Six streams have been listed by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) in Washakie County, as either impaired or threatened for fecal coliform.  Those streams include the Bighorn River, Nowood River, Sage Creek, Slick Creek, Fifteen Mile Creek and Nowater Creek.  Once WDEQ has listed a stream as impaired, action must be taken! 

The Washakie County Conservation District (WCCD) facilitated the formation of a local steering committee, Washakie Watersheds Steering Committee, to help us address our local water quality threats and impairments and help us develop a watershed plan.  The initial watershed planning meeting was held in May, 2004 and the plan; Big Horn River Watershed Management Plan, was finalized July 12, 2006.

WCCD's role is to help inform local landowners of the issues that may affect them and to provide technical assistance to enhance the natural resources on private land.  Effective watershed management planning involves local people developing their own watershed restoration goals and strategies.  The concern is that a TMDL will not be developed by or with local people.

A plan developed with the involvement of local landowners has a greater chance of acceptance and implementation than one developed by "outsiders". 

WCCD has received funding through Wyoming DEQ's 319 program, to help local landowners address animal feeding operations and failing or inadequate septic systems.  The purpose of this funding is to cost-share with local producers to install management practices that will assist in reducing water quality impacts associated with small non-permitted livestock operations, i.e. less than 1000 head, and septic systems.  In addition, the program is aimed at assisting producers avoid the threat of regulatory action.  The project sites were selected by the Steering Committee that was formed in conjunction with the May, 2004 watershed planning meeting.