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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Research Needs
TITLE:
Technical Assistance: Providing Scientific
Information and Technical Assistance to Address FWS Management
Problems and Needs
SUBMITTING BUREAU: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Originating Office: Regional Office, Region 6, Lakewood, CO, Region 2, Albuquerque, NM; Region 3, Fort Snelling/Twin Cities, MN, Region 4, atlanta, GA
DATE SUBMITTED: January, 1999
BIN NUMBER: FWS03CR99
BRD REGION: Central
DESCRIPTION OF NEED: Many operational decisions and problems do not require extensive long-term research because of the nature of the problem or the short time frame in which a decision must be made. However, quick access to the best information available and to the services and guidance of professional scientific expertise may be critical to interpetation of the information and to the decision process. Field managers and decision-makers at all levels often are not aware of sources of appropriate information and may require guidance in finding and interpreting the data and other information that they need. Services ranging from simply talking to an expert, to short-term on-site assistance, to decision support systems, to specific research may be needed. Systems need to be in place so that managers and decision-makers can obtain the information and assistance they need, in the appropriate form, within an acceptable time. Examples of needs include but are not limited to the following: management and modeling workshops, on-site consulation, development of decision support tools/systems, design and implementing habitat and wildlife monitoring programs/techniques, review and anslysis of existing data bases, and training. Technical assistance can not always be integrated into existing or future BINs because of the specifisity and application necessary to fulfill a non research related need within FWS.
MANAGEMENT PROBLEM WITH NEED: Decision-makers at all levels of the Fish and Wildlife Service increasingly are called upon to make resource management decisions and resource policy decisions that require information that they do not have. These decisions include such items as land and water management of National Wildlife Refuges, operations managment at National Fish Hatcheries, and decisions as whether or not to list a species as threatened or endangered. Each decision may require access to and interpretation of detailed, complicated information that is not available to the decision-maker, never-the-less, that person may have little time in which to make a minimal risk, maximum efficiency decision that is consistent with long-term ecosystem stability and sustainability. The relative biological risks and benefits of the various tactical and strategic options cannot be known sufficiently without scientific assistance. Therefore, the primary focus is not on applied research, rather than on synthesis and application of existing knowledge for specific on-the-ground issues.
BUREAU CONTACT:
Kathy Granillo, R-2, Research Coordinator, 505/248-6818
Sean Kelly, R-3, Research Coordinator, 612/713-5470
Frank Bowers, R-4, Research Coordinator, 404/679-7188
John Nickum, R-6, Regional Science Officer, 303/236-7917, ext 409
Wayne King, R-6, Wildlife Refuge Biologist, 303/236-8155, ext 256
BRD PRIMARY CENTER: MESC
BRD CENTER CONTACT: Adrain Farmer
RESULTS OF BRD-INITIATED COMMUNICATION: This BIN was received too late in the process to be considered for redirection in FY 99 and no report has been prepared. However, the BRD center identified is actively addressing this important issue.
DATE SUBMITTED TO REGIONAL OFFICE:
PREPARED BY:
U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://biology.usgs.gov/cro/99fws-3.htm
Page Contact Information:
tlwilliams@usgs.gov
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