The university of montanas (UM) oconnor center for the rocky mountain west (ocrmw) proposes a cooperative agreement with the bureau of land management (BLM) in support of the idaho aquatic resources…

The university of montanas (UM) oconnor center for the rocky mountain west (ocrmw) proposes a cooperative agreement with the bureau of land management (BLM) in support of the idaho aquatic resources program. This project is focused on collecting inventory, monitoring and assessment data in riparian and wetland habitats, enhancing reference network data, supporting the development of benchmarks for key indicators and wetland types, and providing training materials and support to the riparian and wetland aim national operations center (NOC) and data collection partners. The primary goal of this project is to support the acquisition of riparian and wetland resource data that are consistently collected, using standardized, repeatable protocols, that accurately reflect the diversity and condition of aquatic habitats in idaho. Outcomes include contributing to large, robust datasets supporting scientific analysis, modeling, and research development.activities to be performed under this award include: carry out riparian and wetland inventory, assessment, and monitoring activities. Identify reference sites for target riparian and wetland systems. Set benchmarks for indicators of condition in riparian and wetland systems. Provide training support, reference materials, and professional development.deliverables will include:1. Data collection a. Random and or targeted riparian and wetland aim surveys at locations selected via idaho state, district or field office level sample designs. B. Targeted aim surveys in selected riparian and wetland locations identified as representing reference or least-disturbed condition. C. Other data collection in riparian and wetland areas based on need and funding.2.GIS and data analysis a. Develop methodology for a landscape and local-scale wetland riparian disturbance assessment, utilizing GIS to identify riparian and wetland resources for assessment as part of a reference network. Validate the model with existing r w aim data and other data available for targeted wetland types or ecoregions. B. Provide report detailing methodology used to identify reference sites. C. Provide analytical support toward the development of benchmarks for selected indicators in target riparian and wetland systems.3.training supporta. Provide trainers for BLM riparian and wetland aim core methods training.b. Develop virtual training materials for difficult taxa encountered in wetlands for use by riparian and wetland aim crews, BLM staff and data collection partners.c. Create wetland plant identification field guides for target ecoregions in idaho. The intended beneficiaries of this project include 1) the public, who will benefit from resource managers using consistent and defensible aquatic resource assessment data to plan and implement management actions that will impact water supply, water quality, and aquatic habitat, subsequently increasing climate resilience and 2) other partners, stakeholders, and wetland practitioners, who will benefit from additional plant identification and training resources and increased information about aquatic resources managed by the BLM.