This proposal is for a new research project and is the same as that of the Kootenai Floodplains project 200201100. The Kootenai proposal contains more thorough information on the approach, and there is clear evidence of coordination between the two proposals; given the common goals and approaches, the two projects should be closely coordinated. Additionally, funding both the Kootenai and this project would provide a more robust test of the application of this research. This is a novel and ambitious opportunity. Although the ISRP was not supportive of the CHAP objective in the HEP proposal, in the context of these research proposals the "Index to Ecological Integrity" is better justified. This proposal provides a creative, multi-disciplinary approach to restore the ecology of the floodplain.

Reviewers questioned the appropriateness of some collected data apparently being considered proprietary (p.5) and not available to the public. It is commonly accepted that data collected with public funds should be made available to the public.