Who is involved in Stream Management Plans?

Engaging stakeholders is required throughout the entire stream management planning process. Stakeholders inform the scope and goals of a mutually beneficial and implementable plan.

Those interested in embarking on a stream management plan (SMP) should first identify and meet with organizations, individuals, and constituencies that have an interest in how the stream is managed. This will result in the development of watershed coalitions and plans that address the needs of a diverse set of local stakeholders. Stakeholders are defined in Section 7.1 of Colorado’s Water Plan as:

An SMP can be led by any local entity that is well-equipped to manage the project tasks and stakeholder process. SMPs have been led by municipalities, non-profit watershed groups, water conservancy districts, conservation districts, and basin roundtables.

It’s important to identify stakeholders’ interests, and consider the diverse perspectives that different stakeholder groups bring. Find out whether participation in a planning effort could be worthwhile for them, and what data they would consider important and credible to inform a planning effort. By identifying what each stakeholder wants or needs, the purpose, scope, and goals of a plan will take shape. The planning process should be open to all interested and available parties in the watershed. To learn more about the approaches used to involve stakeholders, visit this section of the Resource Library.