PRRIP Governance Committee Meeting and Materials

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? In accordance with the Program's Adaptive Management Plan (AMP), the study should provide sufficient data to evaluate the effect of changes in river stage over a range of flows on a micro, meso, and macro scale. The following example is provided to help define these terms and provide a framewark for the range of flows to be considered and the interval measurements that need to be made: River Gage: Louisville, NE (Station ID 06805500) Range of River Flows: 5,000 cfs to 39,000 cfs (bankfull flows) Precision Level: 90% confidence Possible Measurement Interval: Every 1,000 cfs (roughly 0.1 foot of stage change) In responding to this RFP, potential contractors should provide information on the needed methods to obtain this data, the appropriate discharge/stage measurement intervals necessary for achieving the desired level of precision, and the efficacy of applying these methods over a larger range of flows. In addition, potential contractors can use guidance provided by the Program's Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Final Biological Opinion (BO) to better understand the types of flow changes of concern and the related impact on the identified physical parameters. Copies of the relevant sections of the Final EIS and Final BO can be downloaded from the Program Web site (www.PlatteRiverProgram.com) or obtained from Chad Smith. Given this framework, the study should provide information sufficient to estimate changes in the physical parameters identified above, across the identified range of flows and the three scales of ? measurement intervals, that occur during the study period and as can be determined from historic information. The intent should be to draw inferences to the types of process changes that would occur m the system as a result of river stage changes. a. Information will be sufficient to determine if Program water activities can be statistically identified (significant beyond the error of the gauging equipment) from base flow conditions (AMP Hypothesis X-Y Graph PS-2). b. Information will be sufficient to detect if Program water activities have a statistically significant impact on stage, velocity, temperature, turbidity, substrate, or channel morphology (AMP Hypothesis X-Y Graphs PS-3, PS-4, PS-6, PS-9). This includes an emphasis on floodplain connectivity and the inundation of otherwise terrestrial habitat (not out of the high banks), and how both of these factors vary with flow. Proposals should include the scope, timeline, and budget for developing a detailed protocol for estimating the effects of stage change on the identified physical parameters. The protocol will be reviewed by a selected Program sub-group before being finalized. The final protocol will be in sufficient detail to identify all aspects of data collection, analysis, reporting, and deliverables for the overall project. The final protocol and detailed budget estimate for actual implementation of the protocol will be provided to the appropriate Program sub-group and/or Advisory Committee for review. Approval of the protocol and budget by the Governance Committee is needed prior 0 to the contractor proceeding with protocol implementation.