T A I L S

TAILS
Tracking and Integrated
Logging System
Daniel Brown, USFWS, R1
503-231-6281
daniel_brown@fws.gov

What is TAILS?
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TAILS, the Tracking And Integrated
Logging System, is a USFWS Internetbased
Field Office activity tracking system.
It is designed to promote and provide
consistent recording and reporting of
"Activities".
TAILS
Phase 4
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The TAILS Framework (2003)
Steers FWS towards consistent tracking /
logging methodology / definitions
Flexible and customizable
Intended to improve efficiency and
eliminate redundancy of systems and
reporting
Able to export to other systems, software,
and tools
TAILS is an on-going project developed in
phases
TAILS
Phase 4
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TAILS: The Data Model
Overview
The Data Model is organized into a four-level hierarchy
Super
Bundle
Bundle
Bundle
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Activity Activity Activity Activity Activity
Event Event Event
Event Event Event Event
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Standard Operating Procedures
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1,200 users
More than records management
– Performance Reporting
– Data Calls
– Streamline Consultation Reviews
– Consulted-on Effects/Take
Lessons learned phase
– Consistency of use
TAILS
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The Future
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TAILS
– Continues to Expand with Improvements
– Improve Section 7 and Federal Activities Module
– New Contaminants Module
– New HCP Module
– New “Other Activities” Module
IPaC
– Public Use
COED
– Capture/Retrieval of Effects/Take Data
TAILS
Phase 4
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ECOS
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Consulted-On Effects Database (COED)

Roll-up and Incorporate
Consulted-On Effects/Take
Update the range-wide “Status of the Species”
– “This analysis documents the effects of all past human and
natural activities or events that have led to the current
status of the species.” - Endangered Species Consultation
Handbook, March 1998, page 4-19.
Update the status of the species within the action area
(Environmental Baseline)
– “Unrelated Federal actions affecting the same species or
critical habitat that have completed formal or informal
consultations are also part of the environmental
baseline..." – Endangered Species Consultation Handbook,
March 1998, page 4-22.

Bull Trout COED

Relate Effects Spatially
Management Unit
↓
Core Area
↓
Local Population, Potential Local Population,
Foraging/Migration/Overwintering, Research Needs Areas, Core
Habitat, Named Other, Undefined Other

Example Data Display
For each Action/Work Type relate effects of the action by type, duration,
frequency and magnitude to species populations or critical habitat units.
DURATION
Long-term
Mid-term
Short-term
MAGNITUDE
Category 1
Category 2
EFFECT PATHWAY
Water quality
Habitat elements
Flow/Hydrology
Category 3
Category 4
Category 5

Looking to the Future
TAILS
– Have documents available in a centralized location so
Biologists can retrieve and complete more accurate
work on Projects in the future.
COED
– Have documents in a centralized location so that
Biologists can retrieve and analyze results.
IPaC
– Display public documents to the public
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