Riparian Proper Functioning Condition

•A process for assessment•A defined condition•A starting point•A common language•An interdisciplinary team approach

Riparian PFC

Team Approach•Hydrologist•Vegetation Specialist•Soil Scientist•Biologist •Allotment Permittee

NV Creeks and Communities Team – Most Active

Sherm Swanson, Range w/wildlife, hydro, soils Kent McAdoo, Wildlife and range Chuck Petersen, Range Carol Evans, Fisheries Sarah Peterson, Hydrology Robin Wignall, Hydrology Mark Coca, Range Doug Merkler, Soils Jerry Annis, Ranch management Pat Coffin, Fisheries Bob Hall, Geomorphology John Cobourn, Hydrology John McCann, Hydrology

NV Creeks and Communities Team Sherm Swanson, UNR Coop. Extension, Coordinator Kent McAdoo, UNR Coop. Extension Chuck Petersen, NRCS Jerry Annis, Rancher Pat Coffin, BLM Carol Evans, BLM Robin Wignall, US Forest Service Bob Hall, EPA Jeff Jesch, Hillside Des. and Cons. Conservation District Connie Lee, NV Dept of Wildlife Alan Genet, NV Dept of Wildlife Sarah Petersen, BLM Mark Coca, BLM Steve Foster, UNR Coop. Extension Desi Zamudio, Private Citizen John Cobourn, UNR Coop. Extension John McCann, BLM

Riparian PFC-What It Is And What It Is NotPFC is a consistent assessment of the PHYSICAL

FUNCTIONING of riparian -wetland areas

PFC considers hydrology, vegetation, and soil and landform attributes

PFC describes a state of RESILIENCY PFC isn’t the sole method for assessing aquatic or

terrestrial health PFC doesn’t replace biology-based inventory or

monitoring

Riparian PFCWhat It Is And What It Is Not

PFC rates PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING as the foundation for maintenance and recovery of desired values (fish, birds, livestock forage, etc.)

PFC isn’t desired future condition (but it is required for DFC)

Riparian PFCWhat It Is And What It Is Not

PFC helps prioritize management/ restoration activities where the system is “AT RISK”

PFC helps determine the timing or correctness of management actions

PFC is useful in watershed analysis But…it doesn’t replace watershed analysis

Riparian PFCWhat It Is And What It Is NotPFC is a qualitative assessment based on

quantitative science for people with local knowledge

PFC helps analyze management strategies and design monitoring plans

PFC is not a long term monitoring tool PFC is a useful start for a monitoring program

PFC reduces the frequency & cost of monitoring Focusing on key locations Focusing on driving indicators

Watersheds Capture, Store & Safely Release Water

RIPARIAN AREAS

LAND ADJACENT to PERENNIAL or INTERMITTENT

STREAMS, SPRINGS, SEEPS, PONDS, ETC.

A form of wetland transition between permanently saturated wetlands and upland areasExhibit vegetation or physical characteristics of permanent surface or subsurface water

STREAM TYPESPERENNIALPERENNIAL - a stream that flows

continuously INTERMITTENT OR SEASONALINTERMITTENT OR SEASONAL - a

stream that flows only at certain time of the year

EPHEMERALEPHEMERAL - a stream that flows only in direct response to precipitation

ININTERUPTERUPTEDTED – a stream that flows below the surface in certain areas

NATURAL RIPARIAN RESOURCES

PFC?

PFC?

PFC?

PFC?