2001 Department of the Interior
Environmental Achievement Award Recipients

Don Prichard, a Fishery Biologist at the Bureau of Land Management’s National Science and Technology Center (NSTC), has developed a process to assess riparian wetlands. The effort is part of BLM’s strategy to restore and maintain these resources in ‘proper functioning condition.’ Mr. Prichard began this effort in 1992 by creating definitions and protocols, with the assistance of numerous stakeholders: the U.S. Forest Service, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, state agencies, private entities and international contacts. Published protocols, related guidance, and training comprise the resulting national program that is designed with technical rigor. The program serves as an assessment tool with which resource users and land managers can determine baseline conditions and gauge effectiveness of practices to improve damaged habitat.