The North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative Unified Stream Crossing Assessment Protocols

Overview of Training Session 1.Importance of Aquatic Connectivity 2.Project Overview 3.Project Organization Planning & Coordination 4.Survey Protocols (Indoors) 5.Survey Protocols (Out-door) 6.Electronic data collection 7.Data Entry & Validation 8.Prioritization (assessment & mitigation) 9.Data Management, QA/QC and Training

Barry Wicklow © 1999 Joyce Gross Robert Jenkins & Noel Burkhead Micrographia Alan Richmond

Dams

Sub-standard Culverts Sub-standard Culverts

Excessive Velocities

Flow Contraction Kozmo Bates

Inlet Drop

Scour Hole

Outlet Drop (Perching) Outlet Drop (Perching)

Tail Water Armoring

Insufficient Water Depth Insufficient Water Depth

© 2003 John White Kenneth Catania Scott Jackson Mink Dusky salamander Spring Salamander Wood turtle Snapping turtle Star-nosed mole Otter Beaver Muskrat

Openness

Glimpse of Existing Situation A survey of 6,030 single and multiple culverts in five New England states: NumberPercent Severe barrier931.5 Significant barrier Moderate barrier2, Minor barrier2, Insignificant barrier Full passage % are moderate to severe barriers None provided full aquatic organism passage

Source: MA Riverways Program 721 sq.mi.

Source: MA Riverways Program

Culvert Failure

Culverts and Climate Change: Changes in the climate make culverts a critical issue for natural resource conservation and protection of infrastructure and public safety

North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC)

North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC): Objectives Reconnect streams & rivers to support healthier populations of fish & wildlife Proactively identify and prioritize sites for stream crossing upgrades/replacements Facilitate communication and information sharing among partners

Depth (detail) Expert detailed assessment Expert rapid assessment Lay person rapid assessment Breadth (objective) Aquatic Continuity ConditionGeomorphology Modular approach to crossing assessment

Evaluating & Restoring Connectivity Evaluate river and stream crossings Evaluate habitat and landscape Establish priorities for upgrades Take action – Careful design and construction

Evaluate Connectivity Universal coding system Rapid assessment field protocols Online database Scoring systems

Online Crossings Database

Data Input Paper forms Electronic data collection Bulk uploads

Data Validation Database rules that can’t be violated Programmed in Examples – Required fields – Acceptable range of measurements – GPS units must be within bounding box Electronic data collection: applied at time of collection in the field Paper data collection: applied when data are entered to the database

Data Reports Excel files Shapefiles Mapping interface

Project Organization R & D Funding Core group Work group Implementation Broad buy-in Steering committee Advisory committee Work groups Network of collaborators

Project Infrastructure Crossing codes Protocols & field data forms Electronic data collection Online Database  Data storage & retrieval  Scoring  Mapping interface Prioritizing crossings for assessment Prioritizing crossings for mitigation  TNC Northeast Connectivity Project  UMass Critical Linkages Project

Distributed Coordination North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative Project Area L1: Local Coordinators L2: Regional Coordinators L3: Central Coordinators Trainers Lead Observers (data collectors) Technicians Volunteers

Survey Roles & Responsibilities Survey Coordinator Create maps and make crossing assignments Determine when conditions are appropriate for data collection Establishes standards and expectations for safety Ensure adherence to protocols and QA/QC procedures Reviews and approve data entered into database Lead Observer Receives Extensive Training Leads team of 1-2 other volunteers (coordinates survey materials, sets meeting locations and times) Ensures assessment are done safely Participates in surveys on regular basis Responsible for field data collection (paper or electronic) Enters data into the online database

Responsibilities of L2 Coordinators Oversee surveys in their geographic areas Recruit and supervise L1 coordinators Coordinate training Ensure QA/QC procedures are implemented Coordinate with L3 coordinators L2 Responsibilities can be shared among multiple individuals or organizations

Data Collection & Entry Lead Observers Collect data Match survey locations to xycodes Enter data into database L1 Coordinators Review & approve records Field audit 10% of an lead observer’s first 50 records Field audits not required for lead observers that have assessed >50 crossings

Training Requirements Lead Observers Classroom training either online or in-person (4 hours) In-person field training (1 day) Shadow a certified lead observer (20 crossings) Coordinators Certification as a lead observer Online coordinator training unit

Certification Certification required for lead observers and coordinators Lead Observers Completion of training requirements Pass an online quiz Coordinators Certification as a lead observer Coordinator training unit and pass quiz Certification for lead observers will expire after 2 years of inactivity Periodic recertification for active lead observers and coordinators will be encouraged but not required

Grandfathering Classroom training (in-person or online) required regardless of experience Field training can be waived for those observers/coordinators: that have participated in comparable field training prior to adoption of NAACC protocols and have conducted 10 or more field assessments Shadowing can be waived for observers/coordinators that have conducted 20 or more field assessments using protocols comparable with the NAACC protocols (USFS, VT, NH, ME or UMass)

Prioritizing Assessments

Mapping Support

North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative Project Area Contacts Scott Jackson Jessica Levine