Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team

Current Independent Projects


IMST's independent projects deal with the scientific basis for management of resources relative to the Oregon Plan. These are areas of work identified by the Team as crucial to the programs of the State that influence the outcome of the Oregon Plan. These projects usually lead to technical reports.

IMST discusses current projects at subcommittee meetings and Team meetings. Both are open to the public. Please check meeting agendas to determine when projects will be discussed.

Urban and Rural-residential Land Use

Download the final report

IMST recently completed a project on urban and rural-residential land uses. The goal of this project was to determine how urban areas and their management can be scientifically compatible with accomplishing the mission of the Oregon Plan for
Portland Landscape
Urban areas have unique challenges when addressing salmonid and watershed restoration because the urban landscape is heavily modified.
Salmon and Watersheds.

Wild salmonids occur and rely on all aspects of the Oregon landscape, including urban and rural residential areas. Urban areas cover approximately 6% of the area of the state of Oregon. While modest in geographic scale, it is important to recognize that urban areas include habitat for salmonids that is used for spawning, rearing, and transit. This urban-based habitat is no more or less important than other habitat, but historically it has received much less attention.




Central and Eastern Oregon Resources

Work on this project has been suspened for the 2009-2011biennium, or until adequate resources are secured.

Most of Oregon is east of the Cascade crest, a region that differs markedly from western Oregon in climate, hydrology, and
Landscape at Trout Creek
IMST is examining how management of the diverse upland, lowland, riparian, and aquatic systems of Eastern and Central Oregon can be scientifically compatible with accomplishing the mission of the Oregon Plan.
fauna, and flora. Runs of wild anadromous salmonids in the Columbia and Snake River systems were some of the most productive in the world, but have been reduced due to many factors to be discussed in this report. Unlike coastal streams in western Oregon, many of these stocks of anadromous salmonids are adapted for long-distance migrations through the Columbia River and historically spawned and reared in semi-arid regions with cool streams and tributaries. Recovery of these salmonids and restoration of their diversity, productivity, and spawning areas is a vital part of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. "Eastside" systems also support many resident fish and other aquatic biota. The technical report resulting from this project will include recommendations to the state agencies involved in native fish recovery and land management.