StreamNet Project
BPA Project No.:  198810804
FY 2009 Work Statement
October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009

The StreamNet Project is a cooperative data compilation and data management project under the FWP focused on fish and fish related data.  In FY-09, the project is transitioning to meet new needs for data and data related services.  Key components of this transition process for fiscal year 2009 include the following:

•  Emphasis on data to feed regional scale reporting at a high level.  We will focus on the raw or field level data that are needed to provide high level assessments of population trends (abundance and productivity) to regional scale reporting mechanisms, focusing initially on CBFWA’s Status of the Resource Report (SOTR).  We anticipate that these same data will also be needed to calculate abundance and productivity metrics under other High Level Indicator efforts.  Emphasis in FY-09 will be on data for the abundance and distribution of focal species identified in the Subbasin Plans and as used in SOTR, to the degree that current funding will allow.
•  Establishing automated data flow from the StreamNet database to regional scale reporting through the SOTR.
•  Emphasis on automating data flow to improve speed of data delivery from the source agencies to the regionally standardized database at StreamNet.  Speed of updating time series of data was identified as a significant issue at the 2006 Data Workshop and the CBFWA Data Management Framework Subcommittee.  This year we are piloting automated data extraction from the new Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System (IFWIS), to which we have provided development support.  This will improve data delivery speed and also automate translation into the regional data format.  Similar efforts will be pursued with other data source agencies, based on their priorities, to assist them as they move toward implementing additional information technology.  The systems development envisioned would also be required in any regional move toward development of distributed database systems approaches for regional data sharing.
•  Emphasis on data systems and data delivery that support population assessments under recovery planning and the BiOp.  StreamNet partners will work within their agencies and recovery planners to determine BiOp data needs and develop approaches for providing needed data.
•  Refine our strategy to compensate for lost staffing.  This is the sixth year of level funding for the project, and significant staff time has been lost due to inflation (the project budget is approximately 85% related to personal services).  As a result, WDFW StreamNet had to limit data acquisition to only the lower Columbia Basin subbasins, and ODFW StreamNet has taken a subbasin by subbasin approach to acquiring data for focal species, but may be unable to address all subbasins each year.  Several components of the project have moved some of their staff time to other funding sources, but for other work.  Without funding to restore staffing levels, strategy options may include 1) encouraging data source agencies to emphasize development of agency-wide database approaches, 2) increased automation of data exchange where made possible by the first option, 3) continue or increase reliance on other funding sources to support specialized staff to free up funding to support additional data technicians until automated data exchanges become more feasible, and 4) attempt to identify funding to leverage efforts that meet goals for the project and other funding sources.
•  Restructure the project to remove work by CRITFC.  Since the CRITFC data and library functions that were formerly part of StreamNet are now covered under the tribal MOU with Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), those milestones (and budget) have been removed from the StreamNet statement of work.  The flow of data and literature between StreamNet and CRITFC will be coordinated and maintained, and this change is considered a simple contractual restructuring rather than a change in function.
•  Attempt to acquire data from tribal programs.  This goal may be dependent on additional funding, for either the project or tribal programs.  However, the project intends to coordinate with tribes as much as possible with existing staff to develop means of assisting them with their data and making them available for sharing.

The StreamNet statement of work is organized around seven Work Elements, with multiple individual WE Titles:

1.  WE 159 Transfer/Consolidate Regionally Standardized Data.  This work element encompasses the acquisition, standardization, georeferencing and consolidation of fish related data by the agencies that participate in the StreamNet project.  This also includes acquisition of source documents for all acquired data and submission of the references to the StreamNet Library at CRITFC.

2.  WE 160 Create/Manage/Maintain Database.  All components of the StreamNet project maintain databases and computer systems to support their work at both the source agency and regional (PSMFC) levels.  This work includes maintenance and needed upgrade of the hardware and software systems, development of applications to assist in data management and manipulation, development of standard data formats to assure data consistency across the region, and maintenance of regional base data layers essential for management and depiction of data including the PNW 1:100,000 routed hydrography (stream layer), a new interim mixed scale hydrography, and various general GIS layers.

3.  WE 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results.  Data from StreamNet and independent data sets from the Data Store, maps, data references, and various other materials are disseminated primarily through the StreamNet website www.streamnet.org.  Other data services include responding to requests for information from individuals, subbasin planners, other FWP supported projects, watershed councils, agencies and regional entities.

4.  WE 189 Regional Coordination.  StreamNet coordinates with a variety of other database projects and regional initiatives, including CBFWA (SOTR, CSMEP, and DMFS), PNAMP, NED, HSRG, NPCC, ISEMP, subbasin planners, recovery planners, data source agencies, etc.  The purpose of coordination is to facilitate flow of data, provide data management expertise, and avoid duplication of efforts.  

5.  WE 119 Manage and Administer Projects.  All project participants contribute to management of the StreamNet project, including managing their own respective components and through participation in the StreamNet Steering Committee.

6.  WE 132 Produce (Annual) Progress Report.  All project participants contribute to a detailed annual report of activities and accomplishments throughout the fiscal year.

7.  WE 185 Produce Pisces Status Report.  This work element entails completing and submitting abbreviated quarterly and final status reports in the Pisces system.

The bulk of the project consists of sub-projects within four state fish and wildlife agencies (WA, OR, ID and MT) and US Fish and Wildlife Service to develop data and databases within the respective agencies and facilitate data transfer in regionally consistent format.  In addition to administratively housing the StreamNet sub-projects, these cooperating agencies also contribute in kind support.  The kind and amount of support varies between agencies.  Most agencies provide at least some salary support for their respective StreamNet Project Leader (from one or two months to full time).  Several agencies contribute use of servers or other computer equipment and services that are not covered by charges for indirect costs.  All contribute time by biologists and in some cases data entry staff to provide data to the project.  

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) administers StreamNet and is responsible for the regional components of the project, including maintaining the regional database, assuring regional data standardization, making data available in tabular and Geographic Information System (GIS) formats, building and operating Internet based data delivery systems, and posting the data for public access.

Details of the actual tasks performed by the project are detailed in the Milestones under each Work Element.