Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Habitat Program

Role of Watershed Stewardship Team Biologists in Salmon Recovery
18 November 2002

The legislative mandate, history, and scientific expertise of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) provide the basis for the agency's key role in salmon recovery planning and restoration in Washington. Under the guidance of the Governor's Salmon Recovery Strategy and the Legislature's Salmon Recovery Act (ESHB 2496), the agency provides leadership, coordination, and technical assistance to Lead Entities, local governments, watershed groups, salmon recovery groups, landowners, and others involved in salmon recovery planning and restoration.

Salmon recovery planning and restoration activities of the agency cross program and regional/headquarters boundaries. Because salmon recovery has been defined primarily as a local effort by the Governor and Legislature, WDFW's activities are coordinated and directed through its regional offices. The Regional Director is primarily responsible for representing the agency's policies and ensuring agency's activities are responsive and supportive of local planning and recovery efforts.

A primary role of a Watershed Stewardship Team (WST) biologist is to coordinate the agency's multiple resources in local planning and recovery efforts for salmon, particularly those of Lead Entities and Regional Recovery Planning Boards, so that these local efforts have the greatest liklihood of being successful. WST biologists communicate WDFW policy and advice on the local strategy, plan development, and project identification/implementation. When policy issues or questions arise, WST biologists consult with or involve their Regional Director, regional program managers, salmon recovery policy coordinator and/or other policy representatives as needed to provide clarity on agency positions and directions.

Another important role of a WST biologist is to serve as a conduit for science and technical assistance. This means stewards must understand local needs, know where expertise lies within the agency and community, and link the two. WST biologists may participate on committees of a Lead Entity or other salmon recovery planning groups, but they can only provide technical advice within the limits of their expertise. Their strength is in their ability to call in agency experts as needed on a topic-specific basis. To do this, WST biologists have the full support of agency programs to access that expertise.

WST biologists are also responsible for providing interagency coordination and communication on salmonid recovery planning activities at the local and regional board levels. This coordination promotes consistency and efficiency among local, state, and federal agencies operating in their area, giving salmon restoration and recovery planning groups a firm foundation from which they can achieve their objectives.

Examples of WST coordination duties include:

Participate as agency staff representative at meetings of the Lead Entity and its various committees, subbasin planning groups, and/or other specific local salmon recovery planning groups and Regional Recovery Planning Boards.

Consult with, or facilitate and coordinate involvement of, WDFW policy personnel (Regional Directors, Regional Program Managers, Habitat Deputy Assistant Director, agency salmon recovery coordinator, and others), when policy issues arise with a Lead Entity, its various committees, subbasin planning groups Regional Recovery Planning Boards, or other local groups engaged in salmon recovery planning and restoration.

Provide staff-level assistance and advice to Lead Entities in developing guiding principles, a strategic plan for salmon restoration projects, action agendas, inventory and assessment, and methods for identification and prioritization of strategies and projects, leading to development of annual project lists for SRFB grants.

Provide staff-level assistance and advice in adapting Lead Entity restoration strategies into salmon recovery plans. This includes conveying WDFW policy positions and guidance and helping the planning group to coordinate participation and issues among a number of local groups.

Participate in or facilitate Lead Entity, subbasin planning group or Regional Recovery Planning Board sponsored education and outreach programs to inform the public.

Participate as agency staff representative on the Lead Entity and/or subbasin planning group and/or Regional Recovery Planning Board technical advisory groups, and on other committees as requested.

Examples of conduit duties include:

Consult with or facilitate and coordinate Lead Entity linkages with WDFW experts (district biologists; WDFW engineers; other habitat, fish and volunteers program staff; salmon recovery policy staff) in order to provide technical assistance to Lead Entities and their committees on planning, design, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of restoration, protection, and acquisition projects.

Provide advice and assistance integrating WDFW contributions into regional recovery plans and actions.

Provide technical assistance, as time/expertise allows, to local governments and groups participating in, sponsoring or implementing local/regional salmon recovery restoration projects and other activities that affect local salmon protection and recovery.

Examples of interagency coordination duties include:

Coordinate with other state and federal agency staff, particularly with IAC/SRFB project managers, SRFB technical panel and other agency staff lending technical assistance, to ensure salmon recovery support and guidance are delivered with consistency and efficiency.

Provide coordination with watershed planning units working under the Watershed Management Act (ESHB 2514, RCW 90.82), including attending meetings, coordinating/providing agency technical support, and representing agency resource needs, and strive to ensure these activities are coordinated with salmonid recovery activities.

Cultivate partnership and facilitate direct involvement between the Lead Entity and Regional Fishery Enhancement Groups.

Cultivate partnerships between salmon recovery planning and restoration activities and the local community, state and federal agencies, tribes, and private businesses in order to facilitate efficient and successful development and implementation of projects.