WATERSHED, SOIL, AND AIR PROJECT PROPOSAL USDA Forest Service, Technology & Development Program
Project Name or Title:	Aquatic Organism Passage Handbook: Planning, Design, and Construction Standards
Submitted by (your name):	John Moran, Fisheries Biologist Erika L. Davis, P.E., Civil Engineer William Medina, P.E., Forest Engineer
Unit name and address:	National Forests in Alabama, 2946 Chestnut St. Montgomery, AL 36107
Telephone:	334-832-4470
IBM or Internet Address:	jmoran@fs.fed.us, erikadavis@fs.fed.us, wmedina@fs.fed.us
Date:	01/03/2008
OVERALL OBJECTIVES/PROBLEM STATEMENT (Describe the problem, how the work is currently being done, and why improvement is needed.)
Currently there is a lot of material addressing design and construction of road/stream crossings for aquatic organism passage (AOP). However, there is no discussion on Forest Service wide standards for parameters such as structure capacities to allow for 25, 50, or 100 year flows, minimum structure widths (e.g. bankfull width + 3 ft, etc.) and so on with respect to AOP. We propose the compilation of planning, design and construction information and the development of Forest and/or Region wide standards in the form of a handbook or manual. Modification and updates of the current FSM/FSH standards should follow. The design criteria should also set baseline conditions required for different categories of aquatic organisms and highlight T&E species. The ‘fish passage design and construction’ training R8 provided was very informative and helpful but the information discussed is not compiled into a single source. In addition many of the AOP practices addresses fish issues only found in certain regions of the United States and exclude other aquatic organisms. The manual would also be helpful to provide information to contractors in the pre-bid phase so they know what standards are required for design and construction on Forest Service projects.
PROPOSED TECHNOLOGY & DEVELOPMENT WORK (Describe your concept of the end product, i.e., a new equipment design, a video production, a guide, etc.)
1. Manual or handbook. 2. CD with summarized guidelines and standards that would guide A/E firms and construction contractors in AOP projects. 3. Website accessible to the public (i.e. Contractors)
POTENTIAL BENEFITS (Describe how this project will improve safety, reduce cost, save time, increase efficiency, provide improved resource management, or increase customer satisfaction.) All newly constructed road/stream structures would meet the same standards for aquatic organism passage. Potentially it could reduce costs by reducing the amount of time spent on the design phase of a project. Training tool on AOP standards and practices for the multiple disciplines involve.