The Strategies Handbook – A Guide to Reach the Sustainable Future

The Strategies Handbook is the result of intensive work by four Technical Advisory Committees, comprised of local experts, municipal officials, business and agency representatives, and interested citizens.

The strategy development process began with the consultant team. Combining the ideas heard from the Mid-Bald Eagle Watershed community plus local, state, and national trends, the consulting team created an initial set of strategies that addressed the 2020 Vision and area-wide objectives.

In the fall of 2001 the four technical advisory committees gathered to discuss and evaluate these concepts. Some of the original ideas were confirmed, several were eliminated, all were revised, and new strategies were added.

Implementing the Strategies

Observations on strategy implementation:

The need for flexibility. Strategies that will work in one locality may not be applicable in another; therefore, flexibility is encouraged in the selection and application of strategies. The diversity of the study area is its greatest asset and at times will be its greatest challenge. Community leaders will be challenged to address conflicting and complementary objectives in adjacent areas.

The need for organization. In most cases existing organizations will handle implementation, rather than new ones created for the special purposes. In some cases existing organizations may reevaluate their mission to take on new roles and responsibilities. This expansion of activity should be encouraged and supported.

The need for leadership. In all the proposed activity it would seem possible and desirable to give a strong leadership role to both the public and the private sector. Municipal leaders will need assistance from the county, non-governmental and business sectors, and the public. Implementation of the strategies will require broad community participation and support.

Using the Handbook

The Strategies Handbook provides a step by step description of techniques needed to reach the sustainable future. Each strategy follows a common format:

• Strategy description – a paragraph describing the focus of the strategy.
• Key components – a detailed listing of the activities and required actions.
• Regional application – a description of areas in the region where the strategy may be applied.
• Implementation – a word about how to proceed with the implementation process.
• Indicators – a listing of measures of achievement to track progress and success.
• Funding – a listing of potential funding sources.

Many of the strategies are interrelated and may be picked up and completed together. The table on the following page shows the correlation between strategies.

Use by Municipal Officials:

Step 1: Complete the Municipal Checklist – the diagnostic checklist is found in Chapter 3: A Time for Municipal Action

Step 2: Review the strategies that relate to the "no" responses on the checklist

Step 3: Prepare a Municipal Action Plan – Chapter 3 provides a template for action plan creation. Be sure to prioritize the actions.

Step 4: Develop a work program for immediate actions – the strategies provide information to get started.

Step 5: Organize and get started.

Step 1: Review the Regional Action Plan – see Chapter 4: A Time for Regional Action

Step 2: Determine the organization’s or individual’s role in specific actions.

Step 3: Review the strategies related to the specific actions.

Step 4: List and contact other organizations and individuals that need to be involved in action implementation.

Step 5: Develop a work program for immediate actions.

Step 6: Organize and get started.