Purpose/Mission To raise community awareness of important issues concerning the Lake Sunapee watershed and surrounding areas, to formulate clear guidelines for responsible, long-term stewardship of the water resources in those areas, and to promote cooperation among Sunapee watershed towns in using those guidelines for the implementation of programs effective in addressing the salient issues to the common benefit of the area communities.
The SAWC is a resource to address issues that require a regional response.
Role The SAWC has several primary roles:
Facilitator of integrated watershed management –It works to ensure decision-makers possess the necessary information to manage human effects on the lake Sunapee ecosystem, to preserve ecological integrity and to sustain economically and socially healthy human communities.
Enable the region’s governments be more effective stewards – By working together in a regional forum the states, municipalities, and federal agencies learn from each other, try new approaches and as a result are better stewards of their resources.
Sustain strong partnerships – The SAWC works to be an effective partner and build the capacity of local and regional organizations that are addressing issues of regional concern.
Adopt and maintain a watershed management plan.
Make amendment to or approve the SAWC process, vision and/or mission, Terms of Reference or any activity or objective of the Coalition.
Membership At least one individual will be appointed to represent each local government (alternatives may also be appointed) within the Lake Sunapee watershed. Representative from the following agencies may also be appointed to the Coalition: Department of Environmental Services, Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission, Lake Sunapee Protective Association, Colby Sawyer College, Ausbon-Sarget Land Trust, and other protective associations or organizations with an interest in environmental quality issues in the Lake Sunapee area.
Committees The SAWC will be guided by a Steering Committee. The SAWC may establish additional subcommittees as it deems necessary to fulfill its mission.
Meetings The SAWC will have monthly meetings, and at least once every year, the Coalition will also have an annual meeting to:
Appoint individuals to the Coalition and elect co-chairs;
Review accomplishments of the previous year;
Establish priority work tasks for the following year;
Consider improvements to the SAWC process; and
Establish the annual budget.
Co-Chair Responsibilities
Set the agenda for meetings in consultation with Steering Committee;
Chair meetings;
Publish and distribute minutes of meetings;
Speak on behalf of the Coalition; and
Direct the expenditure of funds on behalf of the Coalition and the SAWC.
Decisions The SAWC will develop, as necessary, a unified consensus on policies and programs affecting its mission. The SAWC may decide to vote on specific issues but the results are non-binding on its member agencies that oppose or abstain from the decision.
