Core Monitoring Plan

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The Core Monitoring Plan 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.

Long-term Experimental and Management Plan (LTEMP) The LTEMP provides the basis for decisions that identify management actions and experimental options that will provide a framework for adaptively managing Glen Canyon Dam operations over the next 20 years	LTEMP Science Plan The LTEMP Science Plan describe a strategy by which monitoring and research data in the natural and social sciences will be collected, analyzed, and provided to DOI, its bureaus, and to the GCDAMP in support of implementation of LTEMP.	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.	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.	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.	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 2011 Core Monitoring Plan 2012 Desired Future Conditions 1999 SCORE Report Knowledge Assessments PEP reviews Back to GCDAMP Planning Science Questions and Information Needs 2012 Core Research Questions 2005 Core Monitoring Information Needs 2004 GCDAMP Goals and AMWG Priority Questions Papers and Presentations 2011 Review of TWG Developed Appendix and Related Changes to the GCMRC Draft Core Monitoring Plan Appendix B, TWG Review and Approval of Individual Core Monitoring Plans General Core Monitoring Plan Dated February 18, 2011 General Core Monitoring Plan Criteria Development PPT General Core Monitoring - Structured Decision Making Process handout Monitoring Plan: Final Steps PPT Chapter 1. Introduction to the Core Monitoring Plan 3.3.4 Core Monitoring Program Costs 2010 General Core Monitoring Plan with Edits by Shane Capron Appendix B, TWG Review of Individual Core Monitoring Plans General Core Monitoring Plan TWG Comments/GCMRC Response Table Review of TWG developed Appendix and Related Changes to the GCMRC Draft Core Monitoring Plan E-mail message to the TWG dated June 24, 2010, transmitting the General Core Monitoring Plan for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group; Attachment 6b: Core Monitoring Plan: Next Steps PPT Revised General Core Monitoring Plan (by Shane Capron) General Core Monitoring Plan for the GCD-AMP PPT Core Monitoring Plan TWG Workshop Results Core Monitoring Plan: Next Steps PPT AIF: General Core Monitoring Plan Workshop Results and PPT TWG Chair Report-General Core Monitoring Plan Workshop Results PPT General Core Monitoring Plan TWG Workshop Results 2009 General Core Monitoring Plan List of Major TWG Issues to Begin Consideration General Core Monitoring Plan Issues General Core Monitoring Plan TWG Comments and Suggestions PPT General Core Monitoring Plan for the GCD-AMP PPT Review of the General Core Monitoring Plan for the GCDAMP by the Science Advisors PPT General Core Monitoring Plan, December 1, 2009 TWG Workshop Results Upcoming Workshops: General Core Monitoring and Socioeconomic Program Workshop Update on the General Core Monitoring Plan for the GCD AMP PPT 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