2509.16,1
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         FSH 2509.16 - WATER RESOURCE INVENTORY HANDBOOK
                    WO AMENDMENT 2509.16-92-1
                        EFFECTIVE 8/3/92

          CHAPTER 1 - WATER RESOURCE INVENTORY PROCESS


1.1 - PLAN AND DESIGN PHASE.  The planning and design of cost-
effective inventories is critical to efficient use of personnel 
and funds.  This phase includes identification of issues and 
concerns, specific questions that must be answered, evaluation of 
available techniques (orders), and specific data requirements 
(elements) (ex. 01, 1.11 through 1.14).
               
                        1.1 - Exhibit 01

              SEE THE PAPER COPY OF THE MASTER SET
                  FOR SECTION 1.1 - EXHIBIT 01.


1.11 - Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities.  Specific issues, 
concerns, and opportunities to be resolved are the driving force 
for the inventory process.  

The importance of the issues, concerns and opportunities, the 
time available for resolution, and the risk acceptable in the 
resolution will dictate the order of inventory; that is, required 
precision for the required elements.  

1.12 - Specific Questions To Be Resolved.  Issues, concerns, and 
opportunities need to be further defined by specific questions.  
At this point, the hydrologist should interact with other 
disciplines to clarify the questions and identify discipline 
involvement.

1.13 - Evaluation Techniques.  Each of the questions identified 
must now be carefully considered in terms of methods for 
evaluation.  Literature reviews, specific concepts, rules of 
thumb, professional judgment criteria, or models should be 
identified.  The precision required and the time available are 
major considerations for selecting evaluation techniques.  

The selected techniques will be documented.  Selection of the 
proper technique will avoid the collection of extraneous or 
insufficient data.  

1.14 - Data Requirements.  Each evaluation technique selected 
will have unique data and information needs for the required 
elements which will require the hydrologist to interact with 
other disciplines.  The purpose for interaction is to identify 
the type of data and information required from other disciplines.  

1.2 - INVENTORY PHASE.  During this phase the inventory is 
conducted and the results are documented.  A data and information 
search is conducted, analysis and interpretations are 
accomplished, and findings and conclusions are documented (ex. 
01, 1.21 through 1.24.) 

1.21 - Data and Information Search.  After determining the 
specific data requirements, a search for available data and 
information is completed.  The objective for this search is to 
determine which data are already available from other sources and 
which must be obtained by the hydrologist or requested from other 
disciplines.  When data are identified as not available or 
insufficient to meet the specific need, a decision must be made 
to either collect the data or renegotiate the specific questions.  

1.22 - Analysis of Data.  Once the data have been put into a 
usable format, they are analyzed using the selected evaluation 
techniques (sec. 1.13).  If analysis cannot be completed with the 
predescribed techniques, then either a reevaluation of section 
1.14 is required or the data must be collected (sec.  1.21), or 
the specific question to be resolved must be renegotiated (sec. 
1.12).  

1.23 - Interpretation.  It is at this point that the forest 
hydrologist must apply professional judgment and experience to 
interpret the results of analysis.  Interpretations answer 
specific questions which resolve the issues, concerns, and 
identify opportunities.  

1.24 - Document Findings and Conclusions.  Much of the 
information developed during this process may not be reproduced 
by the user of the inventory results.  In order to preserve all 
the data and information developed during the inventory process, 
a separate report will be developed using the format described in 
FSM 2531.4.  

1.3 - APPLICATION AND MONITORING PHASE.  This phase applies the 
interpretation to the specific questions and directs evaluation 
and validation.  

1.31 - Application of Results.  After the interpretations are 
made, the forest hydrologist must meet with appropriate line and 
staff to discuss results, describe and display alternatives, 
management prescriptions, and identify best means for 
implementing the selected alternative.  

1.32 - Monitoring, Evaluation, and Validation.  As a result of 
implementation, additional monitoring may be required.  The 
purpose is to evaluate the effects of the implemented action 
against the predicted effects and to validate the results.  This 
will allow for modification of the implemented action as it 
progresses and will add to knowledge which will improve future 
inventory results.