Section 3. Coordinated Implementation, Research, Monitoring And Evaluation

Contents

3.1 Coordinate Implementation of Fish and Wildlife Program
3.2 Monitoring and Evaluation
3.3 Develop Coordinated Information System and Prepare Monitoring Report

 
The Council recognizes the need to employ a systemwide approach to address the needs of Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife. To accomplish this, a coordinated implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation process is essential. This process should be flexible enough to evolve over time. It should facilitate identification of priorities. It should provide coordination at levels needed to accomplish basinwide as well as local watershed objectives. Coordination also must encompass all programs, plans, policies and statutes that affect fish and wildlife produced in the Columbia River Basin. It must allow all affected parties meaningful participation, encourage local implementation and guidance and provide needed regional coordination. The approach should also provide a mechanism for accountability.

      Considering all the functions that need to be addressed by coordinated implementation, research, monitoring, and evaluation at both the regional and local level, it is easy to envision a complicated system of committees with frequent meetings and numerous assignments. The intent of the Council is to avoid this approach as much as possible. Coordinated implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation should be lean on process and heavy on implementation of on-the-ground actions for fish and wildlife. Standing committees and meetings should be kept to a minimum. When meetings are needed, existing groups and committee structures should be used. If existing committees are not appropriate for topics that need to be addressed, informal gatherings or ad-hoc approaches should be used. The processes and committees that are created should be reviewed frequently to ensure they are still needed. In short, the Council intends that coordinated implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation should expedite, not burden, actions for fish and wildlife.

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