Riparian Proper Functioning Conditions for Professionals

Riparian Proper Functioning Conditioning for Professionals Brochure

Washington State University Extension is partnering with the National Riparian Service Team to offer a training session on the Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) protocol for lotic sites. Proper Functioning Condition is an interdisciplinary assessment method that determines status (current condition) and trend of riparian areas.  Findings from the PFC assessment are used by the interdisciplinary team: (1) to identify management issues; (2) to identify specific management objectives to reach management goals (i.e., desired future conditions, DFC); (3) to prioritize management and restoration efforts; (4) to design management actions to achieve PFC and then DFC; (5)  to design appropriate monitoring strategies to assess progress towards meeting management goals and objectives; and (6) to establish designated monitoring areas (DMAs) in riparian areas.

Training modules emphasize hands-on exercises and small-team coaching.  Training modules include:

1. Instructions on performing pre-work assignments, such as:
2. Sources of pertinent background information and data;
3. Techniques for stratification and delineation of stream reaches;
4. Determination of potential natural conditions and identification of changed potential; and
5. Use of geographic information systems (GIS) to organize and analyze spatial data;
6. Advanced field methods to quantify or assess each of the 17 lotic (running water) and/or 20 lentic (still water) attributes and processes examined in the PFC assessment method;
7. A variety of field indicators that suggest apparent trend or establish true trend in riparian conditions;
8. Field practicum with coaching in small, interdisciplinary groups; and
9. Instructions on preparing reports to summarize and communicate findings from the assessment and to detail cause-effect relations, management issues, management objectives, possible alternatives to address the issues, and development of effective monitoring plans.

This training opportunity is sponsored by the National Riparian Service Team and is an activity of the Creeks and Communities Strategy, a West-wide initiative focused on facilitating cooperative riparian restoration and management.

We will be using the methodology published in Interagency Technical Reference 1737-15, “Proper Functioning Condition Assessment for Lotic Areas”. A new version of that publication is available at:

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/wo/blm_library/tech_refs.Par.57054.File.dat/TR_1737-15.pdf.

Dates and Time:  Monday, September 12, beginning at 12:30 PM, through Friday, September 16, 2016, ending at noon.

Location:  The class will be held at the Kittitas Valley Event Center, Western Village VIP room, 901 E 7th Ave., Ellensburg, Washington (Map here: https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/kvec/kvec-map.pdf)

Registration

The course is limited to 40 participants. Registration is $200 (BLM employees exempt from registration fee), payable to WSU Extension. You may also register and pay through Brown Paper Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2591926

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodations; lunch will be provided each day as part of the course fee.

Training agenda

Day 1 — Sep. 12

PFC overview

Pre-assessment tasks: sources of background information and data; techniques for stratification and delineation of stream reaches; determination of potential natural conditions and identification of changed potential; use of geographic information systems to organize and analyze spatial data.

Day 2 — Sep 13

Advanced field methods to quantify and assess each of the 17 lotic attributes and processes examined in PFC

Day 3 — Sep 14

Field indicators that suggest apparent trend or establish true trend in riparian condition

Day 4 — Sep. 15

Field practicum with coaching in interdisciplinary groups

Day 5 — Sep. 16

Preparing reports to summarize and communicate findings from assessment; detail cause-and-effect relationships, management issues and goals, possible alternatives to address issues, and effective monitoring plans

Participants will be divided into smaller groups to learn field methods specific to each discipline and for interdisciplinary team work.

Lodging: Ellensburg hotels are full during the Labor Day Rodeo and County Fair September 1-5 and for several days both sides of these events. However, by the 11th and 12th there should be plenty of vacancies to accommodate you. Lodging options include, in no particular order:

Holiday Inn Express (877 508 1762)

Hampton Inn (509 933-1600)

Best Western Plus Lincoln Inn & Suites (509 925-4244)

Quality Inn (509 925-9800)

Super 8 (509 962-6888)

Motel 6 (509 962-5585)

Days Inn (509 933-1500)

Comfort Inn (509 925-7037)

Course Materials/Equipment:  Technical references, field forms, and some field equipment will be provided.  Participants should bring backpacks, clipboards, pencils, notebooks, hand lenses, and riparian plant guides, if available.   Lunch will be provided as part of the course fee each day. Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodations, and meals/beverages outside of lunch.