The comprehensive plan and component elements are crafted by local jurisdictions in many different styles and at many different levels of detail. At a minimum, the state will ask the following questions in its review and evaluation of WREs.

For Stormwater Management, Does the WRE:

• ​Show or refer to the boundaries of the relevant areas used for planning including jurisdictional boundaries, designated growth areas, sewer and water service areas, watersheds, Priority Funding Areas and other relevant geographies?
• Recommend the adoption of the latest model ordinance for stormwater management that emphasizes the use of nonstructural best management practices (BMPs) and/or better site design techniques to the maximum extent practicable?
• Recommend the modification of local building codes and/or planning/zoning requirements as deemed necessary to minimize impediments to the use of nonstructural BMPs?

For Nonpoint Source Loading, Does the WRE:

• ​Include the nonpoint source loading analyses conducted in support of the WRE?
• Provide a preliminary assessment of potential changes in nonpoint source loads due to land use planning decisions?
• Make general findings for alternative land use options?
  
• Inform the land use element and other elements of the comprehensive plan?
• Describe the alternative future development options for which nonpoint source and point source loading estimates were performed?
• Note any alternatives that affect the number of development units and different usage of sewer versus septic systems?
• Make findings that address estimated changes in both point and nonpoint nutrient loads? The WRE should discuss trade-offs in competing objectives that are revealed by the analyses, e.g., preservation of cropland that may result in higher nutrient loads than alternative land use options that consume more cropland, which at the same time would limit the amount of impervious surface and habitat fragmentation.
• Provide reasonable justification with supporting documentation for any alternative analytical tools, parameters or assumptions that were used?
• Provide all existing procedures and/or recommendations for new procedures to ensure that future nonpoint source and point source loading analyses are instituted within local government planning and decision-making processes?​

Part II of this guidance document presents a model WRE that has been prepared to illustrate one approach to applying these guidelines.​