SUMMARY

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SUMMARY
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Summary Instructions

• After the checklist is filled out and rationale
  documented, the ID Team discusses the responses,
  reads the category definitions and makes a
  functionality determination the rationale for
  the rating is completed at this time
• Establish photo points where possible to document
  noteworthy attributes on the site make photos
  demonstrate rationale!

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Summary Instructions

• Indicate apparent trend (one time observation)
  for Functional at Risk ratings. The intent here
  is that FAR down reaches will cause management to
  red flag as the highest priority.
• Unless there are clear indicators of apparent
  trend indicate not apparent

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Standard Checklist (lotic)
Relative condition in functioning-at-risk
High
Low
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Making a Summary Determination(Functional Rating)

• Are there any questions answered no?
• If here are no answers, is the attribute or
  process important to function?
• Usually a no answer results in a finding of
  functional at risk.
• Are all or most questions answered no?
• If all or most questions, particularly those that
  are critical to function, the finding is
  nonfunctional.
• Is there an apparent upward trend?
• By definitions, an upward apparent trend results
  in a finding of functional-at-risk.

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Making a Summary Determination(Apparent Trend)

• Apparent Trend A gross estimate of the direction
  of change in resource attributes based on a
  one-point in time observation of field indicators

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Making a Summary Determination(Apparent Trend)

• Are woody species regenerating?
• Are herbaceous species reproducing?
• Are plants vigorous?
• Is the channel degrading?
• Is the channel aggrading?
• Are streambanks actively eroding?

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Standard Checklist (lotic)
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Riparian Vegetation Recovery
PFC
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Resource Status and Values
Aquatic Habitat
Vegetation
Livestock Forage
Channel Stability
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PFC early seral
PFC mid seral closer to DFC
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PFC Applications

• Useful to help prioritize of Planning,
  Monitoring, Restoration Activities
• Triage The determination of priorities for
  action in an emergency.
• Allows monitoring to be focused on addressing
  issues/no answers.
• Makes efficient use of time and dollars.
• Should focus restoration activities on at-risk
  reaches.

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PFC Applications

• Provides a common, consistent, easily understood
  communication tool regarding the basic condition
  of riparian-wetland areas
• Avoids riparian resource management Tower of
  Babel

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Riparian Management Process

• Step 1 Inventory/assess current potential
  condition
• Step 2 Define/stratify complexes
• Step 3 Inventory/General Assessments (PFC)
• Step 4 Select DMAs (Designated Monitoring Areas)
• Step 5 Establish Site Spec. Desired Conditions,
  Objectives, Indicators
  (MIM)
• Step 6 Develop/adapt grazing strategy
  implement
• Step 7 Monitor annual indicators each year and
  condition indicators every 3-6 years
  (MIM)
• Step 8 Adapt grazing strategy, annual indicators
  /or criteria as needed to meet desired
  conditions

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Stratify Reaches/Complexes/Sites (Experienced
Professionals)
Professional Assessment
Non-Professional Assessment

• Inventory
• Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) Assessment
• Integrated Rip. Evaluation Guide Level II (R4 FS)
• Skill Level
• Experienced Professionals w/ assistance from
  Field Technicians

Inventory General Condition Value Inventory
(ID process)) Stream Visual Assessment Protocol -
SVAP (NRCS) Skill Level Trained Field Technicians
w/ assistance from Professionals
ID Issues, Objectives Prioritize
Reaches/Complexes/Sites for Mgt, Restor., and/or
Monitoring (Experienced Professionals)

• Select Designated Monitoring Areas (DMAs) for
  Sites Requiring Additional Information
• Monitor to track achievement of objectives
  (Experienced Professionals)

• Monitor DMAs
• Use observational procedures (e.g. photos) for
  gross changes simple issues (Experienced
  Professionals)
• Use quantitative/measured protocols to detect
  finer changes/trends (Trained Field Technicians)

Repeat monitoring to evaluate management

• Analyze/Evaluate Data
• Complete (PFC) using trend monitoring
  data implement Adaptive Management
• (Experienced Professionals)

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Monitoring Data PFC

• Monitoring data can go far in supporting a PFC
  assessment -- where monitoring data is
  collected, PFC should be validated

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Multiple Indicator Monitoring Metrics

• Annual Use Metrics (Short-Term Monitoring)
• Median Mean Stubble Height
• Streambank Alteration
• Woody Use
• Mean Stubble Height for Dominant Key Species

• Condition Metrics (Long-Term Monitoring)
• Stable Streambanks
• Covered Streambanks
• Saplings and Young Woody Vegetation
• Mature Woody Vegetation (and dead)
• Vegetation Erosion Resistance Rating (Greenline
  Stability Rating)
• Hydric Vegetation
• Hydric Herbaceous
• Mean Greenline-Greenline Width (GGW)
• Ecological Status
• Wetland Rating
• Mean Width Depth, Substrate Composition

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• There is no silver bullet and frankly you
  probably dont need one. It is far more important
  to be able to find the right kind of gun, be able
  to load the gun and perhaps most importantly,
  be able to figure out where the werewolf is.
• Matthew Oliphant, Useability Works, 03-22-2006