An Ecological Approach to Integrating Conservation and Highway Planning, Volume 2 (2012) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 29-54
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29 C h a p t e r 3 Introduction The Integrated Eco-Logical Framework (the Framework) is designed to provide technical support for implementing EcoLogical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects (Eco-Logical)
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30 Table 3.1. Steps of the Ecological Assessment Framework Step Purpose Step 1: Build and strengthen collaborative partnerships, vision Build support among a group of stakeholders to achieve a statewide or regional planning process that integrates conservation and transportation planning.
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31 regional partners to assist in identifying appropriate data and expertise. Select the most precise boundary that can be represented with spatial data to reduce inaccuracies and confusion when intersecting it with fine scale data.
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32 • What are the limiting factors associated with TMDLs and 403d limited streams? Technical Implementation of Step 2 Step 2b Prioritize the specific list of ecological resources and issues that should be further addressed in the REF or other assessment and planning.
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33 goals through expert input are available from NatureServe as part of their Vista conservation assessment tool (NatureServe 2009)
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34 are or are not under some ownership/agreement to manage them in perpetuity for the resources to be sustained)
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35 suggests segregating land use data into actual current land use, allowable or planned land use (e.g., from local government comprehensive plans/zoning or public land management plans) , predicted/forecast land use (e.g., from urban growth models)
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36 other land use scenarios in relation to resource conservation objectives and priorities using the REF and models of priority resources. Outcomes • Developing program level cumulative effects scenarios associated with transportation development and other future land uses.
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37 Technical Implementation of Step 4 Step 4a Work collaboratively with stakeholders to weight the relative importance of resource types (including consideration of resource retention) when needed to help establish the significance of impacts and importance for mitigating action.
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38 map for urbanization based on current local government plans and zoning.
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39 For all areas/resources, a report should be generated that quantifies the current distribution and the expected future distribution to quantify impacts. Maps of locations of expected area/resource loss can identify where impacts would occur and what scenario areas (land use, infrastructure, and management)
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40 The strategy and priorities should be iterative, and it is important for the stakeholders to identify a process that supports updates to be incorporated. • The preferred conservation and mitigation actions to achieve the priorities.
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41 When required mitigation cannot be found within an REF priority area, other areas can be identified and investigated. Failure to find any in-kind mitigation opportunities may trigger discussions for out-of-kind mitigation opportunities.
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42 Assure that at least one to five priority wetland conservation sites exist in every watershed. Work with regulators to determine that mitigation occurring in the same eight-digit HUC (fourth field watersheds with an eight-digit hydrologic unit code)
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43 Assure the mitigation catalog and mitigation actions are updated based on restoration activities, lost opportunities, and areas conserved. EcosystEm Accounting AspEcts This step will specify many of the necessary parameters for an ecosystem credit.
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44 through existing markets, conservation initiatives, or other innovative solutions. Through this diagnosis, an agency can assess the ecological, social, and economic needs for tracking their environmental impacts in both the regulated and nonregulated arenas.
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45 press and stakeholder communications in a more passive approach to assessing public concern (Costanza and Folke 1997)
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46 response. Often these measures rely on concepts similar to condition-based ones or try to replicate a condition-based measure with models.
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48 and document a change. In practice, this is problematic.
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49 will occur. Using the example of the water quality and aquatic species above, both will rely on functions performed by streamside vegetation that shades water bodies or reduces sediment and pollutant transport into water bodies.
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50 The application of a functional measure is a three-step process. Initially, the current pre-implementation (baseline)
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51 in 2008, a typical mitigation site received only 5 to 10 years of monitoring and then was on its own. Step 6f Negotiate regulatory assurance for credits (sacking credits and double-dipping)
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52 those used for impact assessment, site selection, and credit development.
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53 Outcomes • Maintaining continuity from early planning processes into the project implementation phase, including: 44 Use of regional ecological goals and objectives in project planning and decision making 44 Use of REF map to guide project avoidance and mitigation decisions 44 Incorporation of performance standards and programmatic agreements as appropriate into permitting and consultation documents 44 Integration of programmatic cumulative effects analysis into project NEPA, Section 404 and Section 7 analysis • Incorporating tools and approaches into a monitoring and adaptive management strategy to ensure positive project outcomes. • Accurate record keeping and tracking of all commitments by transportation agency in project delivery.
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54 9e. Conduct regular review of progress, including effectiveness at meeting goals and objectives, current take totals, and likelihood of exceeding programmatic take allowance.
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