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- East Region - Ag and Natural Resources
Work Group Names: Billy Higginbotham, Bob Whitney, Will Kiker, Donald Kelm, Eric Taylor, Gene Bobo, Barron Rector
Region: EAST ANR
Section 1. Relevance
Where did this issue surface?
Texas Community Futures Forum
County Committees
Commodity / Industry / Special Interest Groups
Specialist(s)
Other: County Extension Agents
What is the issue/problem?
Maintain water quality and conservation for Agriculture and Community use.
Problem size and scope? (How many people does it affect? How wide spread?)
Maintain water quantity for future population growth, promote watershed management in forest lands, rangelands, and suburban environments (urban) to maintain water quality and quantity.
Problem severity? (How serious is this issue?) High
Description: Impacts everyone and everyone, can positively impact water quality and conservation.
Target Audience? (Who does the problem impact and how many?)
All publics.
What are some general characteristics of the audience this program targets? How will you market this program to others?
Landowners from watershed management and of course general public on conservation and quality market; Define the problem and the needs clearly, using mass media and educational activities at the county multi-county and regional levels.
Section 2. Response
State the goal of the program.
To increase knowledge, awareness and use of best management practices promoting responsible water conservation and acceptable water quality.State the outcome objectives.
|
Client Change |
At the end of this program, will.... |
Knowledge |
increase knowledge on.... How is surface water regulated? How is groundwater regulated? What are the major and minor aquifers in Texas? What is a groundwater conservation district? Who are retail water suppliers in Texas? What is the method for planning for water needs in Texas? What region do I live in and who are the members of that planning group? What is a watershed? What is my watershed address? What activities contribute to the water quality in my watershed? Is the water quality in my watershed requiring immediate action? What is the primary use of the surface water in my watershed? Why do we want to plan using a watershed management approach? What is the Surface Water Quality Inventory and the 303(d) list of impaired water bodies? What are state standards for surface water quality? Who manages surface water in my watershed? What is storm water? Why is storm water important? What are sources of storm water? What sources are regulated? What are best management practices used to control storm water runoff? How do water suppliers and municipalities get help with infrastructure improvements? Who do they go to? What water conservation steps can be implemented in the home? What irrigation types are available for home lawns that are considered water conserving in nature? What landscape plants use the least water? What are drink water standards? How can gray water be used by homeowners and communities? How can rainfall capture and use of cisterns be used by homeowners and landowners? What bio security issues are a threat to public water sources? How do residents keep rural wells safe? How can a resident safely cap an old well? Where are the abandoned wells in my community/county? |
Skills |
develop skills.... Understand stream processes and relationship to land use. Identifying potential sources of pollution. Understand relationship of major/minor aquifer quality to sustainability of communities. Management of surface and ground water inventories related to needs. Management of watershed for water quality improvement in surface water sources. Water conservation measures for the home landscape. Identification of
plant varieties that are drought resistant. |
Attitude |
change their attitudes pertaining to... Surface water use. Ground water use. Contributors to water quality (good and bad) Infrastructure needed to supply community water needs Water Reuse Uncontrolled land changes will have environmental impacts Abandoned wells |
|
Behavior Change |
adopt.... Better fertilizer and pesticide management for both homeowners and agricultural producers. Improve efficiency of water use. Establish drought resistant plants in the landscape. Early impact school curriculum teaching water conservation and issue to youth. Storm water ordinances and water conservation management plans in municipalities and water suppliers that include educational programs and resources to prompt quicker adoption. |
New Technology |
adopt.... Bio Security indicators/technology Irrigation systems that conserve water in the home landscape |
Best Practice |
adopt ..... Best management practices to control runoff end erosion. Groundwater Conservation Districts in areas where needed. Water conservation strategies for the home. |
Program Design
|
Topic (Subject Matter) |
Strategy to Deliver Content (Method) |
Existing Resource(s) |
Contact Person(s) (Includes CEA’s Specialists, Commodity Reps) |
Public Education About Policy
|
Networking Information delivery Seminar/Workshop Print Media |
TCE---TRWA---AWWA TFB---TWDB---TAPWO TDA---TCEQ---TWRI TPW---Private Industry - water specialists - watershed publications in TCE bookstore -texaswater.tamu.edu -Stream Trailer Demonstration and Curriculum -Surface Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) List of Impaired WAter bodies -Current REgional Watershed Projects |
Ken Pederson - TRWA Billy Howe - TFB Steve Musick - TCEQ Bill Harris/Allen Jones - TWRI Ron Kaiser, RPTS Dept. Russell Perysn, BAEN Dept Bruce Lesikar, BAEN Dept Val Silvy, TWRI Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Water Development Board Texas Parks and Wildlife Groundwater Conservation Districts River Authorities |
Planning for Future Growth through Conservation
|
TCFF Networking Strategic Planning Training |
- water specialist - other state agencies dealing with water |
Regional Planning groups Bruce Lesikar - TCE Guy Fipps - TCE TWDB |
Watershed Management |
Networking Information delivery - publications Assessment Public Meetings Print Media Online Training and websites Professional Conferences Demonstrations Projects |
- water specialist -other state agencies - water specialists - watershed publications in TCE bookstore - texaswater.tamu.edu - Stream Trailer Demonstration and Curriculum -Surface Water Quality Inventory and 303(d) List Report - Draft 2004 303(d) List of Impaired Waterbodies - Current Regional Watershed Projects
|
Russell Persyn - TCE Clint Wolfe - TCE - TWRI Molly Griffin, BAEN Dept. Environmental Protection Agency Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Water Development Board Texas Parks and Wildlife Groundwater Conservation Districts River Authorities |
Water use by Urban/Suburban runoff system
|
Networking Information delivery Strategic Planning |
- water & other TCE specialist - City/County government - Retail water suppliers - stormwater.tamu.edu |
Regional Planning groups Russell Persyn, BAEN Dept Molly Griffin, BAEN Dept. Environmental Protection Agency Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Texas Water Development Board Texas Parks and Wildlife Groundwater Conservation Districts River Authorities |
Section 3. Results
EXAMPLE #1 Water Type Questions Post Only
Quality and Quantity of Water from Rangeland Watersheds
Thanks for participating in the “Quality and Quantity of Water from Rangeland Watersheds” Program. In order for us to put together the most effective educational program for you, please take a few minutes to answer the questions below.
Please rate your level of understanding about with the following statements. Simply place an ‘x” in the box that best matches your thoughts.
LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING
Very Poor / Poor / Average / Good / Excellent
1 ---------2---------- 3 ----------4 -----------5
STATEMENTS |
Level of Understanding |
||||
Loss of plant cover, resulting in bare ground leads decreases water infiltration. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Loss of plant cover, resulting in bare ground leads increases runoff. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Loss of plant cover, resulting in bare ground leads to higher soil erosion. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover to intercepts and reduces raindrop impact. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover to intercept and reduce improves infiltration. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover shade and stabilize soil temperatures. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover increases soil organism activity. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover lessens wind effects and reduces runoff. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
The loss of topsoil can result in drought like conditions which reduce the soil water holding capacity. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
The loss of topsoil can result in lower fertility and organic matter. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
The loss of topsoil can result in the production of sedimentation flowing into my streams, ponds or other water bodies. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Soil characteristics that influence water infiltration into the soil include: antecedent moisture, bulk density, depth, slope, organic matter, soil texture, aggregate stability and soil parent material. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
The water cycle process. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
The three major components of the rangeland water cycle that man can affect are soil, vegetation, and soil surface. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
EXAMPLE #2 Water Type Questions (Post then Pre)
For each of the topics listed below, in the LEFT column, circle the ONE number that best reflects your LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING before the Quality and Quantity of Water from Rangeland Watersheds. Then, in the RIGHT column, circle the ONE number that best reflects your LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING after the Quality and Quantity of Water from Rangeland Watersheds.
LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING
Very Poor /Poor/ Average /Good /Excellent
1 2 --------3 ----------4 -----------5
| Topics | Before
the Program |
After
the Program |
| Loss of plant cover, resulting in bare ground leads decreases water infiltration. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| Loss of plant cover, resulting in bare ground leads increases runoff. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| Loss of plant cover, resulting in bare ground leads to higher soil erosion. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover to intercepts and reduces raindrop impact. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover shade and stabilize soil temperatures. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover increases soil organism activity. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| Maintaining adequate vegetation and litter cover lessens wind effects and reduces runoff. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| The loss of topsoil can result in drought like conditions which reduce the soil water holding capacity. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| The loss of topsoil can result in lower fertility and organic matter. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| The loss of topsoil can result in the production of sedimentation flowing into my streams, ponds or other water bodies. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| Soil characteristics that influence water infiltration into the soil include: antecedent moisture, bulk density, depth, slope, organic matter, soil texture, aggregate stability and soil parent material. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
| The three major components of the rangeland water cycle that man can affect are soil, vegetation, and soil surface. | ---1-2-3-4-5-- | --1-2-3-4-5-- |
EXAMPLE #3 Open ended
What is the most significant thing you learned during the Quality and Quantity of Water from
Rangeland Watersheds (feel free to list more than one)?
Do you feel like what you learned today provides you the ability to analyze your land situation and make better land management decisions? (Circle the best answer)
YES NO
Please provide any additional information in the space below.
       |
Texas
Cooperative Extension - http://texasextension.tamu.edu
For comments and questions about this site please contact s-cummings@
tamu.edu
Dr.
Chester P. Fehlis, Associate Vice Chancellor and Director
Room 112, Jack K. Williams Administration Building
College Station, Texas 77843-7101
Voice: 979.845.7800 | Fax: 979.845.9542
E-Mail: TCE@tamu.edu