Components of a WBP

The US EPA considers the following when reviewing and approving Watershed Based Plans (WBPs)

Note: All WBPs must be approved by the WVDEP's NPS Program and USEPA Region III.

1. Identification of causes and sources of impairment
   

   • Sources of impairment are identified and described.

   • Specific sources of impairment are geographically identified (i.e., mapped).

   • Data sources are accurate and verifiable, assumptions can be reasonably justified.

2. Expected load reductions
   

   • Load reductions achieve goals (e.g. TMDL allocations).

   • Desired load reductions are quantified for each source of impairment.

   • Expected load reductions are estimated for each management measure described in (C) and the overall watershed.

   • Data sources and/or modeling processes are accurate and verifiable, assumptions can be reasonably justified.

3. Proposed management measures
   

   • Specific management measures are identified and rationalized.

   • Proposed management measures are strategic and feasible for the watershed.

   • Critical/priority implementation areas have been identified.

   • The extent of expected implementation is quantified (e.g., miles of streambank fenced etc.).

4. Technical and financial assistance needed
   

   • Cost estimates reflect all planning and implementation costs.

   • Cost estimates are provided for each management measure.

   • All potential Federal, State, Local and Private funding sources are identified.

   • Funding is strategically allocated; activities are funded with appropriate sources (e.g., NRCS funds for BMP cost share).

5. Information, education and public participation components
   

   • A stakeholder outreach strategy has been developed and documented.

   • All relevant stakeholders are identified, and procedures for involving them are defined.

   • Education/outreach materials and dissemination methods are identified.

6. Schedule
   

   • Implementation schedule includes specific dates and expected accomplishments.

   • Implementation schedule follows a logical sequence.

   • Implementation schedule covers a reasonable time frame.

7. Milestones
   

   • Measurable milestones with expected completion dates are identified to evaluate progress.

   • A phased approach with interim milestones is used to ensure continuous implementation.

8. Load reductions criteria
   

   • Proposed criteria effectively measure progress toward load reduction goals.

   • Criteria includes: (1) quantitative measures of implementation progress and pollution reduction; and (2) qualitative measures of overall program success (including public involvement and buy-in).

   • Interim water quality indicator milestones are clearly identified; note: the indicator parameters may be different from water quality standards.

   • An adaptive management approach is in place with threshold criteria identified to trigger modifications.

9. Monitoring component
   

   Note: A Quality Assurance Project Plan must be developed and approved at least 60-days prior to monitoring.
   

   • Monitoring plan includes an appropriate number of monitoring stations.

   • Monitoring plan has an adequate sampling frequency.

   • Monitoring plan will effectively measure criteria identified in (H).

Additional Resources

• Watershed Based Plan

  This PDF is a downloadable copy of the WBP component list

• Physiographic Provinces of West Virginia

  Learn more about West Virginia's physiographic regions

• EPA's Handbook on Developing Watershed Based Plans

  This handbook helps communities, watershed organizations, and environmental agencies develop and implement watershed plans to meet water quality standards and protect water resources, and should be particularly useful to organizations that work to restore impaired or threatened waters.​