[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project:
                                                     Establishing NOS Priorities







                                            Management Information Needs


                                                        Florida Keys National
                                                        Marine Sanctuary









                                                                                  South Florida
                                              National                            Restoration
                                              Ocean
                                              Service




















                                                                         November 1995
                                              NOS Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Team
                                                                 National Ocean Service








                    Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary


                     83-W 1                         82-W                                                          O.W
                     26'N                                                              South Florida



                                                                                                   Biscayne
                                                                                                   National
                                                                                                   Park
                                                                                       Everglades
                                                                                      National Park
                                                     Gulf of Mexico







                     25'N                                                                                   Upper Keys

                                          Key West &                            A44dle'Keys.
                                          Dry Tortugas



                                                                                                     Atlantic Ocean
                                                                 '_@Lower K
                             -,Dry-Tortj


                                                                             J 7orida Keys National
                                                                             Marine Sanctuary



                    The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1990.
                    It includes approximately 2,800 sq. nautical miles of coastal and oceanic waters and the submerged
                    lands thereunder at the southern tip of Florida. These waters are home to spectacular and unique
                    marine environments, including seagrass meadows, mangrove islands, and extensive living coral
                    reefs. These habitats support rich biological communities possessing myriad recreational, commercial,
                    ecological, historical, scientific, educational, and aesthetic values of great importance to our Nation.

                    The economy of the Keys is inextricably linked to its marine environment. Three million tourists visit
                    the area each year, primarily to participate in water-related activities as fishing, diving, and boating.
                    In 1990, half of the Keys'population heldjobs that supported the outdoor recreation industry. Addi-
                    tionally, commercial fishing accounted for $17 million of the Keys'econorny, more than 20 percent of
                    Florida's total gross earnings from commercial fishing. These activities depend on a healthy marine
                    environment and good water quality.

                    During the past four years NOAA and its Federal, regional, State and local partners have worked
                    together to design the Sanctuary's comprehensive management plan. This task was greatly compli-
                    cated by the Sanctuary's size, the resources it contains, and the diversity of its users'actiuities.

                    The three-volume Strategy for Stewardship: FKNMS Draft Management PlanlEnvironmental
                    Impact Statement was released for public comment in April 1995, comments can be submitted until
                    December 31, 1995. For a copy of the plan or to submit comments, contact the Florida Keys National
                    Marine Sanctuary, R 0. Box 500368, Marathon, FL 33050; phone 305 / 743-243 7.







                                   Florida Keys Ecosystem
                                       Integration Project:
                               Establishing NOS Priorities


             This report presents the results of a cross-National Ocean Service (NOS) planning project to
             improve integration among NOS activities that affect the South Florida coastal ecosystem.
             It includes a description ofproject goals and objectives, a review of the methods used for
             identifying, characterizing, and prioritizing NOS South Florida projects, and a detailed
             summary of how integration needs were identified. Operational details, including specific
             tasks and products required to achieve integration, are identified. Recommendations for
             FY96 activities, proposals on who would conduct this work, and options for FY96 funding
             represented. Finally, a process is proposed for reaching consensus within NOS and imple-
             menting high priorities.



                                        Summary Recommendations*

                 These items are the priority tasks recommended by the project team. They were
                 established through a systematic assessment of NOS activities, regional needs,
                 and integration potential.

                 ï¿½ Conduct a regional workshop process          Conduct work sessions to reach consen-
                  to establish a consensus-based ecosys-        sus on priority approaches and data
                  tem monitoring program for the                requirements for modeling physical
                  FKNMS and marine waters in South              processes in Florida Bay and Florida
                  Florida.                                      Keys relevant to Sanctuary manage-
                                                                ment.
                 ï¿½ Design and implement an Internet-
                  based metadata access and distribution - Improve bathymetry data for Florida
                  system that links to actual records of        Bay and the Florida Keys and docu-
                  regional environmental data relevant          ment methodology.
                  to the FKNMS.
                                                               * Establish an NOS team to define opera-
                 ï¿½ Conduct workshops to identify prior-         tionally "sustainable development"
                  ities for ecosystem characterization          with respect to NOS priorities in South
                  relevant to FK1*4MS management needs.         Florida.

                 ï¿½ Complete benthic habitat maps for           * Establish an "integration"fund to
                  priority regions of Florida Bay and the       provide incentives for NOS project
                  Florida Keys.                                 managers to undertake the remaining
                                                                integration tasks identified in Table 4
                                                                (page 14).

                 See Table 5 (page 18) for a summary of integration needs.
             7nese iti








          ".0       LI-BRARy
                  NOAA/CCEH
               1990 HOBSON AVE.
               11A.@-;_ SC 29408-2623








                                                Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project
                                                I       Introduction

                                                In April 1995, NOS (see inside back cover) initiated a planning project to better focus and
                                                integrate its ongoing and planned activities being conducted in the Florida Keys and
                                                Florida Bay. NOS had identified this as a high priority based upon its continuing responsi-
                                                bility for managing the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FYNMS). During the
                                                past four years, NOS and its partners have completed a comprehensive management plan
                                                for the FYNMS, a task greatly complicated by the Sanctuary's size, the resources it con-
                                                tains, and the diversity of its users' activities. In April 1995 the draft plan was officially
                                                released for public comment. It is expected to be finalized in early 1997.



                                                                                                                                                                                     4. Integration and
                                                        1. Start-up 2. Inventory                                      3. Identifying Priorities                                          Resource Needs                             5. Recommendations



                                                               Initial
                                                               Planning                                                                                                                                                                           Flnad Report
                                                               Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  t.bli'h project
                                                                                                                         Match to                        Apply                                                    .-ti. a
                                                                                          recently                       Sanctuary                    Additional
                                                                                          completed                      Priorities                    Criteria                                                   flate  to
                                                                                           ngmg                                                                                                                   tegr tion thernes
                                                                                          planned                                                                                                                 entif'y needs and
                                                               ablish:                                                                                                                                            isks by theme
                                                               asis                                                      Basting                   User benefits                   Detailed
                                                               chedule                                                   Fishing                   Quick success                   Information
                                                               ethod                                                                                                               : scheduling
                                                               ssagnments                                                water Quality             Connections to other
                                                                                                                         Recreation                  NOS activities                   activities
                                                                                                                         Land Use                    S. FL activi ties                resources
                                                        NOS priorities in
                                                         Florida Keys
                                                        National Marine
                                                               Sanct-y

                                                                                                    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -                                                                                           J



                                                        4/95                                                                                                                                                                           FY 96



                                                Figure 1. Process to establish NOS integration priorities in the Florida Keys.

                                                This report is intended to help NOS fulfill the broad environmental mandates described in
                                                the Sanctuary management plan. The initial objectives have been to:

                                                                           Inventory ongoing, planned, and recently completed NOS projects in and around
                                                                           the Florida Keys;

                                                                           Inventory and assess relevant NOS expertise in this area (this data was set aside
                                                                           for later use);

                                                                           Identify priority projects based primarily on NOS priorities in the FYNMS (from
                                                                           the Draft FKNMS Management Plan);
                                                                           Evaluate the potential for integration among priority projects, and between these
                                                               Mater".
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                                                                           projects and other South Florida coastal environmental activities; and

                                                                           Develop specific, operational recommendations for cross-NOS project integration.


                                                2








                                                                      Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

            Figure 1 illustrates the process used to conduct the project. This document represents the
            final report. The next steps may include realignment of certain NOS projects, additional
            integration with other NOAA, Federal, and State/local activities, and a closer examination
            of NOS's responsibilities associated with implementing the FKNMS management plan.


                Methods: Collecting the Information

            The most significant challenge for the project team was to create a credible set of "planning
            data" where none existed, and to then conduct a rational assessment of these data to estab-
            lish priority integration targets for NOS. A cross-NOS team (inside back cover) first identi-
            fied the required data elements and
            formulated a strategy to collect them.                    Defining Integration
            The Data                                              integrate. To make into a whole by
                                                                  bringing all parts together. 2. To join
            Data were collected in two stages.                    with something else; unite. '
            First, survey forms were distributed                          American Heritage Dictionary
            throughout NOS to collect an initial           Integration is a process of bringing parts together into a
            set of comparable data on the projects         whole. It can be applied in many different situations:
            and expertise associated with the              manufacturing, politics, philosophy, and even biology. In
            protection and conservation of South           organizational management, integration is a
                                                           process of bringing people and projects together to
            Florida's coastal ecosystem. Project           achieve specific institutional objectives. In this
            data requested included project title          context, integration means much more than meetings or
            and description, regional focus, prior-        memorandums to ensure coordination. It includes a
            ity, status, objectives, schedule, prod-       systematic assessment of how, and how well, institu-
            ucts, resources, partners and users,           tional resources are being applied to a particular task. If
                                                           the infDrmation base required for this assessment does
            and personnel. Expertise data re-              not exist, it must be created. Integration also meAns
            quested included regional expertise,           identifying where improvements can be made and how
            topical expertise, recent South Florida        these changes can be implemented. This does not
            experience, and current assignments.           typically include a review of mission or broad goals and
                                                           objectives. Rather, the process is confined to evaluating
            These data were used to prioritize the         how best to achieve specific results with available
            projects based upon specific criteria          resources. Integration in this context is, therefore, more
            (e.g., relationship to FKNMS priori-           about tactics than it is about strategy.
            ties, level of user benefits, etc.).

            Second, a more detailed survey form was used to collect additional information for high-
            priority projects. These data, which included detailed tasks, personnel assignments, and
            costs for items such as travel, contracts, and equipment, provided the basis to establish
            connections between projects and to identify opportunities for integration. The data collec-
            tion survey forms are presented in Appendices B, C, and D.

            How Good Are The Project Data?

            Although much of the planning information obtained was somewhat (or to a degree) specu-
            lative, the overall picture presented a reasonably accurate and comprehensive view of
            NOS's ongoing and planned South Florida ecosystem projects. All major and most minor


                                                                                                               3








                   Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                   NOS projects were identified. Information such as project description, objectives, schedule,
                   and partners was generally available for all of the reported projects. Key factors in the
                   survey's success were the project team's familiarity with most of the projects and their
                   ability to work directly with their NOS colleagues throughout the survey process.

                   However, detailed information was still difficult to obtain, even for major efforts. For ex-
                   ample, budget figures were particularly elusive as most NOS offices do not itemize funds by
                   individual project and very few projects had compiled accurate figures. Products were
                   sometimes poorly defined (e.g., "database" or "report") and specific tasks associated with
                   project implementation were often either missing or vague. In some cases, several itera-
                   tions of the project information sheets were necessary to ensure that all of the available
                   details about a project had been included. All of this suggests a need to improve
                   project management and planning skills within NOS.

                   Filling the Information Gaps

                   One of the project team's principal responsibilities was to improve the "value" of the some-
                   times spotty project descriptions by filling in the missing pieces and adding new informa-
                   tion. For example, after summarizing the initial survey results, the project team "added"
                   information on how each project connected to FKNMS priorities. Although valuable for
                   interpreting survey results, this is difficult or impossible to establish through a survey
                   process. The project team also "added" value by developing priorities based upon clearly
                   defined criteria, identifying connections among projects, and recommending new tasks and
                   products to ensure integration among priorities. Each value-added step improves the utility
                   of the survey data and expands NOS's ability to apply the results. Emerging from this
                   process is a clearer strategy for accomplishing NOS's priorities in the FKNMS.
                   I Conducting the NOS Project Inventory

                   Initial Results


                   Given the imperfect nature of this process, the results were much better than expected.
                   Eighty-four projects and 76 subject experts were identified and characterized. The data on
                   NOS personnel with South Florida expertise was summarized and set aside for
                   later use. The number of projects was quickly reduced to the 54 projects listed by theme in
                   Table 1 by dropping projects that were not spatially associated with the Florida Keys eco-
                   system, combining similar projects being conducted by the same office (e.g., multiple dam-
                   age assessment projects), and eliminating obvious duplications (e.g., two persons reporting
                   on the same project).

                   A Mix of Projects

                   The results reflected a broad mix of activities conducted, planned, or recently completed
                   with NOS resources. The projects range from large scale (e.g., Digital Orthophotography of
                   South Florida) to small scale (e.g., Monitoring of MfV Wellwood Site); from in situ research
                   (e.g., Nutrient Microalgal Dynamics) to regional resource management (e.g., Multi-Use


                   4








                                                                                                              Florida Keys Ecosystern Integration Project

                       Table 1. Proy      .ect list with office by theme.


                       Regional Ecosystem Monitoring (8)                                           Spatial Data Characterization: Mapping (cont.)
                       ï¿½ Benthic Community Monitoring                              OCRM               * Remote Sensing Experiment                                OCRM
                       ï¿½ Bottom Temperature Monitoring                             OCRM               - Southeast Florida Outfall Experiment                     OES
                       ï¿½ Keys-Wide Coral Health Monitoring                         OCRM               * Topographic Survey Using Global Positioning System       OES
                       ï¿½ Monitoring of M/V Wellwood Site                           OCRM                (GPS)
                       ï¿½ Monitoring Pesticides and Other Chemicals: Surface,       COP             Regional Ecosystem Characterization (8)
                         Sediments, Biota
                                                                                                      -Assessment of Biological Effects of Contaminants          ORCA
                       ï¿½ Monitoring Plan for Florida Bay and Florida Keys          ORCA               -Assessment of Mercury in Florida Bay Biota                COP
                       ï¿½ National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Project           ORCA               -Florida Bay Benthic Macroirivertebrate Study              ORCA
                       ï¿½ Sediment Records as Monitor of Changes                    COP                -Florida Bay Salinity Characterization Project             ORCA
                       Physical ProcessestModeling (9),                                               -Nutrient Microalgal Dynamics                              COP
                       ï¿½ Florida Bay Circulation and Exchange                      COP                oPink Shrimp as an Indicator of Habitat Health             COP
                       ï¿½ Florida Bay Regional Circulation Assessment               ORCA               -Trophic Structure and Response of Fish and Shellfish      COP
                       ï¿½ Flux Assessment Between Florida Bay and Adjacent                              to Habitat Change
                         FKNMS                                                     ORCA               *Trophodynamic Roles of Zooplankton                        COP
                       ï¿½ Modeling Regional Boundary Conditions for Florida      COP/OES            Socio-economic/Impact Assessments (10)
                         Bay
                       ï¿½ NOS Tide and Tidal Current Table Update                   OES                -Archaeological and Cultural Resource Projects             OCRM
                       ï¿½ Oceanographic Feature Analysis                            OES                oCoastal Waste Site Assessment                             ORCA
                       ï¿½ Remote Sensing of Coastal Ocean Surface, Salinity,                           oCoral Reef Restoration                                    OCRM
                         and Temperature                                           OES                *Damage Assessment Activities                              OCRM
                       ï¿½ Remote Sensing System for EstuarineCoastal Ocean          OES                .Linking the Economy and Environment of Florida
                         Color Map                                                                                                                               ORCA
                       ï¿½ South Florida Episodic Meteorology                        COP                 Keys/Florida Bay
                                                                                                      oMulti-Use Zonation Strategy in Florida Keys               OCRM
                       Spatial Data Characterization: Inventory (3)                                   oNatural and Anthropogenic Events Impacting
                                                                                                                                                                 ORCA
                       ï¿½ National Water Level Observation Network                  OES                 Florida Bay
                       ï¿½ South Florida Spatial Data Inventory                      ORCA               oOil Spill/Disposal Contingency Planning                   ORCA
                       ï¿½ Tidal Benchinarking                                       OES                oSeagrass Restoration Projects                             OCRM
                                              .- __         -                                  :      #Socio-Economic Assessment of FKNMS Replenishment
                       Spatial Data Characterization: Mapping (12)                                                                                               OCRM
                                                                                                      -Reserves
                       ï¿½ Benthic Habitat Mapping                                   NGS
                       ï¿½ Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP)                   CCEH            Data Distribution (4)
                       ï¿½ Digital Orthophotography of South Florida                 CCEH                COMPAS Florida                                            ORCA
                       ï¿½ Florida Bay LIDAR Survey                                  OCS                 Development of CCEH Clearinghouse and Library             CCEH
                       ï¿½ Florida Bay Mud Bank Mapping                              ORCA                FGDC Clearinghouse Metadata Generator/SDTS                ORCA
                       ï¿½ Multispectral Scanner Testing                             NGS                 FKNMS Data Server/Home Page                               OCRM
                       ï¿½ Recent Geodetic Surveys                                   NGS
                       ï¿½ Recent Hydrographic Surveys                               OCS
                       ï¿½ Regional Bathymetry for Florida Bay                       ORCA

                       Abbreviations:
                       LIDAR, Light Detection and Ranging-, FKNMS, Florida Keys National Maiine Sanctuary; FGDC, Federal Geographic Data Committee; SDTS, Spatial
                       Data Transfer Standards; COMPAS, Coastal Ocean Management, Planning and Assessment System.

                       Office (number of projects):
                       CCEH - Center for Coastal Ecosystem Health (3)
                       COP - Coastal Ocean Program (9)
                       OCS - Office of Coast Survey (2)
                       OCRM - Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (12)
                       NGS - Office of National Geodetic Survey (3)
                       OES - Office of Ocean and Earth Sciences (9)
                       ORCA - Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment (16)




















                                                                                                                                                                            5








                   Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                   Zonation Strategy in Florida Keys);
                   and from conventional (e.g., NOS                 The National Ocean Service
                   Tide and Tidal Current Table Up-                           Investment
                   date) to experimental (e.g., Coral         The total NOS investment for the 54 projects identified
                   Reef Restoration). Some projects           by the survey is approximately $11 million to date.
                   focused on new problems (e.g.,             Another $3.3 million has been contributed to these
                   Seagrass Restoration Projects), while      projects by partners outside of NOS. The NOS invest-
                   others were age-old (e.g., Recent          ment in FY93-94 was approximately $6 million; $5.0
                   Geodetic and Hydrographic Surveys).        million was invested during FY95. This includes
                   Some projects were ongoing (e.g.,          funding for nine Coastal Ocean Program projects whose
                   Damage Assessment Activities) and          FY95 funding amounted to approximately $1 million,
                                                              with $1 million anticipated in FY96. It is estimated
                   others were planned (e.g., Flux            that another $5.2 million is needed to complete these
                   Assessment Between Florida Bay
                   and Adjacent FKNMS).

                   Viewed as a whole, these projects reflected the broad mission of NOS and an apparently
                   high level of activity in South Florida. This long list also suggested significant opportunities
                   for improved integration among these projects.

                   How does the Coastal Ocean Program Connect to NOS Integration?

                   During 1993 and early 1994 at the request of the Science Subgroup of the Interagency
                   South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, a NOAA Work Group was convened to
                   develop a science plan to characterize the oceanographic, atmospheric, and natural resoures
                   of Florida Bay. This plan was part of the larger, interagency effort to develop a science plan
                   to guide restoration efforts across South Florida and Florida Bay. The plan was not aimed
                   at addressing the management needs of the FKNTMS.

                   Following the April 1994 publication of the National Park Service's Science Plan for restora-
                   tion of the Florida Bay ecosystem (much of which lies inside the boundaries of Everglades
                   National Park), the Coastal Ocean Program (COP) committed $545K in FY94 funds toward
                   a Florida Bay Program consisting of a subset of the Florida Bay projects recommended by
                   the NOAA Work Group. This commitment was made in anticipation of additional funding
                   from other NOAA line offices to support other priority projects identified by the Work
                   Group. In FY95, COP support for its Florida Bay Program increased to $1 million.

                   The nine COP projects included in Table 1 are part of its FY95 Florida Bay Program. A
                   tenth COP project, entitled "Human-Environment Linkages in the South Florida Coastal
                   Ecosystem: Effects of Natural and Anthropogenic Stressors," also focused on South Florida,
                   principally Biscayne Bay National Park and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
                   This project was not identified in time to be included in this report. However, the project is
                   a significant effort ($450K in FY95 as first-year funding from a six-year, $6.25 million
                   budget) and focuses on FKNMS issues. Therefore, it will be important to eventually under-
                   stand how it connects to NOS's integration priorities.






                   6








                                                                Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Projecl


             Identifying Priorities

          The next step toward "integration" was to arrange the 54 projects in order of importance or
          priority based upon specific criteria. This valuable excercise provided the integration team
          with a basis for distinguishing among projects and for focusing its limited resources. High
          priorities were carried forward for additional assessment. Low priorities received no further
          consideration.


          Defining and Applying Criteria

          The process of scoring, ranking, and prioritizing activities was conducted using an agreed-
          upon set of criteria that were clearly defined and equally applied to all activities. After an
          initial screening process reduced the list of surveyed activities from 84 to 54, a set of seven
          criteria were identified as the most important for setting priorities:

                 1.  Quick success;
                 2.  Relationship to FKNMS priorities (as defined in the Draft
                     Management Plan);
                 3.  Relationship to other NOS projects;
                 4.  Partnership features (inside and outside of NOS);
                 5.  Funding (availability/likelihood);
                 6.  User benefits; and
                 7.  Relationship to other non-NOS programs (e.g., South Florida
                     Ecosystem Interagency Restoration Task Force).

          Three N) of the seven critieria were identified as particularly relevant at this phase of the
          project: quick success, relationship to FKNMS priorities, and user benefits. Therefore, as a
          first step, the 54 projects were organized into a series of "bins" based upon combined scores
          for these three criteria (e.g., high-high-high; high-medium-medium, etc.). In some cases,
          additional information was required before a score was assigned.

          Each criterion and the methods for its application were carefully defined. For example,
          Quick Success was scored "high" for those projects that:

                 ï¿½   identified completion of at least an interim product or the
                     implementation of a major activity in the next 6-12 months
                     (not applicable to recently completed projects);

                 ï¿½   were high profile with a clear connection to a major issue
                     or problem that is also understandable by a broad technical
                     and non-technical audience; and/or

                 ï¿½   described products that would be widely distributed to
                     maximize value and use by the greatest number of persons.


                                                                                                      7








                  Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                  For "Relationship to FKNMS Priorities," projects were evaluated based on their direct
                  connection to management strategies identified in the FKNMS Draft Management Plan/
                  EIS or to an important aspect of priority issues for which a management strategy had not
                  yet been identified. For "User Benefits," the term "users" refers to the direct and indirect
                  beneficiaries of the products, primarily persons using the resources of the Florida Keys. The
                  term "benefits" refers to the range and number of direct users. For example, high benefits
                  result from broad-based products that benefit many or all users, such as projects linked to
                  improvements in water quality. Projects with products that benefit/target fewer users or
                  user groups were scored lower.

                  Initial Results

                  Table 2 shows the ranking of individual criteria and 22 priority projects. Footnotes indicate
                  projects that were combined. These projects were determined to be the subset most closely
                  associated with NOS's FKNMS priorities, and that had broadly defined user benefits and a
                  good likelihood of establishing a relatively quick success. Although this process necessarily
                  included subjective choices based upon sometimes incomplete information, it captured the
                  relative importance of each project based upon the criteria selected.

                  The priority projects were carried forward to the next phase of assessment where additional
                  information was gathered to evaluate and target integration needs. The 32 remaining
                  projects received no further consideration.
                  I Targeting Integration Needs

                  The project information acquired to this point provided a general description of objectives,
                  products, and tasks. However, to operationally define integration and effectively target
                  integration needs, the following additional steps were required:

                         1. Collect additional details on each priority project;
                         2. Identify direct and indirect relationships among the projects;
                         3. Develop operational tasks, including proposed "integration"
                            tasks, and expected products /outcomes for each project;
                         4. Establish relationships between projects and subject "themes";
                         5. Identify integration "needs" associated with each theme;
                         6. Develop specific operational integration tasks and expected
                            products/outcomes required to accommodate the "needs"; and
                         7. Link the integration tasks to one or more priority projects based
                            upon the project relationships.

                  The third (@) step is highlighted because defining these tasks and products is the critical
                  information content of integration. It is also the part of the "value-added" work that re-
                  quires the closest scrutiny and review.


                  8








                                                                                       Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

               Collecting Additional Project Details

               To facilitate the identification of relationships among projects and subsequent opportunities
               for project integration, the 22 priority projects were further characterized using a second,
               more detailed survey sheet (see Appendix D). Additional information requested included a
               list and schedule of major activities, personnel assignments, and proposed expenditures
               (travel, contracts, etc.). The results from this excercise were much better than the original
               survey, although some details were still difficult to acquire or simply not available.


               Table 2. Priority projects and ranking bins.


                                                                                             Keys        Quick       User
                                                                                           Priorities   Success    Benefits


                              1.  South Florida Spatial Data Inventory

                                                                                                             7
                              2.  Benthic Community Monitoring
                              3.  Florida Bay Salinity Characterization
                              4.  Keys-Wide Coral Health Monitoring
                              5.  Monitoring Plan for Florida Bay and Florida Keys
                              6.  Oil Spill/Disposal Contingency Planning


                              7. Linking the Economy and Environment of Florida Keys/
                                  Florida Bay                                                              a          0
                              8.  National Status and Trends Mussel Watch Project


                              9. Regional Bathymetry for Florida Bay

                                  Z77:
                             10.  Florida Bay Benthic Macroinvertebrate Study
                             11.  Flux Assessment Between Florida Bay and
                                  Adjacent FKNMS
                             12.  Modeling Regional Boundary Conditions and                   a            0          0
                                  Circulation for Florida Bay (a)
                             13.  Monitoring Pesticides and Other Chemicals:
                                  Surface, Sediments, Biota
                                   - 1 - -_ - --- - - - --: :-:-. :_ _77-771-
                             14.  Archaeological and Cultural Resource Projects
                             15.  Benthic Habitat Mapping
                             16.  Nutrient Microalgal Dynamics                                a            0          0
                             17.  Oceanographic Feature Analysis(b)
                                                      117
                             18. Coral Reef Restoration
                             19. Damage Assessment Activities                                 It           0          8
                             20. Florida Bay Regional Circulation and Exchange


                             21. FKNMS Data Server/Home Page
                             22. Seagrass Restoration Projects

                             @-High @-Moderate O-Low
                             (a) Combines projects 10 and 12 from Table 1.
                             (b) Combines Projects 14,15, and 16 from Table 1.








                                       Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                                       Establishing Project Relationships

                                       The second project survey form included sections for identifying partners and for listing
                                       integration tasks that could be conducted with other NOS units. These data, though not
                                       available for all projects, provided a starting point for identifying relationships among the
                                       priority projects. The relationships are based upon project type, information needs, and
                                       objectives. For example, projects 11 and 12 (Table 2) are both investigating Florida Bay
                                       physical processes and are therefore related by project type. Projects 2 and 15 are related by
                                       information needs because the benthic habitat maps from project 15 will help support
                                       benthic community monitoring in project 2. Projects 1 and 21 are related because they have
                                       similar objectives: the distribution of, and access to, information about the South Florida
                                       ecosystem.

                                       Developing Operational Tasks and Proposed ProductstOutcomes

                                       To better illustrate how the priority projects could be integrated, the integration team
                                       developed a detailed set of operational tasks for each (e.g., "Develop and distribute a sum-
                                       mary report on..." , etc.) based, in part, on the results of the second survey. A subset of these
                                       tasks were characterized as "integration" tasks; activities that would ensure the project




                                                                                           III-oducts    outcomes                          Tasks                     Ho      Pro ects Connect
                                                                                                        /I                                                                        J
                                                                           ic              Irdormation on the spatial           Review the SDI metadata              The data base and report can
                                                                            unity          distribution and abundance           inventory to identify gaps in           hell) corroborate data and
                                                                           oring           of benthic habitats in               the current benthic                     information developed by
                                                                                                     Replenishment              monitoring record.                      Projects 4 & 10;
                                                                                                                                                                        help with the development of a
                                                                                                                                Conduct monitoring and                  comprehensive monitoring
                                                                                           Information on reef fish             observations of benthic                 plan, Project 5;
                                                                                           populations                          communities and reef fish in            hell, identify areas for
                                                                                                                                proposed Replenishment.                 implementing management
                                                                                           An overview of the health of                                                 strategies, including
                                                                                           be.thic habitats                  - Process and analyze samples              restoration, Projects 18 & 22;
                                                                                                                                and information.                        kind
                                                                                           Standardized, long-term                                                      help evaluate &
                                                                                           monitoring stations for           * Collect and synthesize expert            corroborate the information
                                                                                           trend analysis                       anecdotal information.                  contained on benthic habitat
                                                                                                                             - Develop and distribute a                 maps, Project 15.
                                                                                                                                summary report on the health
                                                                                                                                of benthic communities and           The data can be input into the
                                                                                                                                reef fish populations,               assessment and valuation of
                                                                                                                                including supporting                 habitat resources as recreational
                                                                                                                                anecdotal information and a          g,@rtunities conducted for
                                                                                                                                list of Potential indicators of          je,ct 7.
                                                                                                                                benthic habitat health.
                                                                                                                                                                     The data will be used for damage
                                                                                                                                                                     assessment, Project 19.
                                                                                                                             a Coordinate with other projects
                                                                                                                                to desi            se- that can      Coordinating activities with
                                                                                                                                  cax a databa
                                                                                                                                be       accessed and queried.       other monitoring projects will
                                                                                                                                                                     help minimize duplication, and
                                                                                                                             * Coordinate with other as              help determine future
                                                                                                                                monitoring programs to lect          monitoring activities across
                                                                                                                                monitoring sites and                 monitoring projects.
                                                                                                                                variables.
                                                                                                                                 "velop     tr
                                                                                                                                       .@disq.=fions on how to
                                                                                                                                                   the data base
                                                                                                                                and how to obtain other useful
                                                                                                                                information, i.e., video and
                                                                                                                                photo data.
                                                                                                                             ï¿½ Generate and distribute a map
                                                                                                                                depicting the location of
                                                                                                                                sampling locations.

                                                                                                                             ï¿½ Prepare information for
                                                                                                                                assisting with benthic,
                                                                                                                                classifications.

                                                              Figure 2. Example of Appendix A. Project Connections.


                                       10








                                                                                        Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

               connections described above would be realized. An equally important part of this process
               was to identify specific interim and final products associated with each task or set of tasks.
               These products (databases, reports, maps, etc.) typically represented the purpose for con-
               ducting each project, and as such were essential to describe accurately.

               Appendix A presents a summary of project connections, tasks, and expected products/
               outcomes for each priority project. An excerpt from Appendix A is presented in Figure 2.
               The tasks in red represent "integration" tasks. This material was the foundation for the
               additional assessment steps described below.

               Project Relationships Among "Themes"

               So far, we have evaluated integration from the perspective of individual projects. The next
               step was to widen the focus to "themes" or topics. The goal was to establish for themes the
               same operational details illustrated in Figure 2 for projects (i.e., connections, tasks, and
               products/outcomes). This process retained the "currency" of integration - operational tasks -
               but allowed for a broader evaluation of purposes and objectives. The first step was to look at
               connections between projects and themes.

               The 22 priority p      rojects were categorized into seven themes. These were first introduced in
               Table 1. Table 3 illustrates direct and indirect relationships between priority projects and
               themes. "Direct" refers to projects that are conducting this type of activity (e.g., monitoring,
               mapping, etc.). "Indirect" refers to projects that will produce data, maps, or other material
               that will contribute significantly to this type of activity (e.g., regional bathymetry contribut-
               ing to hydrodynamic modeling). Understanding and documenting these relationships repre-
               sented an important step toward targeting integration opportunities across priority
               projects.

               Table 3. Project relationships to integration themes.



                                                                              Project Identification Number

                     Integration I'herne           1 2 3 4         5   6   7 8 9 10 11 12          13 14 15 16     17 18 19 20 21 22

                     Regional Ecosystem
                     Monitoring                    0       0 0 0               900                        00                       0
                     Physical Processess/                                                                          0
                     Modeling                              0                       0       00'                                  00

                     Spatial Data
                     Characterization: Inventory 0         0       0                           0       0                        00

                     Spatial Data
                     Characterization: Mapping         0       0       0               0                  0        0               0

                     Regional Ecosystem
                     Characterization                      0       0               00                     0    0                   0

                     Socio-econontic/Impact
                     Assessments                                   0   00          0                   00             00           0

                     Data Distribution             0       0      i 0       0                  0       0                        00

                   Relationship to Integration Themes: 0 - Direct 0 - Supporting








                  Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                  Bringing the Pieces Together: Identifying Integration Needs
                  and Associated Tasks


                  Integration "needs" were established for each theme. These were based upon the objectives
                  of high priority NOS projects (Table 2) and the relationships between projects and themes
                  (Table 3). Each "need" is a general statement of what is required for integration. For ex-
                  ample, given the variety of environmental monitoring being conducted or planned by NOS
                  in South Florida, improving understanding of existing and planned monitoring activities is
                  a critical "need" under the theme of Regional Ecosystem Monitoring.

                  Detailed and specific integration tasks and associated products/outcomes were then devel-
                  oped. The tasks describe, in operational terms, how the needs can be achieved. For example,
                  to i1nDrove understanding of... monitoring, one must

                          ï¿½  develop a metadata inventory of current monitoring projects;
                          ï¿½  determine the status of current monitoring efforts and identify
                             project-related goals and objectives; and
                          ï¿½  develop maps depicting monitoring sites, parameters measured,
                             and frequency of monitoring for current monitoring projects.

                  Tasks and associated products/outcomes were derived primarily from the integration tasks
                  presented in Appendix A. In some instances new tasks were developed to ensure that all the
                  needs were addressed.


                  Linking Integration Tasks to Priority Projects

                  Finally, tasks were linked to one or more priority projects in either a lead or support role. A
                  lead role indicated that a project was linked directly to an integration task based upon the
                  project description and objectives. A support role indicated that a project was indirectly
                  linked to an integration task based upon products (maps, data, etc.) that could contribute to
                  implementing that task.

                  Table 4 presents the results. It is organized into two parts. The left side presents the seven
                  themes and the related integration needs, tasks, and products/outcomes. Tasks are shown
                  in red to highlight the table's operational component. In most cases, more than one task is
                  presented for each need. The right side of the table illustrates links between integration
                  tasks and priority projects. The numbered columns represent the seven themes. Links
                  between projects and tasks are illustrated by project numbers in corresponding rows.
                  Within a row, project numbers are presented in the column that corresponds to the theme
                  that project is directly associated with (based on Tables 1 and 3). This format was adopted
                  to illustrate links between projects and tasks AND links between tasks and themes. For
                  example, the first task under theme seven, data distribution, is linked to two projects
                  representing two themes. The second task under the same theme is linked to 16 projects
                  across all seven themes.

                  Boxed numbers beside integration tasks indicate proposed FY96 priorities, which are
                  discussed in the next section.


                  12








                                                                   Florida Keys Ecosystern Integration Project

            Figure 3 diagrams how the priorities for FY96 were arrived at from the 67 detailed tasks
            presented for 22 projects in Appendix A, to the 38 integration tasks presented by theme in
            Table 4, to the eight recommended priorities for FY96 presented in the next section in
            Table 5.




                Appen@ A. Proje6t GonnCeiions,(47)'

                                                      Integration by Themes (38)        ommen ations









                                                                  -- - -------






            Figure 3. From detailed tasks to FY96 recommended priorities.






            Significant progress has now been made toward integration of NOS's South Florida activi-
            ties. We have


                    * established a list of priority projects;
                    * identified relationships among these projects and their associated themes;
                    * specified integration needs, tasks, and products for each theme; and
                    9 linked tasks to priority projects for lead and supporting roles.

            However, some tasks and products will be more valuable than others for accomplishing
            NOS's integration priorities. Therefore, the next step is to evaluate the proposed integra-
            tion tasks based on selected criteria and nominate priorities for implementation in Fiscal
            Year 1996.












                                                                                                         13











                             Table 4. Summary table ofproject connectivity.


                             Theme                Integration Needs                                 Integration Tasks                           Products      Outcomes                          Relevant Projects* by Theme
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    IN
                                                                                                                                                                                                             TIV _1V I Vil-VU I
                                                                                                                                                                                                 II      M
                             1. Regional Ecosystem Monitoring                                                                                                                                                                                       co
                                        Improve understanding of existing                 0 Develop a metadata inventory of            - An accessible metadata inventory
                                        and planned monitoring activities                 current monitoring projects

                                        Establish clear and compatible                    0 Determine the status of current            - A list of critical participants
                                        goals and objectives                              monitoring efforts, and identify project-                                                      5
                                                                                          related goals and objectives
                                        Publish an integrated ecosystem                   0 Develop maps depicting monitoring          - Maps of project characteristics
                                        monitoringplan                                    sites, parameters measured, and
                                                                                          frequency of monitoring for current                                                            5                      9,15
                                                                                          monitoring projects
                                                                                            Conduct a regional workshop process - A set of common goals and objectives
                                                                                          to establish a consensus-based               and information on the extent to which
                                                                                          ecosystem monitoring program for the         they are currently met                                                            alo
                                                                                                                                                                                         48,
                                                                                          Keys Sanctuary and adjacent marine                                                             13
                                                                                   nLwaters
                                                                                          0 Conduct work sessions (5-6 persons)          A monitoring framework
                                                                                          using maps and other materials to
                                                                                          determine additional monitoring needs                                                          5@ 9
                                                                                          (locations, variables, timing, etc.) in                                                        44
                                                                                          relation to agreed-upon goals and                                                              13
                                                                                          objectives

                                                                                          o Conduct work sessions to schedule            A monitoring schedule
                                                                                          future monitoring activities related to                                                        5,
                                                                                          the goals and to assign institutional                                                          4,4                              10
                                                                                          responsibilities                                                                               13
                                                                                          - Define components of an ecosystem            Outline and mock-up of a regional plai 15, a
                                                                                          monitoring "plan"                                                                              44                               10
                                                                                                                                                                                         13
                                                                                            Write, produce, and distribute final         Final monitoring plan
                                                                                                                                                                                         5,
                                                                                          "blueprint" plan for regional ecosystem                                                        4,$              1               10               21
                                                                                          monitoring                                                                                     13
                             IL Physical Processes and Modeling
                                                                                          o Identify NOS and other non-Nos               Report/table summarizing data
                                        Data and information on                           !o rees of data on physical processes        sources, types of data, contact person,
                                        salinity, water mass movements,                     u                                                                                                  12,               9        3
                                        flux between Florida Bay and the                  including completed, ongoing, and            etc.                                                   17 20
                                        Florida Reef Trac4 and other                      planned activities
                                        physical processes to initialize                  - Characterize data collection methods       - Fact sheets describing data sources
                                        circulation models and support                    and results for priority NOS data sets       and methods                                             12,                9       3
                                        manaffement activities                                                                                                                                17 20

                             Note: Shaded boxes identify top seven recommended integration tasks that appear in Table 5 in the FY96 Recommendations section.
                              Refer to Table 2 on page 9 for project titles listed by number in these columns. Numbers in bold type directly support the associated integration task.








                             Table 4. Summary table ofproject connectivity- (cont.)


                             Theme               Integration Needs                                Integration Tasks                         Products 10utcomes                             Relevant Projects* by Theme
                                                                                                                                                                                   I 1 11           in      IV        V     vi      Vil
                                                                                          Conduct work sessions to reach             Report on NOS priorities for   modeling
                                                                                        consensus on priority approaches and        in Florida Bay and Florida Keys
                                                                                        data requirements for modeling physica@                                                            11
                                                                                    5.  processes in Florida Bay and Florida                                                               12,              9         3     6
                                                                                        Keys relevant to Sanctuary                                                                       17 20
                                                                                        management

                                                                                        - Define and implement strategy for          Plan for collecting and/or developing
                                                                                        collecting existing data and, if required,  required data including sequence of
                                                                                        developing additional data sets             steps, lead office, etc.                               12,              9         3     6
                                                                                                                                                                                         r7 20
                             .-Ill. Spatial Data Characterization - Inventory
                                        Inventory of mqjor existing                       Conduct a survey of Federal, State,       - Report summarizing survey results
                                        spatial data associated with                    and local institutions to identify existing                                                                 1
                                        coastal ecosystem health                        spatial data sets
                                                                                        # Characterize and prioritize sources of    - List describing priority sources
                                                                                        spatial data
                                                                                        * Collect detailed metadata on priority     - Summary report including metadata
                                                                                        spatial data associated with ongoing        descriptions of additional projects
                                                                                        research and assessment activities
                             IV. Spatial Data Characterization - Mapping
                                        Support characterization of South                 Complete benthic habitat maps for         - Draft maps for priority regions
                                        Florida benthic habitat with              [3@priority regions of Florida Bay and                                                         4,2                        15        19
                                        associated monitoring data and                  Florida Keys
                                                                                          Develop guidelines for                    - Tools and templates for encoding new       4,2                        15        D
                                                                                        reviewing/editing benthic habitat maps      data and making edits
                                                                                        9 Distribute maps and guidelines to key     - Edited maps                                4,2
                                                                                        persons working on relevant                                                                                         15        D
                                                                                        monitoring/research projects
                                                                                        - Review edits and make appropriate         - Revised maps and database
                                                                                        changes                                                                                                             15
                                                                                          Work with users to develop innovative     - Access to benthic habitat data
                                                                                        methods for accessing the information                                                    4,2                1       15        ig    6


                                        Baseline bathymetric data for                     Improve bathymetry data for Florida       - Report on bathymetry data
                                        mapping, selecting monitoring                   Bay and Florida Keys and document           development
                                        sites, constructing models, and                 the methodology                                                                          4,2                       9,15       n     6
                                        other uses.

                             Note: Shaded boxes identify top seven recommended integration tasks that appear in Table 5 in the FY96 Recommendations section.
                              Refer to Table 2 on page 9 for project titles listed by number in these columns. Numbers in bold type directly support the associated integration task.











                                Table 4. Summary table ofproject connectivity. (cont.)


                                 Theme                  Integration Needs                                      Integration Tasks                                Products        Outcomes                            Relevant Projects* by Theme
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      H         M I IV             V   @ VI         VII
                                X. Regional Ecosystem Characterization
                                             An accurate assessment                                   Conduct workshops to identify                     Report on workshop results identifying
                                                                                                     priorities for ecosystem characterization priorities                                                                                      3@101
                                             (including maps and supporting                  n4                                                                                                            5                    1       15               1822
                                                                                                     relevant to FKNMS management needs                                                                                                           J5
                                             data) of South Florida's coastal
                                             and marine ecosystem, with                                                                                                                                                              --
                                             emphasis on ecotones and their                          o Review existing information (e.g.,               Initial list of sources for priority data
                                             functiom                                                Project 1, South Florida Spatial Data                                                                 5                    1       15     3110,
                                                                                                     Inventory) and others for availability of                                                                                                    J9
                                                                                                     priority data
                                                                                                     - Identify/target on-going and planned             A list of existing project. that      can
                                                                                                     NOS activities for remaining                     conduct the necessary activities        and
                                                                                                     assessment/characterization priorities           recommendations for new activities                   5                    1       15     3,10,                           1Z
                                                                                                     (may include recommendations for new
                                                                                                     projects)
                                                                                                      Establish a process for integrating               An organized method for applying
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               3,10,
                                                                                                     characterization and assessment                  results                                              5                    1       15
                                                                                                     results into management decisions
                                V1. Socio-economic/Impact Assessments
                                                                                                      Establish an NOS team to define                   Report on "sustainable development"
                                             A method for applying                                   operationally "sustainable                       in NOS                                                                                               7,
                                             information on the value of                     n7 development" with respect to NOS                                                                                                                         14,19
                                             natural (eg., wetlands, corul                           priorities in South Florida
                                             reefs) and cutural (eg.,
                                             shipwrecks and submerged                                 Design, with users, a natural and                 Report on proposed database
                                             cultural resources) resources to                        cultural resources valuation database            components and design                                                                                7,
                                             management activities (including                        that meets management needs                                                                                                                         14,19
                                             ecosystem restoration and                               - Develop and distribute a report on the         - A summary report on the value of
                                             damage assessment)                                      value of natural and cultural resources,         natural and cultural resources of South
                                                                                                     emphasizing how the information can              Florida                                                                                              7,
                                                                                                     be used for making management                                                                                                                       14,19
                                                                                                     decisions

                                                                                                      In association with habitat mapping             - A set of maps depicting the value and
                                                                                                     projects, develop maps showing the               location of natural and cultural resource                                       9,15               6 , Z
                                                                                                     location and value of natural and                                                                                                                     14
                                                                                                     cultural resources
                                                                                                      In association with habitat mapping             - A set of maps depicting location and
                                                                                                     projects, develop maps showing the               status of seagrass and coral reef
                                                                                                     location and status of seagrass and              restoration and damage assessment                                               9,15                 18,
                                                                                                     coral reef restoration and damage                activities                                                                                         19,22
                                                                                                     assessment activities

                                 Note: Shaded boxes identify top seven recommended integration tasks that appear in Table 5 in the FY96 Recommendations section.
                                  Refer to Table 2 on page 9 for project titles listed by number in these columns. Numbers in bold type directly support the associated integration task.








                                 Table 4. Summary table ofproject connectivity. (cont.)-


                                  Theme                  Integration Needs                                      Integration Tasks                                ProductslOutcomes                                   Relevant Projects* by Theme
                                                                                                     - Develop a schedule for reevaluating               Plan for periodic updates                                                       IV        V        v_@_ @Jvil
                                                                                                     natural and cultural resources and                                                                                                                      7,
                                                                                                     adding to and updating the database                                                                                                 15               14,18,
                                                                                                     and maps                                                                                                                                             19,27
                                VIL Data Distribution
                                                                                                       Conduct a survey or workshop to                 * A prioritized list of projects
                                             A capability 1br researchers and                        identify and prioritize information to be                                                                                                                       21
                                             planners to quickly access, query,                      linked through the Internet
                                             and extract data, maps, and
                                             information related to projects                           Design and implement an Internet-               * The Internet access for data query and
                                             affecting the Sanctuary and                             based metadata access and distribution            retrieval
                                             South Florida                                           system that links to the actual regional
                                                                                                2.   environmental data records (including                                                                214,5,    1111Z       1        9        @10     7,14       2t
                                                                                                     interface screens and maps) according b                                                              413       17X
                                                                                                     the agreed-upon schedule


                                                                                                       Develop and distribute a "data-users"           - A "data-users" guide
                                                                                                     guide describing the access, appropriate                                                             94,5,     11,1Z        1       9        110     7,14       21
                                                                                                     usage, its links, and its utility                                                                    8,13      17,20

                                                                                                       Establish a schedule for bringing the           * A schedule for developing the access
                                                                                                     information on-line                                                                                  U5,       11,19        1       9       a10      Z14        21
                                                                                                                                                                                                          8,13      17,20

                                                                                                     9 Conduct workshop to ensure that the             * Data sets, information'     maps, etc.
                                                                                                     metadata data, maps, and information              that can be accessed through the                                                                              2L         1@11
                                                                                                     are properly formatted and accessible             Internet                                                                                                                 0
                                                                                                       Develop a schedule for updating and             * A framework for adding to and
                                                                                                     adding to the access                              improving the access                                                                                          21
                                                                                                     9 Explore other data distribution                 e Alternative ways to provide access to
                                                                                                                                                                                                             5                                                       21
                                                                                                     methods, such as CD-ROM                           information
                                 Note: Shaded boxes identify top seven recommended integration tasks that appear in Table 5 in the FY96 Recommendations section.
                                   Refer to Table 2 on page 9 for project titles listed by number in these columns. Numbers in bold type directly support the associated integration task.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                C4
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                M








                                  Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project
                                  I FY 96 Recommendations

                                  This section presents specific recommendations on priorities for NOS integration in South
                                  Florida for Fiscal Year 1996. These priorities consist of a subset of the integration tasks
                                  presented in Table 5 based, in part, on the application of the following criteria:

                                              ï¿½     Does the task represent a significant step toward meeting
                                                    integration needs?
                                              ï¿½     Is the task linked to other projects or to several themes (that is,
                                                    does the task have a strong integration component)?
                                              ï¿½     Could the task be substantially completed in FY96?

                                  The results are organized into two sections: Priority FY96 Tasks, which includes a list of
                                  priorities and some specifics on how they might be implemented; and Funding Options,

                                  Table 5. Summary ofpriority integration needs.

                                                                                                                                      Lead                        Start
                                                          Priority                        Integration Tasks                          Project*       Who           Date

                                                                     Conduct a regional workshop process to establish a                       ORCA/SEA
                                                                     consensus-based ecosystem monitoring program for                     5   ORCAICMBAD          1/96
                                                                     the Keys Sanctuary and adjacent marine waters,                           0CRM/SRD

                                                                     Design and implement an Internet-based metadata                          ORCA/SEA
                                                                     access and distribution system that links to the                1    21  0CRM/SRD            2/96
                                                            72       actual regional environmental data records
                                                                     (including interface screens and maps) according
                                                                     to the agreed-upon schedule.

                                                                     Complete benthic habitat maps for priority regions                          OCS/ PD
                                                                     of Florida Bay and Florida Keys.                                     15    ORCAISEA          12/95
                                                                                                                                                OCRM/SRD


                                                                     Conduct workshops to identify priorities for                                 OCRM/
                                                            E4]      ecosystem characterization relevant to FIQMS                                  ORCA           2196
                                                                     management needs.


                                                                     Conduct work sessions to reach consensus on                              OES/MAID
                                                                     priority approaches and data requirements for                        12  ORCA/SEA            1/96
                                                                     modeling physical processes in Florida Bay and
                                                                     Florida Keys relevant to Sanctuary management.
                                                                     Improve bathymetry data for Florida Bay and the                      9   ORCA/SEA
                                                                                                                                              ORCA/CMBAD,         12/95@
                                                                     Florida Keys and document methodology.                                   0CRM/SRD


                                                                     Establish an NOS teamto define operationally                             ORCA/SEA
                                                                     "sustainable development" with respect to NOS                         1  ORCA/DA             7196
                                                            F77                                                                                           C
                                                                     priorities in South Florida.                                             0CRM/SRD

                                                                     Establish an "integration" fund to provide
                                                                                                                                                Integration
                                                                     incentives for NOS project managers to undertake                          Management
                                                                                                                                                    Team          2/96
                                                                     the remaining integration tasks identified in
                                                                     Table_4.
                                                            Number refers to the project identiflcation number in Table 2.
                                                          Abbreviations
                                                          SEA, Strategic Environmental Assessments Division; SRD, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division; PD,
                                                          Photogrammetry Division; MAID, Marine Analysis and Interpretation Division; CMBAD, Coastal
                                                          Monitoring and Bioeffects Assessment Division; DAC, Damage Assessment Center.



                                  18








                                                                    Florida Keys Ecosystern Integration Project

            which presents alternatives for the distribution of additional funds among priorities if they
            become available.


            Priority FY96 Tasks

            Seven priority tasks were identified. They are presented in Table 5 in priority order (i.e., if
            only two tasks are conducted, it is recommended that they should be tasks 1 and 2 in Table
            5). These priorities are shown in Table 4 by the boxed numbers appearing next to the
            integration tasks. Table 5 also includes an eighth priority that reflects the need for a
            mechanism to complete the remaining integration tasks.

            A "lead project" was identified for tasks that were directly linked to ongoing priority
            projects (see Table 4). The "who" column identifies the NOS offices best suited to implement
            these tasks. Start dates were estimated by evaluating when tasks could be initiated given
            available resources and preliminary requirements.


                  Priority I - Conduct a regional workshop process to establish a consensus-
                               based ecosystem monitoring program for the Keys sanctuary
                               and marine waters in South Florida.

                    Why? This task is recommended as the number one NOS priority for FY96. A
                    regional monitoring plan is critical for building consensus both within NOS
                    and among the many other Federal and state institutions conducting moni-
                    toring in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys. This plan would not only provide
                    consensus on the details of a monitoring program, i.e., location and number of
                    monitoring sites, the parameters to be measured, frequency of measurement,
                    etc., but also would provide alternatives and priorities for various resource
                    levels and short-term versus long-term information needs, and indicate
                    clearly the role and activities of each partner.

                    How? Developing an integrated plan of the type envisioned will require the
                    application of a systematic and carefully designed process. Therefore, prior to
                    conducting workshops, several tasks raust be undertaken to characterize
                    current monitoring activities. This includes developing a metadata inventory
                    of existing activities, identifying essential participants, preparing maps and
                    other materials for one or more workshops, and developing a workshop
                    "process" that ensures consensus on key items. Workshop participants will
                    use these materials to agree on priority goals and gauge how well current
                    monitoring efforts are meeting these goals.

                    Who? Project 5, the Monitoring Plan for Florida Bay and Florida Keys, is the
                    suggested lead for completing these tasks. This will require participation by
                    ORCA!s Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) and Coastal Monitoring
                    and Bioeffects Assessment (CMBAD) Divisions, and OCRM's Sanctuaries and
                    Reserves Division. This work is recommended to begin in January 1996 based
                    upon the preliminary work required, some of which is underway.



                                                                                                          19








                   Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project


                        priority 2 - Design and implement an Internet-based metadata access and
                                     distribution system that links to actual records ofregional
                                     environmental data relevant to the Keys sanctuary.

                           Why? Improved distribution and access to ecosystem data is recommended
                           as an essential component of an overall NOS South Florida management
                           strategy. Internet-based access will provide quick and efficient transfer of
                           information critical for research and modeling efforts, restoration efforts,
                           damage assessment activities, mapping, and management decisions. Estab-
                           lishing "links" to data and information also will permit the system to evolve
                           as data and information are updated.
                           How? Establishing the initial Internet access will require several intermedi-
                           ate steps including identifying priority topics and targeting specific data,
                           maps, and other information to be incorporated. Designing the system will
                           entail developing interface screens, establishing appropriate links, and
                           setting a schedule for bringing the system on-line. Some of these steps are
                           already under way.

                           Who? Project 21, FKNMS Data Server/Home Page, is the suggested lead for
                           completing these tasks. It is recommended that OCRM's Sanctuaries and
                           Reserves Division, particularly the FKNMS staff in the Florida Keys, and
                           ORCA!s Strategic Environmental Assessments Division jointly develop this
                           capability. The FKNMS staff is currently installing advanced hardware and
                           software to improve communications with regional institutions. SEA has
                           considerable experience in designing Internet systems. Participation by other
                           NOS units as well as selected South Florida institutions may also be re-
                           quired. This work is recommended to begin in February 1996.


                           Priority 3 - Conduct workshops to identify priorities for ecosystem
                                       characterization relevant to FKIVMS management needs.

                           Why? The draft FKNMS management plan includes numerous strategies for
                           achieving the goals of the congressional act designating this region for special
                           protection and management. A prerequisite for implementing many of these
                           strategies is detailed information on the region's complex coastal ecosystems.
                           However, some parts of the Florida Keys and adjacent Florida Bay have not
                           yet been adequately mapped, measured, or otherwise characterized in a way
                           that assists managers in effectively planning regional projects. Examples
                           include benthic habitats (especially coral), bathymetry, and circulation. A
                           high priority for FY96, therefore, will be for NOS to facilitate a series of
                           workshops to identify characterization needs (by subject and location) based
                           on strategies in the management plan, establish priorities among these
                           needs, and schedule the implementation of data collection, mapping, or other
                           activities. This work would be conducted in cooperation with regional experts.




                   20








                                                                    Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                   How? The workshops will require several intermediate steps such as
                   targeting key strategies, identifying participants, developing appropriate
                   summary materials on existing characterization, and designing the workshop
                   process. Participants will be asked not only to define characterization priori-
                   ties, but also to evaluate alternative methods of data collection and to specify
                   the measurements required (e.g., acreage estimates, temporal distributions,
                   trends, etc.).

                   Who? Table 4 shows that eight of the 22 priority projects are indirectly
                   linked to this task. However, a lead project is not identified in Table 5 be-
                   cause, as yet, no existing or planned NOS projects are scheduled to conduct
                   this type of activity. Nevertheless, it is recommended that this task be orga-
                   nized by the OCRM's Sanctuaries and Reserves Division with assistance from
                   ORCA's SEA Division. This work is recommended to begin in February 1996.


                      Priority 4 - Complete benthic habitat maps for priority regions
                                    ofFlorida Bay and the Florida Keys.

                   Why? Accurate benthic habitat maps will be extremely useful for evaluating
                   environmental impacts, and for targeting regional research and monitoring
                   projects. They will also contribute to a better understanding of the areal
                   extent and distribution of sensitive benthic regions. Developing this product
                   for key coastal areas of South Florida is therefore recommended as a high
                   priority for NOS in FY96.

                   How? The Office of National Geodetic Survey has aerial photography for the
                   entire Florida Keys and Florida Bay region that was taken in December
                   1990/January 1991 as part of its ongoing shoreline delineation project. Most
                   of this photography is suitable for benthic habitat mapping. Additional pho-
                   tography from April 1995 was recently acquired for those scenes in which the
                   water was too turbid to accurately classify bottom areas. A test area was
                   mapped in 1993. NGS's Photogrammetry Division, ORCXs Strategic Environ-
                   mental Assessments Division, and the State of Florida developed the initial
                   benthic habitat classification scheme and the prototype maps. The classifica-
                   tion scheme was updated and improved in 1994 to better reflect existing
                   habitat types. The principal remaining steps are to establish priority regions,
                   photo-interpret the corresponding photography, compile the interpreted
                   photos, digitize the habitat polygons, and print and distribute the hard-copy
                   and electronic products.

                   Who? This work was recently reinitiated at a relatively low level by NGS
                   personnel in Norfolk, Virginia. To ensure the timely completion of maps, it is
                   recommended that NGS's Photogrametry Division, OCRM's FKNMS staff,
                   and ORCA:s SEA Division work together on this task. This work will require
                   substantial resources and time to complete, particularly due to the labor-
                   intensive nature of photointerpretation. of habitat polygons and compilation.



                                                                                                         21








                   Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                          Based upon the work under way, this task is recommended for initiation in
                          December 1995. Project 15, Benthic Habitat Mapping, is identified as the
                          lead for this task for obvious reasons.



                       Priority 5 - Conduct work sessions to reach consensus on priority approaches
                                   and data requirements for modeling physical processes in Florida
                                   Bay and Florida Keys relevant to FKNMS management

                          Why? Determining how modeling, particularly circulation modeling in
                          Florida Bay and around the Florida Keys, will be conducted to support
                          FKNMS needs is recommended as a high priority for NOS in FY96. A better
                          understanding of Florida Bay's hydrophysical. characteristics and its poten-
                          tial influence on the Florida Reef Tract is critical. Various South Florida
                          modeling teams (including a major new effort funded by the U.S. Army Corps
                          of Engineers), workshops, and projects have so far been unable to reach
                          consensus on model types, scales, data requirements, and outputs appropri-
                          ate for this type of assessment. This task is intended to resolve these issues
                          and establish an agreed-upon process for targeting priorities and implement-
                          ing an FY96 NOS modeling project in cooperation with regional experts.

                          How? This work will include several associated tasks such as reviewing
                          completed, ongoing, and planned data collection projects related to modeling
                          requirements, and summarizing the goals and methods of ongoing circulation
                          and other coastal ocean modeling efforts. This information will be used in a
                          series of work sessions to establish modeling priorities and additional data
                          collection requirements.

                          Who? While some components of this task are under way, they are not
                          necessarily being conducted in an integrated fashion. Project 12, Modeling
                          Regional Boundary Conditions and Circulation for Florida Bay, is the sug-
                          gested lead for initiating this task. Project 11, Flux Assessment Between
                          Florida Bay and Adjacent FKNMS, will also be an important contributor
                          since the flux analysis will determine some of the modeling requirements. It
                          is recommended that OES's Marine Analysis and Interpretation Division
                          conduct this work in association with ORCA!s Strategic Environmental
                          Assessments Division and the Coastal Ocean Program. COP has recently
                          funded several related research projects in South Florida and should be
                          instrumental in helping to ensure the participation of regional experts. This
                          activity is suggested to begin in January 1996.


                              Priority 6 - Improve bathymetry data for Florida Bay and the
                                          Florida Keys and document methodology.

                          Why? The last complete hydrographic survey of this region was taken in the
                          1880s. However, since a new survey is impractical (estimated costs of over
                          $10 million), the recommended task is for NOS to make the best possible use


                   22








                                                               Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                  of existing data to develop updated bathymetry and document carefully the
                  procedures used. Hard-copy and digital bathymetric maps that accurately
                  reflect the subtle, shallow water topography of Florida Bay and the Florida
                  Keys will be extremely useful for coastal monitoring, research, modeling,
                  restoration, damage assessment, and many other management activities. A
                  report documenting the technical methods will provide potential users with a
                  better understanding of work in progress and help reduce duplicate mapping
                  efforts. It may also provide an opportunity for users to incorporate their
                  mapping needs into ongoing NOS work.

                  How? Because available bathymetric data for Florida Bay and the surround-
                  ing areas are incomplete and of inconsistent quality, NOS has recently been
                  assembling and digitizing archival sounding data to establish a regional
                  baseline. The next steps will include generating associated digital elevation
                  fields and draft maps. These data may be further augmented by using re-
                  motely sensed data to refine the locations and depths of shallow channels and
                  shoals.


                  Who? Project 9, Regional Bathymetry for Florida Bay, is the suggested lead
                  for this task as this project has been responsible for completing some of the
                  preliminary steps. It is recommended that this work be conducted jointly
                  between ORCA:s Strategic Environmental Assessments Division and the
                  Coast Survey's Hydrographic Survey Division. Work on this task is recom-
                  mended to begin in December 1995 as several of the preliminary steps have
                  already been completed.


                 Priority 7 - Establish an NOS team to define "'sustainable deveippment"
                              with respect to NOS priorities in South Florida.

                  Why? Sustainable development is typically described as ensuring an ad-
                  equate supply of renewable resources to accommodate continued economic
                  growth. An alternative definition is development that meets the needs of the
                  present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
                  own needs. However, even after considerable national and international
                  debate, there remain mixed perceptions about the meaning and implications
                  of this term, especially with respect to operationally redesigning economic,
                  environmental, and social programs.

                  How? Although NOAA and NOS have indicated that "sustainable develop-
                  ment" in the nation's coastal zone is a priority issue, there is little informa-
                  tion available defining this term with respect to NOS programs. Reaching
                  consensus on a definition of "sustainable development" and how it applies to
                  NOS's priorities in the FKNMS is therefore recommended as a priority task
                  for FY96. This should help NOS and its partners establish an approrpriate
                  balance of resource use and conservation across the sanctuary.




                                                                                                   23








                   Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                           Who? Table 4 indicates that three of the 22 priority projects are indirectly
                           linked to this task. A lead project is not identified in Table 5 because there
                           are currently no plans within NOS to conduct this type of activity. It is recom-
                           mended that this task be explored by OCRM's Sanctuaries and Reserves
                           Division in cooperation with ORCA:s Damage Assessment Center and Strate-
                           gic Environmental Assessments Division. Based upon the availability of key
                           personnel resources, this work is not proposed to begin until July 1996.


                        Priority 8 - Establish an 'Integration" fund to provide incentives for NOS
                                     project managers to undertake the remaining integration
                                     tasks identified in Table 4.

                           Why? Seven of the 38 integration tasks presented in Table 4 have now been
                           recommended for priority implementation in FY96. Many others have been
                           linked to the FY96 priorities as important prerequisite or follow-up activities.
                           The remaining tasks should not be overlooked, as they are also part of suc-
                           cessful NOS integration in South Florida. Given the significant effort and
                           careful thought required to develop this material, it is incumbent upon NOS
                           project managers to consider carefully how they can incorporate the remain-
                           ing integration tasks into both ongoing and future work plans.

                           How? A small "integration incentive fund" of $50K to $100K could help
                           support the additional integration tasks and related products identified in
                           Table 4 by providing important incentives to project managers. Few actual
                           incentives now exist, and very few of these integration activities have been
                           budgeted for. With the funds in place, a first step toward implementing the
                           remaining tasks will be to review the links between projects and tasks pre-
                           sented in Table 4 and Appendix A. Figure 3 on page 28 illustrates a process
                           by which this might occur. Initial discussions would occur in the first work-
                           shop and details on implementation and funding levels would be primary
                           goals of the second workshop.

                           Who? An integration team similar to the group that produced this report
                           would manage the funding levels and recommend NOS beneficiaries based on
                           criteria such as FKNMS priorities and integration potential.

                   Funding Options

                   This section expands Table 5 by presenting FY96 funding options to support NOS South
                   Florida program integration. The purpose is to identify the funding status and priorities
                   among the priority tasks, and to describe briefly how progress toward completing these
                   tasks would proceed under different funding scenarios. Funding sources are not discussed,
                   although they could include NOS base funds, reprogrammed base funds, additions to base
                   funds from NOS or NOAA, and/or additions from outside of NOAA. All figures are esti-
                   mates. Whole project costs are not included.



                   24








                                                                                             Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                Table 6 reprises the priority integration tasks. Three funding options are shown in the
                columns to the right: existing funds only, $250,000 of new funds, and $500,000 of new
                funds. This table illustrates three important points:

                           ï¿½   it shows the distribution of existing funds among priority tasks (for existing NOS
                               priorities) - Option 1;
                           ï¿½   it suggests funding priorities among the priority tasks - Options 2 and 3 (e.g.,
                               task 4 has a greater funding need than task 6); and
                           ï¿½   it illustrates the funds required to complete, or make substantial progress to-
                               ward completing, the priority tasks in FY96 - Option 3.


                Table 6. Summary of FY96 funding options for integration tasks ($1,000).


                                                                                                                Options


                                                                                                        1           2           3

                                                                                                    Existing
                                Priority                     Integration Tasks
                                                                                                               _@ @$250        $500

                                         I Conduct a regional workshop process to establish a
                                   50      consensus-based ecosystem monitoring program for            200          25         50
                                           the Keys Sanctuary and adjacent marine waters.

                                           Design and implement an Internet-based metadata
                                           access and distribution system that links to the            0            25         50
                                   F2]     actual regional environmental data records
                                           (including interface screens and maps) according
                                           'to the agreed-upon schedule.
                                   Ei]     Complete benthic habitat maps for priority regions
                                           of Florida Bay and Florida Keys.                            150          75        100


                                           Conduct workshops to identify priorities for
                                           ecosystem characterization relevant to FENMS
                                   F4                                                                          @@5             100
                                           management needs.

                                           Conduct work sessions to reach consensus on
                                           priority approaches and data requirements for             1:20           25         50
                                           modeling physical processes in Florida Bay and
                                           Florida Keys relevant to Sanctuary management      .

                                           i Improve bathymetry data for Florida Bay and                            25
                                           the Florida Keys and document methodology,                  140                     50


                                           Establish an NOS team to define operationally
                                           "sustainable development" with respect to NOS                                        0
                                           priorities in South Florida.                           I@' 01
                                           Establish an "integration" fund to provide
                                   FS@     incentives for NOS project managers to undertake                         50        100
                                           the remaining integration tasks identified in                07     1
                                           Table 4.-
                                                                                            Totals             2=50       7500-1,,

                                 Estimates based on project worksheets (Appendix D).



                                                                                                                                                 25








                  Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                  The options are discussed in detail below. Assessments of how work might progress under
                  different funding scenarios are based upon the detailed project survey sheets as well as the
                  integration team's understanding of project requirements.


                                                   I
                                                 qption I - Existing Funds

                         The dollar amounts presented in Table 6 represent funds that NOS project
                         managers estimated as "existing/available" on the detailed project survey
                         sheets for those projects designated as "lead projects" in Table 5. However, in
                         most instances the integration tasks represent new activities not directly
                         accounted for on the project survey sheets. Therefore, for some of the priority
                         tasks, existing/available funds may not be adequate to conduct what often
                         amounts to new or expanded work.

                         Table 6 shows that over $600K is available in existing funds for the priority
                         tasks. With these funds, work can proceed on integration tasks 1, 4, 5, and 6.
                         Task 7, a new task with no existing funds, can likely be completed since this
                         task is not expected to require any new funds. Substantial progress will
                         probably occur for tasks 1, 5 and 6, and moderate progress should be made on
                         task 4. Tasks 2 and 3, with no existing funds, would probably see only limited
                         progress. No progress would be make on Task 8.


                                                   I                               I
                                          Option 2 - 50,000 in additional fitnds
                                                   I                               I
                         With $250K of additional funds (either from reprogrammed base funds,
                         additions to base from NOS or NOAA, and/or additions from outside of
                         NOAA), tasks 1 and 5 could proceed toward completion, tasks 2, 3, and 8
                         would be initiated, and substantial additional progress could be made on task
                         4.

                         Tasks 1 and 5 have existing funds of $200K and $120K, respectively. An
                         additional $25K for each would help support travel, workshop materials and
                         printing, and meeting facilitation. These funds would also permit some of the
                         important follow-up tasks associated with tasks 1 and 5 (see Table 4).

                         For task 2, $25K will help support data processing, system design, and hard-
                         ware and software costs. A similar amount for task 3 will help cover initial
                         workshop costs, including travel and summary materials for workshop par-
                         ticipants.

                         Task 4 is targeted for substantially more funds ($75K) because of the labor-
                         intensive work associated with map production. And, although this work was
                         recently reinitiated, these funds would help insure the more timely comple-
                         tion of this important work.




                  26








                                                                  Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                   Task 6 has existing funds of $140K. An additional $25K would support the
                   evaluation of supplementary data such as remotely sensed imagery to refine
                   the location and depths of shallow water channels and shoals.

                   Task 8 has no existing funds as this is a new concept proposed in this report.
                   Although $50K is a relatively small amount, used properly it will provide an
                   important incentive for additional integration beyond the priority tasks
                   identified in Table 5.


                   And, as described in Option 1, task 7 can be completed without additional
                   funds.



                                    Option 3 - $500,000 in additional funds

                   This option essentially adds $250K to Option 2. All priority tasks could be
                   completed or substantially completed in FY96 with these funds. In addition,
                   significant progress could also be made on many of the follow-up tasks associ-
                   ated with these priorities. For example, an additional $50K for task 1 would
                   ensure that the initial workshop is completed, resulting in substantial
                   progress on a regional ecosystem monitoring plan. The same is true for tasks
                   2, 3, 4, and 5, each of which have related follow-up tasks identified in Table 4.

                   Additional funds for task 6 would likely insure the products associated with
                   this work are completed faster. There are no related follow-up integration
                   tasks.


                   No funds are suggested for task 7 because, as mentioned above, it does not
                   require funds to complete. Related follow-up tasks are currently lower prior-
                   ity than those related to tasks 1 and 5.

                   An additional $100K for task 8 will undoubtedly support additional integra-
                   tion tasks and products beyond those identified in Table 5. However, specific
                   targets for these funds would be determined through a consensus process
                   such as the one illustrated in Figure 3.




           These recommendations represent a means for NOS to improve its effectiveness in fulfilling
           its responsibilities in the FKNMS. They include suggestions on what the priority tasks
           should be, who should conduct these tasks and when, and a brief look at the resources
           required for implementation. However, full NOS integration in South Florida will require a
           significant and continuous commitment. The first step will be to reach consensus within
           NOS on the recommended integration tasks.





                                                                                                       27








                                 Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project
                                 I    Next Steps

                                 Before NOS can implement a South Florida integration plan, agreement is needed among
                                 the line offices and other senior staff on tasks and responsibilities. It will also be important
                                 to establish a framework for periodic reviews in response to evolving needs. Finally, once
                                 FY96 priorities are agreed to and under way, it may be appropriate to review integration
                                 opportunities with other Federal, state, and local partners. A permanent NOS integration
                                 team, similar to the team that developed this report, is recommended for conducting the
                                 additional planning required and for tracking progress toward objectives.

                                 This closing section presents a proposal for meeting these objectives. It is organized into
                                 four parts: Reaching NOS Consensus, Implementation, Establishing an Integration Process,
                                 and Expanding South Florida Integration Beyond NOS.

                                 Reaching NOS Consensus

                                 Figure 4 illustrates a suggested process for reaching consensus and developing detailed
                                 plans of action. Following the distribution of this report, the first step would be to conduct a
                                 one-half-day NOS workshop to review integration priorities and agree on the integration
                                 tasks. Participants would include senior staff from NOS line offices and divisions conduct-
                                 ing relevant work in South Florida. The workshop results would produce a well-defined set
                                 of tasks. This workshop could be convened as early as November 1995 and could be orga-
                                 nized and conducted by the same integration team that developed this report.




                                                         1-2 year eualuation cycle                                                                         - - - - - -
                                                                                                              0 . __%    %
                                                                                                              New NOS
                                                                                                                Funds
                                                                                                              Available?,0
                                          FY96                                                                %
                                          Recommendations                                                         7
                                            Final Report           MMIMITM.143              WAMMIXGRMT@

                                                                                                   Define
                                                                      Prioritize &              Operational              Review Final               Initiate Tasks
                                                                                   z
                                                                                   ze                                                 - -----    >    (ba ed on
                                                                                   e             Details &             Recommendations                   a
                                                                                               Responsibility                                         schedule)


                                                                    consensus on            *project leads and           - schedule and                                        t
                                                                    priorities               support                       personnel                                      Add ional
                                                                                                                                                                        SouthIFlorida
                                                                    tasks well defined      - schedule/ resources        * funding                                        Integration
                                                                                            - impacts to other                                                              Tasks?
                                                                                             work
                                                                                                                                                 J7,panTnlegration
                                                                                                                                                 to other NOAA,
                                                                                   Review ongoing                                                Federal, State, and
                                                                                   South Florida                                                 local South Florida
                                                                                   projects and                                                  activities?
                                                                                   activities outside
                                                                                      ofNOS                                                      Evaluate other NOS
                                                                                                                                                       tiat@  ask.
                                                                                                                                                    1        T
                                                                       Characteri                                                                       a:
                                                                          Tasks                                                                  17,7,





                                                                                                                                              L =Ls M".=e-rt' J


                                 Figure 4. Process for implementation.


                                 28








                                                                     Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

            A follow-up one-half-day workshop may be necessary to define the operational requirements
            for each priority, consider potential impacts to other NOS work, and reach agreement on
            schedules and responsibilities. As shown in Figure 4, an important interim step will be to
            review carefully relationships between proposed FY96 priorities and other ongoing and/or
            proposed activities being conducted by other organizations (including projects such as the
            COP's "Human Environment Linkages in the South Florida Ecosystem" described on page
            6). A detailed plan would be produced for each task, similar to the project planning sheet
            shown in Appendix D. This workshop could be held as early as December 1995, three weeks
            after the first workshop. It could also be organized and conducted by the current integration
            team.


            Figure 4 shows that Line Office Review will follow the second workshop. This step involves
            careful evaluation of the operational requirements and commitments, particularly with
            respect to personnel and schedules. To facilitate this process, the integration team would
            prepare and distribute summary materials from the workshops similar to those presented
            in this report (e.g., Table 4). Figure 4 also shows that questions about additional NOS funds
            to support integration priorities should be resolved after the second workshop. This infor-
            mation will help line offices evaluate trade-offs and make better planning decisions. The
            line office review would likely be conducted over a period of two to three weeks. It could be
            initiated as early as January 1996.

            Implementation

            Once a plan is completed, implementation of specific tasks can move forward. This step will
            include distribution of additional NOS funds, if available, to the NOS offices and divisions
            responsible for the priority tasks. An integration team will track the progress toward sched-
            uled products and the use of funds. This team may also begin exploring how NOS will
            implement its responsibilities associated with the FKNMS Draft Management Plan/EIS (for
            example, of the seven priority topics outlined in the Plan - boating, fishing, recreation,
            water quality, zoning, education, and land use - only water quality was adequately ad-
            dressed by the NOS projects inventoried in this report).

            Establishing A Process

            Because NOS is a complex organization with many programmatic objectives, it will be
            difficult to ensure integration over time without putting in place an explicit framework. As
            illustrated in Figure 4, it is recommended that this process, as it evolves, be based on a
            regular one- to two-year cycle. It should include monitoring the progress toward integration
            objectives and a periodic review of more general integration needs. This process would
            eventually become part of an overall planning strategy for NOS. As part of the next steps, it
            is recommended that a detailed proposal for this framework (including diagrams illustrat-
            ing timing, events, and responsible parties) be developed starting in February or March of
            1996.









                                                                                                               29








                  Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project

                  Expanding Integration Beyond NOS

                  The focus of this report has been on NOAA!s National Ocean Service with the specific objec-
                  tive of protecting and preserving the ecological health of the coastal and marine habitats of
                  the FKNMS and surrounding areas. Therefore, the recommendations contained herein are
                  based solely on NOS projects and activities. However, it is recognized that there are connec-
                  tions between NOS projects and other NOAA, Federal, State, and. local South Florida
                  initiatives.


                  For example, the Interagency South Florida Ecosystem Task Force (established as part of
                  the U.S. Department of Interior's 1993 interagency agreement to restore South Florida's
                  ecosystem) is currently designing strategies and considering recommendations that focus on
                  many of the same priority issues identified in this report. A logical next step in the integra-
                  tion process would be to examine and assess these connections more closely and determine
                  if additional integration between NOS priorities and those developed by other institutions
                  such as the Task Force will help NOS more effectively achieve its goals.

                  An example of how integration efforts might move beyond NOS is the ongoing work associ-
                  ated with Priority 1 (page 19) where NOS is currently developing a detailed spatial data
                  inventory of historic, ongoing, and planned monitoring activities in the coastal and marine
                  waters of South Florida. The goal is to develop a regional marine ecosystem monitoring plan
                  that includes areas beyond the boundaries of the FY.NMS and effectively integrates the
                  various needs and capabilities of many different programs. A critical component of this
                  work has been the careful evaluation of other efforts to establish similar regional monitor-
                  ing proposals. This project could serve as a demonstration or "blueprint" for how NOS
                  integration efforts can serve both NOS management priorities and, fundamentally, the
                  greater interests of South Florida.

























                  30








        Appendices









              Appendix A. Project Connections

              Appendix B. Sample Project Inventory

              Appendix C. Sample Inventory of Experienced
                          Personnel


              Appendix D. Sample Project Planning
                          Worksheet



























                                                               33







                           Appendix A. Project Connections

                           Twenty-two priority projects are described (see Table 2 on page 8). This material was derived
                           primarily from data collected on detailed project survey sheets (see blank sample in Appendix W.
                           Project numbers in the column "How Projects Connect" correspond to the project numbers in
                           this Appendix and in Table 2. The tasks shown in red represent "integration" tasks. Some of
                           these tasks were not necessarily included on the original survey sheets but were added to better
                           illustrate how a project could be conducted in a more integrated manner. These integration
                           tasks provided the foundation for the theme-based tasks presented in Table 4.





                            Pro*eet                    Products/ou                                           Tasks
                                  'i               I                         @Comc__'s                                                   HONv ProJects C.-Olkshlau,
                        1. South Florida               An organized inventory of                - Develop a data base                      Users can identify monitoring
                            Spatial Data               monitoring activities, including the      containing metadata                       projects that provide data relevant
                            Inventory (SDI)            spatial and temporal distribution of      information derived fi-omproject          to their research, assessment, or
                                                       monitoring sites                          surveys.                                  modeling needs, Projects 2, 3, 4, 5p
                                                                                                o Develop and distribute a                 8, 10, 18, 16, & 20.
                                                                                                 summurj@ report on ezisting               The information can be used to
                                                                                                 monitoring activities, and the            help coordinate monitoring
                                                                                                 utility of the information.               activities and to select monitoring
                                                                                                oCoordinate with other projects            sites and variables, Project 5.
                                                                                                 to design an Inlet-net access.            The Internet access should be
                                                                                                - Develop instructions on how to           developed in conjunction with the
                                                                                                 access and query the data base.           FENMS Server, Project 21.


                        2. Benthic -                   Information on the spatial               * Review the SDI metadata                  The data base and report can:
                            Community                  distribution and abundance of             inventory to identify gaps in the            help corroborate data and
                            Monitoring                 benthic habitats in proposed              current benthic monitoring record.           information developed by
                                                       Replenishment Reserves                   -Conduct monitoring and                       Projects 4 & 10;
                                                       Information on reef fish                  observations of benthic communities          help with the development of a
                                                       populations                               and reef fish in proposed                    comprehensive monitoring plan,
                                                       An overview of the health of              Replenishment Reserves.                      Project 5;
                                                       benthic habitats                         * Process and analyze samples                 help evaluate & corroborate
                                                       Standardized, long-term                   and information.                             the information contained on
                                                       monitoring stations for trend            *Collect and synthesize expert                benthic habitat maps,
                                                       analysis                                  anecdotal information.                       Project 15, and
                                                                                                *Develop and distribute a                     help identify areas for
                                                                                                 summary report on the health of              implementing management
                                                                                                 benthic communities and reef fish            strategies, including restoration,
                                                                                                 populations, including supporting            Projects 18 & 22.
                                                                                                 anecdotal information and a list of
                                                                                                 potential indicators of benthic           The data ran be input into the
                                                                                                 habitat health.                           assessment and valuation of habitat
                                                                                                                                           resources as recreational
                                                                                                -Coordinate with other projects            opportunities conducted for
                                                                                                 to design a data base that can be         Project 7.
                                                                                                 easily accessed and queried.            * The data will be used for damage
                                                                                                -Coordinate with other                     assessment, Project 19.
                                                                                                 monitoring programs to select           * Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                                 monitoring sites and variables.           monitoring projects will help
                                                                                                o Develop instructions on hoir to          minimize duplication, and help
                                                                                                 access and query the data base,           determine future monitoring
                                                                                                 and how to obtain other useful            acti.vities across monitoring
                                                                                                 information, i.e., video and              projects.
                                                                                                 photo dattL
                                                                                                - Generate and distribute a map
                                                                                                 depicting the location of
                                                                                                 sampling locations.
                                                                                                o Prepare information for
                                                                                                 assisting with benthic
                                                                                                 classifications.







                    34








                                                                                                                                                           ADDendixA.




                 ProJect                    ProdUCtS/00cornes                                         Tasks                       How ProJects Connect
            8.   Florida Bay                Salinity profile data                       Review the SDI metadata                     The data base and report can:
                 Salinity                   An accurate description of                  inventory to identify relevant                  help with the development of a
                 Characteri-                salinity characteristics and trends         monitoring programs.                            comprehensive monitoring plan,
                 zation                     A description of how this                   Collect existing salinity data for              Project 5;
                                            information can be used for                 Florida Bay.                                    help assess the flux
                                            research and planning                       Process and interpret the data.                 between Florida Bay and the
                                                                                        Develop and distribute an                       Florida Reef Tract,
                                                                                        assessment report characterizing                Project 11, and
                                                                                        salinity profiles, trends, and                  initialize computer models on
                                                                                        natural and anthropogenic                       circulation patterns,
                                                                                        influences.                                     Project 12.

                                                                                        Coordinate with other projects
                                                                                        to design a saliniky data base
                                                                                        that can be easily accessed and
                                                                                        queried,
                                                                                       * Develop instructions on how
                                                                                        the data base can be accessed,
                                                                                        and information on its utility for
                                                                                        modeling and other assessment
                                                                                        activities.
                                                                                       -Coordinate activities with
                                                                                        other assessment prQiects.

            4. Keys-Wide Coral            0 Information on the health                  * Review the SDI metadata                    The data base and report can:
                 Health                     of coral reefs in the FKNMS                 inventory to identify relevant                  help corroborate data and
                 Monitoring               a A list of potential indicators of           monitoring program .                            information developed by
                                            coral reef health                          *Collect benthic and sediment                    Projects 2 & 10;
                                                                                        samples at 33 sites.                            help with the development of a
                                                                                       9 Process and analyze samples.                   comprehensive monitoring plan,
                                                                                       0Collect and synthesize expert                   Project 5;
                                                                                        anecdotal information,                          help evaluate & corroborate
                                                                                       0Develop and distribute a report                 the information contained on
                                                                                        on the overall health of coral reefs,           benthic habitat maps,
                                                                                        including supporting anecdotal                  Project 15; and
                                                                                        information and a list of potential             help identify areas for
                                                                                        indicators of coral reef health.                implementing management
                                                                                       0Develop an annual report on                     strategies, including
                                                                                        coral reef conditions.                          restoration, Project 18.
                                                                                                                                  * The data will be used for damage
                                                                                       -Coordinate with other projects              assessment, Project 19.
                                                                                        to design a data base that can be          *Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                        easily accessed and queried-                monitoring projects will help
                                                                                       -Coordinate with other                       minimize duplication, and help
                                                                                        monitoring programs to select               determine future monitoring
                                                                                        monitoring sites and variables.             activities across monitoring
                                                                                       0 Develop instructions on how to             projects.
                                                                                        access and query the data base,
                                                                                        and how to obtain other useful
                                                                                        infi),rination, i.e., video and
                                                                                        photo data.
                                                                                       * Generate and distribute a map
                                                                                        depicting the location of
                                                                                        sampling location&
                                                                                       o Prepare information for
                                                                                        assisting with Irenthic
                                                                                        classifications.
















                                                                                                                                                                        35








                   Appendix A.




                             Project                    P r o d U C t S/O U t c o rn e s                         Tasks
                                                    I                                           I                                           @ HONVRroJects C                     irat
                        5. Monitoring Plan            * A network of standardized, long-          - Review and evaluate current               - An integrated, comprehensive
                             for Florida Bay            term monitoring stations                    monitoring activities rising the            approach to monitoring that lays
                             and Florida Keys           throughout the Florida Bay & Keys           SDI metadata inventory and                  the groundwork for identifying
                                                        area                                        data base.                                  areas that require monitoring.
                                                      ï¿½ Coordination of monitoring                o Design a process for                      * A method for conducting cost-
                                                        activities to meet common, agreed-          identiffing common goals across             effective monitoring.
                                                        upon goals                                  monitoring programs and                   & A method for using monitored
                                                      ï¿½ A method for sharing data,                  develop a comprehensive                     data to determine the effectiveness
                                                        technology, and equipment                   monitoring scheme to meet those             of implemented management
                                                      ï¿½ A coordinated approach for                  goals.                                      strategies, including restoration,
                                                        developing and refining monitoring        o Conduct workshops with                      Projects 18 & 22.
                                                        programs based on gaps and                  participating priority project            * A method for using monitored
                                                        redundancies in the existing                staff to agree upon the goals,              data to support damage assessment,
                                                        monitoring record                           identify and select monitoring              Project 19.
                                                      e An integrated method for                    stations, and identify variables          * A method for efficiently
                                                        planning, producing, and                    to be monitored. This includes              collecting, processing, and
                                                        distributing reports based on               developing monitoring                       disseminating monitored data to
                                                        monitored data                              standards.                                  different users, Project 21.
                                                      * A method for periodically                 - Produce and distribute                    * Coordinating activities across
                                                        updating the SDI                            summary reports and other                   monitoring projects will help
                                                                                                    products throughout the                     minimize duplication and help meet
                                                                                                    planning process.                           the management goals of the
                                                                                                  - Design a standardized data                  Sanctuary, Projects 2, 4, 7, 8, 10,
                                                                                                    base strurgure for participating            is, & 16.
                                                                                                    prQi#.,cts.
                                                                                                  o Produce and distribute a final
                                                                                                    monitoring plan. Include maps
                                                                                                    of monitoring station locations
                                                                                                    (existing and proposed),
                                                                                                    substances monitored, and
                                                                                                    sentporal elements. Also include
                                                                                                    a comprehensive set ofgoals and
                                                                                                    the blueprint for conducting
                                                                                                    future monitoring activities.

                        7. Linking the                * Estimates of market and non-              * Conduct the survey, and process             Information that can be used to:
                             Economy &                  market economic values                      and analyze the data.                          help with oil spilVdisposaI
                             Environment of                                                       9 Build the data base.                           planning, Project 6;
                                                                                                  * Develop and distribute a                       help with the development of
                             Florida Keys/Bay                                                       metadata summary, including a                  management priorities for
                                                                                                    description of priority data.                  archaeological and cultural
                                                                                                                                                   resources, Project 14;
                                                                                                  o Coordinate with other prVects                  assist with restoration
                                                                                                    to design a valuation data base                efforts, Project 18; and
                                                                                                    that can be easily accessed and                assist with damage
                                                                                                    queried.                                       assessment activities,
                                                                                                  o Develop instructions on how to                 Project 19.
                                                                                                    access and query the data bane.
                                                                                                  * Develop and distribute a
                                                                                                    report on the results of the data
                                                                                                    analysis, specifting how it. can
                                                                                                    be used to support priority
                                                                                                    prcjects. Include maps showing
                                                                                                    the spatial coverage ofpriority
                                                                                                    data elements.






















                    36








                                                                                                                                                                       Appendix A.




                  ProJect                       ProdL1CtS/OL1tCOMC,,;                                       _Uasks                          Row Prqjects Connect
             8.   National Status               Information on the status and                * Add 1995 data to the existing                  A clea'r' description of the  .NS&T
                  and Trends                    trends of environmental quality                data base.                                     Mussel Watch Project that will help
                  Mussel Watch                  conditions.                                  0 Review the SDI metadata                        with the effort to integrate
                  Project                                                                      inventory for gaps and                         monitoring activities for
                                                                                               redundancies related to NS&T                   Project 5.
                                                                                               activities.                                    Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                             0 Prepare summary materials on                   monitoring projects will help
                                                                                               planned and ongoing activities.                minimize duplication, and help
                                                                                                                                              determine future monitoring
                                                                                               Coordinate with other projects                 activities across monitoring
                                                                                               to design a data base that can be              projects@ Projects 2, 4, 10, 13, &
                                                                                               easily accessed and queried                    16.
                                                                                               Coordinate with other
                                                                                               monitoring Programs to select
                                                                                               monitoring sites and variables.
                                                                                             * Develop instructions on how to
                                                                                               access and query the data base.
                                                                                             0 Identift monitoring activities
                                                                                               that can be coordinated with the
                                                                                               NS&T prcject.
                                                                                             0 Coordinate activities with
                                                                                               other monitoring prqiects.

             9. Regional                        Baseline bathymetric data for                ' Assemble and digitize relevant                 Digital bathyrnetric data and
                  Bathymetry for                Florida Bay & Keys                             regional archival soundings.                   base maps that can be used to
                  Florida Bay                                                                0 Conduct bathymetric surveys.                   Support numerous activities,
                                                                                             * Construct a digital data base.                 including:
                                                                                             * Develop digital base maps at                       mapping (habitats, resources,
                                                                                               different resolutions.                             etc.);
                                                                                             0 Produce summary materials                          visualizing data;
                                                                                               clearly describing the resolution of               selecting monitoring sites;
                                                                                               the data and digital base maps.                    developing site
                                                                                                                                                  characterizations; and
                                                                                             0 Develop amethad for users to                       constructing models,
                                                                                               access digital data and base                     Projects 2-8, 10-20, 22.
                                                                                               map&
                                                                                             * Develop instructions on how
                                                                                               the information and maps can be
                                                                                               4ccessed and used.


            10. Florida Bay                  0 Base-line benthic                             0 Complete 1995 sampling.                        The data base and report can:
                  Benthic Macro.                macroinvertebrate information                0 Process and analyze samples                        help corroborate data and
                  invertebrate               *  An overview of the health of                   and include in the existing data                   information developed by
                  Study                         benthic macroinvertebrate                      base.                                              Project 2;
                                                communities                                  * Develop and distribute a report                    help with the development of a
                                                                                               that clarifies what data is being                  comprehensive monitoring plan,
                                                                                               collected, a detailed list of indicator            Project 5;
                                                                                               species (including spatial                         help identify areas for
                                                                                               distribution), and a summary of the                implementing management
                                                                                               health of benthic macroinvertebrate                strategies, including restoration,
                                                                                               communities.                                       Projects 18 & 22; and
                                                                                                                                                  help evaluate & corroborate
                                                                                             * Coordinate with other projects                     the information contained on
                                                                                               to design a data base that can be                  benthic habitat maps,
                                                                                               easily accessed and queried.                       Project 15.
                                                                                             * Coordinate with other                        0 The data will be used for damage
                                                                                               monitoring programs to select                  assessment, Project 19.
                                                                                               monitoring sites and. vuriableg.             0 Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                             . Develop instructions on how                    monitoring projects will help
                                                                                               the information can be accessed                minimize duplication, and help
                                                                                             0 Generate and distribute a map                  determine future monitoring
                                                                                               depicting the location of                      activities across monitoring
                                                                                               sampling locations,                            projects.
                                                                                             * P-.P-e information for
                                                                                               assisting with the classification
                                                                                               of benthic communities,







                                                                                                                                                                                     37








                   AppendixA.


                             Project                    Prod UCtS/0L1 Lomes I                                     Tasks                          flow Projects C-Alklilrox4pr
                      11. Flux Assessment               Base line information on the                *Collect existing transport and               The assessment can be used to
                             Between Florida            volumes, rates, and timing (daily,           salinity information.                        help select monitoring sites and
                             Bay and                    monthly, annually) of flux in and           * Process data and interpret                  parameters while planning for a
                             Adjacent                   out of Florida Bay                           results.                                     comprehensive monitoring program,
                                                                                                    eDevelop and distribute an                    Project 5.
                             FKNMS                                                                   interim report identifying data              The information can be used:
                                                                                                     sources and gaps.                                as base-line data and
                                                                                                    eDevelop and distribute a final                   calibration for modeling
                                                                                                     report illustrating transport                    circulation and exchange,
                                                                                                     characteristics.                                 Project 12; and
                                                                                                                                                      to understand the role of
                                                                                                    - Develop recommendationx ior                     advection and mixing in nutrient
                                                                                                     future data collection activities.               and plankton dynamics, Project
                                                                                                    - Provide data for input to                       16.
                                                                                                     circulation models.                          Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                                    oCoordinate with other projects               assessment projects will help
                                                                                                     to identify overlap* in sampling             minimize duplication and ensure
                                                                                                     and to compare data and                      that critical needs are met,
                                                                                                     information.                                 Projects 8 & 20.

                      12.    Modeling                 e Regional circulation                        *Define the study area.                      9 A reliable circulation model can
                             Regional                   simulations                                 eCollect data, including                      help with oil spill/disposal planning,
                             Boundary                 - Transport simulations for water              information from other relevant              Project 6.
                             Conditions &               moving from Florida Bay to the               projects.                                   eCoordinating activities with other
                                                        Florida Reef Tract                          e Process and analyze data.                   assessment projects will help
                             Circulation for                                                        * Calibrate model using                       minimize duplication and ensure
                             Florida Bay                                                             comparative information,    i.e.,            that critical needs are met,
                                                                                                     remotely sensed SST and SSS data.            Projects 8, 11, & 20.
                                                                                                    9 Run model simulations, and                  The information can be used to
                                                                                                     update as other data becomes                 calibrate SLFMR and SSS maps,
                                                                                                     available.                                   Project 17.
                                                                                                    eDevelop and distribute an
                                                                                                     assessment report describing
                                                                                                     boundary conditions, circulation,
                                                                                                     and exchange characteristics.

                                                                                                    o Construct a data base so the
                                                                                                     information can be used for
                                                                                                     running other models.
                                                                                                    o Develop a method for users to
                                                                                                     access the model.
                                                                                                    o Develop instructions on how
                                                                                                     the model can be acceesed and
                                                                                                     used.
                                                                                                    o Coordinate with other projecto
                                                                                                     to identift overlaps in sampling
                                                                                                     and to compare data and
                                                                                                     information.

                      13.    Monitoring                 Information on agricultural                 *Identify other similar                       The data and information can be
                             Pesticides and             pesticides and other contaminants            monitoring projects and obtain lists         used to help determine future
                             Other                                                                   of station locations, and substances         monitoring activities across
                                                                                                     and media monitored.                         monitoring projects, Project 5.
                             Chemicals:                                                             * Use the SDI survey format to               - The information will also be
                             Surface,                                                                develop a metadata summary of the            useful for site and variable
                             Sediments, and                                                          information being collected.                 selection.
                             Biota                                                                                                               0Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                                    o Coordinate. with other prqjects             monitoring projects will help
                                                                                                     to design a data base that can be            minimize duplication, and help
                                                                                                     easily accessed and querie&                  determine future monitoring
                                                                                                    oCoordinate with other                        activities across monitoring
                                                                                                     monitoring programs to select                projects, Projects 2, 4, 8, 10, & 16.
                                                                                                     monitoring sites and variables.
                                                                                                    * Generate and distribute a map
                                                                                                     dvpicting the location of
                                                                                                     sampling locations.







                    38








                                                                                                                                                           AppendixA.




                 Proliect                   ProdUCtS/0LItcomes                                        Tasks                       How Pro ects Connect
          14.    Archaeological             An accurate inventory and data             *Locate resource targets using               A data base of archaeological and
                 and Cultural               base of the location and value of           side-scan surveys.                          cultural resources, and their value,
                 Resource                   archaeological and cultural                0Conduct site-specific                       can be used for assisting with
                 Projects                   resources                                   archaeological surveys.                     damage assessment,
                                                                                       0Establish criteria for assigning            Project 19.
                                                                                        site values.
                                                                                       0Classify sites as either high,
                                                                                        medium, or low value.
                                                                                       0Construct the inventory/data
                                                                                        base.
                                                                                       0Develop maps of the locations of
                                                                                        archaeological and cultural
                                                                                        resources and their values.


                                                                                       - Establish user access to the
                                                                                        data and maps.


          15. Benthic Habitat            * A spatial data base of benthic              0Obtain existing habitat                     The base maps and spatial data
                 Mapping                    habitats                                    information and photographs.                base can be used for:
                                         9 Base maps of benthic                        *Classify benthic habitats.                     oil spill/disposal contingency
                                            communities generated in a GIS             *Compile highly accurate shoreline              planning, Project 6;
                                            system                                      manuscripts to include classified              helping determine the health
                                                                                        benthic habitats.                              of aquatic ecosystems,
                                                                                       - Conduct GIS processing.                       Projects 2, 4, & 10;
                                                                                       0 Produce and distribute maps.                  supporting the development of
                                                                                                                                       a comprehensive monitoring
                                                                                       0Corroborate existing habitat                   plan, Project 5;
                                                                                        information using data from                    helping identify areas for
                                                                                        monitoring prqjects.                           implementing management
                                                                                       0 Develop digital file# and                     strategies, including restoration,
                                                                                        Instructions on how Mey can be                 Projects IS & 22; and
                                                                                        accessed.                                      helping with damage
                                                                                                                                       assessment activities,
                                                                                                                                       Project 19.

          1 S. Nutrient                     Information on nutrient and                0 Identify other similar projects          0 The information will also be
                 Microalgal                 microalgal dynamics                         and obtain lists of sampling                useful for site and variable
                 Dynamics                                                               locations.     -                            selection, Project 5.
                                                                                       * Use the SDI survey format to             & Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                        develop a metadata summary of the           monitoring projects will help
                                                                                        information being collected.                minimize duplication, and help
                                                                                                                                    determine future monitoring
                                                                                       *Coordinate with other prVects               activities across monitoring
                                                                                        to design a data base that can be           projects, Projects 2, 4, 8, & 10.
                                                                                        easily accessed and queried,
                                                                                        Coordinate with other
                                                                                        monitoring programs to select
                                                                                        monitoring sites and variables.
                                                                                        Generate and distribute a map
                                                                                        depicting the location of
                                                                                        sampling locations.























                                                                                                                                                                        39








                   4pendix A.


                            PrO* et                     PVOCILICWOUC@comes                                         Tasks                         1-low Projects Go                      4
                                    e

                      17. Oceanographic                @ Historical analyses of water               * Review and reformat archived               e A method for conducting high
                            Feature Analysis            mass movements in the eastern Gulf            AMMS and SLFMR data to suit                  resolution trend analysis.
                                                        of Mexico through the Straits of              current needs.                             9 Data base files and maps to
                                                        Florida, and Florida Bay                    a Establish a schedule for                     support a wide variety of priority
                                                       *An assessment of seasonal (wet                conducting initial flights.                  projects, particularly those
                                                        vs. dry) trends in water mass               * Collect and process data, and                associated with circulation and
                                                        movement                                      incorporate into the data base.              transport, Projects 11, 12, 20.
                                                       *Ongoing (3 to 4 timestweek)                 - Produce and distribute a report              Information on water mass
                                                        analyses of water mass movements              on initial findings, including maps          movements will help determine the
                                                                                                      of SST, SSS, turbidity, and                  ecological impacts of HAZMAT spills
                                                                                                      chlorophyll a.                               and would aid in clean-up
                                                                                                    * Develop a plan for ongoing data              operations, Project 6.
                                                                                                      collection, organization, and                Information for producing
                                                                                                      dissemination.                               frequency response curves (e.g., per
                                                                                                    * Schedule and conduct data                    salinity and temperature) for
                                                                                                      collection flights to produce maps 3         various petroleum and chemical
                                                                                                      to 4 times/week, or as appropriate.          products, Project 6.

                                                                                                    * Establish user access to the
                                                                                                      data and digital maps.
                                                                                                    a Devine a method for real-finse
                                                                                                      use of the data base.


                      18. Coral Reef                    Data and information on                     * Complete restoration activities at         9 Information to help determine
                            Restoration                 ongoing coral reef restoration                Elpis and Maitland sites.                    future monitoring activities,
                                                        activities                                  * Develop and distribute a post-               Project 5.
                                                                                                      restoration assessment report,             * Information supporting ongoing
                                                                                                      including information on the                 ecosystem monitoring activities,
                                                                                                      techniques used and anticipated              Projects 2, 4, 8, & 10.
                                                                                                      results.                                   9 Information supporting damage
                                                                                                    * Identify the location of current             assessment activities, Project 19.
                                                                                                      restoration sites (point or
                                                                                                      boundary), and develop and
                                                                                                      distribute a map depicting their
                                                                                                      characteristics.


                                                                                                    o Identify monitoring needs to
                                                                                                      evaluate the eflectiveness of
                                                                                                      restoration efforts and.
                                                                                                      coordinate with other
                                                                                                      monitoring projects go ensure
                                                                                                      they can be met.

                      19. Damage                        Data and information oil                    * Develop and distribute a report              Information on damage
                            Assessment                  ongoing damage assessment                     detailing current damage                     assessment activities can be used to
                            Activities                  activities                                    assessment activities and their              help determine future monitoring
                                                                                                      status. Include a description of             activities,
                                                                                                      how the information can be used to           Project 5.
                                                                                                      help plan monitoring activities.           * Information supporting ongoing
                                                                                                    o Utilize existing benthic habitat             ecosystem monitoring activities,
                                                                                                      maps and monitored information to            Projects 2, 4, 8, & 10.
                                                                                                      develop and distribute a map               e Information for planning
                                                                                                      depicting the location and status of         restoration efforts, Projects 18    &
                                                                                                      damage assessment activities.                22.

                                                                                                    - Identify monitoring needs to
                                                                                                      evaluate the e#ertiveness of
                                                                                                      restoration efforts and
                                                                                                      coordinate with other
                                                                                                      monitoring project* to ensure
                                                                                                      they can be met












                   40









                                                                                                                                                                Annendix A.




                 Pro-ject                     Products/Outcomes                                          Tasks                         How Prc@jects Connect
           20. Florida Bay                    Direct measurements of                     e Define the study area.                      *Information that can be used to
                 Circulation and              circulation and exchange                   e Collect data, including                      understand and evaluate transport
                 Exchange                                                                  information from other relevant              between Florida Bay and the
                                                                                           projects.                                    Florida Reef Tract, Project 11.
                                                                                         * Process and analyze data,                   *Base line information that can be
                                                                                         - Construct a data base.                       used to supplement other data
                                                                                         9 Develop and distribute an                    sources used in circulation and
                                                                                           assessment report describing the             transport models, Project 12.
                                                                                           data and its utility.                       9Information that can be used to
                                                                                                                                        understand the role of advection
                                                                                         - Develop a method for users to                and mixing in nutrient and
                                                                                           access the data.                             plankton dynamics,
                                                                                         0 Develop instructions on how                  Project 16.
                                                                                           the data can be accessed and                 Coordinating activities with other
                                                                                           used.                                        assessment projects will help
                                                                                         o Coordinate with other projects               minimize duplication and ensure
                                                                                           to identify overlapg in sampling             that critical needs are met,
                                                                                           and to compare data and                      Projects 3 & 12.
                                                                                           informaiion.

           21. FKNMS Data                   * A FKNMS server and Home                    o Install required hardware and                A capability for researchers and
                 Server and                   Page providing access to Sanctuary-          softivare.                                   planners to quickly access and
                 Home Page                    related data, maps, and information        o Conduct work sessiwns with                   extract information integral to
                                            ï¿½ A list server                                priority prqjects to ensure that             priority projects, All Projects.
                                            ï¿½ A file server for NOSINOAA use               the data and information is
                                            ï¿½ E-mail access for information                properly formatted.
                                              queries                                    - Prioritize the data and
                                            ï¿½ Coordination with projects                   information sets to be linked and
                                              supplying materials                          set a schedule for bringing them
                                                                                           on-line.
                                                                                         o Design and construct the
                                                                                           server and home page, and
                                                                                           establish links according to the
                                                                                           agreed upon schedule.
                                                                                         - Develop and distribute a
                                                                                           document describing the system,
                                                                                           its contentallinks, and ita utility.

           22. Seagrass                     , Data and information on                    * Conduct experimental tests to               a A method for identi6,ing and
                 Restoration                  ongoing seagrass restoration                 determine recovery rates.                    prioritizing areas for restoration.
                 Projects                     activities                                 * Develop and distribute a post-              9Information to help determine
                                            * A seagrass compensation model                experimentation assessment,                  future monitoring activities,
                                              and optimal transplantation                  including information on the                 Project 5
                                              methods to guide restoration efforts         techniques used and anticipated             -Information supporting ongoing
                                                                                           results.                                     ecosystem monitoring activities,
                                                                                         - Utilize data and maps developed              Projects 2, 4, 8, & 10.
                                                                                           by other monitoring projects to             0Information supporting damage
                                                                                           identify candidate locations for             assessment activities, Project 19.
                                                                                           restoration efforts.
                                                                                         * Develop information on the status
                                                                                           of candidate sites, including
                                                                                           existing conditions, feasible
                                                                                           restoration techniques, and
                                                                                           priority.
                                                                                         * Identify the location of candidate
                                                                                           restoration sites (point or
                                                                                           boundary), and develop and
                                                                                           distribute a map depicting their
                                                                                           characteristics.


                                                                                         - Identify monitoring needs to
                                                                                           evaluate the effectiveness of
                                                                                           restoration efforts and
                                                                                           coordinate with other
                                                                                           monitoring projects 'to ensure
                                                                                           they can be met.







                                                                                                                                                                             41








                                 Appendix B. Sample Project Inventory

                                         Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project
                                         National Ocean Service


                                         This sheet is to inventory and characterize recently completed, on-going, and planned NOS projects in South Florida for the purposes
                                         of integration, where appropriate, to more effectively accomplish NOS management objectives in the Florida Keys National Marine
                                         Sanctuary. A project is any activity or set of activities associated with specific programmatic objectives. Please use one sheet per
                                         project andftll out ALL relevant sections.
                                         1. Project Title
                                                                                                                                                  recently
                                                                                                                                                  c
                                                                                                                                                  o    I t d on-going planned proposed
                                                                                                                                                   71            El          El          E

                                         2. Contact

                                           name:                                                                                  NOS office: -

                                           phone:                                          fax:                                   email:

                                         3. Description









                                         4. Regional Focus

                                           list by number the South Florida
                                           regions this project is associated with

                                                                                                                                                                                  S"

                                                directly


                                                                                                                          1. Kissimmee River Basin                                        3
                                                indirectly                                                                2. Lake OkeechobeaTisheating Creek
                                                                                                                          3 Upper Best Coast/St. Lucie River
                                                                                                                          4. Everglades Agricultural Area
                                                                                                                          5. Water Conservation Areas                              6
                                                                                                                          6. Big Cypress Watershed
                                                                                                                          7 M,i,la,,i portion of Everglades National Park
                                                                                                                          8* C-111 BasirJCard Sound/Biscayne Bay/ Florida Keys       .7
                                                                                                                          9 Lowey East Coast Urban Arm (Metropolitan Ridge)
                                                                                                                        10. Caloosahatchee River Rasin/Southweat Florida             8


                                         5. Current Priority (at your level)
                                         high: F-1 medium: D low: El other:



                                42









                                                                                                                                                                                   Appendix B.



                              Project Inventory                                                                                                                                         page 2
                              6. Objectives


                              2.

                              3.


                              7. Schedule


                              start (mm/dd/yr,:):                                                           finish (mm/dd/yr:):

                              8. Products
                                                                                                                                   date                           target user



                              2.

                              3.

                              4.

                              5.


                              9. Resources
                                                      NOS Base                  Other NOS                            Other NOAA                            Other non-NOAA
                                                                                             source                                -sou .rce                                source

                                 FrEs
                                 Funds (000s)

                              10. Partners/Users;

                                                                                         partner       user,                                                                partner       user
                                                                                            D          F@@        6.
                                 2.1                                                        F@         F,         7.
                                 3.                                                         El         El         8-                                                           El         El
                                 4.                                                         El         11         9-
                                                                                                                                                                               El         11
                                 5.                                                                              10.
                                                                                            El         El                                                                      El         El

                              11. NOS Personnel

                                            name                      office       project responsibility                         name                   office        project responsibility
                                                                                                                 5.

                              2.
                                                                                                                 6.

                              3.                                                                                 7.

                              4.







                                                                                                                                                                                                     43








                              Appendix B.


                                    Project Inventory                                                                                                                        page 3
                                     12. Related Restoration Proposal(s)
                                      Using the summary matrix prepared by NOS, identtfy.those proposed activities most closely related to the project described above.
                                                           category                                     topic                                       sub-topic


                                        2.



                                        4.


                                     13. Comments















































                             44







                    Appendix C. Sample Inventory of Experienced Personnel

                          Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project
                          National Ocean Service


                          77tis sheet is intended to provide NOS with a measure of its collective knowledge and expertise to conduct new program activities to
                          support its management of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Federal efforts in the greater South Florida region.                               This
                          form should befilled out ONLY by those persons withfirst-hand experience with South Florida issues and topics.

                          1. Name/Organization

                             name:                                                                                       title:


                             NOS office (e.g. office/div /branch):.:,

                             phone:                                                 fax:                                                email:

                          2. Regional expertise?

                                                                                                                ............
                             list by number the South F"a
                                                            -hand knowledge
                             regions you havefirst
                             or experience with:

                                 directly


                                                                                                                1. Kissinanee River Basin
                                                                                                                                                                           -2
                                                                                                                2. Lake Okeechobee/Fisheatiqg Creek
                                  indirectly
                                                                                                                3. Upper East Coast/St. Lucie River
                                                                                                                                                                   Z.:
                                                                                                                4. Everglades Agricultural Area
                                                                                                                5. Water Conservation Areas
                                                                                                                6. Big Cypress Watershed
                                                                                                                7. MainInnd portion of Everglades National Park
                                                                                                                8. C-111 Basin/Card Sound/Biscayne Bay/ Florida Keys
                                                                                                                9. Lower Fast Coast Urban Area (Metropolitan Ridge)
                                                                                                                10. Caloosahatchee River Basintgouthwest Florida



                          3. Topical expertise?
                                                                  no. Of                                            no. of                                                no. of
                                                                  years                                             years                                                  years
                                Modeling                                        Marine Chemistry...                                     Marine Biology
                                Env. Monitoring             El                  Geography                                               Fisheries Biology            E]
                                Remote sensmg               F]    -             Cartography                                             Env. Engineer                El
                                Phys. Oceangraphy                 -             Est. /Marine Ecology,,                                  GIs Systems
                                Navigation                        -             Cartography                                             To)dcology
                                Nautical Charting                               :Coastal Zone Mgmt.                                     Computer Science

                                Data Management                                 Env..Assessment                                         Other
                                Satellites                                      .@,Coastal Geology                                      Other-
                                Geodesy                                         Hydrology                                               Other-
                                Coastal Processes           F]                  Jnformatiort Systems            D                       ..Other-



                                                                                                                                                                                               45








                          Appendix C.

                               Inventory of Experienced Personnel                                                                                    page 2

                                4. Specific South Florida projects worked on in the past 4 years?
                                                  project name                   start/completion dates             y-r pri-ary r-j-nsjbffities








                                  3.



                                  4.



                                  5.


                               S. Current assignments/responsibilities?





                                  2.




                                  3.




                                                                                                                                                           j



                               5. Direct supervisor?

                                  name:                                                                  title:


                                  phone:                                     fax:                                   email:

                              6. Comments on South Florida experience?











                         46







          Appendix D. Sample Project Planning Worksheet

            NOS Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project             Contact:
                                                                        Phone:
                                                           NOS OfficelDiv/Branch:

            Project Title
                                                                 on-going E-3 planned El proposed 11
            Description




                                                               date         target users
            Major Products






                           Start Date           Estimate of Total Resources Required FTE Funds
                           Finish Date                         existing/available
                                                               additional required

                                                                      TOTAL


            Partners                                     Lead Support
                                                         1:1  El
                                                         [3   n
                                                         El   F-1
                                                         El   n


            Major Activities                     FY95                FY96              FY97
                                                  A S 101 N D J  F IM A  MI JI I I A S0 N D


                WE





                                                    . . . . . . . . ....
                                                               .J            WMP  IMM



                                                                             ".@RZ MW
                                                                                  Of
                                                     Emma

            Integration: Other NOS Units         FY95                FY96            -FY97
                  unit          Mal.or activity J JAI S 10 ND  J F M A   M J J  A  S 0 N  D


                                                    .....                         ... ..

              ...... ...........



                           Xx
                    ..... ... .
                .. . ....................
                                                   I W1
                                              ''mom


                                                                                               47









                                     Appendix D.



                                                                                                                                                                                                                  ID No.
                                              Personnel Assignments
                                              (Percent M effort by Quarter in 10% increments, eg. 10, 20, 30, etc.)                 FY95                              FY96                           FY97
                                                           Lead Unit                                                                  4th          Ist         2nd           3rd              4th       Ist

                                                            MEMEEMMMMMIM

                                                                                                                                                                  Mm,@



                                                           Other NOS Units                   (include person's name if kno


                                                                                                                                                                                                  . . . . . . . . . . . .






                                                           Other Non-NOS Units               (include person's name if known)

                                                                                                                                                                 "M@ am, aw-,
                                                                                                                                                                      11@1@ @".
                                                                                                                        W
                                                                                                              IMMWM-                                        .1 M-4w                    M. OW

                                            Travel                                                                                                                                       Quarter Trips Scheduled For
                                                                                                                                                No. of Person Trips                  FY95                      6            FY97
                                                        Destination                             Purpose                     Days       0-0_5K 0.5-1K 1-2K                 2 - 4K       4th     1st    2nd      3rd 4th Ist







                                                                               ... ... ....
                                                                                      M,
                                                                               MOM


                                                                                                                                                                                                                   . ........
                                                                                                                                                                                                               ......... . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                                                                                                                                 M:

                                                                                                                                                                                              Quarter To Be ExecuWd
                                             Extramural Contracts                                                                                                                  L FY95                  FY%              FY97
                                                                      Purpose                            Product(s)                  Vendor (if known)                Amount         4th      1st     2nd 3rd         4th   1st





                                                                                                              .............


                                                                                                                                                                                              Quarter To       Executed
                                            External Funds Anticipated                                                                                                               FY95                  FY96             FY97
                                                                    Source                                     Purpose/Obligation                                     Amount         4th      1st     2nd 3rd 4th           Ist

                                                                                                                                                                z":
                                                                                                                                                                                R:




                                                                                                                                                                                              Quarter To Be Executed
                                            Additional Expenditures                                                                                                                  FY95                  FY%              FY971
                                                                                                         lae/Description                                              Amount         4th      Ist     2nd 3rd 4th           Ist
                                                     Printing
                                                                    ..... . . ..... . ...
                                                                               . ......... .... . ................... .
                                                                                                     .................
                                                                                      ......... ..............................
                                                                                      .......... .... . ........
                                                                                      ......... ..... . ..........
                                                                   . ... . ...        .........................................
                                                                                                  ......................
                                                                                                  ........ . ..... .
                                                     Data Acquisition
                                                                       Ix                                                                                                                     M.
                                                                                      ....... .. ..














                                     48









                    The National Ocean Service
                                                                                                @b.-.1,0 an Service


                                                                                     Office of Aeronau ica                                            Office of Ocean             Office of Ocean and
                                                          Office of Coast                                t           Office of Ocean and                 Resources                  Coastal Resource
                                                               Survey                     Charting and                  Earth Sciences                Conservation nd
                                                                                           Ca graphy                                                   Assessme     t                  Management


                                                                                                                                                         Damage Assessment
                                                                                                                                                                Center


                                                                                                                                                             Strate 'c                 Ocean Minerals
                            Photo         etry              Hydrographic                                                    Geosciences                 Envuonmental                    and Energy
                                Di 'sion                   Survey Division                                                 Labora ry                     Assessments                      Division
                                                                                                                                                             Division


                                Systems                     Marine Chart                                                Ocean and Lake                Coastal Monitoring               Sanctuaries and
                              Development                      Division                                                  Levels Div ion                 and Bioeffects               Reserves Division
                                Division                                                                                                              Assessment Division

                                                                                                                        Marine Analysis                   Hazardous                    oastal Programs
                                Geodetic                                                                                                              Materials Response
                            Services Division                                                                          and Interpretation              and Assessment                     Division
                                                                                                                              Division                       Division              CC

                            Spatial Reference                                                                                  Ocean                                                       Policy
                                                                                                                           Observati                                                   Coordination
                            System Division                                                                                   Divisio                                                     Division



                            Observation and
                            Analysis Division






                    Project Team

                    Daniel J. Basta                            SEA Division/ORCA

                    Frank Aikman                               Coastal and Estuarine Oceanography Branch/OES
                    Charles Alexander                          SEA Division/ORCA
                    Walton Campbell                            SEA Division/ORCA (formerly of OES)
                    Douglas Graham                             Photogrammetry Division/NGS
                    Benjamin Haskell                           FKNMS, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division/OCRM
                    Lawrence Pugh                              Coastal Ocean Program Office
                    Dwight Trueblood                           Sanctuaries and Reserves Division/OCRM
                    Robert Warner                              SEA Division/ORCA (formerly of OES)
                    Maureen Warren                             SEA Division./ORCA


                    Additional support was provided by John McDonough and Davida Remer (both from SEA Division)
                    and Pam Rubin (ORCA). For more information, contact Daniel J. Basta, Chief, Strategic Environ-
                    mental Assessments Division, ORCA, at 301 / 713-3000, ext. 197.





























                          koff Or            Florida Keys Ecosystem Integration Project: Establishing NOS Priorities
                                             National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
                                             National Ocean Service
                          "Y-'4r,s' of i$@'  November 1995

                                                                                                                                                           3 6668 00003 5271