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Memorandum <br />To: Clayton Derby, WEST, Inc. <br />From: Phil Ogle, Wyoming Water Development Commission <br />Date: December 2, 1999 <br />Subject: Review of - Draft Integrated Monitoring and Research Component, dated <br />September 28, 1999 <br />This memorandum presents my comments on the above referenced document. Over all <br />the document is very good and it is obvious much time has been spent preparing the document. <br />Specific comments are presented below. <br />1. Page 10, first paragraph, first sentence; It is stated that the Technical Entity will <br />implement field studies for other listed and non - listed species. Are there other listed <br />(assuming listed means listed as threatened or endangered) species within the central <br />Platte River area that need studied? If there are other listed species, why are they not <br />included in the Program? Additionally, section V.E. Other Species of concern on page 21 <br />indicates that the majority of monitoring data for other species of concern will be <br />gathered from existing sources. If these data are not adequate, then a rp ocess will be <br />developed to initiate monitoring and research. <br />2. There is considerable discussion in the document concerning the statistical adequacy of <br />observational data collected during monitoring and research. The need for large sample <br />size when testing the significance of observational data is also discussed. One point that <br />is important to consider is that many of the physical and structural habitat components <br />can be measured quantitatively. This would allow a quantitative measure of habitat <br />changes through Program actions provided a baseline is developed. Then observational <br />data could be used to document trends compared to the habitat changes. Trends require <br />considerable data also, but may help with concerns about strict statistical significance of <br />observational monitoring data. Research poses a different problem and should have a <br />will defined question to help determine statistical significance. <br />3. Page 11, Last paragraph; It is stated that the Technical Entity (TE) will forward their <br />evaluation of monitoring and research data to the Governance Entity (GE) and the GE <br />will decide what adaptive management changes are needed. It may be intended that the <br />TE provide recommendations to the GE on adaptive management, but it would be wise to <br />clearly state this intent. The TE should have input on adaptive management decisions. <br />