RIPARIAN SCIENCE UPDATING THE PHS RIPARIAN DOCUMENT Washington

RIPARIAN SCIENCE: UPDATING THE PHS RIPARIAN DOCUMENT Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife January 2016

OBJECTIVES Know what the PHS Riparian document is Be familiar with its strengths and limitations as a science-based document Identify opportunities to review, ask questions and give feedback

BACKGROUND: PRIORITY HABITATS & SPECIES Since 1990 PHS is how WDFW provides info about fish, wildlife, and habitats to inform land use decision making Customers: Counties, cities, developers, foresters Also agencies, WDFW PHS Uses Critical Area Ordinance updates Planning of development projects & issuing of building permits Planning of transportation projects Planning of timber harvests & issuing of forest practice permits Planning conservation acquisitions; managing land for wildlife Informing mitigation projects Court-recognized source of Best Available Science

IMPLEMENTING PHS POL-5004: THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSERVATION POLICY GUIDING PRINCIPLES Long-term benefit of people, fish, wildlife, habitat Support healthy ecosystems Work across disciplines Integrate ecological, social, institutional perspectives Embrace knowledge, apply best science, adaptively manage Collaborate with partners

PHS RIPARIAN DOCUMENT 1997 PHS Riparian Guidelines used extensively by cities and counties It’s used to identify fish and wildlife critical areas and designate riparian areas PHS is a source of science for GMA that must be considered, but local governments must explain departures from that science This consideration of science exists alongside GMA’s socio-economic-cultural goals

PHS RIPARIAN DOCUMENT It’s a science document, not a policy document Convey to land managers best scientific thinking about how riparian area management impacts riparian functions Provides management implications of the science Does not represent a policy decision about how much is enough, reasonable, or practicable.

PHS RIPARIAN AQUATIC: TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction and Context Synthesis of Current Science on Each Function Update 1990 s literature review Synthesis of current understanding RMZ and watershed processes Summary of the Science Case Studies Connecting science with policy Lessons learned: Forest & Fish, NW Forest Plan, DNR HCP Management Considerations

PHS RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS Tips for assessing site and watershed current conditions Tips for specifying the desired future conditions Principles for achieving community goals related to riparian areas as land use changes No Net Loss Incremental Improvement Watershed Recovery Tips for Monitoring and Adaptive Management Doesn’t contain: Numeric description of what constitutes an “adequate” riparian width

PHS RIPARIAN DOCUMENT REVIEW PROCESS Technical Advisory Group WA Academy of Sciences WDFW PHS and Science Staff • Advise on direction, literature search, scope • Review • Comment • Edits Tech Experts and WDFW Science Staff WDFW PHS and Science Staff Public, Agencies • Initial draft of science chapters • Edits WDFW Science Staff Technical Advisory Group • Review and Edits • Review • Comments WDFW Final Approval

VOLUNTARY STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM Counties R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 R 5 R 6 10 5 4 2 3 4 28

QUESTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS Thanks in advance for the chance to answer your questions Your ideas and interests will help us fine-tune future presentations, and perhaps even the management considerations themselves