Objective: to develop a salient synthesis of ecological data and studies that have been conducted since the 1992 CCMP, with the intent of developing status and trends information.

Work Plan:

* Subtask 4.1 - Conduct science workshop - Organize and conduct a small, focused workshop of invited scientist to discuss the quality and usefulness of particular data sets and to discuss potential options for trend analyses.

* Subtask 4.2 - Coordinate with indicators process - Design the data synthesis so as to complement the ongoing indicators process. Identify where there may be adequate information to support given indicators and where there may not. Consider expanding the science workshop to include discussion of indicators.

* Subtask 4.3 - Synthesize screened data sets - Analyze and synthesize relevant data to produce summary information on the current status of the Bay, Coastal Rhode Island, and their watersheds. Begin discussing a framework for presenting the information so it is understandable and meaningful to lay audiences, including consideration of maps and other graphical communication tools that could be used to educate decision-makers and form the basis for a new State of the Bay Report.

* Subtask 4.4 - Identify data gaps - One of the most important aspects of the data analysis and synthesis will be to not only identify what is known, but also what is unknown or not discernable from the existing data sets. The gap analysis will help in determining the viability of developing a functional decision support process as well as highlighting potential monitoring and research needs.

* Subtask 4.5 - Develop summary report and other deliverables - Describe the process used to consolidate, analyze and synthesize the data. Provide an inventory of the information linked to a database that can be used as a tool for accessing the data in the future. Specific deliverables to include:
* Final written report including data, graphics, maps, and narrative elements describing the ecological state of Narragansett Bay.
* Inventory of important environmental data for the Bay and coastal Rhode Island.
* Article for the Narragansett Bay Journal.
* Two oral presentations on the results of the study to the Administrative Team and Partnership for Narragansett Bay, one at a mid-way point and one near the end of the project.

Schedule:

Project Team:

* Mr. Bruce DiGennaro
Project Manager and Lead Planner
BS Environmental Planning and Management, U.C. Davis 1986
Specialties: Watershed and large-scale ecosystem planning and evaluations; collaborative planning and consensus building; facilitation.

* Dr. John Shuman
Senior Scientist and Water Quality Expert
BA Biology, University of Pennsylvania 1978
Ph.D. Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania 1988
Specialties: Watershed assessment and planning; water quality and limnological investigations; aquatic ecology; strategic planning; interagency coordination, partnership development, and stakeholder involvement.

* Mr. Alan Haberstock
Terrestrial/Wetland Biologist and Riparian Buffer Expert
BA Economics/Environmental Studies, St. Lawrence University, 1985
MS Forest Ecology, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, 1990
Specialties: Riparian buffers; coastal wetlands; shoreline management; soil science

* Ms. Chris Tomichek
Fisheries and Marine Biology
BS Fisheries Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1978
Specialties: Monitoring adult fish populations; field sampling; impact assessment and reporting of ichthyoplankton eggs, larvae, lobster larvae, benthic infauna, trawl, seines, rocky intertidal studies; estimating entrainment, impingement and fish eggs, larvae and adults; knowledge and use of SAS (Statistical Analysis System).

* Mr. Chris Yoder
Midwest Biodiversity Institute (MBI), Center for Applied Bioassessment and Biocriteria (CABB), and Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development (ILGARD), Ohio University
BS Agriculture and Fisheries Management, Ohio State University, 1973
MA Zoology, DePauw University , 1976
Specialties: Ecological indicators, environmental assessments, biological monitoring