Evaluation

Evaluating the resource plan involves assessing the effectiveness of the implemented plan to ensure desired results are being achieved. Evaluations are a critical element to any watershed plan. Plan evaluation provides information about how implementation is proceeding, and if necessary, reveals why actual results differ from what was desired and anticipated.

Ongoing evaluation throughout the watershed planning process assists the group in accomplishing tasks and measuring impact. Successful evaluations clearly state objectives and measure results and serve as a valuable tool in documenting the success of the watershed plan. Positive evaluations presented in an easy to understand terms help build support for future projects and funding. Plan evaluation also pr ovides an opportunity for stakeholders to modify their objectives and actions.

One simple way to evaluate recommended actions or projects in your watershed as the plan is implemented is to set up evaluation criteria related to your goals and objectives and rate proposals against those criteria. In this way, you are steering activities toward a common goal.

Example Project Evaluation Framework

Resources

• 9 Step Watershed Management Plan
  From: NRCS
  Fact sheets for the NRCS nine steps to developing a watershed management plan.
  Illinois NRCS Resource Planning
• USEPA Tools Website: Tools and Evaluations
  From: USEPA
  Tools and Evaluations

• Guidance Book on Management Measures
  From: US EPA
  Guidance book called Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Nonpoint Pollution in Coastal Waters that provides background information on nonpoint pollution and promotes management measures.
  www.epa.gov/OWOW/NPS/MMGI/
• Putting Together a Watershed Management Plan
  From: Conservation Technology Information Center
  Information on what do once a planning committee has been formed.
  www.ctic.purdue.edu/KYW/Brochures/PutTogether.html
• Rapid Watershed Planning
  From: Center for Watershed Protection
  Rapid Watershed Planning presentation that provides a basic outline for watershed planning, identifying steps for completing a plan.
  www.stormwatercenter.net/Slideshows/rapid_files/frame.htm
• Total Maximum Daily Load
  From: IEPA
  Place to find the latest news about TMDL, current 303d List, and an interactive map engine.
  www.epa.state.il.us/water/tmdl/

Additional Resources

• THE LAKE SEMINOLE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN: EVALUATION OF QUANTITY AND QUALITY OBJECTIVES
• North Georgia Watershed Plan: Evaluation of Watershed Management Plan Effectiveness
• Evaluation of District-wide Implementation of the Bay Area Watershed Plan
• Illinois Watershed Management Clearinghouse