STATUS as of: 2000 / 01 / 28
This text was in the original DRAFT SoW document, interspersed with the Action Items. We have put Links there to this material, for two reasons:
* Status is an on-going report on a plan, not the Plan itself, and....
* Status will be updated regularly - so it's convenient to have it in it's own document.
display note == I will next ADD to this page, the titles of the plan sections, and reverse links. It's just not done yet -- so use your browsers BACK button, please.
D R A F T
Implementation Strategy/Status 1.3
The Planning Unit has been meeting on a regular basis since June 1999. Through these meetings and other discussions it has become apparent that clarity is needed regarding the role of the Planning Unit. More specifically, the Structure and Function document contains a flow chart that describes the composition and roles/functions of the various players in the process. These descriptions have generated some confusion regarding the role of the Planning Unit. Clarification to the flow chart is needed to reflect the combined understanding of the Initiating Governments and Planning Unit.
Implementation Strategy/Status 2.2
A Technical Team will be established to help develop specific criteria.
Implementation Strategy/Status 2.3
A Technical Team has been established to support the sub-basin delineation effort. The Team has developed a detailed work plan with products and a schedule. It is anticipated that a preliminary map will be available by the end of April 2000).
Implementation Strategy/Status 2.4
Initial efforts were taken in 1999 to develop a strategy to ensure coordination and linkage between programs and actions. These efforts were placed on hold for several months for a number of reasons including pending revisions to the initial draft scope of work and the Whatcom Creek fire. Recently, a group has been meeting to discuss how to best coordinate these efforts. A proposal will be developed with recommendations for how to ensure adequate linkage and coordination.
Implementation Strategy/Status 2.5
A Data and Information Management Technical Team will be formed to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with the considerable data that will be compiled, generated, and analyzed Watershed Management Project and similar efforts. It will be necessary that a designated staff person be assigned for this project.
Implementation Strategy/Status 2.6
A technical team was formed during the summer of 1999 to help develop and implement actions related to public involvement and education. The team is developing a long-range plan to meet the goals noted above, however many education/information related actions have been needed in the interim. Some of the interim methods that have been and are being used to meet these goals include:
* Establishing and maintaining a Website for the project
* Setting up a telephone hotline
* Providing support for caucus formation and function
* Providing facilitation for the Planning Unit and consistent interaction/communication with the caucuses
* Hiring a staff person to provide lead support to the Public Involvement and Education program
* Providing monthly public forums (these were placed on hold due to low attendance)
* Inviting the public to suggest participants for a 3-day Instream Flow Methods conference, attending the 3-day conference, and providing for public comment on the draft report.
* Developing a resource kit on instream flows for the media and general public, holding open houses
* Establishing a long-term education plan which includes a needs assessment of the major anticipated audiences (caucuses, general public, decision makers, etc), articulation of educational goals, the development and implementation of audience appropriate educational methods and products, and the use of evaluative tools to measure achievement of the stated educational goals. The long-range plan will also identify other elements of the scope of work where public input is needed, as well as opportunities for general public outreach.
Implementation Strategy/Status 3.145
The following actions have been taken to date to implement part of the initial data needs assessment for the water quantity component:
* The United States Geological Survey was hired to a "Phase I Data Assessment" in the summer of 1999. Their report is due on January 31, 2000. Among other information, the report will provide information on evapotranspiration, precipitation, hydrogeologic information, streamflow discharge measurements, soil survey reports/data, current and historical land use and cover, facilities with NPDES permits, irrigation water use, current and historical water use,, and a sub-basin delineation..
* An evaluation of existing state water rights, claims, applications, certificates, and permits has been initiated under the supervision of the Public Utility District. Two full-time staff have been hired to assist. As noted in Section 3.3, sub-basin delineations are being critically evaluated and defined as part of that process.
* Streamflow measurements are being collected under an interagency agreement between the BIA, USGS, the Lummi Nation, and the Nooksack Tribe. Staff support from the Initiating Governments is also being provided for the actual data collection.
* Aerial and bathymetric studies of Lake Whatcom are being completed through an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation.
Implementation Strategy/Status 3.146
Using the above information a Water Quantity Technical Team should be formed and charged with developing a detailed work plan to meet the component goal and address the informational needs specified previously. The strategy should include an initial compilation and assessment of existing data. The Team should consider the approach detailed in the previous draft scope of work and the comments/concerns submitted by the Non-municipal Water System Caucus (including definitions/interpretations of key terms, and specific recommendations, interpretations, questions, etc.).
Implementation Strategy/Status 3.147
The Initiating Governments agreed that instream flows would be examined as part of the WRIA 1 Watershed Management Project. The MOA further states that an analysis will be conducted to estimate optimal instream flows for fisheries resources in the WRIA throughout the year (3). Consistent with the agreement to base decisions on best available science, the analysis is evaluating the method used to establish current instream flows relative to advances in methodology. After this evaluation is made, a decision will be needed on whether to collect information in none, some, or all of WRIA 1 in order to estimate new instream flows. Once (if) a decision is made to proceed with the analysis and its accompanying recommendations for new instream flows, parties specified in the Act will be asked to make a decision. In order to modify existing flows, a unanimous vote by parties specified in the Act will be required - if a unanimous vote is not achieved, flows will not be modified as part of this process (1).
A 3-day Instream Flow Methods conference was held in September 1999. The purpose of the conference was to evaluate the different methods available for estimating the relationship between streamflow and fish, and to help determine the best methods to use to reevaluate existing instream flows. A draft report was written by the conference chairperson (Dr. Thomas Hardy) and has been presented to the public and Planning Unit for review.
Implementation Strategy/Status 3.148
Initial efforts were taken in 1999 to develop a strategy to ensure coordination and linkage between 2514 and salmon recovery as well as other related programs.
These efforts were placed on hold for several months for a number of reasons including pending revisions to the initial draft scope of work and the Whatcom Creek fire.
Recently, a group has been meeting to discuss how to best coordinate salmon recovery with the Watershed Management Project.
A coordination strategy is being developed.
Quarterly updates will be provided to the Planning Unit with additional updates as needed.
Implementation Strategy/Status 4.1
Because solutions are dependent on obtaining a better understanding of the problems through the assessment phase it is recommended that immediate actions related to solutions be limited to compiling suggestions and recommendations from recent planning and management efforts. On a regular basis the Initiating Governments should review overall progress and determine when to initiate further action for solution identification This does not preclude the need to move forward with early action activities.
Implementation Strategy/Status 4.3
To be determined.
Implementation Strategy/Status 5.0
The approval process should be reviewed to ensure that it is clear to all parties. When and how this will be done will need to be determined.
Implementation Strategy/Status 6.0
A Technical Team will be formed to help guide development of the implementation strategy. Professional services will probably be used to assist.
Provisions for adaptive management within the implementation phase: During the implementation phase, for each project within each plan element, the implementing action shall be carried out, meanwhile date will be collected via routine monitoring to enable evaluation of the success of the project.
Implementation Strategy/Status 7.0
To be determined.
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