Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Science Policy Exchange - Thursday Sessions - Sponsored by Northwest Power and Conservation Council September 12-13, 2007 Richard N. Williams, PhD Facilitator Research Associate Professor Center for Salmonids and Freshwater Species At-Risk University of Idaho

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Inform the Upcoming FWP Amendment Process Science and the FWP –Are the assumptions in the FWP consistent with the newest scientific findings? –Understand how science has evolved and how that should/will affect our management actions Dialogue Forum: Policy <> Science <> Management –Sharpen issues surrounding symposium topics –Reach common understanding among Council members, regional scientists, and federal, state, and Tribal managers Objectives for the S-P Exchange

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, The Science-Policy Interface Management: eg, CBFWA Science: eg, ISAB, ISRP Policy: eg, NPPC

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Schedule and Issues Wednesday –am Habitat Issues –pm Mainstem Issues Thursday –am Estuary Issues –pm Ocean Issues

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Habitat Issues Wednesday Morning

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Mainstem Issues Wednesday Afternoon

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Estuary and Plume Issues Thursday Morning

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Ocean Thursday Afternoon

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Format for the S-P Exchange Format of Topic Sessions –Specific topic Note FWP assumptions on topic Describe and summarize new scientific findings Clarify with case studies, wherever possible –Summary and policy implications –Group Discussion Exchange between Council members, managers, and scientists Emphasis is on policy and manager’s perspective

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Meeting Details Schedule is tight –Facilitator will enforce time table Talks Breaks Restroom locations Lunch on your own Odds and ends

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Science Policy Exchange Incorporated in Fish and Wildlife Programs’ Scientific Principles Based on: Independent Scientific Group’s Return to the River and its Conceptual Foundation Fish and Wildlife Program Assumptions

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Alternative Conceptual Foundation Return to the River (1996; 2006) Salmonid life history diversity and habitat diversity are linked Increases in habitat abundance, diversity, and connectivity increase salmonid life history diversity Increases in habitat and life history diversity increase salmon production Increased abundance and production increase resilience

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Diversity – Productivity Linkage Normative River Processes –natural processes and functions Habitat Complexity and Diversity Biodiversity –life history, population, phenotypic, genetic Salmonid Productivity –achieve Council’s rebuilding goals Resiliency

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Alluvial River 3-D Ecosystem

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, FWP Scientific Principles 1. The abundance, productivity and diversity of organisms are integrally linked to the characteristics of their ecosystems. 2. Ecosystems are dynamic, resilient and develop over time. 3. Biological systems operate on various spatial and time scales that can be organized hierarchically. 4. Habitats develop, and are maintained, by physical and biological processes.

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, FWP Scientific Principles 5. Species play key roles in developing and maintaining ecological conditions. 6. Biological diversity allows ecosystems to persist in the face of environmental variation. 7. Ecological management is adaptive and experimental. 8. Ecosystem function, habitat structure and biological performance are affected by human actions.

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Science Policy Exchange Estuary-Plume Issues

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Estuary-Specific Assumptions in the FWP Estuary assumptions and strategies are included in the FWP’s habitat section Estuary is negatively affected by upriver management actions High potential for habitat improvements in estuary Improvements may benefit most anadromous fish populations

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Estuary Overview Historical Estuary Present Issues of Concern Future Research Needs Speaker : Colin Levings Estuary Overview

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Survival through the Estuary Rationale for IMW approach – Quantify salmon response to habitat actions at a watershed level experiment Extent of current efforts – Idaho, Washington, Oregon Example results from an IMW effort: – Fish Creek Speakers : John Ferguson, Don Lyons

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Salmon Life Histories, Habitats, and Food Webs Current Habitat Strategies Increases in habitat capacity and productivity will lead to increases in fish and wildlife Assumes stable climate and human population Climate Change / Population Growth Restoration and habitat strategies need to account for climate change and population growth Examples and tools for planning Speakers : Dan Bottom

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership Science Program – Habitat restoration, – Species recovery, – Monitoring and toxic reduction Restoration Tools and Data – Regional Strategies and Priorities Projects, Results, Future Actions Speakers: Debrah Marriott, Evan Haas

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Sep 12-13, Discussion Periods Time is limited –Focus on Science Summary and Policy Implications Discussion –Exchange between Council members, managers, and scientists –Emphasis on policy and manager’s perspective Schedule Enforcers