Contract Description 1988-108-04 EXP STREAMNET

StreamNet is a cooperative, regional scale data management project that provides assistance to agencies and tribes that create the biological data by funding data management staff within these agencies/tribes. StreamNet also coordinates regional data management initiatives designed to improve the quality, flow, and timeliness of key data to decision makers. StreamNet acquires standardized fish related data per the agreed upon data exchange standards (Fish Monitoring Data and Coordinated Assessments Partnership Fish HLIs) from the management agencies/tribes. StreamNet also receives GIS layers including fish distribution, survey transects associated with Fish Monitoring Data, and fish facilities locations that are displayed and made accessible for others to use. These data and GIS layers are available through the StreamNet website that includes online data query systems, and may inform development of polygons fish units to support interactive map-based tools.

The primary focus of StreamNet is data sharing that informs regional assessments and reporting needs. Support is also provided to the region by archiving data in secure data repositories and maintaining access to regionally important documents and tools.  PSMFC StreamNet staff also support Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s and Bonneville Power Administration’s specific needs that can be achieved within budget, by using existing processes and accessible information.  More specific work priorities are:

1.    The StreamNet Executive Committee will continue to direct the activities of the Coordinated Assessments Partnership (CAP) by annually updating the guidance in the CAP strategy document (previously titled the 5-year CAP workplan). This will include prioritizing selection of new high-level indicators and metrics, taking into account regional data needs, such as NOAA status assessments and NPCC Program Tracker tool and related information. Priorities should incorporate realistic assessments of available data and implementation timeline consider availability of staff and other agency priorities.

2.    The StreamNet Executive Committee will offer expanded membership to any entity that is a significant data provider or data user, such as state agencies, tribes, federal agencies, and multi-state organizations.

3.    The StreamNet Executive Committee will continue to prioritize updating Fish Monitoring Data time series (trends) to reflect an emphasis on those that add value to ongoing regional assessments, reporting and O&M efforts, such as those informing the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. As GIS funding allows, GIS layers related to focal fish species distribution (usage), fish facilities, fish management units (e.g. ESU/MPS/Populations) polygons, and fish time series data sampling locations will be maintained, and as needed, development of layers related to these will be produced to support web-based tools and maps.

4.    StreamNet should provide accessible and useful displays of information at the regional scale, with special focus on the CAP Fish High Level Indicators (HLIs). This will include GIS-based, fish management unit (e.g. population) level graphical presentation of the high-level indicators as these are developed.

5.    StreamNet should also assist in supporting the efforts of others (NOAA, NPCC, BPA ESA CBFish.org etc.) who are engaged in similar efforts by focusing on automating and streamlining the flow of data for these efforts.

6.    While focusing the CAP on high level indicators that support regionally significant monitoring efforts, clear direction and consensus should be used to guide agencies and tribes to submit data that support population level assessments. Where such data are lacking, the Executive Committee will provide overall direction. Data from other scales that align with management units and how data are compiled, such as “superpopulations” or subpopulations, may be used as surrogates for population scale indicators where warranted.

7.    StreamNet should also assess alternative approaches for receiving needed data that considers the level of effort and the corresponding data quantity. To this end, StreamNet should work with the FPC to coordinate and determine the process to receive SAR data for the CAP Fish HLIs that represents a manageable level of effort.

8.    StreamNet will focus on maintaining and improving data flow for existing CAP Fish HLIs. Continue to work on exchanging the hatchery indicators and metrics identified through the HCAX 2021-2023 process. StreamNet should continue scoping plans for Bull Trout Fish HLIs, and keep an ongoing dialogue with USFWS to ensure coordination, while looking to MFWP and USFWS to help, as well as scoping other fish indicators identified in the CAP strategy and collaboratively determining when it is feasible to develop those for exchange.

9.    The StreamNet Executive Committee will continue to periodically evaluate whether regional data collection and management efforts are aligned with the high-level data needs identified by the users of CAP data, and recommendations for funding and support provided to BPA, NPCC, NOAA, and others from a regional perspective.

10.    Where data are needed in support of regional prioritization (i.e. objectives and indicators from NPCC 2020 Program Addendum and Program Tracker tool) StreamNet should prioritize infrastructure and data management assistance needed to support these, as well as assessing alternative approaches for obtaining these data that may reduce the level of effort required by StreamNet such as connecting to regional system or other systems/funded efforts that contain the information. If the required information can only be provided directly from agencies and tribes, addressing this need will require advance planning to potentially shift resources or request additional support, as agencies are currently fully committed to ongoing efforts. BPA and the StreamNet Executive Committee should clearly convey to agencies the importance of contributing to regional efforts. This will assist in gaining acceptance and buy-in from agency managers and biologists.

11.    CAP Fish HLIs methodologies for calculation of high-level indicators should be fully documented in a publicly accessible location, and as feasible documented using monitoringresources.org along with the field sampling protocols, methods and study plan.

12.    The StreamNet Data Store will continue to serve a role as a secure biological and environmental data repository. If BPA has a desire to confirm that the Data Store is in receipt of datasets for projects that have designated the Data Store as their repository, an automated routine linking Pisces/cbfish and the Data Store should be improved.

13.    StreamNet will continue to play a role in the development and deployment of emerging technologies in fisheries data collection as time and staffing permits. This may include sponsorship of workshops, and purchasing, development and testing technologies, with the objective of making data collection and transfer more efficient and secure across the region.

14.    StreamNet should continue to seek out efficiencies and new sources of revenue in order to fund agency operations that support regional data management priorities (i.e. data stewards that compile and provide CAP data, biologists that inform data included in the CAP, biologists and data stewards engaged in development and maintenance of data exchange standards, and connections with regional systems). Where appropriate, the StreamNet Executive committee should recommend increases in StreamNet baseline funding and support as needed, to complete the priorities they have established.

15.    Fish Distribution as a StreamNet data category has been redefined as a GIS dataset that is exchanged (or compiled regionally) using GIS file formats. StreamNet partners should focus first on updating time series data for established trends (i.e., those already defined and mapped in the regional GIS) prior to making any effort to identify and map new stream survey reaches. To support development of fish management unit polygons used on map queries and by regional partners’ tools, PSMFC GIS staff may locate additional GIS layers to complete the species range and, following the standardized approach being developed through the PNAMP Fish Monitoring Work Group Task Team, use these to define fish management unit polygons and names .

16.    Ongoing work to support StreamNet will include funding for data management capacity, including geospatial data and staff within partner organizations, maintenance of the databases and computer infrastructure needed to manage and disseminate the data, regional coordination to integrate StreamNet efforts with other regional efforts to maximize efficiency of data flow and support regional approaches to data management and sharing, support for Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program data and tools, and administration of the project.

Details of the specific tasks to be performed are presented in this Statement of Work.