Difference between revisions of "LTEMP Metrics"

Cultural and Archaeological Resources

Resource Goal

• Maintain the integrity of potentially affected NRHP-eligible or listed historic properties in place, where possible, with preservation methods employed on a site-specific basis.

Metrics

• Integrity
• Topographic Change at a Sample of Sites
• Change in Vulnerability to Loss of Integrity

Natural Processes

Resource Goal

• Restore, to the extent practicable, ecological patterns and processes within their range of natural variability, including the natural abundance, diversity, and genetic and ecological integrity of the plant and animal species native to those ecosystems.

Metrics

• Deviation from Natural Flow Metric ( with “sub-metrics”: spring-early summer, late summer-fall, and winter deviation from natural flows)
• Sub-daily Flow Fluctuation Metric
• Springtime Gross Primary Productivity
• Percent EPT Metric

Humpback Chub

Resource Goal

• Meet humpback chub recovery goals, including maintaining a self-sustaining population, spawning habitat, and aggregations in the Colorado River and its tributaries below the Glen Canyon Dam.

Metrics

• Current Biological Opinion tier of humpback chub in the Little Colorado River (LCR) Aggregation
• Grand Canyon-wide abundance of adult humpback chub
• Proportion of Grand Canyon Ecosystem with evidence of all three life stages of humpback chub

Hydropower and Energy

Resource Goal

• Maintain or increase Glen Canyon Dam electric energy generation, load following capability, and ramp rate capability, and minimize emissions and costs to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with improvement and long-term sustainability of downstream resources.

Metrics

• Glen Canyon Dam Energy Production
• Economic Value of Glen Canyon Dam Energy Production
• Marketable Capacity of Glen Canyon Dam Energy

Other Native Fish Species

Resource Goal

• Maintain self-sustaining native fish species populations and their habitats in their natural ranges on the Colorado River and its tributaries.

Metrics

• Proportion of Grand Canyon Ecosystem (GCE) with evidence of all 3 life stages of Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus), Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)
• Proportion of GCE with Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus) (any life stage)
• Proportion of GCE with extirpated species (any life stage)

Recreational Experience

Resource Goal

• Maintain and improve the quality of recreational experiences for the users of the Colorado River Ecosystem. Recreation includes, but is not limited to, flatwater and whitewater boating, river corridor camping, and angling in Glen Canyon.

Metrics

• Economic Value of Recreation Experience

Sediment

Resource Goal

• Increase and retain fine sediment volume, area, and distribution in the Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyon reaches above the elevation of the average base flow for ecological, cultural, and recreational purposes.

Metrics

Performance Metric:

• Sand Bar Volume (includes multiple “sub-metrics”, e.g., normalized sandbar volume by type, mean sand bar response to HFEs)

Surveillance Metrics:

• Sand Supply By River Segment (Sand Mass Balance)
• Silt & Clay Retention by River Segment (Turbidity)

Tribal Perspectives

Resource Goal

• Maintain the diverse values and resources of traditionally associated Tribes along the Colorado River corridor through Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyons.

Metrics

• Is the Colorado River ecosystem healthy? Please explain why or why not.
• How well is LTEMP doing at meeting its goals? Please explain the basis for your assessment.
• Overall, is the Grand Canyon doing better, worse, or about the same as last year? Please explain the basis for your assessment.

Rainbow Trout Fishery

Resource Goal

• Achieve a healthy high-quality recreational rainbow trout fishery in GCNRA and reduce or eliminate downstream trout migration consistent with NPS fish management and ESA compliance.

Metrics

• Trout Angler Catch Rate
• Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Abundance

Nonnative Invasive Species

Resource Goal

• Minimize or reduce the presence and expansion of aquatic nonnative invasive species.

Metrics

• Average number of “risky species” per Habitat Segment in Grand Canyon Ecosystem
• Average number of “risky species” with evidence of recent recruitment per Habitat Segment in Grand Canyon Ecosystem

Riparian Vegetation

Resource Goal

• Maintain native vegetation and wildlife habitat, in various stages of maturity, such that they are diverse, healthy, productive, self-sustaining, and ecologically appropriate.

Metrics

• Total Plant Cover
• Native Plant Richness
• Native to Non-native Plant Species Cover Ratio