National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

Funding the Natural Resource Challenge

Report to Congress, Fiscal Year 2006
Cover: A mature Cascade frog (Rana 

cascadae) at an ephemeral pond just 

south of Sphagnum Bog in Crater 

Lake National Park during the wetlands inventory.

Geologic Resource Program staff 

assessed a rock fall near a popular 

hiking trail and advised park management on potential future occurrences 

and safety issues at El Morro National 

Monument.

Photo: Deanna Greco, NPS
Funding the Natural Resource Challenge

Report to Congress, Fiscal Year 2006

Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

Washington, DC

U.S. Department of the Interior

National Park Service

Washington, DC
Executive Summary 1

Chapter One: Funding 7

Chapter Two: Measuring Progress 11

Chapter Three: Progress in Protecting Park Natural Resources 15

Park and Regional Programs 15

Natural Resource Program Status 15

Challenge-funded Parks 17

Air Quality Program 18

Air Quality Monitoring and Data Analysis 19

Special Monitoring Themes 19

Night Sky Monitoring Program 19

Ecological Effects Projects 20

Park Air Emissions and Technical Guidance 20

Biologic Resources Management Program 21

Biological Inventories 21

Biological Resource Projects—National Level Support 21

Ecosystem Management and Restoration Program 21

Endangered Species Program 22

Integrated Pest Management 23

Invasive Species Branch 23

Migratory Bird Program 24

Vegetation Mapping 24

Wildlife Health and Management 25

Geologic Resources Program 25

Disturbed Lands Restoration 27

Geologic Education and Outreach 27

Geologic Processes and Features 27

Geologic Resource Evaluation 29

Minerals Management 29

Soil Resources Inventory and Management 30

National Cave and Karst Research Institute 30

National Natural Landmarks 30

Natural Resource Preservation Program (NRPP) 31

 Natural Resource Management Projects 31

Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species Projects 33

Disturbed Lands Restoration Projects 33

Regional Small Parks Block Allocation Projects 34

Regional Program Block Allocation Projects 35

Alaska Special Projects 35

USGS Biological Technical Assistance Agreement—Park-Oriented Biological Support 36

Servicewide Projects 36

Natural Sounds Program 37

Acoustic Monitoring and Information Technology and Management 38

Air Tour Management Program 38

Resource Damage Assessment and Recovery Program 40

Environmental Impact Planning and Compliance 40

Resource Protection Program 41

Water Resources Program 41

Water Resource Projects 41

Water Resource Program Competitive Projects 42

Water Quality Monitoring 42

Water Resource Protection—Aquatic Resource Professionals 42

Watershed Condition Assessment Program 44

Watershed Condition Assessment—Critical Projects 44

Contents
Chapter Four: Progress in Learning About NPS Natural Resources 47

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units 47

Geographic Information System Program 49

Inventory and Monitoring Program 51

Inventories 52

Monitoring 55

Natural Resource Data and Information Program 59

Research Learning Centers 59

Chapter Five: Financial Details 65

Appendixes 77

Appendix A: Natural Resource Challenge Funding History 77

Appendix B: Natural Resource Preservation Program Funded Projects 79

Appendix C: Biological Resource Projects—National Level Support 89

Appendix D: Water Resources Protection Projects—FY 2006 91

Appendix E: USGS—Biological Resources 93
viii Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

If space allows, it is recommended that the text begin on the opposite page and that this page contain photographic or illustrative material. 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 1 

National Park Service (NPS) Natural Resource 

Program funding increases over the past seven 

years have led to significant gains in core mission 

capability through careful design, and efficiencies through cross-program interactions, partnerships, and accountability. Natural Resource 

Challenge increases (2000–2006) are a key 

component of those increases, are making a difference now, and providing the framework to do 

even more in the future.These increases have allowed the NPS to improve a variety of programs 

(see table below).

To date funding increases have included a greatly 

expanded and accelerated Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program with 30 of 32 Networks 

fully funded; 17 Cooperative Ecosystem Studies 

Units (CESU), including 12 with NPS research 

brokers/coordinators; increased expertise in 

parks and Servicewide programs, the Biological Resources Management Program, which 

includes programs for coordinating both native 

and non-native species management and control; 17 Research Learning Centers, encouraging 

research and providing educational support 

through a network of parks; 16 Exotic Plant 

Management Teams; and increases to the Natural 

Resource Preservation Program (NRPP). These 

funding increases allow the National Park Service to develop high quality scientific data, more 

sophisticated information and tools for improved 

management, and in many cases, more costExecutive Summary

Teachers working with the Great 

Lakes Research and Education Center 

learn E.coli sampling protocol during 

an educator workshop near Pictured 

Rocks National Lakeshore. The 

Research Learning Centers encourage 

research and provide educational 

support to parks.

NPS Natural Resource Stewardship Programs1

All numbers shown in thousands of dollars

Program Components

Servicewide Natural Resource Programs

Natural Resource Challenge-Affected Programs

Change in Program 

1999–2006

Air Quality Program 2,407

Biological Resource Management Program 8,776

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units 1 127

Geologic Resources Program 754

Inventory and Monitoring Program 1 37,337

Natural Resource Data and Information Program 1,510

Natural Resource Preservation Program 2,797

Research Learning Centers (15 Centers established)1 0

Resource Damage Assessment & Restoration Program 

(incl. Oil Spill Pollution Act) 

471

Resource Protection Fund 286

Water Resources Program 7,571

Natural Resource Challenge Programs Subtotal 62,036

Non Natural Resource Challenge Programs

Cave and Karst Research Institute 328

Everglades—Comprehensive Restoration Plan (CERP) 4,620

Everglades—Critical Ecosystem Studies Initiative 2,640

Everglades Task Force Support 486

Geographic Information System (GIS) Program [81]

Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program 1 95

Natural Sounds Program

(formerly Overflight Program)

1,199

Subtotal Non natural Resource Challenge Programs 9,287

Subtotal—Servicewide Natural Resource Programs 71,323

National Park System Units, Other Field Units, and 

Central Office Natural Resource Stewardship Programs

43,143

Total Natural Resource Stewardship 114,466

1 Reflects program funding after transfers to parks or regions
2 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

effective approaches for the future. A few specific 

examples of how funding increases are benefiting parks include:

Inventory Program

Numerous species newly discovered to be present in parks and numerous range extensions 

have been documented, as well as discoveries of 

several species new to science. Information developed through the monitoring design process, 

from inventories and ongoing park monitoring 

efforts being integrated into vital signs programs 

is providing important planning and compliance 

information into park resource conditions and 

trends.

• A new fish species, Leslie's cardinalfish, in 

the genus of Ostorhinchus was discovered 

by a Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources biologist in American Samoa. The 

Senior Ichthyologist at the Bishop Museum 

wrote the description and named this newly 

discovered species. The fish has subsequently 

been observed in waters in the Tutuila unit of 

the National Park of American Samoa during 

a routine dive by park marine ecologists. This 

fish lives in deep areas of the reef usually below 

depths of 90 feet.

• The field work for vascular plant inventories 

has been completed for all five Appalachian 

Highland Network parks. To date, 453 species 

of previously-undocumented vascular plants 

have been added to park species lists for Blue 

Ridge Parkway, Big South Fork National 

River & Recreation Area, and Obed Wild 

& Scenic River. This represents a significant 

accomplishment in parks that have each had 

extensive botanical surveys done in the past. 

The most significant find for FY 2006 was a 

white fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia), a candidate for federal listing; found for 

the first time at Big South Fork during network 

inventories. Further searches in 2006, refined 

with predictive GIS habitat models developed 

from characteristics of the originally discovered populations, resulted in the discovery of 

what is either the largest or the second largest 

population of white fringeless orchid known to 

exist.

• The resurvey of vertebrate transects in 

Yosemite National Park, initially surveyed 

in 1911–1920 by Joseph Grinnell of the University of California Museum of Vertebrate 

Zoology, continues to provide detailed information about changes in animal presence and 

elevational distribution. The resurvey has 

documented a shift upward in elevation for 

ranges of four boreal small mammals. Several 

low-elevation species have also expanded their 

ranges upward. Further, some species that 

were previously abundant were rarely found in 

the recent resurveys. Future additional fieldwork will focus on habitats above 9,000 feet in 

elevation, where investigators have observed 

the most significant changes in species distributions.

The Service completed an additional 178 datasets in FY 2006, bringing the total to 1,939 (70.1 

percent) of the outstanding datasets. Some parks 

will require additional time to certify the accuracy of their biological (vertebrates and vascular 

plants) field inventories, even though most of 

those field inventories were completed and data 

sets were available by the end of FY 2005.

Vital Signs Monitoring

Six additional networks were funded for park 

vital signs monitoring in FY 2006, bringing the 

total funded to 30 networks encompassing 251 

parks. This represents 93 percent of parks with 

significant natural resources having funding to 

initiate long-term park vital signs for monitoring. 

By the end of FY 2006:

• 26 networks (255) parks had identified their 

vital signs—the key to a low cost, managementoriented monitoring program.

• 17 networks (157 parks) had implemented vital 

signs monitoring.

• Black bear and hard mast monitoring results 

at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

resulted in improved visitor safety. Monitoring 

data in the annual bait station surveys for bears 

indicated 80 percent visitation, the highest value for this index since data were first collected 

in 1981. Additionally, the annual hard mast surveys indicated reduced acorn crops, especially 

at mid and high elevations. As a result of high 

populations and low food abundance, park 

managers issued a warning in a press release on 

7 September 2006, stating that bears may display bold behavior in contacts with visitors.

• At Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield an 

increase in the population size of the federally 

threatened Missouri bladderpod in 2005 and 

its stability in 2006 has been attributed to the 

restoration of the cultural landscape on Bloody 

Hill. The resulting open savanna provides habitat for the Missouri bladderpod, where it can 

increase in abundance and distribution. Monitoring by the network will continue to provide 

trend information to help guide management 

decisions.

• During 2004–2006, scenes from a total of 214 

historic photographs were re-taken in three 

Southwest Alaska network parks and organized into a database. The primary subjects of 

the photographs are glaciers, ocean shorelines, 

floodplains, volcanic features, landslides, 

During 2004–2006, scenes from a total of 214 historic photographs were 

re-taken in three Southwest Alaska 

network parks and organized into a 

database. Comparison of the old and 

recent photographs reveal that a variety of changes associated with vegetation succession and geomorphic 

processes have occurred within the 

parks. The two photographs above 

show the recession of Spotted Glacier 

in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

Top Photo: Spotted Glacier in Katmai 

National Park and Preserve in a historic photograph from 1895.

Bottom photo: Recession of the Spotted Glacier in Katmai National Park 

and Preserve as revealed by repeat 

historic photography in 2005.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 3

Leslie’s cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus sp.) 

swimming in depth of 98 feet under 

a reef located in the Tutuila unit of 

the National Park of American Samoa. The fish is two inches in length 

and lives in deep areas of the reef, 

usually below 90 feet. This is a new 

species discovered in 2005 and named 

in 2006, it is not known to occur anywhere else in the world.

avalanche chutes, plant succession including 

shrub and tree expansion, and human disturbance. In comparing the old and recent photographs, it is evident that a variety of changes 

associated with vegetation succession and 

geomorphic processes have occurred within 

the parks. Volcanism in Katmai National 

Park and Preserve and Aniakchak National 

Monument and Preserve has created extensive barren landscapes that for the most part 

have been slowly colonized except in favorable 

microsites. Most glaciers have shown dramatic 

retreat since the early 1900s, with newly exposed surfaces becoming rapidly vegetated by 

tall shrubs and trees at low elevations but remaining sparsely vegetated at higher elevations. 

Expansion of trees and shrubs was observed 

in western Katmai, and altitudinal increase 

in treeline was observed at many locations in 

Katmai and Lake Clark National Park and 

Preserve.

As a result of the strategy of building on existing monitoring efforts by parks, other programs, 

and other agencies, and by involving the superintendents and park staff in the planning and 

design of long-term monitoring efforts, the I&M 

networks have played a key strategic role in the 

National Park System as a unifying program that 

has catalyzed collaboration among parks and 

programs, and developed new cost-sharing opportunities with other programs and agencies.

Partnerships

The combination of expanded expertise and activities has assisted in a number of fruitful partnerships, across program areas within the Park 

Service and with outside partners:

• Storm Hazards and Assistance to Incident 

Management Team. The Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Study Unit, Texas A&M 

University, and the Intermountain Fire program worked together to provide data to 

parks impacted by hurricanes Katrina and 

Rita. Researchers worked with the Incident 

Management Team to provide critical data on 

employee locations immediately following the 

evacuation and flooding of the greater New 

Orleans area as well as other communities 

along the Gulf Coast. Data included estimates 

of inundation and damage for each community 

and a database of imagery for the region. These 

data are now being incorporated into the longer term Storm Hazard project where storm 

response plans are being developed for coast 

parks using the spatial databases including 

park data, census data, and past storm history 

data compiled by the Environmental Hazard 

Center at Texas A&M University.

• Chytrid Fungus Inventories. The Southeast 

Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network 

(SECN) has partnered with the USFWS, The 

Atlanta Zoo, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and others to further understand the distribution of a chytrid fungus, an 

amphibian pathogen related to large-scale 

amphibian population declines. The SECN 
4 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

The Southeast Coast Exotic Plant 

Management Team at Congaree 

National Park ready for outreach and 

education at the 2006 Naturefest 

event. Student teams sponsored by 

the Student Conservation Association 

added 18,000 hours treating invasive 

plants in parks. Photo: Theresa Thom

staff sampled and tested several frog and salamander species at five parks in the Southeast 

Region (Cumberland Island National Seashore, Horseshoe Bend National Military 

Park, Timucuan Ecological and Historic 

Preserve, Ocmulgee National Monument, 

and Kennesaw Mountain National Military 

Park) in spring and fall 2006 as part of an ongoing Cooperative Agreement with researchers at the University of Georgia. Preliminary 

results have shown that the fungus is present 

in frog and salamander species at Horseshoe 

Bend. Sampling efforts will be expanded this 

fall at Horseshoe Bend, Kennesaw Mountain, 

and Ocmulgee to more adequately address the 

presence of this disease in SECN parks.

• In FY 2006, the 16 Exotic Plant Management 

Teams treated 14,700 acres, targeting 343 

invasive plant species in over 157 NPS units. 

Student teams sponsored by the Student 

Conservation Association added 18,000 hours 

treating invasive plants in parks. This innovative program won the Take Pride in America 

Volunteer 2006 award with a presentation by 

the Secretary of the Interior.

• The Appalachian Highlands Science Learning 

Center collaborated with numerous partners 

to offer nine bioblitzes in 2006. These were focused citizen science volunteer efforts to help 

researchers conduct field inventories of specific taxa or habitats such as water mites, ferns, 

moths and butterflies, beetles, slime molds and 

species found in the unique habitats of tree 

canopies and karst areas. The thrill of discovery, the newspaper articles that accompany the 

bioblitz and direct public involvement, all lead 

to greater stewardship and an increased sense 

of place that is changing the way the public values national parks.

• With state and federal partners, the Park Service began adaptive management of marine reserves in four ocean parks in 2006. Fishing is a 

traditional use enjoyed by visitors in many park 

units; however, unsustainable fishing practices 

beyond park borders have diminished fishing 

opportunities within many parks. Fish populations in some parks became indistinguishable 

from those around them. Efforts to restore the 

integrity, stability and beauty of depleted ocean 

park resources and safeguard future recreational fishing activities led to changes in fishing regulations in Buck Island Reef National 

Monument, Channel Islands National Park, 

Dry Tortugas National Park, and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. After 

years of civic engagement, fishing was curtailed 

in portions of those parks to allow fish and 

other sea life to increase in size and reproductive capacity, and to restore food webs altered 

by over fishing. The park’s vital signs monitoring programs, coupled with research by USGS, 

NOAA, and universities, are evaluating the 

performance of the reserves and to learn how 

fishing affects ocean ecosystems.

Innovative Approaches

New tools that address ways to disseminate valuable monitoring information to park managers 

and their constituency include:
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 5

• A cyber infrastructure, remote sensor arrays, 

and a dynamic website are being used to provide access to real-time and historic information on southern California coastal ecosystems. 

The California Mediterranean Research Learning Center has developed multiple partnerships 

to serve real-time or close to real-time visual, 

climatic, and acoustical components of the environment on the internet, along with links to 

raw climate and ecological data, long term data 

series (including Vital Signs monitoring), and 

digitized photographs. The effort will expand 

public and student awareness of the Mediterranean ecosystem in this urban area.

• e-Authentication pilot project—In collaboration with the Office of Management and 

Budget and General Services Administration, 

modifications to the NPS Research Permit and 

Reporting System software were implemented 

to accommodate e-Authentication pilot project 

requirements. The Department of The Interior 

uses this e-Authentication pilot project to help 

the federal government progressively respond 

to the President’s E-Government Initiative. 

The Internet-based NPS Research Permit and 

Reporting System receives more than 10,000 

new electronic records from the public annually (comprised of permit applications, issued 

permits, and annual accomplishment reports).

• The IPM Program developed a “Pest Alert” 

system and collaborated with the NPS Reservation System to install it on the new Recreation.gov system which serves DOI, USDA 

Forest Service, Army Corps, and the US Fish 

and Wildlife Service. The Alert, which can be 

update at anytime, informs registering campers 

of pest quarantines or related issues in specific 

states and how their actions can assist in preventing the spread of invasive species.

• The Biological Resources Management Program assisted natural resource management 

staff at Acadia National Park in applying 

human dimensions concepts to management 

of white-tailed deer issues; helped establish 

a “visiting scientist program” associated with 

the Schoodic Education and Research Center 

(science and learning center); and developed a 

research needs assessment (research agenda) 

for the human dimensions of wildlife management.

These are a few of the exciting results of the 

application of new expertise, information, and 

partnerships for improving the management of 

natural resources in units of the national park 

system. In FY 2000, Congress demonstrated its 

commitment to natural resource management 

in national parks through the implementation 

of the Natural Resource Challenge. Since its 

inception, the Challenge has provided tangible 

benefits through information based management, 

increased expertise, partnerships, and resource 

leveraging. The Natural Resource Challenge 

and other funding increases continue to provide 

significant and relevant contributions as the 

Park Service works to meet the expectations 

of the American public and Congress that their 

national parks will remain “unimpaired for 

future generations.”
6 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

If space allows, it is recommended that the text begin on the opposite page and that this page contain photographic or illustrative material. 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 7

This report responds to directions in the House 

Report 106–22 for the FY 2000 appropriations 

for the National Park Service and other Department of Interior and related agencies. In the 

House report, the National Park Service was 

requested to provide information concerning 

the expenditures and related accomplishments 

resulting from a series of increases to Natural 

Resource Stewardship Programs beginning in 

FY 2000, known as the Natural Resource Challenge. This report addresses FY 2006 expenditures and accomplishments for all Natural 

Resource Stewardship Programs, exclusive of Everglades Restoration and Glen Canyon Adaptive 

Management Program, as well as communicates 

the successful implementation of the Challenge 

to date. A detailed history of the Challenge is included as Appendix A.

The Challenge included a series of requests for 

new funding that were designed by field superintendents and subject matter experts to meet 

future natural resource management needs. 

Many of the increases resulted in accelerating or 

expanding earlier programs, while a few resulted 

in entirely new activities. The table below shows 

the funding for Servicewide Natural Resource 

Stewardship Programs, distinguishing those 

affected by Natural Resource Challenge funding, and identifies the funding level for FY 1999, 

the year before the first Challenge increases, and 

FY 2006. Most of the differences where increases are shown were as a result of the Challenge.

Chapter One: Funding

NPS Natural Resource Stewardship Programs

All numbers shown in thousands of dollars/Fiscal Year1

Program Components

Servicewide Natural Resource Programs

Natural Resource Challenge-Affected Programs

1999 2006 Change

Air Quality Program 6,285 8,692 2,407

Biological Resource Management Program – 8,776 8,776

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units 1 – 127 127

Geologic Resources Program 1,918 2,672 754

Inventory and Monitoring Program 1 5,787 43,124 37,337

Natural Resource Data and Information Program 1,510 1,510

Natural Resource Preservation Program 5,432 8,229 2,797

Research Learning Centers (15 Centers established)1 – – 0

Resource Damage Assessment & Restoration 

Program (incl. Oil Spill Pollution Act) 

873 1,344 471

Resource Protection Fund – 286 286

Water Resources Program 4,754 12,325 7,571

Natural Resource Challenge Programs Subtotal 25,049 87,085 62,036

Non Natural Resource Challenge Programs

Cave and Karst Research Institute – 328 328

Everglades—Comprehensive Restoration Plan 

(CERP)

– 4,620 4,620

Everglades—Critical Ecosystem Studies Initiative 1,200 3,840 2,640

Everglades Task Force Support 800 1,286 486

Geographic Information System (GIS) Program 1,336 1,255 [81]

Glen Canyon Adaptive Management Program 1 – 95 95

Natural Sounds Program

(formerly Overflight Program)

200 1,399 1,199

Subtotal Non natural Resource Challenge Programs 3,536 12,823 9,287

Subtotal—Servicewide Natural Resource Programs 28,585 99,908 71,323

National Park System Units, Other Field Units, and 

Central Office Natural Resource Stewardship 

Programs

65,832 108,975 43,143

Total Natural Resource Stewardship 94,417 208,883 114,466

1 Reflects program funding after transfers to parks or regions

SCA Interns Jade McGill and Cara 

Stafford, and Biological Technician 

Amy Whitcomb (from left to right) 

stand next to a pile of bull thistle 

plants they have removed from a recent burned are in the wilderness of 

Bubbs Creek, Kings Canyon National 

Park. Photo: Richard Thiel
8 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

The following table shows FY 2005 funding and 

changes resulting from FY 2006 increases and 

other actions for all of the programs affected by 

the Natural Resource Challenge.

The next three chapters focus on describing the 

accomplishments achieved in FY 2006 through 

the natural resource programs and parks affected 

by the Natural Resource Challenge. Additional 

detail about previous years and allocation of the 

funding within programs are found in Chapter 5 

and several of the appendices.

FY 2006 Changes to Natural Resource Stewardship Programs 1

With Natural Resource Challenge Contributions Highlighted

All numbers in thousands of dollars

Program Components

Servicewide Natural Resource Programs FY 2005 

FY 2006 

Program 

Increases

FY 2006

Air Quality Program 8,773 8,692

 Challenge contribution 2,800 2,800

Biological Resource Management Program 8,475 8,776

 Challenge contribution 7,985 7,985

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units 2 129 127

 Challenge contribution 1,993 1,993

Geologic Resources Program 2,647 2,672

 Challenge contribution 696 696

Inventory and Monitoring Program 39,527 43,124

 Challenge contribution 36,530 3,892 40,403

Natural Resource Data and Information Program 1,505 1,510

 Challenge contribution 1,098 1,098

Natural Resource Preservation Program 12,295 8,229

 Challenge contribution 3 7,372 3,499

Research Learning Centers 2 – –

 Challenge contribution 2,698 2,698

Resource Damage Assessment & Restoration Program 

(incl. Oil Spill Pollution Act) 1,341 1,344

 Challenge contribution 500 500

Resource Protection Fund 290 286

 Challenge contribution 300 300

Water Resources Program 12,436 12,325

 Challenge contribution 7,985 7,985

Cave and Karst Research Institute 4 333 328

Everglades Research and Restoration 4 9,829 9,746

GIS 4 1,273 1,255

Glen Canyon Adaptive Management 4 95 95

Natural Sounds Programs 4 909 499 1,399

National Park System Units, Other Field Units, and Central Office 

Natural Resource Stewardship Programs 106,275 108,975

 Challenge contribution 6,595 6,595

Natural Resource Stewardship Programs 206,127 208,883

 Challenge contribution 76,522 76,552

1 Includes across-the-board reductions and other changes to base, so FY 2006 changes added to FY 2005 will not equal 

the FY 2006 final funding

2 Reflects program funding after transfers to parks or regions

3 Reduced by $3,873 in order to fund I&M networks in FY 2006

4

 Programs not affected by Natural Resource Challenge
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 9
10 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

If space allows, it is recommended that the text begin on the opposite page and that this page contain photographic or illustrative material. 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 11

The National Park Service, like most governmental organizations, is increasingly being charged 

with reporting performance in a measurable way. 

The Government Performance and Results Act 

formalizes reporting requirements and stresses 

measuring performance by tracking outcomes. 

For the natural resources of the National Park 

System, the desired outcome is resources in good 

condition, as defined by the desired condition 

identified in a planning document.

During fiscal year 2005 the National Park Service 

completed its transition to performance goals 

in the 2003–2008 Department of the Interior 

strategic plan. These 14 natural resource-related 

goals focus largely on the end outcome and 

intermediate outcome results linked to desired 

conditions. Although this transition included the 

adoption and reporting to the majority of these 

goals, work continued towards developing baselines and desired conditions for the four land 

health goals applicable to the NPS. During 2005 

only those parks with desired conditions identified in their general management plans, objective 

acreage data for each land type baseline, and 

sufficient information to document the current 

condition of their lands were able to address the 

land health goals. In some instances these desired conditions were so qualitative as preclude 

translation into readily measurable conditions 

for performance management purposes. Work 

continued at the close of the fiscal year to assist 

the majority of parks in meeting these three elements required to adopt and report to the land 

health goals by 2007.

Development of strategic monitoring programs 

began in FY 2001. When fully funded and implemented, a means to measure resource condition 

and performance in connection with resource 

stewardship will be in place for 270 parks organized into 32 geographic networks, although it will 

still require several years to develop statistically 

valid condition trend data. Through FY 2006, 

30 networks (of a total of 32) involving 251 of 

270 parks with significant natural resources 

have been fully funded. The two remaining networks have received initial planning funds. All 

of the fully funded networks have completed 

the vital signs identification phase. At the end of 

FY 2006, 17 networks (involving 153 parks) had 

implemented vital signs monitoring. An interim 

strategy is being developed to use information 

developed through inventories, planning for 

monitoring, and other efforts for to allow reporting on resource conditions over the next several 

years while significant status and trend data are 

being collected.

Of the 10 goals with FY 2006 targets reported 

on in the table below, all were technically met 

or exceeded (the Department considers actual 

accomplishments within 5 percent of the target 

to have been met)—some were exceeded to significant degrees.

The following table shows the relationship of 

natural resource programs to selected Department of the Interior strategic plan goals, i.e., 

goals from the National Park Service FY 2001–

2005 plan that carried over to the 2003–2008 

Department of the Interior plan. All programs 

respond to some elements of the new plan, and 

had specific targets for FY 2006.

Natural Resource Challenge Support for Stewardship of Natural Resources in Parks—Relationships to FY 2006 Strategic Plan Goal Targets

Chapter Two: Measuring Progress

Katie Christenson with eaglet captured for bioaccumulative analysis in 

Saint Croix National Scenic River. Preliminary results from the bioaccumulative contaminants monitoring show 

spatial patterns of mercury and lead 

concentrations in feathers of bald 

eagle nestlings. Bioaccumulative contaminants is one of the 11 Vital Signs 

selected by parks in the Great Lakes 

Inventory and Monitoring Network.
12 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Natural Resource Challenge Support for Stewardship of Natural Resources in Parks—

Relationships to FY 2006 Strategic Plan Goal Targets

NPS Goal Targets for FY 2006

(NPS number/DOI number)

SERVICEWIDE NATURAL 

RESOURCE PROGRAM 

Supporting Park Performance

Goals relating to strategies to restore, maintain, sustain and protect 

resources:

Ia3B/PEM 1.010 78% (28 of 36) of reporting Class I NPS (DOI) lands 

meet ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). (exceeded)

Air Resources

Ia3C/PEM 1.011 88% (23 of 26) reporting Class I NPS (DOI) land meet 

visibility objectives. (met)

Ia1B/PEM 2.004 Invasive Species: 2.29% of park lands (59,464 

cumulative canopy acres of 2.6 million acres) have had plant invasions 

effectively controlled. (met)

Biological Resources 

Management Ia2A./PEM 2.001 Threatened and Endangered Species: 42% of 

federally listed species that occur or have occurred in parks are 

making progress toward recovery [numbers not identified due to 

changing baselines]. (met)

Ia9/PEM 3.004 38% (1,235) of paleontological localities in NPS 

inventory (3,250) are in good condition (met) Geologic Resources

Ia4A/PEM 1.008 98.8% (136,400 of 138,000 miles) of streams and rivers managed by the NPS that meet State and Federal water quality 

standards as defined by the Clean Water Act (met)

Water Resources

Ia4B/PEM 1.008 77.2% (3,678,580 of 4,765,000 acres) of estuaries and 

marine areas managed by the NPS that meet State and Federal water 

quality standards as defined by the Clean Water Act (met)

Goals related to strategy to improve information base, resource 

management and technical assistance

Ib1 Acquire or develop 70.2% (1,942) of outstanding data sets identified in 2002 (2,767) of basic natural resource inventories for all parks. 

(met)

Inventory and Monitoring Ib3A Vital Signs: 88.8% of 270 parks with significant natural resources 

have identified their vital signs for natural resource monitoring. (exceeded)

Ib3B 56.6% (153 of 270) parks with significant natural resources have 

implemented natural resource monitoring of key vital signs (met)
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 13
14 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 15

Park Flight international intern Pablo 

Elizondo from Costa Rica shows a 

child visiting the park with her family how to hold a Chestnut-sided 

Warbler during the public education 

program at Great Smoky Mountains 

National Park. 

Photo: A.C. Super

Chapter Three: Progress in Protecting Park Natural 

Resources

This chapter focuses on Natural Resource Stewardship programs that emphasize the scientific 

investigation, preservation, restoration, and longterm maintenance of park resources. This chapter is organized into ten central program areas 

that include:

• Park and Regional Natural Resource Programs

• Air Resources Program

• Biological Resource Management Program

• Geologic Resources Program

• National Natural Landmarks

• Natural Resource Preservation Program

• Natural Sounds Program

• Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration 

Program

• Resource Protection Program

• Water Resources Program

PARK AND REGIONAL NATURAL RESOURCE 

PROGRAMS

The Natural Resource Stewardship portion 

of the Operation of the National Park Service (ONPS) appropriation, which includes 

Natural Resource Management and Natural 

Resource Research Support, was $208.9 million 

in FY 2006. Many, but not all, of the programs 

involved were affected by Natural Resource 

Challenge funding increases since FY 2000.

Of the total $109 million designated for park and 

regional programs, most of the funding directly 

benefited parks. The Challenge contributed 

approximately $6.6 million in park base increases 

in FY 2001 and FY 2002, which parks continue 

to receive. This report covers all natural resource 

management funding. Since park and regional 

programs represent the largest portion of the 

Natural Resource Stewardship budget, regions 

are asked to provide an annual overview of park 

and regional programs and to identify trends and 

appropriate actions taken.

Natural Resource Program Status

Natural Resource Challenge initiatives continue 

to provide major improvements in how parks 

manage and preserve their natural resources. 

Critically needed basic inventories and monitoring programs have enabled parks to focus their 

natural resource programs on the most at-risk 

resources. Specialists in air and water resources, 

threatened and endangered species, exotic 

invasive plant and animal species, along with 

increased technical support and project funding through the Natural Resource Preservation 

Program, have all contributed to increased science-based decision making. Research Learning 

Centers and Cooperative Ecosystem Study Units, 

interacting and providing a direct link among 

parks, academia and the private scientific community, are attracting more and more key scientists to conduct research in many of the nation’s 

parks. Natural Resource Challenge funding 

continues to be directly responsible for fostering 

partnerships and cost-share relationships that 

otherwise would not be possible. In absence of 

this funding, parks would not be able to respond 

to critical resource issues inclusive of preservation, restoration and recovery which could result 

in loss of species or degradation of habitat.

Regions reported significant accomplishments 

by parks and some of those accomplishments are 

highlighted below. Regions and parks also note 

increased constraints on park natural resource 

programs due to across the board rescissions and 

inflationary pressures on fixed costs. Competition for funds, both government and non-governmental, increases as resource managers adapt 

to meet the challenge of protecting resources.

Examples of the progress that park and regional 

personnel have made through the use of Challenge funding in natural resource management 

include:

Inventories:

• New Fish Species Discovered in American 

Samoa. A new fish species in the genus Ostorhinchus was discovered by Department of 

Marine and Wildlife Resources biologist, Leslie 

Whaylen, in American Samoa. The fish has 

subsequently been observed in waters in the 

Tutuila unit of the National Park of American 

Samoa during a routine dive by park marine 

ecologists. This fish lives in deep areas of the 

reef usually below depths of 90 feet.

• Vascular Plant Inventories Document Rare Orchid Species. The field work for vascular plant 

inventories has been completed for all Appalachian Highlands Network parks. To date, 453 

species of previously-undocumented vascular 

plants have been added to park species lists for 

Blue Ridge Parkway, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild 

and Scenic River. This represents a significant 

accomplishment in parks that have each had 

extensive botanical surveys done in the past. 

The most significant find for 2006: White 

fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia), a 

candidate for federal listing; found for the first 
16 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

time at Big South Fork NR during network 

inventories. Further searches in 2006, refined 

with predictive GIS habitat models developed 

from characteristics of the originally discovered populations, resulted in the discovery of 

what is either the largest or the second largest 

population known to remain in existence for 

this species anywhere within its range.

• Chytrid Fungus Inventories. The Southeast 

Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network 

(SECN) has partnered with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, The Atlanta Zoo, Georgia 

Department of Natural Resources, and others 

to further understand the distribution of a chytrid fungus, an amphibian pathogen related to 

large-scale amphibian population declines. The 

Network sampled and tested several frog and 

salamander species at five parks in the Southeast Region (Cumberland Island National 

Seashore, Horseshoe Bend National Military 

Park, Timucuan Ecological and Historic 

Preserve, Ocmulgee National Monument, 

and Kennesaw Mountain National Military 

Park) in spring and fall 2006 as part of an ongoing Cooperative Agreement with researchers at the University of Georgia. Preliminary 

results have shown that the fungus is present 

in frog and salamander species at Horseshoe 

Bend National Military Park. Sampling efforts 

will be expanded fall 2007 to more adequately 

address the presence of this disease in SECN 

parks.

Monitoring:

• Ocean Monitoring and Preservation. With 

state and federal partners, the Park Service 

began adaptive management of marine reserves 

in four ocean parks in 2006. Fishing is a traditional use enjoyed by visitors in many park 

units; however, unsustainable fishing practices 

beyond park borders have diminished fishing 

opportunities within many parks. Fish populations in some parks became indistinguishable 

from those around them. Efforts to restore the 

integrity, stability and beauty of depleted ocean 

park resources and safeguard future recreational fishing activities led to changes in fishing regulations in Buck Island Reef National 

Monument, Channel Islands National Park, 

Dry Tortugas National Park, and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. After 

years of civic engagement, fishing was curtailed 

in portions of those parks to allow fish and 

other sea life to increase in size and reproductive capacity, and to restore food webs altered 

by over fishing. The park’s vital signs monitoring programs, coupled with research by USGS, 

NOAA, and universities, are evaluating the 

performance of the reserves and to learn how 

fishing affects ocean ecosystems.

• Black bear and hard mast monitoring results at 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park results in visitor safety warning. Monitoring data 

in the annual bait station surveys for bears indicated 80 percent visitation, the highest value 

for this index since data were first collected in 

1981. Additionally, the annual hard mast surveys indicated reduced acorn crops, especially 

at mid and high elevations. As a result of high 

populations and low food abundance, park 

managers issued a warning in a press release on 

7 September 2006, stating that bears may display bold behavior in contacts with visitors.

• Spadefoot toad monitoring at Cape Cod National Seashore leads to enhanced resource 

protection. Data collected during development of the amphibian monitoring protocol 

indicated that Cape Cod National Seashore’s 

Province Lands support perhaps the largest 

concentration of Eastern spadefoot toads in 

the northeastern United States. Monitoring 

revealed a high mortality rate of spadefoot 

toads on park roads during rainy nights. The 

study demonstrated that Province Lands Road, 

which bisects an area of temporary wetlands 

used by spadefoots, had a particularly high 

number of incidents. Based on the monitoring results, park managers have implemented 

a program of targeted road closures on rainy 

nights to protect spadefoots. The park is conducting ongoing monitoring to refine and determine the effectiveness of this management 

action.

Protection and Restoration:

• Stream Corridor Restoration within Newly 

Acquired Properties at Buffalo National River. This project addresses accelerated rates of 

stream bank erosion and lateral channel migration that have adversely impacted natural river 

processes. This is being accomplished through 

the re-establishment of natural processes and 

erosion rates. Severely eroding banks were 

selected for revetment treatments using a 

scorecard developed by the park staff based 

on past revetment success. Corridor restoration was accomplished through the planting 

of 10,000 native hardwood seedlings, including Green Ash, White Oak, and Red Oak. The 

project exceeded its objectives for length of 

bank stabilized. A 75–80 percent success rate is 

expected.

· Redwood National and State Parks partnered with a local non-profit restoration organization and adjacent industrial timberland 

owner to reduce sediment threats from roads 

in the Coyote Creek watershed. Reducing sediment threats in the watershed helps protect 

park resources including downstream alluvial 

old growth redwood groves and habitat for 

White fringeless orchid (Platanthera 

integrilabia), a candidate for federal 

listing, was found for the first time 

at Big South Fork National River during Appalachian Highland Inventory 

and Monitoring Network inventories. 

Further searches in 2006, refined 

with predictive GIS habitat models, 

resulted in the discovery of either the 

largest or the second largest known 

population. Photo: Tom Barnes, 

University of Kentucky

Data collected during development of 

the amphibian monitoring protocol 

indicated that Cape Cod National 

Seashore’s Province Lands support 

perhaps the largest concentration 

of Eastern spadefoot toads in the 

northeastern United States. Monitoring revealed a high mortality rate of 

spadefoot toads on park roads during 

rainy nights. Based on monitoring 

results, park managers implemented 

a program of targeted road closures 

on rainy nights to protect spadefoots. 

Photo: Brad Timm
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 17

three species of salmonids listed as threatened 

under the Endangered Species Act. The project 

entailed the removal of about six miles of roads 

on Green Diamond Resource Company lands 

that were abandoned, located on unstable 

slopes and posed a high threat of eroding and 

delivering sediment to the creek. An additional 

one mile of road on park lands was decommissioned and one and a half miles of park roads 

were upgraded. The upgraded roads are part 

of an historic ranching district and erosion 

control treatments included replacing undersized and failing culverts and improving road 

surface drainage. The project was completed 

in September, 2006. Redwood National and 

State Parks will continue to implement similar 

projects throughout the Redwood Creek watershed as part of a cooperative erosion control 

and water quality protection program.

Challenge-funded Parks

The Natural Resource Challenge supported 

base funding increases for 36 national parks in 

FY 2001 and FY 2002. The increases were primarily directed at invasive species control and 

threatened and endangered species restoration 

and recovery, but also focused on other native 

species efforts and basic natural resource capability for small parks. The funding became a permanent part of the parks’ base funding.

Total Natural Resource Management base funds 

available in FY 2006 to these 36 parks was approximately $16.8 million. More than 39 percent 

of that funding came from the Natural Resource 

Challenge program. Funding levels for 24 of the 

parks ranged from $58,000 to $500,000.

Sixteen of the 36 parks reported net decreases to 

their programs, from FY 2005 to FY 2006, ranging from less-than-one to 159 percent. Of the 

parks reporting decreases, 11 experienced significant decreases of 5 percent or more with 4 experiencing decreases of greater than 50 percent. 

Fourteen parks reported increases ranging from 

less-than-one to 37 percent. Six parks reported 

exactly the same funding as the previous year. 

The overall program experienced an increase in 

funding from FY 2005 to FY 2006 of $1,754,362 

or 10 percent.

Natural Resource Challenge funding greatly 

strengthens the ability of parks to address the 

most critical problems in natural resources 

management. However, many parks continue to 

report they are experiencing difficulties retaining 

funds for natural resource programs due to the 

absorption of fixed costs and other higher priority needs. In all cases it is clear that the results of 

the Challenge are positive, clearly demonstrated 

by the accomplishments reported. Accomplishment highlights include:

• Padre Island National Seashore received a 

Natural Resource Challenge (NRC) Park Base 

Increase for Endangered Species to establish a 

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Monitoring Program 

in 2002. As a result of the NRC base increase, 

the park was able to partially fund the hiring 

of 12 seasonal GS-04 Biological Technicians 

Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings 

are released on the beach at Padre 

Island National Seashore during filming for ABC World News Tonight in 

2005. The number of Kemp’s ridley 

nests found during FY 2006 was the 

highest ever recorded at the park (64) 

and nesting is increasing.
18 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

and other staff that worked with the Kemp’s 

ridley program in 2006. Sea turtle monitoring and science efforts were enhanced, and 

community and partner participation in this 

work expanded. The number of Kemp’s ridley 

nests found during FY 2006 was the highest 

ever recorded at the park (64) and nesting is 

increasing. This record more than doubles the 

previous park record of 28 and constitutes 62.7 

percent of the 102 Kemp’s ridley nests found 

in Texas and 59.3 percent of the 108 Kemp’s 

ridley nests documented in the U.S. Numbers 

recorded during FY 2006 and recent years indicate that a nesting colony of this endangered 

species is becoming re-established at PAIS and 

PAIS is the most important Kemp’s ridley nesting beach in the U.S.

· At 62,000 acres, Santa Cruz Island is the largest 

of the five islands comprising Channel Islands 

National Park. Island-wide projects have 

included the reintroduction of bald eagles, 

relocation of golden eagles, restoration of the 

federally endangered island fox, and the eradication of feral pigs—the last of the large, introduced non-native animals in the park. Feral 

pigs posed the biggest threat to the Santa Cruz 

Island ecosystem. They aggressively rooted in 

the soil for food which destroyed native vegetation (including 9 listed plant species), facilitated the spread of invasive weeds, destroyed 

ancient Chumash archeological sites, caused 

widespread erosion, and attracted Golden 

Eagles which then fed on the endangered 

island fox. The Natural Resource Challenge 

funded park-base increase for the Santa Cruz 

Island Primary Restoration Plan—Feral Pig 

Eradication was $490,400 and was first allocated to the park in FY2002. The base increase 

has become the primary funding source for the 

park’s Santa Cruz Island Restoration program, 

and has allowed the park to achieve significant 

milestones in feral pig eradication. As of July 

2006, pigs were functionally removed from all 

5 zones on the island. A total of 4,963 pigs were 

removed. In all zones the eradication advanced 

from the “Hunting Phase” to the “Monitoring 

Phase” meaning that the only pigs expected to 

remain on the island were regularly monitored 

radio-telemetered individuals. As of the end of 

FY 2006, there were 69 radio-monitored "Sentinel Pigs." Twelve of these are wearing GPS 

collars.

AIR RESOURCES PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $8,692,000

The National Park Service Air Resources Program is responsible for preserving, protecting, 

and enhancing air quality and air quality-related 

values in the National Park System by ensuring 

compliance with the requirements of the Clean 

Air Act and the National Park Service (NPS) 

Organic Act. The Air Resources Program places a 

heavy emphasis on the collection of credible air 

quality information for parks to support scientifically sound resource management decisions. 

Program activities supplemented by funding 

from the Natural Resource Challenge represent 

a substantial effort to gather information on the 

condition of natural resources, enhance park 

managers’ ability to make informed decisions on 

natural resource protection and management, 

and pursue collaborative efforts with regulators, 

the scientific community, and other stakeholders 

to improve air quality in parks. Air Resources 

Program highlights for FY 2006 include:

• Each of the Department of the Interior air 

quality goals were exceeded: 80 percent of 

reporting Class I areas are in compliance with 

air quality standards (goal was 78 percent), and 

100 percent are meeting visibility objectives 

(goal was 88 percent).

• Several ecological effects studies funded 

through the NPS Servicewide Comprehensive 

Call have been completed in the last two years; 

scientists conducting projects in Joshua Tree, 

Rocky Mountain, Acadia, and Great Smoky 

Mountains National Parks have published 

findings from these studies in peer-reviewed 

literature or in book chapters.

• The Air Resources Program collaborated with 

several park areas (Acadia, Great Smoky 

Mountains, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks) regarding their respective ozone 

health advisory program. Parks issue ozone 

advisories when ozone levels reach unhealthy 

levels to alert park visitors and employees of 

potentially unhealthy conditions. The Air Resources Program also provided assistance for 

the design and development of an air quality 

interactive kiosk information system at Sequoia 

and Kings Canyon National Parks. This program educates park visitors about air quality 

issues in these parks. Visitors are encouraged 

to explore various resource impacts on touch 

screen displays. The interactive kiosk is very 

popular with visitors and is located in the 

Grants Grove Visitor Center.

Representative air quality monitoring was conducted in or near 80 park units. Eight of these 

parks had short-term monitoring conducted 

with portable units. Data relevant to resources 

sensitive to air pollution are also collected at 

various parks. Commensurate analyses are either 

conducted or facilitated by the Air Resource 

Program on the causes and effects of pollution 

on these resources. Because the National Park 

Service is not an air regulatory agency, the Air 

Resource Program relies mainly on non-regulaTop: Great Smoky Mountain National 

Park on a clear day.

Middle: Great Smoky Mountain National Park on a day with moderate 

air quality.

Bottom: Great Smoky Mountain National Park on a day with extremely 

poor air quality. All three images are 

from the IMPROVE website: http://

vista.cira.colostate.edu/improve/

The Air Resources Program collaborated with several parks, including Great 

Smoky Mountains, on their ozone 

health advisory programs. Parks issue 

ozone advisories to visitors and staff 

when ozone reaches unhealthy levels 

in the parks.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 19

Sediment sampling at Rocky Mountain National Park for the Western 

Airborne Contaminants Assessment 

Project (WACAP).

tory approaches to achieve air quality goals.

Air Quality Monitoring and Data Analysis

The Air Resources Program operates a network 

of ambient air quality monitoring sites in units 

of the national park system. The parameters that 

are currently measured include ozone and/or dry 

deposition as part of the Clean Air Status and 

Trends Network (CASTNet), wet deposition as 

part of the National Atmospheric Deposition 

Program/National Trends Network (NADP/

NTN), mercury under the Mercury Deposition 

Network (MDN), and visibility and particulate 

matter as part of the Interagency Monitoring of 

Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE).

Funding for monitoring equipment, installation 

and data analysis is covered and obligated under 

Servicewide contracts or cooperative agreements 

and managed by the Air Resources Program. 

Also, partners—in particular, EPA—contribute 

substantially to monitoring costs ($2 million 

per year). Budget adjustments over past years, 

combined with increasing operational costs, 

resulted in a need to reduce the amount of 

monitoring in a few parks, to employ less expensive monitoring equipment in some areas (e.g., 

portable ozone samplers), and to pursue opportunities to leverage resources with state and local 

agencies.

Special Monitoring Themes

While mercury occurs naturally, human activity 

can release additional mercury into the environment. The ambient concentrations of mercury 

are usually low, but deposition of mercury into 

lakes and streams can trigger biological processes 

that cause it to bioaccumulate in fish and animals. This accumulation can be harmful to both 

the host and any organism that may consume it. 

The Natural Resource Challenge has provided 

the opportunity for the Park Service to conduct 

mercury monitoring at select locations. This 

monitoring is being conducted in cooperation 

with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, Mercury Deposition Network (MDN).

Natural Resource Challenge funds are also used 

for partial support of the “Western Airborne 

Contaminants Assessment Project” (WACAP), a 

six year project initiated by Air Resources Program in FY 2002. The objective of the WACAP 

is to inventory airborne contaminants in national park ecosystems using a network of eight 

“primary” parks (Sequoia, Rocky Mountain, 

Denali, Noatak, Gates of the Arctic, Olympic, 

Mount Rainier, and Glacier National Parks) in 

the western U.S. to provide spatially-extensive, 

site-specific, and temporally-resolved information regarding the exposure, accumulation, and 

impacts of airborne toxic compounds.

Night Sky Monitoring Program

The Night Sky Monitoring Program conducted 

by the NPS Night Sky Team seeks to protect, 

restore and inventory night sky quality in parks. 

Protection and restoration of night sky conditions are accomplished primarily through educational outreach and technical assistance to 

parks and communities surrounding parks. In 
20 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

FY 2006, inventories were completed in 11 parks 

bringing the total completed to 27.

Additionally, nine inventories were initiated, 

bringing the total in progress to 17. Automated 

data collection and processing software was 

written in 2006, enabling the program to provide 

reports to parks with shorter turnarounds and 

less staff effort. FY 2006 brought the development of a Night Sky website on the NPS Air 

Resources Program system (http://www2.nature.

nps.gov/air/lightscapes/index.cfm). Scientific and 

management goals were accomplished through 

several partnerships, including a pilot data collection program for the USDA Forest Service, a 

collaborative agreement with New Mexico State 

Parks, park lighting standards development with 

the International Dark-Sky Association, and scientific research with the U.S. Naval Observatory.

Ecological Effects Projects

The Air Resources Program continued to support ongoing and new projects to assess air pollution impacts on national park ecosystems in 

FY2006. Accomplishments include:

• Big Bend National Park: “Study Effects of 

Atmospheric Nitrogen and Climate Change 

on Desert Ecosystems.” This project seeks to 

understand the impacts of nitrogen deposition on microbial and soil nitrogen dynamics 

within the sotol-grasslands and high elevation 

oak-pine forests, and the impacts of changes 

in precipitation timing and amounts on plant 

growth, soil nutrient and microbial dynamics. 

This research, conducted in cooperation with 

Texas Tech University, is part of a larger tenyear effort to examine anthropogenic impacts 

and climate change. During FY 2006 project 

assessment of microbial and plant physiological responses at project sites were conducted.

• Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: “Study 

the Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants on Invasibility of Panne Vegetation.” This project 

assesses the concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals and nitrogen deposition in 

dune wetlands (pannes). Through controlled 

field experiments, the threshold levels of atmospheric nitrogen deposition that result in plant 

community shifts are being investigated. This 

study is being conducted in cooperation with 

Purdue University.

• Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Parks: “Characterize Aquatic Air Quality 

Related Values (ARQV) Potentially Affected by 

Atmospheric Deposition and Develop longTerm Protocols to Track and Refine AQRVs at 

Mount Rainier and North Cascades National 

Parks.” Stream chemistry, aquatic biota, and 

sediment data were collected and assessed to 

determine the state of science for pollution 

loading impacts for these two parks.

• Rocky Mountain and Glacier National 

Parks: “Evaluation of Long-Term Species 

Changes and Response to Nitrogen Fertilization in Alpine Plant Communities.” The 

purpose of this research is to perform on-site 

experiments to establish critical nitrogen loads 

for alpine vegetation response (changes in species abundance, diversity).

• Congaree National Park: “Influence of Sediment Microbial Community Structure on Mercury Methylation at Congaree National Park.” 

The purpose of this project is to develop an 

understanding of the microbial controls that 

link atmospheric-derived mercury deposited 

in the park to the formation of toxic methylmercury that poses a threat to ecosystem and 

human health. The project was completed in 

FY 2006 and an article on the results will be 

submitted for publication to the journal Wetlands. The results of the study suggest that the 

park has several mechanisms that inherently 

limit the availability of methyl mercury to fish 

populations. This project was conducted by 

the U.S. Geological Survey.

• Grand Teton National Park: “Assess the 

effects of nitrogen deposition on alpine vegetation.” The objective of this project is to 

evaluate the effects of atmospheric nitrogen 

deposition on the structure and function of alpine ecosystems through a combination of field 

measurements and experimental manipulation 

of nitrogen loadings in alpine sites receiving a 

range of ambient nitrogen deposition loadings. 

In FY 2006, field plots were established and 

snow, soil, and vegetation sampling was conducted. The samples will be processed at Utah 

State University for chemical analysis.

Park Air Emissions and Technical Guidance

The only air pollution sources the National 

Park Service has direct control over are those 

originating from within parks. Few parks had inventoried emission sources prior to 2000. Since 

2001, criteria air pollutants (CAPs) have been 

inventoried in 48 NPS units. Since 2003, greenhouse gas emissions have also been inventoried 

in seven parks.

There is a wide variety of air emission sources 

across the parks—from generators and fuel 

tanks, to mobile sources, to woodstoves and 

prescribed or wildfires. Parks may have marine 

vessels, snowmobiles and aircraft. Campfires also 

emit air pollutants in amounts capable of being 

estimated. Some parks have specific recommendations to reduce park emissions, including:

• Replace two-stroke engine-powered snowmo-
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 21

At Lassen Volcanic National Park a 

female California spotted owl roosts 

in a tree. In FY 2006 researchers completed a two-year study to determine 

the abundance and reproductive 

status of California spotted owls. In 

total, five pairs of California spotted 

owls were located, but no successful 

nesting was documented.

At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 

201 Myrsine lanaiensis were planted 

in 4 dry ohia woodland sites. Prior 

to the project, only 1 individual was 

documented in the park. Plants established in the seed orchards will 

provide source material for future 

large-scale restoration projects.

Both projects were funded through 

Biological Resource Projects—National 

Level Support competitive funds.

ological archive, and 2) certify park lists of vertebrate and vascular plants that contributed in 

part to reporting under performance goal 1a01.

• Provided technical assistance to Capitol Reef 

National Park and six other national park 

units on the Colorado Plateau improving the 

design and methods of a study to determine 

mountain lion distribution ensuring efficient 

and effective collection of data. The revised 

project protocols in partnership with the U.S. 

Geological Survey were shared with other 

mountain lion studies on the Colorado Plateau. 

• Met with Olympic National Park staff and 

potential partners during the annual Elwha 

River Research Consortium Meeting to begin 

developing a full-scale All Taxa Biotic Inventory (ATBI) at Olympic. This ATBI would be 

equivalent to the highly successful ATBI at 

Great Smoky Mountains. The Olympic inventory would serve as a prototype ATBI for western NPS units.

Biological Resource Projects—National Level 

Support

Biological Resource Management Program competitive funds are used for biological resource 

projects that address issues facing various park 

units and benefit multiple partners. These projects address a myriad of resource management 

needs for aquatic or terrestrial plants and animals throughout NPS units. A complete list of all 

projects is in Appendix C.

Ecosystem Management and Restoration 

Program

The Ecosystem Management and Restoration 

Program(EMR) continues to balance its role 

of national program management with providing direct support to park-specific needs. EMR 

provided consultations to 17 parks in 12 states, 

through site visits and email to address topics 

such as:

• Assess hurricane damage and general natural 

resource management needs;

• Review of management and restoration planning;

• Recommendations for assistance from subject 

matter expertise;

• Recommendations from current scientific 

sources;

• Soil sampling and analysis; and,

• Assistance with funding proposals.

The availability of appropriate plant materials 

(i.e., seed or seedlings) for site and disturbancespecific needs adversely affects re-vegetation and 

restoration projects. EMR continues to work 

with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation 

Service and USDA Forest Service to identify exbiles owned and operated by the Park Service 

in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Crater Lake 

National Parks and Denali National Park 

and Preserve with more efficient and less polluting four-stroke engine-powered snowmobiles;

• Use of biodiesel fuels in NPS vehicles and 

non-road equipment where biodiesel is available and cost-effective, such as Great Smoky 

Mountains National Park; and

• Expand application of stabilizing dust palliative 

on the remainder of the unpaved park road in 

Denali National Park and Preserve.

BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 

PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $8,776,000

Created in FY 2000 as part of the Natural 

Resource Challenge, the Biological Resource 

Management Program provides professional, 

science-based support and programs with expertise which cannot be effectively or efficiently 

provided at the park or regional level. Some of 

the support provided by the program includes:

• Biological Inventories

• Biological Resource Projects—National Level 

Support

• Ecosystem Management and Restoration Program

• Endangered Species Program

• Integrated Pest Management

• Invasive Species Branch—Animal and Plant 

Programs

• Migratory Bird Program

• Vegetation Mapping

• Wildlife Health and Management

Biological Inventories Program

The Biological Inventories Program provides 

leadership and technical support to document 

the presence, absence, distribution and abundance of all species and sub-specific organisms 

in all NPS units. To accomplish this, the Biological Inventories Program 1) develops and maintains national information and analysis tools related to biological inventories; 2) facilitates field 

studies on the presence, absence, distribution 

and abundance of organisms in parks; 3) provides technical expertise in designing studies and 

analyzing biological inventory data; and 4) develops and facilitates partnerships that contribute to 

biological inventories in parks. 

Highlights from FY 2006 include:

• Provided technical assistance to the inventory 

and monitoring program networks to 1) upload 

data collected from biological inventories in 

parks to NPSpecies, NatureBib and a digital bi-
22 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges 

tsugae, is a serious pest of eastern 

hemlock and Carolina hemlock. In the 

eastern United States, it is present 

from northeastern Georgia to southeastern Maine and west to eastern 

Tennessee. Invasive Animal Program 

staff supported hemlock wooly adelgid treatment in multiple parks.

Photo: Conneticut Agricultural Experiment Station Archives.

pertise and resources for parks.

Highlights from FY 2006 include:

• Livestock Grazing Coordination—The Coordinator conducted the first Servicewide workshop on livestock grazing which was attended 

by over 50 NPS staff.

• At Big Thicket National Preserve assisted 

managers in identifying priority response 

needs for natural resources after Hurricane 

Rita.

• At Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site supported invasive plant control 

in preparation of a participatory approach to 

integrated roadside vegetation management in 

2007.

• At Zion National Park, Delaware Water Gap 

National Recreation Area, and San Antonio 

Missions National Historical Park, identified 

and coordinated support (including technical input) of local expertise to work with park 

management issues and research projects.

Endangered Species Program

The Endangered Species Program continues to 

make progress in improving the condition of 

federally listed species in national parks, exceeding its GPRA goal for the fifth consecutive year. 

Because candidate species are also priorities in 

most parks, the program has begun an evaluation of candidate species with primary habitat 

in a national park in conjunction with the Fish 

and Wildlife Service. The Park Service has 437 

threatened, endangered, proposed, experimental, managed via conservation agreement, and 

candidate species. They are represented in 1,172 

current or historic populations in 193 units. The 

status of listed species and the expenditures on 

them in each park are updated and summarized 

annually in the NPS ESA Database. The program 

has funded conservation needs for eight taxa 

groups. Mammals and birds represent 24 percent 

of the listed species in parks and draw 60 percent of the funding reported by parks. The database is providing information that could be used 

to change this trend.

The National Park Service is continuing several 

efforts to save federally listed plants. In a cooperative agreement in 2006, three Chicago Botanical Garden interns specializing in botany were 

placed at Craters of the Moon National Monument, Gateway, and Glen Canyon National 

Recreation Areas.

The Endangered Species Program provided technical assistance on listed species to several NPS 

units:

• Advised the following parks on issues involving genetics: Point Reyes National Seashore, 

exotic deer; Rocky Mountain National Park, 

canid identification from scat; Badlands 

National Park, bighorn sheep; and Yellowstone National Park, bison.

• At Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the 

program reviewed the Off Road Vehicle (ORV) 

plans, the biological assessment, and FWS biological opinion on those plans to limit beach 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 23

access during nesting seasons for piping plovers and other shore birds.

• At the request of Everglades National Park, 

the program participated in a meeting to determine the fate of habituated Florida panthers 

using an area that included a residential environmental education facility.

• At Death Valley National Park, continued assistance was provided for the Devils Hole pupfish by initiating a structured decision-making 

process.

• At Channel Islands National Park, the program continued to advise the park on genetic 

management of the small populations of an 

isolated endangered subspecies of the island 

fox.

Integrated Pest Management Program

The NPS Integrated Pest Management Program 

(IPM) celebrated its 35th year of reducing risks 

to people, resources and the environment from 

pests and pest related management strategies. 

The Servicewide IPM Coordinator, Regional and 

Park IPM Coordinators provide technical expertise and policy guidance on the management of 

pest species. Organisms are considered pests if 

they interfere with the management objectives 

of a specific site in a park or jeopardize human 

health or safety. Pests may be native or nonnative 

species. The integrated pest management process 

involves the coordinated use of pest biology, human behavior, site ecology, monitoring, action 

thresholds, and available techology to detect, 

prevent , and effectively manage pests using cost 

effective means and posing the least possible risk 

to visitors, employees, and park resources.

Highlights from FY 2006 include:

• The IPM Program developed a “Pest Alert” 

system and collaborated with the NPS Reservation System to install it on the new Recreation.gov website which serves DOI, USDA 

Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Alert, 

which can be update at anytime, informs registering campers of pest quarantines or related 

issues in specific states and how their actions 

can assist in preventing the spread of invasive 

species.

• Servicewide, the IPM Program reviewed 2,399 

pesticide use proposals in 2006, 155 of these 

required review by the national coordinator 

because they involved threatened or endangered species, aquatic systems, aerial application, restricted use pesticides, or were applied 

to over 400 contiguous acres.

• IPM Principles training was given to nearly 100 

employees from natural and cultural resources, 

maintenance, and concessions programs. The 

IPM staff also provided IPM training sessions 

at the DOI Museum Property Management 

Workshop and the Cultural Resources Vanishing Treasures Workshop.

• Provided technical pest management assistance 

to 105 requests from more than 30 NPS units 

in 25 states. Four were external requests where 

consensus and cooperation is essential in order 

to manage pests that move from federal into 

private lands.

• Coordinated management of risks from 

mosquito-borne disease with Yavapai County 

Public Health Program and Tuzigoot National 

Monument personnel.

Invasive Species Program

The Invasive Species Program serves NPS lands 

by providing a wide range of innovative and 

science-based services and policy guidance to 

manage invasive species on park lands. Focal 

points of the program include: the Invasive Animal Program and the Invasive Plant Program. 

The Invasive Animal Program includes Forest 

Health projects funded through grants from the 

USDA Forest Service. The Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) Program is a major component of the Invasive Plant Program.

Invasive Animal Program

The Invasive Animal Program advises and assists 

parks and regional offices, and provides national 

leadership on issues and management related to 

invasive animals and ecosystem restoration.

Highlights from FY 2006 include:

• Conducted Eythrina gall wasp control in Kalaupapa National Historical Park to save the 

native williwilli tree.

• Supported hemlock wooly adelgid treatment 

in Morristown National Historical Park, 

Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge 

Parkway, Delaware Water Gap National 

Recreation Area, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

· Conducted southern pine beetle control in Big 

Thicket National Preserve.

· Staff secured a recreation fee funding of 

$455,000 to address the recently discovered 

outbreak of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) in eastern and western parks. The first year focus is in 

three critial parks in California where forests 

are at risk: (1) Point Reyes National Seashore

where SOD is already present but where detailed delineation is needed, (2) at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

where the objective is to detect first arrival of 

SOD, and (3) Redwood National Park where 

arrival of SOD is imminent.

· Staff supported Yellowstone National Park in 
24 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

developing and implementing a boater education program at Yellowstone Lake where the 

objective was to prevent the introduction of invasive aquatic plants and animals into Yellowstone waters. Over 800 visitors were contacted 

during the 2006 summer session.

Invasive Plant Program

The Invasive Plant Program advises and assists 

parks and regional offices, and provides national 

leadership on issues and management related to 

invasive plants and ecosystem restoration. Effective management of park invasive plant programs 

requires well informed and trained personnel. 

The program is currently leading an effort with 

professional societies, universities, and other 

agencies to develop training opportunities for 

park personnel in the eastern states.

The Exotic Plant Management Teams (EPMT) 

are an integral part of the invasive species program for the National Park Service. They were 

established to provide a framework and a first 

response to exotic plant invasions in parks. The 

16 teams are stationed across the country and 

are serving regional networks of parks. Each of 

the teams is headquartered in a park and serves 

multiple parks over a wide geographic area. The 

activities of the teams are coordinated through a 

steering committee, consisting of representatives 

from each of the parks the team serves. In addition to project work, teams provide technical 

assistance to parks, regions and the Inventory 

and Monitoring networks in invasive plant management. Teams spend: between 5–20 percent of 

their time on inventories, 5–20 percent on monitoring, 5–15 percent on prevention and cooperative efforts, 60–85 percent on control and less 

than 10 percent on research.

Highlights for FY 2006 include:

• The Park Service signed a Cooperative Agreement with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to enhance respective missions to protect 

native plants.

• A NASA funded collaboration between NASA, 

USGS, and the Park Service utilizes invasive 

species habitat models and remote sensed 

fire products to assess fire - invasive species 

interactions in parks, including Yellowstone, 

Grand Teton, Sequoia/ Kings Canyon, 

Denali, and Gates of the Arctic National 

Parks, as well as Yukon-Charley Rivers 

National Preserve.

• The 16 Exotic Plant Management Teams treated 14,700 acres, targeting 343 invasive plant 

species in over 157 NPS units. Student teams 

sponsored by the Student Conservation Association added 18,000 hours treating invasive 

plants in parks. This innovative program won 

the Take Pride in America Volunteer 2006 

award with a presentation by the Secretary of 

the Interior.

• The Northern Great Plains EPMT assisted 

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site with prairie restoration.

• The Colorado Plateau team completed removal of tamarisk at all known sites in Colorado 

National Monument.

• The Southeast EPMT completed the initial 

treatment of the Brazilian pepper tree on the 

Western Mainland Tract of Canaveral National Seashore. This 4,000 acre tract, jointly 

managed by the Seashore and the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is habitat for the 

federally listed Florida Scrub jay.

Migratory Bird Program

The Park Flight Migratory Bird Program works 

to protect shared migratory bird species and 

their habitats in U.S. national parks. The program 

also develops bird conservation and education 

projects, and creates opportunities for technical exchange and cooperation between U.S. 

national parks and protected areas or parks in 

Latin America and the Caribbean. Park Flight is 

a partnership between the National Park Service, 

National Park Foundation, American Airlines, 

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. 

Agency for International Development, and the 

University of Arizona. The program is made possible through the generous support of American 

Airlines, the NPS Natural Resource Challenge, 

and the Park Flight partners. Technical direction 

is provided by the University of Arizona Desert 

Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit 

and the NPS Biological Resource Management 

Program.

As part of the Park Flight technical exchange effort, 12 international interns from 8 Latin American countries and one from Canada assisted with 

bird monitoring and education efforts at 8 NPS 

units. These interns, whose involvement was 

coordinated through the NPS Office of International Affairs International Volunteers in Parks 

program, contributed more than 4,297 hours 

valued at more than $77,518.

Vegetation Mapping Inventory Program

The Vegetation Mapping Inventory Program 

classifies, describes, and maps vegetation communities in parks. Park managers utilize the vegetation data to address land management issues 

such as fire, risk reduction, and public safety in 

wildland-urban interface zones. In FY 2006 the 

program invested $4.5 million in existing and 

start-up inventories, and an additional $250,000 

in Inventory funds to augment the efforts at 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 25

Grand Canyon National Park and the Upper 

Columbia Basin Network (UCBN). The UCBN 

funding enabled the scoping meeting and collaborative efforts with the surrounding Bureau 

of Reclamation and tribal entities. The result was 

a favorable collaborative effort in the design and 

proposed coverage of the vegetation inventory of 

the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

(above Grand Coulee Dam in Washington) and 

neighboring environs having local and significant effects on park resources. Work also began 

in Craters of the Moon National Monument 

& Preserve, Minidoka Internment National 

Monument, Hagerman Fossil Beds National 

Monument. Additionally, the program provided 

start-up technical assistance to 8 networks (15 

park units) for imagery, sampling, and budgetary 

guidance.

At the start of FY 2006, the Park Service had 

99 ongoing vegetation mapping projects funded 

and began an additional 15 inventories. A major 

FY 2005 effort to start inventories now absorbs a 

large percentage of the remaining project funds 

annually to continue those ongoing efforts. Every 

year, new start proposals are received, ranked, 

and funded. In FY 2006 the program met the 

GPRA target of completing 80 vegetation inventories.

Wildlife Health Program

The Wildlife Health Program provides professional veterinary and wildlife management expertise to parks and regions on wildlife diseases 

and their management, preventive health actions, 

fertility control methodology, field anesthesia, 

and animal welfare issues. The Wildlife Health 

Team is a component of the Wildlife Health Program and provides rapid veterinary assistance, 

and other technical assistance necessary for 

wildlife disease management, with current emphasis on chronic wasting disease (CWD).

Through a cooperative agreement with Cornell 

University, the Biological Resource Management 

Program has access to expertise in the human dimensions of wildlife management from a Student 

Career Experience Program (SCEP) employee 

and the student’s major professor. This year, the 

SCEP student began her third year of investigations into the human dimensions of white-tailed 

deer management in NPS units in the eastern 

United States. By integrating the biological and 

human dimensions of managing deer impacts, 

this project seeks to develop a model to improve 

NPS ability to respond to wildlife management 

needs of park units across the country. In-depth 

studies were performed at Fire Island National 

Seashore, Valley Forge National Historical 

Park, and Prince William Forest Park.

The Wildlife Health Program provided Servicewide leadership in addressing highly pathogenic 

avian influenza in wildlife, chronic wasting 

disease and other wildlife health issues on NPS 

lands. Highlights include:

• Developed plans to guide park preparedness, communications and response to highly 

pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wildlife. 

Provided training and assistance in establishing 

surveillance for HPAI in wildlife to multiple 

NPS units nationwide.

• Provided $55,000 in funding to support environmental compliance for chronic wasting 

disease management planning at Antietam and 

Monocacy National Battlefields and Shenandoah National Park.

• Provided project management for the Elk 

Management Plan at Wind Cave National 

Park and contributed significantly to development of culling and disease management aspects of the draft plan.

• Performed diagnostic investigation into the 

cause of mortality from 128 wildlife cases submitted from 18 parks in 5 of the NPS Regions 

and facilitated sample submission to other 

laboratories, including cases from the remaining 2 NPS Regions. Performed diagnostic tests 

for chronic wasting disease on an additional 

87 cases and investigated disease exposure using serology on an additional 326 animals.

• Facilitated the safe and effective capture of 

wildlife by providing onsite field anesthesia 

training and assistance on three major capture 

projects at Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and 

Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks.

• Assisted natural resource management staff 

at Acadia National Park in applying human 

dimensions concepts to management of whitetailed deer issues; helped establish a “visiting 

scientist program” associated with the Schoodic Education and Research Center (science 

and learning center); and developed a research 

needs assessment (research agenda) for the human dimensions of wildlife management.

• Coordinated with the Environmental Quality 

Program and Biological Resources Management Program Wildlife Ecologist to proactively 

address a potential burgeoning white-tailed 

deer issue at Blue Ridge Parkway.

GEOLOGIC RESOURCES PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: 2,672,000

The Geologic Resources Program provides 

support to parks on a broad range of geologic 

science and minerals management activities. It 

coordinates Servicewide functions and provides 

park managers with geoscience and regulatory 

expertise related to cave and karst systems, 

coastal and surficial geologic processes, dis-
26 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

turbed land restoration, fossil resources, geologic 

hazards, soil resources management, environmental effects of mineral extraction, mineral 

extraction technology and engineering, and 

associated NPS policy and legal authorities to 

enhance resource management decisions.

The creation of the Geologic Resources Program 

and advances in NPS resource management 

resulting from the Natural Resource Challenge 

have lead to an increase in geoscience expertise 

in the Park Service. In 1995, when the Program 

was created, there were fewer than 70 geology 

specialists working in the Service. Now there are 

over 100 geoscientists working across the National Park System, with almost 60 in park-based 

positions. These geoscience specialists provide 

unique expertise to manage projects and to collaborate with non-NPS geoscience organizations.

The Program’s functions and FY 2006 accomplishments are summarized below under six 

broad program areas:

• Disturbed Lands Restoration

• Geologic Education and Outreach

• Geologic Processes and Features

• Geologic Resource Evaluation

• Minerals Management

• Soil Resources Inventory and Management

In addition to these program activities, the 

Program is leading NPS efforts to develop the 

National Cave and Karst Research Institute.

In FY 2006, the Program was actively involved in 

park management projects across the National 

Park System, ranging from coastal management and hurricane response to disturbed lands 

restoration to fossil resource protection and 

the permitting of mineral operations. Partner 

organizations, such as the American Geological Institute, Geologic Society of America, U.S. 

Geological Survey, and State Geologic Agencies 

have facilitated geologic research, education and 

interpretation efforts and leveraged NPS funds 

for park resource management projects.

The Geologic Resources Program directly assists 

NPS in meeting its Strategic Plan goals. Program 

staff serves as the Servicewide coordinators 

for the NPS Disturbed Land Restoration and 

Paleontology goals. The NPS performance in 

2006 under GPRA Goal Ia1A—Disturbed Lands 

Restoration was restoration of 1730 acres for a 

cumulative total of 10,600 acres (2.4 percent of 

At Coronado National Monument, 

Geologic Resource Program staff 

evaluated several landslides and 

debris flows resulting from record 

precipitation.

Photo: Dave Steenson, NPS
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 27

437,150) reclaimed since 2004. The NPS in 2006 

met the target with 3 percent or 14,000 disturbed 

acres restored. The FY 2006 Strategic Plan target 

for Goal Ia9 - Paleontological Localities was to 

have 38 percent of documented paleontological 

localities in parks in good condition, which the 

NPS met with parks reporting 42 percent (1,369 

of 3,250 localities) in good condition.

Highlights of program accomplishment in 

FY 2006 include the following:

• Coastal geology staff continued to provide 

support to parks recovering from the series 

of major storms in 2005, including Hurricane 

Katrina that made landfall on units of Gulf 

Islands National Seashore and Jean Lafitte 

National Historical Park and Preserve.

• Disturbed land restoration staff managed 

$795,000 in Servicewide NRPP restoration 

project funding for 13 park projects, distributed through five NPS regions. These projects restored hundreds of acres of severely disturbed 

land.

• Technical support to 6 parks addressed geologic hazards. Staff assessed a rock fall near a 

popular hiking trail and advised park management on potential future occurrences and safety issues at El Morro National Monument, 

evaluated several landslides and debris flows 

resulting from record precipitation at Coronado National Monument, assessed rock fall 

hazards at cave entrances and safety mitigation 

recommendations at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Cumberland Gap National 

Historical Park, evaluated the potential for 

persistent rock fall stemming from an earthquake at Acadia National Park, and assessed 

geologic processes and associated impacts 

from anthropogenic development factors at 

Hot Springs National Park.

• The Program’s coastal geology staff coordinated the first Resource Advisor Workshop for 

Hurricane (All Risk) Response. The 36 participants were instructed in preparing for assignment to an incident, health issues, and protocol 

for interactions with an Incident Command 

Team.

Due to across-the-board reductions in FY 2006 

coupled with personnel cost increases and existing base funding limitations, the Program relied 

on over $65,000 in funding from other sources 

in FY 2006, including other natural resource 

programs, parks and external agencies to provide 

critical geologic resources management assistance and support services to parks. In addition, 

park requests for technical assistance were not 

undertaken due to limited staff availablity.

Disturbed Land Restoration/Abandoned Mineral 

Lands Reclamation

Projects restored hundreds of acres of severely 

disturbed land. FY ’06 examples include: the restoration of the abandoned Gaylor Pit in 

Yosemite National Park; restoration of a former 

landfill at the Bradford Tract in Prince William 

Forest Park; restoration of stream banks and 

river corridor in newly acquired lands in Buffalo National River; protecting genetic diversity 

through prairie restoration on disturbed lands in 

Saint Croix National Scenic River; land restoration following environmental remediation on 

the Presidio of San Francisco; removal and restoration of the Old Pinnacles Road in Pinnacles 

National Monument; restoring the hydrologic 

function for fish, wildlife and vegetation on the 

upper Hoh River in Olympic National Park; 

and reclaiming the abandoned Ames Mine to 

protect endangered Virginia Big-Eared bats in 

New River Gorge National River. Program restoration and reclamation specialists responded to 

over 25 technical assistance requests.

Geologic Education and Outreach

Program staff manages the Geoscientists-in-theParks (GIP) partnerships, working with professional geologic organizations and the academic 

community to meet the large backlog of park 

geoscience needs. In FY 2006 31 geoscientists 

were placed in parks, directly benefiting visitors 

through interpretive and research activities. An 

example of GIP projects and the collaboration 

in FY 2006 includes the Association for Women 

Geoscientists sponsored placements at Golden 

Gate National Recreation Area to assist development of a bathymetric map and the estimation of sediment storage within Rodeo Lake 

and Lagoon. This project meshes with another 

to determine the sediment budget for the area’s 

watershed. The information gathered will be applied to management actions to reduce sediment 

and restore wildlife and fisheries habitat.

Geologic Processes and Features

Caves and Karst

The NPS manages over 121 parks containing 

karst and cave features. Highlights for the year 

include:

• Prepared an assessment of caves and recommendations for cave resources management 

planning at Glacier National Park, and developed an initial cave search and rescue plan 

to provide for visitor safety and cave resource 

protection for Gap Cave at Cumberland Gap 

National Historical Park, both with the assistance of cave staff from Carlsbad Caverns 

National Park; 

• Provided support to cave resource manage-
28 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

ment planning at Coronado National Monument and Dinosaur National Monument, a 

proposed lighting project at Carlsbad Caverns 

National Park, and conducted an inventory 

and protection of John Brown’s Cave at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

Coastal Geology

The Program’s coastal geology staff provides 

technical support and programmatic guidance 

to over 74 NPS units with coastal and lakeshore 

geology concerns. During 2006, program staff 

focused on continuing to help park units respond to and recover from the series of major 

storms that hit in 2005, including Hurricane Katrina that made landfall on the Mississippi units 

of Gulf Islands National Seashore and in Jean 

Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. 

Highlights include:

• At Gulf Islands National Seashore staff provided extensive technical and programmatic 

guidance to both the park and NPS senior 

management on post-hurricane coastal geology resource protection and Santa Rosa Island 

infrastructure repair and replacement alternatives.

• Conducted a hurricane response meeting 

which provided 36 NPS employees with Incident Command System and Resource Advisor 

training. The training was of especial benefit 

to Fort Pulaski National Monument staff enabling them to more effectively respond to natural and cultural resource impacts when a spill 

in the Savannah River oiled the park shorelines 

and marshes in July 2006.

• As a result of the ongoing USGS-NPS “Vulnerability of Coastal Resources to Climate 

Change” project assessments of vulnerability to 

sea-level rise were published for Glacier Bay 

National Park and Preserve, Golden Gate 

National Recreation Area, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, and Point 

Reyes National Seashore.

• At Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area staff oversaw a study to determine 

the impact of boat wake on park resources.

Geohazards

The Geologic Resources Program provides 

technical rock mechanics and safety engineering assistance to many park managers for the 

assessment of a variety of geohazards. The goal 

of assessing geohazards is to minimize property 

damage and injury to visitors and staff. Geologic 

hazards pose a constant threat in NPS areas 

where geologic features are often the primary 

reason for the creation of many of our units 

in the National Park System. At the very least, 

geologic features often play an integral role in 

the siting of park roads and facilities. The program provides assistance to park units that find 

it necessary to mitigate geohazards. Teamwork 

amongst parks, the program and geology experts 

from other government agencies has proven to 

be an effective way to deal with the geohazard 

issues.

Examples of technical support for FY 2006 

include:

• Assessment of a rock fall near a popular hiking 

trail at El Morro National Monument.

• Evaluation of several landslides resulting from 

record precipitation at Coronado National 

Monument.

• Appraisal of rock fall hazards at cave entrances 

at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and 

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

• Advised park staff on the possibility of persistent rockfall problems from an earthquake at 

Acadia National Park.

• Evaluated rockcuts, associated hazards, and 

impacts to hydrothermal resources at Hot 

Springs National Park.

Paleontology

Diverse fossil resources have been documented 

in 181 parks and include plants ranging from microscopic algae and pollen to leaves and petrified 

logs, and animals ranging from marine shells to 

dinosaurs to Ice Age mammals, as well as trace 

fossils such as vertebrate tracks, burrows and 

coprolites. Program staff serves as the Servicewide coordinator for GPRA Goal Ia9 - Paleontological Localities, which measures the condition 

of documented paleontological localities (in-situ 

fossil sites) in parks. In FY 2006, the Service exceeded its Goal Ia9 target of 1,235 (38 percent) 

documented paleontological localities in parks 

in good condition. Parks reported 1,369 (42 percent) of the 3,250 baseline localities Servicewide 

in good condition, meaning that human activity 

is not adversely affecting the fossil resources, 

sufficient scientific information on the localities 

is available for resources management decisionmaking, appropriate management actions are being taken to protect and preserve resources, and 

the localities provide opportunities for further 

scientific research.

In FY 2006, paleontology literature research 

and summary reports were initiated on the Chihuahuan Desert, Southern Colorado Plateau, 

San Francisco Bay, and Pacific Islands I&M 

Networks comprising 40 parks. The Program 

also provided technical support to 6 parks and 

1 national natural landmark on paleontological 

resources management issues in FY 2006.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 29

Geologic Resource Evaluation

The Geologic Resource Evaluation (GRE) program, funded by the Natural Resource Challenge 

through the Inventory and Monitoring Program, 

provides digital geologic maps and geology-related information to parks. The program helps 

park managers integrate the use of geologic resource information in resource management decisions. The program provides parks with three 

main products: an onsite scoping meeting with 

park staff and geologic experts to evaluate and 

discuss the park’s geologic resources and related 

resource management issues, along with investigating existing geologic research and paper 

maps; a comprehensive digital geologic map; and 

a comprehensive geologic report.

Highlights from FY 2006 include:

• Onshore and nearshore geologic maps provided new information for coastal park management. For example, new landform mapping 

was begun at Assateague and Canaveral National Seashores to assess shoreline changes, 

work was initiated at Gulf Islands National 

Seashore to study and document Hurricane 

Katrina impacts, and new benthic habitat mapping was aided at Biscayne National Park.

• Geologic maps funded through the GRE 

program continue to be a significant tool for 

hydrologic studies at several parks. In addition 

to providing the framework to understand 

groundwater flow, entire karst ecosystems 

have been identified using the information 

contained in the bedrock geologic maps. NPS 

Water Resources Program staff often use the 

GRE maps for groundwater modeling, such as 

at Montezuma Castle National Monument, 

and to identify potential ground water impacts 

from neighboring industrial activity, such as at 

Monocacy National Battlefield.

• Geologic maps remain the basic tool for identifying and evaluating geologic hazards such as 

rockfalls, slope failures, and mass wasting. In 

2006, there were significant geologic hazard 

impacts adjacent to Yosemite National Park

and Coronado National Monument, where 

both parks have maps completed or nearly 

completed for use in restoration efforts.

• Evaluation of external mineral development 

potential is facilitated by geologic mapping, 

such as in and around Fort Union Trading 

Post National Historic Site to help delineate 

potential oil and gas development and impacts 

on lands adjacent to the park.

• Critical habitat and wetlands occurrence can 

be identified with geologic research and mapping of floodplain landforms, as is being done 

to assist park resource managers at Congaree 

National Park.

• Park staff are using surficial geologic mapping 

by the Kansas Geologic Survey to determine 

the potential locations of archeological resources at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

Minerals Management

Currently, thirty NPS units contain nearly 750 

active private mineral exploration or development operations, most of which involve the production of oil and gas. Private entities that hold 

property rights to oil, gas, and other minerals 

located inside parks must obtain NPS approval 

of development plans and performance bonds 

before initiating mineral related activities. In 

2006, staff assisted park managers by reviewing 

11 new oil and gas proposals covering 16 operations in four parks.

On lands adjacent to parks, the NPS works with 

other federal and state permitting agencies, along 

with mining project proponents, to have park 

protection measures incorporated in mineral 

leasing or other energy development decisions. 

In 2006, Program staff assisted park and regional 

offices as well as other federal and state agencies on a variety of projects, such as Tennessee 

Valley Authority’s draft Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS) for the Koppers Coal Reserve 

adjacent to Big South Fork National River and 

Recreation Area and the proposed rezoning and 

expansion of a limestone quarry adjacent to 

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. Other 2006 highlights include:

• Program staff worked closely with the Solicitor’s Office to defend the NPS in a lawsuit filed 

by the Sierra Club over the NPS’s interpretation and application of the directional drilling 

provision in the Service’s nonfederal oil and 

gas regulations at the Big Thicket National 

Preserve. The provision encourages operators 

to access their nonfederal oil and gas rights 

in a park from surface facilities outside park 

boundaries using directional drilling techniques.

• At Chaco Culture National Historical Park, 

the Program assisted park staff in authoring 

a letter for the Superintendent’s signature informing BLM of NPS concerns about several 

potential oil and gas lease parcels directly adjacent to the park which resulted in the parcels 

being withdrawn from consideration from 

leasing pending further environmental and cultural resource study.

• At Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, the Program identified NPS regulatory authorities as well as possible environmental impacts related to the proposed Outer 

Brewster Island Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 

The Geologic Resource Evaluation 

scoping session at Montezuma Castle 

National Monument allowed park 

managers and geologic experts to 

work together to evaluate the park's 

resources and its management issues. 

Geologic maps created as a result of 

this process continue to be a significant tool for groundwater modeling 

at the park.

At Big South Fork National River and 

Recreation Area Geologic Resource 

Program staff continued to play an 

important role in the development 

of an Oil and Gas Management Plan 

for the park. Working with park and 

Environmental Quality Program staff, 

the Program provided strategies to 

improve the efficiencies and effectiveness of the approach taken in the 

plan to assure it addresses the unique 

oil and gas management challenges 

facing the park.
30 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

terminal. NPS concerns communicated to state 

and FERC regulators were instrumental in the 

postponing of this project for the foreseeable 

future.

• At Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 

Program staff helped respond to a June 2006 

spill of several tons of drilled material from an 

upstream gold mine into park waterways. 

• In Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River, 

Program staff continued to play a pivotal role 

in the development of an Oil and Gas Management Plan for the two parks. Working with 

park and Environmental Quality Program staff, 

the Program provided strategies to improve the 

efficiencies and effectiveness of the approach 

taken in the plan to assure it addresses the 

unique oil and gas management challenges facing these two parks.

Soil Inventory Program

The Soil Inventory Program operates extensively 

through a partnership with the U.S. Department 

of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation 

Service (NRCS) and the National Cooperative 

Soil Survey to undertake soil surveys in parks. 

Through this partnership, the program helps 

parks secure the information needed to manage 

soil sustainability and to protect water quality, 

wetlands, vegetation communities, and wildlife 

habitats. The information also assists in the control of exotic species and establishment of native 

communities, as well as management of potentially high-use or developed areas in the park 

(e.g., visitor centers, campgrounds, trails, access 

roads). This directly contributes to the achievement of NPS GPRA goal Ib1 (natural resource 

inventories).

As of the end of FY 2006, 100 NPS units have 

a completed soil inventory, with an additional 

124 parks underway. Soil scoping sessions were 

initiated for two parks in 2006, and technical assistance was provided to an additional four parks 

on the use of the completed soil resource inventories for a wide variety of soil resource management issues.

The soil inventory for San Juan Island National 

Historical Park illustrates how this program 

helps to advance the achievement of GPRA Goal 

Ib1. This comprehensive project, completed 

in 2006, was mapped by NRCS at a detailed 

scale of 1:12,000 and generated comprehensive 

descriptions of soil types and their physical, 

chemical, and biological properties. As an aid to 

understanding the unique soil forming factors in 

the area, the soil map integrated geomorphic, climatic, hydrologic, vegetative, and land use history information. In addition to the soil map, park 

managers received a detailed soil survey report 

which contains special soil interpretations for a 

variety of ecological and restoration applications. 

The park will use the inventory to provide a soil 

resource baseline to assist in an ongoing prairie 

restoration project, addressing impacts on soil 

resources from invasive animals and plants, and 

for information and education purposes.

National Cave and Karst Research Institute

FY 2006 was a transitional year in the development of the National Cave and Karst Research 

Institute (NCKRI). The legislation that directed 

the NPS to establish the Institute near Carlsbad, New Mexico, also included direction that 

the Service jointly administer the Institute with 

another private entity responsible for day-today administration. This management plan was 

brought to fruition in FY 2006 with the formal 

transfer of administrative responsibility to New 

Mexico Tech and the creation of a broad-based 

Board of Directors to guide the Institute. The 

NCKRI Executive Director position was transferred to New Mexico Tech, and their recruitment action resulted in the October selection of 

Dr. George Veni as the full time director, to begin 

duty in early 2007.

In FY 2006 the effort to construct a NCKRI 

building, jointly funded by National Park Service 

and the State of New Mexico and led by the 

City of Carlsbad, met with some setbacks due 

to receiving initial bids that greatly exceeded 

the available budget. Soon thereafter, the death 

of the primary architect resulted in the need to 

restart the architectural design and construction 

bidding process. However by the close of the 

fiscal year, the building efforts were moving forward again with assistance from the NPS Construction Office and Denver Service Center.

The Institute continued to extend its network of 

partners in 2006 through a variety of efforts. In 

2006, the Institute’s lecture series continued to 

provide a wide verity of informative lectures to 

the general public and members of the cave and 

karst community.

NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARKS

FY 2006 Allocation: $496,000

Funding for the National Natural Landmarks 

(NNL) Program was reduced by approximately 

50 percent in FY 2006, which necessitated 

staff reductions through buyout authority and 

placement of NNL staff in other programs. Active monitoring and support of conservation at 

existing Natural Landmarks were reduced to 

correspond with the availability of fewer travel 

and project dollars. Evaluation of one potential 

National Natural Landmark was contracted, 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 31

using funding that was dedicated for NNL 

evaluations in previous years. The first new National Natural Landmark in over 18 years was 

designated. A multi-year project to revise the 

boundaries of 66 National Natural Landmarks 

was completed with Secretarial approval of the 

recommended revisions. A new process was 

established to obtain review of proposed Landmarks by the Science Committee of the National 

Park System Advisory Board, and the full board. 

The annual NNL photo contest was held for the 

third straight year, followed by production and 

distribution of the 2007 NNL calendar using the 

winning photos.

NATURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION PROGRAM 

(NRPP)

FY 2006 Allocation: $8,229,000

Resource management continues to emerge as 

a highly technical field with resource managers having to develop new and complicated 

solutions to evolving issues. Increased fixed 

costs and significant funding constraints have 

severely limited the ability of parks to address 

both new and chronic management issues. As 

a result, parks need access to dedicated project 

funding. The major source of such funds is the 

Natural Resource Preservation Program (NRPP). 

NRPP supports activities in diverse areas such as 

wildlife, fisheries, and vegetation management; 

specialized inventories; planning; mitigation actions; and restoration activities. NRPP funds 

strategically target specific needs such as Small 

Park Projects, Disturbed Lands Restoration, 

Threatened and Endangered Species Projects, 

and funds that are distributed to the regions for 

their use for natural resource projects in parks.

New funding through the Natural Resource 

Challenge (NRC) has had a significant impact on park management. Funding for NRPP 

has increased from $5,432,000 in FY 2000 to 

$12,789,000 million in FY 2003; however, recent 

budget cuts and reprogramming to fund the Vital 

Signs Program have decreased NRPP funding in 

FY 2006 to $8,229,000. Since 2005, NRPP has 

been reduced by $4,066,000. These reductions 

translate into twenty to twenty-five fewer on-theground projects in parks per year—and reduced 

performance outcomes. In addition to the above 

reductions, regions were allowed to assess NRPP 

projects up to 1 percent of their budget in order 

to provide funding for contingency uses. For a 

full list of FY 2006 NRPP funded projects see 

Appendix B.

Natural Resource Management Projects

Natural Resource Management Projects make 

up the largest segment of the NRPP. Projects 

eligible for funding through this source include 

resource management actions; tactical biological 

studies; development of new physical science 

theory, management approaches, and protocols; 

and combined research and follow-up resource 

management or mitigation actions.

The total number of projects funded through the 

NRPP—Natural Resource Management program 

has significantly increased, until FY 2006, with 

funding provided by the Natural Resource ChalAshfall Fossil Beds, located in Antelope County, Nebraska, is the first 

National Natural Landmark to be 

designated in over 18 years. Photo 

by R. Otto
32 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

lenge beginning in FY 2000.

• At Capitol Reef National Park NRPP funded 

a project to build a fence to prevent bison from 

entering the park and causing safety hazards 

and resource damage. The non-native bison 

transplanted by the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) are trampling fragile 

soils and impacting populations of a federally 

listed plant species. The fencing is a cooperative project between BLM, UDWR, and the 

park to help effectively manage the bison herd. 

A fence design used at Wind Cave National 

Park was modified and adopted for use here. 

Fencing materials were purchased and flown 

in by contract helicopter to six work locations. 

Fence construction should be completed by 

the end of FY 2007.

• At Cape Krusenstern National Monument

researchers examined patterns of bioaccumulation of heavy metals and associated biomarkers in terrestrial fauna along the Red Dog Mine 

Haul Road. The USGS-Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) joined with the 

Western Artic National Parklands ecology program to conduct field work along the DeLong 

Mountain Transportation System Haul Road 

in the monument. Field work focused on: bioaccumulation of heavy metals in several bird 

and small mammal species; effects of metals 

deposition on vegetation; and current deposition levels as a follow up to previous work on 

metal deposition patterns. The findings will be 

important both in terms of understanding the 

issue of bioaccumulation and as a test validation of the Risk Assessment recently completed 

by a contractor for the mine.

• A multi-year, seasonal assessment of the size of 

the Brazilian (Mexican) free-tailed bat colony 

at Carlsbad Caverns National Park uses a 

new method—advanced infrared thermal imaging and adaptive computer processing. Accurate census estimates for this colony are of 

interest both for the scientific community, to 

illuminate unknown aspects of the biology of 

this species, and for park managers, to facilitate 

science-based resource management decisions 

and assessments of long-term trends in the 

Mexican free-tailed bats at Carlsbad Caverns.

• At Golden Gate National Recreation Area

and Point Reyes National Seashore, 57.59 

acres were successfully treated to reduce nonnative Cape-ivy to maintenance levels. The 

majority of the initial work was completed by 

contractors using mechanical and herbicide 

methods, with follow up resprout removal 

completed by thousands of volunteer hours 

and several small contracts. Both parks leverAnaka Mines, a Western Arctic National Parklands seasonal technician, 

collects lichen species on a plot along 

the Red Dog Haul Road in Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska. 

Photo: Shanti Berryman
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 33

aged support from partnerships with the Marin 

Conservation Corps (AmeriCorps), park Habitat Restoration Volunteer Programs, and the 

California Exotic Plant Management Team.

• Fish, soil, and water samples were collected 

in Voyageurs National Park for a study investigating the impact of fire on mercury in 

soil, water and age-1 yellow perch. The 2004 

Section 33 wildfire that consumed more than 

80 percent of the Shoepack Lake watershed 

remains the primary focus of the work on fire 

effects, with Ryan, Peary, and Brown Lakes as 

nonburned control lakes.

• The Western Airborne Contaminants Assessment Project (WACAP) was initiated to determine the risk to ecosystems and food webs in 

western national parks from the long-range 

transport of airborne contaminants. It has been 

designed and implemented by the National 

Park Service in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological 

Survey, the USDA Forest Service, Oregon State 

University and the University of Washington. 

Scientists involved with WACAP have now 

completed the collection of field samples and 

are focusing on laboratory analyses and report 

writing. Preliminary results from snow and 

water chemistry, lake sediment, vegetation and 

fish studies, demonstrate that current-use and 

banned chemicals are present in all western 

national parks sampled. In Sequoia and Kings 

Canyon National Parks and Denali National 

Park and Preserve the presence of microscopic changes in fish kidney, liver, and spleens 

indicated a stress response commonly associated with contaminants and poor nutrition. In 

Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Parks

scientists observed feminization of some male 

trout possibly in response to man-made compounds that mimic the female sex hormone 

estrogen. The mercury flux to the Alaska Parks 

is up to 10 times less than for the parks in the 

lower 48 states, yet the mean fish concentrations in some Alaskan lakes are significantly 

higher. This appears to be due to watershed 

and food web characteristics in the Alaska that 

efficiently bioaccumulate mercury in the top 

aquatic predators—fish.

Threatened and Endangered Species Projects

A portion of the NRPP funding was allocated 

for projects focusing on federally listed threatened and endangered species. This portion of 

the NRPP assists in implementing the Natural 

Resource Challenge and in meeting the Service’s 

strategic plan performance management goals. 

Approximately $469,000 is allocated specifically 

for this project category.

Projects for FY 2006 include:

• Standard radio-tracking methods were used 

to determine nesting areas, home range, and 

foraging ecology of canyon dwelling Mexican spotted owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) in 

Grand Canyon National Park. During this 

final year of the three-year study, 33 canyons 

were surveyed and 12 nest or roost sites were 

identified. Production was measured at seven 

nest sites with an average 2.1 young owls produced at each nest. Park managers are already 

using data from the study to guide resource 

management efforts.

• There are nine federally listed plant taxa on 

Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park, each occurring in a few, small, isolated 

populations at scattered locations across the 

island. This recovery research provides life history and demography information, establishes 

new populations, and provides seed for banking.

• A research project to expand the known range 

of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon) in national parks 

along the eastern seaboard compiled a database of known dwarf wedgemussel populations with assistance from the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department 

of Natural Resources. The dwarf wedgemussel and general mussel databases have been 

appended to create a single comprehensive 

mussel database. A series of snorkel surveys 

were conducted over July and August 2006 in 

search of dwarf wedgemussel and other mussel species. Three parks were sampled: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; 

Prince William Forest Park; and Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park.

Disturbed Lands Restoration Projects

A portion of the NRPP was established in 

FY 2000 for projects related to disturbed land 

restoration. Disturbed lands are those park lands 

where the natural conditions and processes have 

been degraded, damaged, or destroyed by developments (e.g., facilities, roads, mines, and dams) 

and/or by agricultural practices (e.g., cropping, 

grazing, or timber harvest). This portion of the 

NRPP assists in implementing the Natural Resource Challenge component related to natural 

resource restoration and in meeting the Service’s 

Strategic Plan performance management goals 

Ia1A, Ia1C, Ia1D, Ia1E, Ia1F, and Ia1G. Projects in 

2006 include:

• The first year of work for the reclamation of 

the Lincoln Cirque mining exploration area 

Great Basin National Park included the 

reclamation of the trenches and waste piles 

along the Cirque Road and the reclamation of 

the Cirque Road to the junction of the Wall 
34 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Road (0.9 miles). The site consists of 31.5 acres 

with 10 trenches, 12 waste piles and 1.7 miles 

of roads. Approximately 15 acres of land were 

reclaimed in FY 2006. Eleven waste piles and 

all trenches were reclaimed. As the road was 

reclaimed, hand crews successfully converted 

the center of the road to a trail. The new trail 

meets all NPS trail standards and successfully 

negates the hydrologic issues of the old road.

• At the Presidio of San Francisco work continued to address the restoration of four coastal 

landfill areas, totaling about seven acres, within 

the Presidio Superfund site. Landfill removal 

was completed at 2 sites with 39,000 cubic 

yards of waste removed. Over 6,000 native 

plants of 70 species were planted in FY 2005, 

and 550 bags of exotic plant species were removed in FY 2005 and 620 in FY 2006. Monitoring of several rare plant species that were 

reintroduced to the site in FY 2005 showed 

that survivorship was high. In FY 2006 the federally endangered plant San Francisco Lessingia was reintroduced to the site, and is thriving. 

Follow up on the Cape ivy treated in FY 2005 

directly adjacent to one site proceeded with 

over 300 hours of labor. An additional 3 acres 

of Cape ivy were removed. Volunteers contributed 211 hours of restoration service during 

this period.

• Stabilization efforts using cedar tree revetments were completed at four rapidly eroding 

banks, totally over 3900 ft, along the Buffalo 

River and a principal tributary. In addition, 

riparian corridor was restored to a minimum 

width of 100 ft at 13 impaired sites through the 

planting of native hardwood seedlings. The 

project exceeded its objectives for the length of 

bank stabilized. The success of the bank stabilizations and corridor restoration efforts cannot 

be thoroughly evaluated until tested over time. 

However, all revetments withstood a moderate 

high water event that occurred during the final 

days of the field effort. Past projects at Buffalo 

National River indicate that a 75–80 percent 

success rate can be expected of the cedar revetments. Assuming a repeat planting of native 

seedlings and the usual addition of numerous 

volunteer trees, adequate colonization can be 

expected at most restored corridor areas.

• At Pinnacles National Monument the final 

phase of the Old Pinnacles Road removal was 

completed. The project restored three kilometers of stream and floodplain, returned flow 

and sediment regimes to natural conditions, 

improved floodplain function, and reduced 

conflict between visitor services and physical 

processes. These objectives were accomplished 

in full by increasing the accessible floodplain 

area, allowing natural overbank flow, realigning a trail, removing impacts of an abandoned 

quarry, recontouring and revegetating the area, 

improving riparian plant communities, and 

fostering greater appreciation of riparian ecology through interpretation. 

Regional Small Parks Block Allocation Projects

Funding is provided to regions to allocate to 

small parks for projects. Small parks are defined, 

for the purposes of this funding, as those parks 

that fall in the lower third of funding for all 

parks.

Highlights include:

• At Mammoth Cave National Park and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic 

Site staff planted 400 disease resistant American elm trees. The variety planted is known as 

the Valley Forge American elm, which contains 

the putative genetics capable of withstanding 

Dutch elm disease. These trees will provide the 

genetic foundation to establish a self-sustaining population of American elm, which will 

produce the offspring needed to fully restore 

this tree as a proper function component of 

the rich-woods ecosystem. Plans are in place to 

plant additional Valley Forge elms in 2007.

• At Stones River National Battlefield park 

staff removed invasive exotic species and 

planted native plants where exotics have been 

treated. Park staff focused on a 15 to 25 acre 

area adjacent to Stones River. This cultural 

and natural landscape is a high priority Civil 

War site that has been severely compromised 

by a variety of invasive exotic plants including 

Chinese privet, bush honeysuckle, Japanese 

honeysuckle, and Chinese yam. In 2006, park 

staff continued reducing the abundance, extent, and reproductive capacity of invasive 

plants at the Artillery Monument site by treating individuals with herbicides. The site will be 

planted with native herbs and shrubs at a later 

date. In the short term, to prevent erosion and 

furnish competition to exotic species, the park 

will plant Virginia wild-rye (Elymus virginicus) 

Regional Small Parks Block Allocation Projects

Region Funding1 # of 

parks

# of 

projects2

Alaska 19 2 2

Intermountain 246 15 16

Midwest 173 9 9

National Capital 19 2 2

Northeast 118 5 5

Pacific West 164 9 11

Southeast 209 10 12

Total $948 52 57

1

 Funding in thousands of dollars.

2

 See Appendix B for project details.

At Pinnacles National Monument the 

final phase of the Old Pinnacles Road 

removal was completed. The project 

restored three kilometers of stream 

and floodplain, returned flow and 

sediment regimes to natural conditions, improved floodplain function, 

and reduced conflict between visitor 

services and physical processes.

Jared Withers downloads audio data 

from the Muldrow Glacier sound 

station in Denali National Park and 

Preserve. Photo: Philip Hooge
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 35

immediately after treatment.

Regional Program Block Allocation Projects

NRPP funding is available for block allocation 

Servicewide to regions for park projects as a part 

of regional natural resource programs. Qualified 

projects are those that improve natural resource 

knowledge and condition, including projects 

such as specialized inventories (those currently 

outside the scope of the Servicewide I&M Program’s 12 databases) and mitigation actions (i.e., 

fossil inventories and invasive plant or invasive 

animal control).

2006 projects include:

• In a cooperative effort with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Park Service 

developed and tested a technique for monitoring wolverine (Gulo gulo) distribution in 

large remote areas, and; 2) collected baseline 

ecological data on habitat use and inter-specific correlates for wolverine in interior Alaska. 

This study enhances wolverine management in 

interior Alaska by providing quantifiable and 

scientifically defensible data on which to base 

management decisions. Preliminary results 

indicate that wolverine presence within a sampling block was positively associated with the 

presence of marten (Martes americana), and 

terrain ruggedness. Wolverine presence was 

negatively associated with wolves (Canis lupus) 

and snowmobile tracks.

• At Shenandoah National Park staff and 

volunteers removed non-native plants from a 

globally rare plant community. Four hundred 

hours were spent hand-pulling invasive species. To maximize pulling effectiveness, the 

two most pristine areas of the wetland were 

selected for initial protection. Each area measured 2,916 square meters and a total 0.58 hectare were cleared of invasive species.

• At Assateague Island National Seashore

NRPP funded the expansion and upgrades 

of three continuous water quality monitoring stations and updated two tide stations in 

order to have near real time data available on 

the World Wide Web. Two of the three stations are integrated with NPS Tide Gauge 

Stations which measure water height every six 

minutes. The final enhancements are currently 

being finished by the Maryland Department 

of Natural Resources (MDDNR) and data is 

available on line: http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.

net/newmontech/contmon/current_results.

cfm. At present, a link from the Assateague Island NPS web page to the MDDNR web page 

is being developed. Although the work has just 

been completed, the data generated by these 

enhancements is already being used by managers at Assateague as well as our partners in the 

Maryland Coastal Bays Program.

Alaska Special Projects

This funding category was established in 

FY 2003 to enable the NPS to undertake projects 

to better protect and manage Alaska’s National 

Park Service units, which are managed under the 

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act 

(ANILCA) and other Alaska-specific requirements. Examples of projects include:

• The National Park Service partnered with 

USGS-BRD and USFWS funds to provide 

a comprehensive monitoring and research 

program for the Chisana caribou, a declining herd along the border of Yukon Territory 

and Wrangell-St Elias National Park and 

Preserve. The Chisana caribou captive rearing 

project was continued and included 50 pregnant cows. Following release, cows and calves 

were monitored via aerial telemetry for movement and survivorship. As of early September, 

survivorship of pen-reared calves (53 percent) 

was approximately the same as wild calves (59 

percent). Survivorship for pen-reared calves 

was lower than previous years, and survivorship for wild calves was much greater than preceding years. Following release, cows returned 

to native summer range in Wrangell-St Elias 

National Park and Preserve.

• Acoustical data was collected and analyzed 

from seven sites in Denali National Park and 

Preserve throughout the summer visitor’s 

season. With the exception of one site which 

could not be occupied due to equipment 

being disabled by wildlife, a representative 

sound profile was compiled for each site. An 

acoustical database will be developed, allowing for effective testing of desired conditions 

prescripted in the Backcountry Management 

Plan. A stratified, random sampling design is 

being developed for sound monitoring on a 

landscape scale. The analyzed acoustical data 

Regional Program Block Allocation Projects

Region Funding1 # of 

parks

# of 

projects2

Alaska 189 4 10

Intermountain 189 9 9

Midwest 189 8 8

National Capital 189 9 19

Northeast 189 9 12

Pacific West 190 8 8

Southeast 189 9 9

Total $1,324 56 75

1

 Funding in thousands of dollars.

2

 See Appendix B for project details.
36 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

is being used by park planners and managers 

as indicators of the frequency and intensity 

of man-made noise intrusions on the parks 

natural sounds. The data will also serve as a 

baseline for assessing change in sound quality 

over time. This information will help managers 

protect visitors’ wilderness experiences.

USGS—Biological Resources Park-Oriented Biological Support

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through Biological Resources and the National Park Service 

(NPS) through the Natural Resource Preservation Program jointly support biological projects 

that provide exploratory research and/or technical assistance to parks. This partnership effort 

operates through an interagency agreement. Of 

35 projects active in FY 2006, 17 separate projects received FY 2006 funding and, of these, 5 

received their last funding allotment. For a complete list of projects see Appendix E.

Projects for FY 2006 include:

• The Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project, a 

large tidal marsh wetland restoration in coastal 

California, will provide significant changes 

in the Tomales Bay watershed in the Golden 

Gate National Recreation Area. Tomales Bay 

represents a wide variety of habitat types for 

resident and migratory waterbirds. Restoration 

of this site would create a fringe of mudflat and 

a mosaic of marsh habitat that would increase 

avian species diversity. The project has completed all field surveys and is preparing a final 

report that will provide baseline information 

on the avian community on the Giacomini 

Ranch restoration site and reference sites prior 

to restoration action. Monitoring based on the 

results of this project will help assess habitat 

changes and the response of the avian community as the Giacomini Ranch restoration proceeds. These baseline data will be an integral 

part of assessing progress and providing a basis 

for adaptive management.

• This study investigated presence and abundance of the Foothill yellow-legged frog 

(Rana boylii) and Western pond turtle (Emys 

marmorata) in the presence of invasive species at Whiskeytown National Recreation 

Area. Overall, there appeared to be a healthy 

population of Foothill yellow-legged frogs in 

the park unit, unlike elsewhere where populations of this species are declining. Capture of 

125 Western pond turtles and 2 introduced 

Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta) at 6 sites 

in and around Whiskeytown Reservoir suggest 

native turtles appear to be stable in the presence of invasive bullfrogs and a few introduced 

turtles. Further monitoring of invasive species 

is warranted and specific studies are needed on 

effects of introduced species on native biota.

• Identifying and quantifying the effects of river 

regulation and water development on native fish communities in the Chattahoochee 

River National Recreation Area are crucial 

for evaluating potential conservation and restoration strategies. GPS and electronic depth 

recorders were used to map stream habitats 

at three flows, representing low, moderate, 

and high discharge conditions; models were 

developed for estimating habitat availability 

at two study reaches representing impact and 

recovery from hydropower generation; and 

fishes were sampled using a quadrate sample 

design to estimate native fish community structure at each study reach. The models will allow 

NPS to evaluate the influence of various water 

management scenarios on the abundance and 

distribution native biota in the river.

• Issues arising from unanswered questions 

about cougars (Puma concolor) in and near 

Zion National Park in southwestern Utah 

include whether the park functions as a source 

for lions dispersing into neighboring jurisdictions, whether increasing sightings of cougars 

and cougar sign near park visitor facilities suggest need for concern about human safety, and 

whether a dearth of cougars in parts of Zion 

National Park has resulted in a cascade of effects resulting in deleterious changes to riparian areas. This study began during 2005 to provide information on cougar movements and 

behaviors, including use of riparian areas, habitat selection, response to human facilities, and 

use of areas outside NPS jurisdictions. Global 

positioning system collars were deployed 

on three cougars in and near Zion during 

2005–2006, with a fourth collar to be deployed 

during the remaining months of 2006. One collar has delivered locational data daily via Argos 

satellites and was deployed to test performance 

of this technology in the precipitous terrain 

of Zion. The near real-time delivery of data 

provided by this collar has allowed for timely 

investigation of kill sites for the cougar fitted 

with the Argos collar. Deployment of two more 

collars is planned during 2007, including an 

additional collar with capacity for Argos data 

delivery. Preliminary results suggest that collared cougars using the park also use extensive 

areas beyond park boundaries.

Servicewide Support Projects

In addition to parks, there are often project 

needs outside specific Servicewide programs that 

require funding unavailable from other sources. 

These projects are proposed and recommended 

by Servicewide program managers—often in 

response to recommendations of the Natural Re-
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 37

source Advisory Group—to the Associate Director, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 

and funded through a portion of NRPP set aside 

for this purpose.

A significant amount of the funding and projects 

goes to provide specialized assistance to parks, 

either through direct provision of experts or 

through special topic workshops on issues affecting parks, or the development and support of 

tools to assist parks. Projects related to geological 

resource management, coastal disaster assessment, and eastern forest health are examples of 

projects funded in FY 2006. Support of efforts 

to establish and provide leadership to Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units remains a major 

focus, as does development, production, and distribution of education and information-related 

material. Several special projects were initiated 

through this program in FY 2006, including the 

following:

• The 2006 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 

symposium “Delivering a Promise” was the 5th 

National IPM Symposium hosted by USDA 

Cooperative State, Research, Education, Extension Services. The symposium promoted 

use of science-based integrated pest management strategies and provided useful tools for 

managing native and nonnative pest species 

that affect NPS resources. NPS received recognition in the Symposium proceedings, and for 

its IPM Program’s training course and poster 

session. Transfer of knowledge from contact 

and partnerships with other Symposium members has already begun to benefit park managers. Apple IPM experts have been linked with 

resource staff at Capitol Reef National Park

and Antietam National Battlefield to improve 

orchard management and address immediate 

pest issues. IPM 3, a training consortium of 

several partners, has agreed to provide and is 

developing a demonstration termite management course and a turf and ornamentals course 

to NPS employees. NPS IPM will be involved 

on the development/implementation team of 

low risk strategies for termite management 

headed by the University of Florida and University of Hawaii.

• A cooperative agreement was signed with the 

University of Tennessee to retain Dr. Scott 

Schlabarbaum as a science advisor to the National Park Service on eastern forests insects 

and diseases. Dr. Scott Schlarbaum, occupies 

an endowed chair of forest genetics in the 

Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville 

and authored the book Fading Forests. He 

addressed the National Leadership Council 

on Eastern Forest Health. Dr. Schlarbaum 

described the need for a conservation/management forest health strategy for national parks. 

In December 2005, an NPS Eastern Forest 

Health Workshop was held in Virginia. Participants included park and regional natural 

resource staff as well as staff from USDA Forest Service. The outcomes of the workshop 

were to increase understanding of the impact 

of invasive species and diseases on NPS eastern 

forests, to develop a framework for an NPS 

strategy on eastern forest health, and to develop an action plan for the development of such 

a strategy.

• A livestock and grazing management workshop, “Livestock and Landscapes,” attracted 

over 60 participants, from 14 states and Washington, DC. Participants shared experiences 

and ideas and learned from each other. The 

purpose of this workshop was to provide NPS 

staff with an understanding of the human dimension of livestock management, as well as 

the latest information on managing livestock 

herbivory and behavior, developing partnerships, and permitting for both cultural and 

natural landscapes.

• Natural resource staff provided assistance with 

coastal disaster assessments to Gulf Islands 

National Seashore and Jean Lafitte National 

Historical Park and Preserve following the 

storms of the 2005 hurricane season. In addition to the assessments, maps are being created 

for both parks that reveal historic shoreline 

and habitat changes. Researchers are using the 

information to develop models to assist with 

forecast shoreline position in the future. This 

information will assist park managers with 

planning for future storm events.

NATURAL SOUNDS PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $1,399,000 

The mission of the Natural Sounds Program 

(NSP) is to protect, maintain and restore soundscape resources and values by working in partnership with parks and others to increase scientific and public understanding of the value and 

character of park soundscapes. An important 

element of this mission is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement 

the National Parks Air Tour Management Act 

(NPATMA) and comprises approximately 65–75 

percent of the NSP budget and staff resources.

In 2006, the Natural Sounds Program was very 

successful in expanding capacity for productivity 

by leveraging its budget against various project 

partners including: acoustic monitoring for Air 

Tour Management Plans with FAA and The 

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 

Social Science/Visitor Use research in five parks 

with various academic institutions and private 
38 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

sector partners, soundscape planning and workshops with various parks, and model validation 

and improvement with the Federal Interagency 

Committee on Aircraft Noise (FICAN).

In 2006 the Natural Sounds Program assisted 

38 parks in the protection of park resources and 

values as highlighted in the table below.

Acoustic Monitoring and Information 

Technology and Management 

Program accomplishments include:

• Data were collected in 11 park units in 2006 

(Devils Postpile National Monument, Great 

Basin National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National 

Historical Park, Minute Man National Historical Park, Mount Rainier National Park, 

Muir Woods National Monument, North 

Cascades National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Sequoia and Kings Canyon 

National Parks, Yosemite National Park); 9 

of these are ATMP parks. NSP staff provided 

guidance for data collection in 6 additional 

park units (Canyonlands National Park, 

Denali National Park and Preserve, Grand 

Teton National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, Natural Bridges National 

Monument, Yellowstone National Park); 5 

of these are parks with Air Tour Management 

Plans.

• Natural Sounds Program engineers redesigned 

the automatic data collection systems to realize reductions in system cost (40 percent), 

power consumption (80 percent), and weight 

(90 percent), while improving the continuity 

of the data; a Palm PDA system was developed 

resulting in more efficient and expedient field 

studies and fully automating data transfer and 

processing; data processing software was written to produce daily images of sound level data 

resulting in a more useful and informative tool 

for public presentations, more rapid data products for park planning staff, and guidance for 

more intensive data analyses.

• Developed a generic compression algorithm 

for the audibility calculations, the Volpe aircraft noise model adopted by FAA and NPS to 

model noise impacts which resolved a critical 

impasse for the Grand Canyon Alternative Dispute Resolution process as well as improving 

the accuracy and reliability of the model for 

general applicability by enabling the Integrated 

Noise Model to estimate the audibility of overlapping noise sources thereby addressing one 

of the model’s major shortcomings.

Air Tour Management Program

Park Specific highlights include:

• A working Draft ATMP/EA for Mount Rushmore National Memorial was completed; a 

baseline ambient acoustic data collection report was completed; acoustic computer modeling and analysis was completed for speech 

interruption at multiple threshold level; FAA/

NPS Review Team meetings were held from 

April through July 2006 to incorporate NPS, 

FAA Office of Environment and Energy, FAA 

legal and ATMP National Team direction.

• At Haleakala National Park and Kalaupapa 

National Historical Park, drafts of the Purpose and Need, Alternatives, Affected Environment, and Environmental Consequences 

chapters were completed, and for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park a draft of the Purpose 

and Need chapter was completed; numerous 

discussions and planning meetings took place 

regarding a process to refine the EA alternatives (with systemwide applicability); baseline 

ambient data collection reports were completed for: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, 

Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, 

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical 

Park, and Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National 

Historical Park; Haleakala National Park; and 

Kalaupapa National Historical Park; acoustic 

Natural Sounds Program Assistance to Parks in FY 2006

Region Park Units Acoustic 

Monitoring

Airport

 Plans

 w/FAA

Air Tour 

Manag.

 Plan

Military 

Assistance NEPA Other* 

Soundscape 

Manag. 

Planning

Social 

Science/

Vistor Use 

Research

AKR 1 1

PWR 17 10 4 7 3 9 5 12 2

IMR 11 7 6 1 1 5 4 3 1

MWR 3 2 2 1 1 1

NER 3 2 1 2 1 1

SER 3 1 1 1 1 1

NPS Total 38 22 10 12 5 15 14 17 5

*Other Park Planning including, but not limited to, General Management Plans (GMPs) and CSPs
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 39

zones were revised, location points were added, and results of sensitivity modeling analysis 

for Haleakala National Park were presented to 

FAA/NPS.

• Legislative Amendments: The Park Service 

is working with FAA and others on potential 

legislative amendments to the NPATMA that 

would help streamline the ATMP process by 

increasing flexibility without compromising 

protection of park resources (e.g., voluntary 

agreements, modifications to Interim Operating Authority, discretionary exemptions to the 

ATMP process).

• Grand Canyon Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Process: Public scoping was initiated in January 

2006 with the publication of the EIS Notice 

of Intent in the Federal Register; three public 

scoping meetings for the NEPA EIS process 

were conducted in late February; completed 

the summary report of public scoping comments; working with FAA and 20 stakeholders 

involved, Natural Sounds Program assisted in 

the development of NEPA alternatives; NSP 

staff co-chaired 6 Grand Canyon Working 

Group (GCWG) meetings in support of the 

alternative dispute resolution process.

Other 2006 Park Planning

• Soundscape Management Plans: assisted 17 

parks with soundscape management by developing indicators and standards against 

which impacts to the acoustic environment 

can be measured pursuant to park management objectives and establishing baseline 

acoustic ambients to characterize the overall 

acoustic environment (Minute Man National 

Historical Park, Zion National Park, Grand 

Canyon National Park, Hawaii parks, Mount 

Rushmore National Memorial, Muir Woods 

National Monument, etc) 

• Military: Natural Sounds Program staff regularly attends regional Airspace/Military coordination meetings in order to promote and foster 

productive working relations with the various 

branches of the U.S. military. In 2006, staff established an Air Force contact for dealing with 

overflight issues at Big Bend National Park. 

Attendance at regional Airspace/Military coordination meetings will continue in 2007 as it 

facilitates continued cooperative relationships 

between parks and military airspace managers 

and allows issues to be dealt with in an efficient 

manner.

• Airports/Airspace redesign: NSP staff assisted 

five parks in responding to FAA requests for 

Automated acoustic monitoring 

system at a high-country site at 

Yosemite National Park.
40 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

information regarding airport enhancement 

projects in 2006 as well as responding to FAA’s 

requests for input in the Northeast Airspace 

redesign EIS.

• The Natural Sounds Program regularly participates in the Federal Interagency Committee 

(FICAN) on Aircraft Noise along with 10 other 

federal agencies addressing technical acoustic 

issues that have broad federal agency interest.

RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT AND 

RESTORATION PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $1,344,000

Under the Park System Resource Protection 

Act (PSRPA) (16 USC 19jj), the Oil Pollution 

Act (OPA) of 1990, the Clean Water Act (CWA) 

as amended by OPA, and the Comprehensive 

Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the National Park Service 

takes emergency actions and spill response activities to prevent or minimize destruction or the 

loss of or injury to park system resources. Following incidents, the National Park Service conducts assessments to determine damages to park 

resources and develops and implements restoration of the impacted resources. The Resource 

Damage Assessment and Restoration Program 

supports: 1) Policy development and guidance; 

2) direct technical assistance to parks in taking 

emergency response actions and conducting 

damage assessments following incidents, and in 

planning and implementing restoration projects; 

3) outreach and training on emergency response 

and damage assessment for NPS personnel; 4) 

Case Management, and 5) Cost Recovery actions. 

In 2006, $578,855 in damages were collected and 

deposited into the DOI Restoration Fund for 

restoration of damaged park resources. On the 

restoration side, over $1,392,644 was withdrawn 

from the DOI fund to initiate restoration projects 

in over 27 different park units. Two major restoration projects were completed in 2006, including the demolition and removal of the Jaite Paper 

Mill complex in Cuyahoga Valley National 

Park and replacement of several park structures 

in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve lost in the Zapata wildfire.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PLANNING AND 

COMPLIANCE

While not included in the Natural Resource 

Challenge funding, the Environmental Impact 

Planning and Compliance program is part of 

the Natural Resources Stewardship and Science 

Directorate in the National Park Service. These 

programs integrate natural and cultural management and decision-making and contribute to the 

wider conservation of resources and sound decision-making within units of the National Park 

System and NPS responsibilities.

The Environmental Impact Planning and Compliance program supports parks, regions, and 

other offices in the process of completing Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), and other compliance 

actions related to the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA). The National Park Omnibus 

Management Act of 1998 and NEPA require 

park management decisions to be based on a 

full examination of alternatives and impacts 

and opportunities for public involvement. This 

program enhances the Park Service’s ability to 

prepare environmental impact statements and 

fulfill other environmental planning and evaluations required by law. The work is directed at 

responding to an increasing number of court or 

legislatively mandated environmental documents 

Settled Damage Assesment Cases for FY 2006

Park Description, Case Name, Responsible Party Statute for Case Settlement 

Amount

SACN Encroachment case - habitat loss 16 USC 19jj $1,700

VIIS Ship grounding - marine resource damage 16 USC 19jj $53,400

NERI Encroachment case - habitat loss 16 USC 19jj $95,000

BISC Ship grounding - marine resource damage 16 USC 19jj $151,800

ASIS Wildlife loss 16 USC 19jj $10,000

YELL Oil Spill 16 USC 19jj $81,011

FRSP Habitat loss and damage to cultural resources 16 USC 19jj $88,351

APPA Fire - loss of historic structure 16 USC 19jj $43,506

CAVA Encroachment case - habitat loss 16 USC 19jj $38,583

OCMU Motor Vehicle Accident 16 USC 19jj $2,382

YELL Motor Vehicle Accident 16 USC 19jj $7,334

FOSM Motor Vehicle Accident 16 USC 19jj $5,789

Note that this table represents cases settled only. No on-going cases, nor those that have been excluded from the docket 

have been listed.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 41

to support sound resource based decisions. 

Funding supports technically proficient project 

leaders working with park based specialists in 

preparing complex documents, facilitating public 

and agency reviews, and helping ensure that decisions are legally and environmentally sustainable.

The Environmental Compliance and Review 

program provides review and comment on environmental impact statements, federal licensing 

and permitting applications and other actions 

which may impact areas of National Park Service 

jurisdiction and expertise. It ensures compliance 

with the National Environmental Policy Act and 

other environmental protection mandates. It also 

provides comments on the effects on environmental quality resulting from proposed legislation, regulations, guidelines, Executive Orders 

regarding wild and scenic rivers, national trails, 

wilderness, resource management plans and 

activities from other agencies, recreation composites, Federal surplus property transfers, and 

related projects and undertakings.

RESOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $286,000

In its fifth year of funding, the Resource Protection Program supports projects that use innovative approaches involving natural resource 

specialists, protection rangers, researcher and 

partners from other agencies to focus on resources at risk. Programs that were begun with 

Resource Protection funding, such as the resource stewardship and protection curriculum 

and the biome-based resource protection model 

have been applied beyond the parks and regions 

where they originated. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, working with its gateway 

community of Skagway, completed a garbage 

management program that should save many 

bears. Highlights from this program area in 2006 

include systematically addressing the loss of petrified wood at Petrified Forest National Park

by developing maps of the most sensitive paleontological resource sites in the park and then conducting training for protection staff. There were 

also projects initiated for fisheries protection at 

Biscayne National Park, protecting threatened 

dune plants at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and evaluating the damage resulting from 

undocumented alien traffic at the Texas-Mexico 

border parks. Developing these projects has 

often involved partnering with universities and 

other government agencies, a collateral benefit of 

the program.

WATER RESOURCES PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $12,325,000

The Water Resources Program, in partnership 

with parks and others, provides Servicewide 

leadership, technical assistance, funding support, and project management with respect to 

the preservation, protection, and management 

of water and aquatic resources of units of the 

National Park System. The program provides 

services directly to parks through a broad range 

of programs in the areas of water quality; water 

rights; floodplain management; ground water 

analysis; watershed and wetlands protection; 

water resources management planning; fisheries 

and marine resources management and protection; policy, legislative, and regulatory analysis; 

information management; and training. Water 

Resources Programs support attainment of and 

reporting to NPS Servicewide Strategic Goals 

Ia4A and Ia4B (Surface Water Quality) and Ia4C 

and Ia4D (Surface Water Quantity), as well as 

to NPS and DOI Land-Health goals related to 

wetland, riparian, upland, and marine resource 

protection (Goals Ia4C, Ia4E, Ia4F, and Ia4G).

Examples of significant accomplishments of the 

Program for FY 2006 are:

• Provided leadership to the efforts to prevent 

the extinction of the Devils Hole Pupfish by 

detailing expertise to Death Valley National 

Park, supporting research and monitoring efforts, and serving as the NPS representative 

to the Devils Hole Pupfish Unified Command 

Team.

• Provided Servicewide leadership in the NPS 

coordination of ocean policy and oceans program planning, coordinated NPS-related U.S. 

Coral Reef Task Force activities.

• Launched a new Natural Resource Challenge 

effort to conduct ecological condition assessments for park watersheds for 275 natural resource parks.

Water Resource Projects

The Natural Resource Challenge resulted in an 

increase of $823,000 in the water resource protection projects budget beginning in FY 2001. 

These efforts are targeted toward development 

of scientific information that will benefit decision makers, including federal managers, court 

judges, or state administrators such as state engineers. In FY 2006, water-dependent resources 

that were studied include riparian vegetation, 

fish migration, and geomorphology. These results 

are needed by decision makers to understand the 

potential effect on the water-dependent resource 

of potential changes in stream or ground water 

flow.

To increase the effectiveness of its water resource protection funding, NPS partners with 

other non-federal entities. Some studies occur 
42 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

as a result of collaboration with state or private 

entities with common science objectives. For 

example, hydrologic data collected by NPS studies for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 

Death Valley National Park, and Great Basin 

National Park are shared with the Nevada State 

Engineer, southern Nevada water purveyors, and 

private developers, thereby contributing to the 

larger-scale investigation of regional aquifers and 

ground water availability in southern Nevada. In 

another example, data and other science information collected at Chickasaw National Recreation Area contributes to an on-going state-federal study of the Arbuckle-Simpson Aquifer in 

southeastern Oklahoma.

For a complete list of Water Resource Protection 

Projects see Appendix D.

Water Resources Program Competitive Projects

Water Resources Program competitive projects 

support many park-based activities, including 

the design of information management systems, 

regulatory assessments, riparian/stream and 

watershed restoration and protection projects 

with water quality goals, or other water quality 

improvement projects.

Water Resources Program competitive project 

funding for FY 2006 totaled $996,200. This 

funding was derived from the Program’s base 

project funds ($161,500) and support to the 

backlog of watershed and water quality assessment needs currently identified in NPS PMIS 

from the new Watershed Condition Assessment 

Program before it transitions to a long-term program of systematic park-based assessments of 

NPS watershed conditions ($834,700).

Once the Watershed Condition Assessment 

Program is fully operational, the Program’s base 

funding will no longer be adequate to sustain 

the competitive project program. Therefore, it is 

scheduled to become inactive in FY 2007. Over 

past ten years, in order to meet increased salary 

costs per FTE and budget rescissions, the Water 

Resources Program has had to reduce funding 

to its project programs by $1.4 million. This has 

resulted in the Program’s inability to support the 

competitive project program after FY 2006.

Water Quality Monitoring

In FY2006, the Water Resources Program 

received $2,781,300 for the Water Quality 

Monitoring component of the Natural Resource 

Challenge. This was the 6th year of funding for 

a program specifically intended to track and support the attainment of water quality standards in 

units of the National Park System as required by 

the NPS and DOI Strategic Plans. The program 

is now “fully-funded,” minus rescissions.

Full program funding was allocated to all 32 Park 

Vital Signs Networks in FY 2006. In addition, 

funds supported the development of an NPS 

Servicewide water quality data management program within the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) STORET national water quality 

database.

Vital Signs Monitoring Networks: In FY 2006, 

32 Park Vital Signs Monitoring Networks fully 

committed their water quality funding to compilation of background information, analysis of 

issues and threats, detailed program planning, 

and supporting synoptic-level field assessments, 

and five networks have initiated field-level monitoring. Network planning approaches included 

personnel hiring, in-house allocation of staff, 

university cooperative agreements, and USGS Interagency Agreements. In addition, some equipment acquisitions were made. All 32 Networks 

accomplished prescribed activities.

The Water Resources Program continued to support network water quality monitoring programs 

by providing national program administration 

and reporting, establishing baseline inventories 

and analyses of available water quality data, supporting digitization of legacy data from analog 

reports and other archival materials, maintaining a Servicewide water quality database in the 

EPA-STORET national water quality database, 

and enhancing the means to flow data from the 

Networks into STORET. Three water quality 

research associates and a student from Colorado 

State University worked to support the database 

development, management, and reporting activities. The Servicewide STORET database archive 

has served as the starting point for most network 

water quality data compilation and analysis efforts.

Water Resource Protection—Aquatic Resource 

Professionals

In FY 2005, the National Park Service received 

$1,205,000 to fund aquatic resource specialists 

in the field. Fifteen positions were fully funded 

in FY 2005. Twelve of the positions are dutystationed in parks, and one each is located in the 

Sonoran Network Office, the Center for Urban 

Ecology in the National Capital Region, and the 

Utah State Office.

These new professional staff provide technical 

assistance to parks, identify and conduct technical investigations to determine the condition of 

park aquatic resources, determine if actions of 

the National Park Service or external parties impair or impact resources, assist in developing and 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 43

implementing aquatic resource mitigation and 

restoration projects, and interpret and implement NPS water resource-related policies and 

regulations.

Highlights for FY 2006 include:

• Reviewed and provided comments on the 

Draft Plan of Operations for subsurface oil and 

gas explorations and 3-D geophysical seismic 

surveys for Big Cypress National Preserve.

• Provided comments to the Superintendent of 

Booker T. Washington National Monument

regarding site construction plan, stormwater 

management, and riparian buffer protection related to upstream development outside of the 

park boundary.

• Continued ongoing hydrological support to 

resource staff at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The data collected support ongoing park efforts at assessing effects of climatic 

conditions on physical habitat and ecological 

conditions at the park.

• Completed the shoal bass genetics study to 

assist Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area with the FERC re-licensing of 

Morgan Falls Dam.

• Provided technical assistance and biological 

opinions in support of several issues at Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical Park, 

including a fish kill in the canal, the threat of 

amphibian diseases discovered within the park, 

and the development of a fish ladder facilitating anadromous eel migration.

• Planned, coordinated, and participated in 

treatment aimed at control of iron-reducing 

bacteria at new water supply well in Pinery 

Canyon in Chiricahua National Monument.

• Provided technical assistance regarding classification of wetlands for the development of 

vector control and monitoring program for 

communities within the Fire Island National 

Seashore boundaries.

• Provided technical assistance to Fort Pulaski 

National Monument during the oil spill in the 

Savannah River in July 2006. This assistance 

involved field assessments of damage to wetland habitat and providing recommendations 

for restoration of the salt marsh habitat impacted by the spill.

• Provided a site assessment and hydrologic 

opinions regarding restoration of park trails 

impacted by a 100-year flood event for George 

Washington Memorial Parkway.

• Worked with Pacific West Region staff during 

development of interim plan for the protection 

of historic resources at Tassi Spring at Grand 

Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

• Worked cooperatively with aquatic specialist 

from Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior 

Ojibwa to 1) analyze water quality data and to 

2) begin developing appropriate nutrient criteria at Grand Portage National Monument.

• In cooperation with volunteers and the Midwest Regional Fisheries Biologist, conducted 

a pilot survey of shoreline rock pools at Isle 

Royale National Park to 1) document potential effects of proposed Coast Guard lighthouse 

activities and 2) support development of a full 

proposal related to the pools.

Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling 

in the South Fork of Panther Creek at 

Mount Rainier National Park. Photo: 

Ashley Rawhouser
44 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

• Completed a draft Water Resources Information and Issues Overview Report for Mississippi National River and Recreation Area to 

support water resource management activities 

and interagency coordination.

• Provided site assessment and field support in 

the documentation of magnolia bogs in National Capital Parks—East.

• Continued technical support for ongoing 

monitoring at Quitobaquito Springs in Organ 

Pipe Cactus National Monument to support 

an endemic endangered desert pupfish and 

biologically rich oasis in the Sonoran Desert, 

which had been experiencing a declining trend 

in water availability for a decade.

• Assisted with qualitative and quantitative zebra 

mussel monitoring in Lake St. Croix and the St. 

Croix Falls flowage in Saint Croix National 

Scenic River.

Watershed Condition Assessment Program

The Water Resources Program received $2.65 

million in FY 2006 as part of the Natural Resource Challenge to assess watershed conditions 

on a system-wide basis. The Watershed Condition Assessment Program (WCAP) provides 

technical guidance and accountability oversight 

for this effort. Assessment projects are conducted at the level of individual parks, or groups of 

similar parks, and result in a written report and 

geospatial map products that convey findings 

about current resource condition status, critical 

data gaps, and existing or emerging vulnerability/

risk factors for park-managed natural resources, 

habitats, and watersheds. These are interdisciplinary assessments that draw upon existing 

data from varied NPS and non-NPS information 

sources. During the FY 2006–2014 time-frame, 

the WCAP plans to fund one of these assessments for each of the more than 270 parks in the 

NPS Vital Signs Monitoring Networks.

FY 2006 program efforts focused on initiation 

of a set of pilot projects at 17 parks, designed 

to demonstrate practical approaches and useful products for a new series of natural resource 

condition assessments in parks. Pilot projects 

will be used to formalize national guidelines 

and standards for these assessments as they are 

continued and extended to all Vital Signs Monitoring Network parks. Assessments in 12 of the 

17 parks were initiated as natural resource and 

watershed condition assessment projects. Assessments in five parks were initiated as coastal 

condition assessment projects.

Watershed Condition Assessment—Critical Projects

In FY 2006, Water Resource Program funded 

projects that addressed emerging, high-priority, 

park watershed condition issues that, because 

of the applicable timeframes, could not be appropriately directed through the competitive 

project funding program. Examples of FY 2006 

projects include a supporting study for a wetland 

improvement project at Minute Man National 

Historical Park, evaluation of the influence of 

riparian vegetation on channel bank stability at 

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and an 

assessment of historic and functional conditions 

to support lake restoration at Ebey’s Landing 

National Historical Reserve. Partnering with 

other federal agencies, state agencies, and/or local watershed groups in carrying out these projects was emphasized.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 45
46 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 47

Chapter Four: Progress in Learning About Our Parks’ 

Natural Resources

This chapter focuses on accomplishments in 

programs primarily directed at developing reliable information for resource management. Programs included are:

• Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units

• Geographic Information System Program

• Inventory and Monitoring Program

• Natural Resource Data and Information Program

• RLCs

COOPERATIVE ECOSYSTEM STUDIES UNITS 

(CESUs)

FY 2006 Allocation: $127,000

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESUs) 

provide research, technical assistance, and 

education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies and their partners. 

Their broad scope includes the biological, physical, social, and cultural sciences needed to address natural and cultural resource management 

issues at multiple scales and in an ecosystem 

context.

Each CESU is composed of federal agencies, a 

host university, and partner institutions. CESU 

agreements allow each of the participating federal agencies to efficiently transfer funds and dutystation employees at university partners while 

maintaining responsibility for agency-sponsored 

activities within CESUs. CESUs are organized 

around biogeographic areas and linked together 

in the CESU Network. The National Park Service has 19 employees stationed at host universities to support CESU activities.

The CESU Network has the following objectives:

• Provide resource managers with high-quality 

scientific research, technical assistance, and 

education,

• deliver research and technical assistance that 

is timely, relevant to resource managers, and 

needed to develop and implement sound adaptive management approaches,

• ensure the independence and objectivity of research,

• create and maintain effective partnerships 

among the federal agencies and universities to 

share resources and expertise,

• take full advantage of university resources 

while benefiting faculty and students,

• encourage professional development of federal 

scientists, and

• manage federal resources effectively, efficiently 

and responsibly.

Federal agencies participate in the CESU Network through a Memorandum of Understanding 

(MOU) and by joining individual CESUs. Some 

federal agencies have duty-stationed employees 

at CESUs. The CESU Network is led by a Council that includes representatives of the federal 

agency partners. The CESU Council meets regularly. A National Network Coordinator, appointed by the Council, facilitates Council activities.

Twelve federal agencies participate in the CESU 

Network, including the:

• Bureau of Land Management,

• Bureau of Reclamation,

• Department of Defense,

• Minerals Management Service,

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration,

• National Marine Fisheries Service,

• National Park Service,

• US Fish and Wildlife Service,

• USDA Forest Service,

• US Geological Survey,

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and

• US Army Corps of Engineers, Civil Works

Since 1999, 17 CESUs have been competitively 

established across the nation. A total of 199 universities and other partners participate in the 

CESU Network. This total includes 160 universities and colleges (45 are minority institutions) 

and 39 non-governmental organizations or state 

organizations. These partners collaborate with 

the federal agencies to provide local expertise 

for key local needs and priorities. For all agencies in the Network, CESUs have been engaged 

in cooperative research, technical assistance, and 

education projects.

Documents and background materials about 

CESUs (such as CESU cooperative agreements, 

the Strategic Plan for the CESU Network for 

2007–2011, the Network map and list of partners, and briefing statements) are available on 

the CESU website: http://www.cesu.org/cesu. Individual CESUs also have websites available that 

provide information about their activities and 

projects. Links to these individual websites are 

available through the CESU website.

A synthesis of key themes for NPS CESU programs in FY 2006 follow.

Cumberland Piedmont Network 

ecologist Steven Thomas exits a 

limestone cave with a live-trapped 

Allegheny woodrat during woodrat 

monitoring at Mammoth Cave 

National Park.
48 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

• Vertebrate Re-survey of Yosemite National 

Park Between 1914 and 1920. Joseph Grinnell 

with the University of California, Berkeley conducted vertebrate surveys along a transect that 

ran from the Central Valley though Yosemite 

National Park to Mono Lake on the eastern 

slope of the Sierra Nevada. The Grinnell study 

obtained more than 4,000 specimens, recorded 

over 2,100 pages of field notes and took nearly 

1,400 photographs. The resulting report, Animal Life in the Yosemite remains the most 

comprehensive documentation of Yosemite’s 

vertebrate fauna. This CESU project with the 

University of California-Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at UC Berkeley was designed 

to re-sample the original Grinnell transect to 

document any changes in wildlife distribution 

patterns, changes in habitat, and changes in 

species populations that have occurred during 

the past 80 years from this baseline study. The 

results of the re-sample have been remarkable. 

The elevation range for many wildlife species 

have shifted upwards of 1,000 feet. Some species that were common in particular locations 

are now rare in the same location today. Several species are now present in part of the transect where they were not found previously. Alpine species such as the pika are now restricted 

to the highest elevations of the park. Several 

species from the Great Basin (eastern Sierra) 

have now crossed the crest. The highlights 

of this CESU project were also covered in a 

popular article published in the San Francisco 

Chronicle about the affects of habitat dynamics and climate change on wildlife populations. 

Several peer-reviewed scientific papers are also 

underway from this study. Several graduate 

students were directly involved in the implementation of this project.

• Storm Hazards and Assistance to Incident 

Management Team. The Gulf Coast CESU, 

Texas A&M University, and the Intermountain 

Fire program worked together to provide data 

to parks impacted by hurricanes Katrina and 

Rita. Researchers worked with the Incident 

Management Team to provide critical data on 

employee locations immediately following the 

evacuation and flooding of the greater New 

Orleans area as well as other communities 

along the Gulf Coast. Data included estimates 

of inundation and damage for each community 

and a database of imagery for the region. These 

data are now being incorporated into the longer term Storm Hazard project where storm 

response plans are being developed for coast 

parks using the spatial databases including 

park data, census data, and past storm history 

data compiled by the Environmental Hazard 

Center at Texas A&M University.

• Thomas Farm Identification and Evaluation 

Study at Monocacy National Battlefield, 

Maryland. This project was a 3-year study to 

identify and evaluate archeological resources at 

the Thomas Farm. The focus of the study was 

the archeological resources within the historic 

building cluster, and in an agricultural field 

above the Monocacy River.

• Vegetation Response Following Invasive Tamarisk Removal by Burning or Cutting. The Colorado Plateau CESU sponsored a retrospective 

Detecting tamarisk, an invasive exotic 

plant, at Canyonlands National Park. 

The Colorado Plateau CESU sponsored research to study how vegetation responded following the removal 

of invasive tamarisk.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 49

study of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) removal sites 

across five states in the southwestern United 

States, investigated decreases in tamarisk cover, the effects of tamarisk removal on vegetation, and whether cutting or burning tamarisk 

has differing effects on plant communities.

• Applicable Remote Sensing and Cultural Resources Monitoring in NPS Units along the 

US-Mexico Border. Parks located along the 

U.S.-Mexico border have experienced dramatic increases in illegal cross-border traffic in recent years. Recent estimates based on field data 

indicate that over 300,000 illegal aliens passed 

through border parks annually, typically utilizing backcountry areas to avoid detection. 

Most of this traffic is on foot, though off road 

driving is not uncommon. The result is a spider 

web of unofficial trails and roads replete with 

discarded water bottles, clothing, food, human 

waste and other refuse. This effort was part of 

a larger effort to determine the best methodologies to examine the very serious degradation 

of NPS resources that has occurred along the 

US-Mexico border as a result of illegal border 

activities and subsequent enforcement actions. 

Maps and monitoring data derived from this 

project have helped focus interdiction and law 

enforcement efforts as well, potentially alleviating safety hazards to park visitors and staff.

• Assessment of Reindeer Impacts to Lichen 

Ecosystems in Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve. This study gives preserve managers 

insight on the impacts of current levels of reindeer grazing on lichen winter range, and serves 

as a baseline for tracking change over time and 

with varying levels of grazing intensity. It will 

also allow for improvements in herd management stipulations; for instance, permits might 

prohibit grazing in the more sensitive areas 

containing late-successional communities or 

rare taxa, and managers could point toward 

alternative winter range areas with high forage 

but lower natural diversity.

• Airboat/Off-Road Vehicle Trail Inventory for 

East Everglades Expansion Area. East Everglades was added to the Everglades National 

Park in 1989, but acquisition of the land progress tract by tract until the last tract was added 

in 2005. The expansion area is almost 110,000 

acres. Once the recreational domain of private 

land users, trails from airboats and off-road vehicles (ORVs) still remain. The purpose of this 

project was to create a detailed mapping, classification and inventory of trails from remote 

sensing data.

• The Current Distribution of the Jackson Lake 

Spring Snail and Interactions with the Invasive 

New Zealand Mud Snail The Jackson Lake 

spring snail (Pyrgulopsis robusta), found in 

limited habitats in Grand Teton National 

Park, may be facing extinction and has been 

petitioned for threatened species listing by 

the USFWS. In addition, the presence of the 

New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem 

may be threatening the survival of this population. Some evidence exists that the invasive 

mud snail is a superior competitor to the endemic spring snail. Researchers found populations of spring snail in only two locations in 

Grand Teton, where they shared microhabitats 

with the New Zealand mud snails. There was 

significant variability in snail densities from 

2001–2005 at both locations in Grand Teton, 

arguing for long-term monitoring to determine 

the threat to the native snail species from the 

mud snail.

• CESU Fellows: Student Internships at national 

parks. The Gulf Coast CESU worked with 

Student Conservation Association (SCA) and 

Texas A&M University to develop the CESU 

Fellows program. Student interns in the program (Fellows) work at national parks for the 

summer, receive internship or cooperative 

education credit at their home institution, and 

receive a tuition scholarship (funded by SCA) 

to their home institution. Six students were 

placed in five different park units for the summer of 2006—all were minority students and 

they represented a diversity of disciplines from 

Business to Wildlife Biology.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $1,255,000

The goal of the NPS Geographic Information 

System (GIS) Program is to provide quality geospatial data, information, and applications utilizing GIS for park planning, program operations, 

and scientifically-based management of park 

resources. Today, most NPS units utilize GIS 

technology and data. GIS provides powerful visualization and analysis tools to assist park managers with resource management problems. GIS 

allows resource managers to bring together and 

geographically link information that otherwise 

would be impossible to integrate and enhances 

the abilities of managers to discover changes, 

patterns, and trends in resources over time.

The funded program originated as a natural 

resource program and many GIS data layers 

remain natural resource related, but the technology has been adapted for various cultural resource disciplines, facility location information, 

interpretation, and other uses throughout the 

National Park System. The NPS GIS Program is 

now led by the Office of the Chief information 

Officer (OCIO), in recognition of its broad applicability across many NPS program.
50 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

The funding essentially operates as seed funding 

and is distributed to regions to support a combination of Regional Technical Support Centers 

(RTSCs), in addition to a natural resource GIS 

coordinator located in the Natural Resource 

Program Center. The Natural Resource GIS 

Coordinator serves on the NPS GIS Committee, 

along with regional, park, and program members, to represent the NPS GIS community and 

provide policy, funding, and operational recommendations to the Chief Information Officer 

and the Associate Director of Natural Resource 

Stewardship and Science. Additionally, there is 

significant coordination with the Department of 

the Interior through the Enterprise Geospatial 

Information Management team and across government through the Federal Geographic Data 

Committee (FGDC).

Funding breakdown by Region/Program for 

FY2006 was:

Alaska Region $209,000

Intermountain Region $219,000

Midwest Region $150,000

National Capital Region $60,000

Natural Resources $55,000

Northeast Region $201,000

Pacific West Region $205,000

Southeast Region $156,000

In FY 2006, approximately two-thirds of the 

GIS program funding supported park and regional staff or cooperators. About one-third of 

the funding financed projects and support costs. 

This funding is matched through other programs 

and activities for efforts undertaken by, or coordinated through the RTSCs. Several examples 

of how the GIS Program funds were utilized or 

leveraged throughout the fiscal year include:

• The I&M Central Alaska Network successfully 

deployed eight ruggedized tablet computers 

to the Denali and Yukon Charley Rivers

park units as part of its vegetation monitoring 

protocol. A customized database application 

allowed field workers to enter the data directly 

into the database and later synchronize the 

data from the tablets back to a master database. 

The effort reduced data entry time by at least 

60 percent and imposed quality control on 

data entered while in the field.

• In the Northeast Region, parks receive their 

GIS technical support through a cooperative 

agreement between the region and the University of Rhode Island (URI). Each spring NPS 

and URI staff co-teach a class learning to use 

global positioning systems (GPS) for mapping 

and then take the students on a “GPS Swat 

Team” to a national park. There they map 

features of particular interest to the park. This 

year the group will map exotic invasive plants 

at Morristown National Historical Park.

• The New England Field Technical Support 

Center (FTSC) routinely performs many types 

of spatial analysis for the national parks. The 

viewshed developed for Delaware Water Gap 

National Recreation Area is a typical example 

of the type of spatial analysis utilized by parks. 

A proposal for a new powerline had it running 

through the park and along many areas expected to be visible from the park. Using GIS data 

the FTSC produced maps showing where the 

proposed powerline would be visible from as 

well as what park resources would be impacted 

by its construction.

• The New England FTSC created an innovative online map-based index for nearly 4000 

aerial photographs of Acadia National Park

from the 1940s through the 1970s. The FTSC 

developed an interface and dataset that allows 

park researchers to view and select air photos 

over the web instead of handling many photos 

as they find and select the ones of interest for 

a particular project. This protects an irreplaceable archival record of photography from 

excessive handling and saves researchers time 

and money in traveling to the park to review 

the photos by hand.

• The National Capital Region (NCR), Regional 

Technical Support Office (RTSC) acquired 

aerial photography of Harpers Ferry National 

Historical Park with emphasis on seven areas where the park needed to monitor and 

document development adjacent to the park 

boundary. The photos were converted into 

orthophotography for incorporation into the 

park’s GIS system for comparison with other 

GIS data and photography.

• NCR RTSC funding was used to support 

Global Positioning System (GPS) work at 

George Washington Memorial Parkway. 

This project used GPS to document the locations of populations of rare, threatened and 

endangered state listed plant species at two locations in the park. Along with the coordinate 

information, data about the plants’ population 

extent, health, and status were also collected. 

This data was incorporated into the park’s GIS 

system and will be used to help protect these 

populations from any potential future disturbances.

• NCR RTSC funding was used to purchase historic aerial photography for George Washington Memorial Parkway. Digital imagery was 

acquired for 1937, 1959, 1996 and 2000 for the 

entire park. This photography will be used in 

the parks GIS to look at change and condition 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 51

of various features over time.

• NCR RTSC funds were leveraged, along with 

funds from NCR Facilities Management Program, to hire seven seasonal employees. The 

seasonals were tasked with using GPS to document the location of assets in six parks. As a 

result of their work, parking lots, bridges, trails 

and features on the List of Classified Structures 

(LCS) were mapped and coordinates entered 

into the Facility Management Software System and LCS for use by Facilities and Cultural 

Resource staff. This data was also put into the 

park GIS system which will add to the parks 

in other projects. Additional funding was 

procured from NCR Planning Office to support GPS and GIS projects in the region. This 

funding was used to enhance, maintain, and 

purchase GPS and GIS equipment that support 

planning projects in the region. RTSC funding 

along with a grant from REI and the Potomac 

Conservancy was used to create a Search and 

Rescue Atlas for the Potomac Gorge. This Atlas will be used by law enforcement and emergency responders during search and rescue 

operations on the Potomac River.

• In the Pacific West Region, GIS program funds 

were provided to Oregon Caves National 

Monument to assess cumulative impacts to 

the cave occurring along the primary tour 

routes. To better assess the magnitude of these 

impacts, the park undertook a project in 2006 

to map soil compaction and locations of damaged features. Park managers are storing this 

information in a GIS data layer that will aid in 

determining carrying capacity for the cave.

• The Southeast Region GIS Program provided 

a Student Conservation Association (SCA) 

intern to the Chickamauga and Chattanooga 

National Military Park to complete the 

mapping of the park’s monuments and markers. Over 800 markers and monuments were 

photographed and their locations recorded 

using GPS as well as approximately one half of 

the park’s Civil War earthworks. These data 

provide the park with critical information for 

managing resources and visitor needs. The 

data was also provided to the NPS Cultural 

Resource GIS program for inclusion in their 

national database. In addition, cave locations, 

building footprints and approximately half of 

the park’s trails were also mapped.

• An SCA Intern was funded by the Southeast 

Region to provide critical water quality and 

watershed assessment work at Chattahoochee 

River National Recreation Area. The Chattahoochee River NRA provides rare green 

space to the more than 4 million residents of 

the Atlanta Metro Area and is under continual 

threat from numerous industrial, agricultural, 

and suburban pollution sources. This position 

will enable the park to identify and respond to 

these threats and protect visitors and natural 

resources.

• The Alaska Region developed an Avian Observation Database to record sick and dead 

birds as reported through the statewide Avian 

Influenza Hotline, managed by the National 

Park Service. This database allows the hotline 

operator to record detailed information about 

each observation including location of bird(s) 

and type or species of bird(s). The hotline operator follows the workflow protocols developed by an interagency committee and also records within the database the people who were 

contacted and all actions taken in response to 

the observation. The database is disseminated 

to the involved agencies where stored information can be searched and retrieved for further 

analysis and reporting. For the year 2006, 290 

bird observations were recorded with 41 of 

those being priority observations. Over half of 

the observations have been recorded spatially 

in a corresponding GIS layer.

• The Alaska Region GIS Team assisted the 

Bureau of Land Management National Training Center (Phoenix, Arizona) in developing 

a mapping grade Trimble GPS course. Two 

4-day training events were held in Arcata, California and Anchorage, Alaska during fiscal year 

2006. Trainees learned the fundamentals for 

advanced sub-meter GPS use, thereby reducing 

field and post-processing errors. During these 

two events, 45 students from the NPS, BLM 

and partnering municipal government agencies were trained. This course and the cadre 

of NPS/BLM instructors will be provided 

throughout DOI at several locations on an annual basis.

INVENTORY AND MONITORING PROGRAM (I&M)

FY 2006 Allocation: $43,124,000

This program provides park managers with information about what they manage (inventories) 

and the condition of the resources they manage 

(monitoring) so that science-based informed 

decisions can be made about actions that affect 

natural resources. The program, which began 

in the early 1990s, has expanded greatly as a 

result of Natural Resource Challenge increases. 

In FY 2000, the National Park Service organized 270 natural resource parks into a system 

of 32 networks to provide an efficient means of 

carrying out expanded inventory and monitoring (I&M) activities. In FY 2006, the program 

received a net increase of $3,602,000 as a result 

of reprogramming from the Natural Resource 

Preservation Program (NRPP).

Through this program, each of the parks involved is to obtain 12 basic inventory products 

In the National Capital Region seven 

seasonal employees used GPS to 

document the location of assets in six 

parks. This data will be used in park 

planning and to ensure visitor safety 

through the creation of a Search and 

Rescue Atlas for the Potomac Gorge.

Ida Cunningham waits for an optimal 

GPS signal before navigating to an 

accuracy assessment point during an 

evaluation of Olympic National Park’s 

existing vegetation map.
52 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

and park networks are to develop and implement 

programs to monitor the most critical vital signs 

(indicators of park ecosystem health) in all parks 

with significant natural resources. The vital signs 

monitoring component of the program began in 

FY 2001. Earlier designed prototype monitoring 

programs which began in 1992 to evaluate alternative monitoring designs and strategies continue although most of the prototypes are now 

closely integrated with their respective networks.

As of FY 2006, 1,939 park data sets have been 

completed. This resulted in essentially completing seven inventory data sets for all natural 

resource parks (natural resource bibliographies, 

vertebrate and vascular plant species lists, base 

cartography data, baseline water quality data, 

water body location and classification, air quality data, and meteorological data) in addition to 

making progress on the remaining five inventories. Additionally, 30 networks encompassing 

251 parks have been funded to monitor vital 

signs. The 30 networks are involved in a threephase planning process to develop quality, peerreviewed monitoring program designs that will 

provide the best possible information for management use. The first 30 networks have completed the vital signs identification phase (phase 

2 of 3). In these networks, the categories of vital 

signs that predominated include landscape dynamics, weather and climate, water chemistry, 

bird distribution and abundance, and invasive/

exotic plants.

The I&M program directly achieves goals of the 

National Park Service strategic plan. The Service’s inventory goal met its target in FY 2006 to 

complete 1,942 (70.2 percent) of the 2,767 outstanding data sets. The Service’s FY 2006 goal 

that 90 percent (243) of the 270 parks with significant natural resources identify their vital signs 

was exceeded. As a direct result of the strategy 

of organizing parks into 32 vital signs monitoring 

networks, 250 parks (93 percent) had identified 

their vital signs, compared to the annual goal of 

243 parks. In the new strategic plan, the NPS will 

focus on implementing the measurement of park 

vital signs, rather than identifying them; this is a 

direct result of new funding under the Natural 

Resource Challenge.

Universities, other non-governmental entities, 

and non-NPS government agencies produced 

inventory and monitoring products totaling more 

than $10 million during the year. Efficiencies and 

leveraging was obtained by partnering. For example, in FY 2006, I&M funding was combined 

with funding from USGS to further accelerate 

vegetation mapping. Alaska land cover mapping 

combined I&M funding in a variety of cooperative projects, including those with the U.S. Geological Survey, Ducks Unlimited, National Wetlands Inventory, and the University of Alaska.

Activities administered and funded through the 

Inventory and Monitoring Program are as follows:

Inventories

Natural resource inventories being conducted 

as part of the Natural Resource Challenge are 

revealing many new and exciting insights into the 

natural resources contained in parks. Not only 

are the investigations increasing our knowledge 

and understanding about park resources, but the 

information being provided is also being used to 

address a wide variety of resource management 

issues and activities.

The Inventory component of the National Park 

Basic Data Sets

End of 

FY 2006

End Of

FY 2007 

End Of

FY 2008 FY 2009–101

Completed Completed Completed To be 

Completed

Natural Resource Bibliographies 270 270 270 Completed

Base Cartographic Data 270 270 270 Completed

Species Lists 270 270 270 Completed

Species Surveys 100 200 270 Completed

Vegetation Maps 80 116 146 124

Soils Maps 100 140 160 110

Geology Maps 92 146 204 66

Water Body Locations 270 270 270 Completed

Baseline Water Quality Data 270 270 270 Completed

Air Quality Data 270 270 270 Completed

Air Quality-Related Values 150 175 200 70

Meteorological Data 270 270 270 Completed

1

 The Servicewide program acquires basic inventory data sets for about 270 parks with significant natural resources. 

However, some parks have acquired some of these data sets and a few parks may not need all 12 sets. The parks to be 

completed reflects the number of parks Servicewide with outstanding needs.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 53

Service Inventory and Monitoring Program reports to the strategic planning goal on Natural 

Resource Inventories that states that by September 30, 2006, acquisition or development of 70.2 

percent (1,942) of the 2,767 outstanding data 

sets identified in 2002 of basic natural resource 

inventories for all parks will be complete. The 

number of outstanding datasets was increased 

to 2,767 in FY 2002 when vegetation maps were 

added to the baseline inventories.

The Service completed an additional 178 datasets in FY 2006, bringing the total to 1,939 (70.1 

percent) of the outstanding datasets. Some parks 

will require additional time to certify the accuracy of their biological (vertebrates and vascular 

plants) field inventories, even though most of 

those field inventories were completed and data 

sets available by the end of FY 2005.

The increased funding for natural resource inventories received through the Natural Resource 

Challenge since FY 2000 is allowing the National 

Park Service to significantly increase the rate at 

which the basic natural resource inventories are 

completed. By combining Challenge funding, 

with funds previously available for inventories, 

the Service now estimates that it will complete 

the basic resource inventories for all 270 natural 

resource parks over a period of approximately 

10–12 years, rather than the 20–25 years projected to complete the inventories prior to receiving 

the additional Natural Resource Challenge funding.

The national I&M office has worked closely with 

park resource managers and others to obtain 

information about which of the 12 basic natural 

resource inventories are of highest priority to the 

parks for addressing various resource management and protection issues, as updating resource 

management plans and developing management 

actions to respond to a particular threat to park 

resources. Those priorities were revised in fiscal 

1997 and are currently being used to establish 

the service-wide strategies for completing the 

inventories.

In FY 2006, inventory funding was devoted 

primarily to seven of the basic inventories: base 

cartography, vegetation mapping, soils mapping, 

geologic resource inventories, baseline water 

quality data inventories, meteorology, and Air 

Quality Related Values (AQRV’s). Profiled below 

are examples of how inventory results during 

FY 2006 were used to better understand, manage, and protect park resources.

Biologist Brenda Wells enters water 

quality data into NPStoret for the 

Cumberland Piedmont Network. Over 

27,000 record entries were made in 

FY 2006.
54 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

• New Fish Species Discovered in American 

Samoa. A new fish species in the genus of Ostorhinchus was discovered by a Department 

of Marine and Wildlife Resources biologist 

in American Samoa. The Senior Ichthyologist at the Bishop Museum is in the process 

of writing the description to name this newly 

discovered species. The fish has subsequently 

been observed in waters in the Tutuila unit of 

the National Park of American Samoa during 

a routine dive by park marine ecologists. This 

fish lives in deep areas of the reef usually below 

depths of 90 feet.

• Giant Sequoia Tree Inventory Maps. All giant 

sequoia trees, logs, and reproduction (seedlings) were historically mapped during the 

1930s in Yosemite National Park and during 

the 1960s and 1970s in Sequoia and Kings 

Canyon National Parks. These maps and associated data were identified as an important 

baseline dataset for long-term monitoring and 

management of this species, however most of 

these data were not in digital format. These 

historic maps were recently converted into 

digital formats, and over 73,000 trees, logs, 

snags, and seedlings were digitized and georeferenced. Analysis of these data will improve 

the park’s understanding and preservation of 

the complexity and ecology of these majestic 

trees.

• Four-toed Salamander Inventory, Year One of 

Two Completed. The four-toed salamander 

(Hemidactylium scutatum) is a Massachusetts 

Species of Special Concern whose distribution 

and abundance at Cape Cod National Seashore is poorly known. The limited information available suggested it occurred in some of 

the park’s tidally restricted wetlands proposed 

for tidal restoration. To assist in planning for 

these restorations, and to facilitate a more informed evaluation of alternatives, a breeding 

season inventory of four-toed salamanders was 

initiated in FY 2006. This first of two year’s 

effort found that four-toed salamanders occur 

in both tidally restricted wetlands and isolated 

wetlands (e.g. vernal ponds). However, both 

frequency of occurrence and abundance was 

greater in tidally-restricted wetlands, although 

the difference in frequency was not statistically 

significant. Additional sampling in 2007 will 

provide a more definitive sense of this species 

distribution, abundance, and breeding-habitat 

use.

• Mercury Contamination Documented in Fish 

Populations. Preliminary results of inventorying atmospheric contaminants in aquatic 

ecosystems found that fish in high elevation 

lakes at North Cascades and Mount Rainier 

National Parks had mercury concentrations 

at 17 to 262 (μg/kg) and total PCB’s and DDE, 

two organochlorines, at <25 (μg/kg), measured 

as wet weight. These contaminants were not 

found in fish from lakes inventoried from 

Olympic National Park, a park near the Pacific 

Ocean buffered from urban areas. Although 

the final report has not been completed, interim data suggest that urban areas may be the 

primary source of atmospheric contaminants 

affecting lake ecosystems in North Cascades 

and Mount Rainier.

Tapto #2 Lake in North Cascades National Park had an acid neutralizing 

capacity of less than 10 μeq/L, making it extremely sensitive to air quality impacts.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 55

• Prairie Rattlesnake / Western Rattlesnake 

Hybrid Found. Through a cooperative agreement between the Northern Colorado Plateau 

Network and the Utah Division of Wildlife, 

state zoologist George Oliver documented the 

first hybrid rattlesnake known from the state of 

Utah. The hybrid rattlesnake is a cross between 

the green prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis 

viridis) and the Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus). It is well known that 

in captivity almost all species of rattlesnakes 

are capable of producing hybrid offspring, but 

hybridization in rattlesnakes in nature seldom 

occurs.

• Vascular Plant Inventories Document Rare 

Orchid Species. The field work for vascular 

plant inventories has been completed for all 

five Appalachian Highland Network parks. To 

date, 453 species of previously-undocumented 

vascular plants have been added to park species lists for Blue Ridge Parkway, Big South 

Fork National River & Recreation Area, and 

Obed Wild & Scenic River. This represents a 

significant accomplishment in parks that have 

each had extensive botanical surveys done in 

the past. The most significant find for FY 2006 

was a white fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia), a candidate for federal threatened/

endangered listing; found for the first time at 

Big South Fork during network inventories. 

Further searches in 2006, refined with predictive GIS habitat models developed from characteristics of the originally discovered populations, resulted in the discovery of what is either 

the largest or the second largest population of 

white fringeless orchid known to exist.

• Chytrid Fungus Inventories. The Southeast 

Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network 

(SECN) has partnered with the USFWS, The 

Atlanta Zoo, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and others to further understand the distribution of a chytrid fungus, an 

amphibian pathogen related to large-scale 

amphibian population declines. The SECN 

staff sampled and tested several frog and salamander species at five parks in the Southeast 

Region (Cumberland Island National Seashore, Horseshoe Bend National Military 

Park, Timucuan Ecological and Historic 

Preserve, Ocmulgee National Monument, 

and Kennesaw Mountain National Military 

Park) in spring and fall 2006 as part of an ongoing Cooperative Agreement with researchers at the University of Georgia. Preliminary 

results have shown that the fungus is present 

in frog and salamander species at Horseshoe 

Bend. Sampling efforts will be expanded this 

fall at Horseshoe Bend, Kennesaw Mountain, 

and Ocmulgee to more adequately address the 

presence of this disease in SECN parks.

• Eight New Fish and Eighteen New Plants Detected at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic 

Site. Southern Plains Network conducted biological inventories at Bent’s Old Fort in 2001 

and 2002. However, the Network has determined that the original biological inventories 

did not sufficiently cover the aquatic resources 

at the park. Filling this gap was a priority because aquatic resources were determined to 

be instrumental in vital signs monitoring. The 

Southern Plains Network developed an interagency agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct further plant and fish inventories in the park’s largest wetland and along the 

Arkansas River which bisects the park. This 

project detected 8 new species of fish and 18 

new plant species for the park. The invasion of 

cattail (Typha latifolia) and the exotic Canada 

thistle (Cirsium arvense) into the Arch wetland 

were identified as severe problems that could 

restrict plant diversity and bulrush habitat.

• Biscayne National Park Cryptic Reef Fish 

Inventory. The cryptic reef fish inventory completed field work in September 2006, and analysis is in progress. Network staff participated 

in the third field expedition of the Biscayne 

National Park cryptic fish inventory conducted 

with REEF (Reef Environment Education 

Foundation). To date, over 50 new species 

have been added to the park’s list of marine 

fish from this endeavor with close to 200 sites 

sampled stratified across multiple habitats.

Monitoring

Natural resource monitoring provides site-specific information needed to understand and 

identify change in complex, variable, and imperfectly understood natural systems and to determine whether observed changes are within natural levels of variability or may be indicators of 

unwanted human influences. Thus, monitoring 

provides a basis for understanding and identifying meaningful change in natural systems characterized by complexity, variability, and surprises. 

Monitoring data help to define the normal limits 

of natural variation in park resources and provide a basis for understanding observed changes. 

Monitoring results may be used to determine 

what constitutes impairment and to identify the 

need to initiate or change management practices.

The intent of park vital signs monitoring is to 

track a subset of physical, chemical, and biological elements and processes of park ecosystems 

that are selected to represent the overall health 

or condition of park resources, known or hypothesized effects of stressors, or elements that 

have important human values.

During the development of the vision for park vi-
56 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Common Types of Identified Vital Signs

Level 1 Category Level 2 Category Level 3 Category Example Measures Net-works Parks

Air and Climate

Air Quality

Ozone Atmospheric ozone concentration, damage to 

sensitive vegetation 17 118

Wet and Dry Deposition

Wet deposition chemistry (pH, NO3-, 

SO4

-2), continuous sulfur (SO2

) dioxide 

concentrations

18 93

Visibility and Particulate 

Matter IMPROVE network; visibility and fine particles 18 83

Air Contaminants Concentrations of mercury, benzene, toluene, 

ethylene chloride), atrazine 13 72

Weather and Climate Weather and Climate Temperature, precipitation, wind speed, ice 

on/off 25 204

Geology and Soils

Geomorphology Stream Channel 

Characteristics

Erosion/sedimentation, channel change, rate 

of scouring, stream profiles, coarse woody 

debris

12 81

Soil Quality Soil Function and 

Dynamics

Biological soil crusts, aggregate stability, soil 

surface condition, nutrients, organic matter 12 71

Water

Hydrology Surface water dynamics

Discharge/flow rates (cfs), gauge/stage height, 

lake elevation, spring/seep volume, sea level 

rise

22 137

Water Quality

Water Chemistry pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, 

conductivity 24 183

Aquatic 

Macroinvertebrates

Species richness, diversity, IBI of stream 

macroivertebrates, relative abundance 13 81

Biological Integrity

Invasive Species Invasive/Exotic Plants

Early detection (predictive search models); 

presence/absence, area covered by exotic 

species

23 184

Focal Species &

Communities

Vegetation Communities

Species richness and diversity, rates of 

mortality and regeneration, stand structural 

dynamics

12 80

Forest Vegetation Species composition, % cover by species & 

layer, tree growth & mortality, regeneration 13 83

Birds Species composition, distribution, abundance 24 138

Mammals Species composition, distribution, abundance 18 95

Fishes Species composition, distribution, abundance 13 77

Amphibians Species composition, distribution, abundance 17 86

At-risk Biota

T&E species and 

communities

Distribution,abundance, age and sex 

composition 16 112

Human Use Visitor & Recreation 

Use Visitor Usage Numbers of visitors by location, activity, season 12 85

Ecosystem Pattern 

and Processes Land Cover and Use Land Cover and Use

Area in each land cover and use type; patch 

size and pattern (from satellite and aerial 

imagery)

25 197
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 57

tal signs monitoring, it was clear that a “one size 

fits all” approach to monitoring design would 

not be effective in the National Park Service considering the tremendous variability among parks 

in ecological conditions, sizes, and management 

capabilities. A primary purpose of vital signs 

monitoring is to provide park managers with the 

data they need to understand and manage park 

resources, and the data most relevant to different types of park systems should be expected 

to be very different. Furthermore, partnerships 

with federal and state agencies and adjacent 

landowners are critical to effectively understand 

and manage the many resources and threats that 

extend beyond park boundaries, but these partnerships (and the appropriate ecological indicators and methodologies involved) differ for parks 

throughout the national park system.

Twenty-six networks (255 parks) have completed 

the process of determining which vital signs will 

be monitored in which parks based on available 

funding, and the most common categories of 

vital signs selected are summarized in the following table. The list of vital signs will not be 

finalized until each network has completed the 

protocol design phase and its negotiations with 

partners on options for implementation are completed. The most common park vital signs and 

the number of parks identified by 24 networks 

as a top priority are summarized in the following 

table.

As of the end of FY 2006, 30 of the 32 networks 

had been funded for condition monitoring, 

and the remaining 2 networks received initial 

planning funds. The first 17 networks have now 

implemented monitoring after completing the 

planning and design of the program. The resulting scientifically sound information is critical for 

designing strategies to protect and restore natural 

resources, for working with others whose actions 

influence resource conditions, and for measuring 

the condition of park resources.

As of September 30, 2006, 250 parks (93 percent, 

compared to the goal of 90 percent) had identified their vital signs and 157 parks (58 percent) 

had implemented vital signs monitoring. Because 

of the strategy of building on existing monitoring efforts by parks, other programs, and other 

agencies, and by involving the superintendents 

and park staff in the planning and design of longterm monitoring efforts, the I&M networks have 

played a key strategic role in the National Park 

System as a unifying program that has catalyzed 

collaboration among parks and programs, and 

developed new cost-sharing opportunities with 

other programs and agencies.

Profiled below are examples of how monitoring 

results during FY 2006 were used to better understand, manage, and protect park resources.

• Landscape changes as revealed by repeat photography. During 2004–2006, scenes from a 

total of 214 historic photographs were re-taken 

in three Southwest Alaska network parks and 

organized into a database. The primary subjects of the photographs are glaciers, ocean 

shorelines, floodplains, volcanic features, 

landslides, avalanche chutes, plant succession 

including shrub and tree expansion, and human disturbance. In comparing the old and 

recent photographs, it is evident that a variety 

of changes associated with vegetation succession and geomorphic processes have occurred within the parks. Volcanism in Katmai 

National Park and Preserve and Aniakchak 

National Monument and Preserve has created extensive barren landscapes that for the 

most part have been slowly colonized except in 

favorable microsites. Most glaciers have shown 

dramatic retreat since the early 1900s, with 

newly exposed surfaces becoming rapidly vegetated by tall shrubs and trees at low elevations 

but remaining sparsely vegetated at higher 

elevations. Expansion of trees and shrubs was 

observed in western Katmai, and altitudinal 

increase in treeline was observed at many locations in Katmai and Lake Clark National Park 

and Preserve.

• State-of-the-art coral reef monitoring detects 

interaction between coral bleaching and coral 

disease outbreaks. Increased temperatures 

detected by coral reef monitoring at three Caribbean parks triggered episodic monitoring 

that began in September 2005 and continued 

throughout FY 2006. October 2005 saw the 

Caribbean park reefs suffering through the 

most severe coral bleaching ever documented 

in Virgin Islands National Park and Buck 

Island Reef National Monument with 90 

percent of coral bleached at South Florida/

Caribbean Network study sites. A three-fold 

increase in monitoring frequency triggered by 

the bleaching episode produced the “discovery” that tremendous levels of coral mortality 

(currently an average 47 percent decrease in 

live coral cover for Caribbean park sites in 

FY 2006) was caused by coral disease outbreak 

(primarily “white plague”) that occurred as the 

corals were recovering from bleaching.

• Hemorrhagic disease may be responsible for 

significant declines in white-tailed deer at 

three parks in Missouri and Arkansas. Annual 

monitoring of white-tailed deer densities using 

state-of-the-art procedures detected significant declines in deer density at Arkansas Post 

National Monument (45 percent decline) 
58 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

(greater than 53 percent decline), while some 

decline occurred also at Pea Ridge National 

Battlefield. Population declines on the three 

parks may be attributable to hemorrhagic 

disease, which was detected in the deer herd 

at Wilson’s Creek in the fall of 2005. This viral disease is acute, infectious, and often fatal 

and has been reported in southern Missouri 

and Arkansas. Park staff found 11 dead deer in 

September and expect that many others died 

undetected.

• Changes in land cover and use at Sierra Nevada parks determined through analysis of 

historic vegetation maps. The Sierra Nevada 

Network partnered with the University of California at Davis to digitize vegetation maps for 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

using historic information compiled in the 

1920s and 1930s. Yosemite National Park’s 

map had previously been digitized. The original data consists of photos, species inventories, 

plot maps, and vegetation maps covering much 

of California. The data provide a snapshot of 

the state’s vegetation in the early 20th century, 

making the collection an invaluable resource 

for examining changes in land cover and use, 

and for informing our knowledge of habitat 

restoration.

• Effectiveness of marine protected areas determined at Channel Islands National Park. Sixteen additional monitoring sites were added to 

the kelp forest monitoring program in FY 2006 

to assess the effectiveness of newly established 

marine protected areas in the park at stabilizing kelp forest community structure.

• Spadefoot toad monitoring at Cape Cod National Seashore leads to enhanced protection. 

Data collected during development of the 

amphibian monitoring protocol indicated that 

Cape Cod National Seashore’s Province Lands 

support perhaps the largest concentration of 

Eastern spadefoot toads in the northeastern 

United States. Unfortunately many are killed 

on park roads during rainy nights, particularly 

on Province Lands Road, which bisects an area 

of temporary wetlands used by spadefoots. 

Monitoring results led to a program of road 

closures on rainy nights to protect spadefoots 

and are being used refine and determine the effectiveness of this management action.

• Restoration of the cultural landscape at 

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield benefits 

rare plant species. An increase in the population size of the federally threatened Missouri 

bladderpod at the park in 2005 and its stability in 2006 has been attributed to restoration 

of the cultural landscape on Bloody Hill. The 

resulting open savanna provides habitat for the 

Missouri bladderpod, where it can increase in 

abundance and distribution. Monitoring by the 

network will continue to provide trend information to help guide management decisions.

• Parks and their importance in a fragmented 

landscape. The National Capital Region 

Network, as part of its Landscape Dynamics 

Monitoring, has developed a method to determine the importance of national park units to 

the dispersal of wildlife in surrounding land. 

With the help of satellite photos, the network 

At Channel Islands National Park resource managers established 16 new 

kelp forest monitoring sites. The program provides data on the effectiveness of the newly established marine 

protected areas.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 59

can identify patches of suitable habitat, such 

as forests or fields, both within and around the 

parks. Using a geographic information system, 

the distances between the suitable habitat 

patches are calculated. The measures are 

then compared to the maximum distance that 

particular animal species are willing to travel. 

This method, which examines connectivity of 

patches, can highlight vital habitat patches in 

the parks that are important in allowing wildlife species to travel throughout their entire 

range. In some cases relatively small patches 

of habitat can be important in that they serve 

as “bridges” allowing animals to move through 

parks to reach other locations. This technique 

can emphasize the importance of the parks 

as wildlife movement corridors and can help 

resource managers to identify patches within 

parks that require management attention.

NATURAL RESOURCE DATA AND INFORMATION 

PROGRAM

FY 2006 Allocation: $1,510,000

The purpose of the Natural Resource Data and 

Information Program is to develop guidelines, 

technical solutions, and procedures for using 

and managing natural resource data in parks. 

This program operates and maintains a variety 

of relational database solutions that support efficient and consistent programmatic workflow, 

document and track resource inventories and 

assessments, and provide the analyses needed to 

effectively plan, manage, and track a broad range 

of natural resource stewardship activities. Funds 

also support production of the annual edition of 

Natural Resource Year in Review and the journal 

Park Science. The development and dissemination of information for the public, NPS managers 

and interpreters, students, teachers, and the media, including administration of the NPS Nature 

and Science website and the Natural Resources 

Intranet is also handled through this program. 

The infusion of funds from the Natural Resource 

Challenge initiative, combined with the periodic 

allocation of project funding, provides the means 

for this program to maintain and refine Internet-based information technology solutions to 

successfully and efficiently gather and share data 

and information with a vast internal and external 

audience.

Highlights of FY 2006 activities include the following:

• Views of the National Parks (Views) is a multimedia educational program designed to teach 

school children and the public about national 

park resources. The program is available on 

the Internet and DVD. In FY 2006 the Views 

team and its partners completed modules on: 

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, 

Devils Tower National Monument, Grand 

Canyon-Parashant National Monument, 

Petersburg National Battlefield, Badlands 

National Park, and the Petroglyphs National 

Monument volcanism case study. The Wilderness module was translated into Spanish (by 

partners) and will be implemented in 2007. 

Educators working with the Views team wrote 

lesson plans for “Coastal Geology” and educational curriculum guides for “Caves and Karst” 

(comprehensive, 1-week, and 2-week versions). 

Partnerships were initiated or expanded with 

the: University of Colorado-Denver School of 

Education, NASA Mission Mars and Mission 

Landsat, and the Denver Museum of Nature 

and Science. Nearly 20,000 copies of the Views 

DVD were distributed, most significantly as 

part of the American Geological Institute’s 

“Earth Science Week” toolkit.

• e-Authentication pilot project-In collaboration with the Office of Management and 

Budget and General Services Administration, 

modifications to the NPS Research Permit and 

Reporting System software were implemented 

to accommodate e-Authentication pilot project 

requirements. The Department of The Interior 

uses this e-Authentication pilot project to help 

the federal government progressively respond 

to the President’s E-Government Initiative. 

The Internet-based NPS Research Permit and 

Reporting System receives more than 10,000 

new electronic records from the public annually (comprised of permit applications, issued 

permits, and annual accomplishment reports).

• Pesticicide and Herbicide Tracking. More than 

2,000 pesticide and herbicide use proposals 

were approved and tracked during FY 2006 

using the Internet-based Integrated Pest 

Management (IPM) system. The IPM system 

efficiently and consistently facilitates the proposal, review and approval, and tracking of 

applied pest control agents within the National 

Park Service. The data obtained through the 

continued use of this system is conveyed to the 

National Archives every two years.

RESEARCH LEARNING CENTERS

Cumulative Increases: 2,698,000 (FY 2001 and 

FY 2002)

Seventeen Research Learning Centers (RLCs) 

were created beginning FY2001 to promote 

new knowledge about park resources through 

research, education, and public engagement. 

Twelve RLCs have been funded through the 

Natural Resource Challenge (NRC) and five 

through a combination of existing park base and 

partner support. The two newest RLCs, Crater 

Lake Science and Learning Center and Greater 

Yellowstone Science Learning Center, were es-
60 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

to promote science literacy, science-informed 

decision making, and resource stewardship. RLC 

education coordinators created over 90 science 

communication products used by teachers, students, park staff, and the general public. These 

include on-line multi-media approaches such 

as digital video, audio recordings and electronic 

field trips along with more traditional products 

such as project summaries, newsletters, brochures, resource and site bulletins, wayside and 

visitor center exhibits, and nature trail guides. 

Sixty public workshops and seminars were held 

on specific topics such as coastal erosion and restoration, avian ecology, saltmarsh loss, as well as 

conferences highlighting a range of park research 

projects. Through RLCs, more than 2,000 teachers and 7,000 students were engaged in handson science activities in and about parks. Internally, RLC staffs provided nearly 8,000 hours of 

training for park resource managers, interpreters, 

and concessionaires on climate change, wetland 

health, grassland restoration, invasive plant mapping and eradication, wildlife and vegetation 

monitoring, air quality, forest pathogens and 

pests, and a host of other topics. Because science 

communication is an important component to all 

Natural Resource Challenge programs, RLCs are 

currently involved in efforts to collaborate with 

other programs, such as Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) and CESUs, to identify products we 

might jointly produce to consistently convey high 

quality resource information to managers and 

the public.

Partnerships are the key to RLC success. In 

FY 2006, RLCs engaged more than 330 partners 

including universities, schools, non-profit organizations, community groups, federal, state, and 

tribal agencies and a range of NPS programs. 

By involving partners in park research, scholarship, and educational activities, RLCs logged 

over 25,000 volunteer hours and leveraged 

$7 million in direct match and in-kind support, 

plus millions more in research supported solely 

by outside funding agencies. Among the most 

successful volunteer efforts were citizen science programs. Some of these were “bioblitzes” 

(one or two day events to inventory one taxa or 

habitat such as aquatic invertebrates, moths, or 

beetles) while others represent longer-term programs to monitor the health of a species, such as 

the Common Loon, or a group of species such as 

butterflies.

Highlights of RLC supported activities for 

FY 2006 include the following:

• The Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus 

principalis) is the largest woodpecker in North 

America, and the second largest in the world. 

tablished in FY 2006. The mission of the RLCs is 

to increase the effectiveness and communication 

of research and science results in the national 

parks by:

• Facilitating use of parks for scientific inquiry

• Supporting science-informed decision making

• Communicating relevance of and providing access to research knowledge

• Promoting resource stewardship through partnerships

RLC staffs include research and education coordinators and, in some cases, other technical 

and administrative support personnel. While 

staffs are located at a host park, most RLCs serve 

multiple park units; over 100 of the existing 390 

National Park System (NPS) units are served by 

RLCs. Basic facilities for research and education vary widely from one RLC to the next, but 

nearly all provide housing, office and meeting 

space, computer use with internet access, and a 

range of products and services that communicate 

science and research results. In addition, some 

RLCs provide project funding and grant writing assistance as well as the following logistical 

support: wet and dry analytical labs (e.g. refractometers, microscopes, sieves, sample bottles, 

etc); field equipment (e.g., spotting scopes, binoculars, GPS units, data loggers, digital cameras, 

inflatable raft, radio telemetry receivers, waders, 

canoes, coolers, etc.); access to libraries, park 

data, and archives; transportation (including use 

of boats and research vessels for aquatic and 

marine research); and field assistants (students 

interns and citizen science volunteers).

Through the efforts of RLCs, the National Park 

Service is effectively meeting managers’ needs 

for quality scientific information. In FY 2006, 

RLC research coordinators helped to establish 

and implement over 800 research permits, nearly 

500 of which met park back-logged needs for 

resource information. RLC housing accommodated 16,968 people-nights, saving researchers 

$922,663 in lodging expenses. RLC staffs worked 

with 346 college students that were involved in 

park research, many of which were graduate students conducting independent research. About 

one-third of the RLCs now offer internship 

or fellowship programs, often in collaboration 

with other Natural Resource Challenge programs such as Cooperative Ecosystems Studies 

Units (CESUs) or nonprofit park partners. Seed 

money from these programs helps promote park 

research while providing modest stipends for 

future scientists.

Science communication and educational activities are integrated into many research projects 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 61

Thought to be extinct, it was recently rediscovered in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas. The Old-Growth Bottomland 

Forest Research and Education Center has 

taken a lead role in working with a wide range 

of stakeholders, including federal and state 

agencies, non-governmental organizations, and 

private entities, to evaluate the possible presence of the species in South Carolina. Efforts 

include facilitating workshops, training citizen 

scientists to conduct field surveys, compiling 

and entering data, and a host of other recovery 

support and science communication activities.

• Mount Rainier is a steep, glaciated volcano, 

and it naturally sheds copious amounts of 

sediment. This dirt fills the river channels, 

makes flooding worse, and destroys increasing amounts of park infrastructure. The North 

Coast and Cascades Research Learning Network is facilitating research to survey river 

channel beds, compare them to historic maps 

and data from 1910, and evaluate the rate of 

historic channel filling. Results suggest the 

river has risen an astounding 38 feet since 1910, 

and 6 feet in the last year alone. This information is critical for park planning.

• The study of factors affecting the marine mammal decline in the North Pacific remained a 

high priority for the Ocean Alaska Science 

Learning Center, which contributed $70,000 

to harbor seal and Steller sea lion projects that 

was matched by more than $975,000 in external funding. Results suggest that Steller sea lion 

and harbor seal populations declines may have 

slowed or ceased and that populations have 

stabilized somewhat at levels approximately 

85 percent less than in 1980.

• Big Egg Marsh, Jamaica Bay was selected as 

one of four national sites featured in “Estuary 

Live,” a live internet broadcast for classrooms 

around the country. The Jamaica Bay Institute developed the tour, which took place on 

National Estuaries Day, September 29, 2006. 

More than 250 schools from 35 states, representing at least 15,000 students, participated 

in this virtual exploration of the estuary with 

scientists, resource managers, educators and 

community members. During the hour-long 

broadcast, students submitted more than 300 

questions to on-site field trip.

• The Appalachian Highlands Science Learning 

Center collaborated with numerous partners 

to offer nine bioblitzes in 2006. These were focused citizen science volunteer efforts to help 

researchers conduct field inventories of specific taxa or habitats such as water mites, ferns, 

moths and butterflies, beetles, slime molds and 

species found in the unique habitats of tree 

canopies and karst areas. The thrill of discovery, the newspaper articles that accompany the 

bioblitz and direct public involvement, all lead 

to greater stewardship and an increased sense 

of place that is changing the way the public values national parks.

• Discover Denali, a public education program 

developed by the Murie Science and Learning 

Center and the Denali Foundation, reached 

3000 participants this year. The program includes a presentation by Center staff of film 

and historic photographs, a hands-on “skins 

Citizen Scientists in search of the elusive Ivory-billed Woodpecker at Congaree National Park. The Ivory-billed 

Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) 

is the largest woodpecker in North 

America, and the second largest in 

the world. Thought to be extinct, 

it was recently rediscovered in the 

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge 

in Arkansas.
62 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

and skulls” session, and a ranger-led hike to 

the site of Morino’s roadhouse. A portion of 

the proceeds from the program supports the 

Discover Denali Research Fellowship Program, 

which can in turn provide grants up to $5,000 

for high priority park research projects. This 

extraordinary program is a wonderful example 

of how research and education objectives can 

be integrated with a RLC.

• A cyber infrastructure, remote sensor arrays, and a dynamic website are being used to 

provide access to real-time and historic information on southern California coastal ecosystems. The California Mediterranean RLC 

has developed multiple partnerships to serve 

real-time or close to real-time visual, climatic, 

and acoustical components of the environment 

on the internet, along with links to raw climate 

and ecological data, long term data series (including Vital Signs monitoring), and digitized 

photographs. The effort will expand public and 

student awareness of the Mediterranean ecosystem in this urban area.

• The Continental Divide RLC sponsored a 

nine-week interpretive series called “Science 

Behind the Scenery” allowing scientists to 

present their research to public audiences. The 

most popular talks were on bears (90 in attendance) and mountain lions (102 in attendance). 

The volunteer citizen science hummingbird 

project was presented three times over the season to a packed house of 75–90 people. Other 

topics included historic trails, glaciers, archeology, and air quality.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 63
64 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 65

Chapter Five: Financial Details

This chapter presents financial details for Servicewide natural resource programs. Information 

in Chapters Three and Four describe program 

accomplishments and highlight which of the programs have benefited from the Natural Resource 

Challenge funding provided between FY 2000 

and FY 2006, and how the programs were affected.

The Natural Resource funding is requested as a 

series of discrete programs, including 14 Servicewide programs, Everglades restoration elements, 

and the Glen Canyon Adaptive Management 

Program. Funding for the set of actions that 

make up the Natural Resource Challenge in 

some cases was requested as new programs, but 

also was requested under appropriate program 

budgets. Since many Challenge increases resulted 

in expansions of existing programs, only some of 

the Challenge budget increases are easily identifiable separate line items. In other cases, the 

Challenge funds are mixed with previous park or 

program bases. Therefore, the Challenge funding 

cannot be distinguished in most of the programby-program financial information. Details of the 

history of Challenge funding are included in 

Appendix A.

Likewise, parks receive a single allocation for 

their operations funding and neither Challenge 

funding, nor natural resource management generally, are separately identified. For parks, funding is shown only for parks that received Natural 

Resource Challenge funding; funding for their 

entire natural resource programs is as reported 

by the parks.

Below are details of funding changes by program 

between FY 2005 and FY 2006. In addition, 

where appropriate, additional detail is provided 

regarding how funding within these programs 

has been allocated.

Natural Resource (NR) Funding of Parks Receiving NR Challenge Increases

 FY 01 or 

FY 02 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

Park Challenge 

Increase NR Total NR Total NR Total NR Total NR Total

Acadia NP 345,000 849,827 794,395 755,087 752,395 695,273

Antietam NB 150,000 319,965 316,723 314,900 353,000 350,000

Appalachian National 

Scenic Trail 142,000 263,638 256,603 258,337 298,642 299,453

Big Cypress NPr1 399,000 1,033,640 1,010,000 1,108,140 1,108,140 1,085,907

Buck Island Reef NM2 100,000 270,000 216,450 216,000 216,000 216,000

Catoctin Mountain Park3 89,000 254,400 231,900 232,200 272,414 174,867

Channel Islands NP4 498,000 1,406,622 1,406,622 1,440,607 1,891,222 1,891,222

Coronado NMem 60,000 94,993 105,231 95,236 108,000 60,000

Curecanti NRA 141,000 657,500 690,600 719,300 724,000 731,700

Dinosaur NM 189,000 501,800 559,375 568,874 571,152 524,200

Gates of the Arctic NP&Pr 148,000 362,401 363,039 349,164 377,345 357,517

Great Basin NP 126,000 331,450 315,756 375,939 367,080 382,600

Great Sand Dunes NP 180,000 291,700 287,500 281,300 281,300 323,400

Great Smoky Mountains 

NP 402,000 1,245,100 1,152,700 1,003,200 1,231,700 476,000

Haleakala NP 480,000 1,561,660 1,372,200 1,196,400 1,196,400 1,404,882

Homestead NM of America 82,000 104,500 104,500 81,198 82,460 82,353

Hopewell Culture NHP3 105,000 95,000 79,322 103,047 99,953 109,519

Jewel Cave NM 50,000 168,500 168,500 167,140 159,203 153,330

John Day Fossil Beds NM 95,000 129,000 130,000 115,000 127,101 119,000

1

 Part of increase to another program for contract support; part of balance of change from pre-Challenge increase due to 

realigned position.

2

 Also received $65,000 Coral Reef Initiative increase in FY 2001.

3

 Information provided by parks for FY 2003 report included discrepencies with previously provided information or did 

not add or subtract correctly; attempts to resolve were unsuccessful.

4

 Received NRC money in FY2002 ($498k for Santa Cruz Island restoration) and a non-NRC increase in FY2005 ($477k for 

island fox recovery).

At Haleakala National Park Feral Animal Bio-Tech Gale Plana (with white 

hard hat) leads two Americorps volunteers and emergency hire Bio-Tech 

Jon Han (camo hat) in adding aproning to the east Kaupo Gap fence. The 

fence is a key element of the park's 

efforts to control non-native feral 

animals.
66 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Natural Resource (NR) Funding of Parks Receiving NR Challenge Increases

 FY 01 or 

FY 02 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006

Park Challenge 

Increase NR Total NR Total NR Total NR Total NR Total

Kalaupapa NHP 211,000 549,000 549,000 549,000 499,000 534,000

Lake Clark NP&Pr 147,000 321,500 319,810 250,000 262,600 245,800

Little River Canyon NPr5 85,000 182,426 174,027 112,900 171,275 95,898

Mojave NPr3 470,000 1,264,000 1,219,073 1,177,488 1,178,297 1,165,193

Monocacy NB3 118,000 120,000 116,000 116,000 116,000 116,000

Obed W&SR 195,000 245,000 193,318 188,775 188,775 188,775

Padre Island NS 95,000 408,000 403,825 543,000 471,896 600,200

Pictured Rocks NL 55,000 194,650 207,000 211,000 237,000 238,832

Rock Creek Park3 163,000 436,522 393,168 359,104 299,000 376,300

San Juan Island NHP 95,000 124,600 125,050 124,600 124,600 116,837

Saugus Iron Works NHS 58,000 58,000 58,000 69,900 58,000 58,000

Sequoia & Kings Canyon 

NPs*6 112,000 1,446,000 1,424,400 1,424,400 1,457,400 1,563,600

Stones River NB 132,000 132,000 137,100 127,924 132,000 208,277

Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, & Wupatki NMs 100,000 166,762 171,227 186,341 191,683 196,426

Theodore Roosevelt NP 133,000 302,500 292,500 282,500 281,500 264,660

Virgin Islands NP7 399,000 1,077,234 1,002,726 941,500 877,234 877,234

Zion NP 246,000 536,300 515,872 518,774 485,274 518,774

Totals 6,595,000 17,506,190 16,863,512 16,564,275 15,047,667 16,802,029

Air Quality Program

FY 2005 allocation 8,890,000

Classified Pay Increase 11,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -128,000

Total available in FY 2005 8,773,000

FY 2006 allocation 8,773,000

Classified Pay Increase 58,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -139,000

Total available in FY 2006 8,692,000

Change from FY 2005 -81,000

Air Quality Program Funding by Categories

Program Management & Implementation 1,620,000

Air quality monitoring, projects, and analysis 3,420,000

Collaboration & Outreach 1,352,000

Technical assistance 2,300,000

Total available in FY 2006 8,692,000

5

 Figures shown for FY 2001 and 2002 reflect a correction to those reported in last year’s report.

6

 Also received a non-Challenge $367,000 base increase in FY 2001.

7

 Also received Coral Reef Initiative base increase of $300,000 and Prototype Monitoring increase of $230,000 in FY 2001.

8

 The FY 2005 net decrease is the sum of funding changes in response to both a bureau-determined information technology (IT) assessment and travel reduction adjustment.

9

 The FY 2006 net decrease is the sum of across-the-board reductions.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 67

Biological Resource Management Program

FY 2005 allocation 8,575,000

Classified Pay Increase 23,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -123,000

Total available in FY 2005 8,475,000

FY 2006 allocation 8,475,000

Classified Pay Increase 60,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -134,000

Total available in FY 2006 8,401,000

Change from FY 2005 -74,000

Emergency Supplemental—Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 375,000

Biological Resource Management Program Funding by Categories

Biological Resource Projects-National Level Support 700,500

Ecological Restoration 275,000

Endangered Species Program 410,000

Exotic Plant Management Program 5,149,000

Integrated Pest Management Program 280,000

Invasive Animal Program 255,000

Invasive Plant Program 255,000

Migratory Bird Program 175,000

Wildlife Management and Health Program 1,276,500

Total available in FY 200610 8,776,000

Cave and Karst Research Institute

FY 2005 allocation 344,000

Base change11 -6,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -5,000

Total available in FY 2005 333,000

FY 2006 allocation 333,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -5,000

Total available in FY 2006 328,000

Change from FY 2005 -5,000

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units

Funding available in FY 200512 $129,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -2,000

Total allocation/available in FY 2006 127,000

10 Includes emergency Supplemental Budget for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

11 The base change noted represents the correction to reflect prior year travel reductions properly in various Natural Resources accounts, it is not an actual change in available operating funds over FY 2005.

12 In FY 2001, the CESU program received $1,596,000 with $1,550,000 transferred to regions. In FY 2003, $310,000 transferred to the region for use during FY 2003. In FY 2004, the same amount less an across-the-board decrease, or $306,000, 

was permanently transferred to regions.

At Mojave National Preserve, observing juvenile desert tortoises develops 

interest and respect for the desert in 

local students. Survival of juveniles to 

adulthood is also essential for species 

recovery. Photo: Debra Hughson

Threatened Cumberland rosemary 

(Conradina verticillata), is the subject 

of long-term monitoring at Obed 

Wild and Scenic River.
68 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units Funding Distribution13

Californian CESU no Challenge funding

Chesapeake Watershed CESU 155,000

Colorado Plateau CESU 155,000

Desert Southwest CESU 155,000

Great Basin CESU 155,000

Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU 153,000

Great Plains CESU 155,000

Gulf Coast CESU 153,000

Hawaii-Pacific Islands no Challenge funding

North and West Alaska CESU no Challenge funding

North Atlantic Coast CESU 155,000

Pacific Northwest CESU 155,000

Piedmont-South Atlantic Coast CESU no Challenge funding

Rocky Mountains CESU 155,000

South Florida-Caribbean CESU 155,000

Southern Appalachian Mountains CESU 155,000

Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley CESU no Challenge funding

Geographic Information System Program

FY 2005 allocation 1,291,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -18,000

Total available in FY 2005 1,273,000

FY 2006 allocation 1,273,000

Classified Pay Increase 2,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -20,000

Total available in FY 2006 1,255,000

Change from FY 2005 -18,000

Geologic Resources Program

FY 2005 allocation 2,651,000

Base Change11 25,000

Classified Pay Increase 11,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -40,000

Total available in FY 2005 2,647,000

FY 2006 allocation 2,647,000

Classified Pay Increase 68,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -43,000

Total available in FY 2006 2,672,000

Change from FY 2005 +25,000

13 Distribution of initial funding from Natural Resource Challenge increases for CESUs shown. Does not show changes to 

base that may have occurred to funds transferred to regions.

Electrofishing crew sampling the 

spring Moxostoma run within Gills 

Creek at Booker T. Washington National Monument.

A Rufous hummingbird at North Cascades National Park.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 69

Geologic Resources Program Funding by Categories

Cave & Karst 267,000

Coastal Geology 273,000

Disturbed Lands/AML 517,000

Geologic Hazards 126,000

Geologic Resource Evaluation 596,000

Minerals Management 626,000

Paleontology 120,000

Soil Resources 147,000

FY 2006 Total 2,672,000

Inventory and Monitoring Program

FY 2005 allocation 36,932,000

FY 2005 increase 3,111,000

Classified Pay Increase 41,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -562,000

Total available in FY 2005 39,522,000

FY 2006 allocation 39,527,000

Base Change 319,000

Program Change14 3,931,000

Classified Pay Increase 29,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -682,000

Total available in FY 2006 43,124,000

Change from FY 2005 +3,602,000

Inventory and Monitoring Program Funding by Categories

Database Development 1,868,200

Monitoring Projects 165,000

Program Administration 2,922,900

Prototype Monitoring 1,000,000

Regional Coordinators 859,000

Resource Inventory Projects 11,389,200

Vital Signs Monitoring 24,919,700

Total available in FY 2006 43,124,000

Allocation of Funding among Basic Natural Resource Inventories

Air Quality Related Values (AQRVs) 325,000

Base Cartography Data 798,160

Biological Inventories 0

Geology Inventories 1,750,000

Meteorological Data 218,130

Soil Mapping 2,250,000

Species Lists 45,000

Vegetation Mapping

 Alaska 500,000

 Outside of Alaska 4,250,000

Water Resource Data 760,000

Other Natural Resource Inventories 452,910

Total 11,349,200

14 Reprogramming of funds from Natural Resource Preservation Program.
70 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Inventory and Monitoring Expenditures by Non-NPS Performers

Inventories Universities Other

Non-Fed USGS Other Fed Total

AQRV’s 125.6 49.9 0.0 7.0 182.5

Base Cartography 0.0 100.0 100.0 698.2 898.2

Biology 120.2 0.0 62.0 45.0 227.2

Geology 833.2 200.0 234.2 0.0 1,267.4

Landcover (Alaska) 35.7 299.3 0.0 0.0 335.0

Meteorology 118.1 0.0 0.0 100.0 218.1

Monitoring 6,602.7 5,233.7 1,354.0 761.7 13,952.1

Soils 0.0 90.0 0.0 2,160.0 2,250.0

Veg. Mapping 717.7 1,684.6 853.6 487.4 3,743.3

Water Resources 211.0 0.0 548.9 0.0 759.9

Totals 8,764.2 7,657.5 3,152.7 4,259.3 23,833.7

Allocation of Monitoring Funding among Networks and Prototypes

North Coast and Cascades15 748,700

Northeast Coastal and Barrier 779,500

Heartland 702,000

Sonoran Desert 672,600

Cumberland/Piedmont15 678,700

Central Alaska 1,215,100

National Capital 747,000

Northern Colorado Plateau 967,000

San Francisco Bay Area 751,600

Greater Yellowstone 728,700

Appalachian Highland 418,400

Mediterranean Coast 304,400

Southwest Alaska 1,449,700

Northeast Temperate 782,800

Southern Colorado Plateau 1,209,000

Pacific Island 1,576,100

Great Lakes 1,292,500

Gulf Coast 929,800

Rocky Mountain 634,800

Sierra Nevada 657,900

Eastern Rivers and Mountains 657,100

Klamath 796,200

Arctic 1,564,700

Southeast Coast 1,267,800

Upper Columbia Basin 524,400

Southern Plains 390,400

Mojave Desert 850,400

Southeast Alaska 440,500

South Florida/Caribbean 1,277,300

Mid-Atlantic 301,200

Chihuahuan Desert 376,400

Northern Great Plains 377,000

Total 27,078,700

15 Additional funding for prototypes funded by the Natural Resource Challenge but now fully integrated with their respective networks has been permanently transferred to park base: $200K to Olympic NP, $200K to North Cascades NP, 

and $261K to Mammoth Cave NP.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 71

National Natural Landmarks Program

FY 2005 allocation 986,000

Classified Pay Increase 9,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -14,000

Total available in FY 2005 981,000

FY 2006 allocation 981,000

Program Change -495,000

Classified Pay Increase 17,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -7,000

Total available in FY 2006 496,000

Change from FY 2005 -485,000

Natural Resource Data and Information Program

FY 2005 allocation 1,521,000

Classified Pay Increase 5,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -21,000

Total available in FY 2005 1,505,000

FY 2006 allocation 1,500,000

Classified Pay Increase 33,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -23,000

Total available in FY 2006 1,510,000

Change from FY 2005 +5,000

Natural Resource Preservation Program (NRPP)

FY 2005 allocation 12,484,000

Base Change -16,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -173,000

Total available in FY 2005 12,295,000

FY 2006 allocation 12,295,000

Inventory and Monitoring reduction -3,931,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -135,000

Total available in FY 2006 8,229,000

Change from FY 2005 -4,066,000

Allocation of NRPP Among Project Categories and Projects Funded

Allocation Projects

Alaska Projects 474,000 6

Disturbed Land Restoration 803,000 13

Natural Resource Management 3,190,000 27

Regional Block Allocation 1,324,000 75

Service-wide 776,000 23

Small Park 948,000 57

Threatened & Endangered Species 474,000 11

USGS/BRD Technical Assistance 240,000
72 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Natural Sound Program

FY 2005 allocation 921,000

Classified Pay Increase 2,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -14,000

Total available in FY 2005 909,000

FY 2006 allocation16 909,000

Program Change 500,000

Classified Pay Increase 12,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -22,000

Total available in FY 2006 1,399,000

Change from FY 2005 +490,000

Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Program17

FY 2005 allocation 1,264,000

Reallocation of Funds18 94,000

Classified Pay Increase 4,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -21,000

Total available in FY 2005 1,341,000

FY 2006 allocation 1,341,000

Classified Pay Increase 25,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -22,000

Total available in FY 2006 1,344,000

Change from FY 2005 +3,000

Resource Protection Fund

FY 2005 allocation 294,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -4,000

Total allocation/available in FY 2005 290,000

FY 2006 allocation 290,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -4,000

Total available in FY 2006 286,000

Change from FY 2005 -4,000

Water Resources Program

FY 2005 allocation 12,071,000

Classified Pay Increase 19,000

FY 2005 increase 528,000

Net FY 2005 Decrease8 -182,000

Total available in FY 2005 12,436,000

FY 2006 allocation 12,436,000

Classified Pay Increase 85,000

Net FY 2006 Decrease9 -196,000

Total available in FY 2006 12,325,000

Change from FY 2005 -111,000

16 Includes $500,000 dedicated for Air Tour Management Plans.

17 Combines two former line items: Oil Pollution Act and Resource Protection Act

18 Base funding reprogrammed from Visitor and Resource Protection to Natural Resource Stewardship & Science.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 73

Water Resources Program Funding by Categories

Water Resource Projects

 Water Resource Protection 989,100

 Competitive Projects 161,500

 Other Projects 14,500

Water Quality Monitoring 2,781,300

Water Resource Protection—Aquatic Resource Professionals 1,205,000

Watershed Condition Assessment Program

 Competitive Projects 834,700

 Critical Projects 220,400

 Coastal Projects 362,300

Natural Resource and Watershed Condition Assessments 827,900

Marine Science Advisor 141,000

 Other Projects 263,000

Water Resource Technical Assistance 4,524,300

Total 12,325,000

The red bat (Lasiurus borealis), a species of special concern in Maine and 

federally, was found during a survey 

of mammals along the Appalachian 

National Scenic Trail in Maine by 

researchers from the BioDiversity 

Research Institute, but has not been 

well documented in Maine. Photo: 

Dave Yates.
74 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Allocation of Water Quality Monitoring Funding

Network

Central Alaska 95,700

Heartland 80,000

Northeast Coastal and Barrier 87,900

National Capital 69,300

Cumberland/Piedmont 57,600

Appalachian Highlands 68,300

Northern Colorado Plateau 105,400

Greater Yellowstone 69,300

Sonoran Desert 62,500

North Coast and Cascades 80,000

San Francisco Bay 68,300

Mediterranean Coast 74,200

Southwest Alaska 135,700

Northeast Temperate 58,600

Southern Colorado Plateau 121,000

Pacific Island 147,400

Great Lakes 120,100

Gulf Coast 86,900

Rocky Mountain 59,500

Sierra Nevada 61,500

Eastern Rivers and Mountains 61,500

Arctic 147,400

Klamath 74,200

Southeast Coast 118,100

Upper Columbia Basin 48,800

Southern Plains 28,300

Mojave Desert 78,100

Southeast Alaska 41,000

South Florida/Caribbean 143,500

Mid-Atlantic 43,000

Chihuahuan 71,300

Northern Great Plains 79,100

Servicewide Data Management 137,800

Total 2,781,300
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 75
76 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Botanists with the Heartland Network 

collect vegetation community data at 

Pipestone National Monument
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 77

Appendix A: Natural Resource Challenge Funding History

Challenge Elements Increase 

FY 2000

Increase 

FY 2001

Increase 

FY 2002

Increase 

FY 2003

Increase 

FY 2004

Increase 

FY 2005

Increase 

FY 2006

Request 

FY 2007

Total 

through 

FY 2007

Inventory and Monitor Resources

Basic inventories (except 

vegetation mapping) 7,309 1,987 9,296

Vegetation mapping (with USGS) 1,746 2,235 3,981

Park air emissions inventory 200 200

Monitor vital signs in park networks 4,191 4,200 6,855 4,939 3,068 3,931* 1,000 28,184

Monitor water quality in park 

networks 1,272 497 592 521 2,882

Watershed assessment 3,080 3,080

Expand air quality monitoring 

and related activities 2,600 2,600

Make natural resources data 

useable 1,098 1,098

Fix Critical Problems

NRPP project funding 2,875 4,000 -3,931* 2,944

Alaska Natural Resource Projects 497 497

Establish resource protection 

fund 300 300

Water resource protection & 

restoration/project funds 823 823

Water resource protection & 

restoration/field specialists 1,000 200 1,200

Native/nonnative species mgt & 

Exotic Plant Mgt Teams 3,449 2,400 2,136 7,985

Implement Resource Protection 

Act/restore resources 500 500

Protect geologic resources 696 696

Park invasive species control/T&E 

species recovery 3,395 3,200 6,595

Attract Scientists

Establish learning centers 898 1,800 2,698

Establish Cooperative Ecosystem 

Studies Units 1,596 397 1,993

Annual Increase 14,329 15,219 20,000 17,884 5,531 3,589 0 1,000 77,552

Total Annual Funding 14,329 29,548 49,548 67,432 72,963 76,552 76,552 77,552 77,552

* Reflects reprogramming of $3,931,000 from Natural Resource Preservation Program to Vital Signs Monitoring in I&M networks.
78 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 79

Appendix B: NRPP Projects FY 2006

NRPP Natural Resource Management Fully Funded Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Boston Harbor Islands National 

Recreation Area

Boat Wake Impacts and their Role in Shore 

Erosion Processes 411,000 129,000

Capitol Reef National Park Construct Fence to Keep Bison out of Park 135,000 135,000

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Assess Mexican Free-tailed Bat Population at 

CAVE 368,000 78,000

Mesa Verde National Park Investigate Paleoecological Fire History 108,000 40,000

Pacific West Regional Office NPS Western Airborne Contaminant Assessment 

Project 642,000 231,000

Pinnacles National Monument Eradicate Feral Pigs 767,000 61,000

Point Reyes National Seashore Cape Ivy Removal in GOGA and PORE 770,000 309,000

Shenandoah National Park Assess Hydrology for Sensitive Wetland System 

at Big Meadows 132,000 44,000

Voyageurs National Park Assess Impacts of Forest Fires on Levels of 

Mercury in Lake and Forest Environments 150,000 50,000

Western Arctic National 

Parklands

Assess the potential for heavy metal 

bioaccumulation in terrestrial biota in Cape 

Krusenstern NM

235,000 36,000

TOTAL $3,718,000 $1,113,000

NRPP Natural Resource Management New and Ongoing Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Acadia National Park Characterize Rocky Intertidal Shorelines at 

Newly Acquired Navy Base Lands 122,000 111,000

Black Canyon of the Gunnison 

National Park Survey Boundary to Protect Park Resources 180,000 36,000

Buck Island Reef National 

Monument

Test Effectiveness of Buck Island Reef NM Expanded Marine Reserve 300,000 101,000

Canyonlands National Park Acoustic Monitoring of Natural Soundscape 206,000 94,000

Channel Islands National Park Establish Baseline of Newly Established Marine 

Reserves 564,700 258,000

Cumberland Island National 

Seashore

Establish Exotic Plant Management Program for 

Southeast Coast Network Parks 661,000 204,000

Gateway National Recreation 

Area

Efficient Surveillance, Targeted Management, 

Natural Transmission Dynamics of West Nile 

Virus 

292,000 107,000

Glacier National Park

Evaluate the Prey Base for Lynx: Snowshoe 

Hare Abundance, Habitat Use, and Population 

Dynamics

433,000 131,000

Great Sand Dunes National 

Park & Preserve

Determine Grazing Ecology and Management 

Of Elk and Bison In Great Sand Dunes National 

Park and Preserve

450,000 75,000

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSupport for Predator Beetle Facility Needed to 

Control Exotic Hemlock Woolly Adelgids 396,000 87,000

Olympic National Park Atmospheric Pollutant Loading: Link to TransPacific Airmass 287,000 89,000

Padre Island National Seashore Protecting Endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle 

Nests from Vehicular Traffic 295,000 93,000

Petrified Forest National Park Excavation of Threatened Fossil Bone-bed 82,000 48,000

Saguaro National Park Remove Invasive Exotic Plants from Critical 

Habitats at Saguaro National Park 196,000 11,000

Great Basin National Park successfully 

reintroduced three native fish species 

into two park streams, Strawberry 

creek and South Fork Big Wash. These 

three species, speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus), mottled sculpin (Cottus 

bairdi), and redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus) are small native 

non-game fish in the streams of the 

Bonneville Basin, and previously occupied park streams.
80 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

NRPP Natural Resource Management New and Ongoing Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Shenandoah National Park

Identify and Assess Cliff Resources and Visitor 

Use, Develop and Implement Cliff Management 

Planning

520,000 118,000

St. Croix/Lower St. Croix National Scenic River

Document Habitat Requirements of the Winged 

Mapleleaf Mussel: Potential Habitat Degradation and Decline219,000 73,000

Voyageurs National Park

Assess the Impacts of International Lake Level 

Management by Using an interdisciplinary Approach899,000 207,000

Yellowstone National Park Conserve Declining Yellowstone Pronghorn 

Population 376,000 125,000

Natural Resource Program 

Center Support for Biological Projects 77,000 77,000

TOTAL $6,555,700 $2,045,000

NRPP Threatened and Endangered Species Fully Funded Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Chiricahua National Monument Develop recovery prescriptions for listed plants 

of Santa Cruz Island 150,000 57,000

Grand Canyon National Park Foraging Ecology of Threatened Mexican 

Spotted Owls 150,000 50,000

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Reintroduce Nine Extirpated Plant Species 64,000 32,000

National Capital Region

Discovery of Remnant Populations of the 

Endangered Dwarf Wedge Mussel Using GIS 

Habitat Analysis

70,000 29,200

TOTAL $434,000 $168,200

NRPP Threatened and Endangered Species New and Ongoing Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Ebey’s Landing National 

Historical Reserve

Implement Recovery Plan for Threatened 

Golden Paintbrush 96,397 27,200

Mojave National Preserve Lake Ecology and Populaton Dynamics of 

Mohave Tui Chub 149,947 54,300

Organ Pipe Cactus National 

Monument Sonoran Pronghorn Captive Breeding 150,000 42,300

Padre Island National Seashore

Determining Seasonal Movements, Habitat 

Use, and Abundance of Piping Plovers at Padre 

Island NS 

144,000 35,500

Point Reyes National Seashore Threatened Western Snowy Plover Recovery 150,000 25,000

Presidio of San Francisco Restore Habitat for Two Federally Listed Plant 

Species 149,070 73,700

Wind Cave National Park Reintroduction of Black-footed Ferrets to Wind 

Cave National Park - Phase II 146,000 42,000

Natural Resource Program 

Center Support for Resource Protection 1,060 1,060

TOTAL $986,474 $301,060
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 81

NRPP Disturbed Lands Restoration Fully Funded Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Buffalo National River Stream Corridor Restoration within Newly 

Acquired Properties 157,800 98,500

Olympic National Monument Restore Hydrologic Function, Fish, Wildlife, Veg 

- Upper Hoh River 250,000 63,980

Pacific West Region Disturbed Land Restoration of the Bradford 

Tract 107,600 4,000

Pinnacles National Monument Old Pinnacles Road Removal (Final Phase) 174,700 16,400

Point Reyes National Seashore Glenbrook Quarry Supplemental Funding 110,320 110,320

Presidio of San Francisco Restore Disturbed Coastal Areas Following 

Remediation 250,000 114,400

St. Croix/Lower St. Croix Natural 

Scenic River

Protecting Genetic Diversity Through Prairie 

Restoration 57,800 25,000

Yosemite National Park Ecological Restoration of Gaylor Pit 167,200.00 36,000.00

TOTAL $1,275,420 $468,600 

NRPP Disturbed Lands Restoration New and Ongoing Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Glen Canyon National 

Recreation Area Restoration of Springs on Navajo Point 66,000 15,000

Golden Gate National 

Recreation Area

Complete Restoration of Salmonid Habitat at 

the Banducci site on Redwood Creek 244,000 56,000

Great Basin National Park Reclamation of the Lincoln Cirque Mining 

Exploration Area 90,000 45,300

Indiana Dunes National 

Lakeshore

Complete Restoration of 500 Acres of Wetland 

at Derby Ditch-Great Marsh 223,700 88,600

New River Gorge National River Reclaim Abandoned Ames Mine 70,200 39,700

Zion National Park Test Riparian Revegetation Methods along the 

Virgin River 157,800 81,800

TOTAL $851,700 $326,400

NRPP Alaska Special Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Alaska Regional Office Resource Baseline Update for Alaska Parks 

Using High Resolution Satellite Imagery 1,706,900 100,000

Alaska Regional Office

Mapping and Scientific Management of OffHighway Vehicle Trails in Alaska -Implementing 

Best Management Practices

200,790 71,400

Denali National and Preserve Stratified Random Sampling for Baseline 

Soundscape Conditions in Large Alaskan Parks 69,972 35,000

Katmai National Park and 

Preserve

Genetic, Phenotypic, and Life History Analysis 

of Sockeye Origins in Katmai National Park and 

Preserve

155,000 77,000

Kenai Fjords National Park Estimating the Brown Bear Population on the 

Kenai Peninsula 261,000 51,000

Western Arctic Park Lands Identify Levels and Dynamics of Subsistence 

Resources Harvests for Kiana 90,000 90,000

Wrangell - St Elias National 

Park and Preserve

Evaluate Effects of International Caribou 

Recovery Program 148,950 49,600

TOTAL $2,632,612 $474,000
82 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

NRPP Small Park Block Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace 

National Historic Site Restore American Elm (Phase I) 24,892 12,000

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic 

Site

Complete the Legal Boundary Survey on the 

Final Six Miles of Park Boundary 20,000 20,000

Big Hole National Battlefield Big Solutions for Big Weeds 13,697 13,697

Boston Harbor Islands National 

Recreation Area Restore Natural Biodiversity 29,110 4,610

Capulin Volcano National 

Monument

Propagate Native Vegetation for Restoration of 

Disturbed Areas 32,800 16,400

Carl Sandburg Home National 

Historic Site

Prepare an Inventory and Management Plan for 

Low Elevation Granitic Domes 25,000 9,500

Carl Sandburg Home National 

Historic Site

Treat Hemlock Trees for Infestations of Hemlock 

Woolly Adelgid and Elongate Hemlock Scale 11,340 9,600

Chattahoochee River National 

Recreation Area

Manage Exotic Kudzu (Pueraria montana) 

Populations 28,000 4,500

Chattahoochee River National 

Recreation Area

Chattahoochee River Restoration Initiative: 

RiverRescue 24,750 23,700

Craters of the Moon National 

Monument Survey for Rare Insects on New NPS Lands 14,890 14,890

Devils Tower National 

Monument

Control/Eliminate Non-native Invasive Plant 

Species-Next Phase 39,500 20,000

Effigy Mounds National 

Monument Control and Monitor Garlic Mustard Multi-year 30,000 9,000

Fort Bowie National Historic 

Site

Analyze and Rehabilitate Apache Spring 

Watershed 35,213 9,500

Fort Pulaski National 

Monument

Baseline Monitoring & Analysis of Health of the 

Salt Marsh Ecosystem 20,000 11,500

George Washington Carver 

National Monument Implement Vegetation Management Plan 19,600 6,127

Gettysburg National Military 

Park Taxonomic assessment of invertebrates 85,690 54,410

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National 

Historic Site

Construction of a Recreationist-friendly and 

Cattle-proof Floating Gate for Resource 

Protection

3,200 3,200

Guilford Courthouse National 

Military Park Develop Vegetation Management Plan 25,000 20,000

Herbert Hoover National 

Historic Site

Develop 10-year Replacement Plan for Trees in 

the Cultural Landscape 9,125 6,413

Homestead National 

Monument of America

Control Invasive Species and Increase Species 

Diversity on Newly Acquired Property 15,000 13,500

Hovenweep National 

Monument Acoustic Monitoring 26,750 6,800

Jewel Cave National 

Monument

Evaluate Cave Airflow Mass Balance and 

Microclimate Effects 5,000 4,500

John Day Fossil Beds National 

Monument

Distribution and Status of the Plants Endemic 

to the Paleosols of the Painted Hills Unit 27,142 22,443

John Muir National 

Historic Site

Develop Soil/watershed Model for Mt. Wanda 

and Vicinity 5,000 1,300

John Muir National 

Historic Site Non-native Plant Removal – Yellow Star Thistle 30,000 15,600

Kaloko-Honokohau National 

Historic Park

Assessing Potential Impacts on Marine and 

Terrestrial Resources from Boat Harbor 

Expansion

35,705 20,941

Kings Mountain National 

Military Park

Provide Term Resource Management Assistance 

for Kings Mountain NMP and Cowpens NB 253,000 41,000

Klondike Gold Rush National 

Historical Park

Provide GIS Support for Dyea VERP and Social 

Science Survey 30,000 9,405

Lava Beds National Monument Complete Cave Reconnaissance at Lava Beds 

National Monument 25,677 25,677
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 83

NRPP Small Park Block Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Lewis and Clark National 

Historical Park

Noxious Weed Control on Newly Acquired 

Lands 21,368 10,000

Lyndon B. Johnson National 

Historical Park

Evaluate Invasive Plant Response to Alternative 

Treatments 6,500 3,000

Lyndon B. Johnson National 

Historical Park

Install Hydromet River Monitoring System for 

Pedernales River 20,000 20,000

Manassas National Battlefield 

Park

Habitat Preferences of Birds Wintering in 

Restored Grasslands of the Mid-Atlantic Region 18,505 9,900

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller 

National Historical Park

Develop Silvicultural Inventory System for 

Forest Management 45,800 28,800

Mesa Verde National Park Investigate Paleoecological Fire History 173,899 900

Midwest Regional Office Development of Park Natural Resource 

Programs 98,600 28,464

Natural Bridges National 

Monument Acoustic Monitoring 24,600 4,200

Obed Wild & Scenic River Investigate the Potential Reserve of Threatened 

or Endangered Aquatic Insect Species 25,000 23,400

Pipe Spring National 

Monument

Geophysical Investigations of the Groundwater 

System Feeding Pipe Spring 39,700 19,800

Pipestone National Monument Sioux Quartzite Prairie Mangement and 

Invasive Weed Control 18,496 16,646

Prince William Forest Park Develop Management Plan for Isotria 

Medeoloides 29,700 9,800

San Juan Island National 

Historical Park

Implement Native Prairie Restoration at EBLA 

and SAJH 60,000 1,000

San Juan Island National 

Historical Park

Conduct Rabbit Removal Feasibility Study and 

Produce EA to Evaluate Treatment Options 26,000 26,000

Sand Creek Massacre National 

Historic Site Study 1864 Environmental Conditions 20,000 20,000

Sand Creek Massacre National 

Historic Site

Inventory Rare and Listed Species at Sand Creek 

Massacre National Historic Site 36,372 29,800

Saratoga National Historical 

Park Landscape-level Habitat Use by Woodfrog 25,000 25,000

Sitka National Historical Park Complete a Non-vascular Plant Survey 30,000 9,405

Stones River National 

Battlefield

Privet Removal And Replanting At A Significant 

Civil War Battlefield Site 40,167 14,300

Timpanogos Cave National 

Monument Restoring Cave Resources 38,500 18,500

Timucuan Ecological and 

Historic Preserve

Control Exotic Plants on Recently Harvested 

Timberlands 19,000 19,000

Tonto National Monument Determine Lion Distribution in Southern 

Arizona Parks with High Potential for Conflicts 39,996 28,100

Tumacacori National 

Monument Fence New Park Lands 40,000 20,000

Valley Forge National Historical 

Park Assess Sediment Pollution in Valley Creek 89,562 4,000

Vicksburg National Military ParkDelineate Wetlands at Vicksburg National 

Military Park 19,955 19,000

Whitman Mission National 

Historic Site Revegetate Restored Doan Creek Streambanks 43,883 12,452

Wilson’s Creek National 

Battlefield Savanna Tree Rehabilitation 32,998 13,500

Wind Cave National Park Protection of Night Sky at WICA, HOME, DETO, 

JECA (Multi-Park) 25,000 17,100

TOTAL $2,053,681 $882,280
84 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

NRPP Regional Block Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Alaska Regional Office Natural Resource Employees Professionalization 

and Technical Competency Enhancement 67,900 20,000

Alaska Regional Office Alaska Park Science Conference 2006 50,000 40,000

Alaska Regional Office Alaska Park Cooperative and Technical 

Assistance Projects 134,150 25,000

Alaska Regional Office Produce Alaska Park Science Journal 216,885 15,000

Alaska Regional Office Alaska Scientific and Technical Reports 60,000 10,000

Alaska Regional Office

Vascular Plant Flora of Southwestern Alaska: 

A Comparative Analysis of Five National Park 

Units

14,212 14,210

Antietam National Battlefield Characterization of Precipitation and Water 

Quality at Mumma Spring 20,000 10,000

Apostle Islands National 

Lakeshore

Determine Appropriate Harvest Levels of 

Deer to Protect Unique Vegetation from 

Overbrowsing

45,000 24,075

Apostle Islands National 

Lakeshore

Develop Natural and Cultural Disturbance 

History using GIS to Identify Restoration Sites 33,450 24,381

Assateague Island National 

Seashore Upgrade Water Quality Monitoring Stations 24,900 24,900

Bandelier National Monument Measure Effects of Fire and Browsing on 

Vegetation 40,000 20,000

Big Cypress National Preserve Prepare Addition Lands Off-Road Vehicle 

Management Plan 730,000 16,200

Big South Fork National River 

and Recreation Area

Establishing Native Grasslands and Restoring 

Sandstone Glade Habitats 25,000 22,900

Bryce Canyon National Park Repeat 50 Year Old Forest Succession Research 

Study 40,000 40,000

Buffalo National River River Use Monitoring Program 24,200 5,518

Canaveral National Seashore Identify Critical Nursery Habitat for Larval and 

Juvenile Horseshoe Crabs 25,000 22,900

Cape Cod National Seashore

20th Century Dune Migration, Wetland 

Formation and Hydrologic Change at Cape Cod 

National Seashore

31,111 31,311

Cape Hatteras National 

Seashore

Prepare Environmental Assessment for Predator 

Management 25,000 21,200

Catoctin Mountain Park Monitor Vegetation in Exclosures and Open 

Plots in Storm Damaged Areas 26,440 9,800

Channel Islands National Park Develop Fecal Genotyping Methods to Monitor 

Island Fox Populations 88,012 37,582

Chattahoochee River National 

Recreation Area

Manage Exotic Kudzu (Pueraria montana) 

Populations 28,000 8,900

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal 

National Historical Park

Protect State Rare, Threatened and Endangered 

Plants During Exotics Removal 6,000 2,000

Crater Lake National Park

Complete Stream Restoration Designs and 

Implementation Plan for Recovery of Bull Trout 

in Sun Creek

94,000 19,941

Cumberland Island National 

Seashore

Continue Hog Eradication Program for 

Cumberland Island 25,000 22,900

Delaware Water Gap National 

Recreation Area

Develop Coordinated Regional Management 

Goals for Black Bears (Ursus americana) 10,109 10,110

Denali National Park & 

Preserve

Implement Regional Integrated Pest 

Management Program to Insure Health of 

Natural Resources

29,500 9,250

Devils Tower National 

Monument

Control/Eliminate Exotic Invasive Plant Species 

- Year One Costs 40,000 20,000

Fire Island National Seashore Support Humain Society of the US winter/fall 

darting and community information 140,440 18,000

Fire Island National Seashore Beach Scraping Impacts-Site Investigations 38,232 38,232

Gates of the Arctic National 

Park & Preserve

Assess Moose Population Health in Areas of 

High Human Controversy and Harvest 57,040 28,520
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 85

NRPP Regional Block Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Gates of the Arctic National 

Park & Preserve

Course-Scale Wolverine Distribution and 

Habitat in Interior Alaska 18,500 9,250

Gateway National Recreation 

Area

Develop a Habitat Plan for the Park’s Flora and 

Fauna: A Vision of What Should Be 48,000 6,012

George Washington Memorial 

Parkway

Assess Impacts of Deer and Invasive Plants on 

Native Vegetation in Potomac Gorge 59,600 19,600

George Washington Memorial 

Parkway

Obtain GPS Coordinates for RTE Plant 

Populations in Turkey Run and Great Falls Parks 2,500 2,500

George Washington Memorial 

Parkway

Determine Pollination Biology of Three Rare 

Plants in Turkey Run and Great Falls Parks 20,000 10,000

George Washington Memorial 

Parkway

Inventory Seven Groups of Insects in Turkey Run 

and Great Falls Parks, Virginia 29,800 9,900

George Washington Memorial 

Parkway

Create Digital Bird Atlas of Wood Warblers of 

Great Falls and Turkey Run Parks 19,500 9,900

Gettysburg National Military 

Park Taxonomic Assessment of Invertebrates 85,690 2,280

Glacier National Park Establish Baseline Survey of Priority Rare Plant 

Populations and Communities 30,000 20,000

Great Basin National Park Reintroduction of Extirpated Non-Salmonid Fish 

Species 73,639 24,100

Great Smoky Mountains 

National Park

Develop Baseline for Mychorrhizal Populations 

and Potential Microbial Control Agents for 

HWA

18,000 18,000

Harpers Ferry National 

Historical Park

Deer Population and Vegetation Impact 

Monitoring 18,000 9,000

Harpers Ferry National 

Historical Park

Conduct Resource Inventory of Rare Limestone 

Glade Habitat 15,000 6,500

Isle Royale National Park Conduct a Survey of Forest Mustelid 

Populations Inhabiting Isle Royale National Park 49,203 22,191

Jean Lafitte National Historical 

Park and Preserve

Quantify Rate of Change in Bottomland 

Hardwood Forest Composition at the Barataria 

Preserve

22,900 20,300

Kaloko-Honokohau National 

Historical Park

Assessing Potential Impacts on Marine and 

Terrestrial Resources From Boat Harbor 

Expansion

35,705 14,764

Lake Meredith National 

Recreation Area

Protect Natural and Cultural Resources by 

Constructing Boundary Fence 39,516 19,800

Mammoth Cave National Park Restoration of American Butternut in Four 

National Park Service Units 50,000 22,800

Manassas National Battlefield 

Park

Funding for Deer Exclosure Data Collection and 

Natural Resource Interpretation 28,200 9,400

Manassas National Battlefield 

Park Prepare Natural Resource Planning Documents 9,600 9,600

Manassas National Battlefield 

Park

Shrub Planting for Establishment of Riparian 

Buffers 6,000 6,000

Midwest Regional Office Integrated Planning with Fire Management, 

Planning, and Cultural Resources Division 162,112 5,593

Missouri National Recreational 

River

Funding Breakdown for Assessment of Habitat 

use During Early Life Stages of Sauger 24,885 24,875

National Capital Parks-East Survey of Butterflies for Northern Sites Within 

National Capital Parks-East 5,000 5,000

National Capital Regional 

Office

Augmenting and Enhancing Effective Park 

Management of Natural Resources 51,100 1,100

National Capital Regional 

Office

Demonstrating Leadership: Providing 

Opportunities for Profession Development of 

Natural Resource

38,170 8,850

National Capital Regional 

Office

Finalizing Vegetation Classification in the 

National Capital Region 122,180 28,950

Northeast Regional Director’s 

Staff

Chronic Wasting Disease Plan and 

Environmental Assessment 3,000 3,000
86 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

NRPP Regional Block Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Padre Island National 

Seashore

Assessment of Impacts from Oil and Gas 

Activities on Grassland Birds at Padre Island 

National Seashore

37,000 19,700

Pictured Rocks National 

Lakeshore

Mercury Levels in Otters from Upper Great 

Lakes Parks 25,000 19,250

Pinnacles National Monument Re-introduce Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs to 

Chalone Creek Drainage 132,277 43,700

Prince William Forest Park Funding Needed to Revegetate Barren Areas on 

Hillslope at Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine 9,700 9,700

Prince William Forest Park

Determine Community Structure, Movement 

Patterns, and Conservation Concerns for 

Carnivores

29,900 9,900

Prince William Forest Park Restore Habitat at Taylor Farm 8,500 8,500

Saint Croix National 

Scenic River

Investigate Oxygen Depletion Episodes in the 

Lower St. Croix River Using Sediment Core 

Insects

24,896 22,157

San Juan Island National 

Historical Park Implement Native Prairie Restoration 60,000 2,195

Santa Monica Mountains 

National Recreation Area

Implementation of a Three-Phase Containment, 

Eradication and Restoration Program for 

Harding Grass

88,017 27,089

Sequoia and Kings Canyon 

National Parks

Restoration of Mountain Yellow-legged Frogs 

in Upper Bubbs Creek 77,941 20,629

Shenandoah National Park

Document and Mitigate Deer Impacts on an 

Endemic Wetland Plant Community in the Big 

Meadows Area

15,000 15,000

Shenandoah National Park Deploy SCA Volunteers to Control Mile-aMinute at Shenandoah National Park 66,362 19,500

Shenandoah National Park Control Non-native Plants, Monitor Rare Plants 43,500 14,000

Tonto National Monument Research Ecology and Resource Requirements 

of Reptiles for Critical Resource Protection 39,992 20,000

Valley Forge National Historical 

Park Assess Sediment Pollution in Valley Creek 89,562 4,765

Voyageurs National Park Control Exotic Smallmouth Bass and Census 

Native Pike 5,750 5,118

Wind Cave National Park Inventory Wind Cave Biota 47,000 21,525

Wrangell-Saint Elias National 

Park & Preserve

Wrangell-St. Elias Access to Inholdings 

Programmatic Plan and Enviornmental 

Assessment

81,105 6,105

Yellowstone National Park Is Extirpation of the Yellowstone Trumpeter 

Swan in our Immediate Future? 37,000 11,100

Zion National Park

End Wildlife Access to Human Foods to Resolve 

Visitor Safety Issues-Education and Waste 

Management

39,586 19,800

Total $4,233,469 $1,281,828

FY 2006 NRPP Servicewide Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

AD, Natural Resource 

Stewardship & Science Cannon Scholars Program 598,400 50,000 

AD, Natural Resource 

Stewardship & Science Director’s Annual Natural Resource Awards 65,000 30,000 

AD, Natural Resource 

Stewardship & Science

Conserving Birds in Human Dominated 

Landscapes Symposium 5,000 5,000 

AD, Natural Resource 

Stewardship & Science Co-sponsor Natural Areas Conference 5,000 5,000 

AD, Natural Resource 

Stewardship & Science

World Heritage Experts Meeting on Climate 

Change 1,900 1,900 
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 87

FY 2006 NRPP Servicewide Projects

PARK PROJECT TITLE TOTAL 

FUNDING

FY 2006 

FUNDING

Environmental Quality Division 

- Washington Office

Emergency Response Function Implementation, 

Environmental Response, Damage Assessment 

and Restoration

133,000 133,000 

Environmental Quality Division 

- Washington Office Administrative Study of Legal Issues 12,000 12,000 

Geologic Resources Division - 

Washington Office

Geologic Resources Management Technical 

Support for Parks 150,000 50,000 

Geologic Resources Division - 

Washington Office HR Assistance to NRSS Core Operations Analysis 10,000 10,000 

Geologic Resources Division - 

Washington Office Coastal Disaster Assessments 50,000 50,000 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO Park Science (FY2006) 82,700 82,700 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO Natural Resource Year in Review--2005 (FY2006) 71,000 71,000 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO

Expansion and Enhancement of the “Views of 

the National Parks” 50,000 50,000 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO

IT Management Assistance - NPRC Academy 

Place FY06 17,000 17,000 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO

Cert/Accred. IT Systems and RPRS Development 

- NRPC FY06 40,000 40,000 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO NPS Nature and Science Website Support 20,000 20,000 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO RLC Support 28,000 28,000 

Natural Resource Program 

Center OCD, WASO

Support for National Council Science and The 

Environment 10,000 5,000 

NRSS Biological Resource 

Management Division 5th National IPM Symposium 2006 2,000 2,000 

NRSS Biological Resource 

Management Division

Livestock and Grazing Management Workshop 

and Assistance 7,500 7,100 

NRSS Biological Resource 

Management Division Science Advisor - Eastern Forest Health 35,000 35,000 

NRSS Biological Resource 

Management Division

Communicating Complex Natural Resource 

Issues with the Media 10,000 10,000 

Social Science Division - 

Washington Office

Comprehensive Survey of the American Public 

to Assist in Park Management Planning 62,600 31,300 

Buy Out 30,000 30,000 

TOTAL $1,496,100 $776,000 
88 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 89

Appendix C: Biological Resource Projects—National 

Level Support

Park Project Title 2006

Funding

Acadia NP Winter Site Fidelity of Purple Sandpiper $33,400

Big Bend NP Maximize Effectiveness of Volunteers and Partnerships in 

Exotic Plant Management $20,000

Big South Fork NR Exotic Plant Control in Biologically Sensitive Big South 

Fork Riparian Habitat $16,200

Biscayne NP Conserving Threatened and Endangered Sea Turtles in 

Biscayne NP $11,700

Canaveral NS Identify Watercraft Use Patterns in Canaveral National 

Seashore $41,500

Cape Cod NS Characterization of Breeding Habitat and Impacts of 

Road Kill for the Eastern Spadefoot Toad $24,000

Catoctin Mountain Park Protecting Resources: Sustaining Wild Mushroom 

Populations in Four National Capitol Region Parks $25,000

Cowpens NB Inventory and Plan for Threatened Dwarf-Flowering 

Heartleaf at Cowpens National Battlefield $30,000

Glacier NP Effects of 2003 Fires on Fire-Dependent Bird Species $25,000

Grand Canyon NP Inventory Small Vertebrates in Selected Habitats of North 

and South Rim of Grand Canyon $25,000

Great Basin NP Survey Invertebrate Cave Endemics $26,900

Haleakala NP Restore Native Plant Diversity in Dry Ohia Woodland $49,500

Indiana Dunes NL Enhance State Listed Species Through Habitat 

Modifications and Introductions $27,700

Jean Lafitte NHP& PRES Characterize Changes in the Fisheries Population at the 

Barataria Preserve $24,000

Katmai NP Assess the Abundance of Distribution of Moose Subject to 

Harvest on the North Alaska Peninsula $48,000

Lassen Volcanic NP Determine Distribution of California Spotted Owl in 

Lassen Volcanic National Park $26,000

Mount Rainier NP Assess Status of Native Bull Trout and Cutthroat 

Populations $26,000

Petrified Forest NP Inventory and Assess Milk Snake Populations $26,000

Pictured Rocks NL Determine Black Bear Harvest Mortality at Pictured Rocks 

NL $22,000

Prince William Forest Park Investigate Pollution-sensitive Subterranean Fauna of 

Vulnerable Habitats in National Capitol Region $25,000

Redwoods NP Ground Survey for Causal Agent of Sudden Oak Death 

Disease $34,700

Santa Monica Mountains NRA Restore Riparian and Wetland Habitat: Eradicate 

Pepperweed $23,000

Wrangell-St. Elias NP& PRES Stock Status and Population Biology of the Copper River 

Steelhead $18,000

Yosemite NP Eradication of Bullfrogs from Yosemite Valley $25,000

Zion NP

Determine Lion Distribution in Northern Colorado 

Plateau Parks with High Potential for Human-Lion 

Conflict

$22,000

Zion NP Fire Management Effects on Native Bee Diversity and 

Abundance in Relation to Rare Plant Conservation $24,900

At Redwoods National Park, park 

managers instituted a Sudden Oak 

Death (SOD) monitoring program to 

protect native tanoaks. SOD is a forest disease caused by a fungus-like 

pathogen Phytophthora ramorum. 

Tanoak trees are highly susceptible to 

this disease and typically die after being infected. Early detection of SOD 

may allow managers the best chance 

of managing the disease through 

sanitizing infected sites, or closing/rerouting public access.
90 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 91

Water Resource Protection Projects—FY 2006

Park Region Project Title(s) FY2006 Funding 

$(000s)

ALL ALL Support to the Office of the Solicitor 202.0

CHIC IMR Hydrologic Data Collection 12.6

GRCA IMR Groundwater Study, Spring Protection 39.6

CRLA PWR Supplemental Water Source 30.0

MOCA IMR Hydrologic Data Collection in Support of the Adjudication of the 

Verde River Basin in Arizona 58.7

MT Parks IMR Implementation of the Montana-NPS Compact 16.4

SAGU IMR Investigation of Hydrology and Water Related Values 17.3

ARCH IMR Hydrologic Data Collection 12.6

BUFF MWR Investigation of Hydrology and Water Related Values 42.0

GRSA IMR Hydrogeologic Data Analysis 112.4

THRO MWR Investigation of Hydrology and Water Related Values 10.2

DEVA PWR Devils Hole and Spring Flow Monitoring, Groundwater Study, 

Participation in Groundwater Model Development 134.0

GRBA PWR Assessment of Hydrologic Conditions and Vulnerability of Park 

Streams to Groundwater Development 18.0

LAME PWR Spring Flow Monitoring, Participation in Cooperative Aquifer Stress 

Test, Groundwater Model Development 70.5

BLCA IMR Monitoring of Riparian System 36.8

ALL ALL Technical Support to All Projects and Technical Assistances 92.6

ALL ALL Administrative Support to All Projects and Technical Assistances 83.4

TOTAL FOR WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION PROJECTS 989.1

Competitive Projects Final-Year Funded Projects—FY 2006

Park Region Project Title

FY2006 

Funding

$(000s)

BUFF MWR Delineate and Characterize the Karst Groundwater Recharge Zone of 

Tomahawk Creek at BUFF 30.0

GRTE IMR Hydrology and Geomorphology of the Snake River 33.0

SACN MWR Using Wetland Environmental Histories to Develop Management 

Strategies for the St. Croix Riverway 40.8

MULTI PWR Reference Site Data for Monitoring Biointegrity & Water Quality of 

Streams 73.2

JELA SER Assess and Map the Distribution of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation 

Communities at JELA 40.2

MORA PWR Assess Water Quality/biological Integrity with Invertebrates 35.0

DEVA PWR Develop Water Resource Management Plan; Phase II 46.9

CAVE IMR Delineate Watershed & Subsurface Channels Feeding Rattlesnake 

Springs Aquifer 35.8

WRST AKR Map Wetlands Along the McCarthy & Nabesna Roads 97.5

ROMO IMR Ecological Restoration of a Willow Carr that was Destroyed in the 

1982 Lawn Lake Flood 40.0

TOTAL 472.4

Appendix D: Water Resource Protection Projects—

FY 2006

Biological technician, Laura Sorenson, 

seining for humpback whitefish in 

hulitna Bay, Lake Clark, Lake Clark 

National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Photo: Jared Irvine
92 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 93

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Development of a model to 

evaluate impacts of fuelsreduction/prescribed fire in 

Pinyon-Juniper habitats on avian 

communities within Colorado 

Plateau National Parks

This project examined potential impacts of prescribed fire and fuels 

reduction on avian communities within pinyon/juniper habitat of 19 

southern Colorado Plateau parks (e.g., Montezuma Castle National 

Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Sunset Crater Volcano 

National Monument, Walnut Canyon National Monument, Wupatki 

National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Navajo National 

Monument, Zion National Park). Zion served as a pilot area, where 

information on avian communities can be collected prior to, and 

then subsequent to prescribed burning and/or mechanical removal of 

fuels. The research information collected during this study will allow 

development of a model for predicting avian community responses 

to pinyon/juniper fuels reduction efforts. This GIS model can then be 

applied to other NPS and partner areas over the Colorado Plateau.

During 2003–2006 the project dealt provided: a complete literature 

review of published and non-published works associated with 

breeding birds from Zion National Park, focused on all birds that 

have been reported within mature, mid- and young-aged Juniper/

Juniper habitat in the park; a list of resident, migrant, and vagrant 

non-breeding species; detailed historical accounts of information on 

population dynamics of breeding species within the park; permanent 

transects stratified by mature and young vegetation types established 

in Pinyon-Juniper vegetation scheduled for fuels reduction to permit 

future correlation of other biotic and abiotic parameters with data 

obtained on the vegetation and avian population transects; initial 

avian surveys carried out at permanently marked, geo-referenced 

target areas in 2005 to provide pre-treatment baseline data; 

Geographic Information data themes of Pinyon-Juniper habitat for 

FLAG, WACA, WUPA and ZION; geographic information data themes 

of Pinyon-Juniper habitat for FLAG, WACA, WUPA and ZION; and 

initial oral reports to park staffs during 2003, annual progress reports 

in 2005 and 2006; meetings involving BLM; and permits from FLAG, 

WACA and ZION parks for this study. Zion was unable to conduct 

prescribed burns in Pinyon Juniper during 2006, so project focus 

moved to BLM lands in the adjacent Grand Paraschant National 

Monument, where the project examined hand-cleared and machinecleared Pinyon habitat with control areas in the Monument. Resulting 

information will be submitted as a MA thesis and then to the Natural 

Areas Journal for publication.

In 2006–2007, the project will complete the last year of this 3-year 

study, continuing to establish a baseline for the comparison of 

avian communities in prescribed burned areas and mechanically 

thinned areas as compared to control sites that were not treated. A 

model will be developed for Zion and then be refined for 32 other 

Colorado Plateau parks. At the end of the study, parks will have 

available findings to better assess a priori potential impacts on avian 

community structure throughout prescribed burning management 

activities in Pinyon-Juniper habitats over the southern Colorado 

Plateau. Each of the Colorado plateau parks with significant PinyonJuniper habitat will receive a copy of the GIS data theme and the 

model for avian habitat responses to prescribed fire in differing 

Pinyon-Juniper habitat types.

Testing and evaluation of remote 

sensing methods for estimating 

refuge characteristics of karst 

wetlands

Research completed and journal manuscript in preparation.

Appendix E: USGS—Biological Resources

USGS staff sample macroinvertebrates at Petersburg National Battlefield. Photo: Kristina Callahan, NPS
94 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Distribution, population 

dynamics, and herbivory impacts 

of a pioneering elk herd on 

Chaco Culture National Historical 

Park

Elk were captured, radio-collared, and evaluated for physiological 

condition each April and November 2003–2006 and were monitored 

monthly for movements, home ranges, behavior, and survival. Calf 

elk were captured and radio-tagged during June and July 2004–2006. 

Vegetation surveys, grazing surveys, browse surveys, and pellet group 

surveys were completed, summer 2004–6. Since colonization, elk 

have increased from approximately 20 to > 53 in December 2005, 

an average annual rate of increase of approximately 18% per year. 

For 2003–2005, adult cow survival was 0.94–1.00; survival of radiocollared calves was 0.86–1.00. Pregnancy rates of > 2.5-year-old 

cows were 0.69–1.00 and pregnancy rates for yearling cows were 

0.00–0.50, 2003–2005, respectively. Calf/cow ratios in November were 

55/100 and 44/100 for 2004–2005, respectively, indicating high calf 

production for 2004 and moderate for 2005. Fat levels of lactating 

cows in late autumn (November) were 10.6%–13.2% in 2003–2004, 

but dropped to 5.6% in 2005. Expressed as a percent of potential 

ecological carrying capacity (ECC), elk were at 20% and 51% in 2003 

and 2004; habitat decline resulted in the elk population moving to 

95% of ECC in 2005. Reasons for the decrease in ECC in 2005 likely 

reflect patterns in precipitation. Accrual of body fat in elk was 

positively related to the amount of Low Sagebrush Shrublands and 

Mixed Salt Desert Scrub habitat types in their home range. Browse 

utilization was < 25% for both key species (willow and saltbush), 

rates much lower than observed in other national parks (> 70–90%) 

and well below maximum levels of sustainability (50–60%). Both elk 

and mule deer relative use was related to observed levels of browse 

utilization. However, in both 2004 (21%) and 2005 (63%) mule deer 

use accounted for the majority of the variation in use of browse in 

CCNHP, indicating the mule deer use was primarily responsible for 

observed levels of browsing.

Effect of groundwater 

withdrawal on avian abundance 

and species richness in riparian 

areas of National Parks in the 

desert southwest

Riparian woodlands in the desert southwest constitute <1% of 

the landscape, yet these woodlands typically support >50% of 

the breeding birds. Increasing use of limited groundwater (and 

subsequent loss of surface water) to support urban development 

in the desert southwest has the potential to degrade riparian 

woodlands and threaten associated breeding bird communities in the 

region. This project sought to quantify the extent to which surface 

water influences the health of the riparian bird community along 

Rincon Creek in Saguaro National Park, Arizona. During the 2006 

breeding bird season (March-July), the project collected data on 

abundance, diversity, and breeding status of riparian birds, presence 

and extent of surface water, and availability of important avian food 

resources (e.g., insects) at Rincon Creek. Data collected at Rincon 

Creek compared with similar data collected at another riparian site 

(Cienega Creek) located 12 km from Rincon Creek, and with data 

collected during a previous bird study conducted along Rincon Creek 

in the spring of 2004 (a year when surface water was abundant at 

this site) revealed several differences. The amount of surface water 

differed dramatically between Rincon Creek and Cienega Creek 

during the spring of 2006, with Rincon Creek remaining essentially 

dry and Cienega Creek retaining flowing surface water throughout 

the breeding bird season. Compared to Cienega Creek, the work 

at Rincon Creek detected fewer bird species, fewer individuals of 

many migratory and riparian breeding bird species, fewer nests of a 

riparian obligate bird species (e.g., Bell’s vireo, Vireo Bellii), and fewer 

potential avian food resources. Compared to data collected during 

the previous (2004) bird study at Rincon Creek, the 2006 Rincon Creek 

work detected fewer riparian obligate bird species such as yellow 

warbler (Dendroica petechia) and Bell’s vireo during bird surveys, and 

unlike in previous years, found little or no evidence of breeding by 

yellow warblers, Bell’s vireos, and summer tanagers (Piranga rubra). 

The results suggest a possible link between ground water reduction, 

surface water depletion, and a decline in the health of the riparian 

bird community along Rincon Creek in Saguaro National Park.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 95

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Documenting current stream 

productivity and fish populations 

prior to dam removal in the 

Elwha River: Setting the stage 

for long-term monitoring of 

ecosystem responses.

Restoration of the Elwha River in Olympic National Park through 

removal of two long standing dams is an historic opportunity for 

ecosystem restoration of a large river system. For over 90 years, 

the dams have disrupted the natural processes- such as sediment 

transport, large woody debris input, and salmon migration- important 

for structuring aquatic and terrestrial communities. Documenting the 

status of key biological, geological, and fluvial elements prior to dam 

removal is critical for ascertaining the ecosystem effects of restoration 

and the recovery of salmon populations. In locations below, between, 

and above the dams, 56 sites were sampled for dissolved and total 

nutrients, macroinvertebrate community composition, periphyton 

biomass and composition, fish populations and salmon genetics 

during a three year period. Over 250 different taxa were identified 

from macroinvertebrate communities that were structured along 

elevational gradients. Patterns of nitrogen stable isotopes, commonly 

used to gauge levels of marine-derived nutrients, were significantly 

higher in resident trout and some species of macroinvertebrates 

sampled from areas where salmon still spawn compared with areas 

sampled between and above the dams where salmon do not spawn. 

A final report for the park will be completed in FY 2007 and two 

peer-reviewed manuscripts will be submitted to a forthcoming 

special issue of the journal Northwest Science devoted to Elwha 

River research and monitoring. Also, a fish sampling protocol that 

was developed and tested in the Elwha River has been incorporated 

into the large river Long Term Inventory and Monitoring Program 

at the park. Development of these baseline data will be invaluable 

for assessing the short and long term changes associated with dam 

removal and salmon recovery.

Monitoring avian community 

changes and habitat use in the 

Giacomini Wetland Restoration 

Project in the Golden Gate 

National Recreation Area and 

reference wetlands along 

Tomales Bay

The Giacomini Wetland Restoration Project, a large tidal marsh 

wetland restoration in coastal California, will provide significant 

changes in the Tomales Bay watershed. This study used a Before 

After Control Impact (BACI) design based on 250 x 250 m grid cells to 

identify unique locations within habitat types and provide spatially 

explicit area and point count surveys of the avian community on the 

Giacomini Ranch site and on three reference wetlands along Tomales 

Bay to permit determining whether changes in the avian community 

can be attributed to the restoration. Tomales Bay represents a wide 

variety of habitat types for resident and migratory waterbirds. The 

greatest number of birds was observed on mudflats, followed by 

pasture, marsh, and open water habitat types. The greatest density 

of birds was at Walker Creek, followed by Giacomini East, Giacomini 

West, Inverness, and Olema Marsh; average species richness per point 

count station was greatest at Olema Marsh, followed by Giacomini 

West, Inverness, Walker Creek, and Giacomini East. Giacomini East 

currently is pasture with high densities of blackbirds, but low average 

species richness. Restoration of this site would create a fringe of 

mudflat and a mosaic of marsh habitat that would increase avian 

species diversity. Few birds were consistently observed on disturbed 

and ruderal areas across sites. The project has completed all field 

surveys and is preparing a final report that will provide baseline 

information on the avian community on the Giacomini Ranch 

restoration site and reference sites prior to restoration action. 

Monitoring based on the results of this project will help assess 

habitat changes and the response of the avian community as the 

Giacomini Ranch restoration proceeds. These baseline data will be an 

integral part of assessing progress and providing a basis for adaptive 

management.
96 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Estimating distribution and 

amphibian occupancy of vernal 

pool breeding habitat

Habitat destruction and degradation are thought to be primary 

stressors of amphibian populations throughout the Northeast U.S., 

where habitat modifications include changes in both the local 

breeding habitat (e.g., pond water quality, area, hydroperiod) and 

the broader landscape (e.g., forest and wetland density). Amphibian 

populations on protected federal lands (e.g. national parks and 

wildlife refuges) are of particular interest as these lands may be 

isolated areas of natural habitat in a rapidly changing landscape. 

Vernal pools which provide essential breeding and larval habitat 

for amphibians such as wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) and mole 

salamanders (Ambystoma species) currently are poorly mapped and 

are not reliably detected via remote sensing methods. This project 

used an adaptive sampling design to estimate the number of vernal 

pools within 14 National Parks and Refuges in the Northeast U.S. 

Combining this sampling with sampling in 4 other National Parks with 

known vernal pools, we explored whether local (pool) or landscape 

characteristics influenced the probability that amphibians occupied 

vernal pools within these federal lands. We found that occupancy 

by both wood frogs and spotted salamanders had a strong, positive 

relationship with proportion of forest cover within the park or refuge 

and was influenced by pond permanency (or hydrology) and size. 

Consistent with previous laboratory studies, project results showed 

spotted salamanders apparently more sensitive to low pH than 

wood frogs. Findings about wood frogs showed a negative effect 

with road proximity. Spotted salamander populations within these 

protected lands may be influenced by surrounding land use: this study 

revealed a strong negative relationship between pool occupancy 

and proportion of development within a 5 km buffer around these 

federal lands. This study is the first large scale assessment of the 

status of two presumably sensitive amphibian species on protected 

areas that are embedded in a changing landscape. In addition to 

providing an invaluable baseline of amphibian occupancy within 

these protected areas, the information from national parks and 

wildlife refuges can serve as a reference for comparisons with more 

manipulated landscapes (e.g., those in agricultural, urban or semiurban areas). Information from continued monitoring will permit 

distinguishing among those factors influencing current species 

distributions and population processes that are likely to contribute to 

changes in the distribution over time and space.

Impact of recreational and 

invasive species on resident 

aquatic species: Whiskeytown 

National Recreation Area

This study investigated presence and abundance of the Foothill 

yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) and Western pond turtle (Emys 

marmorata) in the presence of invasive species. For frogs, the study 

sampled 8 streams twice per season (late spring for egg masses; 

early fall for young of the year) in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, 38 egg 

masses occurred at half of the streams surveyed as well as larvae at 

7 sites. The only stream where they did not occur was also the only 

site with the invasive bullfrog present. In 2005, the study found 

yellow-legged frogs at all 10 streams, only 5 egg masses in 3 streams 

(spring flooding made eggs difficult to observe), and larvae in 7 of 

10 streams. Foothill yellow-legged frogs were present in 6 creeks 

where no American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) were found. Some 

bullfrogs were in 4 streams, mostly in lower portions of streams near 

Whiskeytown Reservoir. Overall, there appeared to be a healthy 

population of Foothill yellow-legged frogs in the park unit, unlike 

elsewhere where populations of this species are declining. Capture 

of 125 Western pond turtles and 2 introduced Red-eared sliders 

(Trachemys scripta) at 6 sites in and around Whiskeytown Reservoir 

suggest native turtles appear to be stable in the presence of invasive 

bullfrogs and a few introduced turtles. However, these exotic sliders 

can increase rapidly once they become established and so need to be 

removed whenever located. The paucity of information on the effects 

of invasive fish in the park is of concern as about 20 fish species have 

been introduced. There are other invasive species (e.g., crayfish) that 

have received no attention. Further monitoring of invasive species is 

warranted and specific studies are needed on effects of introduced 

species on native biota. This project has produced 3 news items (two 

in NPS outlets), a draft report, and 1 small chapter to a book and is 

drafting two papers for scientific journals and a final report.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 97

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Distribution of black bears in the 

Elwah Valley, Olympic National 

Park: Environmental baseline for 

assessing ecosystem effects of 

salmon restoration

Beginning in 2009, the dismantling of two hydroelectric dams on 

the Elwha River in Olympic National Park to restore anadromous 

fish to this pristine watershed will be the second largest ecological 

restoration project undertaken in national parks. Investigation 

during 2004 through September 2006 of seasonal distribution and 

movements of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) in the 

Elwha Valley sought to document the distribution of black bears 

and, specifically, their use of the riparian corridor as a basis for 

determining long-term effects of salmon restoration on this top 

carnivore. Work during 2004 and 2005 placed GPS radio collars on 7 

black bears to supplement a sample of 8 bears collared in a previous 

study. Due to failure of some GPS collars, gathering of location data 

declined from 6 bears throughout 2005, 3 bears through spring 2006, 

to only 1 bear through fall 2006. Analysis of data retrieved from 

the GPS collars that functioned during this period and preparation 

of manuscripts for publication are in progress, with an expected 

completion of all analysis and reporting by June 2007. The project 

to date has published 1 manuscript that describes biases and bias 

corrections of GPS data obtained from GPS-collared black bears 

in mature forests of Olympic National Park. A second manuscript 

summarizing the seasonal distribution and movements of black 

bears from 2002–2006 will be submitted in March for publication 

in a special issue of Northwest Science that will compile the diverse 

ecological studies completed to date to characterize the aquatic 

and terrestrial ecosystems of the Elwha Valley prior to dam removal. 

Information gathered during this study allowed development of a 

protocol for long-term monitoring of black bear use of the riparian 

corridor of the Elwha River after dam removal. The method uses 

barbed-wire sampling stations distributed the length of the river to 

collect bear hairs, which provide DNA useful for determining the 

minimum number of individual bears using the riparian corridor and 

stable isotopes of nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur useful for monitoring 

dietary shifts over time.

Evaluating vertebrate monitoring 

indicators for sound decision 

making: Technical assistance to 

the Sonoran Desert Network 

inventory and monitoring 

program

Consultation with the NPS Sonoran Desert Network, determined 

that this project would concentrate on avifauna. The 11 parks in the 

network were finished with the inventory phase and ready to begin 

monitoring. Monitoring land changes in landbird population and 

community parameters was considered to be a highly important step 

to take in the transition into the long-term ecosystem monitoring 

program. The study has finished, monitoring indicators have been 

chosen, and the project has delivered to the Sonoran Desert Network 

a Land Bird Monitoring Protocol that is now being implemented.

Augmentation and expansion of 

endangered freshwater mussel 

populations in the Big South Fork 

National River and Recreation 

Areas

Three of the five federally endangered mussel species in this national 

park were propagated in 2006. Collections of gravid females were 

made in spring, host fishes were infested with their glochidia at the 

Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center at Virginia Tech, and 36,844 

juveniles were released in May and June to augment the existing 

populations at the release site. Juveniles released into the Big South 

Fork Cumberland River included 31,482 Cumberland combshells, 5,352 

tan riffleshells, and 10 Cumberland beans. Juveniles were cultured 

for several weeks in the laboratory and were 1-2 mm in length at 

time of release. Because 2004 was a bad year for propagation, due 

to high water and inability to collect gravid females from the river, 

a no-cost time extension was granted to allow propagation in 2007. 

Propagation of multiple species in 2007 will make up for the lack 

of juveniles produced in 2004. Therefore this project, originally 

scheduled to terminate in August 2006, now will continue until 

August 2007.
98 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Assessing the relationship 

between acid precipitation, 

calcium depletion, and avian 

productivity in Great Smoky 

Mountains National Park

This project studied the breeding biology of the Black-capped 

Chickadee (Parus atricapillus) in GRSM to assess its suitability for a 

future study examining effects of acid precipitation on high elevation 

bird communities. The park’s high elevations experience high levels 

of air pollution deposition as acid rain, acid snow, acidic dry particles, 

fog, and cloudwater. The bedrock of the high elevation forest soils 

makes it naturally poor in calcium with low native soil pH. Calcium 

cation is stripped from the environment by acid precipitation; 

reductions in environmental calcium have been tied to reductions 

in populations of aquatic invertebrates, terrestrial snails, and more 

recently to reproductive problems in birds. Increased acidification 

of soils by acid precipitation in high elevation environments could 

push bird populations beyond their limits. Chickadees are year-round 

residents in the spruce-fir forests, their specialization on this high 

elevation forest type suggests they might be a good bioindicator 

of calcium depletion in this ecosystem. Chickadees are also close 

taxonomic relatives to the Great Tit (Parus major), a forest passerine 

that is the focal species of studies in the Netherlands that linked 

effects of acidic deposition to reductions in snail populations, thinner 

avian egg shells, and lower reproductive success. Because acidification 

has a greater effect on the abundance of calcium rich prey than it 

does on individual prey chemistry, food sources high in calcium may 

become rare and perhaps limiting for birds breeding on acidified 

sites. Having very little physiological storage capacity, many passerine 

females collect nearly all of the calcium they need in the weeks prior 

to egg laying.

This project conducted field research during spring and summer 

of 2003–2005 at high elevations (1524–2024m) using primarily 

observations but also experimental calcium supplement platform 

feeders and nest boxes or nest poles. The project monitored 25 

Chickadee nests over three years. Although the field work detected 

no use of nest boxes or nest poles by any bird species, including 

Chickadees, it did find some use of supplemental calcium platforms 

by Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus 

hudsonicus) but not by Chickadees. Conclusions suggest Chickadees 

offer theoretical advantages for testing hypotheses related to calcium 

deficiency in high elevation forests in the southern Appalachians: 

1) Chickadees have a close taxonomic relationship to the Great 

Tit, about which biology is known, 2) Chickadees will exploit novel 

sources of calcium, including from a platform feeder, thus permitting 

experimental manipulation of the availability of environmental 

calcium, 3) female Chickadees lay a relatively large clutch and so may 

show signs of calcium deficiency before other bird species nesting 

at high elevations, 4) Chickadees are common resident breeders at 

high elevation sites in GRSM, and detailed data are available on 

patterns of avian distribution and abundance in the park. However, 

multiple limitations to using this species as a model for high elevation 

bird populations include: 1) accessibility to the nests is limited, 2) 

methods for using artificial nesting substrates require additional 

testing, and 3) the relatively low density of Chickadees in the area 

coupled with frequency of high winds during late winter and early 

spring that limit bird activity and detectability when birds are most 

active in establishing territories and excavating nest cavities. Because 

Chickadees provide a good model theoretically, work with this species 

in 2006 involved moving nest boxes to more suitable locations to 

determine their utility. If Chickadees will not use nest boxes, then 

logistics of accessing nest contents may prove too challenging and 

future work may switch to other common high elevation species, 

such as Dark-eyed Juncos, Winter Wrens (Troglodytes troglodytes), 

and Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus). Dark-eyed Juncos may be 

advantageous because they are ground nesters, abundant in the area, 

often double-brood, have been heavily studied in the Appalachians, 

calcium limitation may be another confounding factor that reduces 

nesting success, especially for a second brood, and working with a 

passerine would allow for greater application and inference of this 

research to those other common species nesting in high elevations 

that might be facing similar calcium limitation.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 99

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Riparian vegetation response 

to tamarisk invasion and flow 

regulation in Dinosaur National 

Monument

This research assessed the status of riparian and aquatic ecosystems 

along the Green and Yampa Rivers in Dinosaur National Monument, 

which have experienced different magnitudes of alteration of stream 

and sediment flux and more than 50 years presence of non-native 

riparian plant species. The results will help inform NPS decisions 

about whether or not to attempt restoration of these rivers. The 

study utilized a tamarisk removal experiment, including control 

and treatment (tamarisk removal) reaches and 32 permanently 

monumented channel cross-sections designed to integrate measures 

of riparian vegetation with driving physical variables, including river 

stage-discharge relationships and changes in channel and flood 

plain geometry related to erosional and depositional processes. 

The experimental design allows inference of results from this site 

to a wider set of streams in similar geomorphic settings across the 

region. Measurements of riparian vegetation to date include woody 

riparian composition and cover; vertical vegetation volume of woody 

vegetation; and herbaceous cover by species. Physical measurements 

of channel geometry, sediment dynamics and river stage-discharge 

relationships have been made at these sites for over a decade, and 

integration with measurements of riparian vegetation provides 

valuable baseline information upon which to design and test the 

efficiency of riparian monitoring protocols. Preliminary results from 

four study sites in Lodore Canyon reveal that two geomorphic 

surfaces formed following completion of Flaming Gorge Dam. These 

surfaces are dominated by the exotic plant, tamarisk, and their 

formation correlates with rare post-dam floods, and average flood 

peaks associated with power- generation activity at Flaming Gorge 

Dam. At present, the non-native tamarisk is approximately equal 

in cover to the native box-elder, in all size classes, except seedlings, 

where tamarisk is significantly more important. In the absence of 

large pre-dam floods, tree-sized box-elder stems are projected to 

be lost from high, pre-dam surfaces. Comparing tamarisk cover in 

removal versus non-removal sites indicates that physical removal 

significantly reduces cover of tamarisk but complete elimination has 

not been possible in the smaller size-classes because of re-sprouting 

from existing root crowns and establishment of new seedlings. 

Moreover, non-native herbaceous weeds like white-top and Canada 

thistle are establishing in greater abundance on tamarisk removal 

sites. Statistical tests for differences in overall community composition 

between the treatments, months (pre- and post-flood), and sites 

indicated that there are differences between the treatment and 

control plots and that flooding had no overall effect on species 

composition in the flooded plots. These results indicate that physical 

removal of tamarisk in Lodore Canyon has been successful, with the 

exception of the establishment of new seedlings in some locations 

and the appearance of a few re-sprouts. Whereas species diversity 

has not been significantly changed, there is indication that some 

non-native weeds are becoming more important in removal sites, 

a finding that suggests need for further monitoring and perhaps 

additional management intervention. The established permanent 

monitoring plots could form the basis for a long-term monitoring 

program in the monument and future investigations could examine 

historical channel narrowing in Lodore Canyon, using stratigraphic 

and recently developed dendrogeomorphic techniques. Results of this 

work were presented at two scientific meetings in 2006 and the data 

are being prepared for publication in a scientific journal.
100 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Effects of road mortality on 

native anuran populations at 

Saguaro National Park

Previous studies of mortality at Saguaro National Park conservatively 

estimated that 17,000 amphibians were killed by vehicles annually on 

roads in and near the Park. This study sought to assess park anuran 

breeding sites to see what effect this mortality might be having 

on those populations. During the 2006 monsoon season, the study 

located 15 amphibian breeding sites on the Tucson Mountain District 

by returning to sites found in 2005 and by conducting visual surveys 

of pools and streams for eggs, larvae, or recent metamorphs during 

the day and call surveys at night. The study conducted single-night 

Lincoln-Petersen population estimates and collected demographic 

information on seven of these sites for three species: Red-spotted 

Toads, Couch’s Spadefoots, and Colorado River Toads. Study efforts 

found four native species of anurans during road surveys at both 

the Tucson Mountain and Rincon Mountain districts of the park in 

2006: Red-spotted Toad, Colorado River Toad, Great Plains Toad, and 

Couch’s Spadefoot and at the Tucson Mountain District in 2006, found 

26% of 166 anurans dead on the road and at the Rincon Mountain 

District in 2006, 38 of 71 (53.5%) anurans were dead on the road. 

During FY 2007 we will complete analyses of the data and provide 

a final report to Saguaro National Park, including detailed maps 

of all anuran breeding sites and locations and numbers of live and 

dead anurans seen during road surveys. This information will provide 

baseline data for monitoring the status of these desert-breeding 

anurans on the park in the future and will allow for informed 

adaptive management of these species within the park.

Population status and ecology 

of ashy storm petrel in Channel 

Islands National Park assessing 

one of the most vulnerable 

endemic seabirds in the 

California Current

Islands within Channel Islands National Park provide essential nesting 

habitat for Ashy Storm-Petrel. This species also depends upon marine 

prey resources throughout surrounding waters including several 

west coast National Marine Sanctuaries. Basic information regarding 

storm-petrels in the park, including current population sizes, diet, 

and quantitative information necessary to identify important 

oceanographic habitats, is lacking. Such information, however, is 

required for effective monitoring and management. In 2006, the third 

year (not supported by POBS) of the ongoing population study of 

Ashy Storm-Petrel in Channel Islands National Park was successfully 

completed, focusing effort at Scorpion Rock (SR): 8 nights capturing, 

measuring, and banding. One hundred-sixty-six (166) storm-petrels 

were captured; 5 of which had previously been banded (3%). 

Standardized Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) was 0.074 ± 0.040 SD birds 

min-1 (35.3 net hours). A report of results from 2004–2005 radio 

telemetry work is forthcoming and the park will be provided with a 

Final Report tentatively by 31 December 2006. Results of this study 

show storm-petrels (215 valid locations from 57 individuals) were 

aggregated over the continental shelf-break from Pt. Conception to 

Pt. Buchon, within the western Santa Barbara Channel, and over the 

deep basin separating Santa Cruz, San Nicolas, and Santa Barbara 

Islands. Individuals ranged as far north as Gulf of the Farallones 

National Marine Sanctuary. Researchers believe this is the first study 

to use radiotelemetry to document at-sea distribution and habitat 

association for any of the world’s storm-petrels.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 101

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Does food availability impede 

bird restoration in Hawaii 

Volcanoes National Park?

Restoration of Hawaiian forest bird populations requires 

information about the availability of food resources in addition 

to understanding threats posed by disease, predators, and habitat 

modifiers. Identifying threats to arthropod prey of birds also informs 

inventory and monitoring programs. A method was developed 

to assess the suitability of habitats for native bird restoration at 

a landscape scale by sampling arthropod distribution in habitats 

along gradients of elevation and moisture. Results indicated that 

arthropods generally, and caterpillars, spiders, and other major prey 

types in particular, tended to be more available in terms of numbers 

of individuals and biomass per unit of foliage at higher elevation 

sites. Study of distribution patterns of parasitoid wasps and ants to 

evaluate potential threats to important arthropod prey of forest 

birds indicated that ant and parasitoid threats were greater at 

lower elevations and that native parasitoids were more abundant at 

higher elevations and alien parasitoid species were more abundant 

at lower elevations. Bird surveys revealed that generalist foragers, 

which exploit a wide range of nectar and arthropods, were relatively 

common and widespread, whereas specialist insectivores were 

restricted to high elevations. Final analyses in FY 2007 will determine 

whether bird density estimates are sufficiently fine-grained to permit 

constructing a model that can help managers predict bird abundance 

and distribution based on arthropod availability. In addition, this 

research will help managers appreciate some of the complexity 

involved in protecting and restoring forest bird communities, and 

will provide detailed information about the composition of arboreal 

forest arthropod communities, which are little known.

The role of hybridization in 

cattail (Typha spp.) invasions of 

freshwater wetlands in Great 

Lakes National Parks

The invasive spread of cattails in the Great Lakes Region may be 

partially due to hybridization between native broad-leaved cattail 

(Typha latifolia) and European narrow-leaved cattail (T. angustifolia). 

This study examined the prevalence of hybrids in three Great 

Lakes national parks representing multiple habitat types, and the 

relationship between clone size and hybrid status in newly invaded 

areas. Samples were also collected from nine East Coast sites from 

Virginia to Connecticut. Intensive sampling of 150 individuals from 

each of 5 sites was conducted during 2004, with a less intensive, 

broader survey of 20–40 individuals from each of 20 sites (including 

Isle Royale National Park) conducted during 2005. Species-diagnostic 

RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) markers were used to 

identify pure T. latifolia and T. angustifolia so that these individuals 

could, in turn, be used to identify diagnostic microsatellite markers 

for a subsequent analysis of genetic admixture within individuals 

exhibiting hybrid ancestry. Results from the 2004 samples showed a 

history of hybridization among all but a few pure T. angustifolia at St. 

Croix National Scenic River and Voyageurs National Park. Individuals 

sampled at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and St. Croix showed 

evidence of backcrossing to T. angustifolia, whereas those at 

Voyageurs were more similar to T. latifolia. A higher incidence of 

first-generation hybrids was also apparent at Voyageurs, suggesting 

that T. angustifolia has reached this park most recently. Results 

from the 2005 samples have revealed the existence of several pure 

populations of T. latifolia among several of the small, isolated lakes at 

Voyageurs, and at least one population of pure T. angustifolia on the 

East Coast at the mouth of the Connecticut River. The development 

of species-diagnostic markers from these pure samples is ongoing, 

and will be concluded during fiscal year 2007, ultimately resulting 

in recommendations concerning the removal or protection of cattail 

populations at each affected park.
102 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Importance of small wetlands 

to the diversity of amphibian 

assemblages in the Delaware 

Water Gap Recreation Area

In the spring and summer of 2005 this study used a combination of 

visual encounter surveys, larval dipnet surveys, and adult anuran call 

surveys to assess the use of lentic bodies of water by pond-breeding 

amphibians throughout the New Jersey portion of the Delaware 

Water Gap National Recreation Area. A total of 44 wetlands that 

were stratified among small (< 0.1 ha), medium (0.15 – 0.66 ha), 

and large (> 1.0 ha) size classes were surveyed. Twelve species of 

amphibians were found to reproduce in these wetlands. Nine of these 

wetlands were re-sampled in 2006 to assess temporal variability in 

species presence (i.e. species turnover). The data is currently being 

analyzed using species occupancy models ( MacKenzie et al. 2006) to 

estimate species occupancy, extinction, and colonization probabilities 

as functions of wetland size, hydroperiod, and isolation from nearby 

wetlands. In addition to estimating important population parameters, 

these models will be used to identify the most efficient mean of 

sampling pond breeding amphibians in the New Jersey portion of 

the park by modeling species detection probabilities as functions of 

survey method, time of year, and environmental variables. As a result 

of this research, approximately 350 potential amphibian breeding 

wetlands have also been identified and mapped throughout the park 

and detailed information on amphibian species occurrence, predator 

occurrence, and hydrologic regimes has been linked to site locations 

using GIS. The final report in FY 2007 will evaluate the importance of 

small wetlands to the overall maintenance of amphibian biodiversity 

throughout New Jersey portion of the Delaware Water Gap National 

Recreation Area and will present predictive models of amphibian 

species presence as a function of wetland size, hydroperiod, 

connectivity, and isolation.

Producing wolf-elk population 

model for Yellowstone National 

Park

This project obtained information from 151 radio-collared calves and 

95 radio-collared cows to assess elk calf and cow survival rates and 

amount of calf and cow mortality caused by wolves in Yellowstone 

National Park. Annual calf survival was 24% and cow survival 80%. 

Wolves killed 11% of calves annually and 7% of cows. Initial use 

of these figures in developing a model of the Yellowstone elk 

population dynamics that accounts for the effects of wolves on the 

wolf-elk system will involve exploring the usefulness of both White 

and Lubow (2002) and Cooper et al. (2003) approaches.

The development of a 

quantitative decision model 

for evaluating the effects of 

river regulation and water 

use on native fishes in the 

Chattahoochee River National 

Recreation Area

Identifying and quantifying the effects of river regulation and water 

development on native fish communities in the Chattahoochee 

River National Recreation Area are crucial for evaluating potential 

conservation and restoration strategies. During 2006, researchers 

used GPS and electronic depth recorder to map stream habitats 

at three flows, representing low, moderate, and high discharge 

conditions; developed models for estimating habitat availability 

at two study reaches representing impact and recovery from 

hydropower generation; and sampled fishes using a quadrat sample 

design to estimate native fish community structure at each study 

reach. To assess effects of thermal and habitat characteristics on fish 

distribution and community structure, the study compiled existing 

data on native fish communities in similar SE riverine ecosystems. 

During FY 2007, researchers will complete data analyses and model 

building. The models will allow NPS to evaluate the influence 

of various water management scenarios on the abundance and 

distribution native biota in the River.

Development of methods to 

improve trapping of freeroaming cats in national parks

The investigator’s health problems prevented conduct of the project 

in FY 2006. Plans for the study in 2007 include testing and using a 

camera to monitor cat activity.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 103

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Fishes and riverine habitat of 

Badlands National Park, with 

emphasis on the sturgeon chub 

and other imperiled species

The purpose of the project is to inventory the fish fauna and aquatic 

habitat of the park and update information on the presence and 

ecology of rare fishes. Survey of ponds, streams, and river habitats 

within Badlands National Park found 19 species of fish, amphibians, 

and aquatic reptiles. Several sites sampled on the White River and 

tributaries within Pine Ridge Oglala Sioux Reservation represent 

the first revisits to sites previously sampled as part of the former 

Environmental Protection Agency project Environmental Monitoring 

and Assessment Program—West. Collection and measurement of 

75 sturgeon chubs (Macrhybopsis gelida, a state listed threatened 

species) contributed information to an understanding of population 

dynamics, natural history characteristics, and anatomy of this rare 

species. Almost 40,000m2 of seining effort among all sites collected 

about 2,000 individuals of about 27 other fish species. Drought 

hampered sampling because some sites were dry and the White 

River became intermittent in mid-July. Data entry and analysis are 

in progress; similar fieldwork will resume in the spring of 2007. 

The information to date is preliminary and offers no significant 

management application at this time.

Assessment of upland ecosystem 

conditions in the Salt Creek 

Watershed, Canyonlands 

National Park

This project is assessing the condition of upland ecosystems in the 

Salt Creek watershed and surrounding portions of Canyonlands 

National Park using a suite of quantitative and qualitative indicators 

of functioning of key ecosystem processes. Salt Creek is the only 

perennial stream in Canyonlands other than the Colorado River 

itself, and riparian and aquatic ecosystems associated with the Salt 

Creek drainage may be affected by upland watershed conditions 

impacted by past land-use practices (e.g., livestock grazing), recent 

visitor-use activities, or on-going drought. Preliminary analyses from 

approximately 100 assessments conducted in the lower, middle, and 

upper Salt Creek watersheds during 2006 suggest that approximately 

17 percent of sites show indications of diminished soil stability and 

accelerated wind- and/or water-driven erosion, relative to reference 

conditions. Approximately 23 percent of sites show indications of 

accelerated run-off, and 15 percent of sites have diminished “biotic 

integrity”—as indicated by relative dominance by invasive exotic 

plants and/or by shifts in relative abundances of plant functional 

types. Within the Salt Creek watershed, most (but not all) sites with 

diminished soil stability occur on Bureau of Land Management lands 

adjacent to the Park. Emerging patterns suggest that particular soils 

and types of ecosystems are highly susceptible to experiencing longterm dominance by invasive exotic plants. Information collected 

to date will allow NPS to evaluate current conditions in relation to 

management objectives and “desired future conditions” and to begin 

establishing priorities for restoration or other management actions. 

These data also will enable USGS and NPS to work together to form 

hypotheses concerning the resistance and resilience of particular soils/

ecological sites to effects of land-use activities. Field work in 2007 will 

conduct approximately 100 additional assessments.
104 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Development and validation of a 

potentially non-lethal sampling 

strategy for environmental 

contaminants of concern in 

the NPS Ozark National Scenic 

Riverways

Trace metals emanating from mining and other sources are a 

high priority concern of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways of 

southeastern Missouri. Ongoing and proposed mining represent 

possible sources of lead, cadmium, and other metals to park 

waters. Predatory fishes within the park contain comparatively high 

concentrations of mercury. The source or sources of mercury in these 

fish has not been conclusively identified, but may include atmospheric 

emissions from coal-fired power plants, other anthropogenic sources, 

and natural sources. Monitoring for contaminants in fish as presently 

conducted by most agencies requires the periodic sacrifice of large 

numbers of fish to obtain fillet size tissue samples, which is becoming 

increasingly unpopular among natural resource managers and their 

constituents. This study is evaluating methods that may reduce or 

eliminate the need to sacrifice fish for determining contaminant 

burdens as estimators of health risks associated with fish consumption 

by humans. Two species of fish commonly sought by anglers (northern 

hog sucker and smallmouth bass) were collected by electrofishing 

at four sites in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in September 

2005. Additional fish were obtained from sites outside the park for 

comparison. Fillet size tissue samples and small samples of blood and 

muscle tissue collected with biopsy instruments (punch and needle) 

were obtained from each smallmouth bass. Blood and fillet size tissue 

samples were obtained from the hog sucker. To date, the mercury 

analyses have been completed and show that concentrations in the 

biopsy size samples were directly comparable to the fillet size values 

whereas the blood mercury concentrations were substantially lower. 

These results show that the evaluated sub-lethal (biopsy) methods 

yielded accurate and precise estimates of fillet mercury concentrations 

in smallmouth bass. Chemical analyses of the hog sucker samples for 

mining-related metals are underway and should be completed in 

2006.

Baseline Analysis of Floodplain 

Soils Prior to Dam Removal, 

Elwha River, Olympic National 

Park

This project completed approximately 25% of the study plan in its 

first year, with the remaining work planned for FY 2007. In FY 2006, 

83 quadrats from a previous study were selected for detailed soils 

work, which included collecting and combining four samples of 

the soil matrix (top 15 cm) from the mid-points of the sides of a 

10 x 10 quadrat and collecting one composite sample from each 

aggregation for future analysis. Analytical work will involve partners 

to assess soil microbial communities and marine derived nutrients. In 

addition, samples of roots from approximately three individuals of 

the dominant tree within a sub-set of the quadrats were collected 

and are being analyzed for mycorrhizal fungi. The same quadrats 

will be revisited in summer 2007 to collect soil samples for analysis 

for physical and chemical properties and to conduct additional 

mycorrhizal fungi work.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 105

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Effects of Invasive Exotic Plants 

on Habitat Conditions and 

Performance of the Federally 

Endangered Astragalus 

Ampullarioides (Shivwits 

Milkvetch), Zion National Park

This project seeks to provide Zion National Park with information 

regarding management of the federally endangered plant Astragalus 

ampullarioides (Shivwits milk-vetch)—an edaphically restricted 

species that is endemic to southwestern Utah. In 2006, we conducted 

descriptive habitat studies to develop a deeper understanding of 

plant occurrence patterns in relation to soil properties, geologic/

geomorphic setting, and plant community composition (emphasizing 

occurrence patterns in relation to invasive exotic plants). This work 

documented occurrences of the milk-vetch on a new geologic 

substrate—an important finding which improves understanding 

of the species’ potential habitat, may lead to the discovery of new 

populations, and could potentially impact the listing status of the 

species. This work also resulted in a 50 percent increase in the 

estimated number of individuals for the species—most of which 

occur at two small sites in Zion. This work examined plant-herbivore 

relations and found that vertebrate herbivory was responsible for a 

90 percent reduction in fruit production at a high-density site in the 

park, the first documentation of a significant role of herbivory for 

this species and a finding that may have implications for management 

activities regarding distribution and abundance of herbivores and 

their predators. In fall 2006, researchers installed an automated 

precipitation gage and soil-moisture probes at a high-density site in 

Zion, and initiated field experiments to evaluate effects of the exotic 

grass Bromus rubens (red brome) on growth, reproductive output, 

and mycorrhizal status of Shivwits milk-vetch. These experimental 

studies will continue through 2007. In 2007 researchers also plan 

to use the improved understanding of milk-vetch—environment 

relations to develop a GIS-based predictive habitat model that will aid 

in the design of future plant surveys and recovery efforts conducted 

by the park, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, and the Shivwits Band of the Paiute Indian Tribe.

Experimental control of invasive 

ant species in Hawaii Volcanoes 

National Park.

Mitigating the impacts of invasive ants on Hawaiian ecosystems and 

arthropod communities is challenging because ants are not native 

to Hawaii and are notoriously difficult to suppress. Two especially 

destructive ant species, the big-headed ant (Pheidole megacephala) 

and the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), are found along 

with other alien ant species in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 

This assemblage of ant species affords excellent opportunities to 

experimentally test emerging methods of control that show promise 

in some other habitats (e.g., Australia, New Zealand). Our study 

evaluates the impacts of ants on Hawaiian arthropod communities 

and tests a variety of baits, toxicants, and physiological inhibitors 

under natural conditions. Preliminary results of field trials indicate 

that Argentine ants may be more susceptible to the neurotoxin 

fipronil (Xstinguish®), than to either the metabolic inhibitor 

hydramethylnon (Maxforce®) or the insect growth regulator (IGR) 

pyriproxyfen, at least within the formulations tested. Fipronil may 

also be relatively effective at achieving local extermination of ant 

colonies. Pitfall trapping and vegetation beating before and after 

treatment of ant infested plots will allow an assessment of the impact 

of these invasive ants on native arthropod community structure and 

composition. In 2007, the project will focus upon refining methods 

for suppressing Argentine ants and will begin testing baits and 

growth regulators for controlling big-headed ants. This study seeks 

to provide information about management tools will help resource 

managers protect areas of special ecological value against the impacts 

of invasive ant species.
106 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Movements and activities of 

cougars in high visitor use areas 

of Zion National Park, Utah

Issues arising from unanswered questions about cougars (Puma 

concolor) in and near Zion National Park in southwestern Utah 

include whether the park functions as a source for lions dispersing 

into neighboring jurisdictions, whether increasing sightings of 

cougars and cougar sign near park visitor facilities suggest need 

for concern about human safety, and whether a dearth of cougars 

in parts of Zion National Park has resulted in a cascade of effects 

resulting in deleterious changes to riparian areas. This study began 

during 2005 to provide information on cougar movements and 

behaviors, including use of riparian areas, habitat selection, response 

to human facilities, and use of areas outside NPS jurisdictions. Global 

positioning system collars were deployed on three cougars in and 

near Zion National Park during 2005–2006, with a fourth collar to 

be deployed during the remaining months of 2006. One collar has 

delivered locational data daily via Argos satellites and was deployed 

to test performance of this technology in the precipitous terrain of 

Zion National Park. The near real-time delivery of data provided by 

this collar has allowed for timely investigation of kill sites for the 

cougar fitted with the Argos collar. Researchers plan to deploy two 

more collars during 2007, including an additional collar with capacity 

for Argos data delivery. Preliminary results suggest that collared 

cougars using Zion National Park also use extensive areas beyond 

park boundaries.

Using Acoustic Sampling of 

Bat Assemblages to Monitor 

Ecosystem Trends

Acoustic detection systems used to identify bats and document 

their presence can operate unattended for months, offering a 

very cost effective way to implement long-term monitoring to 

document both spatial and temporal changes in species composition 

of bat assemblages. Because bats fly and can effectively track the 

distribution and abundance of the aerial stages of aquatic insects, 

changes in the species composition of bat assemblages may reflect 

the productivity of aquatic ecosystems and thus offer the potential 

for effectively monitoring ecosystem trends. This project will develop 

a sampling design, analytical methods, data management tools, and 

software for a long-term bat monitoring protocol with relatively 

affordable labor and equipment costs. Such an acoustic detection 

system will enable use of acoustic monitoring of bats as a metric for 

detecting ecosystem change. Project activities in 2006 largely focused 

on such tasks as refining the study plan, equipment purchases, 

construction of field housings for the bat monitoring stations, analysis 

of existing data to determine the intensity and duration of sampling 

that will be needed to assess variability between individual detectors 

and the probability of detection for each bat species, and rewriting 

the DOS-based Anabat software to a Windows version. The Windows 

version provides a much more functional interface that will allow 

individuals lacking extensive experience with bat vocalizations to 

distinguish between different species. In addition, six bat detectors 

were purchased and are currently being modified with hardware and 

software upgrades to allow them to operate unattended for up to six 

months. In 2007,the project anticipates having 12 acoustic detectors 

in the field, collecting data, and being checked at monthly intervals 

to download data and monitor their function. Additional tasks 

include investigating intra- and inter-habitat variability in detection 

probabilities for each species of bat in the park, developing analytical 

methods for detecting statistically significant changes in species 

composition over different temporal and spatial scales, refining 

exiting software algorithms for identification of bat vocalizations, 

and creating database applications for storing, managing, and 

analyzing acoustic data files.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 107

Title of Project FY 06 Report

Assessing the Distribution and 

Effects of Chytrid Fungus on 

Amphibians in Grand Teton 

National Park

This study seeks to determine effects of the fungus Batrachochytrium 

dendrobatidis on health and survival of Boreal Toads (Bufo boreas) 

and Columbia Spotted Frogs (Rana luteiventris), pathogenicity of 

B. dendrobatidis isolated from amphibian populations in Grand 

Teton National Park, Wyoming, and susceptibility of 2 amphibian 

species to a known virulent North American strain of B. dendrobatidis

and to document and map the distribution of B. dendrobatidis and 

prevalence of chytridiomycosis in and near Grand Teton National 

Park. In 2006, the project collected 300 B. boreas tadpoles from 

Black Rock pond, just east of the park, and no R. luteiventris

tadpoles. Mortality of tadpoles up to metamorphosis was < 2%. 

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis was cultured from two, 2-yr-old 

toads from Black Rock, which had succumbed to chytridiomycosis. In 

one experiment, 60 juvenile toads from the Native Aquatic Species 

Restoration Facility in Colorado (control group) and from Black Rock 

were exposed to isolates of B. dendrobatidis from Black Rock and 

a strain from Colorado known to be pathogenic (provided by Joyce 

Longcore, Univ. Maine). No toads from either group succumbed to 

B. dendrobatidis and the study was terminated at 40 days, because 

several of the control toads died of a bacterial infection. After the 

first experiment was unsuccessful at initiating chytridiomycosis in 

any of the exposed animals, a small scale study evaluated potential 

exposure methods. Methods similar to published methods, which used 

high exposure doses, were tested on the toads from Colorado using 

the known pathogenic strain of B. dendrobatidis. This experiment 

resulted in toads developing chytridiomycosis. Follow-up study will 

repeat this experiment using Colorado and Wyoming B. boreas

and the chytrid isolate from Black Rock. Although more data are 

required to confirm our preliminary observations, it appears that B. 

boreas from Black Rock pond (and toads from the Aquatic Species 

Restoration Facility in Colorado) can succumb to chytrid fungus when 

exposed to a high concentration of fungal zoospores. Stress may also 

be required for the manifestation of disease (evident from the 2 wild 

toadlets collected from Black Rock pond). Follow-up study will test 

these findings.

Human/black bear interactions 

in Canyon de Chelly National 

Monument, AZ: development 

of a cooperative management 

strategy with the Navajo Nation

A delay in transfer of funds to Virginia Tech delayed project initiation 

until late June 2006. Project work in 2006 included a site visit to the 

park to tour the study area, discuss the planned research, and explore 

additional sources of funding for the research. Following the site visit 

and receipt of funds, a PhD student joined the study and currently 

is conducting course work and literature review and developing a 

dissertation working plan. Following an early 2007 field trip to the 

park to finalize plans for data collection, project field work will begin 

in May 2007.

The sugar pine dilemma: 

prescription burning and the 

management of a declining 

species

Although prescribed fire is a primary tool for forest restoration, 

changing forest conditions may create circumstances where simple 

use of fire may not achieve restoration goals. This condition may 

be true for sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana Douglas) in the Sierra 

Nevada of California, where high post-fire mortality coupled with 

the ongoing effects of an introduced pathogen (white pine blister 

rust) could contribute to local extirpations. This project will determine 

whether post-fire survivorship can be enhanced by removal of fuels 

in the immediate neighborhood of individual tree stems. Field data 

collection is exactly on schedule as of fall 2006. Working with park 

fire managers, the project installed plots and applied treatments at 

three locations (Redwood Canyon, Wall Spring and Cabin Creek), 

marked and measured nearly 1000 trees, and, on one site (Redwood 

Canyon), conducted a burn and completed post-fire data collection. 

The project has presented its rationale and initial results to three 

audiences: the park's Natural Resources annual orientation day, the 

park's Division of Interpretation, and a volunteer high school group.
108 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Title of Project FY 06 Report

National Park Service Wildlife 

Disease Reporting Technical 

Assistance

This project will provide the National Park Service with a Web-based 

platform for NPS units to report observations of wildlife disease or 

mortality. The platform will permit information to be entered and 

visualized by way of interactive text and geospatial interfaces and 

to be easily shared and integrated into other systems. NPS wildlife 

disease specialists and regional public health coordinators will be 

able to analyze these reports to gain better understanding of disease 

dynamics and emergence on NPS lands and to be enabled to more 

quickly respond to potential health threats. NPS managers will gain 

a useful tool to recognize the appearance of exotic microorganisms, 

institute effective management strategies and protect human 

health. In 2006 the project staff met with NPS Wildlife Health staff, 

developed an avian influenza reporting web application (HEDDS) as a 

prototype for the NPS application, and initiated a partner relationship 

with the Wildlife Conservation Society which will provide expanded 

capacities for development of NPS application. In 2007 the project 

will complete and test the application.

Snowy Plovers at Point Reyes 

National Seashore: Unraveling 

the Mystery of Mercury

Mercury concentrations in addled eggs from federally listed Snowy 

Plovers at Point Reyes National Seashore in northern California were 

found to be elevated relative to eggs from southern California. To 

understand potential vectors of mercury availability to Snowy Plovers 

and habitat cycling of mercury, this project collected invertebrate prey 

samples early and late in the Snowy Plover breeding season in 2006 at 

nesting sites, and from marine mammal carcasses that washed ashore 

at Point Reyes. Reference samples were collected at the Coal Oil 

Point Marine Reserve near Santa Barbara, California. Addled plover 

eggs also were collected for analyses. Preliminary results showed 

that mercury concentrations in marine species of invertebrates 

(e.g., amphipods, isopods) at Point Reyes were relatively uniform 

among the four sites sampled but that invertebrates collected 

from or around marine mammal carcasses had 2–4 times higher 

mercury levels. Point Reyes invertebrates had 7–10 times higher 

mercury concentrations than invertebrates collected from southern 

California. Moreover, the few addled eggs collected at Point Reyes 

in 2006 had higher concentrations of mercury than eggs collected 

in previous years. Notably, Point Reyes plover egg concentrations 

were several time higher than those detected in shorebird eggs from 

the more urbanized San Francisco Bay, emphasizing the importance 

of understanding potential impacts on Snowy Plovers at Pt. Reyes 

National Seashore. Studies planned for 2007 will determine the 

extent of mercury contamination at gradients away from Point Reyes, 

and replicate the 2006 sampling design.

Developing a coral conservation 

strategy for the global warming 

era in the National Park of 

American Samoa

This project seeks to identify physical and biological factors that 

increase coral resilience to elevated seawater temperatures. 

The findings of the project will inform development of a coral 

conservation strategy in preparation for potential seawater warming 

with future climate change in The National Park of American Samoa. 

The first part of the project was completed as planned in 2006 by 

conducting an experiment testing the effects of water motion on 

survival and growth of coral transplants and by collecting coral 

samples from 400 Pocillopora eydouxi coral colonies from various reef 

habitats in American Samoa. The samples will be used for an allozyme 

study to determine if colonies found in warm, shallow areas are 

genetically distinct from other colonies and thus likely adapted to the 

warmer seawater of these habitats.
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 109
110 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Park Index

A

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic 

Site—34 82

Acadia National Park—5 18 25 27 28 50

65 79 89

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve—

3 57

Antietam National Battlefield—25 37 65 84

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore—84

Appalachian National Scenic Trail—65 73

Arches National Park—91

Arkansas Post National Monument—57

Assateague Island National Seashore—

29 35 84

B

Badlands National Park—22 59 103

Bandelier National Monument—84

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site—55 82

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve—49

Big Bend National Park—20 39 89

Big Cypress National Preserve—43 65 84

Big Hole National Battlefield—82

Big South Fork National River & Recreation 

Area—2 15 29 30 55 84 89 97

Big Thicket National Preserve—22 23 29

Biscayne National Park—29 41 55 89

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—

79 91

Blue Ridge Parkway—2 15 23 25 55

Booker T. Washington National Monument—

43 68

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation 

Area—28 29 79 82

Bryce Canyon National Park—84

Buck Island Reef National Monument—

4 16 57 65 79

Buffalo National River—

16 27 34 81 84 91

C

Canaveral National Seashore—24 29 84 89

Canyonlands National Park—38 48 79 103

Canyon de Chelly National Monument—

44 107

Cape Cod National Seashore—

16 54 58 84 89

Cape Hatteras National Seashore—22 84

Cape Krusenstern National Monument—32 79

Capitol Reef National Park—21 32 37 79

Capulin Volcano National Monument—82

Carlsbad Caverns National Park—

27 28 32 79 91

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site—82

Catoctin Mountain Park—65 84 89

Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical 

Park—29

Chaco Culture National Historical Park—

29 43 94

Channel Islands National Park—4 16 18 23

33 58 65 79 84 100

Chattahoochee River National Recreation 

Area—36 43 51 82 84 102

Chesapeake & Ohio National Historical Park—

43 84

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park—51

Chickasaw National Recreation Area—42 91

Chiricahua National Monument—43 80

Colorado National Monument—24

Congaree National Park—4 20 29 61
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 111

Coronado National Monument—

26 27 28 29 65

Cowpens National Battlefield—82 89

Craters of the Moon National Monument—

22 25 82

Crater Lake National Park—21 84 91

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park—

27 28

Cumberland Island National Seashore—

4 16 55 79 84

Curecanti National Recreation Area—65

Cuyahoga Valley National Park—40

D

Death Valley National Park—23 41 42 91

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area—

22 23 33 50 84 102

Denali National Park and Preserve—19 21 24

33 34 35 38 50 61 62 81 84

Devils Postpile National Monument—38

Devils Tower National Monument—59 82 84

Dinosaur National Monument—28 65 99

Dry Tortugas National Park—4 16

E

Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve—

44 80

Effigy Mounds National Monument—82

El Morro National Monument—7 27 28

Everglades National Park—23 49

F

Fire Island National Seashore—25 43 84

Fort Bowie National Historic Site—82

Fort Pulaski National Monument—28 43 82

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic 

Site—22 29

Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military 

Park—33

G

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve—

19 24 65 84 85

Gateway National Recreation Area—22 79 85

George Washington Carver National Monument—82

George Washington Memorial Parkway—

43 50 85

Gettysburg National Military Park—82 85

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve—28

Glacier National Park—

20 25 27 33 79 85 89

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area—22 81

Golden Gate National Recreation Area—

27 28 32 36 81 95

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument—43 59

Grand Canyon National Park—

24 33 38 39 80 89 91

Grand Portage National Monument—43

Grand Teton National Park—

20 21 24 38 49 91 107

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site—82

Great Basin National Park—33 38 42 65 7

9 81 85 89 91

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve—

40 65 79 91

Great Smoky Mountains National Park—2 15

16 18 21 23 65 79 85 98

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park—82

Gulf Islands National Seashore—

27 28 29 37

H

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument—25

Haleakala National Park—38 39 65 89

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park—

28 50 85
112 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park—

21 25 38 80 101 105

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site—82

Homestead National Monument of America—

65 82

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park—65

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park—

4 16 55

Hot Springs National Park—27 28

Hovenweep National Monument—38 82

I

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore—

20 81 89 101

Isle Royale National Park—43 85 101

J

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve—27 28 37 85 89 91

Jewel Cave National Monument—65 82

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument—

65 82

John Muir National Historic Site—82

Joshua Tree National Park—18

K

Kalaupapa National Historical Park—

23 38 66

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park—

28 38 82 85

Katmai National Park and Preserve—

2 3 57 81 89

Kenai Fjords National Park—81

Kennesaw Mountain National Military Park—

4 16 55

Kings Mountain National Military Park—82

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park—

41 82

Knife River Indian Villages National Historic 

Site—24

L

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve—

3 57 66 91

Lake Mead National Recreation Area—42 91

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area—85

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area—25

Lassen Volcanic National Park—89

Lava Beds National Monument—82

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park—83

Little River Canyon National Preserve—66

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park—83

M

Mammoth Cave National Park—34 47 85

Manassas National Battlefield Park—83 85

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical 

Park—83

Mesa Verde National Park—79 83 93

Minidoka Internment National Monument—25

Minute Man National Historical Park—

38 39 44

Mississippi National River and Recreation 

Area—43

Missouri National Recreational River—85

Mojave National Preserve—66 67 80

Monocacy National Battlefield—

25 29 48 66

Montezuma Castle National Monument—

29 91 93

Morristown National Historical Park—23 50

Mount Rainier National Park—

19 20 38 43 54 61 89 91

Mount Rushmore National Memorial—38 39

Muir Woods National Monument—38 39

N

National Capital Parks—East—44 85
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 113

National Park of American Samoa—

2 3 15 54 108

Natural Bridges National Monument—38 83

Navajo National Monument—93

New River Gorge National River—27 81

Noatak National Preserve—19

North Cascades National Park—20 38 54 68

O

Obed Wild & Scenic River—

2 15 30 55 66 67 83

Ocmulgee National Monument—4 16 55

Olympic National Park—19 21 27 51 54 7

0 79 81 95 97 104

Oregon Caves National Monument—51

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument—

44 80

Ozark National Scenic Riverways—104

P

Padre Island National Seashore—

17 66 79 80 86

Pea Ridge National Battlefield—58

Petersburg National Battlefield—59 93

Petrified Forest National Park—41 79 89 93

Petroglyphs National Monument—59

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore—

1 41 66 86 89

Pinnacles National Monument—

27 34 79 81 86

Pipestone National Monument—76 83

Pipe Spring National Monument—83

Point Reyes National Seashore—22 23 28 3

2 38 79 80 81 108

Presidio of San Francisco—27 34 80 81

Prince William Forest Park—

25 27 33 83 86 89

Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical 

Park—38

Q

R

Redwood National and State Parks—

16 17 23 89

Rocky Mountain National Park—18 19 20 2

2 25 33 70 74 91

Rock Creek Park—66

S

Saguaro National Park—79 91 94 100

Saint Croix National Scenic River—

11 27 40 44 80 81 86 91

Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site—83

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation 

Area—23 86 89

San Antonio Missions National Historical 

Park—22

San Juan Island National Historical Park—

30 66 83 86

Saratoga National Historical Park—83

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site—66

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks—

18 24 33 38 54 58 66 86

Shenandoah National Park—

23 25 35 79 80 86

Sitka National Historical Park—83

Stones River National Battlefield—34 66 83

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument—

66 93

T

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve—29

Theodore Roosevelt National Park—66 91

Timpanogos Cave National Monument—83

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve—

4 16 55 83

Tonto National Monument—83 86

Tumacacori National Monument—83
114 Funding the Natural Resource Challenge FY 2006 Report to Congress

Tuzigoot National Monument—23

U

V

Valley Forge National Historical Park—

25 83 86

Vicksburg National Military Park—83

Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument—

4 16

Virgin Islands National Park—57 66

Voyageurs National Park—33 79 80 86 101

W

Walnut Canyon National Monument—66 93

Western Arctic Park Lands—32 79 81

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area—

30 36 59 96

Whitman Mission National Historic Site—83

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield—2 58 83

Wind Cave National Park—25 32 80 83 86

Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve—

35 81 86 89 91

Wupatki National Monument—66 93

X

Y

Yellowstone National Park—21 22 23 24 3

8 49 59 70 74 80 86 102

Yosemite National Park—2 27 29 38 48 5

4 58 81 89

Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve—

24 50

Z

Zion National Park—22 36 39 66 81 86

89 93 105 106
National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science 115
Spring aspect of Coastal Plain/Piedmont Swamp Forest, Richmond National Battlefield Park, Chickahominy 

Bluffs Unit. Photo: Gary P. Fleming, 

Virginia DCR
U.S Department of the Interior

The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our nation's natural and cultural 

heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to tribes. We:

• encourage and provide for the appropriate management, preservation, and operation of the nation's public lands and 

natural resources for use and enjoyment both now and in the future;

• carry out related scientific research and investigations in support of these objectives;

• develop and use resources in an environmentally sound manner, and provide an equitable return on these resources to 

the American taxpayer; and 

• carry out trust responsibilities of the U.S. Government with respect to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

National Park Service

The National Park Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior. We preserve unimpaired the natural and 

cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future 

generations. We also cooperate with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and 

outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

August 2006 / Printed on recycled paper

U.S Department of the Interior

The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our nation's natural and cultural 

heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to tribes. We:

• encourage and provide for the appropriate management, preservation, and operation of the nation's public lands and 

natural resources for use and enjoyment both now and in the future;

• carry out related scientific research and investigations in support of these objectives;

• develop and use resources in an environmentally sound manner, and provide an equitable return on these resources to 

the American taxpayer; and 

• carry out trust responsibilities of the U.S. Government with respect to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

National Park Service

The National Park Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior. We preserve unimpaired the natural and 

cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future 

generations. We also cooperate with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and 

outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

August 2006 / Printed on recycled paper
Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

1201 Eye Street NW

Eleventh Floor

Washington, DC 20005

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior