WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

Watershed management consists of those coordinated human activities aimed at controlling, enhancing, protecting, or restoring watershed functions for the chemical, physical and biological integrity of water resources. Water resources integrity addresses both water quality and quantity issues.

A watershed is an area in which the natural hydrological boundaries drain to a common location. Watershed boundaries can be determined for surface and ground water and although linked they may not exhibit the same boundaries.

Watersheds are often referred to as natures boundaries, an area of land within which all living things are inextricably linked. They provide identifiable geographic areas and a logical basis for organizing policies and strategies to managing water resources. The alignment of state water resource programs by watershed, along with partnering between all levels of water management players have been identified as a strategic issue.

Effective regulatory and voluntary programs require cooperation with local officials and private citizens because they play a key role in the health of a watershed through decisions that affect the type and location of human activity within a watershed. Therefore, cooperation among all water management players is key to the success of watershed management. Achieving environmental objectives regarding Ohio's surface and ground water requires addressing the strategic need for watershed management.