Press release July 2, 2002 - Survey will help Council, National Marine Fisheries Service improve management of Columbia River fish and wildlife information

Press release: Survey will help Council, National Marine Fisheries Service improve management of Columbia River fish and wildlife information

July 2, 2002

In an effort to improve information about fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin, the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service are developing a cooperative information system to support fish and wildlife management. An important part of this effort is a survey of those who currently use Columbia River fish and wildlife data.

Anyone who uses scientific information about Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife, such as research, reports, fish counts and related information, is invited to complete the survey.

Through a public, collaborative process involving state, federal and tribal fish and wildlife scientists, managers and policymakers, and interested members of the public, the Council and the Fisheries Service are evaluating current information management approaches and identifying future needs. A consulting firm, Science Applications International Corporation, is providing technical support for the effort.

From this research, the agencies will identify how scientific information management could be improved to meet future needs.

Two key tasks now are underway:

An evaluation of current information management programs, including monitoring efforts and related products or initiatives that are intended to meet the needs and obligations of organizations in the Basin.
A user needs assessment to determine how well current efforts are meeting intended future goals.

A public workshop is planned in the fall to address the current state of information management, present the results of the evaluation and discuss recommendations for data management. Ultimately, the result should be an improved system of gathering and disseminating Columbia River Basin scientific data and related information on fish, wildlife and habitat, including the Pacific Ocean.

The Council is an agency of the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington and is directed by the Northwest Power Act of 1980 to prepare a program to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife of the Columbia River Basin affected by hydropower dams while also assuring the region an adequate, efficient, economical and reliable power supply.

Contact John Harrison, 503-222-5161,

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	Press release: Survey will help Council, National Marine Fisheries Service improve management of Columbia River fish and wildlife information Related link: Columbia Basin Cooperative Information System July 2, 2002 In an effort to improve information about fish and wildlife in the Columbia River Basin, the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service are developing a cooperative information system to support fish and wildlife management. An important part of this effort is a survey of those who currently use Columbia River fish and wildlife data. Anyone who uses scientific information about Columbia River Basin fish and wildlife, such as research, reports, fish counts and related information, is invited to complete the survey. Through a public, collaborative process involving state, federal and tribal fish and wildlife scientists, managers and policymakers, and interested members of the public, the Council and the Fisheries Service are evaluating current information management approaches and identifying future needs. A consulting firm, Science Applications International Corporation, is providing technical support for the effort. From this research, the agencies will identify how scientific information management could be improved to meet future needs. Two key tasks now are underway: An evaluation of current information management programs, including monitoring efforts and related products or initiatives that are intended to meet the needs and obligations of organizations in the Basin. A user needs assessment to determine how well current efforts are meeting intended future goals. A public workshop is planned in the fall to address the current state of information management, present the results of the evaluation and discuss recommendations for data management. Ultimately, the result should be an improved system of gathering and disseminating Columbia River Basin scientific data and related information on fish, wildlife and habitat, including the Pacific Ocean. The Council is an agency of the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington and is directed by the Northwest Power Act of 1980 to prepare a program to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife of the Columbia River Basin affected by hydropower dams while also assuring the region an adequate, efficient, economical and reliable power supply. Contact John Harrison, 503-222-5161, ^ top