A QUICK GUIDE to Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters 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. The document refers to statutory and regulatory provisions that contain legally binding requirements. The 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 might 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. The use of nonmandatory words like should, could, would, may, might, recommend, encourage, expect, and can in this guidance means solely that something is suggested or recommended; it does not mean that the suggestion or recommendation is legally required, that it imposes legally binding requirements, or that following the suggestion or recommendation necessarily creates an expectation of EPA approval. 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 the recommendations in this guidance are appropriate in that situation. EPA might change this guidance in the future. A Quick Guide to Watershed Management was prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc., under a contract with EPA. This guide was developed with input from federal, state, and local watershed practitioners and outreach experts.

United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds Nonpoint Source Control Branch (4503T) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460 EPA 841-R-13-003 May 2013 A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect

Our Waters

United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds Nonpoint Source Control Branch (4503T) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460 EPA 841-R-13-003 May 2013

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iv A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Contents Disclaimer...... ii Introduction ...... 1 Watershed Planning as an Overarching Management Framework ...... 1 Why a Quick Guide to Watershed Management? ...... 1 Organization of the Quick Guide ...... 1 Audience for the Quick Guide ...... 2 SECTION I: THE BASICS ...... 3 Understanding the Nine Minimum Elements of Watershed-Based Plans ...... 5 Steps to Effective Watershed Management ...... 6 Step 1. Build Partnerships ...... 6 Identify Key Stakeholders ...... 6 Identify Issues of Concern ...... 7 Set Preliminary Goals ...... 7 Develop Preliminary Indicators ...... 7 Conduct Public Outreach ...... 8 Step 2. Characterize the Watershed ...... 8 Gather Existing Data and Create a Watershed Inventory ...... 8 Identify Data Gaps and Collect Additional Data if Necessary ...... 9 Analyze Data ...... 9 Step 3. Set Goals and Identify Solutions ...... 11 Set Overall Goals and Management Objectives ...... 11 Develop Indicators/Targets ...... 12 Determine Load Reductions Needed ...... 13 Identify Management Practices to Achieve Goals ...... 13 Step 4. Design an Implementation Program ...... 14 Develop an Implementation Schedule ...... 14 Milestones ...... 14 Benchmarks to Measure Progress ...... 15 Monitoring Program ...... 15 Information/Education Component ...... 16

A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans v Evaluation Process ...... 16 Identify Technical and Financial Assistance ...... 17 Keys to Successful Implementation ...... 17 Step 5: Implement the Watershed Plan...... 19 Prepare Work Plans ...... 19 Implement Management Strategies ...... 19 Conduct Monitoring ...... 19 Analyze Your Data ...... 20 Conduct Information/Education Activities ...... 20 Share Results ...... 20 Step 6. Measure Progress and Make Adjustments ...... 21 Track Progress ...... 22 Make Adjustments ...... 22 SECTION II: WHAT’S NEW? ...... 23 Data Access Tools ...... 23 The Water Quality Portal ...... 23 Nitrogen and Phosphorus Pollution Data Access Tool ...... 24 Prioritizing Sites for Watershed Restoration and Protection ...... 24 The Recovery Potential Screening Tool ...... 24 Promoting Healthy Watersheds ...... 25 EPA Region 5 Wetlands Supplement ...... 25 Lessons Learned ...... 26 Nonpoint Source Pollution Success Stories ...... 26 Lessons Learned from Agricultural Conservation Projects ...... 26 Funding Sources ...... 27 Financial Assistance for Conservation Practices ...... 27 Climate Change ...... 27 Adapting to Climate Change ...... 27 Evaluating Climate Risks and Adaptation Options for Water and Wastewater Utilities ...... 28 Emerging Issues...... 28 Incorporating Social Indicators into Watershed Plans ...... 28 Assessing the Value of Ecosystems ...... 29 vi A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Using Green Infrastructure Practices to Achieve Sustainability ...... 29 Training and Social Media Tools ...... 30 Watershed Academy Webcasts and Online Training Modules ...... 30 Watershed Central ...... 30 APPENDIX ...... 31 Regional, Tribal, and State Nonpoint Source Program Contacts ...... 31 References ...... 31

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viii A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Introduction

Watershed Planning as an Overarching Management Framework The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has for many years encouraged states and others to develop watershed plans to help protect and restore our waters. Due to the complex and diffuse nature of nonpoint source pollution, the substantial costs to address it, and frequent reliance on voluntary action by individual landowners, successfully addressing nonpoint source pollution to achieve water quality standards often requires years of support from a coalition of stakeholders, programs, and funding sources. Watershed planning helps address water quality problems in a holistic manner by fully assessing the potential contributing causes and sources of pollution, then prioritizing restoration and protection strategies to address these problems.

Why a Quick Guide to Watershed Management? In 2008 EPA published the Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect our Waters (the Handbook) to provide users with a comprehensive resource to develop more effective watershed plans as a means to improve and protect the nation’s water quality. The Handbook also provides guidance on how to incorporate the nine minimum elements from the Clean Water Act section 319 Nonpoint Source Program’s funding guidelines into the watershed plan development process. Since the Handbook was issued, EPA and other entities have stepped up watershed plan implementation, introduced new initiatives, developed new tools, and provided Use the following icons to help locate additional funding sources. specific information in the Quick Guide

Over the past 5 years, thousands of copies of the  Indicates where one of the nine minimum Handbook have been printed. The Handbook has elements is discussed. been used by watershed practitioners, incorporated into training courses, and even adopted as part of Indicates a case study that highlights the use college curricula. The purpose of this Quick Guide, of the nine minimum elements in watershed developed in response to feedback on the length and plans. complexity of the Handbook, is to provide a  Refers the reader to specific sections in streamlined, easy-to-read summary of the Handbook. the The guide also incorporates key watershed-related Handbook for more detailed information. topics not included in the Handbook. The Quick Guide is not meant to replace the Handbook, but rather to provide a brief guide to watershed planning and highlight new information that can be used for more effective decision-making leading to improved management of our water resources.

Organization of the Quick Guide The Quick Guide is divided into two sections: • Section I: The Basics provides a streamlined summary of the Handbook. It includes the major steps in the watershed planning process and a brief overview of the nine minimum elements to be included in watershed plans under EPA’s Clean Water Act section 319 Nonpoint Source Program. • Section II: What’s New highlights recent EPA watershed-related initiatives and presents new tools that practitioners can access to improve water quality across the country.

A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans 1 If you are new to watershed management as a planning framework and the nine minimum elements, start with Section I. If you are already familiar with the Handbook, you might want to start with Section II to discover new tools and programs that you can incorporate into your watershed management activities.

Audience for the Quick Guide The Quick Guide is intended for novice as well as experienced practitioners working on watershed- related issues at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels. The Quick Guide is also intended for managers involved in other integrated resource planning efforts, such as water and wastewater utilities, transportation departments, and local zoning offices. The Appendix includes a list of contacts from EPA’s Polluted Runoff Program (http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/where.cfm) website. You can follow up with them to get more information on specific watershed planning requirements in your area.

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e model, you should have an understanding of what types of questions you want answered so that the the that so answered want you questions of types what of an understanding have should you model, e onitoring data or literature values are fairly simple approaches that provide coarsea estimate of the th m you questions Typical used. is model most appropriate include: supplemented receiving with modela water as well. under various under various M pollutant waterbodyentering loads techniques a These . detai watershed. Modelsprovide another approach forestimating loads, providing source load estimates, and various management alternatives. two general types of techniques for pollutant estimating techniques loads: of types two general data or literature values the needed thepollutant needed focus Some loading analyses are focused on determining how much load is acceptable,whereas others aspect of the present, it is important to determine the regulatory requirements for the point sources and the the and sources point the for requirements regulatory the determine to important is it present, feasibility of the controlling nonpoint sources existing usinglocal, tribal, state, and federal programs. allocations or develop local ordinancesor other programs to achieve equitable and effective pollutant from reductions ensure ensure th will also describe necessary to critical conditions t TMDLs describe the TMDLs describe used loading estimates on several factors, including water quality parameters, time scale needs, experience. user and needed to to neededmeet indicated on a map. In the next step you will quantify the magnitude of the pollutant loads. pollutant the of magnitude the quantify will nextyou step the In map. on a indicated Estimate watershed plans watershed Various approachesused can be to A quantified A quantified thatwill implemented need to be to load achieve reductions a descriptionthe and areas critical ofwhich those in measuresneeded will to implement be this plan.” nine elements. minimum management strategies.The locationof pollutant sources andthe associated critical areas will feed into selectin 10 In identifying In identifying Section I A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Plans Watershed Developing to Guide Quick A problemsin thewatershed, you N Step  page 8 You You Set Overall in the characterization process characterization the in reductions those achieve to areas critical the which determine indicators and targets, measurable detailedobjectives,more and develop goals preliminary For example, a preliminary goal developed during the scoping scoping the during developed goal preliminary a example, For strategies. management yourofguide development will the that andtargets objectives detailed more also establish will You (including reductions the calculated process, process, (2) (2) include could objectives management impactsofpollution willhelp you define your managementobjectives. In case,this appropriate th construction). Linking livestock, (e.g.,land disturbance stream poorto aquatic habitatinclude upland sediment erosion and delivery, streambank erosion,and near in analysis, results. model. support to decision decision The modelingapproaches develope ow that you have characterized and quantified the the quantified and characterized have you that ow A summary of various approaches used to estimate pollutant loads in watersheds nd limiting livestock access to stabilize streambanks. stabilize accessto livestock limitingand vegetation riparian improving • • • • • • • • i dentif - 3. 3.

the Handbook the of 3

Regardlessofwhat modelyou use,theanalysis should be field What are the loads associated with the individual sources individual with the associated loads the are What types) cover land or use reduction for targeted load pollutant the to contributors main are the sources Which waterin meeting qu result managementactions the Will )? sources targets Which ( How can future growth be managed to minimize adverse impacts? adverse to minimize be managed growth future can How useconditions? future under land worse get or impairment loading the Will When does theimpairment occur? How canHow thewatershed plan - BMPs might have been have might making is making Set Goals and Identify Solutions Identify and Goals Set meeting meeting in Stepin 2 ied preliminary goals and associated environmental indicators with your stakeholders earlier earlier yourstakeholders with indicators environmental associated and goals preliminary ied S tep 2 oftep watershed the planning process, you might determinethat thecauses contributing Goalsand Management Objectives ) )

needed combination of managementactions will most effectivelymeet theidentified (e.g. for croplands) for management practices management

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costs costs associated with those activities. the stream from the d Quick A Guide formore inform de the banks of banks the the de stream susceptible to erosion.

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approximately the amount needed to fill nine fill to needed amount the approximately Bog Brook m Brook Bog — of this It is important to use different types of indicators to reflect to reflect indicators types of to different use It important is where you are inthe watershed management processand the audience with you which are communicating.You’ll first select in conditions current the to measure indicators environmental the water add add performance indicators, such as social andprogrammatic also work also

Number of management measures implemented in a watershed (e.g., number nutrient under of acres management buffers created) Number of public water systems water public of Number plans protection water source with Use Life Aquatic will

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Bog Brook Channel Stabilization Project Stabilization Channel Brook Bog se of Aerial Photography to Track Streambank Erosion Streambank Track to Photography Aerial of se foot stretch of the stream to a more natural condition. Project partners returned returned partners to a natural condition. stream Project the more of foot stretch U http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/success319/nh_bog.cfm he landowner adjacent to the eroding channel worked with with worked channel eroding the to adjacent landowner the Brook, Bog of radation indicators and numerictargets to quantitatively

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t  Successful Table channel to a more natural state and planted vegetation at the site. As a result, the channel channel the result, a As site. the at vegetation planted and state natural more a to channel Section I : in sources. Environmental indicators are a direct measure of the environmental conditions that that conditions environmental the of measure direct a are indicators Environmental sources. the Milestones sectionof

. Examples of of Examples . 1 you you will de

Reduction in pollutant in Reduction nonpoint from loadings sources Number (or percentage) of river/stream miles that fully meet all water quality standards NOTE

• • For more information see see information more For regime alterations regime entering the s land. This translated to 120 tons of sediment of tons 120 to translated This land. and reconstruction of a 275- the stream upgrade Hampshire New 2006, In subsided. erosion and stabilized stream channel had eroded laterally up to between 35 feet 1999 and 2003, consuming 4,000 deg the halt to In an effort New the Hampshire from 319 grant a section secure to and Department a consultant Stratford of town the of Environmental Services. The project called for a comprehensive stream morphology assessment, a As erosion continued over time, the stream channel became wider and more unstable more and wider became channel stream the time, over continued erosion As and problem erosion rian shrubs along shrubs rian of ripa woody removal Past  information on how to develop and use social indicators to measure watershed management progress. Table Environmental indicators, to help measure progress toward meetingyour goals. exampleAn each of type of indicator is provided pollutant plan implementationto seeks achieve. As you develop yourmanagement objectives and actually assemble your implementation of activities in watershed your plan, including toRefer meetingobjectives. You your identified indicators with your to stakeholders the determine earlier current the of health watershed developing your indicatorsand t 12 Develop Indicators/Targets Develop Next Section I A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Plans Watershed Developing to Guide Quick A Identify watershed planning. linkage of for sources andindicators receiving water models available to support forHandbook a  loadUsingtheestimatesfrom Step 2, Determine Load Reductions Needed Step identified you that areas critical the in implemented be can practices management which address to upland or the waterbody to adjacent immediately implemented are practices management general, In implemented measuresbe to in criticalareasthe management planned the on based are estimates reduction load The standards. quality water applicable pollutantloads from point nonpointand source plan the should identify and incorporate the TMDLs.Theestimate should account reductionsfor in reduced be to watershed meetto goals. Establishing this link this Establishing understandto thecause In mostpartsIn ofthe country, useslandare changing directly linked: linked: directly To estima To plan.” needed this be implement to will measures in those areas which critical the of achieve shouldyou include below.” (c) described element in measures for the management expected reductions ecosystems, and protect valuable habitat. valuable protect and ecosystems, opportuni an is planning Watershed climate. changing as well as scenarios agricultural and development invarious factor toallow models Somepollutionyou watershed. quality water and loads pollution affect several on depend will approach appropriate waterbody meetneeded to targets. type the methodthe used to usingthe decision thatyou mustdocument to ensure Allhave limitations models reductions. achieve to likely selecting aid in to and appropriatefor reducing pollutant loads which determine to available are models Numerous targets. Refer to Table 9 s of of s 2.

the load reductions estimated in element (b) above, and an identification (using a map or a description) a map a or (using description) identification an in and (b) above, element estimated reductions load the

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For more information please s information more For http://cfpub.epa.gov/npstbx/files/getnstepguide.pdf build on the outreach efforts you initiated in Step 1 as part of building partnerships. of building part as 1 Step in initiated you efforts outreach the build on effective inputs, outputs, and outcomes and inputs, outputs, measure each In general, you will evaluate three major Second, you to want be able to continually improve your program in terms of efficiency and quality. This phase of the watershed planning process process planning watershed the of This phase community. Because many water quality problems result from individual actions and the solutions are are and solutions the actions individual from result problems quality water many Because community. of the adoption promote and participation involvement public effective practices, voluntary often management practices most important The object The continued participation in selecting, designing, and implementing the nonpointsource management measures thatwill be implemented.” 16 and education comp (  an Evaluation Process There twoare primary reasons to evaluate yourwatershed program. First, want you to be able to demonstrate goals and implementation of the watershed management plan Every watershed plan should includ should plan watershed Every indicators for Information/Education Component Information/Education Section I A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Plans Watershed Developing to Guide Quick A m your turning in factor critical A Identify Technical Financialand Assistance on for on implementation, in terms of bothinitial adoption and long berelied will orauthorities resources what plan and the implement needed to are assistance technical d shouldyou addition,In support. andadministrative monitoring, activities, identification andestimation identification Keys toKeys S plan.” this upon implement that to relied be andwill authorities sources your chances your Althoughthere isnosingle componentthatdefines  Identifying ight “ Provide an e an Provide • • • • • • • • • • • •

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The targets for this watershed this watershed for targets The Version

- ells: University related activities Quick - Tracking of buffered acre s: Anne’sQueen County Soil Conservation District: Paired study. watershed Pre and post sampling fo Monitoring and and Monitoring responsible party monitoring for Paired watershed Maryland study: Department of Natural Resources. Ground water test w Marylandof Cooperative Extension. nutrients and sediment: Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Final A -

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trategies Source: Goal: 30 Goal: Demonstrat 2. Agriculture nutrient and sediment reducing stream buffers. acres. Goal: 3000 Goal: demonst Management Management s 1. Market and early planting incentive, commodity, small grain, crop.cover acres. http://www.townofcentreville.org/uploads/file/2012 The program targeted for maximum water quality benefits in the Corsica River. Corsica the in benefits quality water for maximum targeted program qualit implementation strategies and schedules to fulfill elements f, g, and h. and g, elementsf, fulfill to schedules and strategies implementation in 18 Section I A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Plans Watershed Developing to Guide Quick A Although Plan Watershed the Implement 5: Step plan. inyour mapdeveloped road follow the should activities until the plani focused on develop time frame time associated with yourfunding source, your planworks usefultemplates for preparing grantapplications to fundimplementation activities. Depending onthe successannualandwork plans the will outline workplans, which preparing foundation for the planaswatershed use your overall will You Pl Work Prepare efforts. outreach and mo various with integrated are and milestones, butemented impl implementationteam to aplan by coordinated Implementingwatershed the management i plan Implement Management Strategies quarterly with reporting. implementing the managementtheimplementing strategies. nonstructuraland controls. Besure set to and track themilestones measureto therate of progressin combinationo a include your planprobably in identifiedwill practices you management The relations. public and communication, analysis, data facilitation, group expertise, technical management, implementation, maintenance activities, and maintenanceactivities, implementation, componenttrackto evaluateand theeffectiveness ofyour implementation efforts. Asofpartthe development ofyour watershed plan,you should have developed monitoringa Conduct Monitoring indicators.social of monitoring Biological measurements of the abundance and variety of aquatic plant and plant aquatic of variety and abundance the of measurements Biological con andthecolor, water flow, temperature, specialists andpesticides—monitoring oils, metals, sediments, nutrients, oxygen,dissolved suspended of levels sediments, fish tissue in water, and constituents the monitor To waterconditions. monitor to watershed management. watershed government to monitoring programs,trainedvolunteers ablehavebeen provideto important data for water conditions. monitor also widelywaterused areto in sample survive to organisms test activities in 2 in activities This means thatindividual projects should be muchofthe watershed planningprocess is performchemical measurements. Physical measurements ofgeneral conditions suchas s actually implemented. Implementation actually implemented. s - - also also to 3 to a ing ns

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- • • • • whether the data are of adequate quality to answer the monitoring question monitoring the to answer quality of adequate are data the whether trap large solids in runoff, and grassed filter strips for treating runoff. The following monitoring activities are are activities monitoring following The runoff. treating for strips filter grassed and runoff, in solids large trap effectiveness: project track to conducted Section 319 funding was sought to improve water quality conditions in the Otter Creek Creek theOtter in conditions quality water soughtimprove to was 319 funding Section Modeling and field inventories identified critical areas improving dissolved oxygen levels and reducing bacterial levels. Best management practices (BMPs) were were (BMPs) practices management Best levels. bacterial reducing and levels oxygen dissolved improving farms dairy area on implemented Read more about this project at project this about more Read o o types

nd to show to nd on the problems facing the watershed. Finally, they should should they Finally, watershed. the facing problems the on address those problems. Results Share engaged them keep to This helps community. larger the and stakeholders the to and results activities a Continuous communication is essential to building the credibility of and support for the watershed watershed the for support of and credibility the to building essential is communication Continuous implementation part process. As of information/educationyour activities the effectsof variations Activities Information/Education Conduct watershed, the in problems quality water the about know let people to important it is Although to enough not is the issues on people and educating informing simply sometimes practices can be used to look for gradual for gradual to look be can used statistical sophisticated more In general, intensive data analysis should be conducted at least a least at conducted should be analysis data intensive In general, and goals overall the on depend data monitoring the on you perform data analyses of types The of types several program; monitoring the of nature the and approach, management the objectives, of and evaluation Where analysis questions. monitoring the on depending appropriate might be analyses management practices theare focus of monitoring, might it be feasibleto use relatively simpler analyses, such as t implementation or sites, - pre Where where were adequate they not. areas status, changes, trends, or other issues that measure the response the measure that other issues or trends, changes, status, analysis thattracks progress, assesses the quality of data relativeto measurement quality (i.e., feedback o Analyze Your Your Data Analyze Tw 20 Section I A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans Plans Watershed Developing to Guide Quick A the stay or program your in changes to make decidewhether then and information willyoureview which at points decision create to need program. your into back results integrate to you allow to circular, but linear not is approach management adaptive whetherdetermineyouwant any make corrections.to stakeholders, provideand to feedbackmilestones, interim outlinedin yourwork plan, compare theresults with your activitiesimplementation the reviewperiodically will You Step Read more about thi Im management asa activitykeyof DRMTthe illustratedis below. WorkGroup. committees oversight technical strategies th communications occurDRMT,the between governmentalentities has members that aregovernments with decision and adaptive management are coordinated through through coordinated are management adaptive and of progress and“effectiveness monitoring” of quantitativewhether goals have achieved.been Monitoring Monitoring in Dungenessthe watershed consistsan of integrated strategy“implementation of monitoring” ree standing committees to oversee implementation and effectiveness monitoringand 6. 6. portance of Adaptive Management and the Dungeness River Management Team Measure Progress and Make Adjustments Make and Progress Measure  . They are They . Case Study: Case

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more detailed information, please refer to the Handbook ( please to refer the Handbook more detailed information, tools, case studies, and to initiate or strengthen strengthen or initiate to 30 comments from watershed practitioners who had expressed a need expressed had who practitioners watershed comments from for peer in onlyor to they modify if add want wiki to (similar Wikipedia).content chiefAnother ofbenefitthis open engines like Google for trainees who complete 15 modules and pass the module self module the pass and 15 modules complete who for trainees received certificates date.to anyone can view user Central the Watershed EPA developed Watershed Central develop Anyone can the access to the Handbook the to Watershed TheWatershed Academy a is focal point in EPA's Office ofWater forproviding training and information offers EPA approaches. watershed on implementing www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts of watershed topics. All webcasts are archived and available online atthe above website after each webcast. EPA’s field management the watershed to introduction a broad provide that modules training Training and Social Media Tools Media Social and Training Watershed include W the APPENDIX

Regional, Tribal, and State Nonpoint Source Program Contacts For a list of EPA regional and tribal NPS coordinators, as well as a list of state NPS coordinators, visit http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/where.cfm.

References Benedict, Mark, and Edward McMahon. 2001. Green Infrastructure: Smart Conservation for the 21st Century. Sprawl Watch Clearinghouse Monograph Series.

Genskow, Ken, and Linda Prokopy (eds.). 2010. The Social Indicator Planning and Evaluation System (SIPES) for Nonpoint Source Management: A Handbook for Projects in USEPA Region 5. Version 2.1. Great Lakes Regional Water Program. Publication no. GLRWP-10-SI02 (76 pages).

Osmond, D.L., D.W. Meals, D. LK. Hoag, and M. Arabi, eds. 2012. How to Build Better Agricultural Conservation Programs to Protect Water Quality: The National Institute of Food and Agriculture– Conservation Effects Assessment Project Experience. Ankeny, IA: Soil and Water Conservation Society.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2013. Getting in Step: Engaging Stakeholders in Your Watershed. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2003. Getting In Step: A Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA- B-03-002.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2008. Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-841- B-08-002.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2009. Synthesis of Adaptation Options for Coastal Areas. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Ready Estuaries Program. EPA 430-F-08-024.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2010a. Green Infrastructure in Arid and Semi-Arid Climates. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-833-B-10-002.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2010b. Green Infrastructure Case Studies. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA-841-F-10-004.

USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2013. “Introduction to Watershed Planning.” Watershed Academy online module. Available at: www.epa.gov/watertrain.

A Quick Guide to Developing Watershed Plans 31