Exploring 12 existing layers to identify patterns in land use and water quality
Degradation of water quality is important to the residents and visitors of Tillamook Bay because it has been linked to loss of income due to oyster bed closures, declines in salmonid populations and can result in a decrease of recreational use of the estuary’s resources. Both point and non-point sources of pollution have been targeted for investigation by the Tillamook Bay National Estuary Project (TBNEP), a project designed to bring local stakeholders and citizens together with State and Federal regulators and scientists.
CBI staff demonstrated in this project how science can be linked with adaptive management. First, existing data were examined and spatial analysis performed. Second, results were presented in several ways along with study assumptions and limitations and various management alternatives were presented. Finally, studies were suggested to fulfill data needs so that better prescriptions can be developed in future iterations. In this way, managers know what scientists need to refine management alternatives and resource managers know the limitations imposed upon study results by inadequate or poor quality data.
