Aquatic and Land Interactions

The Olympia Aquatic and Land Interactions Team is one of several teams located in three PNW laboratories within the ALI Program (the others are in Corvallis, Oregon, and Juneau, Alaska). Although the TFW Research Team works collaboratively with the Corvallis and Juneau teams, it has a number of assignments specific to Washington State, including:

• Investigations of the cumulative effects of land management on watersheds, riparian zones and fish habitat in western and eastern Washington
• Providing scientific information relative to conservation and restoration of the habitats of Washington’s native fishes
• Maintaining close research ties with the University of Washington, state and federal agencies, industrial forestry organizations, tribal organizations, and non-governmental organizations in Washington concerned with protecting fish and aquatic ecosystems.

Additionally, the ALI Research Team participates in several activities of a national scope, including the development of methods of assessing watershed health and identifying scientifically sound management alternatives, the development of a national-level forest road policy, providing scientific oversight to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Northwest Power Planning Council regarding management of the Columbia River Basin hydroelectric system, and providing leadership within professional fisheries organizations.