Also see April 2012 Final Review, and invitation for public comment.
This 320-page report provides the Independent Scientific Review Panel’s (ISRP) preliminary comments and recommendations on 71 proposals submitted for the Resident Fish, Data Management, and Regional Coordination Category Review to implement the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. In this preliminary review, the ISRP finds that 10 proposals meet scientific review criteria and 14 proposals meet criteria with some qualifications. The ISRP made a specific programmatic recommendation that applies to the 17 regional coordination proposals. ISRP recommendations described above should be considered final. In addition, the ISRP requests responses on 30 proposals. Project sponsors are provided an opportunity to respond to ISRP concerns by March 7, before the ISRP submits its final report to the Council on April 3, 2012. The ISRP also considered 9 "contextual" projects that had been reviewed recently but were included in this review for reference because of their relation to the proposals under review.
In addition to comments on each proposal, the ISRP has identified programmatic issues – some old, some new – that are introduced here. These will be further discussed over the next two months and updated in the final ISRP report. Programmatic topics include non-native fish management, trout stocking strategies, monitoring and evaluation, regional coordination, results reporting, and process issues.
Finally, the ISRP continues to be supportive of this review approach. It incorporates some of the best features of past reviews such as site visits, presentations, and a response loop. It also adds some positive new features such as an emphasis on topical reviews (e.g., data management) and a recognition of program commitments. The ISRP especially appreciates the efforts of project sponsors and Council and BPA staff in organizing and providing invaluable site visits and presentations. These tours and presentations demonstrated that the projects are led by dedicated and articulate staff and progress is being made. Specifically, greater understanding and appreciation of the Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program goals for native species and ecosystem restoration are evident in the projects the ISRP visited and reviewed.
