Testing the Stream Assessment Tool

1. Testing the Stream Assessment Tool • Is the tool likely to achieve the goals? • Can the measures selected be reasonably assessed in the field? • Do the scores reflect our expectations? • Is the tool broadly applicable?

2. Testing Design - Fall 2013 • Test site distribution based on: • Climate • Synthetic stream order • Land use • Stream gradient • Flow duration • Stream types

4. Findings after fall season testing • The measures capture key features and processes of the reaches evaluated • The measures could be evaluated at most reaches • Field methods strongest for wadeable, alluvial, 2nd-3rd order streams with distinct floodplains

5. Findings after fall season testing • Clarification in protocol is needed for: • Dry streams - instream measures • Ephemeral streams - scale of features • Larger rivers - scale and instream measures • Some measures were not applicable at most of the reaches tested. • Clarity and consistency in the wording of questions is needed.

6. Testing - Conclusions • Functions and values are assessed using defensible measures. • The tool can be applied to streams statewide (with some modifications). • A watershed approach is incorporated through the stream types and measures that consider the contributing watershed. • The tool requires a reasonable amount of effort and experience to use.

7. OR Rapid Wetland Assessment Protocol • Study sites to normalize scoring outputs • 200 sites randomly selected by ecoregion • ~140 sites completed • Sensitivity analysis complete; no questions removed. • Can guide quality check of assessments • Informs “credit chasing” • ORWAP Explorerupdated • One-stop versus multiple web sites

8. Compensatory Mitigation Regulatory FrameworkDevelopment Tasks • Strategy • Timeline • Development/ • implementation resource estimate • Identify key decision-points

9. Compensatory Mitigation Regulatory FrameworkDevelopment Tasks

10. Priority Task Status • Site selection – watershed approach white paper reviewing practices, identifying objectives and data needs (Feb ‘14); ORWAP/SFAM measures considering contributing watershed • Eligibility criteria – task kick off, review objectives, draft policy statements (April ‘14) • Credit quantification – criteria for scoring decision-making; existing models analysis; mock up crediting procedures (use ORWAP scores) • Wetland program transition – draft white paper w/options, pros/cons for existing banks (Dec ‘13)

11. Major Tasks, Timelines & Deliverables • Assessment Tools • Policy • Outreach & Capacity Building • Key Timeline Summary

12. Stream Assessment Method

13. Oregon Rapid Wetland Assessment Protocol

14. Policy Development • Policy options • To be delivered by end of May • Interagency Task teams • Interagency Manager’s meeting • Targeted feedback • Development of preferred policy options • Outlined for June-August • Development of policies/protocols • Interagency Manager’s meeting • Targeted feedback & outreach • Implementation Plan-September

15. Outreach & Capacity Building • Grant funds shifted from Outreach and Capacity Building to complete the stream assessment tool • Funds remain for a science workshop designed to build capacity of staff • Targeted by September

16. Key Deadline Summary • Stream assessment tools—September • ORWAP 3.0—December • Policy development—September (off-track) • Outreach & Capacity building ongoing but likely understaffed/underfunded • Willamette Partnership grant ends September 30th; (WP unavailable past November/December)