PNW 98 Session - Full Abstracts

Full Abstract

Success Standards Work Group
Mary Ossinger, Chair

Wetland Mitigation Quest for Success

Wetland mitigation project proponents and regulators generally have similar ideas about long-term objectives for wetland mitigation projects. But when it comes to defining measurable standards to determine if a site is “successful” after three, five, or ten years, we often come to the table with very different ideas. Major reasons for this divergence include vague terminology, different ideas about the roles of success standards and monitoring protocols, and a lack of good benchmark data on which to base standards.

In an attempt to develop reasonable guidelines for evaluating the success of mitigation projects, a regional task force has come together during the past year. Work has focused on four areas: 1) Further development of written guidelines first presented at the 1997 SWS PNW Chapter Meeting; 2) Proposal for research into successional development of mitigation and restoration sites, recently funded by a 1998 EPA grant; 3) Evaluation of reference sites as a tool in developing standards; and 4) Improved definition of the hydrology components of site design and monitoring.

Our session will begin with a brief history and summary of work in progress, then we’ll discuss key issues and develop a direction for future work. Featured participants will include some of the most expert and innovative wetland professionals of the Pacific Northwest - you! The session will be interactive, including both small-group and all-group discussions.

While we don’t expect you to prepare for the discussion, you may wish to preview the draft guidance document. It will be available after May 10 on the SWS web site:

http://www.sws.org/regional/pacificNW

(Go to the 1998 Chapter Meeting information page and look for the Success Standards link.) Your comments and ideas are welcome even if you don’t attend the session - write to ossinger@wsdot.wa.gov. But, better yet, we hope you can join us to share your perspective and ideas in person. Where else can you go to discuss wetland mitigation site design, regulatory issues, monitoring, functional assessment, wildlife habitat, and more - all in one session!

This is the description of a half-day "panel" session, although we won't actually use a standard panel (see description). It is a group project, and several of us will help facilitate the session (names not yet determined - I could send a list of work group members if that would be of interest). Group participants are from various local, state, federal, and private concerns.

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