Early in the action-planning process (1996) the MRWC recognized that all of the important issues in the watershed could not be addressed simultaneously because of limited resources. So the MRWC went through an initial process that enabled the group to prioritize and begin implementing on-the-ground activities and assessments while this long-term plan was being constructed. During this initial action-planning phase the MRWC identified the need for a watershed assessment and a need to focus on four key issues. The issues included: the importance of outreach and education; fish passage throughout the watershed; water quality parameters listed as undesirable by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ); and land, air, and water use. MRWC established committees to begin implementing actions to address the issues, to support the council mission, and to address some of the preliminary assessment and evaluation findings. The MRWC continues to organize efforts through its committees along with the addition of a fifth process: restoration planning. Our current action plan is organized around these action categories.
The watershed Council has 5 standing committees who work on a project by project basis. These committees include:
- Education and Outreach: A standing committee promotes education within the watershed on the importance of and methods for improving watershed health through the objective and accurate dissemination of information.
- Fish passage: A standing committee has been formed to identify barriers and prioritize their removal in critical areas of the Marys River Watershed.
- Land, Air, and Water Use: A standing committee has the primary goal to respond to land, air and water use issues and concerns brought up by watershed residents.
- Water Quality and Quantity: A standing committee coordinated the completion of a water quality assessment and continues to develop and implement an action plan to improve water quality.
- Restoration and Maintenance Planning : The MRWC is developing a system to identify where restoration and maintenance opportunities in the watershed would have the greatest ecological returns. The council worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a maintenance and restoration opportunities screening map and evaluate the map in the field. The council continues to develop this committee and strategy.