Proposed Coordination of PNAMP Activities by the US Geological Survey

Introduction: Regional goals for monitoring salmon and sustainable fisheries, population recovery, and habitat protection are a high priority in the Pacific Northwest.  Recently, members of the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership (PNAMP) have agreed upon the need for development and coordination of a state-federal-tribal monitoring partnership in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California.  Because science and management activities are scattered among agencies whose jurisdictions frequently overlap administratively but often divide along geographic and resource boundaries, the group has explored the requirement for a dedicated PNAMP Coordinator. This proposal describes the US Geological Survey's plan to fulfill the coordination function outlined in the document entitled Coordination Structure for the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership.

Why USGS? As the science bureau within the Department of the Interior, the USGS has no management or regulatory responsibilities for public lands, waters, or natural resources and thus has no vested management interest in the outcome of any particular monitoring activity or response. The USGS provides scientific leadership in full partnership with other science agencies (or scientific adjuncts to resource management agencies) and academic institutions.  Throughout the West, the USGS helps to provide the scientific component for the best management of fisheries and aquatic resources. The USGS is proposing to host the PNAMP Coordinator within the Western Regional Office (WRO). The WRO administers six biological science centers in the western states, of which three have overlapping areas of influence with PNAMP.  The proposed placement of the Coordinator within the organizational structure of the WRO will ensure the independent and interagency qualities of the position, as well as separation from the USGS research function.

Proposal:  While continuing its membership on PNAMP-related Executive, Steering, and Technical Committees, the USGS is prepared to support the PNAMP coordination needs by dedicating staff to the coordination function.   The Coordinator will have USGS supervision and administrative support as needed.  The Coordinator will participate in a neutral manner to facilitate efforts of PNAMP, serve as lead staff and liaison among technical groups, assist the interface between Steering Committee members and their executive-level counterparts, and provide fiscal/contract support. As a USGS Western Regional Office employee, the incumbent would maintain neutrality and interact proactively with state, tribal, and federal entities as well as other stakeholders in the PNAMP. This proposal describes specific tasks and costs required by the USGS to provide a full time Coordinator, administrative/clerical support, and related operational costs for FY2005.



Tasks: Specific tasks to be performed by the Coordinator are presented below.  Administrative assistance will be provided by one half-time position to support these tasks.

1. Serve as the lead staff, liaison, and point of contact for PNAMP.  Support coordination of PNAMP efforts to integrate resource monitoring programs of state, federal, tribal, local, and private organizations in the Pacific Northwest.
2. Ensure completion of administrative requirements of PNAMP activities (e.g. meeting logistical support, record keeping, responsibility for maintenance of membership information), including oversight of clerical assistance as appropriate.
3. Facilitate the transfer of information within PNAMP and across relevant organizations, establish and maintain strong relationships between science and management, and promote and facilitate communication among organizations and disciplines.
4. Facilitate forums among technical experts and between scientists, managers, and liaison groups for the collective evaluation and interpretation of current and new knowledge regarding issues in need of management or research attention.  Serve as a clearinghouse for PNAMP activities and products.
5. Provide organizational support to PNAMP by developing, and negotiating fiscal support with government and non-government entities, and managing budgets and associated contracts with government and non-government entities.  
6. Ensure completion of progress reporting regarding Coordinator's activities (within PNAMP) and PNAMP activities to interested external parties.  Prepare quarterly progress reports for the Steering Committee.
7. Facilitate the development, implementation, and tracking of PNAMP work plans.
8. Initiate and facilitate the development, presentation, and distribution of products aimed as heightening awareness and understanding of PNAMP issues, successes, and problems.