Ecosystem Management Initiative


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Overview Case Studies & Lessons Education & Training Research Publications Search Site Map Home	Henry's Fork Watershed Council Location: Eastern Idaho and western Wyoming, on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River What is fostering progress? Part of what has made the Henry's Fork Watershed Council a success is the Watershed Integrity Review and Evaluation (WIRE) process for evaluating projects under consideration for the Council’s endorsement and/or financial support. Project proponents are required to fill out a questionnaire and complete an explanatory cover memo prior to having his or her project considered by the Council. Both of the documents are mailed to the Council's mailing list prior to each meeting so participants can prepare fully to ask questions of the project proponent at the meeting. The basic WIRE criteria is as follows (there are also additional specific sub-questions): 1. Watershed Perspective: Does the project employ or reflect a total watershed perspective? 2. Credibility: Is the project based upon credible research or scientific data? 3. Problem and Solution: Does the project clearly identify the resource problems and propose workable solutions that consider the relevant resources? 4. Water Supply: Does the project demonstrate an understanding of water supply? 5. Project Management: Does project management employ accepted or innovative practices, set realistic time frames for their implementation and employ an effective monitoring plan? 6. Sustainability: Does the project emphasize sustainable ecosystems? 7. Social and Cultural: Does the project sufficiently address the watershed’s social and cultural concerns? 8. Economy: Does the project promote economic diversity within the watershed and help sustain a healthy economic base? 9. Cooperation and Coordination: Does the project maximize cooperation among all parties and demonstrate sufficient coordination among appropriate groups or agencies? 10. Legality: Is the project lawful and respectful of agencies’ legal responsibilities? The WIRE criteria were developed in an early Council meeting by the participants. They have been reviewed several times since they were initially established in 1994 but only minor changes have been made, a testament to the highly inclusive and collaborative process that was used to develop the criteria in the first place. This site was developed by the Ecosystem Management Initiative through a partnership with the US Forest Service and the US Department of Interior. Read more.