WRDA 2000 Initially Authorized Projects:
Adaptive Assessment and Monitoring Program
The Plan recommended an extensive Adaptive Assessment and Monitoring (AA&M) Program be conducted to include system-wide monitoring of the restoration efforts to validate that the goals and objectives of CERP are being met. Appropriate targets, or performance measures, once researched and determined are then monitored over time and reported. Initial feature implementation and the pilot projects provide both early observations and an opportunity to investigate concepts. Data is also created for analysis or modeling with findings that can be applied to refining a design, sequencing or a future phase of the program on a larger scale. This allows for an organized process for confronting and reducing levels of uncertainty on how the natural and human systems will respond to long term CERP implementation.
Given the conceptual nature of the Comprehensive Plan and the need to integrate the monitoring program portion with other efforts, it was difficult to estimate the resources necessary.. However, based on the preparation of the Restudy and other ecologic restoration monitoring programs, such as the Kissimmee River Restoration Project, the estimated annual cost was $10,000,000 for each of the next ten years. For Corps of Engineers programming purposes, this cost is assumed to be a "Construction" cost as opposed to Operation and Maintenance cost, since it is required to advance the project to completion.
More information on CERP Adaptive Management activities can be found at the Restoration Coordination and Verification (RECOVER) program section of the website.
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