Habitat and Biodiversity Information System For Columbia River Basin proposal 200307200

FY07-09 proposal 200307200

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Habitat and Biodiversity Information System For Columbia River Basin
Proposal ID	200307200
Organization	Northwest Habitat Institute
Short description	A principal habitat and biodiversity informational source for ecoprovinces and subbasins within the Columbia River Basin, within the region it is considered a "Key Informational Source", "Best Available Science", and as "Best Practices".
Information transfer	This proposal operates and maintains an Internet website to 1)desiminate habitat and biodiversity information for ecoprovinces and subbasins, and 2) create performance tools to support decision making. Northwest Habitat Institute staff also attends meetings, makes presentations, develops and hands out professional material, as well as writes peer reviewed publications about the information and tools developed for this project.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Tom O'Neil	Northwest Habitat Institute	[email protected]
All assigned contacts
Tom O'Neil	Northwest Habitat Institute	[email protected]

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Mainstem/Systemwide / Systemwide

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Wildlife
secondary: All Anadromous Fish
secondary: All Resident Fish

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Over 5,000 files have been developed and are served at the web site;web site has been completely restructured for easier access and efficiency. EDT/QHA data used in subbasin plans has been converted to GIS; other GIS data used in plans has been compiled.
2004	A $75,000 hardware-software update completed.IBIS's main habitat & species datasets converted to enterprise software to develop geodatabases. Regional terrestrial technical support for subbasin planning finished;all 59 subbasin plans used IBIS information

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	200600600	Habitat Evaluation Project	The Habitat Value Approach developed by using IBIS information is being used to update the HEP procedures for the Habitat Evaluation Project. Specifically, this is occuring in the Willamette Valley subbasin.
Other: NPPC	[no entry]	Subbasin Planning	Serves as Techinical Support for Ecoprovince and Subbasin Planning for terrestrial information. In so doing developed numerous data sets to meet the Subbasin Techinical Guide for Subbasin Planners, as well as addressing special requested needs. These data were posted on the Internet and made available to all subbasin planners. These data sets are still served and maintained at the website.
BPA	199206800	Willamette Basin Mitigation	Habitat Value Approach developed by using the Habitat and Biodiversity data sets is being used to modify HEP specifically in assessing the value of mitigation sites. Currently, about 90,000 habitat units are identified as BPA's mitigation obligation for hydroelectric development. The regional HEP team and BPA requested and updated process so that wildlife mitigation in the Willamette Basin could begin to address BPA's obligation.
BPA	198810804	Streamnet (CIS/NED)	NHI is an active participant in NED Working Group and is leading or co-leading the completion of 2 working group's objectives: a)subbasin planning data - 1) converting subbasin planning EDT/QHA data to a GIS format, and 2) compiling and disseminating other GIS data used in subbasin plans; and b) regional habitat aquatic, riparian, and upland habitat data - 1) bring together regional habitat classifications and developing crosswalks. Also, this project could be considered the wildlife/resident fish counter part to the Streamnet project.
Other: ODOT	None	Oregon Dept. of Transportation's Statewide Mitigation and Conservation Banking Program	Habitat Value Approach is being used as the prinicpal method for determining credits and debits for the program. Eleven federal and state agencies have participated in its development and have endorsed this approach.
Other: BPA	None	Relationship with Multiple Habitat Projects	Other specific projects are listed here to give the reviewer(s) an idea of how many other projects relate to this proposal. Specifically, the Habitat and Biodiversity Informational data sets allow for a more consistent tracking of acquistion, enhancement, and monitoring efforts, as well as, develops common terms and definitions for evaluating all fish and wildlife species. Thus, our project would also relate to: 1984-021-00 John Day Habitat; 1984-025-00 NE Oregon Habitat; 1988-120-25 YKFP Mgmt, Data, Habitat; 1988-120-35 Klickitat Mgmt, Data, Habitat; 1992-010-00 Habitat Improvement/Enhancement; 1992-026-00 Gand Ronde Model Watershed; 1992-062-00 Lower Yakima Valley Riparian; 1993-040-00 Fifteen Mile Creek Habitat; 1994-017-00 Idaho Model Watershed Habitat; 1994-018-06 Tuccanon Stream and Riparian; 1994-050-00 Salmon River Habitat Enhancement; 1996-080-00 NE Oregon Wildlife Project; 1997-011-00 Shoshone-Paiute Habitat Enhancement; 1998-020-00 Walla Walla River Habitat Assessment; 1999-021-00 Hood River Fish Habitat; 1999-010-00 Pine Hollow/Jacknife Habitat; 1999-010-00 Big Canyon Fish Habitat; 1999-014-00 Little Canyon Habitat; 1999-025-00 Sandy River Habitat and ; 2001-003-00 Secure and Restore Fish and Wildlife Habitat and; 2001-030-00 Sharptailed Grouse Habitat.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Conducting outreach and education	Develop a course and workshop to teach how to map wildlife habitats and how to use the Habitat Value approach to evaluating habitats. Also develop workshops to demostrate and share the Ecosystem Location and Visualization System. Finally, attend public and professional meetings.	None	ISRP 1995-2005 Retrospective Report in their concerns for just using HEP to evaluate habitat projects. Northwest Environmental Data-Network scope of work (section 2.4.3).
Developing performance tools for decision making	Develop advance query capabilities and capturing data techniques in a manner to be support decision tools; this includes interactive mapping and visualization information application; keeping databases for spatial and non-spatial information updated and; coordination in developing and building these tools.	None	ISRP 1997-2005 Retrospective Report cites th need "when to do watershed assessment by providing a systematic way to understanding and organizing ecosystem information"; noting that collecting current & future data has been generally ignored by subbasins
Enhance access to habitat and biodiversity data	Incorporate all existing IBIS data into an improved database management system (DBMS) and interactive Internet application; expand spatial and non-spatial data by location and acquiring it; operate and maintain IBIS and its Internet access and user technical support; monitor IBIS's use and efficiency	None	Supported by: Pacific NW Power and Planning Act [839(h)(2)&(6)&(11);2000Columbia River Fish and Wildlife Plan (p.46);Data Mgmt Support of Fish and Wildlife; ISRP Retrospective 1997-2005 Report; Resaonable and Prudent Alternatives-152,154,180,181, & 198
Enhancing and updating habitat evaluation method	Establishing the habitat value to habitat unit ratio so that a crosswalk for each evaluation can be made; and conduct pre-acquisition evaluations	Willamette	ISRP 1995-2007 Retrospective Report concern for just using HEP
Updating and refining wildlife habitat mapping	Taking a 3 Tier or hierarchical approach to wildlife habitat mapping. First level is coarse approach to updating the entire Columbia River Basin for wilidife habitat types; middle level or further refinement will be for forest structural conditions throughout the basin; a refined level will be done in areas that are identified as high priority by CBFWA or others and detailed habitat mapping would include wildlife habitat types, structural conditions and key environmental correlates.	Asotin	ISRP 1997-2005 Retrospective Report success for long-term RM&E p.27&28; All subbasin address the need at some level like:Asotin, Tucannon, Lower Snake, Walla Walla p. 8; Flathead Subbasin p.81; John Day Subbasin p.66; Boise/Payette/Weiser Subbasins p.14

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Create/Manage/Maintain Database	Incorporate all existing IBIS data into an improved database management system (DBMS); create wildlife species range maps and interactive Internet application	Convert the current IBIS data sets to a more robust relational database management system (DBMS), such as Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005, in preparation for more dynamic query capabilities and integration with other organizations’ data sets; define formats and create wildlife species range maps; optimize Internet interfaces and develop the necessary programming and scripts to query the data sets; evaluate integrity of interfaces and programming through interactive testing; revise DBMS as needed; establish interfaces and interactive modes; and create and update metadata.	10/1/2006	9/30/2008	$222,000
Biological objectives Enhance access to habitat and biodiversity data			Metrics
Create/Manage/Maintain Database	Expand IBIS to include other spatial and non-spatial data; specifically resident and marine fish habitat data, and incorporate these into interactive Internet applications	Design relationships for and integrate existing resident and marine fish habitat information and spatial data sets; define formats and create fish species range maps; optimize Internet interfaces and develop the necessary programming and scripts to query data; evaluate integrity of interfaces and programming through interative testing; revise DBMS as needed; establish interfaces and interactive modes; and create and update metadata	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$191,908
Biological objectives Enhance access to habitat and biodiversity data			Metrics
Create/Manage/Maintain Database	Coordinate with State, Federal and Tribal organizations to acquire, develop and/or collaborate on spatial and non-spatial data layers that are pertinent to individual subbasins or ecoprovinces	Establish working collaboration (ie. active partnership) with the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and federal agencies	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$600,000
Biological objectives Enhance access to habitat and biodiversity data			Metrics
Create/Manage/Maintain Database	Operate and maintain IBIS including Internet access, user technical support, and systematic server and DBMS backups	Maintain Internet access to disseminate IBIS information; provide technical support to its Internet users and will continue to provide this support for IBIS users. Online email contact forms are already available on IBIS. Additionally, phone and fax support is available to users; Provide for system and information backups and redundancies	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$120,000
Biological objectives Enhance access to habitat and biodiversity data			Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data	Monitor the use and efficiency of IBIS	Evaluate use of queries, tools, pages, and formats; Determine efficiencies of relationships to data versus delivery time to user (includes evaluating other computer programs and delivery software); and Write reports documenting progress, use and findings	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$15,000
Biological objectives Enhance access to habitat and biodiversity data			Metrics Focal Area: evaluate accessibility time of queries, and tools
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Identify and track changes in the relative amounts and locations of wildlife habitat on a landscape level for the entire Columbia River Basin	Previewing the imagery and determining the extent and location of transmission errors and the impact of atmospheric conditions, especially clouds, haze, and smoke from slash burning has upon scene quality; Partitioning imagery into Columbia River Basin Subbasins; Construct derivative bands; Preparation of TM imagery for field reconnaissance; Collecting ancillary data; developing Unsupervised classification of the TM scene; determining spectral signatures; conducting field visits to verify spectral classes; editing and refining coverage; determining accuracy assessment of final map	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$330,000
Biological objectives Updating and refining wildlife habitat mapping			Metrics Focal Area: validate with field visits
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Map wildlife forest structural conditions throughout the basin to allow a more detailed look at the interactions between habitats, structural conditions and the relationships to fish and wildlife species	Collect ancillary data sets to support the mapping of habitat types and structural conditions, like the Gradient Nearest Neighbor method (GNN) developed at the Pacific Northwest Forest Science Laboratory and derivatives of elevation models (i.e., aspect, slope, elevation) ownership, and fire models among others are used for the GNN model calibration; Crosswalk these ancillary data sets to the wildlife structural condition types; and generate accuracy assessment reports for this map product	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$165,000
Biological objectives Updating and refining wildlife habitat mapping			Metrics Focal Area: conduct accuracy assessment
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Map wildlife habitats, structural conditions and key ecological correlates at high resolutions at high priority sites to allow for site specific characterizations for monitoring as well as to provide an assessment of priority	Collect the necessary datasets to facilitate fine-scale mapping of high priority areas; and Determine which areas and habitats are considered high priority and refine the maps	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$331,000
Biological objectives Updating and refining wildlife habitat mapping			Metrics
Coordination	Coordinate with State, Federal and Tribal organizations at the subbasin or ecoprovince level to assist with verifying wildlife habitat map classifications that are generated	Local representatives of the state, federal or tribal organizations will be contacted to help verify draft map classifications and where possible conduct and accuracy assessment of the map(s)	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$375,000
Biological objectives Updating and refining wildlife habitat mapping			Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Conduct Pre-Acquisition Evaluations	Habitat value scores are based on a field-checked habitat map. An area is inventory for proportioned amounts of wildlife-habitat types, structural conditions, and key environmental correlates. This information is used to characterize the site as well as establish a potential species list. Baseline and future enhancements can then be determined with these data.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$140,000
Biological objectives Enhancing and updating habitat evaluation method			Metrics Focal Area: compare findings from the 2 methods
Analyze/Interpret Data	Establishing the habitat value to habitat unit ratio	Develop method to create a ratio between habitat value and HEP’s habitat units	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$15,000
Biological objectives Enhancing and updating habitat evaluation method			Metrics Focal Area: develop habitat unit ratio
Coordination	Coordinate with State, Federal and Tribal Organizations to design, develop and acquire spatial and non-spatial data layers that are pertinent to individual subbasins or ecoprovinces	Establish working collaboration with the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and federal agencies	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$30,000
Biological objectives Developing performance tools for decision making			Metrics
Develop RM&E Methods and Designs	Define common query patterns and common project tracking and decision needs; design, build and test system	The initial steps for this task will be to conduct a survey of potential users (i.e. natural resource staff within public agencies and institutions) to elicit the types of: 1) questions that they would expect to answer with the development of ELVIS; and 2) tracking information they would need on projects to help make decisions. Then, the development of this tool will adhere to the incremental development model starting with an overall preliminary analysis and architectural design, followed by the development of system components in an iterative manner that includes: detailed design; plan; build; integrate; test; and release. The developers will coordinate with state and federal, and tribal agencies (as stated above) to ensure that agency needs are scoped into the development, and to allow a process to access these data so that they can be used by multiple organizations.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$225,000
Biological objectives Developing performance tools for decision making			Metrics
Submit/Acquire Data	Keep the IBIS DBMS and GIS layers updated with the help of an online peer-review system	Actively seek and acquire new data sets (including monitoring data) and update information on resident fish and wildlife from all four Northwestern states; Actively seek and acquire or create new spatial data sets, such as digital aerial photography and satellite imagery, and develop the methodology and process to serve these data;	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$82,500
Biological objectives Developing performance tools for decision making			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Manage and Administer IBIS and habitat mapping and performance tools	Do budgeting and coordination to ensure the programs and their components are on track and within budget	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$190,685
Biological objectives Enhance access to habitat and biodiversity data			Metrics
Outreach and Education	Conduct a two-day workshop to introduce the Habitat Value approach	Teach a Habitat Value workshop and share results from current projects in which the HV approach has been implemented	1/1/2007	1/1/2008	$10,000
Biological objectives Conducting outreach and education			Metrics * # of students reached: 25-35
Outreach and Education	Conduct a half-day workshop on how to map wildlife habitats using GIS and GPS and record metadata	Teach a GIS/GPS application workshop to natural resource professionals interested in mapping wildlife habitat, and share results/lessons from mapping projects in Oregon and Washington	6/1/2007	9/30/2009	$13,500
Biological objectives Conducting outreach and education			Metrics * # of students reached: 30
Outreach and Education	Conduct a half-day workshop on the general principles of how to use GIS and record metadata	Teach a basic GIS workshop for participants in the River Restoration program at Portland State University	6/1/2007	9/30/2009	$13,500
Biological objectives Conducting outreach and education			Metrics * # of students reached: 30
Outreach and Education	Attend professional conferences and public meetings and develop workshops to share the Habitat Value approach and the ELVIS system	Attend conferences and public meetings and develop workshops for transferring and disseminating habitat tools and approaches	1/1/2008	9/30/2009	$25,500
Biological objectives Conducting outreach and education			Metrics * # of students reached: 25-35

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	for 6.5 Staff - Program Manager, Senior GIS/Remote Sensing, Senior Remote Sensing Analyst, Mapping Techician, Coordinator, Information Specialist, and Web-Developer (.5FTE)	$329,500	$333,000	$338,500
Fringe Benefits	at 30%	$98,850	$99,900	$101,550
Supplies	computers, office supplies	$24,500	$20,250	$21,000
Travel	mileage + per diem	$20,800	$21,500	$24,000
Overhead	@ 18%	$83,457	$83,637	$85,149
Other	Subcontracts for assisting with collecting spatial and non-spatial data and mapping Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Oregon Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Heritage Program,Washington Fish and Wildlife, Washington Dept. Natural Resources, Idaho Fish and Wildlife, Montana Fish and Wildlife & Montana Heritage Program	$380,000	$420,000	$430,000
Other	Subcontracts with 2 computer specialist in Open Source programming and Interactive Layout and Design; 1 Statistician for 2 months	$50,000	$80,000	$30,000
Other	Subcontract for assisting with the Design and Layout of ELVIS: Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and representatives from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana	$10,000	$10,000	$0
Totals		$997,107	$1,068,287	$1,030,199

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$3,095,593
Total work element budget:	$3,095,593

Cost sharing

Funding source/org	Item or service provided	FY 07 est value ($)	FY 08 est value ($)	FY 09 est value ($)	Cash or in-kind?	Status
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation	White Oak map in the Willamette Valley	$78,000	$0	$0	In-Kind	Confirmed
Northwest Habitat Institute	Additional Support for operating and maintaining IBIS	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	In-Kind	Confirmed
Portand State University	Teaching a Workshop/Course on Habitat Value	$3,000	$0	$0	In-Kind	Confirmed
USGS-NBII	Assist with Metadata Training	$20,000	$20,000	$20,000	In-Kind	Confirmed
Totals		$111,000	$30,000	$30,000

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $1,300,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $1,300,000

Comments: For anticipated increases in salary, benefits and indirect costs

Future O&M costs: included in the above budgets

Termination date: Not Known
Comments: As a regional information system it would be continually updated and enhanced as well as a repository of past information

Final deliverables: A continually updated habitat and biodiversity information system for the Columbia River Basin

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget	FY08 budget	FY09 budget	Total budget	Type	Category	Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$157,831	$157,831	$157,831	$473,493	Expense	Basinwide	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$157,831	$157,831	$157,831	$0		Basinwide

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: This is a detailed and thorough proposal for a big project. Among the database proposals, this is among the best justified. It includes an excellent recounting of the history of this effort, but little is said about how results have guided work in the Columbia River Basin, or how they solicit and utilize regular feedback on their products. Are all the users happy with the way habitats are quantified and displayed? As an example consider the following comment from the ISRP's review of the Flathead and Kootenai Subbasin Plans: "Planners used a biome approach informed by IBIS to assess wildlife. Specifically, they developed the Terrestrial Biome Assessment (TBA) tool to get to a finer level of analysis than that provided by IBIS, which is limited to qualitative measurements. The Terrestrial Biome Assessment includes both quantitative and qualitative data fields." www.nwcouncil.org/library/isrp/isrp2004-7.pdf. IBIS has likely progressed and can get to finer scales. The rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs is clearly and exhaustively described. Data developed by this proposal relate to the Fish and Wildlife Program, BiOp, and the ISRP retrospective report. This project provides data to, or works directly with, a wide range of projects. The proposal provides a good description of connections to many projects, BPA funded and otherwise. The objectives and work elements are clearly described. The sponsors propose new decision support tools using data from the RME process: ELVIS (to provide guidance on wetland vegetation planning and monitoring protocols). Project effectiveness monitoring is proposed, as are quality control checks and data refinements. Information transfer includes a website to disseminate habitat and biodiversity information and performance tools to support decision making, presentations at meetings, professional material development, peer reviewed publications, and an education outreach effort in a habitat assessment course offered at PSU.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable