Difference between revisions of "Core Monitoring Plan"

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Revision as of 14:30, 21 July 2016

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This document describes a general plan and framework for the development of a core monitoring program for the GCDAMP during federal fiscal years 2011 through 2015. Detailed core monitoring plans with explicit methodologies for each resource category will be developed as outlined in this plan over the next several years. The proposed process is consistent with the strategies and objectives described in the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center’s (GCMRC) Strategic Science Plan (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007a) and Monitoring and Research Plan (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007b), and the GCDAMP Strategic Plan as amended by the Adaptive Management Work Group at their August 2003 meeting (AMWG written comm., 2003, hereafter cited as GCDAMP, 2003).

Monitoring is a fundamental requirement of the adaptive management process (Walters, 1986; Walters and Holling, 1990). The Department of the Interior (DOI) Adaptive Management Technical Guide (Williams and others, 2007) identifies four primary purposes for monitoring within an adaptive management program:

  • 1. To evaluate progress towards achieving management objectives
  • 2. To determine resource status in order to identify appropriate management action
  • 3. To increase understanding of resource dynamics via the comparison of predictions against field observations
  • 4. To enhance and develop models of resource dynamics as needed

In 1995, the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) was created to fulfill the mandate in the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act for the establishment and implementation of a long-term monitoring and research program to ensure that Glen Canyon Dam is operated in a manner that protects the values for which the Grand Canyon National Park and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area were created.

Since its inception, many of the GCMRC activities have focused on continuing certain monitoring tasks previously established under the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies program (termed here as “Legacy” monitoring), conducting field experiments, and developing technologies in support of development of a core monitoring program. Implementation of a long-term core monitoring program will require a significant commitment of qualified personnel to ensure that the program is implemented in a sustainable and timely manner. With a few exceptions, much of the data collection is proposed to be performed by cooperating agencies and contractors as discussed below; however, some monitoring, such as quality of water and sediment monitoring that has historically been part of the USGS mission, is proposed to continue internal to the GCMRC and the Water Resources Discipline within USGS.

GCDAMP Strategic Plan
The GCDAMP Strategic Plan (AMPSP) is a long-term plan drafted in August 2001 by GCDAMP and GCMRC participants that identifies the AMWG’s vision, mission, principles, goals, management objectives, information needs, and management actions. 		Strategic Science Plan
The GCMRC Strategic Science Plan (SSP) identifies general strategies for the next 5 years to provide science information responsive to the goals, management objectives, and priority questions as described in the AMPSP and other planning direction approved by the AMWG. 		Core Monitoring Plan
The GCMRC Core Monitoring Plan (CMP) describes the consistent, long-term, repeated measurements using scientifically accepted protocols to measure status and trends of key resources to answer specific questions. Core monitoring is implemented on a fixed schedule regardless of budget or other circumstances (for example, water year, experimental flows, temperature control, stocking strategy, nonnative control, etc.) affecting target resources. 		Monitoring and Research Plan
The GCMRC Monitoring and Research Plan (MRP) specifies (1) core monitoring activities, (2) research and development activities, and (3) long-term experimental activities consistent with the strategies and priorities established in this SSP to be conducted over the next 5 years to address some of the strategic science questions associated with AMWG priority questions. 		Triennial Work Plan (TWP)
The GCMRC Triennial Work Plan (TWP) identifies the scope, objectives, and budget for monitoring and research activities planned for a 3-year period. When completed, the triennial work plan will be consistent with the MRP.

Core Monitoring Plan

Chapter 1. Introduction to the Core Monitoring Plan

1.1 Purpose and Scope of the General Core Monitoring Plan
1.2 Legislation, Statutes, Policy, and Strategic Planning
1.3 Boundary and Definition of the Colorado River Ecosystem
1.4 History of Monitoring the Colorado River Ecosystem below Glen Canyon Dam
1.4.2 Glen Canyon Environmental Studies Era (1982–96)
1.4.3 GCMRC Era (1997–present)

Chapter 2. GCDAMP Monitoring Needs

2.1 Monitoring within the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program Strategic Plan Framework
2.2 Core Monitoring Information Needs and Indicators of Resource Condition
2.3 Relationship between Monitoring and Modeling
2.4 Integration of Monitoring and Management Activities across GCDAMP Programs
2.5 Integration with Other Monitoring Programs in the Region

Chapter 3. Development of Individual Core Monitoring Plans and Management Strategy to Support Them

3.1 Process to Develop Individual Core Monitoring Plans
3.1.1 Information Needs Workshop
3.1.2 Scientific Protocol Evaluation Panel Reviews
3.1.3 Step 4: Core Monitoring Program Reports/Individual Core Monitoring Plans
3.1.4 Principles of Individual Core Monitoring Plan Development
3.1.4.1 Goals and CMINs
3.1.4.2 Criteria
3.1.4.3 Trade Off Analyses for Risk Assessment Purposes
3.2. Implementation of Core Monitoring Plans
3.2.1 Implementation Timelines
3.2.2 Implementation of Individual Core Monitoring Programs
3.2.3 Incorporating Future Technical Innovations into Monitoring Programs

  • Evaluation of noninvasive sampling methods as a basic component of maintaining quality monitoring programs

3.3 Program Management and Role of Cooperators
3.3.1 GCMRC Staffing Requirements
3.3.2 Information Outreach
3.3.3 Logistics and Permitting
3.3.4 Core Monitoring Program Costs

Chapter 4. Core Monitoring Proposals by GCDAMP Goal

Summary Descriptions of Individual Core Monitoring Programs by GCDAMP Goals

Goal 1: Protect or improve the aquatic food base so that it will support viable populations of desired species at higher trophic levels

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods
  • Program Status and Implementation Schedule

Goal 2: Maintain or attain viable populations of existing native fish, remove jeopardy for humpback chub and razorback sucker, and prevent adverse modification to their critical habitats

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods
  • Program Status and Implementation Schedule

Goal 3: Restore populations of extirpated species, as feasible and advisable

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods
  • Estimated Annual Funding for Extirpated Species Core Monitoring Program

Goal 4: Maintain a naturally reproducing population of rainbow trout above the Paria River, to the extent practicable and consistent with the maintenance of viable populations of native fish

  • Problem Statement
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Program
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods

Goal 5: Maintain or attain viable populations of Kanab Ambersnail

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods
  • Program Status and Implementation Schedule

Goal 6: Protect or improve the biotic riparian and spring communities, including threatened and endangered species and their critical habitat

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Riparian Vegetation
  • Arthropods and Birds
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods
  • Program Status and Implementation Schedule

Goal 7: Establish water temperature, quality, and flow dynamics to achieve the GCDAMP ecosystem goals

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Lake Powell
  • Colorado River Downstream from Lake Powell
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Lake Powell
  • Colorado River Downstream from Lake Powell

Goal 8: Maintain or attain levels of sediment storage within the main channel and along shorelines to achieve the GCDAMP ecosystem goals

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Monitoring in-channel sediment storage – SedTrend
  • Monitoring High-Elevation Sandbar Deposits and Campsites
  • Monitoring Changes in Coarse-Grained Sediments and Impacts from Tributary Debris Flows

Goal 9: Maintain or improve the quality of recreational experiences for users of the Colorado River ecosystem, within the framework of the GCDAMP ecosystem goals

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods
  • Monitoring Program Status/Implementation Schedule

Goal 10: Maintain power production capacity and energy generation, and increase where feasible and advisable, within the framework of the GCDAMP ecosystem goals

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs Summary
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Program Status/Implementation Schedule

Goal 11: Preserve, protect, manage, and treat cultural resources for the inspiration and benefit of past, present, and future generations

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Links to Other Program Elements
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Geographic Scope
  • Temporal Scope
  • Methods
  • Program Status/Implementation Schedule

Goal 12: Maintain a high-quality monitoring, research, and adaptive management program

  • Statement of Problem
  • Parameters/Indicators to Be Monitored, Monitoring Signals, and Reporting Variables
  • Vegetation
  • Sandbars and Campsites
  • Sediment Storage
  • Shoreline Morphology
  • Archaeological Sites
  • Links to Resources
  • Core Monitoring Information Needs Summary
  • Summary of Previous Work
  • Summary of Monitoring Project
  • Four-band Digital Imagery
  • Hyperspectral Digital Imagery
  • Dual-laser Bathymetric/Terrestrial Lidar
  • High-Resolution Terrestrial Lidar

Chapter 5. Data Management, Quality Assurance, and Reporting

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Data Management Overview – Roles and Responsibilities
5.3 Data Quality Assurance
5.4 Planning
5.5 Electronic Data Repository
5.6 Analysis and Modeling
5.7 Reporting of Core Monitoring Data, Annual Assessments & Synthesis

Publication of Core Monitoring Data

Annual Reporting Workshop
Annual Resources Fact Sheets on Status and Trends
SCORE Reports

References

Appendices

Appendix A: Core Monitoring Information Needs
Appendix B: Description of the TWG Review and Approval Process for Individual Core Monitoring Plans
Appendix C: Description of the Scientific Protocol Evaluation Panel (PEP) Review Process

GLOSSARY

Documents and Links

Papers and Presentations

ADHOC Groups

SCAHG ---- Steering Committee Ad-Hoc Group
CMAHG ---- Core Monitoring Ad-Hoc Group
AHCIO ---- Ad-Hoc Committee on What's In and Out of the Strategic Plan
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