NOTE: The Consensus Module has been discontinued in WARMF version 7. This page is a reference for users of WARMF version 6.
A stakeholder, by definition, is anyone who has a stake in the utilization or protection of natural resources in a watershed. Common types of stakeholders include: governmental agencies that issue permits or regulations; regulated entities; public groups who may be concerned about the management of the watershed.
The governmental agencies that may issue permits or regulations include:
- Federal and state agencies that issue NPDES permits
- Federal and state fishery resource agencies
- Federal and state water resource agencies
- Federal, state, and local flood control agencies
- Regional land use planning agencies
The regulated community includes:
- Local agencies responsible for point source discharges
- Local agencies responsible for storm water discharges
- Industrial waste dischargers
- Public and private utilities which operate dams and reservoirs
- Farmers whose lands may discharge non-point source pollution
- Feed lots
- Land owners and developers
Other stakeholders concerned with watershed management include
- Conservation organizations
- Marina operators and others concerned with providing recreational facilities
- Homeowners’ associations adjacent to lakes and rivers
- Local fishing associations
There is no suggestion for a fixed composition of stakeholders. The procedure is to compile a list and get contacts, who may in turn suggest other stakeholders who should be included. Advertising locally may be useful in finding stakeholders.
To enter stakeholders into the dialog box, click on the empty line at the end of the list of stakeholders on the left side of the dialog box. Then type the name of the stakeholder in the box at the top of the list. Choose a stakeholder type from among the given selections (click on 
to see the currently available types) or add a new stakeholder type by clicking on the blank line at the bottom of the list and entering the new type in the box. Enter any number of contact people for the new stakeholder by typing each contact in the box in the upper right. For each contact person, enter an address, phone, fax, e-mail, and personal expertise. Push the Concerns button to enter the issues of concern to the stakeholder.