In the summer of 2006, the Board of Clark County Commissioners renewed their commitment to wetland and habitat conservation by adopting updated critical areas ordinances. The board directed staff to evaluate how effective the ordinances are at protecting and replacing ecological functions (Ord. No. 2006-06-09 & Ord. No. 2006-05-27).
In January 2007, we began to evaluate past habitat and wetland mitigation strategies and permit conditions. The analysis of mitigation projects will help us understand how effective our ordinances have been.
Statistical Analysis
The data collection, research design and data analysis processes are very complex. Since it was not feasible to visit all 958 habitats and wetlands to evaluate success, the research design relied on selecting a subset of sites, known as a survey sample, which is representative of all 958 sites. Data from the selected sample were collected on more than 100 variables regarding mitigation compliance and success, and a survey research design was used in order to analyze the sample data and draw inferences that are statistically valid for all 958 sites.
Read our Overview of Data Collection and Research Design (PDF - 91K).
Data Collection Efforts
Our team of four biologists visited over 400 sites to collect data in 2007. The form they used to collect the data was the Mitigation Evaluation Data Sheet (PDF - 59K).
To help get a better idea of the data they collected and why, staff developed a User’s Manual (PDF - 287K) for the Mitigation Evaluation Data Sheet.
Raw Mitigation Monitoring Statistical Data
The data collected for statistical analysis went through a data entry process and was then checked for quality control by a biologist.
The statistical analyst then performed an initial correlation of the data as requested by the mitigation monitoring team.
Read our Data Analysis Appendix (PDF - 906K).
Please note: The data will be gradually sifted, reorganized, and reanalyzed on an ongoing basis. Because of this, be careful to note the date of the data you are reviewing.
Monitoring Wetlands and Habitat in Clark County, Washington (PDF - 166K)
An article by Brent Davis, Lead Wetlands Biologist, for the National Wetlands Newsletter, Vol. 30, No. 5.
Comments or questions
Comments or questions can be submitted to Travis.Goddard@clark.wa.gov. Questions staff deems relevant to analysis will be added to the Technical Committee’s Parking Lot List (PDF - 88K).
Staff is using this list as a holding area to “park” questions and ideas for later consideration. Questions or ideas included on this list are not guaranteed to be included in the reports as analysis runs it course.
