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Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team
Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds

July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009 Annual Report

October 1, 2009

Introduction

The Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team (IMST) is a seven-member team of scientists who advise the State of Oregon on science related to the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds (Oregon Plan). The IMST was established by the Oregon Legislature in 1997 (ORS 541.409), and its members are jointly appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives. The current Team represents the disciplines of fisheries, fish biology/physiology, ocean management, stream and aquatic ecology, forestry, landscape ecology, hydrology, and agricultural land management. Information about current IMST members can be found here.

This report documents the Team’s activities and accomplishments for the period July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009. The report also briefly outlines the plans and direction of the Team for the 2009-2011 biennium.

Highlights of Accomplishments

The focus of IMST’s work during this reporting period was on meeting state agency needs for scientific and technical reviews of key programs, initiatives, and assessments. Significant progress was made on several projects in spite of the fact that IMST’s budget was severely reduced in the last half of the fiscal year (consequently the last quarter of the 2007-2009 biennium). Team members elected to continue to work without compensation during this period in order to meet IMST’s commitments to state agencies. Highlights of the Team’s accomplishments for the fiscal year include:

• Technical Report 2009-1: Issues in the Aggregation of Data to Assess Environmental Conditions. (66 pages). This report addresses scientific issues that may arise when environmental data are aggregated from different types of survey designs and data sources as a means to answer broad-scale questions about status and trends of natural resources from fine-scale data.
• Review of the State of Oregon’s draft document titled Lower Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Oregon Populations of Salmon and Steelhead (April 24, 2009). (8 pages). This was an initial review that identified overarching issues of the plan. The review was requested the Governor’s Natural Resources Office.
• July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008 IMST Annual Report, Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds.
  

Ongoing projects and reviews:

• Urban and Rural Residential Report. This IMST project focuses on the effects of developed areas on native salmonids through changes in water quality, water quantity, fish passage, and aquatic and riparian habitat structure. The goal of this project is to define the scientific basis by which urban and rural-residential lands can be managed to help accomplish the goals of the Oregon Plan. The final report is expected to be completed in 2010. A draft outline is posted on the IMST’s website.
• Eastern Oregon Resources. This project integrates ecosystem components that affect native fish habitat and watershed health in the region east of the Cascades. A series of reports will discuss how land and water uses affect ecosystem components in ways that alter landscape processes, habitat capacity, and site potential, and how these factors in turn affect efforts to restore and sustain native fish populations and their habitats. A draft outline is posted on the IMST’s website. This project was tabled during most of the fiscal year because of other priorities. Work could resume during the 2009-2011 biennium pending available resources.
• ODFW’s draft salmonid recovery plans. After an initial high-level review of the draft Lower Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Oregon Populations of Salmon and Steelhead, the IMST began an extensive, detailed review of the draft plan. This review is expected to be completed in the fall of 2009. The draft recovery plan for the Willamette Recovery Domain is expected to be delivered to the IMST during the 2009-2011 biennium.

External communications

During this reporting period, IMST has increased its efforts to build public awareness of IMST products and activities, and to communicate with state and federal agencies, the state legislature, and other key stakeholders in the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. By inviting input from these groups during the formulation and prioritization of IMST work, the Team believes it has improved the relevance and usefulness of IMST’s efforts. For example, the Oregon Plan Core Team and the Governor’s Natural Resource Cabinet had significant input to the IMST’s operations and work during the reporting period, along with key state agencies. In addition the Co-Chairs attended the November 14, 2008 Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, gave presentations to the House of Representative’s Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Communities, and the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources, and met with key legislators to discuss IMST’s objectives and program of work.

IMST Public Meetings

IMST meetings are open to the public. During the fiscal year, the IMST held 6 public meetings. Agendas and minutes are posted on the IMST’s website, and audio recordings can be obtained by contacting the IMST at 541-737-6551 or OWEB at 503-986-0187. Subcommittees work sessions involving three or more IMST members are also held as public meetings and the agendas and minutes are also posted. To view a summary list of the topics discussed at each meeting click here.

IMST Recommendations and Responses

One of the key functions of IMST reviews and reports is to make recommendations to agencies that help them strengthen the science underpinnings of their policies and actions. Recommendations are based on IMST assessment of the best available science pertaining to salmonid recovery, watershed function and the management of Oregon’s natural resources. Under ORS 541.409, agencies must respond to the recommendations of the IMST, explaining how they intend to (or why they do not intend to) implement the IMST suggestions. Agency responses to recommendations and the IMST’s evaluations of the responses are forwarded to the Governor’s office, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House. During the fiscal year, the IMST did not issue any formal recommendations.

 

Team Operations

Budget

The IMST began the July 1, 2007–June 30, 2009 biennium with a budget of $633,653 (Measure 66 Lottery funds through an OWEB budget line item). In the March 2009 rebalance of the State’s budget the Legislature reduced the IMST’s funds by $150,000 (24%) resulting in a final budget of $483,653. An additional $165,000 of federal Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund monies was transferred to IMST by OWEB for salmonid recovery plan reviews. All funds were paid directly to Oregon State University (OSU) for the services and expenses of all Team members and OSU employed support staff. OSU waived administrative (overhead) charges for the biennium. To see the 2007-2009 biennium budgets for the IMST budget, click here.

The Team members were initially funded to work 0.15 FTE (Co-Chairs at 0.20 FTE, reflecting their higher workloads) through February 2009. The March 2009 state budget rebalance prevented IMST from compensating Team members for their time after February 28, 2009, but individual Team members continued to work at a reduced level without monetary compensation. Funds remaining in the last quarter were used to pay salaries and other personnel expenses of the technical support staff and base costs of producing written products and Team meetings. There was no charge for Dr. Schreck, a federal employee.

In addition to Team member compensation, IMST funds supported three scientific support positions (OSU Faculty Research Assistants) through the biennium, and 0.25 FTE for clerical assistance through February 28, 2009. The scientific support staff has a broad range of knowledge, research experience, and technical expertise in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest, and is instrumental in the completion of IMST reports and projects.

Voluntary Performance Evaluation Framework

The IMST developed a performance framework based on general principles the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and the Oregon Progress Board have outlined for state agencies. The IMST's framework is not formally connected to any state reporting process or agency; the framework is strictly a voluntary and internal evaluation tool. The IMST's framework is not formally connected to any state reporting process or agency; the framework is strictly a voluntary and internal evaluation tool. Table 1 is a summation of our findings for the July 1, 2008 –June 2009 fiscal year.

Table 1. Summation of findings for IMST voluntary performance measures and standards. This summation covers July 1, 2008-jUne 30, 2009 fiscal year. See the previous annual report summary covering 2005 through 2008. The last full budget cycle (2007-2009 biennium) was used for the cost measures.

Performance Measure	Summary of finding
95% of IMST recommendations are agreed to (in principle) by state entities receiving IMST recommendations.	Not applicable. No formal recommendations were issued during the fiscal year.
95% of Oregon Plan partners requesting IMST reviews agree or strongly agree that IMST comments and/or recommendations are: o Based on best available science o Produced in timely manner o Effectively communicated.	Not assessed for fiscal year due to funding constraints.
95% of Oregon Plan partners surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that the information provided in IMST reports, reviews, workshops and/or database assisted them in their salmonid recovery and watershed restoration efforts.	Not assessed for fiscal year due to funding constraints.
95% of review requests are completed within 10 working days of the deadline agreed to between the IMST and requestor.	Achieved 100% for 1 review request completed during the fiscal year
A work plan estimating the number of agency requests for reviews, independent reports and workshops that are expected to be completed in that biennium.	Achieved Work plans filed with OWEB and OSU for funding
IMST expenditures, when fully staffed, will not be more than the allocated budget and no more than 10% below the allocated budget.	Achieved
Administrative and support costs will not exceed 15% of total IMST budget.	Achieved

The Future

Each year, the Team reviews the current program of work and discusses ideas for new reports that address emerging issues or topics of relevance to the implementation of the Oregon Plan.
Areas that the Team is considering for future reports and/or workshops include:

• Effects of climate change on native fish species, watershed conditions, and water needs/supply,
• Ecological roles and health of estuaries,
• Invasive species, especially aquatic organisms and those that affect watershed health, and
• Enhanced integrated monitoring for climate change and ecosystem health.

This list is currently being discussed by IMST, along with identification of the most relevant, current information needs for the Oregon Plan, and how IMST can be most helpful to Oregon Plan partners and agencies in filling information gaps.

Members of the IMST, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008

Michael J. Harte, Ph.D. is Professor and Director of the Marine Resource Management Program at Oregon State University, Corvallis, and an Oregon Sea Grant Extension Specialist. He joined the IMST in February 2006. He holds a Bachelors degree in geography and economics and Masters degree in geography from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He received his PhD in geography in 1994 from the University of Victoria, British Columbia. He specializes in the management of coastal and marine resources with a particular emphasis on fisheries issues. He has worked for the public and the private sectors in New Zealand, Canada and the Falkland Islands. Over the last decade Dr. Harte has chaired and served on many advisory boards, committees, working groups and provided scientific and other advice to a wide range of stakeholders at local, national and international levels. [return to Introduction]

Robert M. Hughes, Ph.D., Senior Research Professor, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis joined the IMST in February 2004. Dr. Hughes received an A.B in Psychology/Biology and an M.Sc. in Resource Planning and Conservation from the University of Michigan. In 1979, he received his Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Oregon State University. Dr Hughes has over 30 years of experience in sampling and analyzing data for fish assemblages in various parts of the US, including previously serving as the indicator coordinator for the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) - - Surface Waters. He developed monitoring techniques and indicators for bird, fish, macrobenthos, and algae assemblages in northeastern US lakes, Appalachian streams and rivers, and western US streams and rivers. He has also developed fish assemblage indicators for Indian, French, Portuguese, and Brazilian rivers. Dr. Hughes has published more than 99 peer-reviewed manuscripts, co-edited three books, and has served as associate editor for two professional journals. He was president of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) in 2006-2007, president of the AFS Water Quality Section in 1999-2001, and the AFS Oregon Chapter in 1994-1995. He served (2002-2010) as the co-chair of the North American Benthological Society’ Science and Policy Committee, and as an external evaluator for the European Fish Index Project (2009-2009). [return to Introduction]

Victor W. Kaczynski, Ph.D. a consulting fisheries scientist, Parkdale, OR joined the IMST February 2006. Dr. Kaczynski has been working with Pacific salmon since 1970. He received his B.S. in Biology from SUNY College at Buffalo, and M.S. and Ph.D. in Limnology from Cornell University. He was the Environmental Technical Director for Texas Instruments, Vice President of Beak Consultants Ltd. (western Canada), President of Beak Consultants Inc. (U.S.), and Director of Environmental Sciences for CH2M-Hill. He founded his own firm in 1989. He consults on fishery and water quality issues. His clients have included federal and state natural resource agencies, municipalities, watershed councils, petroleum exploration, geothermal, nuclear, thermal, hydroelectric, petrochemical, forestry, grazing, and irrigation sectors. He was an advisor to the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and College of Forestry at Oregon State University and to the environmental science program at Mt. Hood Community College. He has published on pink and chum salmon early marine life history, parasite effects on bluefish, ecology of Anostracan shrimp, fishery effects of treated pulp mill effluent, use of wetlands for alternative wastewater treatment, environmental standards for the Mexican pulp and paper industry, stream habitat surveys and enhancement, wildfire impacts on stream habitats and salmonids, marine survival of coastal coho salmon, and has authored numerous technical reports. [return to Introduction]

Nancy Molina, M.S., has worked at the interface of science and natural resource management since the 1970’s, when she joined a planning team on the Mt. Hood National Forest. After earning a graduate degree in Botany/Ecology from Washington State University, she returned to the Forest Service where she spent 20 years working as a field ecologist in NW Oregon/SW Washington. During that time she conducted ecological studies for four National Forests, and authored and co-authored a variety of ecological guides and other publications, including "Forest Landscape Analysis and Design", a widely-used guide to landscape-scale ecological planning. She has been a frequent speaker on topics relevant to biodiversity, ecosystem management and landscape ecology, and has assisted with landscape planning projects in Taiwan, Great Britain, and Canada. She also has managed a research program for the PNW Research Station that provided science support to public agencies within the Northwest Forest Plan area, and served as Chief of the Physical Sciences Branch of the USDI Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management. Ms. Molina retired from federal service in 2005, and currently co-chairs the Oregon Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team. [return to Introduction]

Carl Schreck, Ph.D., Leader, Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey, Corvallis, Oregon. Dr. Schreck has been conducting research on the biology of fishes for nearly 30 years. He has an A.B. in Zoology from the University of California, Berkeley, a M.S. in Fisheries Science and a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics and Fisheries Science from Colorado State University. He is a senior scientist in the Biological Resources Division, U.S. Geological Survey and a Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at OSU. His research has focused primarily on salmonids. He applies environmental physiology to address environmentally relevant questions; this research has led to over 200 published papers. Dr. Schreck is a member of several scientific and management teams, organizations and committees. He is currently serving a second four-year term as President of the International Federation of Fish Endocrinologists. He has won numerous national teaching, research, and publication awards. Dr. Schreck’s initial appointment ended June 30, 2006 and he is now serving his second term. [return to Introduction]

Clinton C. Shock, Ph.D. is superintendent and professor at the Oregon State University Malheur Experiment Station, Ontario, Oregon. He received his B.A. in Mathematics from the University of California Berkley, and his M.S in Horticulture and Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from the University of California Davis. Over the last 40 years Clint has worked in agricultural research, developing solutions to production problems, solutions that are feasible for producers and have beneficial outcomes to growers, society, and the environment. His crop research has resulted in increased production and improved product quality, thereby increasing returns to growers. Early career efforts focused on providing small loans to poor growers in Brazil and conducting pioneering revegetation work in the Brazilian tropics. Many aspects of his research have directly involved the stewardship of land and water, through increasing the efficiency of irrigation or reducing the off site effects of irrigation. He fostered watershed council development in south eastern Oregon and continues fostering council projects. He serves on three journal editorial boards, is Consulting Editor for HortScience, and is active on regional research committees. [return to Introduction]

J. Alan Yeakley, Ph.D. is Professor of Environmental Science at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon. He joined the IMST in February 2009. He holds a Bachelors degree in mathematics from Texas A&M-Commerce and a Masters in environmental science from the University of Texas, Dallas. He received his Ph.D. in environmental science in 1993 from the University of Virginia, and held a post-doctoral appointment with the School of Ecology at the University of Georgia before joining the Portland State faculty in 1994. Dr. Yeakley is certified as a professional hydrologist (P.H.) in the area of water quality by the American Institute of Hydrology. He has served on numerous scientific advisory committees and review panels, is an associate editor with the international journal Écoscience, and is a founding member of the Urban Ecosystem Research Consortium (UERC) of Portland/Vancouver. In addition to watershed hydrology, Dr. Yeakley and his graduate students conduct research in the areas of forest ecology, riparian ecology, urban ecology and urban environmental management. [return to Introduction]

Public Meetings (and Major Topics/Briefings) Held by the IMST

July 1, 2008– June 30, 2009

[return to Public Meetings]

Click on the date to see the meeting agenda and minutes.

July 28, 2008 - Team meeting in Corvallis

• IMST adopted modifications to the Team’s Charter and its Guiding Principles to address both monetary and non-monetary conflicts of interest.
• The Team discussed the IMST’s draft report on aggregating environmental data with external reviewers. Reviewer’s present were:
  o Phil Rossignol, Oregon State University
  o Tony Olsen, US Environmental Protection Agency
  o Loveday Conquest, University of Washingto
• Josh Seeds, Oregon Dept. of Environmental Quality (ODEQ), discussed with the Team possibilities of how the IMST may assist ODEQ in addressing cumulative impacts on water quality, particularly stream temperature and sediment.
• IMST members discussed work plans for the remainder of the fiscal year and for the upcoming biennium.
  
  

October 23, 2008 - Team meeting in Corvallis

• The Team reviewed and evaluated responses to recommendations made in the IMST’s review of ODFW’s draft Rogue spring Chinook conservation plan and to the GNRO regarding ocean research.
• The Team reviewed and adopted its 2008-2009 Annual report.
• The Team discussed the content of its report on urban and rural-residential land uses as they contribute to salmonid recovery and watershed function.

December 23, 2008 - Team meeting in Corvallis

• Ken Cannon, Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT), briefed the IMST on information the agency needs related to prioritizing fish passage improvement in Oregon.
• Ray Jaindl, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, briefed the IMST on the environmental tradeoffs the agency is being confronted with from policy changes to field burning in the Willamette Valley, pesticide use, confined animal feeding operations, invasive species, and carcass rendering.
• Gail Achterman, Institute for Natural Resources, briefed the Team on work conducted by the Institute.
• The Team discussed questions from ODEQ on cumulative effects and how to proceed on addressing the agency’s technical needs.
• The Team discussed potential loss of scientific information in Oregon if taxonomic collections (fish, bird, insect, plant, etc.) are not maintained.
• The Team discussed a revised draft of its report on issues related to aggregating environmental data from multiple sources.
  
• Team discussed how to approach its review of the recovery plan.

February 19 & 20, 2009 - Team meeting in Corvallis

• IMST Co-Chairs were elected for 2009.
• Ken Cannon (ODOT), Renee Davis-Born (OWEB), and Greg Apke (ODFW) discussed the current inventory and processes used to prioritize fish passage projects. Development of decision support tools to assist the process was also discussed.
• Jay Nicholas (Wild Salmon Center) briefed the Team on the North American Salmon Stronghold Partnership.
• Dave Jepsen (ODFW) briefed the Team on the agency’s draft recovery plan prepared for native salmon and steelhead population in the lower Columbia River.
• The Team listened to a recording of the Oregon House Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities and N. Molina’s (IMST Co-Chair) testimony.
• The Team evaluated GNRO and ODFW responses to recommendations made in the IMST’s review of the draft middle Columbia steelhead recovery plan.
• The Team discussed other possible outlets for IMST products including peer-reviewed journals.
• The Team adopted the report titled Issues in the Aggregation of Data to Assess Environmental Conditions.
  

[return to Public Meetings]

March 5, 2009 - Team meeting via conference call

• The Team discussed IMST operations for the remainder of the year in the face of a significant budget cut by the state legislature to help balance Oregon's state budget.

June 25, 2009 - Team meeting in Corvallis

• IMST discussed Team operation options under the reduced 2009-2001 budget it received from the State.
• The Team discussed and adopted its preliminary review of the ODFW’s draft recovery plan for native salmon and steelhead in the lower Columbia River region.
  

[return to Public Meetings]

 

 

IMST Budget for July 2007 - June 2009
	July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008	July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009
	TOTAL	TOTAL	BIENNIUM TOTAL
IMST Members 0.20 FTE
OSU Salaries and OPE	60,254	4,587
Federal salary	0	0
Personal Service Contracts	91,800	4,588
TOTAL TEAM Member Compensation	183,443	9,175
IMST Support Staff (OSU salaries & OPE)
Clerical 0.25 FTE	12,657	9,000
Technical 2.0 FTE	131,584	133,761
TOTAL TEAM SUPPORT	144,241	142,761
Other Costs
Supplies & Services, including support staff office space (2)	14,901	14,901
TRAVEL/PER DIEM - OSU employees	3,500	2,120
TOTAL OTHER COSTS	18,401	18,401
Fiscal Year Total	314,696	168,957	483,653
Note: OSU waived 10% in overhead costs
Note: Federal employee(s) on Team are not eligible for salary compensation

[return to Budget section]

IMST Recovery Review Budget for Novemeber 2007 - June 2009
	November1, 2007 - June 30, 2008	July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009
	TOTAL	TOTAL	BIENNIUM TOTAL
OSU Salaries & OPE
Team Member Compensation	8,534	16,321
Technical Support (1.0 FTE)	41,860	65,321
Total salaries	50,394	81,623
Personal Service Contracts	10,583	12,800
Other Costs
Supplies & Services, including support staff office space (1)	4,940	4,160
TRAVEL/PER DIEM - OSU employees	250	250
TOTAL OTHER COSTS	5,190	4,410
Fiscal Year Total	66,167	98,833	165,000
Note: OSU waived 10% in overhead costs
Note: Federal employee(s) on Team are not eligible for salary compensation

[return to Budget section]