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PNW Funded Projects
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995

PNW Project Overview 1999

Developing Quantitative Monitoring of Benefits of Riparian Practices on Salmon Abundance; Moving Beyond Policy by what is Plausible 

Principal Investigator:  
John Calhoun, University of Washington, Olympic Natural Resources Center

Awarded: $15,195

Project Description:

The purpose of this project is to conduct a critical analysis of salmon conservation efforts and the measures used to assess their success or failure.  Co-chairs for the “Validation Monitoring Panel” (Dr. Daniel Botkin and Dr. David Peterson) led panel efforts to examine the pertinent primary questions:

• Is counting numbers of adult salmon necessary, practical, and feasible as a measure of policy success?
• What other variables (such as habitat) are necessary to measure success?
• If it’s impractical, what are the alternatives to counting numbers of adult salmon? 

The scientific basis for validation monitoring of salmon conservation practices must be developed in order to provide social confidence and political support for the investments of vast public resources in salmon conservation and restoration.  Economic, social, and cultural values are at stake in the Pacific Northwest effort to conserve salmon runs.  Without the scientific basis for validating conservation efforts, the huge public investment will be lost.

Project Status:
Project continued with 2000 funds.

Progress Report:
A panel of scientific experts, representing a variety of disciplines relevant to salmon conservation, from oceanographers to economists, has performed the analysis through a series of meetings and communications.  On June 12-14, the Validation Monitoring Panel met to evaluate and finalize their report.  The Validation Monitoring final report will be presented in a conference.  In addition, the funding also supported the Validation Monitoring Panel website as an information resource for panel members, including all relevant panel information.

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