Request for comments on High Level Indicators
March 13, 2009
Dear Interested Party,
The Council is interested in developing a list of high level indicators to communicate its Fish and Wildlife program’s progress to the region’s Governors and to Congress. The 2009 program guides mitigation for the impacts on fish and wildlife resulting from the construction and operation of the hydropower system within the Columbia River basin. The Northwest Power Act, which directs the program, encompasses mitigation for anadromous fish, resident fish and wildlife. The Council recognizes that there is a high interest within the region to mitigate for salmon and steelhead listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and aims to balance this need with the needs of non-ESA listed fish species and wildlife. The Council is requesting public comment on a draft list of seventeen possible indicators in an effort to stimulate discussion and to begin the process of aligning, as appropriate, with existing high level indicators used by others in the region in reporting the status and trends of the region’s natural resources.
Currently there are two broad categories of indicators under consideration by the Council, biological and implementation indicators. There are ten proposed biological indicators that report on the status and trend of fish abundance, fish harvest, fish productivity, hydrosystem survival, and wildlife habitat. The remaining seven implementation indicators report on actions that are likely to contribute to the program’s success such as fish passage, water conservation, land improvements, predation levels, fish screens and watershed condition. A general description of how these indicators may be derived also is included.
The Council seeks your comments on the following points:
- Potential of the Council’s draft indicators to effectively communicate the program’s progress
- Which indicators, among those suggested by the Council or other indicators used in the region, are the most important to inform Congress, Governors and other regional decision-makers about Columbia River basin’s fish and wildlife?
- How should these indicators be derived to assure aligning with similar indicators used by the region to report to decision-makers?
- What is the availability of existing data to support these indicators and what is the quality of the available data?
The Council also seeks input from the region on the potential use of high level indicators in assisting with the development of the program’s research, monitoring and evaluation strategy and for prioritizing program objectives.
Thank you for your comments on developing of high level indicators for the Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program.
Sincerely,
W. Bill Booth, Chair