Hood Canal Landscape Assessment & Prioritization Tool
(LAP Tool)
What is the LAP Tool?
The LAP Tool is a geospatial prioritization tool that analyzes a variety of datasets in a socio-ecological framework to identify the highest priority areas for protection and restoration across the Hood Canal basin.
LAP Tool Objectives
- Identify the most important areas on the landscape that maximize social-ecological value at precise watershed scales
- Use the best available science to assess current ecosystem conditions and future risks
- Enable precise, strategic decision-making for protection and restoration actions on the landscape
- Inform land use decisions across jurisdictional boundaries that align with Integrated Watershed Plan (IWP) goals
How does the LAP Tool work?
The LAP Tool analytical framework is currently under development. The graphic below depicts the categories of data layers under consideration for inclusion in the LAP Tool’s analysis.
LAP Tool Development
HCCC is planning the next phase of LAP Tool development (target 2025), with the goal to complete the tool and deploy it to key user groups. HCCC staff will again convene the technical advisory group to guide the completion of the tool, and its applications. Remaining work includes:
- Evaluate the need and utility of additional datasets
- Determine and build the analytical framework (how variables relate to each other and each one’s relative importance to prioritize protection and restoration needs)
- Gain a shared understanding of desired social and ecological outcomes, and evaluate comprehensive landscape solutions to achieve those outcomes in targeted areas
- Build interest and buy-in for the LAP Tool and deploying it to our targeted users. Outreach will focus on HCCC member governments to engage in a cross-jurisdictional exchange of land use policy approaches and ideas, with the goal of incorporating the LAP Tool into relevant land use decision processes.
LAP Tool Phase 2 refined and further developed the framework and analysis piloted during Phase 1. HCCC worked with technical advisors and the HCCC Board of Directors to:
- Assess the potential and feasibility of adding additional datasets to incorporate priority ecosystem functions and social factors (including Ecosystem Diagnosis and Treatment (EDT) and human wellbeing indicator data)
- Build out the LAP Tool’s geographic scope to include the entire Hood Canal basin
- Refine the analytical framework to incorporate more data and more complex analysis
- Refine the LAP Tool’s user experience and interface to ensure the tool is understandable, intuitive, and relevant to our target users
HCCC set out to develop a pilot and test the LAP Tool concept at a reduced scale, with the following objectives:
- Develop the LAP Tool’s conceptual approach to compile and analyze land use and ecological data in the Hood Canal region
- Convene an advisory committee of local land use experts to guide the tool’s development and inform planning efforts
- Pilot the tool to assess its utility and applications, and identify next steps for advancement
Phase 1 successfully developed a conceptual approach and analytical framework for a new, more precise, and accurate way to assess how our activities on the landscape impact our ecosystem. It also built engagement and interest from local partners, and increased our awareness of the socio-ecological issues in Hood Canal that are affected by land use.
How will the LAP Tool be Applied?
The LAP Tool will identify opportunities to improve Hood Canal protection, restoration, and stewardship across the region. It will pinpoint the specific actions needed in precise locations to maximize ecosystem recovery. It will enable more strategic, transparent, and efficient project development, and catalyze support around the most important projects and regulatory solutions. The analytical conclusions will be utilized to re-diagnose the state of Hood Canal’s ecosystem. Examples of potential applications include:
- Summer chum salmon recovery planning
- Pinpoint precise geographies and actions important to summer chum salmon recovery
- Determine factors influencing recovery planning uncertainties
- Inform recovery action implementation
- Project development and prioritization
- Prioritize precise ecosystem protection and recovery actions across Hood Canal
- Inform HCCC Lead Entity Call for Projects and the development of salmon recovery projects
- Identify mitigation opportunities that maximize ecosystem outcomes
- Determine land protection opportunities (acquisitions, easements, etc.) with high precision in the most important areas
- Land use policy and protection analysis
- Evaluate gaps and opportunities in land use policies and regulatory programs applied on the landscape
- Incorporate LAP Tool analysis into relevant land use planning processes
The LAP Tool will be a valuable resource for Hood Canal land use authorities. It will enable HCCC to work with our member governments to improve the alignment of Integrated Watershed Plan goals with land use planning policies and programs in priority areas. The LAP Tool’s analysis will help design and communicate recommended solutions to address complex challenges that span the social-ecological system.
Track the status of Hood Canal forests and land use protections
