Challenges

A number of key watershed issues relating to heritage and recreational resources and their governance were identified by participants during the preparation of The Grand Strategy. Participants felt strongly that the following challenges should be addressed.

Challenges Relating to Heritage and Recreational Issues

• Further action is necessary to identify and eliminate sources of water quality degradation, particularly non-point sources.
• The importance of heritage and recreational resources must be better defined and communicated to be understood and fully appreciated by watershed residents and visitors.
• Some heritage resources and recreational opportunities must be better protected.
• Additional research is required to increase knowledge and understanding of the functions and interconnections within ecosystems and their relationship to heritage and recreation.
• A better system for managing and sharing resource information and user data is needed.

Challenges Relating to Governance Issues

• Common values and principles to guide the identification, evaluation, planning, management, and monitoring of heritage and recreational resources must be confirmed.
• The roles and responsibilities of agencies and groups related to heritage, recreation and tourism in the watershed must be identified and communicated more effectively to raise public knowledge of and accessibility to programs.
• Cooperation, collaboration and consensus building among stakeholders with an interest in heritage and recreation must be improved.
• Ongoing opportunities for the general public to participate in building and implementing The Grand Strategy are essential. Continuing efforts are needed to recognize Native Peoples' issues and encourage their participation in developing, updating and implementing The Grand Strategy.
• Conflict resolution mechanisms with respect to conservation, management and use of heritage resources and recreational and tourism opportunities must be effective, accessible and affordable.
• All stakeholders must be efficient and accountable in administering current programs and activities which address heritage and recreation.
• Programs need to be periodically reviewed and updated to improve protection and recognition of many important heritage and recreational resources.

[Last]-[Index]-[Home]-[Next]