Ecological Management Action Plans

[ Up ] [ EM-1 ] [ EM-2 ] [ EM-3 ] [ EM-4 ] [ EM-5 ] [ EM-6 ] [ EM-7 ] [ EM-8 ] [ EM-9 ] [ EM-10 ] [ EM-11 ] [ EM-12 ] [ EM-13 ] [ EM-14 ] [ EM-15 ] [ EM-16 ] [ EM-17 ] [ EM-18 ]

EM-18 Centralized Data Sets

EVALUATION METHODS

• Continued development of a DIMS as a central data source for the BTES to ensure data preservation and accessibility.
  • Will be designed to integrate new data collected as part of any monitoring plan implemented as part of any CCMP Action Plan.
  • Development of FTP site so that access to DIMS is available through the Internet.
  • Dissemination of information via reports and annual symposia.
  • Resource agencies should adopt federal metadata standards.

DIMS currently being developed by NBS, LDEQ and LDNR. Interface with other existing automated natural resource data bases such as EMAP, GAP, LDEQ, and CWPPRA means that effort is not duplicative of existing efforts.

The following criteria will be used to determine if plan implementation steps were accomplished:

• Agencies that would be responsible for managing this DIMS have been selected.
• Continuation of the existence of the current data management structure employed by the BTNEP has been considered by BTMC.
• If continuing the current data management structure has been deemed inappropriate, a determination has been made concerning centralizing data sets and which agency(ies) are responsible.
• Funding for the development of the DIMS have been actively pursued by BTMC.
• Funding sources to provide for the development of a DIMS have been identified.
• The funding source inventory has been utilized to locate possible funding sources.
• BTMC has supported agency(ies) attempts to acquire funding for the continued development of the DIMS.
• Cost sharing agreements and MOA between agencies responsible for the management of the DIMS have been developed.
• Data that is not generated by and/or used currently by the BTNEP has been considered for inclusion within the DIMS.
• Data that is pertinent to or provides baseline conditions regarding a CCMP Action Plan has been identified.
• A Workshop to discuss metadata standards and their potential acceptance by State Environmental and Natural Resource Agencies has been convened by BTMC.
• Meetings of a subcommittee identified by the BTMC to review various monitoring strategies by Action Plan has been convened.
• Monitoring plans have been developed and implemented, and preparation of the DIMS for these types of data have begun.
• Access to the DIMS over the Internet has been provided.
• Training packages that can be distributed, particularly to libraries in the basin, have been developed.
• Training packages have been distributed.
• Data collection/compatibility has been standardized.
• Metadata requirements that must be followed by all federal agencies have been reviewed and modified where necessary.
• BTNEP Needs Assessment has been reviewed and modified as necessary.
• Archiving of data identified earlier, deemed necessary to support some implemented Action Plan, has begun.
• Archiving of monitoring data has begun, analysis has been provided, and reports on the results have been made to the BTMC.

The main measure of project success for this Action Plan is the development of a functioning DIMS which is user-friendly and through which data is readily accessible. The following criteria will be used to judge project success:

• Data are accessible via the Internet.
• Data can be accessed by users with no additional training other than that provided in informational materials.
• The DIMS is regularly updated with data generated within BTES which forms part of Action Plan monitoring or ecological indicators assessment.

Plan Implementation - The activities of the BTMC and agencies responsible for continued DIMS development and maintenance, as outlined in the above criteria, will be monitored by an independent Third Party.

Project Success - The independent Third Party, who shall not represent any of the agencies responsible for DIMS development or maintenance, will attempt to access data in the DIMS on a semi-annual basis and check for the following measures of success:

• The DIMS is operational.
• The DIMS is accessible via the Internet.
• New data have been added to the DIMS and are accessible.
• Metadata provides necessary information concerning the databases included in the DIMS.

Plan Implementation - The activities of the BTMC and the various agencies outlined above in implementing the plan in accordance with the above criteria will be monitored by an independent Third Party. The monitor will review informational and educational products, contact agency personnel for updates on DIMS development, review training packages, attend meetings of BTMC and organized symposia to review actions/decisions and the nature of the discussion

Project Success - The monitor will collect the following types of data:

• Attempt access to DIMS on at least 6 occasions, including 3 outside normal business hours, and document:
  • is the DIMS operational;
  • time to access three example databases;
  • time to download data from three example databases.

Semi-annually the monitor will access the DIMS and record:

• The number of new databases included since the last recorded review.
• The number of databases which have been updated.

Plan Implementation - There are no relevant sampling design or statistical analyses for the evaluation of plan implementation.

Project Success - There are no relevant sampling design or statistical analyses for the evaluation of project success.

Plan Implementation - The cost estimate is based upon attendance at approximately 4 BTMC meetings per year, review of materials, contacting implementing agencies and appropriate reporting. The level of effort is estimated at 100 person-hours and costs including salary, fringe benefits, overhead and associated expenses are approximately $5,000.

Project Success - The cost estimate is based upon 1-2 days accessing DIMS every six months and reporting. The level of effort is estimated at 40 person-hours and costs including salary, fringe benefits, overhead and associated expenses are approximately $2,000.

Monitoring of plan implementation will be undertaken by an independent Third Party who will prepare semi-annual reports describing actions of the BTMC and implementing agencies in relation to the establishment of a DIMS. Monitoring of project success will also be conducted by an independent Third Party representing organizations independent of any agencies or institutions implementing the DIMS. Semi-annual reports will be prepared. The monitoring reports will be submitted not less than 15 days prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the BTMC and the parties responsible for monitoring will appear at the meeting to discuss the report. Monitoring reports concerning project success will also be provided to the agencies or institutions implementing the DIMS.

The Quality Assurance Plan for both Plan Implementation and Project Success involves the following components:

• Clear identification of success criteria (as outlined above).
• Use of qualified and experienced personnel to collect and report data (to be determined and assessed annually by BTMC).
• Review of monitoring data and reports by BTMC (as outlined above).
• Reporting of significant problems identified during the monitoring period to the BTMC before the next report is due.
• Maintaining a semi-annual schedule for reporting on BTMC and implementing agency activities (as outlined above).

[ Up ] [ EM-1 ] [ EM-2 ] [ EM-3 ] [ EM-4 ] [ EM-5 ] [ EM-6 ] [ EM-7 ] [ EM-8 ] [ EM-9 ] [ EM-10 ] [ EM-11 ] [ EM-12 ] [ EM-13 ] [ EM-14 ] [ EM-15 ] [ EM-16 ] [ EM-17 ] [ EM-18 ]