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Frequently Asked Questions about CRMP This page contains frequently asked questions about the Coordinated Resource Management and Planning process and group formation in general. If you have other questions that aren't answered here please contact the Program Director at staff@carcd.org.
3. What is the difference between CRMPs, Councils, Watershed groups, etc.? 4. What is the relationship between the RCD's and UC Cooperative Extension and CRMPs? 5. How many stakeholders make up a CRMP group? 6. How many 'CRMP' efforts are there in California? 7. Do groups operate only on a volunteer basis? How do groups obtain funding? 8. Where can one find help with the start-up process? 9. Who is available to help? (What agencies and programs?) 10. What can be expected from agency participation?
Coordinated Resource Management & Planning (CRMP) is a model voluntary, locally led planning process that has proven to be successful in the management of our natural resources and is rapidly gaining acceptance nationwide as an essential tool in managing public and private land. CRMP is a People Process that allows local people to actively participate in the development and implementation of proactive natural resource management decisions. CRMP brings all the affected interests, both private and public, together to establish Common Goals and to resolve issues as a team. CRMP is a process open to everyone who has an interest in resource issues and strives to balance environmental concerns while incorporating consideration of human and cultural needs. The CRMP process has been recognized by federal land management agencies and conservation districts as a legitimate process from which local, state, and tribal governments can be involved in public lands management planning and decision making.
"Is a group a CRMP if it includes many, but not all stakeholders? If it includes just a couple, primary stakeholders? What about groups with just two or three interests represented? Do cooperators have to follow every step in the CRMP Handbook to be considered a CRMP? Do we have to call our selves a 'CRMP' group? Is there a registry? Do we need to be officially recognized?" We receive many questions about what defines a CRMP group. The basic answer is that there is no set of rules that define a CRMP project or group. Coordinated Resource Management and Planning is a model process, not a prescription, which can be used and adapted by a wide range of groups to best address their particular resource interests. A group may meet to discuss broad resource issues, such as the health of a watershed, or a more narrow single resource issue. The result is that each CRMP is unique. That said, there are basic principles that the CRMP process encourages: open membership, diversity of interests and consensus decision making. Each group organizes differently, looks differently and has different issues. What's in a Name? Some choose to use the words CRMP in their title to refer to the fact that they are practicing coordinated management. However calling your group a 'CRMP' (such as the Whatamacalit Creek CRMP) isn't necessary. In some cases the Council discourages it, as the use of acronyms can sometimes turn people off. Consider that it isn't important what you call your efforts, but important what you do and how you do it. Official or unofficial? The statewide Council does not have a system for recognizing groups as official or unofficial CRMP efforts. 10 years ago, there was a registry, but this no longer exists. The Council does maintain a list of groups, as do other organizations, but it is used solely for networking and informational purposes. From the Council's perspective participant and local community perception of the effort is what makes the difference. That said, we recognize that some still think along the official or unofficial lines. Should this issue arise for your group please contact the CRMP Program Director to look at options.
3. What is the difference between CRMPs, Councils, Watershed groups, etc.? From the perspective of the Council, the basic concept behind CRMPs, watershed councils, watershed groups, conservancies etc. is the same: they all promote and utilize a local voluntary collaborative approach to natural resource management. The differences can exist in how they make decisions (consensus, majority vote or a combination); their mission, purpose and vision; what they call themselves; the level of interest diversity; the participation of non-landowners (agencies, recreators, etc.). The CRMP process specifically encourages consensus decision making and inclusion of all stakeholders. More on this topic to come with links to useful articles and other sites related to this topic. Stay tuned . . . .
4. What is the relationship between the RCDs, UC Cooperative Extension and CRMP? As signatories to the CRMP Memorandum of Understanding, the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts and University of California Cooperative Extension are committed to supporting the Cooperative Resource Management and Planning process. Many CRMPs receive substantial technical assistance and financial services from their local Resource Conservation District and/or the local University of California Cooperative Extension. They can be excellent sources of information on other CRMP projects, local agency representatives, government programs and officials, grant programs, and more. RCD's and UC Extensions commonly assist CRMPs with the following important tasks:
For assistance in contacting your local RCD or University Extension office, contact the CRMP Program Director, or look for their sites on our links page.
5. How many stakeholders make up a CRMP group? Obviously, there are many degrees to which stakeholder involvement and cooperation can be carried. Any form of cooperation and increased communication between interested parties is likely to produce benefits for the management of the resource. The CRMP model strives to induce all willing stakeholders to participate in the scoping, planning, implementation, and monitoring phases of projects, in order to build solutions which best meet the needs of all resource users, and to avoid late-arising conflicts. But there is no definition for a minimum number of cooperators in order to call a project a CRMP.
6. How many 'CRMP' efforts are there in California? The total number of CRMP groups and projects is unknown. The counting of groups is dependent on several factors, and especially hinges on the definition of a Coordinated Resource Management and Planning group. There hundreds of cooperative projects with a natural resource conservation focus throughout the state. The CRMP Technical Advisory Committee maintains a list of efforts which includes all those projects and groups that have sent their contact information sheets to be included on the CRMP mailing list and receive information about upcoming events, workshops, and funding opportunities. For a look at most efforts or projects visit, the University of California Davis Information Center for the Environment's Natural Resource Project Inventory (NRPI) at http://www.ice.ucdavis.edu/nrpi/ and query by program type: CRMP. You will get a list of all the projects with contact information and descriptions of their location, goals, cooperators, and achievements. If you are a local group that would like to be added to the Cal CRMP mailing list, please contact us at staff@carcd.org.
7. Do groups operate only on a volunteer basis? How do groups obtain funding? The majority of time and effort that goes into starting and running CRMP efforts and implementing their projects is contributed by unpaid, dedicated volunteers. Much of the field work and restoration efforts involve at least some volunteer labor and in-kind contributions of materials and expertise. But large restoration and planning efforts, and even large public outreach efforts, cost money. Page 28 of the CRMP handbook (available on this web site) gives some brief suggestions as to how a CRMP organization can raise financial support. Most groups will eventually seek grant awards for support of their operations and project implementation. There are numerous sources of grant monies available for these kinds of projects, so many in fact, that it can be difficult and confusing to try to locate the appropriate funders and grant programs. The application process can be time consuming and tedious, and the competition tough. Luckily, there are sources of assistance available, and strategies that can help show your project in the best light.
8. Where can one find help with the start-up process? The CRMP handbook contains well-laid out step-by-step instructions for CRMP groups from getting organized to monitoring results. This is a great place for all new groups to start. But often questions will still remain as how exactly to accomplish a specific goal, step, or outreach activity. The best resource available to newly forming groups is the body of knowledge accumulated by those groups that have successfully gone through the same or similar processes. Connecting with a representative from another CRMP group in your area (or one with similar resource goals) may provide you with the answers you seek. The Ca CRMP Program Director, your local Resource Conservation District (RCD) or University of California Extension office can be another excellent resources to help you network. For information on contacts in your area, call the CRMP Program Director, go to the CRMP Inventory in NRPI, or contact your local RCD office or the California Association of RCDs
9. Who is available to help? (What agencies and programs?) There are many public and private programs and sources of information available to assist and guide resource management groups. A few of these are listed below with their contact information. You can obtain answers, references, and services from the CRMP Technical Advisory Committee through the CRMP Program Director, Dana Helfer. I will be available in the office to answer questions on the CRMP process, to help you find answers to resource management questions, and to refer you to local contacts and experts in resource management, organizing, and facilitation. Or you may wish to contact your area Resource Conservation District or UC Extension Office. CRMP signatory agencies, are also a good source of information on the CRMP process, other CRMPs in the area, and technical resource management issues. The professionals at the State and Federal resource management agencies have access to and knowledge of large amounts of publicly available information and resource data, and they are paid to help you. Many resource managers have extensive experience with local resource issues and related policy. Don't hesitate to call them, you may have to ask around, but in the end you will probably find a person or program specially situated to answer your questions or provide you with the data you seek. Other programs or non-profit organizations which may be helpful include:
10. What can be expected from agency participation? As referred to in the previous question, CRMP signatory agencies are a good source of information on the CRMP process, other CRMPs in the area, and technical issues in resource management. Each of the signatory agencies has committed time and resources to the development of the CRMP program and has a vested interest in supporting and participating in the cooperative resource management and planning process. The professionals at the State and Federal resource management agencies have access to and knowledge of large amounts of publicly available information and resource data. As participants in the CRMP process, local resource managers come to the table on equal terms with all other participants. They often bring with them extensive experience with local resource issues and related policy. This experience and knowledge of previous research and data collection help the CRMP process get moving and can help to avoid unnecessary delays or duplications in effort. As representatives of the member agencies, local resource managers have some ability to help the CRMP "negotiate" cost sharing and other types of agreements with agency decision makers. They can also carry back recommendations from local landowners to those involved in setting public land policies. Currently, there are 6 California State Agencies and 7 Federal Agencies officially involved in the CRMP process (which are signed on to the CRMP Memorandum of Understanding). Contacts at individual agencies can be made directly from the Members web page. For assistance locating individuals with experience in particular resource issues or geographic regions contact the CRMP Program Director.
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