Technical Advisory Committee

The Task Force appointed a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) in 1998.  The TAC’s role is (1) to assist the Task Force by offering scientific guidance, (2) to develop an integrated research program, and (3) to evaluate research proposals and results.  The TAC is also taking the lead in data synthesis and interpretation of information for the Task Force.

The TAC is designed to provide recommendations to the Task Force, when requested, based on the results of the scientific investigations.  The TAC is given both broad direction and specific missions by the Task Force, and has the flexibility to determine how best to accomplish its job.  The TAC has no authority to make policy decisions or recommendations on behalf of the Task Force; rather, its role is to work as directed by the Task Force to ensure that (1) the right questions are asked, (2) the best approach and methods are used to answer questions, (3) the data collected are objective, defensible, and trustworthy, and (4) the answers provided are understandable and relevant. 

As the Upper Yellowstone River Cumulative Effects Investigation has expanded over the past three years, so too has the TAC.  Five individuals were officially appointed by the Task Force and form the nucleus of the committee.  At present and reflecting the expansion of the overall project, the TAC has grown to include agency liaisons and research team principal investigators.  Thus, the TAC now fosters communication and data sharing amongst the independent research efforts, and insures that data synthesis will be possible in the next phase of this cumulative effects project.   

Coordination and consistency between study components—particularly with respect to stratification and selection of sampling and detailed mapping sites—has been achieved through TAC oversight.  In addition to study management, members of the TAC provide the Task Force with a readily available scientific sounding board.  TAC members attend Task Force meetings, giving study updates and answering research-related questions. 

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