General     The Panel     Participation General What is the reason for the panel process? The Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service are evaluating a proposed change to management of the lower Columbia River. The panel will bring together a group of nationally recognized scientific experts, to evaluate the scientific materials the parties will use. The panel is composed of independent technical experts who are committed to using impartial and independent scientific analysis. The federal agencies may use information presented to the panel, and the opinions of the panel, in preparing their own documents. What is SEI's role? SEI is committed to the use of impartial science of the highest standard. SEI staff will facilitate the scientific discussions, ensuring that all appropriate information is presented. SEI will also ensure that the independent role of the panel is maintained. What is SEI's position on the project? SEI and its staff have no opinion on the advisability of the project. Ultimately, the technical materials will lay out some of the risks and uncertainties associated with the proposed actions. It will then be a matter for policy makers, to evaluate whether the project will go ahead. Scientific information will be just one part of such a decision, along with public opinion and other concerns. How is SEI neutrality ensured? SEI is a national science-oriented organization, that supports many different parties in various projects. The reputation of the group hinges upon maintaining neutrality on all projects. The institute answers to all the parties in this project. If any of the agencies is dissatisfied with SEI's neutrality, the project will cease. The Panel Who is on the panel? The panel comprises seven nationally recognized experts in different fields. Six of the panelists are university professors; one is an independent consultant. All are paid by SEI for their participation in the process. They have all committed to providing an impartial opinion on technical issues. None has previously expressed an opinion on the channel proposal. Who selects the panel? SEI alone selects the panel. Different parties have suggested potential scientists. All of these were evaluated, together with SEI's own suggestions, selected from the National Conservation Science Network. Many senior scientists around the country were also asked for nominations. SEI then selected among the suitable, available scientists. Does the panel advise the federal agencies on what to do? The panel will not make any recommendations on actions to the federal agencies or others. The panel's role is to evaluate technical material. The panel will be instructed not to express any opinion on whether the project should go forward, what would constitute appropriate actions, funding, or any other policy decision. Is this peer review? This process is similar to peer review, in that science will be evaluated for completeness, competence and accuracy. However formal peer review is usually carried out at the end of a project. In the panel process, scientific evaluation will be ongoing, throughout the discussions. It is possible that formal peer review will follow the agencys' preparation of documents. SEI will not administer such final review. Will the panel vote on issues? The panel will probably not vote on any issue. An important part of the process is the open discussion of materials and data. This discussion will be recorded, and will constitute the main product of the process. Where the panel's opnion is sought, for instance on the adequacy of data, the panel may either respond collectively, or (if they do not all agree) separately. How will the panel deal with uncertainty and risk? Scientific data always carry a level of uncertainty. An important function of the panel will be to provide an opinion on the levels of uncertainty associated with different data sets, and the potential risks that these uncertainties cause. However it is not the panel's role to determine whether these risks are acceptable. What decisions will be made by the panel? No management decisions will be made during the panel process. It will be a discussion of technical issues only. The panel will be instructed to limit their comments to scientific evaluation of data, models or theories. Does this mean channel deepening is going ahead? The panel process will concern only the technical aspects of evaluating the impact of the proposed action. The different federal agencies will certainly use such information, along with many other factors, in deciding whether the project should proceed. However no decision has been made at this point. The panel process is predicated on the basis that, whatever the decisions that are made, it is essential to have the best science freely available, and openly evaluated. Participation Who can attend a panel meeting? Although this is not a formal public process, it is SEI's intent that all interested parties should have the opportunity of attending the meetings. For planning purposes, it will be important for probable attendees to inform SEI of the fact. What can we discuss at the meeting? The purpose of these meetings is to evaluate scientific material. SEI staff will prepare and circulate materials prior to the meeting, and will guide discussion at the meeting itself. Panelists, staffers, and others have all been instructed to avoid discussion of policy, or decision-making. These will not be the basis of any formal discussions at the meetings. We ask that attendees respect the goal of the process, which is focussed solely on the technical issues; other forums will allow public comment on economics, project desirability etc. Can we present technical material? Parties interested in presenting technical information are encouraged to contact SEI staff prior to the panel meetings, so that we can determine how to incorporate appropriate discussion. There will be ample time at each meeting for relevant material to be discussed Can I submit written comments? This is not a formal government process. SEI has no role in determining what will happen on this project. The primary 'record' will be the minutes of the scientific discussions. Those persons interested in submitting comments should send them to the appropriate agency, at the appropriate time. How can I remain informed of the process? SEI will maintain a list of interested parties and contact them with project updates, including the place and time of upcoming meetings. SEI will also prepare minutes from each meeting, and circulate them. SEI will also develop a website where minutes, background materials, announcements and other documents will be posted.