IFWLC PROJECT UPDATES PAGE (check for monthly updates)
*The Center was initially referred to as the Instream Flow and Water Levels Conservation (IFWLC) Training Center in the original Feasibility Assessment Report. It is now named:
National Center for Ecologically Sustainable Water Conservation and Management (the Center)
Project Background
October 2023 Update
November 2024 Update
Background
For nearly two decades, interdisciplinary instream flow related conservation (protection, restoration and enhancement) training, research and development services were provided under the direction of the federal Cooperative Instream Flow Service Group (CIFSG) in Fort Collins, Colorado. After that group ceased to exist in 2001, no equivalent centralized uniform source of instream flow and water level conservation (IFWLC) training and support services has been established.
Many who received training by the CIFSG have subsequently retired or moved to other jobs. As a result, this interdisciplinary water conservation field has been losing a central focus, potentially leading to diminished knowledge, mentorship, and leadership for quantifying the effects of water uses, management, and research on effective conservation of instream flow and water levels on fish, wildlife, and habitat.
These and related concerns are being addressed by the Instream Flow Council (IFC) and American Fisheries Society (AFS) through a multi-state conservation grant project to first assess the needs and support for establishing a new IFWLC training, research, and development center (Center), and contingent on positive outcomes of the assessment, develop strategies and pathways forward to establish and operate the Center.
As part of this process, the IFC and AFS established a steering committee (SC) comprised of experts representing governmental, non-governmental, academic, and private sectors with extensive experience in integration of the interdisciplinary development, training, and application of IFWLC methods, and who have remained actively involved in water resource allocation issues.
Steering Committee:
Tom Annear, Doug Austen, Andy Brummond, Daren Carlisle, Christopher Estes, Thom Hardy, Allan Locke, Don Orth, Dudley Reiser, and Clair Stalnaker (former member: Dave Weedman)
October 2023 Update: Instream Flow and Water Level Conservation Center Feasibility Report Completed
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After extensive engagement, the IFWLC Center Feasibility Assessment Report was completed in October 2023 and established the need, support, strategies, expectations, and pathways forward to develop the Center. This document serves as the guiding document through the next steps of development of the Center. Citation: |
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November 2024 Update: Support/Business Plan/Hosting
Support Resolutions/Letters of Support Received to Date
To date, leadership of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), the American Fisheries Society (AFS) and the Instream Flow Council (IFC) adopted the following resolutions:
- Endorse the goals, objectives, conclusions and recommendations of the final October 2023 IFC/AFS IFWLC Training, Research, and Development Feasibility Assessment Steering Committee (SC) Report ; See also NFHP News Article and Wildlife Management Institute News Article
- Their organizations’ support for the IFC and AFS to pursue development of this Center in accordance with the final report’s goals, objectives, and recommendations; and
- Provide their respective organization’s subject-matter expertise and technical assistance resources (via staff and committees) to assist the Center Project SC to develop the Center as appropriate and practicable.
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Support Resolution
American Fisheries Society (AFS) Support Resolution
Instream Flow Council (IFC) Support Resolution
Additional endorsements are anticipated and will be posted when available.
IFWLC Business Plan and Center Governance
A companion IFWLC Center Business Plan and Center Governance (Plan) for financing and governing the Center is under development and is slated for completion by April 2025. There is currently no funding to support the future Center at this stage. Funding sources for the Center are being explored independently of the MSCG project.
The proposed name for the Center included in the Plan is:
National Center for Ecologically Sustainable Water Conservation and Management (Center)
The Plan will also include a summary list of potential qualified host institutions and organizations that expressed their interest to partner with IFC and AFS to physically host/house and operate this Center as a partner with the IFC and AFS or partner with IFC, AFS, and the Host entity to participate as a Center Affiliate.
Process to Solicit Potential Host and Affiliate Entities (NOTICE – TO BE POSTED NOV 2024)
The notice, companion background information, and instructions for the online process to apply to be a Center host (or affiliate) will be posted later this month on this Instream Flow Council web page. It will also be announced and will include a link to this information on AFS’ web site.
Other notices will be circulated by email to IFC’s mailing distribution from IFC’s President (Jason Persinger), and from the MSCG SC members to entities who previously requested the SC to alert them.
Last Updated November 6, 2024