Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Management Plan

The purpose of the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Management Plan is to preserve, protect, and enhance the land and water resources of the watershed, ensuring quality of life and economic viability.

The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Management Plan is an outline for action intended to shape the future of the Chain of Lakes region. The plan was prepared by the Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) on behalf of a Watershed Steering Committee made up of more than 90 individuals and representatives of local government, professional organizations, business, and interest groups.

The plan is the result of a series of meetings where the Steering Committee heard reports from experts on the status and needs in the areas of water quality, wildlife, land development, education, and many other issues. A facilitated process was then used to organize the ideas and actions suggested by watershed stakeholders into a logical, time-oriented format.

The Watershed Management Plan was designed to function...
As a program management tool, to:

Facilitate collaboration and cooperation,
Avoid duplication and inefficiency, and
Help identify gaps related to watershed management activities.

As an educational tool, to help show residents and visitors the “big picture” of watershed management and how any given activity fits in.

As a funding tool, to help demonstrate to foundations, local donors, and public grant programs that watershed management activities are coordinated, and to show how a particular “proposed” project will lead toward meeting one or more goals.

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