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Summer 1999 AT'E A LK Page 9 by Kent Lokk~smoe wring 1998, DNR Waters developed a new strategic plan to guide water resources decision-making as we enter the 21st century. In October, 1998, the strategic planning effort was completed and DNR Waters published a document DNR WATERS STRATEGIC PLAN - A Guide for Addressing Water Resource Management Issues into the 21st Century, This was the first significant strategic planning effort for Waters since the 1993 Strategic Plan was completed and it updates the 1993 plan. It also explores new areas that were not addressed in 1993. The 1998 Strategic Plan incorporated several. features that were not used in the 1993 planning effort. Tim Bremicker from the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife was given a mobility assignment to Waters to take a fresh look at the way we manage our water resources. An effort was made to gather input from other disciplines in the DNR and from other govern- ment units, and individual organizations and interest groups in a series of public meetings in Bemidji, St. Cloud, New Ulm and 'Iwo Harbors. A steering Com- mittee of Waters staff from around the state met throughout the planning process to keep the effort on track. The intemet, as well as direct mail, was used to provide draft copies of the plan to people that partici- pated in the process so they could comment on the preliminary results. One result of this process is that DNR Waters made some changes to its mission and goal statements. The DNR Waters Mission now reads: "Helping people ensure the future of our water resources." The goal of DNR Waters has been changed to: "DNR Waters will promote water resource conservation and sustainability by working with others to develop a common under- standing of water resources and improve its programs and decision-making." During the planning effort eight issue areas were identified and for each of these issue areas a goal was developed. The individual goals are as follows: (1) DNR Waters will work with others to improve the information that measures social, environmental, and economic values of water resources and will make better use of this information in water resources decisions. (2) DNR Waters will provide greater regulatory effectiveness by aligning the objectives fe_ its permits with the goal of sustainability while also providing more flexibility to tailor regulations for geographic differences. (3) DNR Waters will improve access to information and provide appropriate interpretations to use the information and other types of technical assistance about water resources. (4) DNR Waters will provide quality environmental educational opportunities to a broad spectrum of the public and train resource managers to increase the awareness and understanding of water resource issues. (5) DNR Waters will improve services to the public by promoting and implementing efforts to clarify and better integrate responsibilities among resource agen- cies and local governments. (6) DNR Waters' decisions will be timely, communi- cated to stakeholders, made by and with the right people, and at the appropriate level, consistent with our mandates. (7) DNR Waters will communicate effectively with the people we serve. (8) DNR Waters will cooperate and join stakehold- ers' efforts to improve and protect water resources. For each goal a number of approaches were identi- fied to help reach the goal. An implementation team has been established to sort through the myraid of possible approaches. In addition, program areas are being reviewed by DNR Waters staff to identify overlaps, duplication of effort, and opportunities to share resources and opportunities to change program priorities to further DNR Waters' goals. There will be additional reporting on the progress of these implemen- tation efforts in future issues of Water Talk.