 RBs oversee various programs and have specific information needs for each  e.g., 303(d), MS4, 401/wetlands, irrigated lands, point source dischargers, timber, NNE, hydromodification  Need a translation of how current (and future, as needed) indicators, waterbody types, and beneficial uses (BUs) relate back to specific program goals  Would assist agency staff to know what they need in order to make informed decisions  Would also make a connection back to program-specific needs Big Picture

Long-term Goals for the Tool 1. Develop “guidance” for users to determine which indicators are most appropriate for assessing BU attainment under different scenarios 2. Develop a translation of assessment results for interpreting beneficial use attainment (vet this with agencies) ~ construct a conceptual framework to guide this process 3. Develop a procedure for integrating & interpreting information from multiple types indicators  chemical, physical, biological datasets  stressor data

Strawman Organizational Scenario for the BU Interpretive Tool

Uses of waters that support terrestrial ecosystems including, but not limited to, preservation and enhancement of terrestrial habitats, vegetation, wildlife (e.g., mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates), or wildlife water and food sources. Uses of waters that support wildlife habitats, including, but not limited to, the preservation and enhancement of vegetation and prey species used by wildlife, such as waterfowl. Water quality requirements of wildlife pertain to water directly ingested, the aquatic habitat itself, and the effect of water quality on the production of food materials. The two most important types of wildlife habitat are riparian and wetland habitats WILD Beneficial Use

Keep in mind:  Focus of WILD is on terrestrial wildlife (e.g., mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates; not fish) and vegetation  Focus on direct relationships/linkages of indicator(s) to specific aspect of WILD  Assume focus is on is terrestrial insect taxa only (no aquatic larval stage) Constructs for WILD BU Interpretive Tool

 Distal Measure of Condition (alternatively, “facilitation”)  Indicates whether physical and biological elements are in place to facilitate natural processes that underlie BU attainment  Snapshot that can be assessed in single visit  Cheaper to assess than “function” (below)  But… less directly related to attainment of the BU  Proximal Measure of Function (alternatively, “success”)  Indicates whether naturally occurring processes have been successfully carried out during the recent history at that site (ex. recruitment, biogeochemical processes)  Processes occur over time, which may mean multiple site visits required  More directly related to attainment of the BU  But…generally more expensive to assess than “condition” Proposed Definitions

Wildlife food sources Wildlife water sources Water directly ingested or absorbed Seasonality of water availability (hydroperiod) Nest surveys Occupied tree cavities Roosting behavior Aquatic toxicity Nest/egg mass counts Demographic surveys Tissue analyses and bioaccumulation studies Terrestrial vegetation (riparian) Terrestrial Substrates Habitat structure and diversity WILD BU Definition INDICATOR CLASS PROXIMAL MEASURES: function (success) (SWAMP protocol available) LEGEND Mortality due to poor water quality RATIONALE for why to measure Drinking; Reproduction for amphibians; Bathing, cooling Data loggers to monitor hydroperiod Vegetation as food source for granivorous birds, insects, turtles Animals as food source for trophic support: Fish (as food source only) Benthic and terrestrial macro-inverts Amphibians &reptiles Birds and small mammals Gut-content analysis or observations of feeding behavior Roosting and breeding habitat for birds Habitat for terrestrial invertebrates, reptiles Burrow occupancy Physical (Habitat) Biological Chemical ATTRIBUTE Vegetation abundance Diversity; Biomass/productivity Prey abundance Diversity; Biomass/productivity Toxicity testing using surrogates e.g., Ceriodaphnia DISTAL MEASURES: condition (facilitation) (SWAMP protocol available) Stressors analysis and causal assessment CRAM/PHAB vegetation transects, releves, point- intercepts transects, point-intercepts BMI Bioassessment Presence/absence surveys CRAM Vegetation transects and intercepts Clip harvest and leaf area NOTE: We will treat each line as a hypothesis; will need to articulate a validation scheme for each one

 Is this the right approach to building a tool to assist in determination of BU attainment?  Is the structure appropriate and effective?  Does this make an effective translation between assessment endpoints and programmatic needs?  Is thisdeveloped enough to merit starting discussions with a broader group of regulators? To Discuss

 Hold a meeting with a broader group in Sacto  Present and hold a workshop at CABW  Build support for the continuation of this work  Continue developing version for other BUs (WARM, COLD, etc.) Next Steps