LEARNING & EXPLORING

Taking Care of Our Watershed

The following information is excerpted and adapted from the Watershed Management Plan Chapter VI. This page will be re-written in the near future in a more user friendly format. 05/2007

The Watershed Management Plan includes specific management recommendations of the Eightmile River Study Committee to achieve the long-term protection and enhancement of the Eightmile River Watershed’s outstanding resource values.

The information provided includes:

• A summary of each outstanding resource value (ORV).
• The potential threats that could degrade the quality of each ORV.
• The current protection measures in place for each ORV.
• Gaps in the current protection mechanisms available to protect the ORVs.
• The protection goal for each ORV.
• Indicators for each Outstanding Resource Value. Indicators are the primary characteristics which describe the ORVs (in terms of either important features or processes that define or affect the ORV). Indicators are also important for being able to monitor the quality and long-term viability of the ORV. For example, impervious surface levels are one indicator for “Water Quality.”
• Indicator Goals for each ORV Indicator. Indicator Goals specifically define what the Indicator should be to fulfill the Protection Goals for each Outstanding Resource Value. Indicator Goals are typically quantifiable to facilitate measurement of success in reaching goals. For example, maintaining less than 4% impervious surface levels in the watershed is one indicator goal for “Water Quality.”
• Recommended Tier One and Tier Two management tools to be implemented to achieve the goals for each ORV. Each tool identifies the lead agency or organization to achieve its implementation.

Indicator goals are an important component of the recommendations, defining specifically what it means to achieve each ORV goal. Indicator goals are quantitative wherever possible to facilitate measurability and clear definition; however some are in the form of a strategy or policy. The indicators and their goals were developed based on review and consideration of multiple data, assessments and scientific sources and the combined experience and wisdom of the Eightmile Wild and Scenic Study Committee and NPS staff. The Committee balanced a strong commitment to sustaining an outstanding river system with the need to be realistic, feasible and reasonable to all interests. It is intended that as further information becomes available which can better quantify the indicators and/or which may suggest amending these indicators that the Management Plan be flexible enough to allow for such amendment. Any such amendment should continue to ensure an ability to meet the goals and long term quality of the ORVs. The proposed management tools stem in part from considering the Indicator Goals, however, Indicators and Indicator Goals do not themselves represent proposed management tools. It is intended that future monitoring and/or further consideration of the Indicators and Indicator Goals may suggest that additional suggestions for management recommendations may be warranted, however that will be decided by future management efforts.

The recommended management tools were identified as a result of the threats, protection, and gap analysis. The tools are divided into tier one and tier two. The tier one tools are considered the most critical to implement in the short-term and as such it is recommended that within 6-12 months of achieving an affirmative vote of support for Wild & Scenic designation at a town meeting partners will begin the process of implementing tier one tools and will establish a timeline in which to complete such a process. The tier two tools are anticipated to take 2-5 years to implement. Each tool description is preceded by the agency or organization that is recommended for leading the implementation of the suggested tool.

As with the indicators and their goals, it is intended that as further information, better tools, and new innovative cost-effective approaches become available to meet the ORV protection goals such knowledge and strategies should be implemented where appropriate. It is important to note that not all tools will necessarily be applicable to all communities or other partners, as some communities may have already adopted certain tools or have decided on other approaches to achieve the same goals.

As stated earlier, the recommended tools for local commissions and other partners are just that, recommendations. This planning document or the powers of a Wild & Scenic designation can not force a community to adopt them. The actual implementation of these recommendations will require all the formal procedures the commissions must follow especially in considering and potentially adopting any new regulations, including public notice, public hearings, and commission deliberation prior to making a final determination.

Many of the recommended tools require human and financial resources to implement. One of the main benefits of achieving Wild & Scenic designation is the ability to access funding support and technical assistance from the National Park Service to help protect the watershed. It is understood that the local communities, the state or other agencies or organizations may not have the ability to implement these proposed actions without financial or technical support.

The management plan partners, including local municipalities and the state, are strongly encouraged to work on implementing the Draft Eightmile River Watershed Management Plan to the best of their abilities regardless of a Wild & Scenic Designation being achieved, recognizing that the implementation of tools that require funding outside the normal expenditures of the partners may not be pursued until or unless outside funding is secured. If designation is achieved and funding support secured the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee and the National Park Service will focus available resources in support of the partners achieving the implementation of the recommended tools.