Research

PNW Funded Projects
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995

PNW Project Overview 2001

The Next Step in ONRC's Validation Monitoring Efforts:  Peer review of the Department of Natural Resource's Monitoring Plans

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

Awarded: $17,616

Project Description:
The Olympic Natural Resources Center’s Salmon Conservation Validation Monitoring Science Panel, working under a previously funded project investigated the necessary, feasible and practical measures to conduct validation monitoring.  They concluded that salmon abundance is the parameter of interest in validation monitoring.  Given the complex life history and biology of anadromous fish, the application of these recommendations is a difficult task.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed draft monitoring plan protocols for effectiveness and validation monitoring associated with their Habitat Conservation Plan on 1.6 million acres of forest land.  In-house biologists and additional scientists have participated in the development of the suite of seven plans included in the monitoring package.  Peer review from leading scientists is needed to ensure quality.

ONRC is in a unique position to organize a peer review team for validation monitoring.  The Validation Monitoring Panel Report released in December 2000 was successful in emphasizing the importance of establishing and implementing these monitoring plans in response to public interest and investment in salmon conservation.  However, a successful template of validation monitoring plans does not exist for any of the government agencies required to perform them.  DNR’s large-scale validation monitoring plans can serve as a model for similar monitoring efforts, therefore it is appropriate to contribute to the success of their monitoring effort. Through our previous work with the Validation Monitoring Panel, we are well versed in the topic.  Through our contacts on the Validation Monitoring Panel and other projects, we have a strong network of scientists that are experienced and qualified to perform peer review.

Objectives:

1. Establish a peer review team of five qualified, well-respected scientists.  A chair of this team will serve to guide the review and organize input from each reviewer.
2. Bring reviewers together for a two-day working group at ONRC to collectively investigate the critiques and compile a review summary for DNR.
3. Compile results in a summary for DNR.

Project Status:
2001 funds will be distributed to projects in September 2001.

origin & mission     research    education    the center    home