Refine and expand habitat equivalency analysis models for credit calculation under the endangered species act: estuary model

***PLEASE SEE ATTACHEMENTS FOR COMPLETE DETAILS***

NMFS intends for the Puget Sound Estuarine Habitat Evaluation model to serve together with HEA as a regulatory tool to evaluate the relative value of restoration projects as well as development impacts to a range of estuarine habitat functions (saltwater tidally influenced & freshwater tidally influenced).  We seek to evaluate changes to the quality of the estuarine component of Puget Sound Chinook critical habitat and their likely impacts to salmon.  Project types we seek to evaluate with the Puget Sound Estuarine Habitat Evaluation include but are not limited to dike setbacks and tidal habitat restoration including re-establishment of tidal channel networks, dike breaches that open access to previously disconnected (pocket-) estuaries, new dike construction, dike repair, and tide gate and culvert installation or replacements.  The model must be based on BAS.

Project input data for the model must be restricted to what NMFS usually receives with biological evaluations for such project types including approximately 60% design plans including grading plans and planting plans, general descriptions, JARPA, and HPAs.  Publically available data, such as GIS data, are also available for data input variables.  Model users include agency personnel and biological consultants.  The model input variables, variable associations, and equations must be transparent so that a user can view and with effort and interest understand the background of the model.