Technical Elements—Scope of Work
Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration
Study
October 30, 2001
Technical Elements
Background and Overview
Geographic
Scope and Definition of "Nearshore"
Estuarine and marine waters of the Puget Sound Basin extend
from the city of Olympia at the southern extreme to the Canadian
border and westward through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Technically,
Puget Sound is an inland sea that could be considered an "estuarine
complex" because it is made up of an intricate mosaic of different
kinds of estuaries—drowned river valleys, fjords, bar-build
and lagoons. The Puget Sound Nearshore consists of a complex
of estuaries, deltas, bays and inlets, lagoons, beaches, bluffs,
rocky shores, intertidal flats, and shallow subtidal areas,
accompanied by eelgrass beds, seaweeds, kelps and other biological
communities. For the sake of simplicity, we can classify these
nearshore complexes of habitats into two regimes: 1)Estuaries
and deltas—regions of Puget Sound where considerable
freshwater discharge from land drainage dilutes the more saline
waters of the Sound within a semi-enclosed embayment or broad,
shallow delta, or where tidal fluctuation occurs (in the absence
of salt water) at the watershed terminus of rivers; and 2)
Marine Shorelines—shoreline regions of Puget Sound outside
estuaries and deltas, where influence from freshwater inputs
is reduced or localized.
For the purposes of this study, the nearshore
is defined as the estuarine/delta and marine shoreline and
areas of shallow water from the top of the coastal bank or
bluffs water ward to a depth of about 10 meters relative to
Mean Lower Low Water (average depth limit of photic zone),
thereby incorporating those geological and ecological processes,
such as sediment movement, freshwater inputs, and subtidal
light penetration, that are key to determining the distribution
and condition of aquatic habitats. By our definition, the
nearshore extends landward into the tidally influenced freshwater
heads of estuaries and coastal streams.
This nearshore "estuarine-marine continuum"
from tidal freshwater to the marine waters of Puget Sound
provides fundamental habitat requirements for juvenile salmon.
While some (termed "stream-type") salmon are typically not
dependent on this ecosystem other than as a short migratory
corridor, those species and life history stages that are dependent
to varying degrees (i.e., those with "ocean type" life history
patterns) on nearshore habitats use different segments of
this continuum to different degrees, and the transitions between
these segments might be considered disproportionately important
to their survival. Among the breadth of diverse life histories
of the five species of Pacific salmon in this region, ocean-type
salmon are those that spend relatively short periods in freshwater
after hatching and rear extensively in estuarine and marine
nearshore environments of the Sound. In particular, ocean-type
populations of juvenile chinook salmon, and all populations
of chum and pink salmon, rely extensively on nearshore estuarine-marine
habitats during their early life history transition to the
ocean. Scientific evidence, albeit not conclusive, suggests
that ocean-type salmon use these shallow-water, transitional
habitats for physiological adaptation, feeding and to avoid
predation. Because these "nearshore dependent" salmon are
comparatively small when they enter nearshore estuarine-marine
environments, their survival is particularly dependent on
their ability to grow rapidly and elude predation by occupying
shallow waters with ample prey resources and refuge from predators.
Thus, depending on the species and life history type, ocean-type
juvenile salmon may rear extensively (weeks to months) in
nearshore estuarine and marine habitats. Furthermore, due
to the dynamic nature of tidal habitats and the often punctuated
migration of the juvenile salmon, the distribution and organization
of habitats along the nearshore estuarine-marine continuum
is important to the continuity of their migratory corridor,
especially when bridging extensive rearing habitats (e.g.,
estuarine wetlands and deltas).
Stage I of
the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project
(The Nearshore)
Stage I of The Nearshore was approved
and initiated on September 27, 2001, following agreement on
and signing of the Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA)
by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and its local
sponsor the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
Within the FCSA, a technical approach to the project was identified
and generally defined. This document was designed to serve
as technical input to the FCSA.
Stage I will be comprised of two major
technical efforts designed to lay the foundation for subsequent
stages. The first effort, to be completed in the first four
months of Stage I, will focus on adopting a Technical Framework
needed to guide program research needs. The second effort
includes Technical Components designed to scope and implement
efforts related to nearshore characterization and assessment.
The third effort is characterized as Adaptive Management and
will focus on immediate research needs, from which future
data collections will be based including monitoring and assessment
of existing restoration projects to document lessons learned,
improving planning efficiency and gathering relevant information.
All major Stage 1 activities and tasks, and the duration of
those tasks, are listed in Table
1.
Technical
Framework
This task represents the organizational component to Stage
I. It will involve review of existing and ongoing efforts
to characterize Puget Sound’s nearshore environment
and adoption by the Nearshore Science Team (NST) of agreed
upon next steps as identified by those efforts. The Technical
Framework will organize and guide technical program work directly
related to the Nearshore Study goals and objectives.
Assemble and Convene a Nearshore Science
Team (NST) (3 months). The NST will consist of regional
experts and members of relevant scientific disciplines for
the purpose of providing broad scientific guidance to The
Nearshore Study. Representatives from the USACE and Sponsor
or their designees will be considered program facilitators
to the NST responsible for completing all administrative tasks
including meeting coordination, meeting notes, set-up and
execution of scientific workshops. These individuals will
be ad hoc members of the Steering Committee and report findings
and recommendations to this group on a regular basis. The
NST will identify additional scientific expertise in the community
for project-specific purposes and maintain communications
with the larger group on the overall direction of The Nearshore
Study and likely next steps that would require their expertise.
Team make-up will include — a mix of disciplines; a group
of seven (7) technical members will be considered the "core"
members (for maximum team effectiveness; and each core member
must represent a body of knowledge (within a discipline or
organization) that can be used to network or carry communications
to a broader scientific audience. In addition to the core
members, experts may be called upon to fulfill other roles
as alternates (to the core members) or resource specialists
available to support the work of the NST. Table
2 is a list of recommended core members and potential
alternate and resource specialists.
Adopt a Set of Guiding Ecological Principles
(3 months). The NST will adopt and modify as appropriate
a set of Guiding Ecological Principals which set the geographical
and ecological sideboards for the program tasks and scope
as agreed upon from the outcomes of existing nearshore characterization
and assessment reports. An objective set of Guiding Ecological
Principles will be required to both frame and evaluate restoration
activities. They will be designed to guide all phases of habitat
restoration, including the context, planning, design, implementation
and monitoring and assessment. These Principles will be restricted
to ecological concepts, with the primary purpose of identifying
attributes of restoration studies, planning and projects that
are most likely to achieve maximum contribution to marine
resource recovery of a natural ecosystem within the constraints
of the developed Puget Sound Basin.
Written Framework (3 months). The
NST will produce a written framework including detailed objectives;
description of guiding ecological principles, initial data
gaps and research needs, and list of potential partner projects
describing specific tasks and schedule for deliverables.
Operate Nearshore Science Team (Ongoing).
The function of the NST will be to identify and continue tracking
related, ongoing Puget Sound nearshore studies and programs,
and develop mechanisms and agreements to coordinate and collaborate
on nearshore work that forwards the goals and objectives of
The Nearshore Study (partnered projects). The ultimate goal
of this task will be to assure that The Nearshore Study adds
to and supports, rather than duplicates or competes with ongoing
studies and projects. Work items for the NST include identification
of studies and programs that are closely related to The Nearshore
Study, and development and implementation of mechanisms to
track, coordinate with and collaborate on nearshore work to
facilitate efficient use of institutional and human resources.
NST core membership and non-federal lead responsibilities
will carry a time requirement, for which some members may
require compensation. Dispersement guidelines for compensation
will be a Steering Committee responsibility.
Technical
Components for Stage I (18 months)
These efforts are designed to scope and implement efforts
related to nearshore characterization and assessment that
will be built upon in later stages. Where possible, deliverables
have been scheduled to disseminate results as Stage I progresses.
This portion of the program will:
Adopt Conceptual Model of Nearshore
Habitat (4 months). Existing scientific models will be
adapted to develop a conceptual model of the Puget Sound Nearshore.
The model will describe natural functions and processes within
the nearshore environment that support salmon and other key
species, and describe how these processes interact with human
uses. While the conceptual model will focus on the nearshore,
it will recognize connections to upland, watershed and offshore
systems for potential inclusion in cross system comparisons.
Compilation of and Access to Existing
Information (Ongoing, 18 months). High value data sets
on nearshore habitats and the resources they support, will
be compiled, synthesized and integrated to make them available
for use by the public and project partners. Projects to be
considered include—compilation of Shore Zone, drift
cell, forage fish, oblique photos and other data sets into
a comprehensive and accessible data analysis tool. Data integration
tasks will bring together currently available information
on marine shoreline characteristics to facilitate the use
of these data in restoration shoreline management planning.
As part of this project, a web portal will be developed that
supports the short and long term information access needs
of The Nearshore Study and its partners. Data discovery, complete
data set retrieval, feedback from data users, the dissemination
and support of selected "canned" data products, selected
ad hoc data query, and GIS mapping functions will be included.
Limiting Factors Analysis for Salmon
and Other Key Species (6 months). This task shall identify
factors limiting salmon and other key species in the nearshore
by utilizing the analysis of current and historic conditions,
the conceptual model, and knowledge of salmon life history
and ecology. The analysis will be conducted at multiple spatial
scales targeting the key processes and habitat characteristics
that are most limiting to salmon in the nearshore habitat
of Puget Sound.
Conditions Analysis and Assessment
(18 months, Ongoing). Characterization of the current
and historic conditions of key nearshore habitats and processes
through analyses of information available to federal, state,
tribal, local and other groups that that are seeking to identify
sites for restoration. Developed from the compilation of existing
data, the limiting factors analysis and reconstructed historic
current conditions.
Selection Criteria for Habitat Restoration
(14-months). Evaluate alternative approaches and select
criteria for establishing priorities for restoration and conservation
projects, based on providing high quality functioning habitats
that will contribute to salmon recovery and support other
key species. This task will utilize Guiding Ecological Principles
to generate specific recommendations for the distribution
of restoration actions of various types across the Puget Sound
Basin. This task will contain an integration of results from
the conceptual model, compilation of existing information,
limiting factors analysis, conditions analysis and initial
identification of data gaps and information needs. Effort
will be tailored to the development of restoration approaches,
selection criteria and recommendations.
Action Project List (6 months).
Develop a list of areas and actions on an annual basis that
are appropriate for habitat restoration and/or an enhanced
level of protection derived by applying selection criteria
to existing habitat data, and generating a list of the highest
priority areas and actions. This task would occur in the final
six months of Stage I and will guide in selecting areas and
sites for high priority protection or restoration projects.
Identify Data Gaps and Research Needs
for Stage II (2 months). Revise and update data gaps and
research needs developed under the Technical Framework of
Stage I as necessary to complete Stage II. Provides entities
working on restoration of nearshore areas a list of the most
important weaknesses in the existing data and what new data
should be collected if funding becomes available. This will
help focus any future data collection efforts.
Adaptive
Management
These efforts are designed to scope and implement efforts
related to nearshore investigations and data collection activities
which would build upon the more programmatic aspects of the
technical components listed above. In addition, these efforts
would capitalize on research and technical studies, which
are consistent with the goals and objectives of The Nearshore
Study. Potential studies might include:
1. Assessing the effectiveness of previously
completed restoration projects to verify benefits;
2. Development of reference sites to
serve as templates of properly functioning conditions; and
3. Incorporation of existing studies
(outside The Nearshore Study) that could provide additional
information to the StageI study components if additional resources
were provided.
Stage II –
Refinement of Model, Selection Criteria, Plan Formulation
The processes, data, and criteria developed
during Stage I will be inserted and manipulated to further
calibrate and refine the models, selection criteria, action
list and scope of the overall project. It is anticipated that
new information collected and synthesized during Stage I might
alter the study parameters or direction. Additional data collection
may be needed to further understand the processes and functions
of Puget Sound during this Stage. Additional modeling exercises
may be required to better depict the diverse conditions of
the nearshore habitat. Surveys of marine species may be required
and/or new methodologies developed to assist in the development
of a Sound-wide approach to restoration, enhancement or preservation
of key nearshore habitat areas. Some key elements have been
identified and include the following:
Technical
Elements for Stage II (24 months)
Upon approval, Stage II will be designed to build upon direction
given under Stage I by initiating a full-scale planning and
environmental studies program. The purpose of Stage II is
to begin acquiring program specific data to serve as planning
guidance and decision-making tools later in the planning process.
It is anticipated that specific areas of investigation will
be tailored to outcomes under Stage I however, several specific
areas of study have been identified as needing attention.
The first effort shall be a continuance of data management
functions initiated in Stage I. Secondly, efforts should be
made based upon workshops and other discussions held during
Stage I to provide direction for studies designed to gain
project relevant information for salmonid and other nearshore
species use of nearshore resource with a focus on high priority
areas. The second effort will synthesize lessons learned and
application research of existing restoration projects. Efforts
started under Stage II will be tailored where possible to
end prior to initiation of Stage III but many of the biological
investigations may continue into StageIII.
Operate Nearshore Science Team.
Continued costs to fund the NST from Stage I. Assumes continued
compensation for some employees with additional costs for
meetings, workshops and publications.
Compilation and Access to New and Existing
Information. Continued compilation, synthesis and integration
of high priority information on nearshore habitats and the
resources they support especially information on vegetation
or other critical habitat distribution and associated species
assemblages. Includes technical dissemination of information
in the form of workshops, conferences, publications and mass
media. This effort would serve as an extension and summary
of information management products.
Data Gaps and Research Needs. Under
direction of the NST shall continue to scope and execute major
research needs that were identified in Stage I to evaluate
current and historic conditions, evaluate recovery potential,
and guide future restoration decisions.
Adaptive Management. These efforts
will continue efforts from Stage I. The intent is to develop,
scope and implement efforts related to nearshore investigations
and data collection activities which would build upon the
more programmatic aspects within the technical components
listed in Stage I. In addition, these efforts will continue
to capitalize on research and technical studies which are
consistent with the goals and objectives of The Nearshore
Study.
Stage III -
Project Specific (Detailed) Study
Upon approval, Stage III will be designed
as a continuance of studies with further refinement based
on data gathered under Stage II. Stage III will continue information
management functions initiated and carried through in earlier
stages. Stage III will consolidate results of field studies
to develop tools to be used by the project during design and
alternative selection. Stage III will also serve to synthesis
planning and biological investigations such that feedback
in the form of public dissemination can be given to various
stakeholders.
Operate Nearshore Science Team.
Continued costs to fund the NST from Stage II. Assumes continued
compensation for some employees with additional costs for
meetings and publications.
Compilation and Access to New and Existing
Information. Continued compilation, synthesis and integration
of high priority information on nearshore habitats and the
resources they support especially information on vegetation
or other critical habitat distribution and associated species
assemblages. Includes technical dissemination of information
in the form of workshops, conferences, publications and mass
media. This effort would serve as an extension and summary
of information management products.
Data Gaps and Research Needs. Under
direction of the NST, shall continue to scope and execute
major research needs that were identified in Stages I and
II to evaluate current and historic conditions, evaluate recovery
potential, and guide future restoration decisions.
Adaptive Management. These efforts
will continue work begun in Stage II. The intent is to develop,
scope and implement efforts related to nearshore investigations
and data collection activities which would build upon the
more programmatic aspects within the technical components
listed in Stage II. In addition, these efforts will continue
to capitalize on research and technical studies which are
consistent with the goals and objectives of The Nearshore
Study.
Table
1. Stage I-Puget Sound Nearshore Science Team Activities
and Tasks |
| |
Duration |
Initiate |
Complete |
NST Costs |
| Development of Technical Framework |
392 days |
31-Oct-01 |
30-Apr-03 |
$50,000 |
| Assemble and Convene Nearshore Technical
Team |
67 days |
31-Oct-01 |
31-Jan-02 |
$10,000 |
| Adopt Guiding Ecological Principals |
64 days |
1-Feb-02 |
01-May-02 |
$10,000 |
| Produce Written Framework |
64 days |
1-Feb-02 |
01-May-02 |
$20,000 |
| Coordination of Technical Aspects of Project |
392 days |
31-Oct-01 |
30-Apr-03 |
|
| Operate Nearshore Science Team |
130 days |
31-Oct-01 |
30-Apr-03 |
$200,000 |
| Technical Components |
392 days |
31-Oct-01 |
30-Apr-03 |
|
| Adopt Conceptual Model of PS Nearshore Ecosystem |
87 days |
31-Oct-01 |
28-Feb-02 |
$30,000 |
| Compilation/Access Existing Information |
392 days |
31-Oct-01 |
30-Apr-03 |
$700,000 |
| Identify Limiting Factors for Salmonids/Other
Key Species |
130 days |
31-Oct-01 |
30-Apr-02 |
$75,000 |
| Conditions Analysis and Assessment |
392 days |
31-Oct-01 |
30-Apr-03 |
$100,000 |
| Develop Selection Criteria for Habitat Restoration |
306 days |
28-Feb-02 |
30-Apr-03 |
$50,000 |
| Develop Early Action List |
130 days |
31-Oct-02 |
30-Apr-03 |
$150,000 |
| Identify Data Gaps/Research Needs-Scope Stage
II |
130 days |
31-Oct-02 |
30-Apr-03 |
$50,000 |
| Adaptive Management |
566 days |
1-Jan-02 |
01-Mar-04 |
|
| Assessment of Existing Restoration Sites |
263 days |
1-Jan-02 |
01-Jan-03 |
$200,000 |
| Development of Reference Site Templates |
263 days |
1-Jan-02 |
01-Jan-03 |
$75,000 |
| Access & Incorporate Existing/New Studies |
199 days |
1-Apr-02 |
01-Jan-03 |
$250,000 |
| Without Project Condition Report |
643 days |
31-Oct-01 |
15-Apr-04 |
|
| Draft Existing Condition Report |
459 days |
1-Apr-02 |
31-Dec-03 |
$97,500 |
| Technical Review |
43 days |
1-Jan-04 |
01-Mar-04 |
$45,000 |
|
