Mapping the Way to Better Aquatic Habitat – NFHAP Science and Data Team Report Update

1. Mapping the Way to Better Aquatic Habitat – NFHAP Science and Data Team Report Update Stan Allen Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission Originally Presented By: Doug Beard U.S. Geological Survey Gary E. Whelan MI DNR NFHAP Science and Data Team Co-Chairs

2. Science & Data Team Objectives • Develop a National habitat status & trends report • Develop a National assessment framework • Provide a tool for the measurement of habitat actions • Develop a set of habitat measures and priorities • Develop overall targets and goals

3. Think Big to Get Lasting Results • Treating symptoms not process problems • Small scale treatments overwhelmed by large system problems • Focus on system processes to get lasting results • Habitats are nested in scale

4. Overall Habitat Assessment Framework Classify all of the Nation’s Waters Score Their Condition – Using Series of Condition Variables Summed into an Index Grade Them By Best Theoretical Possible and Best Currently Available in Classified Group Apply Applicable Habitat Measures to Remedy Problems or Apply Protective Measures to Maintain Condition

5. Inland & Coastal Classification • Inland - Above the head of tide or above backwater effect of the Great Lakes • Based on USGS Aquatic GAP Programs and TNC classifications • Coastal - Includes Great Lakes and everything below head of tidal influence • Based on NOAA, NatureServe and TNC classifications

6. Example Classification

7. Focus on Key Processes(Emergent Properties) • Connectivity • Hydrology • Channel and Bottom Form • Material Recruitment • Water Quality • Energy Flow in Aquatic Communities

8. Types of Data - Inland • Stream or River Barriers • Stream or River Gauging Stations • Stream or River Channelization Extent • Woody Debris Accumulation • Size and number of impoundments • Shoreline Extent • Point Source Discharge Locations • Non-Point Source Discharge Locations • NPDES Permits • Fish Consumption Advisories • Fish Biodiversity Data • Mussel Biodiversity Data • Game Fish Data • Location of Aquatic Nuisance Species

9. Types of Data - Marine • Length of Tidal Influence in Streams • Length of Natural Shorelines • Woody Debris in Coastal Zone • Turbidity Measures • Salinity Measures • Hg Fish Consumption Advisories • Other Fish Consumption Advisories • Extent of unaltered habitat • Native Fish Distribution • Shellfish Diversity • Fish Diversity • Game Fish Data • Location of Aquatic Nuisance Species

10. Overall Habitat Quality Index

11. Prioritization Tool • Map all priorities – Web accessible • Two Scoring Tools • Individual Project • Classified Unit • Final Social-Economic Filter • i.e. “Worst First” or “Protect the Best” • Approach – Protection, Rehabilitation or Re-engineering

12. National Deliverables • Recommend National Goals and Targets • Coordinate tracking and metrics among Regional Partnerships • Synthesize evaluations and scores from Regional Partners • National Fish Habitat Assessment

13. Data Access • Four Data Systems • State of Fish Habitat Reporting System • Progress toward NFHAP Goals Tracking System • NFHAP Habitat Projects Priorities Data System • NFHAP Restoration Projects Data System • Critical to have a single entity responsible for database hardware and software • Oversight for system development and operation with initial issues • Fisheries Database Summit – Salt Lake City 2006

14. Schedule • National Fish Habitat Assessment • Spring 2007 – Base Assessment System • Fall 2007 – First Interim Assessment for Continental U.S. and Alaska with only inshore waters • Spring 2008 – All possible waters included along with Territories and Continental Shelf • 2010 – Complete Full National Assessment • 2015 – Second National Assessment and every 5 years • Data System • Spring 2007 – Database Design Completed • Fall 2007 – Prototype Completed • Spring 2008 – Implement web-based system for partner use • Fall 2008 – First NFHAP Project Report and annually thereafter

15. Process – Steps to Product • Transfer “leadership” to NFHAP Board • Co-Chairs, one for Science, one for Data • Suggest keep continuity between existing & new team • Request the Co-Chairs canvass current members for interest • Co-Chairs solicit new members from partners

16. Process – Steps to Product • Suggested New Charge to Science & Data Team • Complete Science and Data Report • Complete Peer Review of the Science and Data Report and integrate comments into the Science and Data Strategy • Develop interim set of habitat goals/targets for the NFHAP • Oversee NFHAP Data System Development • Begin necessary Database and Data System development • Oversee NFHAP National Status Report • Fully develop National Assessment and Decision Support Tool

17. Process – Steps to Product, Short Term • NFHAP Board Staff – initiate Peer Review Process • NFHAP Science & Data Post-Doc oversight team meeting (December 19th) • NFHAP Board – Science/Data Co-chairs locate database resources • NFHAP Science & Data Committee Meet – Feb 2007 • Review Peer Review Comments • Further develop guidance for assessment report • Develop Interim Goals/Targets • Begin Development of Data Pilot

18. Hal Beecher-WA Game & Fish Zach Bowen-USGS Mark Brouder-USFWS Kay McGraw-NOAA Brian Gratwicke-NFWF Jonathan Higgins-TNC Jim McKenna-USGS Doug Norton-EPA Craig Paukert-USGS Mark Peterson-Southern Miss. Paul Seelbach-MI DNR Mark Hudy – USFS Stan Allen-PSMFC Chuck Bronte-USFWS Dwayne Young – US EPA Jeff Kopaska-IA DNR Andy Loftus-Loftus Consulting Susan Molina-FL FWCC Dirk Miller – WY Game & Fish Betsy Nightingale-TNC Andrea Ostroff-USGS NBII Ryan Smith-TNC Jeff Waldon-CMI Michael Doughery – WV DNR Science & Data Team Members