Technical and scientific background: The model addresses the problem of projecting future habitat states resulting from various land-use practices and can be used as a planning tool for managers. This model is unique in that it incorporates temporal dynamics of riparian condition and stream habitat. The problem is well defined and, for the most part, the technical background including the structure of the model and its outcomes are clearly explained.

Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: The model addresses objectives in the Grande Ronde and John Day subbasin plans but is broadly applicable to many arid land subbasins. It also addresses elements of the Council’s Research Plan and the Fish and Wildlife Program.

Relationships to other projects: The project is relevant to several projects funded in the Fish and Wildlife Program. The sponsors plan collaborative efforts between the BLM, other units of the USFS, and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Objectives: The objectives logically follow from the work completed to date. As proposed by the sponsors, expansion of the model by making it spatially explicit would be an important addition and would increase its applicability. The sponsors propose to validate the model in three watersheds, a necessary step for examining its accuracy and applicability. The sponsors should include water withdrawal as a land-use practice.

Tasks (work elements) and methods: The methods seem appropriate. The sponsors appear to have a lot of experience dealing with the various types of models used in the modeling framework. Field sampling will follow well-established protocols.

Monitoring and evaluation: The work supports M&E. The sponsors approach is broadly consistent with the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership (PNAMP) and Collaborative Systemwide Monitoring and Evaluation Program (CSMEP), and they state that they can modify their methods to adapt to adapt to basinwide monitoring protocols.

Facilities, equipment, and personnel: The USFS facilities are well equipped to support the work. The sponsors are well qualified, having already produced peer-reviewed publications on the model. They are experienced in working with the suite of models making up the modeling framework.

Information transfer: The sponsors will establish a web site and make the model available basinwide. Peer-reviewed publications are planned. There is every reason to believe that they will be completed because the sponsors have already published work on the model.

Benefits to focal and non-focal species: The work is unique in the Columbia River basin and will benefit salmonids by projecting long-term land use impacts on stream habitat and providing a tool for assessing restoration actions. The utility of the dynamic model needs further validation. The work will not deleteriously effect non-focal species and likely will benefit wildlife that use the riparian zone.

Technical and scientific background: The model addresses the problem of projecting future habitat states resulting from various land-use practices and can be used as a planning tool for managers. This model is unique in that it incorporates temporal dynamics of riparian condition and stream habitat. The problem is well defined and, for the most part, the technical background including the structure of the model and its outcomes are clearly explained.

Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: The model addresses objectives in the Grande Ronde and John Day subbasin plans but is broadly applicable to many arid land subbasins. It also addresses elements of the Council’s Research Plan and the Fish and Wildlife Program.

Relationships to other projects: The project is relevant to several projects funded in the Fish and Wildlife Program. The sponsors plan collaborative efforts between the BLM, other units of the USFS, and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Objectives: The objectives logically follow from the work completed to date. As proposed by the sponsors, expansion of the model by making it spatially explicit would be an important addition and would increase its applicability. The sponsors propose to validate the model in three watersheds, a necessary step for examining its accuracy and applicability. The sponsors should include water withdrawal as a land-use practice.

Tasks (work elements) and methods: The methods seem appropriate. The sponsors appear to have a lot of experience dealing with the various types of models used in the modeling framework. Field sampling will follow well-established protocols.

Monitoring and evaluation: The work supports M&E. The sponsors approach is broadly consistent with the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership (PNAMP) and Collaborative Systemwide Monitoring and Evaluation Program (CSMEP), and they state that they can modify their methods to adapt to adapt to basinwide monitoring protocols.

Facilities, equipment, and personnel: The USFS facilities are well equipped to support the work. The sponsors are well qualified, having already produced peer-reviewed publications on the model. They are experienced in working with the suite of models making up the modeling framework.

Information transfer: The sponsors will establish a web site and make the model available basinwide. Peer-reviewed publications are planned. There is every reason to believe that they will be completed because the sponsors have already published work on the model.

Benefits to focal and non-focal species: The work is unique in the Columbia River basin and will benefit salmonids by projecting long-term land use impacts on stream habitat and providing a tool for assessing restoration actions. The utility of the dynamic model needs further validation. The work will not deleteriously effect non-focal species and likely will benefit wildlife that use the riparian zone.