Laserfiche WebLink
<br />, \.1\ <br />\-<0 <br /> <br />31 <br /> <br />Annual monitoring of 31 campsite areas is on-going as part of the FIST, Interim results <br />from this monitoring indicate that camping areas continue to erode slowly but steadily, <br />However, research results also suggest that erosion can be offset by flows greater than power <br />plant capacity combined with adequate sediment supply (Hazel et aI., 2001), A more complete <br />discussion of sediment monitoring is found in the previous sediment resources section for fine- <br />sediment storage and sand bar monitoring, In addition to the quantitative evaluation of beach <br />size, camping beaches are also being monitored less rigorously by Grand Canyon River Guides <br />through the Adopt-A-Beach (AAB) program, Initiated in 1996, the low cost Adopt-A-Beach <br />effort relies largely on volunteer contributions of commercial guides to provide qualitative and <br />anecdotal information on changing beach conditions, It program lies on repeat photography <br />taken from established photo points, supplemented by the guide's observations, The results of <br />the AAB monitoring effort supplements the quantitatively derived information derived from the <br />campsitc surveys, The FY03 AAB report generally supports the findings of the recent beach <br />surveys that campsite areas are generally declining due to both loss of sediment from the beaches <br />and encroachment of vegetation, <br />An on-going effort is an analysis of past campsite assessment and monitoring protocols <br />used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess changes in beaches (sand bars) and detect area and <br />volume changes, A draft report on this work is available (Kaplinksi et al. 2003), and will be <br />finalized by December 2003, One recommendation of this assessment effort is that GCMRC <br />should convene a panel of recreational experts to assess the effectiveness of current approaches <br />for monitoring visitor use values over the long-term, This recommendation is being <br />implemented through organizing a recreational PEP review in FY04, In addition, the researcher <br />pointed out that despite 30 years of monitoring human and dam-related impacts at campsites, we <br />lack a comprehensive inventory of campsites in the river corridor, This deficiency will be <br />addressed through a new project initiative (B,6) proposed for FY06, <br /> <br />RESEARCH COORDINATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM <br />Implementation of the GCMRC mission to provide credible, objective scientific <br />information to the AMP begins with effective coordination of all technical and logistical support <br />of research activities, The Research Coordination and Support Program staff functions as a team <br />to facilitate collaboration with the Integrated Science and Cultural Programs through effective <br /> <br />GCMRC FY2005-2006 Draft Annual Work Plan (November 10,2003) <br />