Conduct an inventory to determine the total number of stream miles and conditions of critical reaches in the watershed. Prepare a plan alternatives, priorities, cost efficiency and project effectiveness. Present the plan to the public for review and adopt. Implement the plan get financial and technical assistance from a variety of sources. Review the plan and progress annually.
Stream restoration is part of watershed planning.
Before beginning a restoration project, be sure to identify the cause of the problem and address that first. Watershed planning begins when citizens of a river basin evaluate the condition of their land and water resources. Then they develop a plan to restore or keep the resources in top-notch condition while meeting most social, economic and ecological needs in the basin. Request the Guide to Stream Permitting in Montana from the Conservation District. It lists the laws that must be complied with before initiating any activity in or near a stream, lake or wetland.