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The Southern Region Water Resource Project will expand and strengthen an existing collaborative process through which new and existing technologies and management systems can be developed, shared and implemented throughout the region and nation. Most importantly, it will provide a means for channeling and leveraging technical and financial resources to more effectively address critical water quality and interrelated water quantity issues.<P> Primary objectives of this project are, Objective 1: Support ongoing efforts of the regional coordinating committee to conduct program planning and communication, define and prioritize research and educational needs, identify expertise of contributing institutions, and facilitate resource sharing and technology transfer among institutions and with other federal and state agencies, organizations and stakeholders. <P>Objective 2: Develop and deliver high impact multi-state and regional programs that apply the best available science in water resource management through facilitation of seven Regional Program Teams established to integrate research, education, and extension, share information and resources, minimize duplication of effort, strengthen and initiate new partnerships, and leverage multiple funding sources to address critical water resource issues.<P> Objective 3: Maintain and expand the watershed-based central database management system to serve as the repository for regional water quality information and resources, provide direct linkages to other regional and national database systems, and conduct coordinated needs and impact assessments regarding regional issues and programs. <P>Objective 4: Support the CSREES National Integrated Water Program by linking with and supporting other CSREES programs and initiatives, providing leadership for the organization and management of the CSREES National Water Program Conference, coordinating the development of resources for national program marketing, and by actively participating on the Committee for Shared Leadership for Water Quality.
Non-Technical Summary: Water quality and water quantity are interrelated, high-priority issues throughout the Southern Region. Although unique regional characteristics and local edaphic and climatological factors are important, basic common causes of water quality impairment and water resource depletion exist throughout the region and across the country. These common drivers and the related multi-state programming needs serve as the basis and impetus for this project. The primary goal of the project is to promote regional coordination to effectively and more efficiently allocate and target research, education and extension resources for identification, management, and resolution of water quality and quantity problems. The Southern Region Water Resource Project (SRWRP) expands and strengthens an existing collaborative process through which new and existing technologies and management systems can be developed, shared and implemented throughout the region and nation. Most importantly, it provides a means for channeling and leveraging technical and financial resources to more effectively address critical water quality and interrelated water quantity issues. <P> Approach: Methods for Objective 1: The Southern Region Water Quality Planning Committee composed of designated Water Quality Coordinators from 1862 and 1890 land grant institutions serves as the Regional Coordinating Committee and provides centralized coordination and networking both internally and with other regional water resources management programs. The Committee also promotes technology development and exchange, and foster collaborative, multi-state and multi-disciplinary efforts to more effectively and efficiently address common issues and concerns. This Committee has both the authority and the capability to carry out this objective due to its longstanding activity as the Southern Region Water Quality Planning Committee and its endorsement by Deans, Directors, and Administrators. Methods for Objective 2: The central focus of the project is facilitation and support of Regional Program Teams to identify and prioritize issues, develop science-based resources, and conduct multi-state and regional activities to address critical needs. The leadership for each Program Team includes at least one Institution Coordinator to ensure continuity with overall program objectives, personnel from all other participating institutions, as well as personnel representing key external partners. Program Teams are charged with conducting regional level strategic planning with partner agencies and stakeholders to identify needs, accumulate research, education and outreach resources, and facilitate the implementation of coordinated multi-state and regional programs. Initial program teams include Nutrient Management, Animal Waste Management, Irrigation Water Management, Drinking Water and Rural Urban Interface Education, Water Policy and Economics, Watershed Assessment and Modeling, and Watershed Education and Restoration. Methods for Objective 3: Maintain and work to enhance the interactive, web-based information and reporting system at TAMU to manage information and resources identified and developed by states and Program Teams, including applicable research data and reports, publications, education and training resources, and websites. Methods for Objective 4: The Southern Region provides support to the CSREES National Integrated Water Program by assuming responsibility for key tasks that provide benefit and enhance overall national program success, and by continuing to participate actively on the Committee for Shared Leadership for Water Quality (CSL-WQ). Primary tasks will include leading planning and management of the annual CSREES National Integrated Water Program Conference, leading development of the annual impact report for the National Water Program, and participation on the CSL-WQ.