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Stakeholder
involvement is critical if the new watershed plan is to
be a success. The Nippersink Collaboration Group
established a framework for involvement in the process
through current educational outreach activities that are
conducted and coordinated by the agencies, individuals
and government entities in the watershed. The first step
in stakeholder involvement has already been initiated
through letters of support and cash and in kind
contributions from several governmental agencies,
environmental groups and even private residences. The
project team had conversations, made presentations and
had correspondence with government groups, individual
landowners and organizations about the need for an
update of the plan and the benefits to each of these
groups.
Early and continued participation in the plan
development encouraged buy-in to the goals of the plan
and hopefully results in a positive acceptance of the
nonpoint source management measures in the
implementation period that will follow completion of the
plan. Outreach activities including meetings and
educational pieces such as newsletters, mailings and
press releases will educate the public at different
stages of the plan development as well as to gather
critical public input.
Initial meetings took place in sub watersheds to gather
public perceptions of the issues. Key stakeholders from
each audience were invited as well as the general
public. The second stage of outreach illustrated the
findings of the GIS information on existing conditions.
At meetings in the watershed, key stakeholders and
members of the public were asked to determine if this
information reflects realty. Interested members of the
public were asked to participate in fieldwork analysis.
Public education focused on selecting, design and
implementing the NPS management measures identified in
the plan process. As preventative education is key to
the future of this rapidly developing watershed, ongoing
public outreach continues with presentations of the
completed plan. The Nippersink Collaboration Group asked
for formal resolutions in support of the plan, its
findings and its implementation strategies from all the
targeted audiences in the watershed. |
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