A procedure for describing fish and wildlife for Pennsylvania: summary evaluation report
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Summaries of technical reports, volume XVII
The research results described in the following summaries were submitted by the investigators on October 20, 1983 and cover the 6-month period from April 1, 1983 through September 30, 1983. These reports include both work performed under contracts administered by the Geological Survey and work by members of the Geological Survey. The report summaries are grouped into the four major elements of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
Open-File Report↗
Summaries of technical reports, Volume XV
The research results described in the following summaries were submitted by the investigators on November 15, 1982 and cover the 6-month period from April 1, 1982 through September 30, 1982. These reports include both work performed under contracts administered by the Geological Survey and work by members of the Geological Survey. The report summaries are grouped into the four major elements of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
Open-File Report↗
Facilitating the inclusion of nonmarket values in Bureau of Land Management planning and project assessments—Final report
Executive Summary This report summarizes the results of a series of field-based case studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to (1) evaluate the use of nonmarket values in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) planning and project assessments, (2) update existing technical resources for measuring those values, and (3) provide guidance to field staff on the use of nonmarket values. Four BLM pilot sites participated in this effort: Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado, Red Cliffs and Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Areas in Utah, BLM’s Taos Field Office in New Mexico, and BLM's Tuscarora Field Office in Nevada. The focus of the case studies was on practical applications of nonmarket valuation. USGS worked directly with BLM field staff at the pilot sites to demonstrate the process of considering nonmarket values in BLM decisionmaking and document the questions, challenges, and opportunities that arise when tying economic language to projects. As part of this effort, a Web-based toolkit, available at https://my.usgs.gov/benefit-transfer/ , was updated and expanded to help facilitate benefit transfers (that is, the use of existing economic data to quantify nonmarket values) and qualitative discussions of nonmarket values. A total of 53 new or overlooked nonmarket valuation studies comprising 494 nonmarket value estimates for various recreational activities and the preservation of threatened, endangered, and rare species were added to existing databases within this Benefit Transfer Toolkit. In addition, four meta-regression functions focused on hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, and trail use recreation were developed and added to the Benefit Transfer Toolkit. Results of this effort demonstrate that there are two main roles for nonmarket valuation in BLM planning. The first is to improve the decisionmaking process by contributing to a more comprehensive comparison of economic benefits and cost when evaluating resource tradeoffs for National Environmental Policy Act analyses. The second is to use economic language and information on economic values, either qualitative or quantitative, to improve the ability to communicate the economic significance of the resources provided by BLM-managed lands. Findings also indicate that the use of existing economic data to quantify nonmarket values (that is, benefit transfer) poses unique challenges because of the scarcity of both resource data and existing valuation studies focused on resources and sites managed by BLM. This highlights the need for improvements in the collection of resource data at BLM sites, especially visitor use data, as well as an opportunity for BLM’s Socioeconomics Program to strategically identify priority areas, in terms of both resources and geographic locations, where primary valuation studies could be conducted and the results used for future benefit transfers. Finally, whereas qualitative discussions of nonmarket values do not facilitate the comparison of monetized values, they can provide a manageable next step forward in providing more comprehensive information on nonmarket values for BLM plans and project assessments.
Open-File Report↗
Vital signs monitoring plan for the Klamath Network: Phase I report
This report chronicles the Phase 1 stage of the vital signs monitoring program for the Klamath Network. It consists of two chapters and eleven appendixes. The purposes of Chapter One are to 1) describe the network administrative structure and approach to planning; 2) introduce the Klamath Network parks, their resources, and environmental settings; 3) explain the need for monitoring changes in resources and supporting environments; 4) identify key information gaps that limit understanding of how to best achieve these monitoring goals. The purpose of Chapter Two is to develop the descriptive information provided in Chapter One into a conceptual basis for vital signs monitoring and to present the Network’s initial suite of conceptual models. The Report Appendices provide in-depth information on a variety of topics researched in preparation of the report, including: detailed natural resource profiles for each park, supporting policies and guidelines, regional fire regimes, vegetation types of the parks, exotic species threats, interagency monitoring programs, air issues, water quality (Phase 1 Report), Network vital signs (Scoping Summary Report), rare species, and rare habitats of the parks.
Report↗
Verification of a national water data base using a geographic information system
The National Water Data Exchange (NAWDEX) was developed to assist users of water-resource data in the identification, location, and acquisition of data. The Master Water Data Index (MWDI) of NAWDEX currently indexes the data collected by 423 organizations from nearly 500,000 sites throughout the United Stales. The utilization of new computer technologies permit the distribution of the MWDI to the public on compact disc. In addition, geographic information systems (GIS) are now available that can store and analyze these data in a spatial format. These recent innovations could increase access and add new capabilities to the MWDI. Before either of these technologies could be employed, however, a quality-assurance check of the MWDI needed to be performed. The MWDI resides on a mainframe computer in a tabular format. It was copied onto a workstation and converted to a GIS format. The GIS was used to identify errors in the MWDI and produce reports that summarized these errors. The summary reports were sent to the responsible contributing agencies along with instructions for submitting their corrections to the NAWDEX Program Office. The MWDI administrator received reports that summarized all of the errors identified. Of the 494,997 sites checked, 93,440 sites had at least one error (18.9 percent error rate).
Open-File Report↗
Database creation, data quality assessment, and geochemical maps (phase V, deliverable 59)—Final report on compilation and validation of geochemical data
Under the World Bank-funded Second Projet de Renforcement Institutionnel du Secteur Minier de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie (PRISM-II), this Phase V geochemistry report follows earlier Phase I and Phase II summary reports on geochemical data (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007 and Eppinger, 2007; respectively). All the reports are based on evaluations of geochemical data collected in 1999-2004 under an earlier World Bank program (PRISM-I) by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) for the Government of Mauritania. There are no associated Phase III or IV reports. The geochemical sample media collected by the BGS and BRGM under the PRISM-I contract included rock, sediment, regolith, and soil samples. Details on sample collection procedures are in unpublished reports available from PRISM. These samples were analyzed under PRISM-I contract by ALS Chemex Laboratories using various combinations of modern methods including fire-assay inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICPAES) and ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Au; multi-acid digestion, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for Ag and As; 47-element, four-acid digestion, ICP-MS; 27-element, fouracid digestion, ICP-AES; special four-acid ICP-MS techniques for Pt and B; fire assay followed by ICP-AES for platinum-group elements; whole-rock analyses by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF); special techniques for loss-on-ignition, inorganic C, and total S; and special ore-grade AAS techniques for Ag, Au, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Around 30,000 samples were analyzed by at least one technique. However, it is stressed here that: (1) there was no common sample medium collected at all sites, likely due to the vast geological and geomorphologic differences across the country, (2) the sample site distribution is very irregular, likely due in part to access constraints and sand dune cover, and (3) there was no common across-the-board trace element analytical package used for all samples. These three aspects fundamentally affect the ability to produce country-wide geochemical maps of Mauritania. Gold (Au), silver (Ag), and arsenic (As) were the three elements that were most commonly analyzed.
Open-File Report↗
Chemical constituent concentrations in stream water, streambed sediment, and soils of Fort Belvoir, Virginia—A characterization of ambient conditions in 2019
Introduction The U.S. Army Fort Belvoir (FTBL) installation is on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, northeastern Virginia. The installation was founded by the U.S. Army during World War I. It has been home to a variety of military organizations over the course of its more than 100-year history and currently houses more than 145 mission partners. The installation consists of two noncontiguous units, the Main Post, and a smaller area to the northwest, Fort Belvoir North Area (FTNA). FTBL encompasses 8.91 square miles. There is concern that activities on FTBL, including a long history of training, operations, and maintenance, may have resulted in contamination of stream water, streambed sediment, and (or) soils. Of particular concern is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Target Analyte List (TAL). TAL refers to “the list of inorganic compounds/elements designated for analysis as contained in the version of the EPA Contract Laboratory Program Statement of Work for Inorganics Analysis, Multi-Media, Multi-Concentration in effect as of the date on which the laboratory is performing the analysis” ( https://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/guidance/tcl_tal/ ). Because of the potential for TAL contamination at FTBL, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with U.S. Army Fort Belvoir, conducted a survey of FTBL’s stream water, streambed sediment, and soils during calendar year 2019. The terminology “ambient concentrations” is used in this report to represent the concentrations of the TAL and other constituents at the time of sampling. This is in contrast to “background concentrations,” a term that “refers to areas in which the concentrations of chemicals have not been elevated by site activities”. Although some of the samples collected for this project may represent “background concentrations,” there is no assurance that they do, so all data collected are described as having “ambient concentrations.” The purpose of the study was to obtain environmental data to characterize ambient concentrations of EPA TAL constituents in stream water, streambed sediment, and soils in FTBL, Virginia. This report describes methods and results of sampling stream water, streambed sediment, and soils during 2019. The purpose of this report is four-fold: (1) to describe the field sampling methods used to collect stream water, streambed sediment, and soils; (2) to describe the laboratory methods used to analyze the samples; (3) to report summaries of the field and laboratory results; and (4) to report the quality assurance and quality control results.
Virginia↗
Plan of study for the regional aquifer-system analysis of the Snake River plain, Idaho and eastern Oregon
The 15,600-square-mile Snake River Plain is largely in southern Idaho and includes one of the Nation 's major regional aquifers. A comprehensive investigation of the area 's ground-water resources will be made as part of the U.S. Geological Survey 's Regional Aquifer-System Analysis (RASA) program. Basaltic and sedimentary rocks in the Snake River Plain yield large quantities of water that are vital to the area 's agricultural economy. Basaltic rocks predominate in the eastern Snake River Plain and have especially high water-yielding capabilities. Surface water, largely from the Snake River, is extensively used for irrigation and is a major source of recharge to the ground-water system. Springs issuing from basaltic rocks that form the Snake River Canyon wall near Twin Falls are the major points of ground-water discharge. Increased use of ground water for irrigation is causing concern as to the effect of large-scale withdrawals on spring flow. Ground-water flow models will be used to improve understanding of the hydrologic system, and, if feasible, to aid in evaluating management alternatives. Ground-water quality will be defined and geochemical techniques used to determine the effects of water-rock reactions on water quality. Several reports are planned on different phases of the project, concluding with a summary report. (USGS)
Open-File Report↗
Data from theodolite measurements of creep rates on San Francisco Bay region faults, California: 1979-2007
Introduction Our purpose is to update with six additional years of data, our creep data archive on San Francisco Bay region active faults for use by the scientific research community. Earlier data (1979-2001) were reported in Galehouse (2002) and were analyzed and described in detail in a summary report (Galehouse and Lienkaemper, 2003). A complete analysis of our earlier results obtained on the Hayward fault was presented in Lienkaemper, Galehouse and Simpson (2001). Jon Galehouse of San Francisco State University (SFSU) and many student research assistants measured creep (aseismic slip) rates on these faults from 1979 until his retirement from the project in 2001. The creep measurement project, which was initiated by Galehouse, has continued through the Geosciences Department at SFSU from 2001-2006 under the direction of Co-P.I.'s Karen Grove and John Caskey (Grove and Caskey, 2005), and by Caskey since 2006. Forrest McFarland has managed most of the technical and logistical project operations as well as data processing and compilation since 2001. We plan to publish detailed analyses of these updated creep data in future publications. We maintain a project web site (http://funnel.sfsu.edu/creep/) that includes the following information: project description, project personnel, creep characteristics and measurement, map of creep measurement sites, creep measurement site information, and data plots for each measurement site. Our most current, annually updated results are therefore accessible to the scientific community and to the general public. Information about the project can currently be requested by the public by an email link (fltcreep@sfsu.edu) found on our project website.
California↗
Data from theodolite measurements of creep rates on San Francisco Bay region faults, California
Introduction Our purpose is to annually update our creep-data archive on San Francisco Bay region active faults for use by the scientific research community. Earlier data (1979-2001) were reported in Galehouse (2002) and were analyzed and described in detail in a summary report (Galehouse and Lienkaemper, 2003). A complete analysis of our earlier results obtained on the Hayward Fault was presented in Lienkaemper, Galehouse and Simpson (2001) and updated in Lienkaemper and others (2012). Lienkaemper and others (2014) provide a new overview and analysis of fault creep along all sections of the northern San Andreas Fault system, from which they estimate by how much fault creep reduces the seismic hazard for each fault section. From 1979 until his retirement from the project in 2001, Jon Galehouse of San Francisco State University (SFSU) and many student research assistants measured creep (aseismic slip) rates on these faults. The creep measurement project, which was initiated by Galehouse, continued through the Geosciences Department at SFSU from 2001-2006 under the direction of Karen Grove and John Caskey (Grove and Caskey, 2005) and since 2006 under Caskey (2007). Forrest McFarland has managed most of the technical and logistical project operations, as well as data processing and compilation since 2001. Data from 2001-2007 are found in McFarland and others (2007). From 2009 onward, we have released the raw data annually using this report (OF2009-1119) as a permanent publication link, while publishing more detailed analyses of these data in the scientific literature, such as Lienkaemper and others (2014). We maintain a project Web site (http://funnel.sfsu.edu/creep/) that includes the following information: project description, project personnel, creep characteristics and measurement, map of creep-measurement sites, creep-measurement site information, and links to data plots for each measurement site. Our most current, annually updated results are, therefore, accessible to the scientific community and to the general public. Information about the project can currently be requested by the public by an email link ( fltcreep@sfsu.edu) found on our project Web site.
California↗
Summary of the research work of the Trace Elements Section, Geochemistry and Petrology Branch, for the period January 1-March 31, 1951
This report summarized the research work of the Trace Elements Section, Geochemistry and Petrology Branch for the period January 1 - March 31, 1951. Work before that is summarized in an earlier report, "Summary of the research work of the Trace Elements Section, Geochemistry and Petrology Branch, for the period April 1, 1948 - December 31, 1950," by John C. Rabbitt (U.S. Geol. Survey Trace Elements Investigations Rept. 148, January 1951). This report will be referred to as TEIR 148. In TEIR 148 the purpose of each project was described and it is not thought necessary to repeat that material. The research work of the section consists of laboratory and related field studies in the following fields: 1. Mineralogic and petrologic investigations of radioactive rocks, minerals, and ores. 2. Investigations of chemical methods of analysis for uranium, thorium, and other elements and compounds in radioactive materials, and related chemical problems. 3. Investigations of spectographic method of analysis for a wide variety of elements in radioactive materials. 4. Investigation of radiometric methods of analysis is applied to radioactive materials. It should be emphasized that the work undertaken so far is almost entirely in the nature of investigations supporting the field appraisal of known uraniferous deposits. A program of more fundamental research, particularly in the mineralogy and geochemistry of uranium, is now being drawn up and will be submitted for approval soon. This report does not deal with the routine analytical work of the Section nor the public-sample program. The analytical work will be summarized in a report to be issued after the end of fiscal year 1951, and a report on the public-sample program is in process. Special thanks are due members of the Section who are engaged in the research work and who have supplied material for this report, the Early Ingerson, Chief of the Geochemistry and Petrology Branch for his critical review, to Jane Titcomb of the editorial staff of the Section for editing the report, and to Virginia Layne of the same staff, for typing the manuscript and the multilith mats.
Trace Elements Investigations↗
Growth, survival, and cohort formation of juvenile Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose suckers (Chasmistes brevirostris) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir, California—2021–22 monitoring report
Executive Summary The work reported in this publication provides updated data and interpretation for sampling years 2015 and 2022 of the juvenile monitoring project. The study objectives, background, study area, species description, and methods remained the same or similar throughout the years, while the executive summary, results, and discussion were updated each year. Therefore much of this paper was originally presented in previous reports (Bart and others 2020a, b; Bart and others, 2021; Burdick and others, 2016; Burdick and others, 2018; Martin and others, 2022) and is repeated here for the reader’s convenience. Populations of federally endangered Lost River ( Deltistes luxatus ) and shortnose suckers ( Chasmistes brevirostris ) in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and Clear Lake Reservoir (hereinafter, Clear Lake), California, are experiencing long-term decreases in abundance. Upper Klamath Lake populations are decreasing not only because of adult mortality, which is relatively low, but also because they are not being balanced by recruitment of young adult suckers into adult spawning aggregations. Long-term monitoring of juvenile sucker populations is conducted to (1) determine if there are annual and species-specific differences in production, survival, and growth; (2) better understand when juvenile sucker mortality is greatest; and (3) identify potential causes of high juvenile sucker mortality particularly in Upper Klamath Lake. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) monitoring program, begun in 2015, tracks cohorts through summer months and among years in Upper Klamath and Clear Lakes. Data on juvenile suckers captured in trap nets are used to provide information on annual variability in age-0 sucker production, juvenile sucker apparent survival, growth, species composition, and health. Upper Klamath Lake indices of year-class strength suggest that the 2022 age-0 cohort is the lowest since standardized monitoring began. The 2021 cohort, like most cohorts, had moderately low catch rates their first year of life, with a steep drop off during the second year. Although the 2020 cohort persisted through the September 2022 sampling, this cohort was sparsely represented after the first year with no representatives from this cohort captured from July 2021 through July 2022. Despite apparently low fall through spring apparent survival, the relatively large 2019 cohort persisted in our 2020–21 samples, but has not been detected since June 2021. Klamath largescale ( Catostomus snyderi ) and shortnose suckers were only differentiated from each other starting in 2020. Shortnose suckers dominated the age-1 catch in 2020 and 2022, whereas age-1 Klamath largescale suckers were slightly more prevalent in 2021. Although there were occasionally age-2 and older suckers captured, none of these fish were Lost River suckers. Except for 2015, 2017, and 2021, there were more age-0 Lost River suckers than presumed shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake. However, in all years sampled, there were more age-1 presumed shortnose suckers than Lost River suckers. Age distribution of suckers captured in Clear Lake indicates greater juvenile survival than in Upper Klamath Lake. Most juvenile suckers captured throughout the years were from the 2016 and 2017 cohorts; however, by 2022 most of these fish were no longer susceptible to standard trap nets and were not as prevalent in 2022 juvenile catches, and these suckers presumedly recruited to the adult population. As the 2016 and 2017 cohorts catches declined, so did the catch in overall numbers of suckers. Excluding age-0 catches, the 2016 cohort catches peaked at age-3 and the 2017 catches peaked at age-2. In 2022, the majority of the catch was composed of age-3 to age-5 suckers. The majority of suckers captured in Clear Lake during this multiyear project were classified as the combination of Klamath largescale suckers and shortnose suckers from the Lost River Basin, from the 2016 and 2017 cohorts. The few suckers identified as Lost River or definitive shortnose suckers were from the 2016 and 2017 cohorts. A lack of age-0 suckers captured in Clear Lake during years with low spawning tributary inflow or lake levels suggested that low water prevented spawning and year class formation. However, recent data indicate that some cohorts with Klamath largescale and shortnose sucker genetics that were not captured as age-0 suckers were detected in later years at age-1 or age-2. This finding indicates that juvenile suckers in Clear Lake may spend one or more years in the tributaries and that these cohorts may primarily be represented by Klamath largescale suckers. The first 7 years of this monitoring program indicated different patterns in recruitment and survival of juvenile suckers between Upper Klamath and Clear Lakes. Since the monitoring program began in 2015, age-0 sucker catch rates, interpreted as indices of year-class strength, were greatest in Upper Klamath Lake in 2016 and 2019. In those years, Lost River suckers made up the majority of age-0 sucker catches. However, in 2017 and 2020, the age-1 sucker catches from these cohorts were mainly composed of shortnose suckers or suckers with genetic markers of both Klamath largescale and shortnose suckers, indicating a low first year survival for Lost River suckers even when age-0 catches were high. Age-0 suckers do not fully recruit to our sampling gear in Upper Klamath Lake until August, experience high mortality by September, and are almost undetectable in subsequent years. In Clear Lake, suckers are often not captured until age-1 or age-2 and juvenile annual survival appears much greater; however, there does appear to be a drop-off in catch rates as the suckers age and become less susceptible to the fishing gear.
California, Oregon↗
United States mineral resources
The work on this volume began in January 1972, but in a broader sense its production began many years ago. The chapters were written by geologists most of whom have had many years of experience studying the geology of mineral deposits, and more particularly the commodities about which they have written here. A total of nearly 2,300 man-years of professional experience in the geology of mineral resources is represented by the authors of the volume, and about 30 man-years went directly into its preparation. Each chapter contains not only a synthesis of the state of knowledge of the geology of the commodity, but also an appraisal of the known resources, and an examination of the geologic possibilities for finding additional deposits. In January 1972, responsibility for the preparation of the volume was assigned to us as co-editors, and we were given a tentative list of commodities and authors. We provided each author with a suggested outline of general topics to be covered, and some guidelines as to scope and philosophy of approach, but beyond that we avoided any attempt to fit each chapter into a stereotype. Moreover, the types of commodities range from the major metals and industrial minerals such as copper, silver, and fluorspar, which have been the subject of geologic research for years, to other commodities that are of such varied geologic nature (such as pigments or gemstones) or of such minor present importance (such as scandium or thallium) that they cannot be treated from the same viewpoint as the major minerals. The chapters range, therefore, from comprehensive summary reports to general essays that reflect the individuality of the authors as well as the variation among commodities. Throughout the book the emphasis is on geology, but each chapter contains some summary information on uses, technology, and economics. These summaries are not meant to be exhaustive, however, and additional details are in the 1970 edition of "Mineral Facts and Problems" (Bulletin 650 of the U.S. Bureau of Mines) ; indeed, we regard that book and the present volume as being complementary. In the examination of the geologic possibilities for finding new deposits-in many respects the principal innovative contributions of this volume-we asked the authors to frankly apply the limits of their ingenuity and not only to summarize current theories but also to express their own intuitive ideas, however speculative and unconventional they may seem, that have come from years of study devoted to the origin of mineral deposits. Readers will see that some authors have speculated more courageously than others. In any case, we believe readers will find all the chapters interesting, and many stimulating; and a few we believe can be frankly characterized as intellectually exciting. Most chapters include a section on prospecting techniques, and a summary of geologic or related problems on which the authors believe research might be most fruitful in the continuing efforts to find new resources. An integral part of the book is the bibliographic material cited at the conclusion of each chapter, in lieu of repetition of detailed descriptions already in print. Index and "spot" maps are not included in most chapters because they are available elsewhere, and in many cases with more detail than could possibly be included here. Maps showing the distribution of known deposits of many commodities in the United States are available in the Mineral Resource (MR) map series of the U.S. Geological Survey and in the National Atlas of the United States. The first three chapters deal not with resources of specific commodities but with general information that is pertinent to the study of mineral resources. In the introductory chapter we discuss the purposes of the book, the distinctions between reserves and various categories of resources, and some general conclusions drawn from our view of the book in its entirety. In the second chapter V. E. McKelvey discusses the problems of mineral-resource estimates and public policy. In the third chapter, R. L. Erickson discusses some new points of view on the relation of reserves and resources to the crustal abundance of elements. We acknowledge with thanks the cooperation of our colleagues in all phases of the preparation of this volume. Whatever success the book may attain is due entirely to a total effort. A paragraph of acknowledgment originally submitted as a part of the chapter on "Nuclear fuels" is given here instead because we feel it applied to all chapters: "The writers have drawn freely from published information, not all of which is cited, and from their colleagues, none of whom are given specific credit. The reader should be aware that the paper could not have been written without these sources." We extend specific thanks to Michael Fleischer for preparation of summaries of geochemical information that are included in many chapters.
Professional Paper↗
Synthesis of current knowledge on post-fire seeding for soil stabilization and invasive species control
The General Accounting Office has identified a need for better information on the effectiveness of post-fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation methods used by the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Interior (DOI) agencies. Since reviews were published on treatment effectiveness in the early 2000s, treatment choices have changed and increased monitoring has been done. Greater use of native species has added substantially to burned area emergency response (BAER) treatment costs, for example, but quantitative data on this treatment were scarce in earlier reviews. We synthesized current information on the effectiveness of post-fire seeding for both soil stabilization and for prevention of the spread of invasive species in rangelands. We reviewed published literature (peer-reviewed and “gray”) and agency monitoring reports, as well as compiled and analyzed quantitative data in agency files. Products of this review include a web-accessible database of monitoring reports and published information, a scientific journal paper summarizing findings of scientific studies, an annotated bibliography of peer-reviewed papers, a summary report published as a General Technical Report that will be available online (in progress), and presentations to scientific meetings and BAER/ESR team training sessions and workshops. By combining results from studies done by Forest Service and DOI agency personnel with research studies published since the initial reviews, we presented a comprehensive synthesis of seeding effectiveness knowledge that complements the review of other hillslope treatments published by other researchers. This information will help federal land managers make more cost-effective decisions on post-fire stabilization and rehabilitation treatments.
Report↗
Total dissolved gas, barometric pressure, and water temperature data, lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 1996
Increased levels of total dissolved gas pressure can cause gas-bubble trauma in fish downstream from dams on the Columbia River. In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey collected data on total dissolved gas pressure, barometric pressure, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen pressure at 11 stations on the lower Columbia River from the John Day forebay (river mile 215.6) to Wauna Mill (river mile 41.9) from March to September 1996. Methods of data collection, review, and processing are described in this report. Summaries of daily minimum, maximum, and mean hourly values are presented for total dissolved gas pressure, barometric pressure, and water temperature. Hourly values for these parameters are presented graphically. Dissolved oxygen data are not presented in this report because the quality-control data show that the data have poor precision and high bias. Suggested changes to monitoring procedures for future studies include (1) improved calibration procedures for total dissolved gas and dissolved oxygen to better define accuracy at elevated levels of supersaturation and (2) equipping dissolved oxygen sensors with stirrers because river velocities at the shoreline monitoring stations probably cannot maintain an adequate flow of water across the membrane surface of the dissolved oxygen sensor.
Oregon, Washington↗
New Mexico district work-effort analysis computer program
The computer program (CAN 2) described in this report is one of several related programs used in the New Mexico District cost-analysis system. The work-effort information used in these programs is accumulated and entered to the nearest hour on forms completed by each employee. Tabulating cards are punched directly from these forms after visual examinations for errors are made. Reports containing detailed work-effort data itemized by employee within each project and account and by account and project for each employee are prepared for both current-month and year-to-date periods by the CAN 2 computer program. An option allowing preparation of reports for a specified 3-month period is provided. The total number of hours worked on each account and project and a grand total of hours worked in the New Mexico District is computed and presented in a summary report for each period. Work effort not chargeable directly to individual projects or accounts is considered as overhead and can be apportioned to the individual accounts and projects on the basis of the ratio of the total hours of work effort for the individual accounts or projects to the total New Mexico District work effort at the option of the user. The hours of work performed by a particular section, such as General Investigations or Surface Water, are prorated and charged to the projects or accounts within the particular section. A number of surveillance or buffer accounts are employed to account for the hours worked on special events or on those parts of large projects or accounts that require a more detailed analysis. Any part of the New Mexico District operation can be separated and analyzed in detail by establishing an appropriate buffer account. With the exception of statements associated with word size, the computer program is written in FORTRAN IV in a relatively low and standard language level to facilitate its use on different digital computers. The program has been run only on a Control Data Corporation 6600 computer system. Central processing computer time has seldom exceeded 5 minutes on the longest year-to-date runs.
Open-File Report↗
The digital archivist: Automating legacy macroseismic data processing using large language models
Macroseismic data are a key resource to investigate shaking and damage from preinstrumental and early instrumental eras. However, data are often stored as inconsistently formatted reports describing observed shaking and damage, making manually parsing and interpreting accounts labor‐intensive. We introduce a novel workflow using Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro large language model (LLM) to automate the extraction and structuring of macroseismic observations from summary reports. We apply this workflow to the 22 March 1957 M 5.3 Daly City, California, earthquake as a case study. We used Gemini to extract addresses, originally assigned modified Mercalli intensity values, and descriptions from each report. To address coordinate precision limits, addresses were geocoded via Google’s Geocoding application programming interface. This workflow yielded over 2300 geocoded intensity reports for the Daly City earthquake. We use the geocoded accounts, with the original report intensity assignments, to develop a shaking intensity map that in some respects rivals modern Did You Feel It? Maps. We also extract and present data for the 9 February 1971 M L 6.7 Sylmar, California, earthquake. Our results demonstrate the potential of LLMs for reliably extracting and analyzing large, unstructured macroseismic datasets. LLMs offer a scalable solution for rapidly digitizing macroseismic archives, enabling their broader use to constrain ground‐motion models in modern seismic hazard analysis and to improve our understanding of site effects in urban areas. The concepts explored here may also be applied to the handling of other legacy seismological and earth science data.
Seismological Research Letters↗