Project: Extensive Riparian Status and Trends Monitoring Project (ExMo)

Extensive monitoring programs evaluate the current status of key watershed resources and habitat condition indicators across FP HCP lands, and document trends in these indicators over time as the forest practices prescriptions are applied across the landscape. Extensive monitoring provides a statewide, landscape-scale assessment of the effectiveness of forest practices rules to attain specific performance targets on FP HCP lands. Extensive monitoring is designed to provide report-card-type measures of rule effectiveness (i.e., to what extent are FP HCP performance targets and resource condition objectives being achieved on a landscape scale over time). These measures can then be used to determine the degree to which progress is meeting expectations (CMER Work Plan). This definition of extensive monitoring is consistent with the landscape scale component of effectiveness monitoring called for in Appendix N of the FPHCP (Schedule L-1).

The purpose of the Extensive Riparian Status and Trends Monitoring Project (Extensive Monitoring Project) is to (1) document the current status of key watershed resources and habitat conditions (stream shade, stream temperature, and stream riparian stand large wood supply potential) across Washington State lands managed under the Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan “FPHCP lands” (2) evaluate trends in conditions over time as Forest Practices prescriptions are applied, and (3) assess whether condition trends are moving toward meeting resource objectives and performance targets at the landscape scale. This scoping document presents the potential alternatives to conduct the Extensive Monitoring Project across Washington State and critical questions it is meant to address.