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• 31. [Article] State of the River Report for Toxics

  The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strives to prevent pollution, protect water quality and improve ecosystems in order to reduce risks to human health and the environment. As outlined ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: State of the River Report for Toxics Author: Carter, Bradley Year: 2009 The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strives to prevent pollution, protect water quality and improve ecosystems in order to reduce risks to human health and the environment. As outlined in the Agency’s Strategic Plan, the Columbia River Basin was identified as a “National Priority” and designated as one of our nation’s seven “Large Aquatic Ecosystems”. This designation grants legislative status equal to the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, South Florida Ecosystem, Long Island Sound and Puget Sound. The Strategic Plan is the Agency’s road map of future work efforts, and targets specific goals that are expected to result in a healthier Columbia River Basin. In support of the plan, the Columbia Basin State of the River Report for Toxics (SORR) is the culmination of the collaborative efforts of the Toxics Reduction Working Group - a collection of Federal, State, and municipal agencies, Indian Tribes, non-profit groups and private industries - intended to increase public understanding about the impacts of toxics in the Basin and foster new and enhance existing partnerships to reduce toxics. The Report centers on contaminants of concern (COCs), indicators, toxicant trends, and reduction efforts. SORR will be available in print form by February, 2009. Title: State of the River Report for Toxics Author: Carter, Bradley Year: 2009 The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strives to prevent pollution, protect water quality and improve ecosystems in order to reduce risks to human health and the environment. As outlined in the Agency’s Strategic Plan, the Columbia River Basin was identified as a “National Priority” and designated as one of our nation’s seven “Large Aquatic Ecosystems”. This designation grants legislative status equal to the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, South Florida Ecosystem, Long Island Sound and Puget Sound. The Strategic Plan is the Agency’s road map of future work efforts, and targets specific goals that are expected to result in a healthier Columbia River Basin. In support of the plan, the Columbia Basin State of the River Report for Toxics (SORR) is the culmination of the collaborative efforts of the Toxics Reduction Working Group - a collection of Federal, State, and municipal agencies, Indian Tribes, non-profit groups and private industries - intended to increase public understanding about the impacts of toxics in the Basin and foster new and enhance existing partnerships to reduce toxics. The Report centers on contaminants of concern (COCs), indicators, toxicant trends, and reduction efforts. SORR will be available in print form by February, 2009. Close

• 32. [Article] The conceptual development and use of ecoregion classifications

  This thesis explores the genesis of the ecoregion concept, examines the conceptual development of ecoregion classification systems, investigates applications of ecoregion classification systems for a broad ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The conceptual development and use of ecoregion classifications Author: Brewer, Isaac This thesis explores the genesis of the ecoregion concept, examines the conceptual development of ecoregion classification systems, investigates applications of ecoregion classification systems for a broad range of purposes, and discusses the prospects for the further evolution of this concept. An ecoregion is an area that exhibits patterns of homogeneity in specified criteria such as soils, vegetation, climate, geology, physiography, land use, and hydrology. Ecoregions provide a unifying spatial framework for environmental research, assessment, management, and monitoring and are appropriate tools at continental, national, and state plarming levels. Recent years have seen marked interest in the development, use, and application of ecoregion classifications. A literature review provides a thorough look at the geographer's concept of regions and regionalization, and identifies ecoregion classifications in use today, including Bailey's, the EPA's, and others' frameworks in the context of their specialized perspectives, purposes, and differences. The contemporary uses, applications, and trends of ecoregion classifications are also discussed. Conclusions are made regarding the proliferation of ecoregions to meet diverse information needs, trends in expanded use, and concerns about the information value of ecoregion classification frameworks. This analysis has shown that ecoregions have been used effectively for a wide array of applications, including broad-based holistic resource analysis, development of biological criteria for water quality standards, evaluation of protected area representativeness, wetland mitigation, and calibration of remote sensing data. Over 40% of all ecoregion uses between 1976 and 1998 were for water quality management; however, recent trends indicate ecoregions are being used for more holistic assessment of terrestrial, aquatic, abiotic, and biotic resources with increasing interagency collaboration. Ecoregion theory has developed rapidly within the past thirty years, and this thesis identifies the current utility of ecoregion classifications in the international arena. Title: The conceptual development and use of ecoregion classifications Author: Brewer, Isaac This thesis explores the genesis of the ecoregion concept, examines the conceptual development of ecoregion classification systems, investigates applications of ecoregion classification systems for a broad range of purposes, and discusses the prospects for the further evolution of this concept. An ecoregion is an area that exhibits patterns of homogeneity in specified criteria such as soils, vegetation, climate, geology, physiography, land use, and hydrology. Ecoregions provide a unifying spatial framework for environmental research, assessment, management, and monitoring and are appropriate tools at continental, national, and state plarming levels. Recent years have seen marked interest in the development, use, and application of ecoregion classifications. A literature review provides a thorough look at the geographer's concept of regions and regionalization, and identifies ecoregion classifications in use today, including Bailey's, the EPA's, and others' frameworks in the context of their specialized perspectives, purposes, and differences. The contemporary uses, applications, and trends of ecoregion classifications are also discussed. Conclusions are made regarding the proliferation of ecoregions to meet diverse information needs, trends in expanded use, and concerns about the information value of ecoregion classification frameworks. This analysis has shown that ecoregions have been used effectively for a wide array of applications, including broad-based holistic resource analysis, development of biological criteria for water quality standards, evaluation of protected area representativeness, wetland mitigation, and calibration of remote sensing data. Over 40% of all ecoregion uses between 1976 and 1998 were for water quality management; however, recent trends indicate ecoregions are being used for more holistic assessment of terrestrial, aquatic, abiotic, and biotic resources with increasing interagency collaboration. Ecoregion theory has developed rapidly within the past thirty years, and this thesis identifies the current utility of ecoregion classifications in the international arena. Close

• 33. [Article] North Fork John Day Wild and Scenic River management plan environmental assessment, decision notice and finding of no significant impact

  200 pp. Tables, appendices, glossary, maps. "The North Fork John Day River is located in Northeast Oregon on both the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, starting in the North Fork John Day ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: North Fork John Day Wild and Scenic River management plan environmental assessment, decision notice and finding of no significant impact Author: North Fork John Day Ranger District (Or.), Baker Ranger District (Or.) Year: 2008, 1993 200 pp. Tables, appendices, glossary, maps. "The North Fork John Day River is located in Northeast Oregon on both the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, starting in the North Fork John Day Wilderness (Section 13, T 8 S, R 36 E) and flowing north and then west to its confluence with Camas Creek (Section 33, T 6 S, R 31 E)." Decision notice is dated September 13, 1993. Captured June 12, 2008. Title: North Fork John Day Wild and Scenic River management plan environmental assessment, decision notice and finding of no significant impact Author: North Fork John Day Ranger District (Or.), Baker Ranger District (Or.) Year: 2008, 1993 200 pp. Tables, appendices, glossary, maps. "The North Fork John Day River is located in Northeast Oregon on both the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, starting in the North Fork John Day Wilderness (Section 13, T 8 S, R 36 E) and flowing north and then west to its confluence with Camas Creek (Section 33, T 6 S, R 31 E)." Decision notice is dated September 13, 1993. Captured June 12, 2008. Close

• 34. [Article] An Ecoregion-Based Reference Condition and Classification Scheme for Determining Nutrient Criteria in Oregon Lakes

  The anthropogenic introduction of nutrients to water bodies has been shown to alter the structure and function of natural aquatic ecosystems, yet national EPA lake and reservoir nutrient criteria remain ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: An Ecoregion-Based Reference Condition and Classification Scheme for Determining Nutrient Criteria in Oregon Lakes Author: Brenner, Jacqueline M. The anthropogenic introduction of nutrients to water bodies has been shown to alter the structure and function of natural aquatic ecosystems, yet national EPA lake and reservoir nutrient criteria remain too broad for effective regional water quality management. This study uses a reference site approach to propose numeric nutrient criteria for concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) specifically applicable to lakes and reservoirs in Oregon. Oregon lake watersheds with existing lakewater nutrient data were characterized using GIS techniques to eliminate lakes with known point and non-point sources of anthropogenic nutrient contributions, resulting in 98 minimally or least-altered Oregon lakes. These minimally altered lakes were used as reference sites for their corresponding Omernik Level III ecoregion based on majority ecoregion composition of the lake watershed. CART regression and other statistical procedures were used to relate existing data on summer nutrient concentrations to reference site factors, including: water residence time, soil properties, elevation, lake depth, precipitation, and watershed deciduous forests and wetlands. Lake classifications from this analysis were only significantly related to precipitation and supported aggregate ecoregion groupings of the Western Forested Mountains (Coast Range, Willamette Valley, Cascades, Klamath Mountains, and Blue Mountains), Xeric West (Northern Basin and Range, Columbia Plateau, and Snake River Plain), and Eastern Cascades were used to set ecoregional criteria for TP. For TN, the Eastern Cascades were not significantly different from the Xeric West and aggregated into the Xeric West ecoregion. As per EPA guidelines, the 75th percentile of reference site nutrient concentrations in an ecoregion were used to set ecoregional nutrient criteria with the following results; Western Forested Mountains: 11 μg TP/L and 277 μg TN/L; Eastern Cascades: 78.5 μg TP/L; and Xeric West: 490 μg TP/L and 760 μgTN/L. Nutrient concentrations in a random sample of Oregon lakes taken from EPA's 2007 and 2012 National Lake Assessment surveys were assessed using the proposed criteria. Statewide, 21- 37% of lakes had TP below criteria and 40 - 64% of lakes had TN below criteria in the two surveys. These results contribute to nutrient management efforts and inform agency scientists and decision makers regarding the complexity of nutrient – land use relationships in lakes and their watersheds. Title: An Ecoregion-Based Reference Condition and Classification Scheme for Determining Nutrient Criteria in Oregon Lakes Author: Brenner, Jacqueline M. The anthropogenic introduction of nutrients to water bodies has been shown to alter the structure and function of natural aquatic ecosystems, yet national EPA lake and reservoir nutrient criteria remain too broad for effective regional water quality management. This study uses a reference site approach to propose numeric nutrient criteria for concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) specifically applicable to lakes and reservoirs in Oregon. Oregon lake watersheds with existing lakewater nutrient data were characterized using GIS techniques to eliminate lakes with known point and non-point sources of anthropogenic nutrient contributions, resulting in 98 minimally or least-altered Oregon lakes. These minimally altered lakes were used as reference sites for their corresponding Omernik Level III ecoregion based on majority ecoregion composition of the lake watershed. CART regression and other statistical procedures were used to relate existing data on summer nutrient concentrations to reference site factors, including: water residence time, soil properties, elevation, lake depth, precipitation, and watershed deciduous forests and wetlands. Lake classifications from this analysis were only significantly related to precipitation and supported aggregate ecoregion groupings of the Western Forested Mountains (Coast Range, Willamette Valley, Cascades, Klamath Mountains, and Blue Mountains), Xeric West (Northern Basin and Range, Columbia Plateau, and Snake River Plain), and Eastern Cascades were used to set ecoregional criteria for TP. For TN, the Eastern Cascades were not significantly different from the Xeric West and aggregated into the Xeric West ecoregion. As per EPA guidelines, the 75th percentile of reference site nutrient concentrations in an ecoregion were used to set ecoregional nutrient criteria with the following results; Western Forested Mountains: 11 μg TP/L and 277 μg TN/L; Eastern Cascades: 78.5 μg TP/L; and Xeric West: 490 μg TP/L and 760 μgTN/L. Nutrient concentrations in a random sample of Oregon lakes taken from EPA's 2007 and 2012 National Lake Assessment surveys were assessed using the proposed criteria. Statewide, 21- 37% of lakes had TP below criteria and 40 - 64% of lakes had TN below criteria in the two surveys. These results contribute to nutrient management efforts and inform agency scientists and decision makers regarding the complexity of nutrient – land use relationships in lakes and their watersheds. Close

• 35. [Article] 2005 Diamond Lake Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Survey

  Diamond Lake is a large natural lake having a surface area of some 3214 acres (1300.7 hectares) and a maximum depth of 52 feet (15.8 meters). It is located within the Umpqua National Forest in the Southern ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 2005 Diamond Lake Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Survey Author: Sytsma, Mark D., Pfauth, Mary Year: 2006 Diamond Lake is a large natural lake having a surface area of some 3214 acres (1300.7 hectares) and a maximum depth of 52 feet (15.8 meters). It is located within the Umpqua National Forest in the Southern Cascade Mountains of Oregon, at an elevation of over 5000 feet (>1524 meters). Diamond Lake is a high-use waterbody that supports angling, public campgrounds, recreational boating, swimming, and water skiing. The human activity associated with the lake has been a significant contributor to the economy of southern Oregon since the early part of the twentieth century. Historically Diamond Lake was fishless but since 1910 the lake has been managed as a popular trophy trout fishery. The unauthorized introduction of the tui chub (Gila bicolor) into the lake in the 1930s caused disruption of the food web and a decline in the fishery. In 1954, the Oregon Game Commission constructed a canal near the Lake Creek outlet, lowered the lake level, and treated Diamond Lake with rotenone, to eradicate tui chub. The lake was restocked with trout following the successful rotenone treatment and a fishery was maintained for several decades. In 1992, tui chub were reintroduced, through accidental introduction or intentional illegal stocking, and again caused a decline in the trout fishery. Originally mesotrophic, Diamond Lake Diamond Lake productivity increased over the last century to a eutrophic state, and is currently included on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) 303(d) list of water quality limited water bodies for pH and algae. The lake had severe blooms of the cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) Anabaena flos-aquae, which produce neurotoxins, in the summers of 2001, 2002, and 2003. Microcystis aeruginosa, another toxin producing cyanobacterium species, was also present in the 2003 bloom. Diamond Lake was closed to some public uses (wading, swimming, water skiing, and boating) during portions of all three summers due to public health and safety concerns. Algae blooms and declining trout fishery have been attributed to alteration of the food web by the tui chubs. The chubs spawn early and consume the zooplankton in the lake, which reduces grazing pressure on phytoplankton. Since the lake is nitrogen limited, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria dominate the phytoplankton community. Therefore, the chubs reduce the quality of the trout fishery by reducing food available for trout and impact water quality by facilitating cyanobacteria blooms, which can be toxic. In response to the impact of the tui chub on Diamond Lake the US Forest Service and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are collaborating in a tui chub eradication effort. The eradication plan includes a 2.4-m (8 ft) drawdown of the lake in the winter and spring of 2006 and a rotenone treatment of remaining lake volume in 2006 to kill any remaining fish. The US Forest Service prepared an EIS for the drawdown and rotenone treatment. Potential impacts of the drawdown on littoral aquatic plant communities were identified in the EIS. The US Forest Service conducted a qualitative survey to develop a species list for the lake. The survey described here provides a quantitative, pretreatment measure of cover and biomass of aquatic plants in Diamond Lake. Follow-up sampling, using similar methods, will permit assessment of changes in the plant community following drawdown and refilling of the lake. Title: 2005 Diamond Lake Submersed Aquatic Vegetation Survey Author: Sytsma, Mark D., Pfauth, Mary Year: 2006 Diamond Lake is a large natural lake having a surface area of some 3214 acres (1300.7 hectares) and a maximum depth of 52 feet (15.8 meters). It is located within the Umpqua National Forest in the Southern Cascade Mountains of Oregon, at an elevation of over 5000 feet (>1524 meters). Diamond Lake is a high-use waterbody that supports angling, public campgrounds, recreational boating, swimming, and water skiing. The human activity associated with the lake has been a significant contributor to the economy of southern Oregon since the early part of the twentieth century. Historically Diamond Lake was fishless but since 1910 the lake has been managed as a popular trophy trout fishery. The unauthorized introduction of the tui chub (Gila bicolor) into the lake in the 1930s caused disruption of the food web and a decline in the fishery. In 1954, the Oregon Game Commission constructed a canal near the Lake Creek outlet, lowered the lake level, and treated Diamond Lake with rotenone, to eradicate tui chub. The lake was restocked with trout following the successful rotenone treatment and a fishery was maintained for several decades. In 1992, tui chub were reintroduced, through accidental introduction or intentional illegal stocking, and again caused a decline in the trout fishery. Originally mesotrophic, Diamond Lake Diamond Lake productivity increased over the last century to a eutrophic state, and is currently included on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) 303(d) list of water quality limited water bodies for pH and algae. The lake had severe blooms of the cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) Anabaena flos-aquae, which produce neurotoxins, in the summers of 2001, 2002, and 2003. Microcystis aeruginosa, another toxin producing cyanobacterium species, was also present in the 2003 bloom. Diamond Lake was closed to some public uses (wading, swimming, water skiing, and boating) during portions of all three summers due to public health and safety concerns. Algae blooms and declining trout fishery have been attributed to alteration of the food web by the tui chubs. The chubs spawn early and consume the zooplankton in the lake, which reduces grazing pressure on phytoplankton. Since the lake is nitrogen limited, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria dominate the phytoplankton community. Therefore, the chubs reduce the quality of the trout fishery by reducing food available for trout and impact water quality by facilitating cyanobacteria blooms, which can be toxic. In response to the impact of the tui chub on Diamond Lake the US Forest Service and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are collaborating in a tui chub eradication effort. The eradication plan includes a 2.4-m (8 ft) drawdown of the lake in the winter and spring of 2006 and a rotenone treatment of remaining lake volume in 2006 to kill any remaining fish. The US Forest Service prepared an EIS for the drawdown and rotenone treatment. Potential impacts of the drawdown on littoral aquatic plant communities were identified in the EIS. The US Forest Service conducted a qualitative survey to develop a species list for the lake. The survey described here provides a quantitative, pretreatment measure of cover and biomass of aquatic plants in Diamond Lake. Follow-up sampling, using similar methods, will permit assessment of changes in the plant community following drawdown and refilling of the lake. Close

• 36. [Article] EWEB’s Vision: Payments for Ecosystem Services through a Voluntary Incentives Program; An Innovative, Incentive-Based Approach for Preserving Water Quality in the McKenzie River Watershed

  EWEB envisions the development of an investment mechanism that makes payments for ecosystem services (PES) as a way to maintain and improve water quality within the McKenzie River Watershed, Eugene’s sole ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: EWEB’s Vision: Payments for Ecosystem Services through a Voluntary Incentives Program; An Innovative, Incentive-Based Approach for Preserving Water Quality in the McKenzie River Watershed Author: Lurie, Sue, Toth, Nancy, Morgenstern, Karl, Duncan, Sally, Fishler, Hillary, Bennett, Drew EWEB envisions the development of an investment mechanism that makes payments for ecosystem services (PES) as a way to maintain and improve water quality within the McKenzie River Watershed, Eugene’s sole source of drinking water. The public name for this concept is the Voluntary Incentives Program. Under the envisioned Voluntary Incentives Program (VIP), EWEB will provide annual dividend payments to landowners for the valuable services their properties provide including water filtration and purification. These dividends recognize the value of the natural capital provided by these lands and their downstream benefits to the residents of Eugene. A fund with sustainable financing will be established to support the dividend payments and the infrastructure necessary to operate the Voluntary Incentives Program. Financing will come from a variety of sources but could be initially endowed through existing water funds (under existing rate structure) or another utility funding mechanism. Additional possible financing sources other than EWEB include corporations, a voter approved bond measure, development impact fees, and state and federal mitigation programs. EWEB will establish a stewardship boundary identifying riparian forests and floodplains that are eligible to enroll in the VIP. Participation is open to private landowners, local governments, and non-profit organizations that own land within the designated boundary. Based on EWEB’s preliminary analysis, an estimated 6,500 acres of riparian and floodplain areas along the McKenzie and major tributaries are eligible to enroll. Land within the stewardship boundary will need to meet a threshold in order to receive payments. This threshold will be determined by adapting existing riparian forest and wetland habitat standards and definitions from NRCS, USFS, Defenders of Wildlife and other entities to establish the criteria for participation in the VIP. Appropriate infrastructure is essential to implement and run the incentives program: critical tasks include managing the fund, making payments to VIP participants, assessing the quality of land enrolled, negotiating agreements, monitoring properties and verifying compliance, and educating and communicating with the community. The VIP will rely upon a coalition of existing organizations, which will form a watershed investment district (WID), to provide this critical infrastructure, without which successful implementation of the VIP is highly unlikely. Title: EWEB’s Vision: Payments for Ecosystem Services through a Voluntary Incentives Program; An Innovative, Incentive-Based Approach for Preserving Water Quality in the McKenzie River Watershed Author: Lurie, Sue, Toth, Nancy, Morgenstern, Karl, Duncan, Sally, Fishler, Hillary, Bennett, Drew EWEB envisions the development of an investment mechanism that makes payments for ecosystem services (PES) as a way to maintain and improve water quality within the McKenzie River Watershed, Eugene’s sole source of drinking water. The public name for this concept is the Voluntary Incentives Program. Under the envisioned Voluntary Incentives Program (VIP), EWEB will provide annual dividend payments to landowners for the valuable services their properties provide including water filtration and purification. These dividends recognize the value of the natural capital provided by these lands and their downstream benefits to the residents of Eugene. A fund with sustainable financing will be established to support the dividend payments and the infrastructure necessary to operate the Voluntary Incentives Program. Financing will come from a variety of sources but could be initially endowed through existing water funds (under existing rate structure) or another utility funding mechanism. Additional possible financing sources other than EWEB include corporations, a voter approved bond measure, development impact fees, and state and federal mitigation programs. EWEB will establish a stewardship boundary identifying riparian forests and floodplains that are eligible to enroll in the VIP. Participation is open to private landowners, local governments, and non-profit organizations that own land within the designated boundary. Based on EWEB’s preliminary analysis, an estimated 6,500 acres of riparian and floodplain areas along the McKenzie and major tributaries are eligible to enroll. Land within the stewardship boundary will need to meet a threshold in order to receive payments. This threshold will be determined by adapting existing riparian forest and wetland habitat standards and definitions from NRCS, USFS, Defenders of Wildlife and other entities to establish the criteria for participation in the VIP. Appropriate infrastructure is essential to implement and run the incentives program: critical tasks include managing the fund, making payments to VIP participants, assessing the quality of land enrolled, negotiating agreements, monitoring properties and verifying compliance, and educating and communicating with the community. The VIP will rely upon a coalition of existing organizations, which will form a watershed investment district (WID), to provide this critical infrastructure, without which successful implementation of the VIP is highly unlikely. Close

• 37. [Article] Merit project timber harvest and road closure activities environmental assessment, decision notice and finding of no significant impact

  411 pp. Tables, figures, maps, appendices, references. "T.15S.; R.33E.; T.15S.; R.34E.; T.16S., R.33 1/2 E., T.16S., R.33E.; T.17S., R.33E., and T.17S.,R.33 1/2 E." Captured June 11, 2008.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Merit project timber harvest and road closure activities environmental assessment, decision notice and finding of no significant impact Author: Prairie City Ranger District (Or.) Year: 2008, 2005 411 pp. Tables, figures, maps, appendices, references. "T.15S.; R.33E.; T.15S.; R.34E.; T.16S., R.33 1/2 E., T.16S., R.33E.; T.17S., R.33E., and T.17S.,R.33 1/2 E." Captured June 11, 2008. Title: Merit project timber harvest and road closure activities environmental assessment, decision notice and finding of no significant impact Author: Prairie City Ranger District (Or.) Year: 2008, 2005 411 pp. Tables, figures, maps, appendices, references. "T.15S.; R.33E.; T.15S.; R.34E.; T.16S., R.33 1/2 E., T.16S., R.33E.; T.17S., R.33E., and T.17S.,R.33 1/2 E." Captured June 11, 2008. Close

• 38. [Article] Probabilistic assessment of wildfire hazard and municipal watershed exposure

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/natural+hazards/journal/11069. To the best ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Probabilistic assessment of wildfire hazard and municipal watershed exposure Author: Thompson, Matthew P., Marcille, Kate, Calkin, David E., Scott, Joe, Helmbrecht, Don This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/natural+hazards/journal/11069. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Title: Probabilistic assessment of wildfire hazard and municipal watershed exposure Author: Thompson, Matthew P., Marcille, Kate, Calkin, David E., Scott, Joe, Helmbrecht, Don This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Springer and can be found at: http://www.springer.com/earth+sciences+and+geography/natural+hazards/journal/11069. To the best of our knowledge, one or more authors of this paper were federal employees when contributing to this work. Close

• 39. [Article] Effects of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) canopy cover on seasonal herbage production, foliar cover, and nutritive quality in the Mamora National Forest of Morocco

  This research was conducted in the Mamora National Forest of Morocco to: (1) Evaluate the effect of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) crown cover on seasonal herbage production, nutritive quality, and foliar ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Effects of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) canopy cover on seasonal herbage production, foliar cover, and nutritive quality in the Mamora National Forest of Morocco Author: Ibnattya, Abdelhai Andaloussi This research was conducted in the Mamora National Forest of Morocco to: (1) Evaluate the effect of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) crown cover on seasonal herbage production, nutritive quality, and foliar cover on two distinctive sites in each of two years (1982, 1983) and to (2) assess the effects of one and two growing seasons' protection from grazing on herbage production and foliar cover. Sites differed in the dominance (81% cover) of a 1.5-3m tall legumeshrub (Genista linifolia L.) on one (G) and the near absence of this layer on the other (NG). Understory herbage yields on G were over twice as much as the NG regardless of oak cover, plant phenology or years. On the G yields were similar from 25% to full oak canopy cover and declined approximately one-third at less than 25%. Yields on the NG were essentially the same regardless of canopy cover. Yields peaked at the pre-reproductive phase and then declined by approximately one-third by maturity. Herbage under canopied stands contained more crude protein, fat and water but less crude fiber than in the open. Nutritive quality of herbage from the G site was approximately three times greater than that from the NG. Living vegetation ground cover was 70% at canopy cover of 25% or less but was 85% above 25% canopy. Annual grasses decreased in cover from 57% to 30% as crown cover decreased. Annual forbs were less under the densest canopy but were approximately 30% as canopy declined. Perennials tended to be similar (13%) under all canopy treatments. Foliar cover was higher on the G site. Vegetation and soil characteristics showed G having higher production potential. The amount of rest from grazing had pronounced effects. Average herbage yields were 30% more protected two growing seasons as compared to one. Percent cover of annual grasses, perennial grasses and oak seedlings was higher when contrasting two to one seasons' protection. Results suggest that both tree canopy cover and site characteristics such as intermediate shrub layer were major determinants in affecting herbage yields, quality, cover and composition. Rest from grazing also had important effects. Such information will be helpful in developing future Mamora management plan. Title: Effects of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) canopy cover on seasonal herbage production, foliar cover, and nutritive quality in the Mamora National Forest of Morocco Author: Ibnattya, Abdelhai Andaloussi This research was conducted in the Mamora National Forest of Morocco to: (1) Evaluate the effect of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) crown cover on seasonal herbage production, nutritive quality, and foliar cover on two distinctive sites in each of two years (1982, 1983) and to (2) assess the effects of one and two growing seasons' protection from grazing on herbage production and foliar cover. Sites differed in the dominance (81% cover) of a 1.5-3m tall legumeshrub (Genista linifolia L.) on one (G) and the near absence of this layer on the other (NG). Understory herbage yields on G were over twice as much as the NG regardless of oak cover, plant phenology or years. On the G yields were similar from 25% to full oak canopy cover and declined approximately one-third at less than 25%. Yields on the NG were essentially the same regardless of canopy cover. Yields peaked at the pre-reproductive phase and then declined by approximately one-third by maturity. Herbage under canopied stands contained more crude protein, fat and water but less crude fiber than in the open. Nutritive quality of herbage from the G site was approximately three times greater than that from the NG. Living vegetation ground cover was 70% at canopy cover of 25% or less but was 85% above 25% canopy. Annual grasses decreased in cover from 57% to 30% as crown cover decreased. Annual forbs were less under the densest canopy but were approximately 30% as canopy declined. Perennials tended to be similar (13%) under all canopy treatments. Foliar cover was higher on the G site. Vegetation and soil characteristics showed G having higher production potential. The amount of rest from grazing had pronounced effects. Average herbage yields were 30% more protected two growing seasons as compared to one. Percent cover of annual grasses, perennial grasses and oak seedlings was higher when contrasting two to one seasons' protection. Results suggest that both tree canopy cover and site characteristics such as intermediate shrub layer were major determinants in affecting herbage yields, quality, cover and composition. Rest from grazing also had important effects. Such information will be helpful in developing future Mamora management plan. Close

• 40. [Article] Simplified Framework Evaluation of Large Water Resource Project Impacts

  The document most frequently used to support a water resource project's economic feasibility is the commercial benefit-cost analysis, which quantifies tangible and direct project consequences. The objective ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Simplified Framework Evaluation of Large Water Resource Project Impacts Author: Clowes, Brian Woodbridge Year: 1988 The document most frequently used to support a water resource project's economic feasibility is the commercial benefit-cost analysis, which quantifies tangible and direct project consequences. The objective of this type of analysis is simply to maximize net monetary benefits. This analysis assigns an arbitrary monetary value to ecological and social disruptions, if it does not ignore these effects entirely. An improvement on this method is the social benefit-cost analysis, which assesses sane intangible costs such as air and noise pollution. Unfortunately, even the social analysis usually neglects the sometimes profound effects that a large water resource project has upon quality of life, particularly with regards to massive relocations. The purpose of this dissertation is to resolve these problems by presenting a method by which a water resource study team may use five unique viewpoints - technical, organizational, personal, social, and environmental - to quantify and compare the true benefits and costs of project construction and operation. The study team begins by rigorously documenting the three general categories of project consequence (economic, social and environmental) and assigning each benefit or cost a relative value within category according to perceived positive or negative effects. The second step is to use these quantifications to produce three impact vs. dam height curves. The final and most difficult step in this study process is to assign a relative weight to the respective economic, social, and enviromental impact clusters, depending on national priorities and the biases and personal viewpoints of the decisiomaker (s). The final product of this procedure is a single curve which is used to further investigate and assess the overall feasibility of a water resource project and the 'optimum' range of dam heights. All of the possible impacts of a large water resource project, whether they be tangible or intangible, should be investigated in order to produce an authentic indicator of project efficiency. The only way to insure that all impacts are properly accounted for is to perform an exhaustive examination of a water resource project from the five perspectives mentioned above. The body of this dissertation is an example analysis based upon the proposed Three Gorge Dam and Reservoir on the Yangtze River in the People's Republic of China. This project will be the world's largest power plant at 13,000 megawatts. Because of its size, anticipated impacts, and the interest it has generated all over the world, the Three Gorge project is considered the ideal subject of a comprehensive multiple perspective analysis as described in this study. Title: Simplified Framework Evaluation of Large Water Resource Project Impacts Author: Clowes, Brian Woodbridge Year: 1988 The document most frequently used to support a water resource project's economic feasibility is the commercial benefit-cost analysis, which quantifies tangible and direct project consequences. The objective of this type of analysis is simply to maximize net monetary benefits. This analysis assigns an arbitrary monetary value to ecological and social disruptions, if it does not ignore these effects entirely. An improvement on this method is the social benefit-cost analysis, which assesses sane intangible costs such as air and noise pollution. Unfortunately, even the social analysis usually neglects the sometimes profound effects that a large water resource project has upon quality of life, particularly with regards to massive relocations. The purpose of this dissertation is to resolve these problems by presenting a method by which a water resource study team may use five unique viewpoints - technical, organizational, personal, social, and environmental - to quantify and compare the true benefits and costs of project construction and operation. The study team begins by rigorously documenting the three general categories of project consequence (economic, social and environmental) and assigning each benefit or cost a relative value within category according to perceived positive or negative effects. The second step is to use these quantifications to produce three impact vs. dam height curves. The final and most difficult step in this study process is to assign a relative weight to the respective economic, social, and enviromental impact clusters, depending on national priorities and the biases and personal viewpoints of the decisiomaker (s). The final product of this procedure is a single curve which is used to further investigate and assess the overall feasibility of a water resource project and the 'optimum' range of dam heights. All of the possible impacts of a large water resource project, whether they be tangible or intangible, should be investigated in order to produce an authentic indicator of project efficiency. The only way to insure that all impacts are properly accounted for is to perform an exhaustive examination of a water resource project from the five perspectives mentioned above. The body of this dissertation is an example analysis based upon the proposed Three Gorge Dam and Reservoir on the Yangtze River in the People's Republic of China. This project will be the world's largest power plant at 13,000 megawatts. Because of its size, anticipated impacts, and the interest it has generated all over the world, the Three Gorge project is considered the ideal subject of a comprehensive multiple perspective analysis as described in this study. Close