Research and Development and Analytical Support for the BLM’s Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Lotic Program

NAMC is a science partner for the BLM’s Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Lotic Program and has played a key role in development of the lotic component of AIM since it started in 2011. NAMC managed field crews collecting lotic AIM data from 2011-2018. We wrote all initial drafts of field, data, and implementation protocols. We generated random points for sample designs until 2021. Furthermore, all lotic AIM data was housed in USU databases until 2021 when data was officially transferred over to the BLM. Coordination of this transfer and collaboration with the BLM on a new data system led to an ESRI Special Achievement in GIS Award. 

Since 2021 NAMC has moved to a research and development and analysis role only. We actively participate in the National AIM Team which coordinates AIM implementation across the BLM. We lead field and analysis trainings for BLM personnel. Our AIM related research primarily focuses on assisting the BLM with benchmark development for AIM chemical, physical, and biological indicators. Additionally, we ensure the BLM is aware of the latest scientific research, provide guidance on analysis and communication tools, and causal analysis frameworks.

A map of the western United States with data points from May 2022 representing AIM data sites at 346 riparian and wetland locations, 3,699 lotic locations, and 41,118 terrestrial locations. Places of high concentration include southeastern Oregon, southern Idaho, central Wyoming, parts of eastern Montana, the majority of Nevada and Utah, the western half of Colorado, and parts of Alaska, Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico, South Dakota, and North Dakota.