Watershed Condition Framework EPA National Nonpoint Source Training Workshop November 17-20, 2014 Dallas, Texas 1 Watershed Condition Framework "Clean, healthy forests are vital to our efforts to protect America's fresh water supply.” "Our nation's economic health, and the health of our citizens, depends on abundant, clean and reliable sources of freshwater.” “The Watershed Condition Framework and interactive map will help provide economic and environmental benefits to residents of rural communities." -Secretary Vilsack, June 3, 2011, WCF Rollout 2 The Roots of the WCF … The BIG Watershed Questions Typical NFS Watershed Are NFS watersheds nationally getting better or worse as a result of Forest Service land management? 3 Watershed Condition Framework For the first time, the Forest Service has a nationally consistent, comparable, and credible approach to: evaluate watershed condition prioritize watershed improvement projects measure accomplishments, and increase agency accountability in watershed restoration. 4 WCF benefits the Forest Service by: providing a systematic process for determining watershed condition that is applied consistently. improving the integration among resource areas to focus programs of work to more effectively maintain and restore watersheds. enhancing coordination and collaboration with other federal, state and local agencies, Tribes, the public, and partners in watershed restoration. 5 WCF benefits the FS by (cont.): increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of watershed improvement. improving national, regional, and local-scale reporting of watershed condition. improving accountability and credibility in watershed restoration efforts. Thus making the FS a “good investment”. 6 WCF is not: a one time process. It is iterative and demonstrates accomplishment over time. a short term fix. While some steps can be completed in the short term, improvements to watershed conditions will take several years to fully achieve. an answer for providing information and setting priorities for all restoration work. The focus is on those actions that are most likely to move watersheds toward improved hydrologic function, water quality, soil productivity and aquatic and riparian habitats. 7 Watershed Condition Framework FS-977, May 2011 (http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/) STEP A Classify Watershed Condition STEP B STEP F Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Monitor and Verification STEP C STEP E Develop Watershed Action Plans Track Restoration Accomplishments STEP D Implement Integrated Projects 8 Watershed Condition Framework FS-977, May 2011 (http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/) 9 Watershed Condition Framework STEP A March 31, 2011 Classify Watershed Condition STEP B STEP F Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Monitor and Verification STEP C STEP E Develop Watershed Action Plans Track Restoration Accomplishments STEP D Implement Integrated Projects 10 Step A – Classify Watershed Condition Established the baseline (NFS lands only) Completed March 31, 2011 Office exercise Occurs annually for watersheds known to have experienced significant changes 11 Watershed Condition Classes Class 1 = Functioning Properly Class 2 = Functioning at Risk Class 3 = Impaired Function Types of Attributes Numeric- quantitative values Descriptive- qualitative values subject to some interpretation Map-derived- produced by teams of experts that synthesize extensive data to create interpreted map products Map of Condition Classes - NFS Watersheds 15 Watershed Condition Framework STEP A Classify Watershed Condition July 15, 2011 STEP B STEP F Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Monitor and Verification STEP C STEP E Develop Watershed Action Plans Track Restoration Accomplishments STEP D Implement Integrated Projects 16 Step B: Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Small number of Priority Watersheds equivalent to a 5-year program of work for each admin unit (approx 1-5) Implementation Guidance – FS-977, Collaborate with Stakeholders and Partners Ecological, social, and economic considerations Align with national/ regional strategies and Forest Plan direction Align with outside agency efforts and partnership opportunities Step B completed July 2011 Selection and prioritization rationale entered into WCATT database, August 2011 17 Step B: Identify Priority Watersheds Eastern Region Rock Run Priority Watershed USDA Forest Service Wayne NF 18 Watershed Condition Framework STEP A Classify Watershed Condition March 31, 2011 July 15, 2011 STEP B STEP F Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Monitor and Verification STEP C STEP E Develop Watershed Action Plans Track Restoration Accomplishments STEP D September 30, 2011 Implement Integrated Projects 19 Step C: Watershed Restoration Action Plans Implementation Guidance- FS-977, FY11 Budget Direction Work with stakeholders and potential partners to: Conduct field assessment to document specific problems Identify ‘essential projects’ that address specific problems Identify potential partners and funding sources Develop implementation schedule & monitoring plan Completed at least one priority watershed per unit with data entered into corporate data base, September, 2011 20 Step C: Develop Watershed Action Plan Eastern Region USDA Forest Service Wayne NF Step C 21 Watershed Condition Framework STEP A March 31, 2011 Classify Watershed Condition July 15, 2011 STEP B STEP F Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Monitor and Verification STEP C STEP E Develop Watershed Action Plans Track Restoration Accomplishments STEP D Implement Integrated Projects September 30, 2011 FY 2012 and beyond 22 Step D: Implement Integrated Suites of Essential Projects May take 1 -5 years Implementation includes: Planning (NEPA) Project design Project completion Completion information entered into corporate database 23 Step D: Implement Integrated Projects Eastern Region USDA Forest Service Implement Identify Essential EssentialProjects Projects Improve / Maintain Condition 24 Step E: Track Restoration Accomplishments Track accomplishments in appropriate corporate databases Public Map Viewer: http://apps.fs.usda.gov/WCFmapviewer/ Completed Watershed Restoration Action Plans (WRAPs) 25 Condition Class: Southwest Region Watersheds 26 Condition Class: Southwest Region Watersheds 27 Condition Class: Southwest Region Watersheds 28 Condition Class: Southwest Region Watersheds 29 Condition Class: Southwest Region Watersheds 30 Condition Class: Southwest Region Watersheds 31 Condition Class: Southwest Region Watersheds 32 Step F: Monitor and Verification Verify accomplishment of project activities and monitor improvements to watershed and stream condition Did we do what we said we were going to do? (Tier 1) Process Guide Book (December 2014) Did our work produce the results we predicted (Tier 2) Results available in 2015 33 A Shift in Thinking… National level New Budget Initiatives – IRR (Multiple BLIs) Different focus on accomplishments – Watershed Condition Framework Field level How work is planned and completed Integrated Projects: Integrated by disciplines & Integrated by partners – Not new in some areas. 34 Partnership and Collaboration Fundamental to watershed restoration A continuous and ongoing effort Priority watershed selection Essential project identification 35 In summary The WCF provides: a consistent, comparable, credible process for building accountability in watershed restoration. a comprehensive approach for integrated restoration on watersheds on National Forests and Grasslands. an outcome-based performance measure for documenting improvement to watershed condition at Forest, Regional, and National scales. a transparent way to demonstrate that the FS is a good investment in watershed restoration 36 QUESTIONS? Contacts: Roy Jemison, Southwest Regional Hydrologist 505-842-3255; [email protected] Penny Luehring, National BAER & Watershed Improvement Program Leader 505-842-3141; [email protected] Michael Eberle, National Surface Water Program Leader 202-205-1093; [email protected] References: www.fs.fed.us/publications/watershed/ http://apps.fs.usda.gov/WCFmapviewer/ 37
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