Puckett, Kathryn J

From: Spinazola, Joseph M

Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 1:24 PM
To: Puckett, Kathryn J
Subject: RE: court science response
Attachments: 3d.UncertaintyRME.doc

 
 
From: Puckett, Kathryn J
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:45 AM
To: Spinazola, Joseph M
Subject: FW: court science response
 
 
 
From: Newsom, Michael A
Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 5:41 PM
To: Puckett, Kathryn J
Subject: court science response
 
 

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Attorney client work product
DRAFT July 21, 2009
3d. Addressing uncertainty through tributary habitat research, monitoring, and
evaluation

Associating the response of fish habitat and fish production to habitat improvement
actions has been difficult to accomplish in the past. The Action Agencies are piloting an
approach that links habitat action implementation with research, monitoring, and
evaluation (RME) to establish a framework for adaptive management whereby results
obtained through the planning and implementation of habitat actions and associated RME
can be used to determine which actions are most biologically effective for guiding the
direction of future habitat improvement work. This approach involves a preliminary
investigation that includes compiling existing data and collecting targeted multi-
disciplinary, baseline physical and biological information that fills any data gaps. The
resulting geomorphic, geologic, hydraulic, vegetation, land use, and biological data is
analyzed within a collaborative framework to guide the identification, prioritization, and
implementation of habitat actions within a logically defined geographic area in a
systematic, scientifically defendable manner. Prior to action implementation, biological
monitoring is initiated to establish food base conditions, fish abundance, and fish
mobility patterns in and around the treatment area. As habitat improvement actions
within a discrete geographic area are implemented, and monitoring data continues to be
collected and analyzed, results will indicate which groups of habitat improvement actions
contribute to improved habitat as reflected by increased food base and which contribute
to greater fish production as indicated by greater fish numbers.

Biological modeling also is associated with this approach. The purpose of the modeling is
to develop relationships among suites of habitat improvement actions and biological
responses that can eventually be used to predict which habitat improvement actions might
be most appropriate given an initial set of physical and biological conditions. The models
originally are configured with sketchy data. However, as actions are implemented and
data is collected, the reliability of the model is improved. In this way, models become
another tool that can be used in a collaborative setting to help guide habitat improvement
adaptive management decisions.

This approach is being piloted in the Methow and Entiat subbasins with extensive support
from the local salmon recovery board which represents a broad array of public and
private institutional interests.

Data collection for these pilots is coordinated with the existing Integrated Status and
Effectiveness Monitoring Program (ISEMP). Data for both of these programs are
collected according to Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Protocol standards and will
be used to contribute to a decision analysis model that will develop and test scenarios for
the effects of climate change and water demands on fish production in the Yakima River
basin. Also, these data are being collected for an upcoming study to address possible
hatchery fish residualism, and intra- and interspecific competition of hatchery fish with
non-hatchery fish. The study design will include release groups to take advantage of
extensive PIT-tag arrays and the fish sampling programs involved in the pilots.

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