Capacity building means establishing resources needed to fulfill a mission or achieve a goal. EPA recognizes that watershed groups and local governments need a range of tools to effectively manage their local land and water resources. Watershed groups and local governments need technical tools for scientific support, engineering support, information technology, assistance with legal issues, project management, outreach, and planning support. They also need legal authority for activities such as permitting, enforcement, contracting, fund raising, and resource management. The most effective organizations are built upon a strong foundation of adequate resources, technical tools, and legal authority.

This web site is designed to assist groups in developing knowledge by providing a compendium of web-based and printed resources and tools.