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Basic Information |
Since the late 1980s, organizations and agencies have moved towards managing water quality by using a watershed approach. EPA has embraced this change and is working with its partners to help coordinate the development of comprehensive watershed plans through the publication of planning guidebooks, implementation of live and on-line training courses, and the development of web-based tools.
EPA encourages the development of watershed plans through use of the watershed planning process, which includes stakeholder involvement and management actions supported by sound science and appropriate technology. It also identifies water quality goals and specific actions required to solve those problems.
This site provides information and tools developed by EPA to help communities, watershed organizations, and local, state, tribal, and federal environmental agencies develop and implement watershed plans to meet water quality standards and protect water resources. The Watershed Plan Builder will lead you through a step-by-step process to begin the process of developing a watershed plan and will collect information about your area to produce a customized watershed outline. This outline can be used as a roadmap as you then proceed through the watershed planning process to create a comprehensive watershed plan. Specific instructions on how to develop your watershed plan can be found in the section devoted to the watershed planning process.