Examples of Adaptive Management Strategies in Urban...
1
Restoring an ecosystem to its original community structure, natural complement of species, and natural functions is complicated at best. Natural variability, management objectives, and economic constraints can all influence restoration success. RECON’s adaptive management strategy embraces uncertainty and provides opportunities for learning and adapting to change. The San Luis Rey River Flood Risk Management Project is a levied river that provides flood risk reduction to the City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. The San Luis Rey River is home to the federally listed endangered least Bell’s vireo as well as other state listed species. RECON has been tasked with creating an Adaptive Habitat Management Plan (AHMP) that involves a systematic approach for improving resource management outcomes and provides processes for future decision-making related to vegetation and habitat management activities in the project area. The AHMP must accomplish this while also meeting the intent of terms, conditions and agreements in the approval documents issued by all agencies involved. The Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration Project, Area 1, Pima County, Arizona, will provide restored xeroriparian habitat on an 8.6-acre parcel of land on the southern bank of the Rillito River west of Craycroft Road in Tucson, Arizona. This project is the first phase of the larger Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration and Environmental Project, which covers over 55 acres along the southern bank of the river between Alvernon Way and Craycroft Road. For this project, RECON employed an approach that involved performance standards, monitoring, lessons learned and recommendations that were implemented in later phases of the Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration and Environmental Project. In both cases, the success of the projects will be judged by the flexibility of the management plan to adjust to uncertainty from either natural variability or social and economic change. Reviewing how RECON has dealt with integrating new information and feedback on these and other projects will add to the current discussion of how best to implement adaptive management strategies. The Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration Project totals over 55 acres. This ecosystem restoration project was initiated under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer (USACE) Continuing Authorities Program under Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662), as amended. Section 1135 authorizes the Secretary of the Army to modify the structures and operations of water resources projects constructed by USACE to improve the quality of the environment consistent with authorized purposes; and to undertake measures for restoration of environmental quality where the construction or operation of a water resources project built by USACE has contributed to the degradation of the of the quality of the environment. In this case, Section 1135 is used to modify an existing flood control project on the south bank of the Rillito River in metropolitan Tucson. This work was coordinated with Pima County Regional Flood Control District (PCRFCD), the nonfederal sponsor, in cooperation with the USACE (Figure 5). The San Luis Rey River Flood Risk Management Project is an existing flood control project located in the City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California (Figure 3). The project area encompasses approximately 7.2 river miles from College Boulevard (formerly Murray Road) in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west (project area) (Figure 4). The initial vegetation and sediment management plan conveyed flow at a level of 89,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). To provide a more ecosystem-sensitive outcome for the flood damage reduction facility, the project will be completed in phases, rather than a one-time removal of all vegetation necessary to accommodate the desired flow conveyance. This change will provide a somewhat reduced level of flood risk reduction of 71,200 cfs, but will result in a greater diversity of riparian habitat structure and functional units within the project area. It will also facilitate long-term maintenance of these characteristics. RECON’S ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT APPROACH Adaptive management is a decision process that promotes flexible decision making that can be adjusted in the face of uncertainties as outcomes from management actions and other events become better understood. It is not a “trial and error” process, but rather emphasizes learning while doing (NRC 2004). Figure 1 is a diagram of the adaptive management process. RECON employs an adaptive management approach to ecosystem restoration. A successful habitat restoration program is complicated, often involving multiple regulatory agencies. A successful project not only requires a creative design but feasible implementation. RECON’s emphasis on monitoring after implementation allows habitat restoration specialists to evaluate the progress of the project and allows for timely adjustments as needed. Figure 2 is a diagram of the RECON adaptive management strategy. SAN LUIS REY RIVER FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT Prior to project construction and implementation, site preparation included extensive removal and treatment of invasive species. One priority invasive species, giant reed (Arundo donax) presented a management dilemma - the dense growth at the bases of the plants was providing excellent habitat for native reptiles and small mammals - its removal could negatively impact these species in the time period between treatment and establishment of native restoration plantings. The main management issue for the project is to maintain a balance between flood risk reduction activities in the existing flood control channel and biological resource protection. This must be done while meeting the intent of terms, conditions and agreements in the approval documents issued by all agencies involved. There are several federally and state endangered species in the project area, two of which are the least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). Habitat for these species exists within portions of the river that are slated for vegetationmanagement, and therefore would be impacted by the project. Management Issue Management Issue The development of an Adaptive Habitat Management Plan (AHMP) satisfies the requirements of the Terms and Conditions of the Biological Opinion (United States Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 2005, amended 2006), the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Permit (California Department of Fish and Game [CDFG] 2008a) and the Streambed Alteration Agreement (SAA, CDFG 2008b) as identified in the Post Authorization Decision Document/ Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report/Post Authorization Change Report (PADD/SEIS/EIR/PAC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] 2007). The AHMP will provide the process for future decision-making related to vegetation and habitat management activities in the project area. The AHMP is being developed and will be implemented in a Management Team format. This allows for stakeholders to meet and discuss what design format the AHMP should take. Once the AHMP has been developed, and implemented, the Management Team will meet to discuss the outcomes of strategies set forth in the AHMP and decide if those strategies are meeting the required criteria, and if not, how to amend such strategies. Adaptive Management Approach In order to preserve the habitat opportunity while addressing effective treatment of this species, an innovative approach was used. Giant reed plants were cut at 4 feet in height (litter bagged and removed) and treated immediately with herbicide. This approach kept the habitat at base of the plant intact but killed the plant. Within the first year, the native restoration plantings were dense and robust enough to replace and provide many more habitat opportunities for reptiles and small mammals. California Department of Fish and Game 2008a California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit, City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. February 1. 2008b Agreement Regarding Proposed Stream or Lake Alteration (a.k.a. Streambed Alteration Agreement) between CDFG and the City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. February 4. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2007 PADD/SEIS/EIR/PAC, San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project, City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. July 2007. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006 Amended Final Biological Opinion, San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project. February 16. 2005 Final Biological Opinion, San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project. April 8. National Research Council. 2004 Adaptive Management for Water Resources Planning, The National Academies Press. Washington DC. Adaptive Management Approach REFERENCES RILLITO RIVER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECT ABSTRACT Assess problem Monitor Adjust Design Evaluate Implement Figure 1 Diagram of the adaptive management process Figure 2. Diagram of RECON’s adaptive management strategy Implementation Design Maintenance Monitoring and Reporting Feasibility Refinement Diligence Adaptive Management UNINCORPORATED Vista Oceanside San Marcos Carlsbad Encinitas Solana Beach Del Mar Pacific Ocean Escondido UNINCORPORATED Poway San Diego UNIN MCB Camp Pendleton § ¨ ¦ £ ¤ £ ¤ P o way Road Via d e la V alle San Pa s £ ¤ § ¨ ¦ § ¨ ¦ UNINCORPORATED Vista Oceanside San Marcos Carlsbad Encinitas Solana Beach Del Mar Pacific Ocean Escondido UNINCORPORATED Poway San Diego UNIN MCB Camp Pendleton § ¨ ¦ £ ¤ £ ¤ P o way Road Via d e la V alle San Pa s £ ¤ § ¨ ¦ § ¨ ¦ 0 4 Miles [ Project Location FIGURE 3 [ FIGURE 4 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers City of Oceanside U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Marine Fisheries Service California Department of Fish and Game California Regional Water Quality Control Board California Coastal Commission United States Geological Survey Management Team FIGURE 5 Examples of Adaptive Management Strategies in Urban Ecosystems Poster by Italia Gray, Paul Fromer and Carianne Funicelli, Design by Vince Martinez RECON Environmental, Inc., San Diego, CA P 619.308.9333, F 619.308.9334 Email: [email protected], www.recon-us.com
Transcript of Examples of Adaptive Management Strategies in Urban...
Restoring an ecosystem to its original community structure, natural complement of species, and natural functions is complicated at best. Natural variability, management objectives, and economic constraints can all influence restoration success. RECON’s adaptive management strategy embraces uncertainty and provides opportunities for learning and adapting to change. The San Luis Rey River Flood Risk Management Project is a levied river that provides flood risk reduction to the City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. The San Luis Rey River is home to the federally listed endangered least Bell’s vireo as well as other state listed species. RECON has been tasked with creating an Adaptive Habitat Management Plan (AHMP) that involves a systematic approach for improving resource management outcomes and provides processes for future decision-making related to vegetation and habitat management activities in the project area. The AHMP must accomplish this while also meeting the intent of terms, conditions and agreements in the approval documents issued by all agencies involved.
The Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration Project, Area 1, Pima County, Arizona, will provide restored xeroriparian habitat on an 8.6-acre parcel of land on the southern bank of the Rillito River west of Craycroft Road in Tucson, Arizona. This project is the first phase of the larger Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration and Environmental Project, which covers over 55 acres along the southern bank of the river between Alvernon Way and Craycroft Road. For this project, RECON employed an approach that involved performance standards, monitoring, lessons learned and recommendations that were implemented in later phases of the Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration and Environmental Project.
In both cases, the success of the projects will be judged by the flexibility of the management plan to adjust to uncertainty from either natural variability or social and economic change. Reviewing how RECON has dealt with integrating new information and feedback on these and other projects will add to the current discussion of how best to implement adaptive management strategies.
The Rillito River Ecosystem Restoration Project totals over 55 acres. This ecosystem restoration project was initiated under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer (USACE) Continuing Authorities Program under Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-662), as amended. Section 1135 authorizes the Secretary of the Army to modify the structures and operations of water resources projects constructed by USACE to improve the quality of the environment consistent with authorized purposes; and to undertake measures for restoration of environmental quality where the construction or operation of a water resources project built by USACE has contributed to the degradation of the of the quality of the environment. In this case, Section 1135 is used to modify an existing flood control project on the south bank of the Rillito River in metropolitan Tucson. This work was coordinated with Pima County Regional Flood Control District (PCRFCD), the nonfederal sponsor, in cooperation with the USACE (Figure 5).
The San Luis Rey River Flood Risk Management Project is an existing flood control project located in the City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California (Figure 3). The project area encompasses approximately 7.2 river miles from College Boulevard (formerly Murray Road) in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west (project area) (Figure 4). The initial vegetation and sediment management plan conveyed flow at a level of 89,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). To provide a more ecosystem-sensitive outcome for the flood damage reduction facility, the project will be completed in phases, rather than a one-time removal of all vegetation necessary to accommodate the desired flow conveyance. This change will provide
a somewhat reduced level of flood risk reduction of 71,200 cfs, but will result in a greater diversity of riparian habitat structure and functional units within the project area. It will also facilitate long-term maintenance of these characteristics.
RECON’S ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT APPROACH
Adaptive management is a decision process that promotes flexible decision making that can be adjusted in the face of uncertainties as outcomes from management actions and other events become better understood. It is not a “trial and error” process, but rather emphasizes learning while doing (NRC 2004). Figure 1 is a diagram of the adaptive management process. RECON employs an adaptive management approach to ecosystem restoration. A successful habitat restoration program is complicated, often involving multiple regulatory agencies. A successful project not only requires a creative design but feasible implementation. RECON’s emphasis on monitoring after implementation allows habitat restoration specialists to evaluate the progress of the project and allows for timely adjustments as needed. Figure 2 is a diagram of the RECON adaptive management strategy.
SAN LUIS REY RIVER FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PROJECT
Prior to project construction and implementation, site preparation included extensive removal and treatment of invasive species. One priority invasive species, giant reed (Arundo donax) presented a management dilemma - the dense growth at the bases of the plants was providing excellent habitat for native reptiles and small mammals - its removal could negatively impact these species in the time period between treatment and establishment of native restoration plantings.
The main management issue for the project is to maintain a balance between flood risk reduction activities in the existing flood control channel and biological resource protection. This must be done while meeting the intent of terms, conditions and agreements in the approval documents issued by all agencies involved. There are several federally and state endangered species in the project area, two of which are the least Bell’s vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), and southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). Habitat for these species exists within portions of the river that are slated for vegetationmanagement, and therefore would be impacted by the project.
Management IssueManagement Issue
The development of an Adaptive Habitat Management Plan (AHMP) satisfies the requirements of the Terms and Conditions of the Biological Opinion (United States Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 2005, amended 2006), the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) Permit (California Department of Fish and Game [CDFG] 2008a) and the Streambed Alteration Agreement (SAA, CDFG 2008b) as identified in the Post Authorization Decision Document/ Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report/Post Authorization Change Report (PADD/SEIS/EIR/PAC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE] 2007). The AHMP will provide the process for future decision-making related to vegetation and habitat management activities in the project area. The AHMP is being developed and will be implemented in a Management Team format. This allows for stakeholders to meet and discuss what design format the AHMP should take. Once the AHMP has been developed, and implemented, the Management Team will meet to discuss the outcomes of strategies set forth in the AHMP and decide if those strategies are meeting the required criteria, and if not, how to amend such strategies.
Adaptive Management Approach
In order to preserve the habitat opportunity while addressing effective treatment of this species, an innovative approach was used. Giant reed plants were cut at 4 feet in height (litter bagged and removed) and treated immediately with herbicide. This approach kept the habitat at base of the plant intact but killed the plant. Within the first year, the native restoration plantings were dense and robust enough to replace and provide many more habitat opportunities for reptiles and small mammals.
California Department of Fish and Game2008a California Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit, City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. February 1.
2008b Agreement Regarding Proposed Stream or Lake Alteration (a.k.a. Streambed Alteration Agreement) between CDFG and the City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. February 4.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers2007 PADD/SEIS/EIR/PAC, San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project, City of Oceanside, San Diego County, California. July 2007.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service2006 Amended Final Biological Opinion, San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project. February 16.
2005 Final Biological Opinion, San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project. April 8. National Research Council.
2004 Adaptive Management for Water Resources Planning, The National Academies Press. Washington DC.
Adaptive Management Approach
REFERENCES
RILLITO RIVER ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECTABSTRACT
Assess problem
Monitor
Adjust Design
Evaluate Implement
Figure 1 Diagram of the adaptivemanagement process
Figure 2. Diagram of RECON’s adaptivemanagement strategy
Implem
entation
Design
Maintenance
Mon
itori
ng a
nd
Repo
rtin
g
Feas
ibilit
yRefinement
DiligenceAdapt
ive
Man
agem
ent
FIGURE 1Regional Location
LakePoway
LakeRamona
RanchoPenasquitos
Sa
Valley Center
CarmelValley
Bonsall
Pauma V
Pala
MCAS Miramar
Buena VistaLagoon
AguaHediondaLagoon
BatiquitosLagoon
MiramarReservoir
UNINCORPORATED
VistaOceanside
SanMarcos
Carlsbad
Encinitas
SolanaBeach
DelMar
PacificOcean
LakeHodges
LovelandReservoir
Escondido
UNINCORPORATED
Poway
SanDiego
UNIN
MCBCamp
Pendleton
§̈¦15
£¤78
£¤67
Poway RoadVia d e
laVa
lle
San Pas
£¤56
§̈¦5 §̈¦805
LakePoway
LakeRamona
RanchoPenasquitos
Sa
Valley Center
CarmelValley
Bonsall
Pauma V
Pala
MCAS Miramar
Buena VistaLagoon
AguaHediondaLagoon
BatiquitosLagoon
MiramarReservoir
UNINCORPORATED
VistaOceanside
SanMarcos
Carlsbad
Encinitas
SolanaBeach
DelMar
PacificOcean
LakeHodges
LovelandReservoir
Escondido
UNINCORPORATED
Poway
SanDiego
UNIN
MCBCamp
Pendleton
§̈¦15
£¤78
£¤67
Poway RoadVia d e
laVa
lle
San Pas
£¤56
§̈¦5 §̈¦805
M:\JOBS2\4156\common_gis\RESTORATION_PLAN\fig1.mxd 12/27/07
0 4Miles [Project Location
FIGURE 3
I-5 - Benet (REACH 1)
Foussat - Douglas (REACH 3b) Douglas - College (REACH 4)
Benet - Foussat (REACH 2)
Whelan1 and 2
Upper Pond
ParkPond
Lower Pond
Middle Pond
Pilgrim Pond
Riverside Pond
Tuley Canyon
DO
UG
LAS
DR
BEN
ETR
D
FOUSSAT RD
I-5
COLLEGE AVE
Fous
sat -
Dou
glas
(REA
CH
3a)
I-5 - Benet (REACH 1)
Foussat - Douglas (REACH 3b) Douglas - College (REACH 4)
Benet - Foussat (REACH 2)
Whelan1 and 2
Upper Pond
ParkPond
Lower Pond
Middle Pond
Pilgrim Pond
Riverside Pond
Tuley Canyon
DO
UG
LAS
DR
BEN
ETR
D
FOUSSAT RD
I-5
COLLEGE AVE
Fous
sat -
Dou
glas
(REA
CH
3a)
M:\jobs2\4251\common_gis\boundaries.mxd 06/26/08
0 2,000Feet
Image Source: 2007 Airphoto USA /Digital Globe (flown April 2007)
[Project Boundary
FIGURE 4
U.S. Army Corps of EngineersCity of OceansideU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceNational Marine Fisheries Service
California Department of Fish and GameCalifornia Regional Water Quality Control BoardCalifornia Coastal CommissionUnited States Geological Survey
Management Team
FIGURE 5
Examples of Adaptive Management Strategies in Urban Ecosystems
Poster by Italia Gray, Paul Fromer and Carianne Funicelli, Design by Vince MartinezRECON Environmental, Inc., San Diego, CA
P 619.308.9333, F 619.308.9334Email: [email protected], www.recon-us.com
