OM&R Questions for consideration
What could happen if adequate OM&R resources can not be found?
Can we continue to find ad-hoc solutions to OM&R problems, especially in light of number of systems in place and increasing age?
For each category OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE and REPLACEMENT:
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How can the need for difficult-to-find resources be lowered?
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How can the sponsor (watershed group) take on more responsibilities?
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How can difficult-to-find resources be increased?
SPONSORS*
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What resources can the sponsor reasonably be expected to provide?
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What resources are out-of-reach for the sponsor to provide?
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With adequate training, what kind of increase in sponsor’s resource generation could be expected?
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What additional support mechanisms would sponsors need to operate at the higher level?
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How should a sponsor’s commitment be defined?
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How should all partners’ commitments be defined?
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What happens to a treatment system when a sponsor can no longer honor its OM&R commitment?
* Sponsor refers to the entity taking responsibility for OM&R for the treatment system, most likely a watershed group.
FUNDING
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What existing traditional funding sources might fund OM&R activities?
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What existing non-traditional funding (or resource) sources may be drawn upon?
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If more funding became available, is there a way to manage it get the most out of it?
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Is the grant system the best delivery mechanism?
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Could the insurance model apply?
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How about in-kind donations?
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What form might a state legislative solution take?
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How about OM&R funding for active or semi-active systems?
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How can corporate sponsorships be utilized?
COSTS
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What can be done to minimize OM&R costs for future systems?
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Are the cost estimates made by the OM&R Workgroup still reasonable? Should these estimates be revisited now that several years have passed?
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How can new knowledge / methods / techniques be incorporated to lower costs?
SUPPORT
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Can O&M costs be lowered by providing centralized services?
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What kinds of centralized services would be useful and cost-effective?
NEXT STEPS
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What are the next steps in advancing a resolution to this problem?