what stakeholder?millcreek.tamu.edu/files/2015/02/jan26_print.pdf · ward ling texas a&m...

Galen Roberts

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Mill CreekJanuary 26, 2015

Galen Roberts



Any individual or group of individuals that could be Any individual or group of individuals that could be affected by activities/decisions to improve and protect affected by activities/decisions to improve and protect water quality in a watershed. water quality in a watershed.

What is a Stakeholder?What is a Stakeholder?

•• Residents, landowners and managersResidents, landowners and managers•• County or regional representativesCounty or regional representatives•• City officialsCity officials•• Business and industry representativesBusiness and industry representatives•• Citizen groupsCitizen groups•• Community service organizationsCommunity service organizations

•• Religious organizationsReligious organizations•• Universities, colleges and schoolsUniversities, colleges and schools•• Environmental and conservation groupsEnvironmental and conservation groups•• Soil and water conservation districtsSoil and water conservation districts•• Irrigation districts Irrigation districts

•• Successful development and implementation of Successful development and implementation of the watershed plan will depend primarily on the the watershed plan will depend primarily on the involvement of the community. involvement of the community.

•• Therefore, it is critical to build Therefore, it is critical to build partnershipspartnerships at the at the f h h d l fff h h d l ff

The Mill Creek PartnershipThe Mill Creek Partnership

outset of the watershed planning effort. outset of the watershed planning effort.

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The Mill Creek Partnership is the forum for The Mill Creek Partnership is the forum for public participation in the planning process. public participation in the planning process.

The public can join and participate in the The public can join and participate in the partnership in one of several ways:partnership in one of several ways:

The Mill Creek PartnershipThe Mill Creek Partnership

partnership in one of several ways: partnership in one of several ways:

•• Attend and participate in meetingsAttend and participate in meetings

•• Serve as a Steering Committee memberServe as a Steering Committee member

•• The Mill Creek Steering Committee is the decision The Mill Creek Steering Committee is the decision making body for the Partnership. making body for the Partnership.

•• The The goal of the Steering Committee is to affirm goal of the Steering Committee is to affirm the consensus of the Partnership and facilitate the the consensus of the Partnership and facilitate the development and implementation of a Watersheddevelopment and implementation of a Watershed

Mill Creek Steering CommitteeMill Creek Steering Committee

development and implementation of a Watershed development and implementation of a Watershed Protection Plan (WPP) for Mill Creek.Protection Plan (WPP) for Mill Creek.

•• The Steering Committee will be composed of The Steering Committee will be composed of approximately 20 members. approximately 20 members.

•• It will be representative of all types of It will be representative of all types of stakeholders in the Mill Creek Watershed.stakeholders in the Mill Creek Watershed.

Steering CommitteeSteering Committee

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•• Initial solicitation of Initial solicitation of individuals to represent all individuals to represent all aspects of the watershed aspects of the watershed was conducted using was conducted using three methods:three methods:

1)1) Consultation with the County Consultation with the County Agents, Austin & Agents, Austin & Washington County SWCDs and Washington County SWCDs and local and regional local and regional governmentsgovernments

Steering Committee Steering Committee SelectionSelection

governments.governments.

2)2) Meetings with the various stakeholder interest Meetings with the various stakeholder interest groups and individuals.groups and individuals.

3)3) SelfSelf‐‐nomination at Public Meetings.nomination at Public Meetings.

AffiliationAustin County

Austin County Env.

Washington County

Washington County Env.

City of Bellville

City of Burton

City of Industry

Austin County SWCD

Washington County SWCD

Mill Creek Drainage District/Realty

AffiliationAustin County

Austin County Env.

Washington County

Washington County Env.

City of Bellville

City of Burton

City of Industry

Austin County SWCD

Washington County SWCD


NameRobert ‘Bobby’ Rinn

David Ottmer

Luther Hueske

Mark Marzahn

Still Confirming Nomination

Peggy Felder

Charlie Tallerine

Kenneth Blezinger

Ronnie Shulte/Ray Thaler

J Frank Monk

NameRobert ‘Bobby’ Rinn

David Ottmer

Luther Hueske

Mark Marzahn

Still Confirming Nomination

Peggy Felder

Charlie Tallerine

Kenneth Blezinger

Ronnie Shulte/Ray Thaler

J Frank MonkMill Creek Drainage District/Realty

Landowner/Ag Producer




Local Resident

Local Resident

Local Resident

Business/Industry/Realty


Wildlife/Educator






Local Resident

Local Resident

Local Resident



Wildlife/Educator

J. Frank Monk

Doug Albrecht

Robert Luedeker

George Dillingham

Doug Marek

James Elam

Ben Mayberry

Greg Plate

Dixon Ashorn

Ric Flores

Dr. Bill Eikenhorst/William Amelang

J. Frank Monk

Doug Albrecht

Robert Luedeker

George Dillingham

Doug Marek

James Elam

Ben Mayberry

Greg Plate

Dixon Ashorn

Ric Flores

Dr. Bill Eikenhorst/William Amelang

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Galen Roberts



Galen Roberts



Ground Ground Rules for the Rules for the Mill Mill Creek Creek Watershed Watershed Partnership are intended to address: Partnership are intended to address:

•• Role of Steering CommitteeRole of Steering Committee

•• Time frame for projectTime frame for project

Partnership Ground Partnership Ground RulesRules

Time frame for project Time frame for project

•• Size and function of Steering CommitteeSize and function of Steering Committee

•• Replacements, additions, alternates, and Replacements, additions, alternates, and proxiesproxies

•• Decision making processDecision making process

•• Help develop the WPP documentHelp develop the WPP document

•• Identify Identify the desired water quality conditions and the desired water quality conditions and measurable measurable goalsgoals

•• Prioritize programs and practices to achievePrioritize programs and practices to achieve goalsgoals

Steering Committee RoleSteering Committee Role

•• Prioritize programs and practices to achieve Prioritize programs and practices to achieve goalsgoals

•• Lead Lead the effort to implement the WPP at the local the effort to implement the WPP at the local levellevel

•• Communicate implications of the WPP to Communicate implications of the WPP to others others in the in the watershedwatershed

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•• Development of the Development of the Mill Mill Creek WPP will require at Creek WPP will require at least a least a 66‐‐month month period. period.

•• The Steering Committee will continue to function The Steering Committee will continue to function to implement the WPP.to implement the WPP.

Time FrameTime Frame

•• To effectively function as a decisionTo effectively function as a decision‐‐making body, making body, the membership shall achieve geographic and the membership shall achieve geographic and topical representation. topical representation.

•• If the Committee becomes so large that it If the Committee becomes so large that it becomes impossible or impractical to function, becomes impossible or impractical to function, the Committee will institute a consensusthe Committee will institute a consensus‐‐basedbased


the Committee will institute a consensusthe Committee will institute a consensus based based system for limiting membership.system for limiting membership.

•• Members will identify and present insights, Members will identify and present insights, suggestions, and concerns from a community, suggestions, and concerns from a community, environmental, or public interest perspective. environmental, or public interest perspective.

•• Members are expected to work constructively and Members are expected to work constructively and collaboratively with other members toward collaboratively with other members toward reaching consensus.reaching consensus.

The Committee will not elect a chair, but rather The Committee will not elect a chair, but rather remain a facilitated group. Extension remain a facilitated group. Extension and/or and/or TSSWCB TSSWCB will serve as the facilitators.will serve as the facilitators.

The Committee has discretion to form standing and The Committee has discretion to form standing and ad hoc work groups to carry out specific assignments ad hoc work groups to carry out specific assignments from the Committee.from the Committee.


from the Committee. from the Committee.

Steering Committee members will be asked to sign Steering Committee members will be asked to sign the final WPPthe final WPP..

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•• Work groups are an extension of the steering Work groups are an extension of the steering committee and partnership that discuss and work committee and partnership that discuss and work on specific topical areas. on specific topical areas.

•• Composed of steering committee members, Composed of steering committee members, t h i l d i b d tht h i l d i b d th

Role of Work Role of Work GroupsGroups

technical advisory group members and any other technical advisory group members and any other interested partnership members.interested partnership members.

•• Work groups make recommendations and develop Work groups make recommendations and develop components of the WPPs for their topic. components of the WPPs for their topic.

•• Will meet inWill meet in‐‐between regular Partnership between regular Partnership meetings. meetings.

•• The Steering Committee will strive for consensus The Steering Committee will strive for consensus when making decisions and recommendations. when making decisions and recommendations.

•• Consensus is defined as everyone being able to Consensus is defined as everyone being able to live with the decisions made. Consensus live with the decisions made. Consensus inherently requires compromise and negotiation. inherently requires compromise and negotiation.

Decision Making ProcessDecision Making Process

•• If consensus cannot be achieved, the Steering If consensus cannot be achieved, the Steering Committee will make decisions by a simple Committee will make decisions by a simple majority vote. majority vote.

•• If Steering Committee members develop formal If Steering Committee members develop formal recommendations, they will do so by tworecommendations, they will do so by two‐‐thirds thirds majority vote. majority vote.

•• In order to conduct business, the Committee will In order to conduct business, the Committee will have a quorum. have a quorum.

•• Quorum is defined as at least 51% of the Steering Quorum is defined as at least 51% of the Steering Committee (and/or alternates) present and a Committee (and/or alternates) present and a representative of either Extension or TSSWCBrepresentative of either Extension or TSSWCB

QuorumQuorum

representative of either Extension or TSSWCB representative of either Extension or TSSWCB present.present.

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•• The Steering Committee may add new The Steering Committee may add new members if: members if: 1)1) a member is unable to continue serving and a a member is unable to continue serving and a

vacancy is created or vacancy is created or

2)2) important stakeholder interests are identified important stakeholder interests are identified that are not represented by the existingthat are not represented by the existing

Replacements and Additions Replacements and Additions

that are not represented by the existing that are not represented by the existing membership. membership.

•• A new member must be approved by a majority of A new member must be approved by a majority of existing members. In either event, the Steering existing members. In either event, the Steering Committee will, when practical, accept additional Committee will, when practical, accept additional members. members.

•• Members unable to attend a meeting (an absentee) Members unable to attend a meeting (an absentee) may send an alternate with advance notification to may send an alternate with advance notification to the facilitator. the facilitator.

•• With prior notification, alternates have voting With prior notification, alternates have voting privileges. An alternate attending without advanceprivileges. An alternate attending without advance

AlternatesAlternates

privileges. An alternate attending without advance privileges. An alternate attending without advance notification cannot vote. notification cannot vote.

•• Absentees may also provide input via another Absentees may also provide input via another Committee member or send input via the facilitator. Committee member or send input via the facilitator.

•• Three absences in a row without advance Three absences in a row without advance notification or without designation of an alternate notification or without designation of an alternate can lead to removal from the Steering Committee.can lead to removal from the Steering Committee.

•• Individuals do not speak for the Steering Individuals do not speak for the Steering Committee as a whole unless authorized by the Committee as a whole unless authorized by the Committee to do so.Committee to do so.

•• Members do not speak for the Members do not speak for the Extension or Extension or TSSWCB l h i d dTSSWCB l h i d d

Speaking in the Name of the CommitteeSpeaking in the Name of the Committee

TSSWCB unless authorized to do so.TSSWCB unless authorized to do so.

•• If Committee spokespersons are needed, they If Committee spokespersons are needed, they will be selected by the Steering Committee.will be selected by the Steering Committee.

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•• Composed of stakeholders in the Composed of stakeholders in the Mill Mill Creek Creek Watershed.Watershed.

•• Solicited individuals to represent all aspects of the Solicited individuals to represent all aspects of the watershed using three methods:watershed using three methods:

Steering Committee MembershipSteering Committee Membership

1)1) Consultation with the County Consultation with the County Agents, Austin & Agents, Austin & Washington County SWCDs and Washington County SWCDs and local and regional local and regional governments.governments.

2)2) Meetings with the various stakeholder interest groups and Meetings with the various stakeholder interest groups and individuals.individuals.

3)3) SelfSelf‐‐nomination at Public Meetings.nomination at Public Meetings.

•• Provide technical assistance to the stakeholders in Provide technical assistance to the stakeholders in developing the WPP developing the WPP

•• Draft text and prepare the WPP incorporating Draft text and prepare the WPP incorporating Committee recommendations Committee recommendations

•• Facilitate the development and implementation ofFacilitate the development and implementation of

Extension’s Extension’s RolesRoles

Facilitate the development and implementation of Facilitate the development and implementation of the WPP through the meetingsthe WPP through the meetings

•• Assist the Steering Committee organize its work, Assist the Steering Committee organize its work, facilitate meetings, and coordinate educational facilitate meetings, and coordinate educational trainingstrainings

•• Ensure the Ensure the Mill Creek Mill Creek WPP satisfies U.S. WPP satisfies U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s nine elements. Environmental Protection Agency’s nine elements.

•• Provide technical assistance to the stakeholders in Provide technical assistance to the stakeholders in developing the WPPdeveloping the WPP

•• Provide FundingProvide Funding

R i 9 lR i 9 l

TSSWCB TSSWCB RoleRole

•• Review to ensure meets 9 elementsReview to ensure meets 9 elements

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•• These ground rules were drafted by the Extension These ground rules were drafted by the Extension and TSSWCB and presented to the Steering and TSSWCB and presented to the Steering Committee for review, possible revision, and Committee for review, possible revision, and adoption. adoption.

Development Development & & Revision of Ground RulesRevision of Ground Rules

•• Once adopted, ground rules may be changed by Once adopted, ground rules may be changed by twotwo‐‐thirds majority vote provided a quorum is thirds majority vote provided a quorum is present.present.

•• DecisionDecision‐‐making body for the Partnership.making body for the Partnership.

•• Formulates recommendations to be used in Formulates recommendations to be used in drafting the WPPdrafting the WPP

•• The Steering Committee is an independent groupThe Steering Committee is an independent group

Powers Powers

The Steering Committee is an independent group The Steering Committee is an independent group of watershed stakeholders with an interest in of watershed stakeholders with an interest in restoring and protecting the designated uses of restoring and protecting the designated uses of the the Mill Mill Creek Watershed.Creek Watershed.

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Ward Ling



Ward Ling



Community-driven management plan that uses the watershed approach to address or prevent water quality

problems.

Community-driven management plan that uses the watershed approach to address or prevent water quality

problems.

Watershed Protection Plan (WPP)Watershed Protection Plan (WPP)

• Protect healthy bodies of water and restore impaired ones• Developed and managed through partnerships of local groups

and organizations and federal/state agencies• Are voluntary and rely heavily on stakeholder involvement

• Protect healthy bodies of water and restore impaired ones• Developed and managed through partnerships of local groups

and organizations and federal/state agencies• Are voluntary and rely heavily on stakeholder involvement

1.1. Establish a “Partnership”Establish a “Partnership”

2.2. Prepare a Watershed Protection PlanPrepare a Watershed Protection Plan

•• Characterize the watershedCharacterize the watershed

•• Establish goals and strategiesEstablish goals and strategies

4 Steps of Watershed Planning4 Steps of Watershed Planning

•• Develop an implementation strategyDevelop an implementation strategy

3.3. Implement the Watershed PlanImplement the Watershed Plan

4.4. Measure Progress and Make AdjustmentsMeasure Progress and Make Adjustments

All of which rely heavily on local stakeholder input and participation

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•• Form a watershed partnership and steering Form a watershed partnership and steering committeecommittee

•• Identify issues of concernIdentify issues of concern

•• Set preliminary goalsSet preliminary goals

1. Establish a Partnership1. Establish a Partnership

•• Set preliminary goalsSet preliminary goals

•• Encourage public participation throughout the Encourage public participation throughout the planning process planning process

Characterize the WatershedCharacterize the Watershed::

•• Gather existing data and create a watershed Gather existing data and create a watershed inventoryinventory

•• Identify data gaps and collect additional data ifIdentify data gaps and collect additional data if

2. Prepare a WPP2. Prepare a WPP

•• Identify data gaps and collect additional data if Identify data gaps and collect additional data if neededneeded

•• Identify causes and sources of pollutionIdentify causes and sources of pollution

•• Estimate pollution loads Estimate pollution loads

Finalize Goals and Identify Solutions:Finalize Goals and Identify Solutions:

•• Set overall goals and management objectivesSet overall goals and management objectives

•• Develop indicators/targetsDevelop indicators/targets


•• Determine load reductions neededDetermine load reductions needed

•• Identify critical areasIdentify critical areas

•• Develop management measures to achieve goalsDevelop management measures to achieve goals

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Design an Implementation PlanDesign an Implementation Plan::

•• Develop and Identify:Develop and Identify:

•• Implementation scheduleImplementation schedule

•• Milestones to track implementation and Milestones to track implementation and


management measuresmanagement measures

•• Criteria to measure progressCriteria to measure progress

•• Monitoring componentMonitoring component

•• Information/education componentInformation/education component

•• Evaluation processEvaluation process

•• Technical & financial assistance needsTechnical & financial assistance needs

•• Implement management strategiesImplement management strategies

•• Conduct monitoringConduct monitoring

•• Conduct information/education activitiesConduct information/education activities

3. Implement the WPP 3. Implement the WPP

•• Review and evaluate informationReview and evaluate information

•• Share results Share results

•• Prepare annual work plansPrepare annual work plans

4. Measure Progress and Adjust 4. Measure Progress and Adjust

•• Report back to stakeholders and othersReport back to stakeholders and others

•• Make adjustments to programMake adjustments to program

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Galen Roberts



Galen Roberts



MMILLILL CCREEKREEK WWATERSHEDATERSHED

•• Water ResourcesWater Resources

•• Water QualityWater Quality

•• GeographyGeography

Watershed CharacteristicsWatershed Characteristics

•• ClimateClimate

•• Soils Soils

•• Land use Land use

•• EcologyEcology

•• HistoryHistory

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•• Stream flows: Stream flows:

•• USGS Stream gage dataUSGS Stream gage data

•• Local Advisory Group meetingLocal Advisory Group meeting

•• GroundwaterGroundwater

Water Resources & Water QualityWater Resources & Water Quality

•• GroundwaterGroundwater

•• TWDB DataTWDB Data

•• Water Quality: Water Quality:

•• TCEQ Sampling data 1974 TCEQ Sampling data 1974 –– Present Present

•• Initiated supplemental monitoring programInitiated supplemental monitoring program

•• Watershed boundary: Watershed boundary:

•• 263,450 acres (412 square miles)263,450 acres (412 square miles)

•• Digital Elevation Model (DEM)Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

Geography & ClimateGeography & Climate

•• Climate: Climate:

•• Average rainfall Average rainfall –– 4141‐‐45 in. 45 in.

•• Average temp. Average temp. –– January: 51January: 51°°F ; July 83F ; July 83°°FF

Soils (NRCS SSURGO 2014)Soils (NRCS SSURGO 2014)

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• Satellite Imagery Analysis

Land Use Land CoverLand Use Land Cover

Open Water0.5%

Evergreen Forest2%

Mixed Forest3%

Deciduous Forest

Near Riparian Forest

Developed Open Space

4%

Developed Low Intensity

2%

Developed Medium Intensity0.2%

Developed High

Intensity0.1%

Land Use Acres (Ac)

Grassland/Herbacious 118308

Pasture/Hay 54323

Shrub/Scrub 256965% Near Riparian Forest

5%

Barren Land2%

Cultivated Crops1%

Shrub/Scrub10%

Pasture/Hay21%

Grassland/Herbacious45%

Near Riparian Forest 13429

Deciduous Forest 13192

Developed Open Space 10892

Mixed Forest 8036

Evergreen Forest 5364

Barren Land 4938

Developed Low Intensity 4192

Cultivated Crops 3025

Open Water 1400

Developed Medium Intensity 404

Developed High Intensity 251

Land Use Land CoverLand Use Land Cover

•• Ecology: Ecology:

•• TPWD Data for aquatic and terrestrial biologyTPWD Data for aquatic and terrestrial biology

•• History: History:

Ecology and HistoryEcology and History

•• Land useLand use

•• Economic trends Economic trends

•• Changes in habitatChanges in habitat

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Galen Roberts



Galen Roberts



•• Partnership meetings are proposed for the last Partnership meetings are proposed for the last Monday evening of each month. Monday evening of each month.

•• An additional midAn additional mid‐‐month meeting may be held month meeting may be held during the planning process if necessary. during the planning process if necessary.

Meeting Dates and TimesMeeting Dates and Times

•• 6pm start time? 6pm start time?

Website: http://millcreek.tamu.eduWebsite: http://millcreek.tamu.edu

Clearinghouse for all Clearinghouse for all information related to the information related to the Partnership Partnership Meeting infoMeeting info Email list signupEmail list signupg pg p Event registrationEvent registration

Maps, data, publications Maps, data, publications and useful links will all be and useful links will all be available on the website available on the website http://millcreek.tamu.eduhttp://millcreek.tamu.edu

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Contact InfoContact Info

Galen Roberts

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: College Station

[email protected]

979‐862‐8070979‐862‐8070

Ward Ling

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: College Station

[email protected]

979‐845‐6980

Mill Creek Partnership Mill Creek Partnership MeetingMeeting

SAVE THE DATESAVE THE DATE

ggFebruary 23, 2015: 6pmFebruary 23, 2015: 6pm

Here at the Here at the BleiblervilleBleiblerville VFDVFD

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what stakeholder?millcreek.tamu.edu/files/2015/02/jan26_print.pdf · ward ling texas a&m...

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