Subject:           Request for Review and Comment on Draft Technical Reference 1737-15, Riparian Area Management – Proper Functioning Condition Assessment for Loctic Areas                                                                            DD: 02/08/2013

This Information Bulletin transmits a draft version update of Technical Reference (TR) 1737-15, Riparian Area Management—Proper Functioning Condition Assessment for Lotic Areas (Attachment 1), for your review and comments. A broad, user review of the draft is being sought to help ensure that user and agency concerns are met prior to finalizing and publishing the document.

Since publication of TR 1737-15 in 1998, the Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) protocol for lotic riparian areas has been widely applied. This revision is designed to incorporate lessons learned by practitioners applying the tool since 1998, improve clarity, update procedures, and incorporate recent stream function science. The update was developed by a team from the National Riparian Service Team (NRST), National Operations Center (NOC), U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contractors. An initial science review conducted by scientists from the BLM, other agencies, and universities focused upon technical aspects to verify scientific information and corroborate thought processes. After this user review, a final review by NOC technical editing staff will address grammar, wording, design, and layout. Release of the updated TR 1737-15 is expected in mid-2013.

The draft TR is being provided to you and your organization for review and comment. All comments must be submitted following the instructions and using the attached comment form (Attachment 2). Other forms of submitting comments, such as track changes editing, will not be considered.