Natural resource condition assessment: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Jones, David; Cook, Roy; Sovell, John; Herron, Christopher; Benner, Jay; Decker, Karin; Beavers, Andrew; Beebee, Johannes; Weinzimmer, David

The National Park Service (NPS) Natural Resource Condition Assessment (NRCA) Program administered by the NPS Water Resources Division evaluates current conditions for important natural resources and resource indicators using primarily existing information and data. NRCAs also report on trends in resource condition when possible, identify critical data gaps, and characterize a general level of confidence for study findings. This NRCA complements historic resource assessments, is multi-disciplinary in scope, employs a hierarchical indicator framework, identifies and develops reference conditions/values for comparison against current conditions, and emphasizes spatial evaluation of conditions and GIS (map) products where possible. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (HEHO) was created in 1972 to "preserve in public ownership historically significant properties associated with the life of Herbert Hoover.” From a natural resources perspective, the approximately 81 acres of reconstructed tallgrass prairie are a significant and rare community within the region. The combination of historic elements and high-quality tallgrass prairie provide a rich experience for visitors and create links to history and the natural landscape. The small-town setting is well preserved within the core of the park, and many of the landscape views have high scenic quality. Because the regional landscape is dominated by private land dominated by agricultural use, the Historic Site setting provides an important place for visitors to experience the outdoors. Park managers and NPS initiatives have made great strides since the park was created and an active monitoring program supports park management. The NRCA for HEHO began in 2012. This study employed a scoping process involving Colorado State University, Park and NPS staffs to discuss the NRCA framework, identify important park resources, and gather existing information and data. Indicators and measures for each resource were then identified and evaluated. Data and information were analyzed and synthesized to provide summaries and address condition, trend and confidence using a standardized but flexible framework. A total of 14 focal resources were examined: six addressing landscape context - system and human dimensions, three addressing chemical and physical attributes, and five addressing biological attributes. Landscape context system and human dimensions included land cover and land use, night sky, soundscape, scenery, climate change and fire disturbance regime. Climate change and land cover/land use were not assigned a condition or trend – they provide important context to the park and many natural resources, and can be stressors. Some of the land cover and land use-related stressors at HEHO and in the larger region are related to the development of rural agricultural land and increases in population and housing over time. The trend in land development, coupled with a lack of significantly-sized and linked protected areas in the region, presents challenges and risks to the conservation of HEHO natural resources, including dark night skies, natural sounds, scenery and air and water quality. The fire regime warranted moderate concern with an unchanging trend, and might be significantly ameliorated via planning, programmatic and budgetary measures. The supporting chemical and physical environment at the park includes its air quality, water quality and stream hydrology/geomorphology. The condition of these resources can a affect human dimensions of the park such as visibility and scenery as well as biological components such as stream biota. Air quality, water quality and stream hydrology/geomorphology all warranted significant management concern. Stressors outside the park are significantly impacting these resources. The floral biological components examined included prairie vegetation and invasive exotic plants. The park is an excellent example of tallgrass prairie...

Natural resource condition assessment: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

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