Rapid Watershed Assessments (RWA) provide initial estimates of where conservation investments would best address the concerns of landowners, conservation districts, and other community organizations and stakeholders. These assessments help landowners and local leaders set priorities and determine the best actions to achieve their goals. Each assessment provides a description of the sub-basin’s natural resources, resource concerns, and conservation needs. Rapid Watershed Assessments typically contain the following information:
Quick and inexpensive plans for setting priorities and taking action
Providing a level of detail that is sufficient for identifying actions that can be taken with no further watershed-level studies or analyses
Actions to be taken may require further Federal or State permits, Endangered Species Act (ESA) or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis but these activities are part of standard requirements for use of best management practices (BMPs) and conservation systems
Identifying where further detailed analyses or watershed studies are needed
Plans address multiple objectives and concerns of landowners and communities Plans are based on established partnerships at the local and state levels
Plans enable landowners and communities to decide on the best mix of NRCS programs that will meet their goals
Plans include the full array of conservation program tools (i.e. cost-share practices, easements, technical assistance)
