EcoAtlas Toolset Training and Outreach Plan

The California Wetland Monitoring Workgroup’s (CWMW) State Wetland and Riparian Area Monitoring Plan (WRAMP) requires information consistent with EPA’s Level 1‐2‐3 framework for monitoring and assessment of wetland and stream resources. EcoAtlas has been developed as the WRAMP platform to provide this information and is a publicly available analytical and communication toolset for describing the extent and condition of wetlands in California. EcoAtlas contains tools for mapping and tracking, rapid conditional assessment, linkages to intensive field survey data, and reporting and data synthesis. It also provides a shared, standardized platform for agencies and the public interested in Clean Water Act surface water protection, restoration, and conservation. One primary goal of EcoAtlas is to support the regulatory and management programs (e.g., Clean Water Act §404 & §401, Porter‐Cologne Water Quality Control Act, CA Fish and Wildlife Code §1600).

Increased and expanded application of EcoAtlas would provide regulators and practitioners with vetted scientific tools to conduct streamlined analysis of wetland impacts, mitigation, and restoration efforts on a watershed scale, as well as track progress towards meeting California’s wetland goals. Furthermore, these tools provide critical data to assess the long-term effects of climate change and other natural disturbances (e.g., fires, floods, and droughts) on wetland resources. EPA aims to improve the long-term sustainability of EcoAtlas, through sustained training resources, increased awareness of the WRAMP framework, and more widespread and integrated use of EcoAtlas by a variety of users to improve timely outcomes for wetlands in California.

The objective of this project was to develop a coordinated plan that builds on current training and outreach efforts to reinvigorate and increase EcoAtlas usage, particularly by increasing the functional awareness and demonstrating the practicality of these tools for regulatory and resource programs.The plan also discusses strategies for reaching a multitude of WRAMP users, from regulatory agencies to the wetland restoration community, including expanding the usage to non-regulatory applications, such as Tribal wetland management programs and federal, state, and local grant programs. This EcoAtlas training and outreach plan will provide EPA and other CWMW partners with a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for engaging current and potential users on the EcoAtlas toolset.

For more information on EcoAtlas: www.sfei.org/ecoatlas