MISSION AND GOALS The Watershed Association’s initial vision for its mission and goals has been largely unchanged since its development in 1997. The mission and goals have been evaluated on roughly an annual basis to ensure that the Watershed Association’s activities are consistent with these goals. The mission of the Watershed Association is to develop a sound scientific understanding of water quality, flow, aquatic life, and habitat conditions in the Big Dry Creek Watershed for the purposes of: (1) environmentally responsible decision-making with regard to land and stream uses and (2) identifying measures to improve and protect stream conditions. The goals of the Watershed Association include three broad categories: (1) public education and involvement, (2) monitoring and study, and (3) protecting, preserving and restoring water quality, aquatic life, and habitat. Specific objectives relating to these goals are identified below.
Public Education and Involvement
	Provide a forum for entities interested in Big Dry Creek to cooperatively and constructively discuss water quality, flow, and habitat-related issues.
	Develop a web page and other communication means that can be readily accessed by interested parties for information pertinent to Big Dry Creek.
	Develop a broad base of support for the Watershed Association including, but not limited to, wastewater dischargers, water suppliers, farmers, developers, planners, students, teachers, public agencies, business/industry, community groups, park and open space users, and other interested citizens.
	Promote responsible land development practices in the rapidly urbanizing watershed consistent with local, state, and federal regulations.
	Inform and educate watershed residents on stream-related environmental issues and measures they can take to improve and protect water quality, aquatic life, and habitat.
Monitoring and Study
	Reinforce the use of sound science in evaluating watershed conditions and decision making.
	Develop and maintain a user-friendly comprehensive water quality database on Big Dry Creek to be used for scientifically sound water quality related decisions and public education.
	Integrate future watershed studies with existing programs and the many historical studies conducted in the watershed.
	Maintain awareness and involvement in water quality monitoring and habitat preservation programs such as those currently in place at Rocky Flats and Standley Lake.
	Maintain and improve the Big Dry Creek water quality and biological monitoring program conducted by the Cities of Broomfield, Northglenn, and Westminster.
	Develop an understanding of stormwater impacts to Big Dry Creek that is consistent with federal stormwater regulations and requirements.
	Develop an understanding of groundwater quality and groundwater-surface water interactions along the main stem of Big Dry Creek.
Protect, Preserve and Restore Water Quality, Aquatic Life, and Habitat
	Protect and preserve water quality, aquatic life, and aquatic habitat.
	Prioritize watershed management goals and coordinate related watershed activities to maximize environmental benefits.
	Support existing and future efforts to preserve riparian habitat and open space in the watershed.
	Identify areas in need of and suitable for stream restoration and habitat protection and projects.
	Develop an understanding of impacts of agricultural activities east of Interstate 25 on water quality, and work with the NRCS through established communication channels to implement any needed measures/practices to improve water quality.
	Continue to monitor and understand the South Platte Segment 15 total maximum daily load (TMDL) process.