IFWLC CENTER* PROJECT UPDATES PAGE  (updated Dec 18, 2024)

*The original Center name: the ‘Instream Flow and Water Level Conservation (IFWLC) Training Center’ used in the original Feasibility Assessment Report has been updated to:

National Center for Ecologically Sustainable Water Conservation and Management (Center)   (Check for updates monthly)

NOTICE – RFIQ APPLICATION PROCESS NOW OPEN – INFORMATION BELOW

Page Contents:
Project 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 Multistate Conservation Grant (MSCG) 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)** to execute this project. The SC is 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.

** MSCG Project 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)

 

Center Development Support Resolutions/Letters (Received to Date)

To date, leadership of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), the American Fisheries Society (AFS), the Instream Flow Council (IFC), and the National Fish Habitat Board adopted the following resolutions and provided letters of support:

  1. 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
  2. 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 
  3. 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.

Additional endorsements are anticipated and will be posted on this site when available.

 

UPDATES

October 2023 Update: Instream Flow and Water Level Conservation Center Feasibility Report Completed

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:
Weedman, D., D. Austen, T. Annear, D. Carlisle, C. Estes, T. Hardy, A. Locke, D. Orth, D. Reiser, and C. Stalnaker. 2023. Training, research, and development center to support instream flow and water level conservation: Feasibility assessment. Multistate Conservation Grant Project Number F21AP01124, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration. Instream Flow and Water Level Conservation Steering Committee. Instream Flow Council and American Fisheries Society. 78 p. 

November 2024 Update: Business Plan/Candidate Host & Affiliates Selection

IFWLC Business Plan

A companion IFWLC Center Business 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 (or to serve as a Center Affiliate).

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NOTICE – RFIQ APPLICATION PROCESS NOW OPEN AS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2024

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST & QUALIFICATIONS (RFIQ) TO HOST A NATIONAL CENTER FOR ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE WATER CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT CENTER (CENTER)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 21, 2025, 11:59pm Pacific Time

The RFIQ notice, companion background information, and instructions for the online process and application to apply to be a Center host (or affiliate) are available at https://www.instreamflowcouncil.org/training-center-rfiq/.

This notice will also be circulated by email to IFC’s mailing distribution from IFC’s President (Jason Persinger) or President-Elect (Andy Brummond), and from members of the MSCG Project SC members to entities who previously requested the SC to alert them.  AFS will also post an announcement with a link to this RFIQ information. We apologize if you receive multiple notices of this information.

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December 2024 Update

December 9, 2024 Webinar – Stage One RFIQ National Center for Ecologically Sustainable Water Conservation & Management (Center) Webinar & Other Related Center Project Materials

The IFC/AFS Project Steering Committee hosted a 2-hour webinar on December 9, 2024 to answer questions from potential Host & Network Affiliates (& other stakeholder attendees) related to the Stage One National Center for Ecologically Sustainable Water Conservation and Management (Center) Request for Interest & Qualifications (RFIQ) process and the Center project.

Refer to the RFIQ page for the December 9, 2024 materials:  https://www.instreamflowcouncil.org/training-center-rfiq/

 

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Last Updated December 20, 2024