(LCR-MOM) A multi-objective management process
INDEX
About the LittleColorado River Watershed Project (LCR-MOM)About the Little Colorado River Watershed Project
Most of the basin is rural. Cities included Flagstaff, Arizona in the west andGallup, New Mexico in the east end of the basin. Economic activities include ranching,timber harvesting, agriculture, mining, power generation, service industries, culturalpreservation, tourism and recreation.
Interest Areas
The LCR-MOM began in 1996 with a concern oversediment deposition in the Little Colorado River in the Holbrook Arizona area and thepotential for increased risks of flooding. Itwas quickly realized that other issues were involved at a much larger scale and that therewas a need to pursue a watershed approach.
In response, Navajo County assisted by State and Federalagencies, sponsored a two-day workshop focusing on current watershed management practicesand the potential benefits of a multi-objective management watershed process. This processsimultaneously address social, economic and environmental concerns affecting the peopleand resources of the watershed.
The following workshops and outreach effors were initiated to provide a public forum toidentify, promote, and plan how to satisfy interrelated watershed interests:
Workshop I – April 24 – 25, 1997
The first workshop was targeted primarily for Local, State, and Federal Agencies. Theoverall goal was to determine regional interest in working cooperatively on a LCR-MOMinitiative. Outcomes included:
Discussion of common interest and identification of nine issue areas;
Formation of a coordinating committee to explore how to conduct a locally led planningeffort;
Consensus decision to organize under the existing Little Colorado River PlateauResource Conservation and Development Area, Inc., a rural development and 501(c)(3)organization.
Workshop II – November 13 –14 1997
The second workshop was targeted to reach all stakeholders. The primary goal was toimprove understanding of the LCR-MOM process. By consensus, the group took the next stepsin the evolution of a locally led watershed process. Outcomes included:
Expanded list of interests and options;
Mission and Vision statements;
Interim organizational structure;
Establish short-term action committees.
Stakeholder Outreach – Ongoing
Major emphasis is to develop and implement an outreach effort focusing on localgovernment, tribes, businesses, special interest groups, and the general public.Objectives include:
Inform – educate the people about LCR-MOM and watershed concepts;
Input – asking what the process should be and define local issues;
Include – recruiting and strengthening local support.
Whatis Multi-Objective Management?
Multi-objective management is a proven approach to reduce flood losses and simultaneouslyaddress other community concerns. It succeeds because it coordinates flood loss reductionwith other community/watershed needs and goals to develop a stronger, more comprehensiveprogram.
Through the multi-objective management gets stakeholders with a concern or problem thatcould be addressed at the same time. It requires communication between the differentparties and capitalizes on the help that is offered by government agencies and privateorganizations. It's not magic but hard work.
Six guidelines to the multi-objective management process:
Keep efforts locally based;
Understand a problem in relation to the watershed;
Think broadly about possible solutions;
Identify other community concerns and goals;
Obtain expert advise and assistance from government agencies and private organizations;and
Build partnerships among all the private and public groups and individuals you can enlistto work on your objective.
The LCR-MOM works to implement all these guidelines.
Organization – Roles &Structure
The LCR-MOM provides interaction among all stakeholders in the Little Colorado RiverWatershed. It is made up of individuals, businesses, organizations, and governmentagencies. LCR-MOM meets bi-monthly in different areas of the watershed to include citizensnot able to take part. A half-day is devoted to touring local conservation efforts.
The LCR-MOM organizational structure is made up of four parts. Program CoordinatingTeam, Coordinating Committee, Action Committees and Little Colorado RC&D.
Program Coordinating Team Participation and membership in the Program Coordinating Team(PCT) is voluntary and open to all interested parties. The role of the PCT is tofacilitate interaction among government, tribal, private business, and special interestgroups using the following guidelines:
Use a locally driven, consensus process based on best available science and using theprinciples of multi-objective management planning;
Respect the sovereignty of the American Indian communities within the watershed, theobligations of Federal, State, and Local units of government, and the rights of thecitizens of the watershed;
Seek to include all of the stakeholders in the watershed;
Serve as a forum for communicating among all stakeholders recognizing that watershedplanning is based on mutual respect and openness;
Facilitate development of a shared vision among the stakeholders for the future of thewatershed and the implementation of that vision;
Provide an opportunity to both resolve conflicts over natural resource matters and toanticipate and manage such conflicts in the future.
Coordinating Committee. Membership of the Coordinating Committee consists of the PCTChair, Vice-Chair, and Action Committee Chairs. The Coordinating Committee fulfills thefollowing roles:
Set agendas;
Manage the mechanics of the PCT and the Committees;
Resolve conflicts between committees and members;
Evaluate and implement directives of the PCT;
Provide direction to a watershed coordinator;
Approve location logistics;
Maintain a budget clearinghouse;
Serve as spokes person the RC&D.
Action Committees. There are five Action Committees of the PCT. These include:
Data Inventory – collection of information and identification of data needs.
Education & Stakeholder Outreach – creation and distribution of information onwatershed projects process and topics to increase stakeholder participation.
Process/Funding – identifies and incorporates watershed process and potentialresource support.
Projects – facilitates implementation of new and existing projects.
Coordinating Committee – meets to set up agendas and problem solving between PCTmeetings.
Little Colorado River Plateau Resource Conservation and Development Area Inc. TheLittle Colorado RC&D is organized as a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation in Arizona.The Council is made up of 15 sponsors representing east central Arizona, cities and towns,county and tribal governments and conservation districts. The LCR-MOM is currentlyorganized as an action team of the Little Colorado RC&D. The RC&D serves as theLCR-MOM fiscal agent and performs other administrative functions. For more informationabout the Little Colorado RC&D go to our homepage at http://www.littlecolorado.org
Through a planning effort of stakeholders the LCR-MOM has identified 12 major goals.The goals are interrelated and intended to help achieve the overall vision for the LittleColorado River Watershed.
Vision
To maintain and enhance the quality of life in the Little Colorado River Watershed throughmanagement of natural resources that ensures equity among shared interests, respectsdiverse cultural values and preserves environmental health of our land, while promotingappropriate economic growth of financial security of present and future generations.
Mission
The mission of the Little Colorado River Watershed Project is to maintain and enhance theresources of the Little Colorado River Watershed by fostering partnerships, education andcommunication among stakeholders and by facilitating local strategies and projects insupport of the vision statement.
Following are the major LCR-MOM goals:
Goal 1: Broaden people's knowledge of and involvement in the LCR-MOM planning process.
Multi-objective management and watershed planning are new concepts to some. Critical tothe success of a community driven planning process is stakeholder understanding andsupport of the effort. Stakeholders can be defined as anyone who can affect or be affectedby planning decisions. Through a consensus based philosophy, everyone is providedopportunities to participate in decision making. This goal reflects the desire to inform,receive input from, and include all people who have an interest or stake in the health andfuture of the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Goal 2: Improve information and technology transfer on the resources of the LittleColorado River Watershed.
Studies on a shelf are useless if unknown to those who could use the information. Dozensof federal, state, tribal and local agencies manage elaborate databases on naturalresources, recreational opportunities, socio-economics and others. Ideally, thisinformation would be shared and made available through a central clearinghouse. Oneproposed action is to develop a comprehensive Internet web page. This goal addresses theneed to get meaningful information out to people making resource management decisions thataffect the health of the watershed.
Goal 3: Sustain economic growth of the natural resources industrywithin the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Success breeds success. Sharing information about economic successes and availableassistance helps everyone. The LCR-MOM will work with industry to explore innovative waysof providing employment, while at the same time conserving the watershed's naturalresources. This goal emphasizes the benefits of fostering economic development activitieswhich are consistent with protecting and improving the health of the Little Colorado RiverWatershed.
Goal 4: Enhance the quality of life within the Little ColoradoRiver Watershed.
The Little Colorado River Watershed offers a mixture of ecosystem types, from mountains todesert, as well as diverse cultures, and recreational and tourism opportunities.Communities are encouraged to recognize the "values and assets" that make themunique and work to preserve them. Community values may include access to national forestsfor recreation and fuel wood, small town character, inexpensive cost of living, historyand culture, trails and greenways, open space, scenic vistas, and clean industry. Thisgoal provides the opportunity to include proposed actions that are expected to enhance thequality of life, but do not naturally fall under one of the other goal categories.
Goal 5: Reduce risk and economic impacts from floods and othernatural disasters within the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Flood disasters, though infrequent, can be devastating to small communities. Countyfloodplain managers realize structural controls, such as levees, are only part of theflood mitigation strategy. Improved land use practices help to reduce stream sedimentloading and flash flooding. Communities are encouraged to continue identifying flood-proneareas and restricting new developments in floodplains. Wildfires are another natural eventthat can be managed to restore forest health. This goal stresses the importance of takingactions to minimize the potential for loss of life and damage to property from naturaldisaster.
Goal 6: Increase the proper functioning characteristics of the Little Colorado Riversystem.
Man has caused immense change to the Little Colorado River and its tributaries.Channelization, diversions, introduction of invasive plant species and loss of streamsidehabitat have altered stream function and the capability to effectively transport sedimentto the Colorado River. The LCR-MOM will facilitate local strategies and projects thatrestore stream form and function. This goal addresses the need to work toward restorationof the river system.
Goal 7: Enhance recreational opportunities within the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Recreational opportunities are as varied as the topography. Marketing outdoor recreationalopportunities would generate increased economic activity as tourists visity more often andstay for longer periods of time. Providing local trail networks with linkages to publiclands and river corridors would offer residents and visitors increased opportunities toenjoy the watershed. This goal encourages the consideration of recreation enhancements inthe Little Colorado River Watershed.
Goal 8: Preserve the cultural heritage of the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Only through a greater understanding and appreciation for the varied cultural heritagewithin the watershed can we hope to enjoy and preserve this heritage. One of the mostimportant roles the LCR-MOM can plan is to educate the watershed community on the uniquecultural heritage of the Little Colorado River Watershed and the importance of assuringthat cultural and historical landscapes are preserved. This goal emphasizes the need torecognize and preserve cultural resources throughout the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Goal 9: Maintain and improve water quality for all uses within the Little ColoradoRiver Watershed.
Due to the scarcity of water in the region, conservation and multiple use of water arenecessary for survival. Water conseration and multiple use projects helpto stretchavailable water supplies. The LCR-MOM will facilitate local water conservation strategiesand projects that involve and benefit stakeholders across jurisdictional boundaries. Thisgoal encourages innovative water resource efforts.
Goal 10: Increase opportunities for conservation and multiple use of the waterresources of the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Due o the scarcity of water in the region, conservation and multiple use of water arenecessary for survival. Water conservation and multiple use projects help to stretchavailable water supplied. The LCR-MOM will facilitate local water conservation strategiesand projects that involve and benefit stakeholders across jurisdictional boundaries. Thisgoal encourages innovative water resource efforts.
Goal 11: Improve watershed and stream function to promote diverse, stable andproductive wildlife and fish habitat within the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Land use activities upstream and throughout the watershed have an effect on downstreamhabitats. It is important o consider conditions throughout the watershed when developinghabitat improvement projects. The LCR-MOM will facilitate local strategies and protectsand educate the watershed community on the interconnections between water quality andquantity, land use, and healthy fish and wildlife habitat. This goal emphasizes thelinkage between watershed function and healthy habitat.
Goal 12: Enhance networking among individuals, agencies and organizations with aninterest in the Little Colorado River Watershed.
Only by pooling information, resources, and talents can a successful watershed managementprogram be established. Working together can enhance all varied interests and agendas. Oneproposed action is development of an e-mail list server to provide interested partiesinformation on the latest watershed based efforts, projects, and activities. This goalrecognizes the role that the LCR-MOM can lay in fostering good communication by providingnetworking opportunities among existing and new partners.
Watershed Related Links
Meeting Agenda
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