Lower San Juan Watershed Project Coordination

Project Builder

Use this project builder to sketch your idea, locate it in the watershed, and see which entities and approvals are likely involved. This section mirrors the structure of your current San Juan Project Builder while tying directly into the coordination playbook.

Project Registry

This registry lists current and proposed projects in the Lower San Juan watershed, with status, leads, and funding stage. It is intended as the single, shared view of projects for all partners.

Stakeholder Directory

This directory lists entities with roles in Lower San Juan projects, organized by category. It should be updated at least annually and validated by Chapters and Tribal leadership.

Note: Replace this summary with a downloadable, maintained contact list once the stakeholder inventory is complete.

Process Guidance

The six-step coordination process provides a shared roadmap for how projects move from concept to implementation across multiple governments.

1. Step 1 – Key Stakeholder Identification. Build and validate a complete list of entities and individuals relevant to projects in the watershed; organize by geography and function.
2. Step 2 – Pre-Workshop Assessment. Conduct confidential interviews, document formal and informal approval steps, map example projects, and identify tensions and bottlenecks.
3. Step 3 – Convene Key Stakeholder Workshop. Validate findings, co-design process maps, agree on priorities, and establish the governance structure.
4. Step 4 – Develop Workshop Report. Capture processes, stakeholder map, project inventory, governance structure, and priority project list in a clear, shareable report.
5. Step 5 – Approval of Workshop Report. Circulate for review, host a validation meeting, and secure formal endorsements where appropriate.
6. Step 6 – Implement, Track, and Update. Launch and maintain this portal, track projects, convene regularly, and update process maps and the playbook on a defined cycle.

Example pathway: multi‑jurisdiction irrigation project

For an irrigation project using San Juan River water across Tribal, state, and county land, a recommended engagement sequence is outlined below.

1. Chapter Houses where the project is located – confirm community support and initiate local process.
2. Navajo Nation programs – Water Resources, Agriculture, Natural Resources.[file:1]
3. Navajo Utah Commission – alignment with Utah‑based priorities and any R&D Committee involvement.
4. San Juan County – county land, permitting, and economic development.
5. Utah Division of Water Rights – water rights review for Utah jurisdiction components.
6. Bureau of Indian Affairs – trust land implications, NEPA, and funding opportunities.
7. Bureau of Reclamation – applicable water delivery/infrastructure programs.
8. NRCS – conservation program eligibility and technical assistance.
9. Nonprofit partners – technical support and gap‑filling funding.

Informal conversations and relationships with Chapter and Tribal leadership should begin before and continue alongside formal engagement steps.

Project Stories

For each completed or substantially advanced project, a one‑page story captures what the project does, who was involved, what coordination challenges were overcome, and lessons for future work.

Governance and Roles

A convening entity (backbone organization) and a small steering group provide ongoing oversight for this coordination framework and portal.

Convening entity (backbone)

The convening entity is responsible for calling and facilitating meetings, maintaining the stakeholder list, project registry, and process maps, tracking action items, and managing this portal.

Steering group (7–9 members)

The steering group meets quarterly (or as needed) to review progress, resolve process disputes, and approve updates to the playbook and this site.

Add a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) table here if you want to mirror the playbook’s roles by activity.

Updates, Risks, and Monitoring

This portal is a living tool. It should be updated regularly as processes, contacts, and projects change.

Update log

• Version 0.1 – Initial prototype. Portal structure created, aligned with the coordination playbook.[file:1]

Shared indicators of progress

• Number of projects advanced from concept to funded status per year.
• Average time from project concept to first key approval.
• Geographic and Tribal equity in project distribution.
• Participant satisfaction with the coordination process (annual survey).
• Number of project stories published.

Risks and mitigation (examples)

• Governance and sovereignty tensions. Make Tribal and Chapter leadership roles explicit; use co‑chairs; require Tribal validation before major process changes.
• Process fatigue. Focus on early visible wins (1–2 projects advanced) and keep meetings short and decision‑focused.
• Outdated information. Assign a process steward and set an annual update cycle; date‑stamp all documents.
• Representation gaps. Publish transparent participation criteria and use multiple engagement modes.