Cooperation and coordination among local, state, and federal agencies are essential. Potential
participants within the project area must receive clear messages about the project, its purpose,
and its value. Conflicting messages from local, state, or federal agencies participating in a project
can result in a low rate of participation. Clearly define each agency's role and how agencies will
interact to avoid confusion, duplication of efforts, or competition. Urge agency administrators to
support the project and encourage inter-agency cooperation. If key agencies cannot agree on the
value of a proposed project, or if turf battles seem unresolvable, consider an alternative project
choice.
Designate a project manager to coordinate the project and assess progress. Ideally, the project
manager should have a background in water resources and project management.
Establish a local coordinating committee, consisting of project participants, agency personnel,
and community leaders, to support the project. The committee should set direction, set objectives
and goals, assure adequate public involvement, enlist agency assistance, oversee information and
education activities, determine priorities for water quality monitoring, and develop plans for
critical area selection, choice of BMP systems, and linkage of land treatment and water quality
data.
Define the Critical Area
Apply BMP systems to those areas where land treatment will have the greatest effect. Where
available, pre-project water quality monitoring and modeling can be used to identify or refine the
critical area -- the land area contributing most to the problem. In the absence of such resources,
critical areas can be roughly defined based on distance to the water body and its tributaries, or
other location or land use characteristics. Within the critical area, significant pollutant sources
(such as animal operations, farm fields, or forestry operations) can be prioritized for BMP
installation based on the expected impact of each source on the water body.
Choose a Land Treatment Approach
Encourage participants to implement systems of BMPs. Systems of practices often control loss of
a pollutant from the critical area more effectively than a single BMP. Resources for assistance in
identifying systems to effectively address a particular water quality problem and source include
Extension Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Soil and Water Conservation
Districts staff.
Design a Water Quality and Land Treatment Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
Water quality and land treatment monitoring and evaluation provide essential tools for assessing
project effectiveness. Team members who will conduct and interpret the monitoring effort must
be involved from the beginning of the project, not added as an afterthought.
When limited resources are available for monitoring BMP effectiveness, visual observations
such as fewer algal blooms, clearer water, or increased recreational use can be helpful in
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