STRATEGY FOR SCIENCE ADVISOR AREAS OF EXPERTISE 

TO RESPOND TO EMPHASIS AREAS OF THE GCDAMP; 2009-2013 

L.D. GARRETT 

EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR 

GCDAMP SCIENCE ADVISORS 

NEW DIRECTION 

 The new GCDAMP directions and emphasis areas in science and management 

for 2009-2013 are articulated in the recently approved Monitoring and Research Plan, 

Environmental Assessment and Biological Opinion, as well as other documents. More 

refinement will occur in the summer of 2009 in approved 2010/2011 programs of work 

and budgets and a General Core Monitoring Plan. 

 Although GCDAMP emphasis areas will not change radically i.e. native fish, 

beaches, etc. a greater emphasis is being placed on understanding and resolving more 

integrated system wide impacts of operations on multiple resources, as well as 

approaches to improved adaptive management processes. 

 To best respond to GCDAMP needs over the current planning period i.e. 2009-

2013, adjustments are proposed in the Science Advisor disciplines. The SAs would like 

input from GCMRC and AMWG on proposed discipline areas. We would also like 

potential nominations in three areas if the disciplines are supported, areas 3, 4, and 5 in 

the following table. Three discipline areas, 1, 2, and 3 in the following table, would not 

change and do not require any nominations at this time. 

 The following SA protocol excerpt specifies that the AMWG may provide GCMRC 

with nominations for SA positions. GCMRC and the SA Executive Coordinator normally 

work with the TWG and AMWG in gaining input on SA program directions, including 

discipline makeup and nominations. 

“Selection Process and Terms. Scientific Advisors will be sought for a three-year 

term, renewable for one consecutive three-term. AMWG members may provide 

GCMRC with names of individuals who should be considered for appointment as a 

Scientific Advisor. Initial Scientific Advisors will be appointed for staggered one,-two-, 

and three-year terms, to ensure continuity in membership. Scientific Advisors will be 

selected from among nominees based on the evaluation criteria presented below. 

GCMRC will seek the consultation of the AMWG in selecting individuals to serve as 

GCMRC Scientific Advisors. The selection process, requiring them to sign the standard 

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GCMRC conflict-of-interest statement and providing them a fixed term that they will 

serve will assure the independence of the Scientific Advisors.” 

 The following disciplines are proposed for permanent and part time contracts. 

A Strategy for full time and part time disciplines in the GCDAMP Science Advisor 

Group for the 2009/2013 program period. 

Full Time Disciplines Part Time Disciplines 

1. Geomorphologist; systems and 

modeling experience (currently, Dr. Ellen 

Wohl) 

Cultural Resource Specialist;2, 

Anthropology 

2. Fish Ecologist; systems and modeling 

experience (currently, Dr. James Kitchell) 

Cultural Resource Specialist;2, 

Field Archeology 

3. Adaptive Management Specialist;

systems and modeling experience 

(currently, Dr. Lance Gunderson) 

Remote Sensing Specialist;2; aquatic and 

terrestrial experience 

4. System Ecologist;1 riverine and riparian 

systems experience; modeling expertise 

Data Base Management System 

Specialist;2

5. Aquatic Ecologist;1 fresh water riverine 

systems experience 

Natural Resource Economist;2 terrestrial 

and aquatic system experience; modeling 

experience

6. System Analyst;1experience with 

remotely sensed and large multiresource 

sample designs and multivariate analysis 

procedures 

Background 

In 2001/2002, the GCDAMP’s Science Advisory Protocol was developed to 

respond to requirements of the GCD EIS and the GCDAMP for a Science Advisory 

Board. It was established in 2001 from guidance in the GCDEIS. Protocols for the 

independent Science Advisors were developed with input from and concurrence of the 

GCMRC, TWG, AMWG and Secretary of Interior. 

 Based on AMWG requests for clarification of appropriate administration and 

supervision of the SA Program in 2003/2004, and Secretary’s concurrence, approval of 

SA work activities would occur annually by AMWG. This is accomplished by a process 

of AMWG approval, SA proposed two year program of work and accomplishment report. 

Amended protocols and operating procedures were drafted for the SA program to 

 

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 Disciplines for potential full time SA nominations. 2 Disciplines where reviewers are intermittently 

selected from a pool of qualified experts for specific tasks. 

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respond to the new direction by AMWG. Supervision of this program contract is by the 

GCMRC Chief or Designee. 

 In 2005 all services in the SA program were placed in annual purchase orders, 

bid as cost proposals. In 2009 all SA program services were placed in a 5 year contract, 

competed through an RFP. 

 From FY 2002 to FY 2009 adjustments occurred in the discipline makeup of the 

Science Advisors Group. A comparison of the Science Advisor discipline structure in 

three separate years 2001/2004/2008 characterizes changes that occur in SA disciplines 

to respond to areas of emphasis in GCDAMP science and management programs. 

2001: Twelve full time disciplines comprised the Science Advisor Group as follows: 

• Adaptive Management 

• Anthropology 

• Archeology 

• Fisheries 

• Ecosystem 

• Riparian Ecology 

• Geomorphology 

• GIS/Remote Sensing 

• Hydrology 

• Aquatic Ecology 

• Limnology 

• Socio-economics 

2001 - 2004: In the period 2001-2004 the SAs were primarily a review group for GCMRC 

and reacted annually to 2-4 GCMRC planning documents. The full time Science Advisor 

Group was adjusted from 11 to 8. Other discipline-specific reviews were obtained on a 

part time, as need basis. 

Full Time Disciplines Part Time Disciplines 

Adaptive Management 

Anthropology 

Archeology 

Fisheries 

Ecosystem Specialist 

Riparian Ecologist 

Geomorphology 

GIS/Remote Sensing 

Hydrology 

Aquatic Ecology 

Limnology 

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4

Socio-economics 

 The socio-economic reviews were assigned to the SA Executive Coordinator, an 

economist. 

2004 - 2008: From 2004 to 2008 general work tasks of the SAs changed significantly. 

• In late 2003/early 2004 the Secretary Designee and AMWG decided the SAs 

program would respond more fully to requested review and advisory activities 

of the GCMRC, AMWG and TWG as expressed in requested operating 

procedures and amended operating protocol 

• SAs program would provide more advisory services to TWG, GCMRC and 

AMWG in science and technical program planning and implementation. 

 The SAs disciplines during this period generally reflected the following. 

Full Time Disciplines Part Time Disciplines 

Adaptive Management 

Anthropology 

Archeology 

Fisheries 

Ecosystem Specialist 

Riparian Ecologist 

Geomorphology 

GIS/Remote Sensing 

Hydrology 

Fisheries; RIP Expertise Aquatic Ecology 

Limnology 

Socio-economics 

Socio-economic expertise was obtained part time from the Executive 

Coordinator. Cultural resources expertise was obtained from a full time specialist until 

2008.