Eco-Logical Webinar
Step 9 of the Integrated Eco-Logical Framework (IEF): Updating the REF and Ecological Data
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Eastern
Presenter: William Ostrum, Federal Highway Administration
Presenter: Meredith Dang, Houston-Galveston Area Council
Table of Contents
Step 9: Updating the REF and Ecological Data
Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
Step 9: Updating the REF and Ecological Data
Slide 1: Eco-Logical Webinar Series: Updating the REF and Ecological Data: Step 9 of the Integrated Eco-Logical Framework
Presenters
- William Ostrum, Federal Highway Administration
- Meredith Dang, Houston-Galveston Area Council
Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Image: Collage of colored photographs of a bridge, a deer, a fish, and a curved rural road from the cover of the report Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects
Slide 2: Steps to Ensure Optimal Webinar Connection
This webinar broadcasts audio over the phone line and through the web room, which can strain some internet connections. To prevent audio skipping or webinar delay we recommend participants:
- Close all background programs
- Use a wired internet connection, if possible
- Do not use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), if possible
- Mute their webroom audio (toggle is located at the top of webroom screen) and use phone audio only
Slide 3: Eco-Logical Updates
- Annual Report describing projects by Implementing Eco-Logical funding recipients (late fall 2014)
- Starter Kit and Practitioners Handbook (fall 2014)
- On-Call Technical Assistance Team (fall 2014)
- SHRP2 C40A Eco-Plan data tool is undergoing open testing (Eco-Plan Advanced)
Slide 4: Step 9: Updating the REF
This Webinar:
- An example of an agency that is updating its REF for new data and needs
- Discussion of actions and strategies that can help keep the REF relevant in decisionmaking
- Presentation: Federal Highway Administration
- Presentation: Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
- Discussion: FHWA/H-GAC
Slide 5: Integrated Eco-Logical Framework (IEF)
- Process to guide transportation and resource specialists in the integration of transportation and ecological decisionmaking.
- Helps identify potential impacts to environmental resources very early in the planning process.
Slide 6: Steps of the IEF (and the Eco-Logical approach)
- Build and strengthen collaborative partnerships
- Integrate natural environment plans
- Create a Regional Ecosystem Framework (REF)
- Assess effects on conservation objectives
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- Partner
- Share Data
- Analyze Effects
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- Establish and prioritize ecological actions
- Develop crediting strategy
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- Identify key sites and actions
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- Develop programmatic consultation, biological opinion, or permit
- Implement agreements, adaptive management, and deliver projects
- Update REF
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- Document
- Implement
- Evaluate
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Slide 7: Step 9: Updating the REF
Image: Graphic of the “Ecosystem Approach” as a cycle diagram illustrating the three steps: Integrated Planning, Mitigation Options, and Performance Measurement
Slide 8: Potential Update Actions
- Expand REF geography and data types
- Incorporate most recent data layers
- Consider effects of implemented transportation and mitigation projects
- Re-evaluate regional environmental and infrastructure priorities
Image: Graphic of two intersecting double-ended arrows
Image: Graphic of a wall clock
Image: Graphic of a stem with two leaves
Image: Graphic of two speech balloons
Slide 9: Performance Feedback in the REF
Image: Graphic of an Example Logic Model for a Wildlife Crossing showing how Inputs, Activities, Outputs, Outcomes, and Impacts lead to Intended Results
Slide 10: Potential Update Strategies
- Regularly-scheduled or real time data updates from partners
- Continued engagement with stakeholders
- Formal (e.g. MOUs, data-sharing agreements)
- Informal
- Performance management and planning that includes ecological data
Slide 11: Eco-Logical Webinar Series: Updating the REF and Ecological Data: Step 9 of the Integrated Eco-Logical Framework
- Mike Ruth, Federal Highway Administration (Mike.Ruth@dot.gov)
- Logan Nash, Volpe Center/USDOT
Volpe, The National Transportation Systems Center
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
Image: Collage of colored photographs of a bridge, a deer, a fish, and a curved rural road from the cover of the report Eco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects
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Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
Slide 12: Eco-Logical
http://www.h-gac.com/eco-logical/default.aspx
Meredith Dang, AICP
Houston-Galveston Area Council
June 25, 2014
Image: The Houston-Galveston Area Council Eco-Logical logo
Image: The Houston-Galveston Area Council logo
Slide 13: Working with Existing Plans
Image: There are four images with arrows leading from one to the next as listed below.
Image: Screenshot of the Eco-Logical: Creating a Regional Decision Support System for the Houston-Galveston Region report
Image: Screenshot of the Executive Summary of the Houston-Galveston Green Infrastructure and Ecosystems Services Assessment report
Image: Screenshot of the Houston-Galveston Regional Plan: Region Vision Future | People Places Prosperity
Image: Logo of the 2040 RTP |The Houston-Galveston Regional Transportation Plan
Slide 14: By 2040 The Region Will Add
- 3.5 million more people
- 306 sq. miles of development
- 8,526 lane miles
Image: Map of the Houston-Galveston area
Image: Photograph of a group of people sitting and standing at a outdoor event
Image: Aerial photograph of a section of a suburban neighborhood
Image: Photograph of four intertwined, elevated concrete highway sections
Slide 15: Can We Also Have This?
Image: Map of the Houston-Galveston area
Image: Photograph of a heron in the wild
Image: Photograph of a runners and a bicyclist using a multi-use path in Hershey Park in Houston, Texas
Image: Photograph of a wetland with a multi-use path across it
Slide 16: Eco-Logical Project Need
- Lack of ecosystem approach to long-range planning
- Coordinating transportation and conservation needs early in the process
Image: Photograph of an open wetland
Image: Photograph of a wetland surrounded by trees
Image: Close-up photograph of the four intertwined, elevated concrete highway sections from Slide 14
Slide 17: Purpose of Eco-Logical
- Decision support system for regional planning
- Inventory of high value environmental resources
- Data clearinghouse for organizations and the public
Image: Photograph of a section of a wetland with cypress trees
Image: Close-up photograph of spider in its web in the forest
Image: Photograph of a field populated with grasses and yellow and white wildflowers
Slide 18: (no title)
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Ecological GIS tool showing different types of Eco Types
Slide 19: (no title)
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Ecological GIS tool showing Cumulative Metric Ratings of Eco Types
Slide 20: (no title)
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Ecological GIS tool showing Weighted Queries for Eco Types
Slide 21: Expanded Mapping
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Ecological GIS tool showing Eco Types for the Original Eco-Logical 8 County project from 2011
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Ecological GIS tool showing Eco Types for the Expanded Sustainable Community 13 County project
Slide 22: Eco-Logical GIS Update for 13-Counties
The Conservation Fund
America's Partner in Conservation
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Ecological GIS tool showing the Eco-Logical features for the original Eco-Logical 8 County project
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Ecological GIS tool showing the Eco-Logical features for the expanded Eco-Logical 13 County project in partnership with the Conservation Fund, including the following additional Eco-Logical Features: Streams, lakes, and floodplains and Corridors
Slide 23: Eco-Logical Services Assessment
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Eco-Logical Services Assessment illustrating areas within the region that have high ecosystem service values
Slide 24: Houston-Galveston Area | Sustainable Communities
Image: Screenshot of H-GAC's Sustainable Communities Our Great Region 2040 Plan
Slide 25: Greener Regions
Image: Screenshot of The “Greener Region” alternative for the H-GAC 2040 Our Great Region Plan
Slide 26: Integration with Future Plans
- Analyze the potential impacts to natural resources
- Capture impacts as a performance measure
Image: The 2040 RTP | The Houston-Galveston Regional Traansportation Plan logo
Image: Screenshot of The H-GAC Environmental Asset Screening Tool
Slide 27: Next Steps
- Regional mitigation plan
- Mitigation banks and credit availability
- Share data and analysis
- Broaden partnerships
Image: The 2040 RTP | The Houston-Galveston Regional Traansportation Plan logo
Slide 28: Questions?
Meredith Dang, AICP
meredith.dang@h-gac.com
713-993-2443
Image: Photograph of a wide, grassy path through woods
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