Trumbull Basin surface water management plan
Date
1996-12
Authors
Vonk, Jeffrey R., author
Moran, Stephen J., author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
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Abstract
Addressing resource management issues and solving conflicting resource management problems is most effective as a grass roots "bottom up" approach. However, assuring federal and state agency technical specialists support in the process requires high level administrative support for local decision making and empowerment. Even moderately complex resource issues addressed on a small watershed scale require involvement of a broad number of technical disciplines and considerable staff time. Assuring the participation of local citizens requires designing public participation meetings which allow local citizens to participate in developing unique and innovative solutions rather than being asked to evaluate plans prepared by agencies. The Trumbull Basin Surface Water Management Plan was initiated when the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture approached landowners of a converted wetland basin and asked if they would consider managing spring runoff to create areas of shallow water habitat for migrating waterfowl. Their response "We'll help you with 18 inches of water in the spring if you'll help us deal with the 2 feet that comes in July!" was the basis for a beginning. The planning effort has assembled engineers, conservationists, biologists, and regulatory specialists from state, federal, and local agencies to support the planning process driven by local participation. The effort has integrated water issues dealing with wetland habitat, irrigation water management, and flood control. Perhaps most important, the process has provided a communication avenue where landowners could overlook past animosities and grievances to cooperatively address common problems. As one landowner said "We know the solutions to our problems are simple if we could just sit down and talk about them. If you can help us talk to one another, we're interested."
Description
Presented at Competing interests in water resources - searching for consensus: proceedings from the USCID water management conference held on December 5-7, 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada.