ISP's Intensively Monitored Watersheds Review Paper
A key recommendation of the "Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy and Action Plan for Watershed Health and Salmon Recovery" is to create one or more intensively monitored watersheds to determine the response of salmon to our habitat restoration efforts. In 2003, the Salmon Recovery Funding Board initiated an Intensively Monitored Watershed Program to address this recommendation. Earlier this year, the Governor's Salmon Recovery Office asked the Independent Science Panel to review the draft "Study Plan for the Intensively Monitored Watershed Program," and respond to a series of questions related to the plan's technical strengths, shortcomings, and opportunities for improvement. The Panel's review is now available.
The Independent Science Panel was created by the Legislature in 1998 to provide scientific review and oversight, and help ensure that sound science is used in Washington's salmon, steelhead, and trout recovery efforts (77.85.040 RCW). The ISP's findings are to be provided periodically to the Governor and the Legislature.
Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health
A Governor's Forum on Monitoring was created, consistent with the 2002 Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy and Action Plan for Watershed Health and Salmon Recovery, by Executive Order 04-03 . The Forum, which is now established in statute (RCW 77.85.250) as the Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery and Watershed Health, provides a multi-agency venue for coordinating technical and policy issues and actions related to monitoring salmon recovery and watershed health.
Washington Recovery Plan Outline endorsed by NOAA-Fisheries
NOAA-F Regional Administrator Robert Lohn endorsed Washington's Outline for Salmon Recovery Plans. This outline was developed under the leadership of the Department of Fish and Wildlife in close collaboration with GSRO, NOAA-F, USFWS, state agencies, and tribes. It is consistent with guidance previously given to the Power Council by NOAA-F so that sub-basin plans may be incorporated into our larger recovery plans. And, the outline is the basis for the planning grants the SRFB has given to regional recovery organizations. We are the first state to receive such an endorsement. A section on monitoring is included in the outline.
Washington's Statewide Monitoring Strategy
Background
The 2001 Washington State Legislature passed Substitute Senate Bill 5637 requiring the development of a comprehensive strategy and action plan for measuring our success in recovering salmon and maintaining watershed health. Those involved in salmon recovery efforts often refer to this type of measuring as "monitoring."
Monitoring is a required element of any salmon recovery plan submitted to the federal government for approval. While numerous agencies and citizen organizations are engaged in monitoring a wide range of salmon recovery activities, there is a greater need for coordination of these efforts.
The Scope
A Monitoring Oversight Committee, advised by the Independent Science Panel (ISP), and guided by a Legislative Steering Committee, delivered the monitoring strategy and action plan to the Legislature in December 2002. It included the following:
- Recommendations on what should be measured, how often, when, where and by whom.
- Recommendations for ways to ensure that the trends observed in salmon populations and watershed health are incorporated into the management decisions of state agencies.
- Recommendations for ways that government could be organized to help implement the strategy for measuring salmon recovery and watershed health.
Reports
The Comprehensive Monitoring Strategy and Action Plan were delivered to Governor Locke and appropriate legislative committees in December 2002.
The final report includes the monitoring strategy and an action plan for implementation. It also assesses existing agency operations related to monitoring, evaluation and adaptive management of watershed health and salmon recovery. And it recommends operational or statutory changes and funding necessary to be successful. The recommendations are be based on a goal of fully implementing an enhanced and coordinated monitoring program by June 30, 1997.
Salmon and Watershed Information Management:
Natural Resources Information Portal
The goal of this site is to provide a single place to discover, learn about, and access available salmon and watershed data for Washington State. It's been designed for a wide range of data users including scientists, watershed planners/managers, consultants, and the general public.
For more information, please contact:
Project Manager Bruce Crawford
Phone Number: 360-902-2956
E-mail: BruceC@RCO.wa.gov
For more information, please visit Statewide Monitoring Strategy.