Question 1

What is WRAPS?

Accepted Answer

Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) is a planning and management framework that engages stakeholders within a particular watershed in a process to:

Identify watershed restoration and protection needs and opportunitiesEstablish management goals for the watershed communityCreate a cost-effective action plan to achieve goalsImplement the action plan

WRAPS represents a shift from "top-down" government intervention in watershed issues, to a more citizen-stakeholder approach, in which funds, guidance and technical assistance are provided for stakeholders to reach consensus on issues of relevance in their watershed, and then design and execute a plan to address those issues.

Question 2

Where did WRAPS come from?

Accepted Answer

The term "WRAPS" was coined by KDHE in response to the 1998 Clean Water Action Plan issued by the Clinton Administration. The Clean Water Action Plan directed the state environmental agency and the State Conservationist of each state to complete a "unified watershed assessment". Once the assessment was completed, states were then directed to develop "watershed restoration action strategies" (WRAS). Kansas' has long contended that restoration of damages is only part of the need and that action to protect water is also necessary, hence the term WRAPS. As used by KDHE, WRAPS referred to the development of action plans to address nonpoint source pollution sources on a watershed basis. WRAPS projects were initiated by watershed stakeholders and received financial support from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to address Total Maximum Daily Loads and related water quality concerns.

In 2003, a review of the Basin Sections of the Kansas Water Plan showed that watershed restoration and protection was a priority issue in most of the river basins of Kansas, and an interagency work group was appointed to develop a Water Issue Strategic Plan. The work group found that Kansas and the federal government have many different programs and activities that address related water resource management issues. The work group determined that much more could be accomplished through a collaborative watershed planning process that addressed not only water quality/pollution issues but the entire spectrum of watershed water resources needs.

The WRAPS initiative is the result of a long history of Kansas' water resource management programs and activities. Watershed planning and management is not a new concept in Kansas. Since the 1950's, watershed districts have been developing and implementing watershed general plans to address flooding and erosion concerns with federal and state assistance. The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources has been initiating the development of subbasin (i.e. watershed) management plans since the early 1990's to address ground and surface water quantity issues in selected areas of western Kansas. The current WRAPS initiative is intended to address priority issues identified in the basin sections of the Kansas Water Plan through the development and implementation of WRAPS in priority watersheds.

Question 3

How can I get involved?

Accepted Answer

There are many ways to contribute your voice and skills to help protect and restore your watershed. Visit the WRAPS Project directory to determine if there is a WRAPS in your area. Then contact the sponsoring organization to ask how you can participate in the WRAPS process.

Question 4

Is there a WRAPS project already started in my area?

Accepted Answer

Please visit the WRAPS Project directory for the most current listing of WRAPS Projects.

Question 5

What will a WRAPS document contain?

Accepted Answer

Although individual WRAPS documents will vary somewhat in format and content, the general components of a WRAPS document should include:

Watershed assessment information describing the natural resource conditions and associated challenges/opportunitiesSummary of stakeholder involvement (stakeholder recruitment, leadership team, public involvement, etc.)Watershed goals for the areaActions recommended to achieve goals (includes implementation, monitoring and evaluation)Identification of technical and financial resources needed to implement the recommended actionsSupportive documentation (statements of adoption, agency approvals and memorandums of understanding)

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