Stream Habitat Management -

Rhetorical Précis: #2
Valerie Turner
9/10/08

Scott Gillilan, K. Boyd, T. Hoitsma and M. Kauffman in “Challenges in Developing and Implementing Ecological Standards for Geomorphic River Restoration Projects: a Practitioner’s Response to Palmer et al” (2005) commend and also challenge the assumptions of Palmer et al in “Standards for Ecologically Successful Restoration”.(2005) The authors commend the clear articulation and inclusion of nuances in the establishment of ecological standards of river restoration practices and the need for there to be a true science for practitioner’s to follow while noting a need for synthesis, application of methods, along with more interaction with ecologists and the academic community so that more ecologically effective projects will be a result of meaningful pre- and post-monitoring of projects. In order for this to be achieved effectively, the authors contend that 4 ecological standards need to be addressed and implemented in order for the most ecologically worthy projects to be funded. Gillilan et al. propose this information be used by the academic community who will be involved in project design, etc., but more importantly, used by the project participants such as project sponsors, regulators and laypeople in the community.