Channel Geomorphology and In-Channel Veg Response to RFP

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SCOPE OF WORK The purpose of monitoring the geomorphology and in-channel vegetation characteristics of the Central Platte River is to document trends in various parameters that will be critical in evaluating the effectiveness of the various land and water management strategies designed to improve target species habitat and populations. As stated in the Adaptive Management Plan (pg 28) the monitoring should "provide unbiased estimates" of the selected parameters, and be measured with "high precision" and focus on factors that "directly relate to the condition/status of the species or its habitat". The following provides a detailed outline of the tasks proposed in the geomorphology/vegetation monitoring protocol and some pre-monitoring logistic considerations that were brought up at the pre-proposal meeting. Pre-Monitoring Logistics There were two critical issues that arose at the pre-proposal meeting that are not addressed in the RFP or the Draft Monitoring Protocol (DMP) document that bear consideration up front. One is permission/access to private lands where the monitoring is to occur and, secondly is the issue of survey control points. Obviously, the ability to access private land where the Anchor Points are to be located is critical to the overall success of the Program (not just this monitoring effort). I am more than willing and capable of knocking on doors and asking for, and obtaining permission to, trespass for purposes of this non- destructive monitoring, particularly when I am the one doing the trespassing. However, with the long term nature of this effort and the projected number of studiesjindividuals involved, I think this is an issue the Executive Director's Office will eventually have to address. In order to perform consistent, accurate and precise surveys over time and space, control points with known horizontal and vertical datum need to be established throughout the entire 95 mile reach of the Central Platte River. In the pre-proposal meeting it was mentioned that there was some control established, but that these were cross section end pins. Unless these end pins are outside the potential sphere of influence of management activities or flood prone areas, I would not consider these "control points". Because reliable, high quality GPS RTK surveys require that the rover be within 3-5 miles of the base station (the base station occupies the control point), I believe that every Anchor Point should have its own control point. These controls can be established by tying into known benchmarks established in the area by the National Geodetic Survey, USGS, Nebraska Department of Roads, counties, and other agencies. Once established, control can be carried up and down the Central Platte River with relative ease and since the Anchor Points are roughly 2.5 miles apart this would allow for backsighting and validation of control datum. Having this level of control is imperative for maintaining the continuity in cross section, longitudinal profile, and in-channel vegetation surveys over the course of this monitoring effort and will be useful for other monitoring and research studies, as well. This level of control should be established before performing any other GPS surveys in this monitoring effort. Geomorphology and In-Channel Vegetation Monitoring The following is a detailed outline and description of the types of tasks to be performed in the execution of this monitoring plan. 1. Geomorphology Monitoring a. Sediment Transport PRRIP - Geomorphic Monitoring 2 of 20 Blue Mountain Consultants