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10 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission • Floating The Good Life PLANNING Establishing a water trail begins with recognizing the desire to connect with our Nebraska waterways. Whether it is for recreation, engagement with nature, public benefits, or economic opportunity, success comes from stakeholder engagement, public support, and thorough planning. Planning that encompasses the entire process from design, to implementation, and then maintaining after the site is operational provides a successful outcome. P A R T I C I P A N T S A N D P A R T N E R S H I P S The initial concept to establish a water trail originates from either a private party, interested citizens or a public entity, such as city administration or Natural Resource District. It is important to identify which potential participants and partnerships may be available to contribute. While lakes can readily have a single access point, rivers flow and there always are separate put-in and take-out locations. It is important to determine whether there are potential partnerships from upstream or downstream entities to benefit the project. Perhaps one of these entities would be interested in also building an access point; working together will make the process more successful than doing it alone. The main goal in collaborating as a cohesive stakeholder group is for everyone to be "paddling in the same direction." Other parties, beyond the assembled stakeholder group initiating the project, should be encouraged to participate early in the planning. Contact the regulatory agencies that require approvals and permits to understand what will need to be submitted and when during the design process. Refer to the Permitting portion of this guide for assistance in identifying those agencies. This includes your local city, county, Natural Resource District governance that has jurisdiction over the project location if they are not already one of the project stakeholders. Additionally, it is recommended to introduce the intended project to law enforcement and emergency responders who will serve and patrol the project location. Best management practices have shown that early engagement of these stakeholders is a necessity. These response departments will become an integral partner in the operation of the water trail access and receiving their feedback and concerns is essential to the success of the project. BOY SCOUTS CANOEING AT GALLAGHER CANYON STATE RECREATION AREA

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