The Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Plan (AREMP) characterizes the ecological condition of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems to answer the core question:
“Are the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) and the BLM Western Oregon Resource Management Plans maintaining and restoring the conditions of aquatic and riparian ecosystems on federal lands in the Forest Plan area?”
AREMP determines the status and trend of inchannel and upslope-riparian watershed condition for sixth-field watersheds (HUC12) within the NWFP area. Upslope and riparian condition are based on mapped data (e.g. road density, vegetation) for all watersheds with ≥5% federal ownership. Inchannel condition is based on stream data (e.g. substrate, wood, pools, temperature, and macroinvertebrates) collected yearly under a sampling program that visits watersheds with 25% or more federal ownership in repeating eight year rotations.