Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA submitted to NRP
EVALUATING THE VULNERABILITY OF PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE INDIAN WATER RESOURCES UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0231149
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2012
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2017
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
888 N EUCLID AVE
TUCSON,AZ 85719-4824
Performing Department
Soil, Water & Environmental Science
Non Technical Summary
Native Americans in the Southwest are vulnerable to climate change because of their intimate relationship with the environment upon which their culture, tradition, and livelihood depend upon. Climate change may overwhelm tribes already stressed by economical and development challenges. A primary example is Nevada's largest tribe, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, located at the terminal end of the Truckee-Carson River, who are deeply connected--culturally, physically, and spiritually--to Pyramid Lake and its ecosystem. The objectives of this project are to: 1) Determine the potential of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe for adaption to climate change by understanding vulnerabilities, thresholds, and resiliencies of the systems, 2) Develop collaborative tribal water management and adaptive strategies; 3) Produce a framework for a decision support system model of a coupled climate-biophysical-social system; and 4) Determine effective tribal partnerships and collaborations. The values of indigenous and non-indigenous communities are separate and unique, but collide when water resources are endangered. The unique and complex links between cultural and human values and the natural environment are strong but difficult to model in conventional modeling approaches. In order for each, party to understand their role in the system, the system must be viewed holistically and collaborative decision making process that is considerate of both parties must be used. 
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1110210205075%
1320430207025%
Goals / Objectives
A few studies have emphasized the need to such coupling of social and natural sciences and recent discourse in climate adaption is emphasizing such need (Agrawala and van Aalst, 2008; van Aalst et al. 2007), but without any concrete example of application. This study aims to fulfill this need for exploring potential of the approach for Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe at present and future other tribes and tribal Nations in future. Climate change adaption is a field where such integration is a must. Literature is flush with research on climate change impact on water resources and physical limit of adaptation-water availability. In Pyramid Lake watershed, however, there are not many. OBJECTIVES: 1. What are the differences in stakeholders' perception on vulnerability to climate change of PLPT Indian water rights in the Truckee River Basin 2. What are crucial socio-political aspects for TROA's adaptive management strategies under the uncertainty of climate change What does a stakeholders' power relations diagram and collaborative system dynamics model for adaptive management look like 3. How does the TROA conceptual climate-environment-society feedback model of key stakeholders differ with each other and with expert-elicited model 4. How flexible is TROA to alternative water resources management strategies under additional stressors like climate change What are major adaptive management strategies and policy levers How current drought policies are either sufficient or insufficient as part of major adaptive management strategies under climate change impacts
Project Methods
PROCEDURE: Task 1: Evaluate plural perspectives on perceived vulnerability of Indian water rights in Truckee River Basin (10/1/12-12/31/12)-A focused questionnaire will be used to evaluate perceptions of how climate change may directly (e.g. available volume of water) or indirectly (e.g. warmer water reducing fish habitat quality) influence water resources. Task 2: Elicit conceptual Climate-Environment-Society Feedback (CESF) model for each stakeholder group including policy makers (2/1/13-6/30/13)- We will present hypothetical lake level and water flow situation under different climate change scenarios (compiled from literature survey) to PLPT and other stakeholders (leadership and council level) at 2 separate focus group discussions. We will elicit perceptions on climate-environment-society feedback loops with the vulnerability of PLPT as focus and elicit each stakeholder's conceptual description of the constraints and feedback loops within TROA that will influence PLPT. We will also prepare interview checklists and conduct semi-structured interviews of relevant key policy makers to assess their water management strategies under climate change. The focus group results will be a basis for the development of participatory decision making process for including climate change impacts on the TROA arrangement taking into account the differences in perceptions of the feedback models and potential differences in the perceived vulnerabilities of PLPT Indian water rights. Task 3: Evaluate flexibility of water management alternatives in an adaptive management framework under TROA and elicit expert's conceptual model (7/1/13-7/31/16)- We will evaluate TROA in detail and consider its shortcomings under climate change. We will also evaluate and map the power relations among major stakeholders, and examine the potential for meaningful participation for adaptive management. We will generate a conceptual description of the constraints and feedback loops within TROA (including power relation) that will influence PLPT. We will also take stock of the existing calibrated hydrological/hydraulic models (watershed and RiverWare models) (Zagona et al., 2001) under TROA authorities; and discuss the conceptual descriptions of the biophysical system with relevant experts working in the study area (identified through extensive background study). Based on these tasks, we will synthesize a conceptual CESF model of the system (expert-elicited model). We will compare the expert-elicited conceptual model with the models elicited from stakeholder groups from Task 2, and synthesize key implications for future collaborative system dynamics model development task under adaptive management framework (Task 5). Task 4: Disseminate the project outcomes (7/14, 7/16)-Results will be published in a peer reviewed journal (e.g. The System Dynamics Review); presented and disseminated to PLPT, other stakeholders, and the Federal Water Master. Task 5: Write a proposal to gain additional funding (10/15)-The proposed study will provide preliminary data, conceptual knowledge, and relationships that will be used to submit a competitive proposal.

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached were the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Native American tribes, and state, federal, and universities working with tribes. Changes/Problems:The text of the second goal has been changed from "develop" to "propose" in order to emphasize the fact that our role is to "propose" management strategies for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to review. We believe that only the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal government has the authority and sovereignty to "develop" management strategies that meet their needs. The fourth goal was originally stated as: "Determine effective tribal partnerships and collaborations". This goal has been restated in a broader manner because we intend to investigate a range of possibilities for partnerships and collaborations. We believe that it is up to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to decide which partnerships and collaborations are most effective and meet their needs. In addition, the phrase "between tribes and scientists" was added to clarify that these partnerships and collaborations are between tribes and scientists. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?On August 15, 2014, we met with the PLPT Environmental Department director and staff to discuss the results of our work and to get their feedback on our proposed adaptation strategies. Workshops were conducted with tribal environmental managers on climate change and hydrological budget. This supported continued learning for the tribe. Schuyler Chew has been trained in the process of the research by the PI in scientific analysis, communication and outreach. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We reported to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Environmental department and Council in August 2014 on latest results. We discussed nineteen adaptation recommendations at a public meeting in Wadsworth, NV on August 15, 2014. These recommendations were grouped into the following five categories: · Water management upstream and litigation · Water & environmental management in spawning corridor upstream from Lake · Rangeland, land cover and water management · Fish and wildlife management · Monitoring, scientific research and outreach In our presentation to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council on August 15, 2014, we summarized this list down to ten bullet point recommendations for the Tribe to consider. 1. Manage Stampede Reservoir releases at convenient times for cui-ui spawning 2. Increase irrigation efficiency which will reduce water demand and follow soil conservation practices which will improve water quality. 3. Revisit Operations of Marble Bluff Dam to adapt to changes the hydrologic regime of the river 4. Revisit hatchery operations to adapt to changes in fish populations. 5. Maintain and enhance efforts to restore the natural riparian habitat of the Truckee River 6. Adapted urban planning and residential outdoor landscaping to promote water harvesting of storm runoff, reduce erosion, enhance water quality, water for community gardens. 7. Integrated comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (for mitigation of chemical pollution and sediment pollution upstream) 8. Monitoring environmental indicators is important. 9. Outreach: Engage schools and the community. Teach the value of environmental and cultural resources,, and the opportunities to face today's challenges, as well as the role of the youth. Establish tribal led reservation-wide initiatives to increase education of global change and protecting the environment. Involve high schools and senior centers. K. Chief and E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Presentation to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council Water Team to give update on project results and request extension of research agreement. October 19, 2016. Nixon NV. The Tribal Council approved a 1-year extension of the project, and determined that the project may be extended beyond 2017 pending additional Tribal Council approval. Chief, K. and E.S.S. Chew. 2017. Climate Change Vulnerability of Native Americans in the Southwest. Project Website to disseminate information related to the project. http://nativeadaptation.arizona.edu/ Chief, K. and E.S.S. Chew. 2017. Climate Change Vulnerability of Native Americans in the Southwest. Project Facebook Page to disseminate information related to the project. https://www.facebook.com/nativeadaptation/ K. Chief and E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Natural Resources Department to give update on project results and discuss ongoing research efforts. Met with Donna Noel, NRD Director and Kameron Morgan, Water Quality Manager. October 19, 2016. Nixon NV. E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitor Center to conduct interviews. Met with three staff members. October 18, 2016. Nixon NV. E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Fisheries to conduct interviews. Met with two staff members. October 18, 2016. Nixon NV. E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Emergency Management Team to conduct interview. Met with two staff members. October 18, 2016. Nixon NV. K. Chief, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Tribal Historic Preservation Officer to address concerns of the Cultural Resources Committee regarding the Interviews and obtain a letter of support for the Interviews Questions. Met with Betty Aleck, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. September 22, 2016. Nixon NV. K. Chief and E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Natural Resources Department to give update on project results and discuss ongoing research efforts. Met with Donna Noel, NRD Director and Kameron Morgan, Water Quality Manager. May 22, 2016. Nixon NV. K. Chief and E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Tribal Historic Preservation Officer to give introduction to the project and invite them to future interviews. Met with Betty Aleck, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer. May 22, 2016. Nixon NV. K. Chief and E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Fisheries to give introduction to the project and invite them to future interviews. Met with Pyramid Lake Fisheries Director. May 22, 2016. Nixon NV. E.S.S. Chew, 2016. Meeting with Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Natural Resources Department to give update on project results and discuss ongoing research efforts. Met with Donna Noel, NRD Director, Mervin Wright, Tribal Council Member and Environmental Program Director, and Kameron Morgan, Water Quality Manager. January 19, 2016. Nixon NV. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? First, we have made significant progress on this task through the development of a hydrologic balance model that provides hypothetical projections of Pyramid Lake elevation under various climate scenarios. This model is intended as a resource to help tribal environmental managers with decision making and outreach efforts. Much of our current work will inform the design of the conceptual framework. Secondly, the project will benefit from our involvement (Serrat-Capdevila) with the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) Group and their development of the Climate Risk Informed Decision Approach (CRIDA) to climate change adaptation. The AGWA approach consists of a structured and consistent way to scale climate-related decisions from the decision-makers needs, using uncertain climate information. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with the Emergency Response Team, Numana Hatchery, Natural Resources Department, Pyramid Lake Fisheries, Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitors Center, and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The interview results have been categorized into four main themes: impacts of and vulnerability to climate change, adaptation, the role of traditional knowledge in adaptation planning, and indicators to monitor and understand climate change. Several lessons have emerged from this outreach effort. First, adaptation planning must be flexible and adaptive to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders. In addition, patience is a critical aspect of the stakeholder engagement process. It is important to avoid the trap of generalizing a Tribe's vulnerability and capacity to adapt to climate change, because these factors will vary across departments and stakeholder groups, and these factors will be different for all Tribes.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Smith Jr., W.J, Z. Liu, A.S. Safi, and K. Chief. 2014. Climate change perception, observation and policy support in rural Nevada: A comparative analysis of Native Americans, non-native ranchers and farmers and mainstream America. Environmental Science & Policy: 42:101-122
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chief, K., J.J. Daigle, K. Lynn, and K.P. Whyte. Indigenous Experiences in the U.S. with Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship in the Anthropocene in Sample, V. Alaric and Bixler, R. Patrick (eds.). 2014. Forest Conservation and Management in the Anthropocene: Conference Proceedings. Proceedings. RMRS-P-71. Fort Collins, CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Research Station. 494 p.


Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Pyramid Lake Paiute tribal environmental managers Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We presented before the tribal council in October 2016. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete transcription of interviews and analyze. Implement the traditional knowledge for climate adaptationsurvey.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The interviews of tribal environmental managers are partially transcribed. A survey was developed and approved by the tribe.

Publications


    Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

    Outputs
    Target Audience:The target audience is the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council and the Environmental Managers and Staff. Changes/Problems:There was turnover in the environmental managers that we worked with. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A report was written discussing the outcomes of the climate change workshop and presented before the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are currently working on a publication building off of climate change workshop and vulnerability assessment. We are also planning to hold workshops this year with the tribal environmental managers.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? The primary outputs of this projectinclude the following: (1) a website which describes the project and major milestones of the research effort; (2) a set of current issues and challenges related to environmental management and with the Tribe's perceived order of priority; (3) a set of environmental (and social) indicators collaboratively developed with Tribal members to monitor the previous issues; (4) a set of adaptation recommendations for the Tribe, spanning planning, management, and strategy; (5) a hydrologic model of Pyramid Lake which provides hypothetical projections of Pyramid Lake elevation under various climate scenarios; and (6) an educational video which portrays the ecological characteristics of the cui-ui fish and Lahontan cutthroat trout. 1.1 Website A website was developed for the project in August of 2013 in order to increase the awareness of the research effort among tribal members. This website served to describe the objectives of the research, advertise upcoming events related to the project (e.g., the Sept. 2013 workshop and Aug. 2014 public presentation, and to archive major milestones and publications related to the project. This website can be accessed at:http://nativeadaptation.arizona.edu/ 1.2 Adaptation Strategy Recommendations to the PLPT The collaborators met with the PLPT Environmental Department director and staff to discuss the results of our work and to get their feedback on our proposed adaptation strategies. A public presentation was also arranged to allow tribal members as well as agency and university representatives to hear the project outcomes. The collaborators were given an opportunity to present the project's highlights to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council. A total of ten bullet point recommendations related to climate adaptation were proposed to the Tribe along with steps for moving forward. The list of recommendations is given below: 1. Manage Stampede Reservoir releases at convenient times for cui-ui spawning; 2. Increase irrigation efficiency which will reduce water demand and follow soil conservation practices which will improve water quality; 3. Revisit Operations of Marble Bluff Dam to adapt to changes the hydrologic regime of the river; 4. Revisit hatchery operations to adapt to changes in fish populations; 5. Maintain and enhance efforts to restore the natural riparian habitat of the Truckee River; 6. Adapted urban planning and residential outdoor landscaping to promote water harvesting of storm runoff, reduce erosion, enhance water quality, water for community gardens; 7. Integrated comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (for mitigation of chemical pollution and sediment pollution upstream); 8. Monitoring environmental indicators is important; 9. Outreach: Engage schools and the community. Teach the value of environmental and cultural resources, and the opportunities to face today's challenges, as well as the role of the youth; and 10. Establish tribal led reservation-wide initiatives to increase education of global change and protecting the environment. Involve high schools and senior centers. 1.3 Development of Hydrologic Balance Model of Pyramid Lake One of the central questions raised at the workshop was how Pyramid Lake's elevation might be affected by climate change. The tribal members participating in this workshop were keenly aware of the ecological coupling between lake elevation and well-being of culturally and economically important species. In response to this inquiry we focused our efforts toward understanding how climatic shifts such as temperature increases and precipitation decreases might affect Pyramid Lake. We developed a basic hydrologic model in Microsoft Excel which predicts the elevation of Pyramid Lake over time. This model uses a simple "mass-balance" equation (see eq. 1) in order to create simulated outputs of the volume of Pyramid Lake over time. The mass-balance approach treats Pyramid Lake like a giant basin and measures the quantities of water entering the lake (i.e., through river flow and precipitation) and exiting the lake (i.e., through evapotranspiration.) In addition to volume, the model produces simulated outputs of lake's surface area and elevation. All simulated outputs are calculated on monthly and annual time steps. The input data for this model comes from historical records of river flow, temperature, precipitation, lake elevation, and bathymetry. Fairly consistent records of Lake elevation were recorded as early as 1927, however the model simulations begin in 1957 because river flow data is available only up to October 1957. V(t) = V(t-1) + [Q(t-1)*T] + [SA(t-1)*P(t-1)*T] - [SA(t-1)* ET(t-1) *ε*T] (eq. 1) This mass-balance equation calculates the volume of the lake at a current time step V(t) by adding the lake's volume at the previous time step V(t-1), plus the amount of Truckee River flow near Nixon, NV during time step Q(t-1), plus the amount of precipitation that fell on the lake surface during time step (t-1), and minus the amount of water that was extracted from the lake surface through evapotranspiration at time step (t-1). The unitless parameter epsilon ε is a percentage factor which reduces the effect of evapotranspiration in order to account for any missing inputs to the lake (e.g., stream flow from local creeks, surface runoff, etc.) The variable T represents the time dimension and is always equal to 1 month for the monthly model and 1 year for the annual model. These hypothetical scenarios are intended to provide a broad envelope of circumstances that may or may not have an impact on Pyramid Lake elevation. The main intent of this model is to serve as an informational resource for tribal managers to aid them in adaptation planning and educational outreach. This tool was delivered to the PLPT Environmental Department in August of 2014 following a brief presentation on how it was developed.

    Publications


      Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

      Outputs
      Target Audience: The target audience reached were the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Native American tribes, and state, federal, and universities working with tribes. Changes/Problems: The text of the second goal has been changed from "develop" to "propose" in order to emphasize the fact that our role is to "propose" management strategies for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to review. We believe that only the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal government has the authority and sovereignty to "develop" management strategies that meet their needs. The fourth goal was originally stated as: "Determine effective tribal partnerships and collaborations". This goal has been restated in a broader manner because we intend to investigate a range of possibilities for partnerships and collaborations. We believe that it is up to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to decide which partnerships and collaborations are most effective and meet their needs. In addition, the phrase "between tribes and scientists" was added to clarify that these partnerships and collaborations are between tribes and scientists. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? On August 15, 2014, we met with the PLPT Environmental Department director and staff to discuss the results of our work and to get their feedback on our proposed adaptation strategies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? We reported to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Environmental department and Council in August 2014 on latest results. We will be writing up results on climate change adaptation in 2015 and presenting it to the tribal council in 2015. We discussed nineteen adaptation recommendations at a public meeting in Wadsworth, NV on August 15, 2014. These recommendations were grouped into the following five categories: · Water management upstream and litigation · Water & environmental management in spawning corridor upstream from Lake · Rangeland, land cover and water management · Fish and wildlife management · Monitoring, scientific research and outreach In our presentation to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council on August 15, 2014, we summarized this list down to ten bullet point recommendations for the Tribe to consider. 1. Manage Stampede Reservoir releases at convenient times for cui-ui spawning 2. Increase irrigation efficiency which will reduce water demand and follow soil conservation practices which will improve water quality. 3. Revisit Operations of Marble Bluff Dam to adapt to changes the hydrologic regime of the river 4. Revisit hatchery operations to adapt to changes in fish populations. 5. Maintain and enhance efforts to restore the natural riparian habitat of the Truckee River 6. Adapted urban planning and residential outdoor landscaping to promote water harvesting of storm runoff, reduce erosion, enhance water quality, water for community gardens. 7. Integrated comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (for mitigation of chemical pollution and sediment pollution upstream) 8. Monitoring environmental indicators is important. 9. Outreach: Engage schools and the community. Teach the value of environmental and cultural resources,, and the opportunities to face today's challenges, as well as the role of the youth. Establish tribal led reservation-wide initiatives to increase education of global change and protecting the environment. Involve high schools and senior centers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We have been working on distilling the results of the workshop into manuscript. This will entail transcribing audio recordings and transferring information written down on poster boards into word documents. We intended to identify tribal members during the workshop to do one-on-one follow-up interviews, but were unable to make these connections. Our next task will require working closely with the tribe to identify individuals that would be ideal to interview. The tribe has identified additional areas of collaborate work including building on the climate scenarios and adaptation. We are seeking additional funding opportunities to explore self-diagnosing adaptive-capacity framework. We are in the process of assimilating all project results into a climate change report for the Tribe.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? First, we have made significant progress on this task through the development of a hydrologic balance model that provides hypothetical projections of Pyramid Lake elevation under various climate scenarios. This model is intended as a resource to help tribal environmental managers with decision making and outreach efforts. Much of our current work will inform the design of the conceptual framework. Secondly, the project will benefit from our involvement (Serrat-Capdevila) with the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA) Group and their development of the Climate Risk Informed Decision Approach (CRIDA) to climate change adaptation. The AGWA approach consists of a structured and consistent way to scale climate-related decisions from the decision-makers needs, using uncertain climate information. A draft of an integrated vulnerability assessment has been drafted.

      Publications

      • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Smith Jr., W.J, Z. Liu, A.S. Safi, and K. Chief. 2014. Climate change perception, observation and policy support in rural Nevada: A comparative analysis of Native Americans, non-native ranchers and farmers and mainstream America. Environmental Science & Policy: 42:101-122
      • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Chief, K., J.J. Daigle, K. Lynn, and K.P. Whyte. Indigenous Experiences in the U.S. with Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship in the Anthropocene in Sample, V. Alaric and Bixler, R. Patrick (eds.). 2014. Forest Conservation and Management in the Anthropocene: Conference Proceedings. Proceedings. RMRS-P-71. Fort Collins,CO: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Rocky Mountain Research Station. 494 p.


      Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

      Outputs
      Target Audience: The target audience was the Pyramida Lake Paiute Tribe and a workshop was conducted in October 2013 on climate change. Changes/Problems: Several tribal environment program managers participate in quarterly conference calls, but Olin Anderson has served as the primary contact and participates in bi-weekly project meetings. Autumn Bryson was recently chosen to serve in this capacity since Olin Anderson found new employment. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? We recently coordinated the “Climate Change Planning Workshop” on September 25, and 26, 2013 with tribal members on tribal land in Nixon, NV in order to gain better insight to climate change challenges from the perspective of tribal members. This workshop also served to identify some management alternatives and solutions that address the challenges. We have presented 7 times on the project to tribal and non-tribal audiences. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe lead a tour of their reservation focusing on climate change impacts to a group attending the Northern Arizona University Inter Tribal Environmental Professionals Climate Change Workshop on October 1, 2013. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? E.S. Chew, K. Chief, A. Serrat-Capdevila, W. Smith Jr., and D.E. Busch. 2013. Resilience to Climate Change: Collaborating on Adaptive Management Strategies for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Nevada Water Resources Association 2013 River Symposium, Session 5, November 7, 2013, Reno, NV. Mandell, S., O. Anderson, E.S. Chew, K. Chief, A. Serrat-Capdevila, W. Smith Jr., and D.E. Busch. 2013. Resilience to Climate Change: Collaborating on Adaptive Management Strategies for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. National Congress of American Indians Tribal Leader/Scholar Forum: “Agriculture, Timber, & Water: Sustaining our Natural Resources”, June 26, 2013, Reno, NV. K. Chief, Cozzetto K., K. Dittmer, M. Brubaker, R. Gough, K. Souza, F. Ettawageshik, S. Wotkyns, S. Opitz-Stapleton, S. Duren, and P. Chavan. 2013. Climate Change Impacts on the Water Resources of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the U.S. Climatic Change. Biennial Conference of Science and Management on the Colorado Plateau, September 18, 2013, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ. Chief, K., M. Gautam, and W. Smith Jr. 2012. An Integrated Assessment of Climate Change in Arid Lands and Native American Vulnerability: The Case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. American Society of Agronomy–Crop Science Society of America– Soil Science Society of America International Annual Meeting. October 22, 2012. Cincinatti, OH. Chief, K., M. Gautam, and W. Smith Jr. 2012. Integrative and Collaborative Framework for Tribal Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation: Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. April 23, 2012. American Indian and Alaskan Native Climate Change Working Group Spring 2012 Meeting, Tohono O’odham Community College, Sells, AZ Chief, K., M. Gautam, and W. Smith Jr. 2012. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe: an integrated approach and collaborative modeling framework In Tribes and Climate Change: Vulnerability Assessments and Adaptation. Abstract No. 44. May 29-31. 2012. Climate Adaptation Futures: Second International Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2012, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Garfin, G.M., M. Wilder, B. Udall, E. Fleishman, G. Frisvold, S. Moser, and K. Chief. 2012. Perspectives from Ground Zero: Adapting to Climate Change in the Southwest: Key Themes from the U.S. National Climate Assessment Southwest Region Technical Report May 29-31. Climate Adaptation Futures: Second International Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2012, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Chief, K. Climate change impacts on tribal water resources. Native Nations Water Rights Symposium 2012. March 24, 2012. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Our next major step is to distill the results of the workshop into summarized details that we can incorporate into a report. This will entail transcribing audio recordings and transferring information written down on poster boards into word documents. We intended to identify tribal members during the workshop to do one-on-one follow-up interviews, but were unable to make these connections. Our next task will require working closely with the tribe to identify individuals that would be ideal to interview.

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? Task 1: Data collection of climate and non-climatic data (hydrological, climatological, and socioeconomic) Research methods include a literature review of journal articles related to the hydrology and ecology of the Truckee River and Pyramid Lake. In addition, an overview of tribal water rights and the Truckee River Operating Agreement (TROA) was undertaken to understand the evolution of tribal water rights and water use agreements in the basin. This investigation was put on hold at the request of the tribe because the TROA is currently being challenged in court and has not been officially implemented. An extensive literature review of socio-ecological dynamics in the Pyramid Lake system was conducted. It focused on understanding the linkages between the life cycle of two fish species – the endangered Cui-ui (chasmistes cujus) and the threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout (oncorhynchus clarki henshawi) - and the hydrologic dynamics of the Truckee River. The survival of these two fish species and the associated ecosystem dynamics are extremely important for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. For that reason, an effort has been made to develop ecological indicators that monitor conditions influencing the well being and thriving of these species. We are researching the socio-economics of the tribe through the literature review. In addition, we recently held the “Climate Change Planning Workshop” with tribal members on tribal land in Nixon, NV in order to gain better insight to climate change challenges from the perspective of tribal members. This workshop also served to identify some management alternatives and solutions that address the challenges. Task 2: Institutional analysis and adaptation potential (historical and present) Some information related to this task was revealed during the workshop with tribal members. We will use recorded interviews from the previous vulnerability analysis study to identify information for this task. More work remains to be done on reviewing the tribe’s governance and water management. Task 3: Current and future water demands We reached out to the “Truckee Basin Study” (funded by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Water SMART program) which is looking at water demand in the Truckee River Basin. Task 4: Climate change projections We reached out to USGS SCC collaborators on their efforts to do climate modeling in the Great Basin. Task 5: Collaborative development of future water management alternatives and adaptation strategies We started to identify some of management alternatives at the recent workshop with tribal members and we intend to develop this information further. We are developing this Task as a dynamic process in which Tribal members and other actors will keep contributing and developing ideas as time goes by and the state of the system evolves. Task 6: Conceptual Framework for a Decision Support System model for testing alternative management and adaptation strategies We have not made progress on this task yet, but the current work will inform the design of the conceptual framework. Task 7: Integrated vulnerability (IV) assessment of Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe The socio-economic vulnerability assessment of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe was published in October 2013 in Climatic Change. The citation is: Gautam, M., K. Chief, and W. J. Smith, Jr. 2013. Climate Change in Arid Lands and Native American Socioeconomic Vulnerability: The Case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. In “Facing climate change: The experiences of and impacts on U.S. tribal communities, indigenous people, and native lands and resources.” Climatic Change: Volume 120, Issue 3 (2013), Page 585-599. DOI # 10.1007/s10584-013-0737-0 A draft of an integrated vulnerability assessment has been drafted. Task 8: Investigation of physical and social limits of adaption and resiliency The socio-economic limits of adaptation and resiliency were published as cited above. We have started to investigate the physical limits. Task 9: Tribal Consultation and Presentations We presented at 3 tribal symposiums. We presented at the American Indian Climate Change Working Group and at the University of Arizona Native Nations Water Rights Symposium. We also presented the progress of the project at the Mid-year conference of the National Conference of American Indians in Reno, NV. The presentation was part of the Tribal Leader / Scholar Forum’s panel entitled “Agriculture, Timber and Water: Sustaining our Natural Resources.” Edward Schuyler Chew, Olin Anderson and Shannon Mandell, a member of the tribe and director of the tribe’s museum, delivered this presentation. Edward Schuyler Chew will give a similar presentation in November 2013 at the Nevada Water Resources association River Symposium in Reno, NV. Task 10: Effective Tribal Collaboration The workshop we conducted with tribal members was our first opportunity to observe tribal collaboration with the researchers. Edward Schuyler Chew attended a training course on developing climate change adaptation plans for tribes. This training was hosted by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and took place in early October 2013 at the Desert Research Institute. The training was very useful to see the types of resources on climate change adaptation are relevant to tribes in the Great Basin of Nevada. This training also provided ideas for further collaboration with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and other tribes nearby. We will participate in the larger SW CSC evaluation project and we will receive an assessment of our engagement practices that will fulfill our project goal of a set of best practices for engagement with tribal stakeholders.

      Publications

      • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gautam, M., K. Chief, and W. J. Smith, Jr. 2013. Climate Change in Arid Lands and Native American Socioeconomic Vulnerability: The Case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. In Facing climate change: The experiences of and impacts on U.S. tribal communities, indigenous people, and native lands and resources. Climatic Change: Volume 120, Issue 3 (2013), Page 585-599. DOI # 10.1007/s10584-013-0737-0


      Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

      Outputs
      OUTPUTS: 1. 8 tribal representatives from the chairman office, and environmental and cultural departments attended a focus group workshop on October 11, 2011 regarding climate change impacts on water resources. 2. 8 tribal representatives from the environmental and cultural departments attended a Kick-off Workshop that was held on November 19, 2012 where climate change impacts and collaborative water management planning was presented and discussed. 3. A draft manuscript entitled "An integrated assessment of climate change in arid lands and Native American vulnerability: The case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute" was written. 4. 2 refereed publications are in press. These manuscripts were submitted and accepted to Climatic Change entitled "Climate Change in Arid Lands and Native American Socioeconomic Vulnerability: The Case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe" and "Impacts of climate change on water resources of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in the U.S." 5. 1 refereed report is in press. This report is part of Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest Report and is entitled "Unique Challenges Facing Southwestern Tribes" 6. 11 presentations: 4 presentations to various stakeholders and 4 presentations at conferences and 3 presentations to students PARTICIPANTS: 1. There are 5 faculty/staff working on this project including Drs. Karletta Chief, Aleix Serrat Capdevila, William Smith Jr., David Busch and Alison Meadow. 2. Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is a primary partner and the tribal contact person is Olin Anderson. Approximately 8 persons were involved in the kick-off meeting on 11/19/12 including but not limited to John Mosely, Beverly Harry, Olin Anderson, Ben Alec, Museum Curator (M), Dan Mosely, male tribal intern, and female tribal intern. 4 tribal and federal employees provided field tours Numana Hatchery, Dunn Hatchery, Koch Cui-ui Hatchery, Lake Operations, and Numana Dam. TARGET AUDIENCES: The objective of this extension program is to bring relevant hydrologic science to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in a culturally sensitive manner by providing hydrology expertise, transferring knowledge, assessing information needs, and developing applied science projects. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

      Impacts
      Short term outcomes and impacts are: 1. Increased knowledge of hydrology and increased awareness by tribal and non-tribal stakeholders of climate change and climate change impacts on tribal water resources. 2. Increased willingness and motivation of tribes to partner with University of Arizona in research related to climate change impacts on tribal water resources.

      Publications

      • No publications reported this period