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Approximate Timelines for the Development and Implementation of the TWP (Table 1) and 

Criteria for Review and Revisions (Section 2.7)

Table 1. Approximate timelines for the development and implementation of the TWP. Dates shown 

are estimated targets. Dates are shown which implement the 2025-27 TWP for reference.*

Month Year-1 (2024)

(development of TWP) Year-2 (2025) 

December 

(year prior)

GCMRC and Reclamation produces annual project reports 

document for GCDAMP review.

January

Annual reporting meeting and information synthesis (2 days) 

followed by 1-day TWG meeting to review budget and provide 

initial guidance to GCMRC and Reclamation. TWG reviews 

progress in addressing Information Needs and research 

accomplishments.

Annual reporting meeting (1-2 days) 

followed by 1-day TWG meeting with 

a primary emphasis on reporting 

results/findings/scientific advances on 

previous work plan.

February

GCMRC meets with tribes and DOI agencies. GCMRC followup with BAHG on priorities and areas of emphasis on TWP. 

GCMRC meets with cooperators to develop projects. AMWG 

meeting to discuss initial priorities. DOI and Federal family 

input.

March

GCMRC and Reclamation will develop an initial TWP based on 

DOI priorities and input from scientists, the TWG, and 

DOI/DOE family. Initial TWP presented to DOI and Secretary’s 

Designee.

April

GCMRC meets with tribes and DOI agencies. April TWG 

meeting to consider draft TWP, including anticipated funding 

sources. Unresolved issues or conflicting priorities will be 

resolved by DOI in consultation with the DOI Family. GCMRC 

begins development of second draft TWP.

BAHG and TWG considers potential 

changes to the Fiscal Year 2 TWP 

based on criteria in section 2.7. 

May

GCMRC and Reclamation provide a second draft TWP to the 

BAHG, Science Advisors, DOI agencies, and tribes for their 

review and comment. GCMRC meets with tribes, BAHG, to get 

input on TWP. GCMRC develops third draft of TWP.

June

GCMRC and Reclamation finish third draft for review. TWG 

meets to provide input on the draft GCMRC and Reclamation 

TWP and provide a recommendation to the AMWG.

TWG recommends Fiscal Year 2 

(2026) budget of TWP to AMWG.

July GCMRC and Reclamation provide a final draft TWP to the 

AMWG for their review.

August 

AMWG meets to provide input on the GCMRC and 

Reclamation draft TWP and provide a recommendation to the 

SOI.

AMWG recommends Fiscal Year 2 

(2026) budget of TWP to SOI.

September SOI reviews the budget and work plan recommendation from 

AMWG.

October 1 Fiscal Year 1 begins under the TWP guidance. Fiscal Year 2 begins under the TWP 

guidance.

November 1 Consumer Price Index becomes available.

Late 

November

Science and management meeting with DOI and cooperators. Science and management meeting 

with DOI and cooperators.

December Budget is finalized. USGS produces GCMRC annual project 

reports document for prior year work.

GCMRC produces annual project 

reports document.
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Table 1 (continued). Approximate timelines for the development and implementation of the TWP. 

Dates shown are estimated targets. Dates in parentheses are shown which implement the 2025-27 

TWP cycle for reference.

Month Year-3 (2026) Year-4 (2027) 

January

Annual reporting meeting and information synthesis (2 days) 

followed by 1-day TWG meeting to review initial results and 

findings of TWP. Potential TWP changes may be identified.

Process starts again under year 1.

February BAHG/agencies/tribes meetings to consider mid-work plan 

adjustments to TWP, February through March.

March

April

Consider mid-work plan adjustments at TWG meeting.

BAHG and TWG considers potential changes to the Fiscal Year 

3 TWP based on criteria in section 2.7.

May

June TWG considers and recommends mid-work plan adjustments to 

TWP and a recommendation for Fiscal Year 3 (2027) budget.

July

August 

AMWG meets and considers mid-work plan adjustments to 

TWP recommended by TWG and recommends Fiscal Year 3 

(2027) budget to the SOI.

September

October 1 Fiscal Year 3 begins under the TWP guidance.

November 

1

Consumer Price Index becomes available.

Late 

November

Science and management meeting with DOI and cooperators. 

New TWP development meeting within DOI.

December USGS produces GCMRC annual project reports document for 

prior year work.

* Table 1 calendar years have been updated to reflect development of the 2025-2027 Triennial Work Plan. 
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2.7 Criteria for Review and Revisions of the Budget and Work Plan

In order for the TWP process to be successful in reducing the administrative burden on the 

GCMRC, Reclamation, and the GCDAMP, it must have clear criteria for making changes to the 

budget and work plan. Revisions of the year two budget are intended to be limited to unexpected 

changes due to a scientific requirement or merit, or administrative needs. Year three changes may 

be more substantive according to the guidelines below. The individual steps of the process, 

including roughly when meetings should occur and their objectives, are provided in Table 1. The 

burden of an appropriate rationale for proposing a change falls upon the proposer to make a 

persuasive argument to the TWG and AMWG. The following criteria will be used by GCMRC, 

Reclamation, and TWG in making recommendations to AMWG on changes to the budget and work 

plan:

• Scientific requirement or merit: New information gained during the implementation of 

monitoring and research projects may result in a need to alter methods, scope, or timelinesin 

the work plan or substantially alter or eliminate a project. This is a science need based on the 

experience of implementing an already approved project. This does not represent a shifting 

priority (e.g., policy change), but a scientific learning process which results in needed 

modifications to carry out the goals of the Program.

• Administrative needs: Administrative, policy, or programmatic changes may occur within 

the time-frame of an approved TWP. Examples might include the mitigation of an impact 

resulting from ESA, NHPA, or tribal consultation, a change in the “overhead” charges of a 

federal or state agency, a significant reduction of the balance of available funds, or a failure 

to secure permits.. As soon as an administrative event occurs that affects the TWP, GCMRC 

(or relevant agency – such as DOI) will notify the TWG.

• New initiatives: New initiatives may be brought up for discussion by members during 

BAHG or TWG budget discussions (see Table 1) for consideration by Reclamation and 

GCMRC. These new initiatives may need to be considered by the GCDAMP Program 

Manager prior to requesting either GCMRC or Reclamation to develop a proposal for midwork plan consideration. If DOI determines it is beyond the scope of a mid-work plan 

change, then the initiative could be considered during the development of the next work 

plan. Given that the budget will likely be fully accounted for, direction on funding source 

within the current budget will be required for discussion with the GCDAMP Program 

Manager. Revisions must comply with the Budget Principles (see Section 2.1).