The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) is a habitat based conservation program where uncertainty is an unavoidable component of creating and managing species habitats. The LCR MSCP Adaptive Management Program (AMP) addresses such uncertainties. The AMP is based on the principles of adaptive management by allowing conservation measures to be adjusted over time based on the results of monitoring and research. Adaptive management provides a greater measure of certainty that Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) goals for covered species are achieved over the long-term. The process will gauge the effectiveness of existing conservation measures with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), propose alternative or modified conservation measures as the need arises, and address changing and unforeseen circumstances. The AMP also ensures conservation measures are implemented in a biologically effective and cost efficient manner.

Adaptive implementation of the HCP occurs at the project and program levels. The project level adaptive management process starts with the review of completed or interim reports of monitoring and research results from funded proposals developed to meet 5-year cycle priorities. Program level adaptive management provides for adjustments to HCP implementation requiring more significant adjustments such as LCR MSCP funding levels, revisions to HCP conservation measures, adoption of alternate conservation measures, or other significant changes to the HCP direction. In April 2014, three minor modifications to the HCP were approved by the Steering Committee. New research and monitoring information for the Western yellow bat, Arizona Bell’s vireo, and Colorado River cotton rat provided necessary information to make modifications to their respective conservation measures.  Previously in 2010, minor modifications for California black rail, razorback sucker, bonytail, threecorner milkvetch, and sticky buckwheat were approved by the Steering Committee currently bringing the total modifications to eight.

Updated January 4, 2017