From this will come an enhanced ability to extend protection to this population with sound scientific data. Positional data from the turtles will be plotted on color maps that will be available on the Internet at a well-known and heavily visited website. NP Restoration Mine tailings and other disturbances affect 361 acres of Caribou Creek and are believed to adversely impact salmon populations. The location of the Exotic Plant Management Teams was determined by requesting proposals that were reviewed and ranked on merit by field experts. Likewise, the Learning Center proposals were reviewed and ranked according to criteria by a panel for their potential effectiveness.
Initial funding is focused on design and design review to assure that future funding is well spent.
All major project funding requires an approved study plan before funds are released, and progress and completion reports are also required. We have welcomed the report to Congress as a means to demonstrate to you all of the actions we have taken. While the first report will only cover the elements funded in FY 2000, we have already taken steps to assure that we will have adequate information for reporting next year on the many new elements, such as park base increases and monitoring, being funded in FY 2001. The Challenge responds to several performance management goals of the National Park Service strategic plan and outcomes from these are reported annually in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act. We believe that the Natural Resource Challenge positions the Service to meet the expectation of the American public that their national parks will be in good condition the natural resources as well as the facilities both now and in the future.