The NRCS Stream Restoration Design Guide

Abstract

For almost 70 years the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has beenassisting private landowners by helping conserve, maintain, and improve natural resources and environment.Science-based technical assistance is delivered to local partners on a voluntary basis for a variety of projecttypes. The NRCS is increasingly involved in stream restoration projects that cover the full range of treatmentsfrom natural to structural. The goals and objectives of these stream projects typically encompass restoring orrehabilitating a stream to address bed and bank stability and/or habitat enhancement. The NRCS took aleadership role in the development of the Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices(FISRWG, 1998), and early on, the need for a comprehensive design guide was recognized. The developmentof this design guide is presently underway, and the current paper describes the scope and content of this multi-faceted effort. This material will be of interest to the numerous disciplines interested in stream restorationdesign. The authors are also soliciting additional input that will aid in development of a comprehensive designguide.