SPRNCA: Maintaining Riparian/Wetland Function

What does that mean today? Isn’t SPRNCA already “protected and enhanced?” When will it be “good enough”? Isn’t it too late already to save the River? What are the benefits and consequences to the SPRNCA, the economy and the community? The SPRNCA has been studied to death, why do we need more information? conserves, protects, and enhances the riparian area and the aquatic SEC (a) GENERAL AUTHORITIES.- The Secretary shall manage the conservation area in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the riparian area and the aquatic, wildlife, archeological, paleontological, scientific, cultural, educational, and recreational resources of the conservation area.

How do we answer the questions and move ahead with management? Acknowledgement – We understand there has been many excellent studies and reports on the SPRNCA; all are important and useful. But they do not provide the integrated assessments necessary to move forward with planning and answering questions such as those on the previous slide.

How do we answer the questions and move ahead with management? 1.What is going on? What is the existing condition? Is riparian “as good as it can be?” 2.What could go on? What is range of choices? 3.What will go on? What level of riparian condition will SPRNCA be managed for? What will be the benefits, consequences and effects to the environment, economy and community?

Sustaining the SPRNCA, Communities and Economies It’s all linked Riparian Function SPRNCA Law Fort Huachuca Fish, Wildlife & Recreation Watershed Health Sustainability Future Development Local Economy T&E Species

Assessing and Understanding Riparian Function and Choices Riparian Function – What is the existing condition and trend; how has it changed over the years? What is the potential – what is the “best” it could be? Management Choices – Given difference between current condition and trend and potential, what are feasible management choices (objectives)? Future Management – Decisions made through appropriate public processes that weigh the choices available with the benefits and consequences, and fully disclose those to the public.

Physical Function and Resource Values PFCPNC Values Time NFFAR Recreation / Birding Watershed Values Livestock Values Fisheries/Wildlife/ESA ?

I: First Steps – Pre-work, studying the project area II: Next Steps – Assessments and Interpretations III: Final Steps – Management Steps

I: First Steps – Pre-work, studying the project area & engaging the public  July Technical Riparian Workshop, Tucson –  Community Results Workshop  “It is rewarding to have science that has been done used for management and policy.” (workshop participant)

Gather background information / Divide stream into reaches with distinct features: Geology/landform/physiography Hydrology – surface and subsurface Channel conditions Soil Properties – Physical and Chemical Vegetation Management Activities/Land Use History

Note- J. Stromberg reaches from Mexico border to Benson Narrows: 20 river segments Stromberg et al A century of riparian forest expansion following extreme disturbance: spatio-temporal change in Populus/Salix forests along the Upper San Pedro River, Arizona. Forest Ecology and Management 259:

Narrow Valley Reach Wide Valley Reach Reach Stratification Primary purpose of reach breaks is to insure that a relatively homogenous section of stream is being assessed. Wide valley reaches usually have very different attributes and processes than narrow valleys of the same river system.

II. Next Steps: Assessments and Interpretations 1.Determine Potential 2.Understand limiting factors (capability) 3.Assess Status and Trend 4. Interpret, Document, Dialogue, Report

Determine Potential and Capability (Process) Contractor Responsibilities Lead a highly technical interdisciplinary effort to synthesize existing information. Identify data gaps that need to be filled. Coordinate with BLM, NRST and partner specialists. Provide draft written description of potential and capability on reach-by-reach basis. Complete by February, Contractor is Jim Fogg, retired BLM hydrologist.

1. Determine Potential (example) Given wide valley bottom, gravel substrate, water availability, etc., 1955 photo (left) shows potential to be cottonwood forest with sinuous narrower channel. Hindsight is a great tool!

2) Depth to water table, water table fluctuation - Cottonwood and willow favored by shallow water table - Saltcedar is deeper rooted (7 m+) and tolerates deeper and more fluctuating water tables Lite SJ, JC Stromberg Surface water and ground-water thresholds for maintaining Populus - Salix forests, San Pedro River, Arizona. Biological Conservation 125:

Validation, Technical Review February, day meeting with technical specialists from BLM, partner agencies and organizations to review and finalize report.

Conducting the Assessment  Highly qualified interdisciplinary team – Local BLM specialists supported by NRST.  Participation by partner agencies, interested public and organizations welcome and encouraged.  Fully documented in report, including important questions/disagreements.

PFC Assessment can help:  Help identify potential and relationship to current condition – define decision space  Provide spatial context of conditions  Help prioritize need for management action  Help interpret cause and effect  Communicate with users on conditions & potential remedies  Determine appropriate monitoring protocols and time frames

Reporting the Findings Critical to gain common understanding, support, and to know concerns for findings of Assessment. - Draft will be prepared and distributed for public review. - Technical meeting for facilitated review. - Public meeting following technical review.