BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal

Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Title of project
Streamnet (formerly CIS and NED)

BPA project number   8810804

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
PSMFC

Sponsor type   PSMFC

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Tom Pansky, ECB 503/230-3969

Biological opinion ID   Snake R. Rec. Plan (0.3.a); Operations BO; Coho BO

NWPPC Program number   12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 3.3B, 3.3C, 3.3D, 3.3E

Short description
StreamNet compiles, maintains, and disseminates regionally standardized graphic and tabular data critical to the implementation of the Program and other compatible regional efforts.

Project start year   1996    End year   Ongoing

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1996

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
This project combines two previous projects: 8801801 (CIS) and 8801803 (NED).

Project history
The overall goal of StreamNet is to create, maintain, and enhance a high quality, regionally consistent set of fish and wildlife data that is directly applicable to regional policy, planning, and management, and to provide that data to users’ desk tops. Specific emphasis continues to be placed on tailoring the project to meet specific Fish and Wildlife Program monitoring and evaluation needs.

StreamNet, the Northwest Aquatic Resource Information Network, consolidates data compilation and management activities that were historically conducted through the Coordinated Information System, the Northwest Environmental Data Base, and the Pacific Northwest Hydropower Data Base and Analysis System (NWHS). These projects were created by the Council to provide information necessary for Program implementation: CIS for anadromous fish productivity and management, NED regarding Protected Areas and stream-based environmental factors, and NWHS for dam impacts and energy analysis. The rationale for consolidation is two-fold: to provide the region with one comprehensive, high quality package of fish and wildlife data products and services to address emerging regional fish and wildlife data demands, and to realize cost savings. Savings result from a combination of administrative efficiencies, elimination of redundancy, and increased focus on critical tasks. Additional out-year savings are likely as increased emphasis is placed on cost sharing with others needing these data. Savings within the Fish and Wildlife Program have been realized as StreamNet provides data services to other Program projects, thus decreasing overall costs of those projects.

At its core, StreamNet consists of a series of data sets and reference materials concerning anadromous fish, resident fish, and factors related to the management of aquatic resources. Included are data on 1) anadromous fish productivity, both natural and hatchery, 2) species distribution, range, and life history, 3) the condition of anadromous (and some resident) fish populations and their environments, 4) dams and diversions, 5) Protected Areas, 6) other river-related environmental variables, 7) references to source materials, and 8) stream flow and hydrology. Tabular data is accessed through custom interfaces, including the Distributed System (DS) and each state’s Rivers Information System, the NWHS (or Hydro Site Data Base) system, and regional summary data currently available through a menu access system on the Council’s VAX computer. Much of these data are available in Geographic Information System (GIS) format, and Internet access capability is being developed. Source materials are available through a reference library housed at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission in Portland, Oregon.

A regionally consistent 1:100,000-scale digital hydrography and river reach referencing system has been prepared, greatly expanding the capability to capture, analyze, and display aquatic information. In FY 1996 a strategic plan for future data development and delivery is being prepared that will identify high priority applications and the data needs of these applications. Project staff annually respond to between 1,000 and 2,000 requests for tabular data, GIS maps, and analysis

Biological results achieved
This project provides support for a variety of policy, planning, management, and research initiatives. It does not, in-and-of itself, produce specific biological results. StreamNet supplies production trend, habitat, and other data that is directly applicable to management recommendations contained in the Operations BO, the Coho BO, and the Proposed Recovery Plan for Snake River Salmon (action item 0.3.a).

Annual reports and technical papers
Regularly scheduled progress reports are prepared by the contractor and sub-contractors. An annual Columbia River Basin Salmon and Steelhead Report is produced that graphically portrays salmon and steelhead production trends and other summary data of interest to managers and decision-makers. An anadromous fish production data system (DS) is updated biannually, including documentation and a user’s guide. Tabular and graphic information is produced on fish distribution, life stages, barriers, and other topics applicable to natural resource management. Other products include a strategic plan for future data enhancement, data exchange format documentation, stock summary reports, an Internet home page, various topic specific reports and map atlases, and white papers that identify opportunities for interagency cooperation in data compilation.

Management implications
The project is the only source for regionally consistent fish and wildlife information and, as such, will play a critical role in evaluating the success of the various Fish and Wildlife Program activities. The project will also aid in the tracking of these activities.

Specific measureable objectives
For this project, measurable objectives refer to delivery of data and other products, not to specific biological objectives. Specific goals and objectives are set and achieved.

Testable hypothesis
This project provides baseline data that can be used to evaluate a variety of management hypotheses, both for individual projects within the Fish and Wildlife Program and for the Program as a whole.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
N/A

Methods
The fundamental building block for this project is interagency cooperation in the collection, compilation, and dissemination of critical fish and wildlife information. The means for achieving this are 1) establishing agreement on the critical data needs, 2) development of regionally consistent data exchange formats, 3) establishment of effective communication links, and 4) use of common data distribution mechanisms.

Brief schedule of activities
During FY 97 StreamNet will accomplish the following: 1) incorporate 1996 and 1997 data concerning anadromous fish productivity, 2) enhance the current anadromous fish data system by adding improved data on stocks, genetic management units as defined by others, ocean conditions, and other factors, 3) initiate compilation of biological data on resident fish, 4) collect regionally consistent information on aquatic habitat, aquatic management, land uses applicable to aquatic management, and flow, 5) compile data on diversions and other instream factors that affect fish productivity, 6) create data exchange formats and the infrastructure necessary for facilitating subbasin planning and other watershed planning activities regionwide, 7) expand and enhance the library and reference system, 8) continue refinements to the 1:100,000-scale river reach system and create links to 1:24,000-scale (and larger scale) data, 9) create a means for storing and accessing historic anadromous data, 10) enhance data delivery systems including increased capability to retrieve and analyze data via the Internet, 11) produce appropriate reports and map products, 12) prepare a detailed strategy for using StreamNet for Fish and Wildlife Program monitoring and evaluation and incorporate appropriate project tracking information, 13) provide data services to Fish and Wildlife Program projects and to other appropriate regional policy, planning, and management activities, 14) assume responsibility for maintenance of appropriate Fish and Wildlife Program data currently housed at the Council, and 15) identify areas where improvements to the data system are needed to address compelling regional needs and devise strategies for enhancing StreamNet in future years.

Biological need
Virtually every analysis of the Pacific Northwest fish issue calls for the preparation of regionally consistent and easily accessible data. StreamNet seeks to fill this need by providing essential baseline data on fish distribution, production, habitat, and management that is useful at policy, planning, and management levels.

Critical uncertainties
N/A

Summary of expected outcome
Decision-makers and managers will have at their disposal necessary biological and management information for both targeting actions and evaluating their effectiveness. Participants in Fish and Wildlife Program activities will have an effective means to access applicable information and to store information collected through the activity.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
This project provides an excellent opportunity to encourage and facilitate cooperation among the various federal and state agencies, Tribes, and other interests on both state and regional levels. Data development is less controversial than some other aspects of the Fish and Wildlife Program and can provide a foundation for the development of cooperative working relationships.

Risks
There are no biological risks in implementing this project. There may, however, be risks associated with management and policy, in that providing high quality and consistent data forces the various stakeholders to more fully take these into account in making management decisions. While good for the resource, this may at times place individual participants in an uncomfortable position.

Monitoring activity
StreamNet will provide the framework for development of Fish and Wildlife Program-wide monitoring and evaluation activities. Baseline biological and management data is available, including the location of BPA-funded mitigation projects, and technologies are now in place to begin to compile data generated through individual on-the-ground Program projects and to analyze their effectiveness. Compilation of information on other mitigation, watershed planning, and ecosystem management activities will commence in FY 97. The annual Columbia River Basin Salmon and Steelhead Report provides a summary means to determine trends in meeting Program objectives. With regard to monitoring the effectiveness of the StreamNet project, participants will regularly solicit input from managers and decision-makers on: 1) the effectiveness of data currently in the system in meeting regional needs, 2) the need for modifications and/or enhancements to the information, and 3) the effectiveness of data delivery systems.

Section 3. Budget

* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.

Funding recommendations

CBFWA funding review group   System Policy

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $2,000,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $1,925,000