Watershed Management in the Federal Government
Abstract
Watersheds in the United States are very valuable. Their waters support a wide range
of purposes, including irrigation, fisheries, industrial operations, recreational
pursuits, aquatic habitat, and drinking water. Efficient and effective watershed management
must consider all of these purposes and plan accordingly. Watershed management is
conducted by many entities, with one of the largest and most important partners being
the federal government. Although many federal agencies conduct watershed management,
they often act out of concert with one another, even across the same watersheds. This
lack of coordination leads to duplications of efforts as well as gaps in services
offered. Among federal agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, in particular, has major
responsibilities for protecting water resources because of its position as owner of
many of the nation’s headwaters.
This paper highlights duplications and gaps which occur across the federal government
in watershed management, and offers policy recommendations on how to streamline efforts.
It details the history of the U.S. Forest Service in watershed management. It argues
how a paradigm shift in resource management within the U.S. Forest Service has negatively
affected morale in a manner which hinders successful watershed management. A history
of forest planning is provided. Finally, there is an analysis of the 2011 Planning
Rule with predictions on how implementation of the rule will affect watershed management.
Results indicate that greater coordination of water quality monitoring data collection
efforts would be accomplished with the establishment of a central clearinghouse, as
well as the designation of a single agency responsible for coordinating efforts. More
data are necessary to properly assess and address water quantity concerns in the United
States. The U.S. Forest Service has struggled, and will continue to struggle with
watershed management due to its many priorities as well as a lack of general employee
morale in the agency. The 2011 Planning Rule, although flexible and adaptable, grants
unprecedented levels of discretion to officials. It remains to be seen what effect
this will have on watershed management in the U.S. Forest Service.
Type
Master's projectSubject
United States Forest Servicewatershed management
Clean Water Act
Policy analysis
water quality
2011 Planning Rule
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3594Citation
Vuxton, Emily (2011). Watershed Management in the Federal Government. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/3594.Collections
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