| September 2007 |
| |
|
Project Purpose
The purpose of this project was
to assist Pathway agencies in their effort to improve coordination and effectiveness of resource
management to achieve Desired Conditions in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Specifi cally, the project
was to:
- Design a process to reduce uncertainty related to resource management decisions of concern by
incorporating scientific and program performance information into the decision making process.
- Assemble information necessary for the Pathway agencies to make resource allocation decisions related
to developing Indicator monitoring plans and collecting and analyzing monitoring information.
- Determine how to report Pathway Indicator monitoring results in a consistent and
meaningful way.
For additional information contact Shane Romsos sromsos@trpa.org
775-588-4547
Developed by Environmental
Incentives, LLC
www.enviroincentives.com
|
Findings
The Pathway agencies can improve the effectiveness of resource
management actions in the Lake Tahoe Basin by collaboratively
instituting a management system that includes components of
continual improvement and adaptive management. The Generalized
Management System Manual developed through this project
establishes an operational template for such a system to be employed
for programs in which there is signifi cant scientifi c uncertainty related
to resource management decisions of concern. A program-specifi c
management system can be operational within twelve months with
executive support and engagement from agency staff and scientists.
The resources requested to develop and monitor the proposed
Pathway Indicators signifi cantly exceed existing and expected
future resource availability. Further, most of the Pathway Indicators
require additional development of monitoring plans and supporting
documentation. As a result, Pathway agency management will have
to invest strategically in Indicators to gain the most information of
greatest value to fulfi ll mandates, address public concerns and inform
management decisions. A proposed Indicator selection process
defi nes a systematic and documented approach that integrates
multiple agency priorities and scientific review to inform resource
allocation decisions.
By jointly reporting Indicator monitoring results in a clear and rigorous
manner the Pathway agencies can greatly improve the usefulness of
Indicator monitoring results. Consistent reporting informs management
decisions and improves stakeholder and public understanding.
Recommendations
The Pathway agencies can improve resource management, monitoring
and communication related to achieving Desired Conditions by:
- Immediately beginning development of a management system
for the Pathway Indicator Monitoring and Reporting program;
and developing management systems for the Lake Tahoe
TMDL and EIP program throughout 2008.
- Systematically selecting Pathway Indicators to receive
strategic investment of staff and fi nancial resources for
development and monitoring.
- Formalizing an Indicator Reporting System that includes
a hierarchal information structure, easily understandable
data display techniques and targeted reporting products to
make Indicator monitoring results more meaningful to more
audiences.
|
