StreamNet Project
BPA Project No.:  1988-108-04
FY 2010 Work Statement
October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010

The StreamNet Project, a cooperative data compilation and data management project under the FWP focused on fish and fish related data, is transitioning to respond to increasing requests for better data sharing in the Columbia basin.  For example, the 2008 FCRPS Biological Opinion, RPA 72, calls for development of a data delivery system.  Monitoring guidance from NOAA Fisheries is calling for sharing of various monitoring metrics.  Multiple entities (including the Northwest Power and Conservation Council and the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership)  are developing High Level Indicators to express status and trends of environmental  metrics.  And, status and trend data for focal fish species covered in the Status of the Resource report by CBFWA have become a priority for the project.
As the entities involved in accomplishing the BiOp and performing fish related monitoring focus attention on identifying the data needed to feed these processes, StreamNet intends to expand its efforts to include priority data types not already included in its data delivery system.  In order to be able to expand its focus, we will continue to emphasize and assist development of computerized database systems within the agencies that collect fisheries data in order to allow automation of data translation to consistent regional formats and submission to StreamNet to free project time to work on additional data types.

Key components of this transition process for fiscal year 2010 include the following:

•  Emphasis on data to feed regional scale reporting at a high level.  High priority will be on the raw or field level data that are needed to provide high level assessments of population trends (abundance and productivity) to regional scale reporting mechanisms, focusing initially on CBFWA’s Status of the Resource Report (SOTR).  We anticipate that these same data will also be needed to calculate abundance and productivity metrics under other High Level Indicator efforts.  Emphasis in FY-10 will be on data for the abundance and distribution of focal species (as identified in the Subbasin Plans)in the SOTR.

•  Establishing automated data flow from the StreamNet database to regional scale reporting through the SOTR.  We will maintain the XML data feeds for SOTR and will work to assist CBFWA with additional data types, as possible.

•  Emphasis on automating data flow to improve speed of data delivery from the source agencies to the regionally standardized database at StreamNet.  Speed of updating time series of data was identified as a significant issue at the 2006 Data Workshop and the CBFWA Data Management Framework Subcommittee.  Following a successful test in FY-09, we will begin direct download of data from the new Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System databases in Idaho Fish and Game and will continue to provide programming support for further development of the system.  This improves data delivery speed and also automates translation into the regional data format.  Similar efforts will be pursued with other data source agencies, based on their priorities and capabilities, to assist them as they move toward implementing additional information technology.  The systems development envisioned would also be required in any regional move toward development of distributed database systems approaches for regional data sharing.

•  Emphasis on data systems and data delivery that support population assessments under recovery planning and the BiOp.  StreamNet partners will work within their agencies and recovery planners to determine BiOp data needs and develop approaches for providing needed data.

•  Refine our strategy to compensate for lost staffing.  While funding in FY-10 was increased by 2.5%, this follows five years of level funding that unfortunately led to reduction of data technician staff, particularly in WDFW and ODFW.  As a result, WDFW StreamNet had to limit data acquisition to only the lower Columbia Basin subbasins, and ODFW StreamNet has taken a subbasin by subbasin approach to acquiring data for focal species, but may be unable to address all subbasins each year.  Several components of the project have moved some of their staff time to other funding sources, but for other work.  Without funding to restore staffing levels, strategy options may include 1) encouraging data source agencies to emphasize development of agency-wide database approaches, 2) increased automation of data exchange where made possible by the first option, 3) continue or increase reliance on other funding sources to support specialized staff to free up funding to support additional data technicians until automated data exchanges become more feasible, and 4) attempt to identify funding to leverage efforts that meet goals for the project and other funding sources.  Without changes, it will be necessary to update some data types only on an every other year basis or skipping parts of a state, a significant departure from our goal of increasing speed of data compilation.  As currently budgeted in FY-10, data compilation in Washington will be limited to the lower Columbia subbasins, and in Oregon all subbasins may not be included in data capture.

•  Attempt to acquire data from tribal programs.  This goal may be dependent on additional funding, for either the project or tribal programs.  However, the project intends to coordinate with tribes as much as possible with existing staff to develop means of assisting them with their data and making them available for sharing.  We intend to work closely with CRITFC, their member tribes, and other tribes working on data flow under the Accords.

The StreamNet statement of work is organized around seven Work Elements, with multiple individual WE Titles:

1.  WE 159 Transfer/Consolidate Regionally Standardized Data.  This work element encompasses the acquisition, standardization, georeferencing and consolidation of fish related data by the agencies that participate in the StreamNet project.  This also includes acquisition of source documents for all acquired data and submission of the references to the StreamNet Library at CRITFC.   Specific data types involved are detailed in the milestones in the work statement.

2.  WE 160 Create/Manage/Maintain Database.  All components of the StreamNet project maintain databases and computer systems to support their work at both the source agency and regional (PSMFC) levels.  This work includes maintenance and needed upgrade of the hardware and software systems, development of applications to assist in data management and manipulation, development of standard data formats to assure data consistency across the region, and maintenance of regional base data layers essential for management and depiction of data including the PNW 1:100,000 routed hydrography (stream layer), a new interim mixed scale hydrography, and various general GIS layers.

3.  WE 161 Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results.  Data from StreamNet and independent data sets from the Data Store, maps, data references, and various other materials are disseminated primarily through the StreamNet website www.streamnet.org.  Other data services include responding to requests for information from individuals, subbasin planners, other FWP supported projects, watershed councils, recovery teams, agencies and regional entities.

4.  WE 189 Regional Coordination.  StreamNet coordinates with a variety of other database projects and regional initiatives, including CBFWA (SOTR, Data Management Framework Subcommittee), PNAMP, HSRG, NPCC, ISEMP, subbasin planners, recovery planners, data source agencies, etc.  The purpose of coordination is to facilitate flow of data, provide data management expertise, and avoid duplication of efforts.  

5.  WE 119 Manage and Administer Projects.  All project participants contribute to management of the StreamNet project, including managing their own respective components and through participation in the StreamNet Steering Committee.

6.  WE 132 Produce (Annual) Progress Report.  All project participants contribute to a detailed annual report of activities and accomplishments throughout the fiscal year.

7.  WE 185 Produce Pisces Status Report.  This work element entails completing and submitting abbreviated quarterly and final status reports in the Pisces system.

The bulk of the project consists of sub-projects within four state fish and wildlife agencies (WA, OR, ID and MT) and US Fish and Wildlife Service to develop data and databases within the respective agencies and facilitate data transfer in regionally consistent format.  In addition to administratively housing the StreamNet sub-projects, these cooperating agencies also contribute in kind support.  The kind and amount of support varies between agencies.  Most agencies provide at least some salary support for their respective StreamNet Project Leader (from one or two months to full time).  Several agencies contribute use of servers or other computer equipment and services that are not covered by charges for indirect costs.  All contribute time by biologists and in some cases data entry staff to provide data to the project.  

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) administers StreamNet and is responsible for the regional components of the project, including maintaining the regional database, assuring regional data standardization, making data available in tabular and Geographic Information System (GIS) formats, building and operating Internet based data delivery systems, and posting the data for public access.

Details of the actual tasks performed by the project are detailed in the Milestones under each Work Element.