Multijurisdictional watershed management in Virginia: experiences and lessons learned

Abstract

Multijurisdictional agreements among local and regional authorities have emerged as an effective way to manage Virginia’s watersheds. These agreements generally result in the development of goals and objectives for the watershed environment, and the implementation of various strategies designed to achieve these goals. Successful agreements often result in stabilized or improved water quality in the region.

The Environmental Protection Agency has developed the Watershed Protection Approach and recommended it to manage water quality. While accepted, the Approach has not been well demonstrated in practice. Ten Virginia case studies are conducted to determine (1) if the Approach is represented in the program components and (2) if the components are effective in achieving program objectives. The case studies were developed through document review and interviews with program personnel, including local and regional agencies and non-governmental organizations. Critical components of these multijurisdictional approaches are identified and compiled to assist other regions and localities in their watershed management programs.

The EPA Approach identifies four relevant watershed management features; however, these are general and do not describe nor clarify its potential implementation. This thesis four categories corresponding to critical components of watershed management programs identified in the case studies, which illustrate and expand on EPA’s Approach, particularly its implementation: institutional framework and planning, stakeholder involvement, implementation strategies, and monitoring. These case studies demonstrate that regional policies and plans provide the necessary institutional framework; that participation of key stakeholders, especially those involved in implementation is critical in plan development; that local implementation land-use strategies including both regulatory and non-regulatory land-use measures, and structural and non-structural land practices, are most effective in achieving regional watershed management objectives; and that monitoring is needed to measure effectiveness and can effectively engage non-governmental groups and citizen volunteers.