Council Monitoring & Assessment Program Development (NOAA) (Planning)
Implementing Organization
US Department of Commerce (DOC), US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Department of the Interior (DOI), US Geological Survey (USGS)
Overview
DWH Project Funding
$1,630,228
Known Leveraged Funding
$1,221,394
Funding Organization
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
Funding Program
The RESTORE Act Funds Bucket 2: Comprehensive Plan
Details
Project Category
Other
Project Actions
Planning
Targeted Resources
Human and/or Institutional Capacity
Project Description
The monitoring and assessment program, administered jointly by NOAA and USGS, will fund the development of basic foundational components for Gulf region-wide monitoring to measure beneficial impacts of investments in restoration. Through collaboration with the Gulf States, federal, and local partners, academia, nongovernmental/non-profit organizations, and business and industry, the program will utilize a Community of Practice (CoP) to leverage existing resources, capacities, and expertise and build on existing monitoring data and programs. The program will: (1) conduct an inventory and gap analysis of existing data and monitoring systems; (2) develop and provide recommendations to the Council for common standards and protocols; (3) establish metrics needed to measure influence of water quality and habitat restoration; (4) establish baseline conditions; and (5) provide recommendations to the Council on how to address gaps and future needs. The minimum monitoring and assessment standards will be used to: (1) efficiently evaluate and report on the effectiveness of Council-selected restoration projects and programs, and (2) assess progress towards reaching the Council's comprehensive ecosystem restoration goals and objectives. The program will also support the Council in its yearly reporting requirements to Congress.
Contact
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Project Website
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