershed. It is a community-driven, non-regulatory, voluntary plan, to develop locally agreeable approaches to address existing or potential water quality impairments. Recommendations contained in a WPP are developed through a partnership with stakeholders that live in or use the watershed. All management measures developed in the plan are non-binding.
Steps to developing a WPP:
- Building partnerships with local residents
- Characterizing your watershed
- Finalizing goals and identifying solutions
- Designing an implementation program
- Implementing the watershed plan
- Measure progress and make adjustments
Components of a WPP
Some topics covered in the plan include, but not limited to, characterizing the watershed, assessing current water quality data, developing load estimates from differing potential pollutant sources, and describing management measures to improve water quality. Furthermore, load reduction estimates from stakeholder-recommended management measures are calculated.
A description of needed education and outreach components, a summary of available resources and funding sources, and lastly measures of success to guide progress towards water quality goals are also included in the plan.
Implementation of a WPP
Watershed plan implementation can begin at any time. However, when the plan is accepted, it can be leveraged by stakeholders to seek funding assistance to help implement management measures. Examples of some projects that have been funded through leveraging a watershed plan are:
- Hiring a Field Technician for the local SWCD to implement agricultural conservation plans
- Decommissioning of failing septic tanks
- Implementation of low-impact development structures to reduce stormwater runoff
- Creekside revegetation to reduce erosion and improve water quality
- Creekside revegetation to reduce erosion and improve water quality
During the implementation phase of the plan, education and outreach programs are also available through Texas A&M AgriLife such as the Texas Well Owner Network, Texas Watershed Stewards, Lone Star Healthy Streams, Healthy Lawns Healthy Waters, Texas Riparian & Stream Ecosystem Education Program workshops, and Homeowner Maintenance of Septic Systems classes.
Outcomes
The desired outcome of a watershed plan is the long-term de-listing of an impaired waterbody from the State of Texas 303(d) List of impaired waterways.
- Restoration and protection of a valuable water resource
- Funding for implementation activities
- Increased aesthetic value
- Increased economic value
