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P R O F I L E
Watersheds and environmental planning Watersheds provide an important resource for many communities – water for drinking, agriculture, and commercial needs.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
It allows them to determine the issues that are im- portant and the best way to manage the resources in their watershed. “A watershed plan provides a clear path forward for managing the natural resources in a watershed.” ❚ ❚ A watershed plan provides a clear path forward for managing the natural resources in a water- shed. Watershed plans are open, transparent docu- ments that are available to everyone. HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE WORK OF LOCAL WATER- SHED GROUPS? Ledgerwood suggests: ❚ ❚ Participating in activities that benefit your com- munity. Projects can involve creating nature trails, improving wildlife habitat, or protecting natural resources. ❚ ❚ Learning more about your environment. ❚ ❚ Experience the outdoors and become more familiar with your watershed. ❚ ❚ Help to protect the water quality in your commu- nity. WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A WATERSHED PLAN? Although many different components may be included in a watershed plan, the EPA has identified nine key ele- ments that are critical for achieving improvements in water quality. They are: 1)A map of the watershed that locates the major
A watershed is an area of land that drains surface water and groundwater into a river or stream. For example, Prince Edward Island in Canada has more than 250 watersheds. These provide drinking water for the province, in addition to water for ag- ricultural and commercial needs. All islanders have a collective stake in the health of island watersheds because these areas are impacted by, and in turn in- fluence, many human activities. Watersheds are nature’s boundaries, and managing resources on a regular basis is the best way to pro- tect and enhance water quality. Sean Ledgerwood, watershed and subdivision spe- cialist for the government of Prince Edward Island shares reasons that watershed planning is impor- tant: ❚ ❚ Everything is connected. Natural resources can be better managed if watersheds are viewed as an entire unit. In many cases, water quality and quantity in a community located on an estuary or on the lower part of a stream is affected by activities “upstream” or outside the community. “Watershed planning is a grass-roots activity; it involves everyone that has a stake in the watershed.” ❚ ❚ Watershed planning is a grass-roots activity; it involves everyone that has a stake in the water- shed. Planning involves local people and businesses.
See WATERSHEDS, page 12
THE ZWEIG LETTER February 8, 2016, ISSUE 1138
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