The first and most frustrating answer to this question is: We don't know yet.

The pilot projects in South County and the Woonasquatucket are just that-- pilot projects still awaiting evaluation and the test of time. In fact, watershed programs nationwide are still being reorganized, tweaked, and overhauled as they gain experience and knowledge in their communities.

There has been progress. There is a Plan.

However, "success" depends on achieving the goals set out and agreed upon by members and participants. In this realm, there appears to be very little consensus. The watershed approach is hailed as a great meeting of stakeholders working together to coordinate, learn from each other, and accomplish common tasks, but in Rhode Island there is no agreement as to how this will get done, and how it will be evaluated.

The Watershed Approach has great potential to succeed in this state. The political climate is right, the number of stakeholders is relatively manageable, the geography is not overwhelming. Certainly there is no reason to believe that it cannot under any circumstances bring us to cleaner water, more livable communities, and a higher quality of life. However, the amount of resources needed for investment in the process-- financial, organizational, work-hours-- is substantial and will require a commitment of evaluation and sustained effort.