Abstract

Combined Habitat Assessment Protocol (CHAP) Wildlife Habitat Assessment Methodology
Track: Forestry and Wildlife Management
Authors: Cory Langhoff

Combined Habitat Assessment Protocols (CHAP) is a spatially explicit accounting tool based in a GIS that provides a per acre value for an area based upon the wildlife species, habitats, and functions potentially or actually found there. This methodology is currently being used and evaluated by the many government and tribal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, several Pueblo Tribes along the Middle Rio Grande River, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and several non-profit conservation groups. CHAP has been used successfully to address wildlife habitat assessment and mitigation requirements as well as cumulative effects and change over time of wildlife habitats throughout the western United States.