Fish Distribution Spatial Data Standard OR-IB-2018-044

United States Department of the Interior 
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 
Oregon State Office
P.O. Box 2965  
Portland, Oregon 97208

April 20, 2018

IN REPLY REFER TO:
1283/6720/6762/9167(OR930/OR955) P  

EMS TRANSMISSION 4/20/2018 
Information Bulletin No. OR-2018-044 

To:  DMs, DSDs, Branch Chiefs and Staff 
From:  Chief, Branch of Information Resources Management 
Subject:  Fish Distribution Spatial Data Standard

This information bulletin (IB) establishes the Oregon/Washington (OR/WA) spatial data standard for Fish Distribution (see attached data standard document). The data standard defines how this type of data is to be captured in a Geographic Information System (GIS), defines attributes used, and defines coding schemes (domains). The data have been added to the corporate spatial data editing system. The data can be edited by approved field personnel following established procedures. This data is also available for display and analytical purposes by all users.

The Fish Distribution dataset represents spatial location and basic information about the presence of fish by species.  This dataset includes:

• Anadromous Fish – includes species and specific runs that migrate from the ocean to freshwater to spawn (e.g., winter steelhead).
• Resident Fish – includes species that complete their entire life cycle in freshwater (e.g., rainbow trout).
• Non-native Fish – includes species that have been introduced into areas outside of their historical native range (e.g., brook trout).

Fish Distribution data informs resource management planning, project level National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis, Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation analysis, and restoration planning.  Riparian Reserve land use allocations are designated on federal lands by Resource Management Plans (RMP) and vary in width, depending on fish distribution as well as stream periodicity.  ESA Recovery Actions and habitat restoration activities rely on Fish Distribution data that extends across land ownerships.

In the past, the Fish Distribution data has been edited in the Aquatic Resource Information Management System (ARIMS). This data standard is effective immediately and is to be followed for all Fish Distribution geospatial data, as specified in the Data Standard document. Fish Distribution data will no longer be edited in the ARIMS database.

The draft data standard was issued for review and comment under a prior instruction. To see comments and responses, contact Eric Hiebenthal, State Data Administrator, at 503-808-6565, or ehiebent@blm.gov.

Questions about the data standard can be directed to Scott Lightcap, State Data Steward for Fish Distribution, at 541-464-3325; Jay Stevens, GIS Technical Lead for Fish Distribution, at 503-808-6480; Chelsea Waddell, ARIMS Data Coordinator, at 503-808-6302; or Eric Hiebenthal, State Data Administrator, at 503-808-6565.

Districts with unions are reminded to notify their unions of this IB and satisfy any bargaining obligations before implementation.  Your servicing Human Resources Office or Labor Relations Specialist can provide you with assistance in this matter.

Signed by 
David Haney
Chief, Branch of Information Resources Management

Authenticated by 
K. Wentworth 
Records Section

Attachment:
1 – Fish Distribution Data Standard (31 pp)

Distribution:
WO-870 (Ryan Robin)  
OC-535 (Tomas Chatfield, John Varner)  
OR-955 (Eric Hiebenthal)