Draft IFRMP document released October 15 2019, planning effort now moves into Phase 3

The peer reviewed version of the Draft Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan (IFRMP) document is available here. The Draft Plan resulting from Phase 2 is focused on restoration of watershed processes and habitat – listing specific candidate restoration actions for each major sub-basin and the Klamath as a whole. This document includes improvements to the Plan document resulting from working group peer review between October 23 2018 to November 26 2018, a federal agency review in December 2018, and a follow-on working group peer review of the restructured Phase 2 Draft Plan from June 14 2019 to August 16 2019. The most recent review in summer of 2019 generated 661 comments from 23 commenters representing 15 organizations. We are grateful to all of these individuals for taking the time to share their insights and experience to improve the quality of the IFRMP. In addition to these peer reviews, the Plan continues to build on the foundation of broadly representative input from agencies and organizations who contributed during workshops, meetings and interviews 2017 - 2018.

We look forward to providing participants with an overview of the Phase 3 project on October 22 2019 9:30am – 11:30am PST (by invitation; information available from: Laurelle Santana. lsantana@essa.com). The focus of Phase 3 of IFRMP development will be on iterative application of a structured method for restoration action prioritization, including refining Core Performance Indicators at the sub-basin, sub-regional and basin-wide scales. To complete this work, it will be essential to elicit the support and expertise of basin fish population, water quality and fluvial geomorphology experts and managers. Phase 3 of Plan development is anticipated to run from October 2019 to December 31 2020.

The intent of the IFRMP is not to replace other existing planning efforts, but to address key gaps and strategically bring existing plans and planning efforts together using an adaptive management framework. The vision of the Klamath Basin IFRMP is to provide a unifying framework for planning the restoration and recovery of native fish species from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean, while improving flows, water quality, habitat and ecosystem processes. The IFRMP (or Plan) will serve as a blueprint that describes the highest priority watershed process and habitat restoration and monitoring actions that in combination with related restoration initiatives can help reverse the declines of multiple native Klamath Basin fish populations. The Plan will provide an answer to the basic question: given all we know; which habitat and watershed process restoration actions will provide the broadest possible benefits to native Klamath Basin fish species– throughout the Basin and within each sub-basin watershed. The IFRMP will also help inform the wise allocation of funds for restoration and monitoring work in the Klamath Basin. Funding to do broad scale restoration and monitoring work is limited so it is imperative to ensure that funds are used as strategically as possible to maximize the value of restoration efforts in the Basin.

Please note: this is a planning document that can help inform and guide restoration practitioners and agency resource managers alike. However, nothing in this Draft IFRMP constitutes an official federal agency position or obligation for current or future action. Implementation of any restoration activity depends on future appropriation of necessary funds, as well as cooperation and support of private landowners, states, Tribes, local governments and other organizations that call the Klamath Basin home.

Lastly, we continue to collect contemporary documents, plans, studies, and data related to fish habitat restoration and monitoring (including innovative concepts and approaches from similar planning efforts such as the Elwha). Documents and data collected during this process will be catalogued in the searchable Document Library on this website.

If you have relevant information you think should be included please contact us via email at: klamath-ifrmp@essa.com