Wanted: Innovative States!
For what reason?
We are looking for states that can lead the country in developing and showcasing innovative ways to protect drinking water sources through improved coordination among state land use management and water protection programs.
Under a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, The Trust for Public Land and the Smart Growth Leadership Institute, in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and the River Network, will select several states as partners for a program focused on Enabling Source Water Protection: Aligning State Land Use and Water Protection Programs.
The program aims to help states work more effectively across program and agency boundaries in order to better support efforts to protect drinking water sources at the local and watershed levels. Working with state program managers, recognized national experts in land use, land conservation, and water quality protection will identify opportunities to align policies and requirements across relevant state programs (such as drinking water protection, ground and surface water protection, natural resource management, agriculture, growth management, and land conservation programs).
How will the program help participating states?
States selected as partners will benefit from:
- Consultations with experts on best practices from around the country
- Exposure to other state examples and strategies
- Recommendations based on state-specific program reviews
- Strategies for improving funding for water protection
- A support network (both within and outside government) for implementation
- A modest amount of financial support to initiate implementation activities
Why is this important?
Protecting drinking water sources through better land use management requires strong collaboration between all levels of government and all concerned stakeholders. For example, land use and development patterns and intensive agricultural practices can compromise water quality if appropriate protective measures are not in place. Lands that might be high priority for forest preservation or wetlands protection might also serve to protect sources of drinking water supplies. Working together would maximize the effectiveness of initiatives taken by land use planners, water utilities, watershed associations, government officials, conservationists, farmers and foresters.
State programs often influence decisions at a local or watershed level. Unfortunately, even the most efficient state administrations may suffer from a disconnect among state programs and policies. Some well-intentioned policies can work at cross-purposes and can hinder local initiatives to protect our water sources.
This program will encourage more effective collaboration among various stakeholders and better congruence between various state policies and programs to enhance source water protection.
