Water Resource Management in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem
and the Emergence of Watershed Partnerships: Grant Application to WaterSMART: Cooperative Watershed Management Program
Brooke Stallings 12 May 2014 Abstract Water conservation is critical to the wellbeing of humanity and the world in which we live. The problem to be addressed is the improper management of water resources, exacerbated by the effects of climate change and a rapidly increasing population. The Crown of the Continent Ecosystem (CCE) of northwest Montana faces this same major challenge, with much added responsibility because of its unique location; pollution in the waters of the CCE spreads contamination to the ecosystems of a number of surrounding states. Therefore, conserving the water resources of the CCE is critical at local, state, and continental levels. Landowners in this region need to be made aware of the water crisis and of their importance as stakeholders within their watershed. The objective is to establish a local, multi-agency watershed partnership. This proposal concerns the establishment of the watershed partnership and the development of a public education campaign that will use community outreach as well as mass media to provide community members with information about the issue. The resulting heightened awareness will, in turn, increase participation in the newly-established watershed partnership, whose purpose is to provide education about watershed health, foster dialogue about water policy, promote the sustainable use of water resources, and ultimately improve the quality of the Flathead River watershed.
Narrative Background The United States is facing an ever-expanding water crisis, and the problem is two-fold encompassing a decrease in both the quantity and the quality of a precious natural resource. The implications of continued mismanagement are severe economic and social stresses, as well as potentially overwhelming ecological threats. The rapidly increasing U.S. population alone is cause for urgent action; combined with climate change, it is guaranteed to exacerbate water resource problems in the future. The region of northwest Montana has much significance because citizens living downstream are affected by the management of water quality and quantity in this region. In particular, the rapid growth in many communities within Flathead County is resulting in the conversion of agricultural and forest lands to residential and commercial use, thereby negatively impacting the environment through overuse and degradation of these natural resources. The exploitation of common-pool resources provided by watersheds and their associated ecosystems is a problem that has a multitude of causes. First and foremost, climate change is altering the world, affecting water resource availability and resulting in an increasing demand for water while supplies are shrinking. Another important cause of the mismanagement of water is the fact that watersheds do not correspond to political boundaries, as watersheds cross country, state, county, and city boundaries defining an area by its natural features as opposed to political elements (Curtis, 2010, p. 2). Because of this disconnect between natural and manmade boundaries, watersheds are divided into many private and public land sectors. As a result, a single watershed may have many different land management practices occurring within it, some of which may be ecologically-minded and some of which may be harmful to the environment. The additive effects of continued individual actions and decisions can be very harmful to ecosystems. Watershed management planning must be conducted within a broader framework of land and resource management, thereby managing resources for the benefit of the American people while ensuring the productivity of the land and the protection of the environment (Curtis, 2010, p. 183).
Use of Funding Funding for this project will primarily be allocated to the establishment of the watershed partnership. This endeavor requires funds for forming a non-profit organization, hiring a watershed coordinator, and developing and implementing a mission statement and a restoration plan. Additional funding will be used to produce and disseminate public relations materials to the citizens of Flathead County to raise their awareness of the water crisis and the critical role they play in water conservation. In an effort to inspire members of the community to take ownership and become involved, information will be provided at town meetings, and flyers will be produced for distribution at local events. In addition to community outreach, mass media will play an essential role in the education campaign. Traditional forms of media such as television, print media, and internet will be utilized. Objectives and Activities This campaign of public education and watershed partnership establishment seeks to protect and improve the health of the Flathead River watershed, the dominant watershed in Flathead County, Montana. The Flathead River watershed is a major part of the Clark Fork watershed, which is just one segment of the even larger Columbia River watershed (Regional water resources). Given the history of agriculture and cattle-grazing in this region, the large amount of private land owned by agricultural producers, and the knowledge that extensive cattle grazing and agricultural production cause significant degradation to watersheds, farmers and ranchers are the primary population to target with information on water resource management and protection. This group, along with all other community members, will be encouraged to join and become active participants in the local watershed partnership, which will continually promote the sustainable use of water resources in the Flathead River watershed and advocate for the improvement of the condition of its rivers and streams. By better understanding present conditions within the watershed, the partnership can effectively guide future decisions and develop solutions to existing and potential threats to water quality and supplies, while enhancing overall watershed health. One task of this project is to collect and analyze existing local information, which will be used to develop a watershed assessment that evaluates current conditions. Using this knowledge, the partnership will work with stakeholders to identify restoration projects and activities that address key issues. Once formed, the partnership will need to raise community awareness and increase voluntary participation in conservation and restoration activities. The educational portion of this campaign will be conducted primarily through the use of a series of public service announcements (PSAs) delivered through broadcast television. The PSAs will be distributed to local television affiliates of the broadcasting companies ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC throughout northwest Montana. In addition, press releases will be sent to several local newspapers and a few magazines that would be likely to reach a large audience. Also, the watershed partnership will create an informational website that is tied to the PSAs and newspaper/magazine press releases and will be a good resource to provide more information about the campaign. The new webpage will also provide links to other sites that deliver information about watershed conservation. Another important function of the website will be to provide information on available financial incentive programs that promote sustainable practices. It will, for example, encourage landowners to take advantage of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) a component of the Farm Bill that provides technical and financial incentives to private landowners for implementing conservation practices on agricultural lands. This program offers reimbursement payments for a variety of conservation practices including but not limited to irrigation efficiency, grazing management, forest health and wildfire protection, etc. (EQIP Info). Outcomes and Benefits The formation of a watershed partnership has both environmental and economic benefits; a successful partnership can yield impressive results. For example, the Blackfoot Challenge Project, a community-based partnership of the Blackfoot River Valley of western Montana, has restored and enhanced habitat in more than 2,600 acres of wetlands, 2,300 acres of native grasslands, and restored 39 tributaries including 38 miles of instream and 62 miles of riparian restoration. Additionally, nearly 89,000 acres of private land have been protected with perpetual conservation easements (Blackfoot Challenge). Watershed partnerships have the ability to address problems that are beyond the scope of centralized regulation, such as habitat and nonpoint source pollution (Lubell et al., 2002, p. 149). In terms of economic interests, these collaborations allow for the adoption of flexible policy tools for addressing environmental impacts in a cost-effective manner while reducing the threat of ever more stringent regulatory policies (p. 149). Participating in a collaborative group and developing solutions to water resource issues will allow participants to avoid the even higher costs and economic uncertainties generated by conflict in regulatory agencies, the courts, and the federal/state legislative processes (p. 152). The watershed partnership approach allows groups to pursue solutions to an interrelated set of social, economic, and environmental problems by considering the watershed as a whole. The establishment of, and increased participation in, the watershed partnership will create a natural platform for continued dialogue concerning watershed health between land managers and the residents of the watershed. The fostering of this dialogue should lead to an increased cognizance among landowners of best land management practices thatare environmentally- conscious andthat will increase overall watershed health. The resulting participation and actions will begin to effect an improvement in water quality in the local watershed. By identifying the concerns of all stakeholders, educating those involved, and encouraging them to take appropriate action, these collaborations often produce mutually beneficial solutions to resource conflict issues that stem from multiple-use management. Through their involvement, citizens can help secure water supplies for present and future generations while benefiting both the economy and the environment.
References Blackfoot Challenge: Who are we. (n.d.). Blackfoot Challenge. Retrieved from http://blackfootchallenge.org/Articles/?p=3 Curtis, L. S. (2010). Flathead watershed sourcebook: A guide to an extraordinary place. Kalispell, MT: Lori S. Curtis. EQIP Info. (n.d.). Blackfoot Challenge. Retrieved from http://blackfootchallenge.org/Articles/?p=1940 Lubell, M., Schneider, M., Scholz, J., & Mete, M. (2002). Watershed partnerships and the emergence of collective action institutions. American Journal of Political Science, 46 (1), 148-163. Retrieved from http://environment.unr.edu/downloads/unae110/10- 25Reading.pdf Regional water resources. (n.d.). Flathead Conservation District. Retrieved from http://flatheadcd.org/watershedwatershed-agendas/the-flathead-watershed/
Budget
Component Cost Total Cost Filing for non-profit status $500 $500 Salary for watershed coordinator $40,000 per year for 2 years $80,000 Office expenses $500 per year for 2 years $1,000 Planning and implementation of organizational objectives $5,000 per year for 2 years $10,000 Watershed Partnership Establishment: $91,500 Production of PSA for television $2500 $2500 Script-writer for PSA $50 per hour for 10 hours $500 Spokesperson for PSA $40 per hour for 5 hours $200 Airtime for PSA Complimentary on local television stations n/a Cost to mail media kit of PSA to local television stations $15 per station for 6 stations $90 PSA for local television news stations: $3,290 Development of press releases $750 $750 Cost to email press releases n/a n/a Press releases for local newspapers and magazines: $750 Web designer $1500 $1,500 Purchasing domain name $100 $100 Annual renewal of domain name $50 per year for 1 year $50 Website maintenance $200 per year for 2 years $400 Development and management of website: $2,050 Cost to host booth at community events $10-20 per event $200 Creation of flyers (approx. 1,000) $150 $150 Community events: $350 Incidentals $560 Total: $98,500
BROOKE M. STALLINGS
EDUCATION
Professional Science Masters Degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Ecohydrological Science and Management, December 2015 (expected) University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
Bachelor of Science, Biology; Environmental Studies Concentration, May 2011 Furman University, Greenville, SC Major GPA: 3.59 ; Cumulative GPA: 3.47
Honors: Cum laude graduate, Deans List, Elizabeth Thackston Taylor Botany Medal
Pertinent Coursework: Field botany, Plant physiology, Watershed hydrology, Applied plant science, Tropical ecology (Costa Rica), African ecology (South Africa), Research & analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Economics of the environment, Physics, Statistics, Communication for Science Professionals
Additional Training: Seed Collection for Restoration and Conservation (SOS) - Denver, CO National Invasive Species Information Management System training (NISIMS) - Reno, NV Ecologically-based Invasive Plant Management training (EBIPM) - Reno, NV Plants of Wetland & Riparian Habitats of the Rocky Mountains, weeklong course - Fort Collins, CO Grass Identification course (Arnold Tiehm) - University of Nevada, Reno, NV Nevada Rare Plant Workshop - NV Native Plant Society & NV Natural Heritage Program, Las Vegas, NV National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) training, Modules 1&2 - DOI Learn
AFFILIATIONS The Nature Conservancy, member Montana Native Plant Society, member, Clark Fork and Flathead Chapters Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, member
SKILLS Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, GIS, Arc Map Trained in GPS mapping/orienteering, compass orienteering, use of topography maps Proficient in the use of vascular plant dichotomous keys for identification of flora of eastern and western US Experienced in field data collection using transects and other various measurement methods Performed forest inventory using diameter tape, Cruisers crutch, clinometer, range finder, increment borer Trained in classification of streams based on the Rosgen stream classification system Experienced in wildlife monitoring: camera trap surveys, hair snag stations Experienced in fish sampling by backpack electroshocking
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Resource Aide/Technician, Forestoration Inc., Whitefish, MT March 2013 Nov. 2013 Performed revegetation and restoration through bio-engineering and use of native plants to control stream bank erosion; construction of fascines, installation of coir logs along a river bank, and planting of willows and sedges at disturbed BNSF cleanup sites along the Whitefish River Assisted with both habitat enhancement projects and fire hazard reduction projects through forestry work Assisted with landscaping projects for private landowners and local city park; planting and transplanting Assisted in the construction of low-impact nature trails Performed noxious weed control work on private lands, using both manual and chemical treatment methods Performed horticultural tasks in companys native plant nursery; propagated willow cuttings for revegetation Staffed local farmers market booth, selling native plants and answering questions on botanical topics Sold native plants at Montana Native Plant Society event focusing on native plant landscaping
Intern, Conservation and Land Management Program, Bureau of Land Management, Carson City, NV Feb.- Oct. 2012 Prepared drafts of conservation plans for NV rare plant species Performed data entry and analysis for FWS candidate species (Eriogonum diatomaceum) Conducted rare plant surveys of Eriogonum diatomaceum, Ivesia webberi, Polyctenium williamsiae, Ivesia pityocharis Assisted with compliance checks for mining and NDOT bridge construction Conducted environmental rehabilitation of disturbed wetland sites to reduce erosion Assisted with fire severity mapping; monitored revegetation sites post-fire as required by ESR protocol (Emergency Stabilization & Rehabilitation); wrote reports to summarize results of studies Performed site evaluations, identified non-native weeds, and mapped infestations Instructed team members on plant identification and proper seed collection techniques Collected seed of native species for long-term storage and rehabilitation by Seeds of Success program Assisted with ongoing range monitoring of natural spring sites; collected data and evaluated photo plot conditions compared to previous documentation
Intern, Conservation and Land Management Program, Bureau of Land Management, Miles City, MT May- Oct. 2011 Coordinated with biologists to compile list of target species for collection, including species useful for reclamation purposes and for Seeds of Success program Gathered data with GPS, marking locations of species populations which were collected Conducted sensitive plant survey of Vishers buckwheat (Eriogonum visheri) Established Miles City Field Office herbarium; collected, mounted and labeled specimens Compiled in spreadsheet the data recorded during field reconnaissance; managed GIS data, including locations found and species present at sites
Intern, Northwest Connections, Swan Valley, MT June-Aug. 2010 Attended training and collected data for US Geological Survey Grizzly Bear DNA Project for research monitoring populations and movement Monitored streams in Cold Creek watershed using stream-shocking to collect data for US Forest Service Monitored invasive weeds within various experimental US Forest Service logging units Helped teach and supervise high school student participants in weeklong residential Wildlands Volunteer Corps program and middle school girls in GUTS! (Girls Using Their Strengths) program
Intern, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Clemson, SC Nov.- Dec. 2009 Worked at Heritage Preserve sites with invasive species, erosion control, bog restoration, bat hibernacula survey Prepared and applied herbicides with hand-held sprayers and tree injectors, and used mechanical treatments to control non-native plant species
Landscape and Livelihood Field Semester, Northwest Connections, Swan Valley, MT Aug.- Oct. 2009 Took courses accredited through the University of Montana in Watershed Dynamics, Forests and Communities, Biogeography of Northwestern Montana, and Field Skills for Conservation Work Participated in nine-day backpacking trip through the Bob Marshall Wilderness Conducted and presented independent research on invasive reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea)
COMMUNITY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE
National Public Lands Day, Carson City, NV Sept. 2012 Instructed volunteers on Seeds of Success program and led seed collection Sand Mountain BLM Recreation area, Fallon, NV May and Sept. 2012 Staffed educational booth for the public during Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends Truckee River Environmental Education (TREE), Reno, NV May 2012 Staffed ecology learning stations for youth education initiative, in conjunction with The Nature Conservancy Earth Day events, Reno and Fallon, NV April 2012 Staffed educational booth to encourage the responsible use of public lands Swan Valley Bear Fair, Condon, MT July 2010 Helped organize and present community education program
UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES
Furman in the Garden (FIG) Member, elected officer 2007-2011 Worked in on-campus greenhouse and garden at Southern Living Magazines LEED-certified Cliffs Cottage Helped organize and staff annual plant sale Presented educational program on plants for first-graders; helped with planting of garden at Sterling Elementary ECOS (Environmental Community of Students) Academic year 2007-2008 Prepared and distributed brochure on campus sustainability; coordinated on-campus recycling efforts; wrote proposal for grant money to bring native Tanzanian environmental speaker to campus
WaterSMART: Cooperative Watershed Management Program Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Link to FOA http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=232693