SUMMARY OF DOI RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCIENCE NEEDS RELATED TO WATER PROJECTS IN UPPER EAST COAST
Major DOI Responsibilities and Interests	Major Unanswered Questions	Needed Science	Timeline
Help ensure that hydrologic performance targets accurately reflect the natural predrainage hydrology and ecology (DOI CERP partnership responsibility)	Restoration on the Allapattah Ranch Natural Area
	What are the hydrologic targets in the Allapattah Ranch area? What are the water quality concerns for rehydration of this formerly agricultural land?	Modeling to determine the natural hydrology Environmental risk assessments of water quality contaminants	NEPA Scoping Completed
	Ten Mile Creek Reservoir-Assisted Stormwater Treatment Area
	What hydrologic targets will achieve more natural flows in Ten Mile Creek?	Modeling to determine natural flows in Ten Mile Creek	NEPA Scoping Completed
Help ensure that hydrologic performance targets protect threatened and endangered species and promote fish, wildlife, and park values (consultations on project design related to DOI stewardship responsibilities)	Restoration on the Allapattah Ranch Natural Area
	Will the proposed hydrologic changes affect the flora and fauna in the area, in particular Audubon's crested caracara?	Research to understand linkages between hydrology and ecology in the Allapattah Ranch Natural Area	EIS Review, Section 7 Consultation, and CAR Final CAR: Feb 2002 Final PIR/EIS: March 2004
	Ten Mile Creek Reservoir-Assisted Stormwater Treatment Area
	What are the links between hydrology, water quality, and ecology in the Ten Mile Creek area? What are the potential effects on native fisheries, and particularly on the opossum pipefish?	Studies of species' responses to fluctuating water levels Studies of the effects of intake structures	EIS Review, Section 7 Consultation, and CAR September 1999
Assess the responses of ecological communities and species as a basis for adaptive management (continuation of DOI responsibilities outlined above)	Restoration on the Allapattah Ranch Natural Area
	What are the indicators of the desired ecological response? What monitoring and assessment program can best use the ranch to learn about the restoration of these wetland habitats?	Site-specific monitoring and adaptive assessment New indicator species and bioassessment approaches (such as, midge communities) are needed to more precisely quantify biotic changes due to changes in the hydroperiod and water quality from restoration efforts.	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment Project Completion: 2010
	Ten Mile Creek Reservoir-Assisted Stormwater Treatment Area
	What are the key indicators of the desired ecological responses?	Biological monitoring to identify indicator species	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment Project Completion: December 2005