This assessment protocol provides a basic level of stream health evaluation. It can be successfully applied by conservationists with little biological or hydrological training. It is intended to be conducted with the landowner and incorporates talking points for the conservationist to use during the assessment. This protocol is the first level in a four-part hierarchy of assessment protocols. Tier 2 is the NRCS Water Quality Indicators Guide, Tier 3 is the NRCS Stream Ecological Assessment Field Handbook, and Tier 4 is the intensive bioassessment protocol used by your State water quality agency.