SUMMARY OF DOI RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCIENCE NEEDS RELATED TO WATER PROJECTS IN THE LOXAHATCHEE AREA
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)	North Palm Beach County Part 1
	What are the links between hydrology and ecology in the Loxahatchee Slough and River and the Lake Worth Lagoon?	Regional integration of water transport and ecological models	NEPA Scoping Completed
	Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR Internal Canal Structures
	What hydrologic targets will restore the natural predrainage hydrology? What water quality criteria must be achieved for the agricultural and urban waters diverted into the refuge?	Synthesis and integration of data about historic hydrologic and ecological conditions on the refuge Development of an integrated hydrodynamic and water quality model.	NEPA Scoping 2020
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)	North Palm Beach County Part 1
	What is the distribution of protected species throughout the project area? What are the anticipated effects on the eastern indigo snake and Everglade snail kite?	Population and habitat utilization data about threatened eastern indigo snake and endangered Everglade snail kite	EIS Review, Section 7 Consultation, and CAR Draft: Aug 2006 Final: Aug 2007
	Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR Internal Canal Structures
	What are the links between hydrology, water quality, and ecology in the refuge?	Research to understand the ecological effects of hydrology and water quality on refuge resources	EIS Review, Section 7 Consultation, and CAR 2020
Assess the responses of ecological communities and species as a basis for adaptive management (continuation of DOI responsibilities outlined above)	North Palm Beach County Part 1
	What are the effects on endangered species?	Inventory and monitoring of all federally listed species	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment Project Completion: 2008
	Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee NWR Internal Canal Structures
	What is the ecological response to hydrologic change?	Monitoring and assessment of responses: water quality (including phosphorus and conductivity) hydrology periphyton aquatic communities and habitats invertebrate and plant communities	Post-implementation monitoring and assessment Project Completion: