Science-TEK SubcommitteeUpdates and Discussion

Steering Committee Mtg. April 24, 2014

Frank Shipley – Chair S-TEK SubcommitteeMary Mahaffy – Science Coordinator

Tom Miewald – Data Manager

S-TEK Related Topics:• USGS Support to the NPLCC – Frank Shipley

• S-TEK Activity Updates (other than below topics) – Frank Shipley

• 2014 S-TEK Implementation Plan Projects – Mary Mahaffy• New solicited proposals• Continuation of on-going priorities • Recommended final approval process

• Conservation Planning Atlas – Tom Miewald

• NPLCC Conservation Goals – John Mankowski and Mary Mahaffy

USGS Support:• Part-time Assistant Science Coordinator

• Jill Hardiman - Fisheries Biologist, USGS Columbia River Fisheries Research Lab

• Primary responsibilities include – Assists with: • Project tracking system• Review project data management plans• Project peer review process• Assessing and enhancing use and relevance of deliverables• Developing a framework for continual adaptive learning for program-

scale response to climate change based on the totality of project findings

• Updates to interactive climate map (currently under development)

Progress being made on:• Project Management and Accountability Practices Document

• S-TEK Subcommittee discussion and input • Draft will be provided in early June for Steering Committee

discussion and consideration for adoption in July

• 2015/2016 Implementation Plan • Under development by S-TEK Subcommittee• Consistent with 4 year S-TEK Strategy • Homework will be provided prior to July Steering Committee meeting for

discussion on priority focuses to include in Implementation Plan

2014 Implementation Plan Table 2 (part) Priority Topics

Likely Funding Mechanism

1. Augment, integrate, and share existing S-TEK data and information

Salary/Agreement/ Contract

1.1 Conservation Planning Atlas (1 ongoing project)1.5 Partner Forums (Cascadia) (1 ongoing project) - Interactive Climate Map (communication tool) (1 ongoing project)

All

2. Align and coordinate the delivery of Science and TEK with decision-maker needs

RFP

2.5 Synthesize information existing work (evaluated - none proposed) B, C or E

3. Identify S-TEK information necessary to support large-scale planning and management efforts

Agreement/ Contract

4. Incorporate climate information into line management activities

RFP

4.2 Habitat conserv. & restoration planning (evaluated –none proposed) B or E

4.4 Planning and adaptation actions (4 proposed given funding) Any

Science/TEK Strategy Implementation Plan – Current Funding Recommendations

All Actions – Work with Decision-makers

Action 2.5• Synthesize information existing work related to species, ecosystem or

ecosystem service/characteristic in different geographic locations to inform common factors affecting that resource across a broader geography and issues that may be unique to that one geography. (Priority Topics: B, C or E)

Action 4.2• Assist with incorporating climate change info into habitat restoration,

adaptation or enhancement (Priority Topics: B or E)

Action 4.4• Assist with incorporating climate change information into natural resource

management through linking actions to key climate impacts, vulnerabilities or adaptation options. (Priority Topics: Any)

Fall 2013 Request for Pre-Proposals Actions

Action 2.5 4.2 4.4 Total # Pre-proposals 19 19 22 60 Distribution NPLCC 4 1 1 6 AK 3 1 3 7 BC 4 5 9 18 WA 6 6 8 20 OR 7 9 5 21 CA 6 4 1 11 Tribes/First Nations 1 4 9 14

FY 2014 Pre-Proposals

8 Invited Full Proposals

Proposal Review:• Total 17 reviewers• 5 – 8 reviewers for each project• S-TEK Subcommittee and outside technical reviewers

Recommendations:• 1 project fund now • 3 projects potentially fund (may have funding for 2)• 4 projects do not fund this year

Recommended Project to Fund:Lead Agency: WDFW Lead PI: Quinn Geographic Area: WA

Title: Applied Case Study to integrate climate change science into culvert design for

WDFW& Partners

Cost: $44,821

Objectives: 1) Translate available hydrologic projections derived from downscaled climate projections into metrics used in design fish passage structures, and 2) Map decision pathways to indicate where and how to incorporate climate information

Proposal Addition Needed: Coordination with similar NPS/UW efforts

Projects to Potentially Fund:Lead Agency: Coastal Douglas-fir and Associated Conservation Partnership

Lead PI: Arcese (Nature Trust of B.C.) Geographic Area: B.C./WA/OR

Title: Cross Boundary planning for resilience and restoration of Endangered Oak savanna and Coastal Douglas-fir Forest Ecosystems

Cost: $50,059

Objectives: 1) Synthesize existing regional models of invasive/native species distribution, ecosystem mapping, forest age & climate change to deliver GIS tools to prioritize land acquisition & conservation investment, and 2) integrate tools with US partners to facilitate cross-boundary planning

Questions for PIs: How all identified tasks will be completed, clarify methods, questions on coordination and engagement

Projects to Potentially Fund:Lead Agency: Nooksack Tribe Lead PI: Grah Geographic Area: WA

Title: Climate Change Impacts on Nooksack River Hydrology

Cost: $50,000

Objectives: 1) Inform salmon habitat restoration actions, 2) Conduct a vulnerability assessment, 3) Prepare an adaptation plan that can be directly integrated into management practices

Questions for PIs: Not clear how TEK incorporated and how methods are transfered to other Tribes

Projects to Potentially Fund:Lead Agency: USFS Lead PI: Peterson Geographic Area: OR

Title: Implementing Climate-smart resource management across multiple ownerships in SW OR

Cost: $49,561

Objectives: 1) Implement recommendations from Rogue Basin Action Plan for resource management and planning, 2) link key vulnerabilities with specific adaptation strategies and tactics, 3) link adaptation with restoration, planning, and resource monitoring programs

Questions for PIs: Transferability of approach to other areas

Projects Not Recommended for Funding in 2014:

Lead Agency Lead PI Area Title Action

BC FLNRO Floyd BC/AK Stream discharge, snow-cover, soil drainage & yellow-cedar decline in NPLCC (BC and SE AK)

Proposal discussion w/ PIs & AK CSC

Cascadia Geosciences

Leroy CA Effects of relative sea level changes and storms on the Humboldt Bay Estuary

Proposal discussion w/ PIs & SW CSC

PSU Nielsen-Pincus

OR Incorporating climate change into compliance based Riparian restoration initiative investment planning

Proposal discussion w/PIs – innovative project

DU Canada Harrison BC Modeling the effects of sea level rise to prioritize BC estuaries for conservation

Project too localized

2014 Implementation Plan Table 2 (part) Priority Topics

Likely Funding Mechanism

1. Augment, integrate, and share existing S-TEK data and information

Salary/Agreement/ Contract

1.1 Conservation Planning Atlas (Ongoing project)- $25K (completed)1.5 Partner Forums (Cascadia) (Ongoing project)- $6.5K - Interactive Climate Map (Ongoing project) - $15K to $25K

All $47K - $57K

2. Align and coordinate the delivery of Science and TEK with decision-maker needs

RFP

2.5 Synthesize information existing work (evaluated - none proposed) B, C or E

3. Identify S-TEK information necessary to support large-scale planning and management efforts

Agreement/ Contract

4. Incorporate climate information into line management activities

RFP

4.2 Habitat conserv. & restoration planning (evaluated –none proposed) B or E

4.4 Planning and adaptation actions (4 proposed given funding) Any $150K - $200K

Science/TEK Strategy Implementation Plan – Current New Funding Recommendations

Next Steps:• Current funding decisions – propose using process set up last

year:

• Concerns about any recommended funding actions shared with Ad Hoc Steering Committee (comprised of Co-chairs, S-TEK Subcommittee Chair) by May 8, 2014

• Ad Hoc Steering Committee consider any feedback and approve recommendations if no concerns raised