When water utilities are developing a risk management strategy, encourage them to communicate with stakeholder groups, such as employees, customers, suppliers, lenders, investors, regulators, communiites, and the public. [NOTE: Finding based on one case study.]
Audience: Government agency/University extension professionals 
Planners and outreach educators who work for government or a land grant university and who may lead water-related outreach initiatives with groups
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Dalgleish, F., & Cooper, B. J. (2005) Finding 1
Encourage water utilities to adopt a risk management strategy and to identify strategic risks, such as risks to a safe, acceptable, and reliable water supply. Risks for this category, for example, can include failure to meet requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act; inappropriate catchment management; and failure to plan for growth and changes in demand. [NOTE: Finding based on one case study.]
Asakawa, S., Yoshida, K., & Yabe, K. (2004) Finding 1
When involving the public in green space planning:
- Survey public perceptions of stream corridors, including: recreational use, nature and scenery, sanitary and safety maintenance, flooding, stream access, and lighting.
Johnson, A. W., Denworth, J. R., & Trotzer, D. R. (1996) Finding 1
Pennsylvania-specific recommendations for how municipal environmental advisory councils can be effective.
Asakawa, S., Yoshida, K., & Yabe, K. (2004) Finding 2
When involving the public in green space planning: use survey responses to group residents according to their interest in recreation, in planning participation, or no interest.
- Develop participation programs suited to each group’s unique characteristics.
Cronin, A., & Ostergren, D. M. (2007) Finding 1
For watershed management decison-making on tribal lands
- Encourage partnerships and collaboration between US or state government natural resource professionals and tribal land managers.
- Integrate scientific knowledge with Indigenous tradition results.
Dakins, M. E., Long, J. D., & Hart, M. (2005) Finding 1
When encouraging or facilitating the activities of a watershed group, consider group purpose and needs. Distinguish whether the group wants to focus on educational and social benefits, the ability to influence policy, or create on-the-ground improvements.
Dakins, M. E., Long, J. D., & Hart, M. (2005) Finding 2
How a watershed group is formed may influence its effectiveness.
- Citizen initiated groups give themselves a high rating on addressing difficult or controversial issues.
- Government initiated groups give themselves a high rating on receiving assistance during formation.
- Groups whose membership has been restricted in some way (e.g. property owners only, instead of all interested parties), give themselves a low rating on involving key decision-making groups, timeliness in addressing issues, and overall effectiveness.
Dakins, M. E., Long, J. D., & Hart, M. (2005) Finding 3
Emphasize effective leadership when encouraging or facilitating watershed group formation. Watershed groups rate leadership as more important to effective group formation than support factors such as staff assistance or financial support.
Miller, D. R. and M. F. Smith (1991) Finding 3
Design communication and professional development opportunities for outreach educators that will motivate them to implement a priority program because:
- The program fits their job description
