Date of this Version Proper riparian management can provide
numerous environmental, social, and economic benefits. At the
USDA National Agroforestry Center, we are tailoring the land-use
planning process to facilitate riparian management in the
Western Corn Belt ecoregion for multiple benefits. This planning
framework integrates regional, landscape and site scale planning
approaches into a unified framework. In this framework, regional
and landscape-scale public issues are addressed along with site-
scale landowner objectives to facilitate balanced management
plans providing broad mutual benefits. Our question-driven
framework provides general guidance for inventory and analysis,
preparation of planning objectives, and development and
evaluation of management options. To support the planning
framework, planning tools and data are being developed to assist
stakeholders in creating riparian management plans.