An important function within both the Department of Planning and the Regional Planning Program is the implementation and participation in activities that influence the many environmental and water resources within the two county region.  Involvement in environmental and water resources planning may be undertaken through the initiation, development, review, coordination, and/or implementation of a wide variety of projects and programs.  Activities typically focus on providing assistance to local governments, county and state agencies, and the public regarding the proper management, protection, and conservation of the environment for the benefit of all people.

Specific types of Environmental and Water Resource Program assistance is often related to: watershed planning, floodplain management, wellhead protection, groundwater and surface water mapping and/or modeling, land use planning for non-point source protection, assistance with state and federal regulatory requirements, grant research, education and training, and GIS mapping. More specific types of assistance in each of these broad categories can be obtained through the links at left.