watervulnerability

Coconino National Forest Watershed Vulnerability Assessment, Southwest Region (R3)
Management Approach #1 and Guidelines for Integration of WVA and the WCF
Findings of the WVA can be used to help prioritize sixth field HUC watersheds in the WCF. Findings of
the WVA can be used to help identify project areas with moderate or high value and moderate or high
sensitivity that are most vulnerable to climate change. Up to now, climate vulnerability has not been
included in the prioritization of sixth field HUC watersheds in the WCF process.
Guidelines:
1. Focus on WCF priority watersheds first (top 5) and allow the WVA to inform prioritization and
condition classification of the sixth HUCs.
2. Reprioritize (if needed) selected priority watersheds based on results of WVA, to include climate
vulnerability.
3. Select only high-value or moderate-value watersheds from WVA.
4. Consider highly and moderately sensitive HUCs before low-sensitivity HUCs.
5. Filter to see if TES species are present in watershed and then consider prioritization. Start with
species that are listed and have critical habitat (including spinedace, Gila chub, loach minnow
spike dace, Chiricahua leopard frog) and/or critical and historical habitat.
6. Look closer at the most vulnerable sixth-field HUCs that have high exposure to change in
baseflow (based on VIC projections).
7. Verify to see if stressor (high or moderate sensitivity) can be effectively managed to improve
conditions, and if so, prioritize accordingly.
8. The WRAP will identify practices that will enhance restoration in the short and long term.
Management Approach #2 and Guidelines for Integration of WVA and Projects Outside of WCF
Findings of the WVA can be used to help identify and prioritize project areas with moderate or high value
and moderate or high sensitivity that are most vulnerable to climate change. Up to now, climate
vulnerability has not been included in assessments or project identification process.
Guidelines:
1. Select only high value or moderate value watersheds from WVA.
2. Consider highly and moderately sensitive HUCs before low-sensitivity HUCs.
3. Filter to see if TES species are present in watershed and then consider prioritization. Start with
ones that are listed and have critical habitat (including spinedace, Gila chub, loach minnow, and
spike dace) and/or critical and historical habitat. Also consider the Chiricahua leopard frog.
4. Look closer at the most vulnerable sixth-field HUCs that have high exposure to change in
baseflow (based on VIC projections). Verify to see if stressor (high or moderate sensitivity) can
be effectively managed to improve conditions, and if so, prioritize accordingly.
5. Practices to enhance and improve resource conditions to be determined by IDT.
154 Assessing the Vulnerability of Watersheds to Climate Change