Request for scientific review of Monitoring and Evaluation Guidance Document

April 14, 2006

TO: Dr. Nancy Huntly, Chair, Independent Scientific Advisory Board
      Dr. Eric Loudenslager, Chair, Independent Review Panel

FROM: Tom Karier, Chair

SUBJECT: Review of Monitoring and Evaluation Guidance Document

The Council requests your review of the document titled, "Draft Guidance for Developing Monitoring and Evaluation as a Program Element of the Fish and Wildlife Program."

The Council is not interested in a plan to develop a plan for monitoring and evaluation. Instead we need a monitoring and evaluation plan that is ready to guide the 07-09 funding recommendations and satisfies the following conditions:

1. Does this draft adequately account for and evaluate the current level of monitoring and evaluation in the Council’s program?
2. Does the draft adequately identify priorities for future funding for monitoring and evaluation?
3. If implemented, will this draft provide sufficient information to allow the Council to produce an annual evaluation report of the success of the program in meeting its objectives?”
4. Are the timelines in this plan sufficient to guide current funding decisions for 07-09 projects?

The Council also requests that you concurrently review a section of the Project Selection Programmatic Issue Memo, version three, that addresses the implementation monitoring and evaluation tasks for the program. Please conclude your review by June 2, 2006.