 Development of a Watershed Based Plan (WBP) is the key step in the efforts to restore our rivers and streams from the impacts of nonpoint sources of pollution. WBPs focus on addressing issues identified by the 303(d) list and TMDLs, with the ultimate goal of restoring the waterbody so it can meet water quality standards. The NPS Program may assist with WBP development; to learn more contact your regional Basin Coordinator. |
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| The WBP is a document that includes an introduction (background and geographic extent of the watershed), followed by nine ELEMENTS that must be included in order for the plan to qualify for §319 funds. CLICK-HERE TO REVIEW WEST VIRGINIA'S WBPs |
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WBP guidance manuals and other resources related to plan development is provided in the following:
- Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters
- Watershed Plan Builder is a web-tool that guides planners and creates a detailed outline
- Load duration curve online provides a process to develop duration curves, which identify pollutant loading capacities relative to a target concentration (Purdue University)
- Load estimation models (Region 5 and STEPL - US EPA)
- STEPL online generates HUC12-level information on drainage area, land use, animal units, septics and soils
- AMDTreat is a computer application for estimating abatement cost of polluted coal mine drainage (OSM)
- Watershed Based Plan fact sheet (US EPA Region 10)
- Putting Together A Watershed Management Plan - A Guide for Watershed Partnerships
- A guide to using natural resource information in local decision making (Minnesota DNR)
- Guidance Manual for TMDL Implementation (Virginia DEQ)
- Users Guide to Watershed Planning in Maryland (Maryland DNR)
- Urban subwatershed restoration manuals (Center for Watershed Protection)
- Online Watershed Library (OWL-AWSP)
- WBP tracker is a spreadsheet that helps track your plans progress (WV NPS Program)
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Note: In certain cases §319 funds may be available for healthy watersheds that are not yet impaired, but may be threatened. In this case the WBP becomes a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP). The WPP is similar in format to the WBP.
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