The stimulus for the development of a Trail Creek Watershed Management Plan evolved from the efforts of the Trail Creek Improvement Program (TIP) Committee, a group formed in 1990 in response to local citizens’ requests that problems facing the stream of Trail Creek be addressed.  The TIP Committee was comprised of concerned businesspersons, local residents and governmental staff persons who volunteered their time to improve the water quality and use of Trail Creek.  The committee was dedicated to developing and implementing a whole ecosystem approach aimed at improving and restoring the water quality of the stream of Trail Creek.

The TIP sought grant funding for projects that would reduce the amount of nonpoint source pollution entering Trail Creek.  However, access to funds would not be granted until a watershed management plan was developed.  This led the TIP to extend invitations to local community members and organizations to seek community input for a watershed management plan.  In 1993, a total of 18 stakeholders participated in watershed planning as identified below.

In 2003, as efforts to update the 1993 watershed plan to current standards began, outreach to interested organizations led to the addition of 7 new stakeholders to the core group of stakeholders that has championed a watershed approach to improving Trail Creek’s water quality over the past 17 years.
Click here for a diagram depicting stakeholder membership