Stakeholder Discussion Topic: INITIAL IDEAS FOR TECHNOLOGIES, POLICIES, AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

INITIAL IDEAS FOR TECHNOLOGIES, POLICIES, AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

After the common vision is developed, the next step in the comprehensive watershed planning process will be to identify technologies, policies, and management strategies that can help stakeholders achieve this vision. During this early stage, it will still be useful to start identifying options for the next phase of the plan.

Develop an action item list for people to refer to so they become involved in improving and protecting the Elk headwaters. In addition, provide a sounding board for questions and concerns for the future development of the watershed. Begin to brainstorm ideas for protection and improvement efforts. How can this community rally behind a given action or ideal?

Some initial ideas to provide a boost the process:

a. Economic slowdown gives opportunity to pause and think. CWP can help model what the future can be, look at the constraints Drinking water supply is a big issue. City water versus no city water. Snowshoe now provides water to some customers, how much can they provide? How much drinking water can be provided by wells and city water?

b. Wild and Scenic Rivers Study. Stakeholders raised the possibility of studying the Upper Elk for wild, scenic, or recreational river designation. Would set into motion an effort to study Elk River by the federal government. River would be studied in great detail by many different agencies. Not restrictive, but a protective program. Classified in different ways, protection differs. 3-7 year study, including land owners in the process. Local people decide on how it should be managed. Legislation to protect the areas, not restrictive.

c. Look at stimulus package dollars?