AO – Absentee Owner

 

AO – Administrative Order

 

AO – Aerial Obscuration

 

AO – America Outdoors

 

AO – Artificial Overcast

 

AOC – Adequate Overstory Cover

 

AOC – Administrative Order of Consent http://www.wnmu.edu/stewardship/ORGANIZATIONSac.htm

 

AOCs – Areas of Concern

 

AOG – Associations Of Government

 

AOI – Area of Interest

 

AON – Assessment Of Need (mandatory completion required for states to participate in Forest Legacy Program)

 

AOP – Annual Operating Plan

 

AOP – Assess Our Priorities

 

AP – Advisory Panel

 

AP – Agricultural Producer

 

AP – Aluminum Particulate

 

AP – The Americas Program -- A New World of Ideas, Analysis, and Policy Options -- An IRC Initiative

 

AP – Annexation Policy

 

AP – Archetype Perception

 

AP – Artificial Propagation

 

AP – Ascertainment and Planning (DOI/USFWS)

 

AP – The Associated Press http://www.ap.org

 

AP – Austerity Program

 

APA – The Adirondack Park Agency

 

APA – The Administrative Procedures Act

 

APA – The American Planning Association http://www.planning.org

 

APA – American Protective Association

 

APA – American Psychiatric Association

 

APA – American Pulpwood Association, Inc.

 

APA – Aquifer Protection Area

 

APA – Aquifer Protection Association

 

APA – American Planning Association

 

APA – Arizona Prospectors Association

 

Apartheid – Literally "apartness." The Afrikans term given to South Africa's policies of racial separation and the highly segregated socio-geographical patterns they have produced, a system now being dismantled.

 

APBP – Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals "Ensuring Excellence in an Emerging Profession" http://www.apbp.org/

 

APC – Alaska Pulp Corporation

 

APC – American Peanut Council

 

APC – American Plastics Council

 

APC – American Policy Center http://www.americanpolicy.org

 

APC – Area Planning Committee

 

APCD – Air Pollution Control District

 

APCP – The Aquatic Plant Control Program (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

 

APCRP – The Aquatic Plant Control Research Program (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

 

APD – Advance Planning Document

 

APD – Aerosol Particle Distribution

 

APD – Agricultural Policy Division (Farm Bureau)

 

APD – Application for Permit to Drill (an oil or gas well) (BLM-DOI)

 

APE – Area of Potential Effect

 

APE – Area of Potential Effect

 

APEA – Applicant-Prepared Environmental Assessment

 

APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation; APEC is the only inter governmental grouping in the world operating on the basis of non-binding commitments, open dialogue and equal respect for the views of all participants. Unlike the WTO or other multilateral trade bodies, APEC has no treaty obligations required of its participants. Decisions made within APEC are reached by consensus and commitments are undertaken on a voluntary basis. APEC has 21 members -- referred to as "Member Economies" -- that account for more than a third of the world's population (2.6 billion people), approximately 60% of world GDP (US$19, 254 billion) and about 47% of world trade. It also proudly represents the most economically dynamic region in the world having generated nearly 70% of global economic growth in its first 10 years. APEC's 21 Member Economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Republic of the Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam. Purpose and Goals APEC was established in 1989 to further enhance economic growth and prosperity for the region and to strengthen the Asia-Pacific community. Since its inception, APEC has worked to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region, creating efficient domestic economies and dramatically increasing exports. Key to achieving APEC's vision is what is referred to as the 'Bogor Goals' of free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2010 for industrialised economies and 2020 for developing economies. These goals were adopted by leaders at their 1994 meeting in Bogor, Indonesia. Learn more about the Bogor Goals in the 1994 Leaders' Declaration: http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/leaders__declarations/1994.html Source: http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/about_apec.html

http://www.undp.org.vn/projects/vie99002/globali.pdf and http://www.apecsec.org.sg/

 

APEE – The Association of Private Enterprise Education http://www.apee.org

 

APF – Alaska Permanent Fund

 

APFAEA – Actual-to-Projected Future Actual Emissions Accounting – EPA

 

APHIS – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA)

 

API – The American Petroleum Institute

 

API – The Animal Protection Institute

 

API – Application Program Interface

 

API – The Arizona Preserve Initiative http://www.land.state.az.us/programs/operations/api.htm

http://www.land.state.az.us/alris/htmls/metadata/apibuff.html

 

APICS – American Production and Inventory Control Society

APIPP – The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program: The Adirondack Park in upstate New York includes six million acres of public and private land incorporating large diverse landscapes, intact ecosystems, and high quality natural communities. These fragile interconnections of landscape, water and the organisms they support, are now threatened by the deleterious effects of invasive, non-native plants and animals. The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program is an initial, region-wide effort to address these concerns. The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program mission is to document invasive plant distributions and to advance measures to protect and restore native ecosystems in the Park through partnerships with Adirondack residents and institutions. The Program coordinates two projects: the Aquatic Invasive Plant Project and the Terrestrial Invasive Plant Project. http://www.adkinvasives.com/

APL – Adjacent to Public Land

APLE – Average Power Laser Experiment (Boeing)

APLIC – Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (BLM)

APM – Aquatic Plant Management

 

APM – Asia Paper Markets

 

APO – See Accountable Property Officer. – Glossary is a feature of Know Net, a knowledge management, e-learning and performance support system sponsored by the Government of the United States of America. Know Net can be accessed at http://www.knownet.hhs.gov http://knownet.hhs.gov/log/propmanDR/PPMGloss/definitions.htm#Property%20Management%20

Information%20System

 

APO – Acquisition Program Officer

 

APO – Acquisition Project Officer

 

APO – Administrative Protective Order

 

APP – See Agency Peculiar Property. – Glossary is a feature of Know Net, a knowledge management, e-learning and performance support system sponsored by the Government of the United States of America. Know Net can be accessed at http://www.knownet.hhs.gov http://knownet.hhs.gov/log/propmanDR/PPMGloss/definitions.htm#Property%20Management%20

Information%20System

 

The Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative (ASCI) – The Clean Streams Program is a broad-based citizen/industry/government program working to eliminate acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines. Using a combination of private and governmental resources, the Program facilitates and coordinates citizen groups, university researchers, the coal industry, corporations, the environmental community, and local, state, and federal government agencies that are involved in cleaning up streams polluted by acid drainage. Begun as an initiative in 1994, this successful program has funded 77 projects in 10 states. http://www.osmre.gov/acsihome.htm

 

Appalachian Science in the Public Interest (ASPI)

 

Apparent shoreline – The outer edge of marine vegetation (marsh, mangrove, cypress) delineated on surveys where the actual shoreline is obscured. – NOAA Coastal Services Center (CSC) Public Trust Doctrine Glossary http://www.csc.noaa.gov/ptd/glossary.htm

 

Apparent Trend – An interpretation of the direction of change in vegetation and soil protection over time, based on a single observation. Apparent trend is described in the same terms as measured trend except that when no trend is apparent, it shall be described as none. – BLM

 

APPD – Airborne Particulate and Precipitation Data

 

The Appeals Reform Act – The Appeals Reform Act is a 1993 Appropriation Rider (Excerpted from “Information on Forest Service Decisions Involving Fuels Reduction Activities,” A Report by the General Accounting Office). The National Environmental Policy Act provides for three levels of environmental analysis: the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the most rigorous form of environmental analysis; the Environmental Assessment (EA), the middling analysis level; and the Categorical Exclusion, the lowest analysis standard used for projects that are substantially non-obtrusive and insignificant in terms of environmental effects (like cutting Christmas trees and firewood). Under the Appeals Reform Act and its implementing regulations and guidelines, as a rule only projects that are implemented using an EIS and EA are eligible for administrative appeal. As a general matter, hazardous fuels reduction projects involving a mechanical treatment component require an EIS or an EA, and are thus eligible for administrative appeal, while projects involving only a prescribed burn are typically documented under a Categorical Exclusion, and are thus not eligible for appeal This distinction is an important one, as the GAO study includes some discussion of prescribed burn projects covered by a Categorical Exclusion that legally cannot be appealed under the Forest Service appeals statute. http://www.ifia.com/Reports/GAOReport1.htm

 

Appellant – The party that appeals a decision of a lower court. See appellee. – U.S. Treasury OTS (Office of Thrift Supervision, in charge of banks, savings and loan associations, etc.) http://www.ots.treas.gov/glossary/gloss-n.html

 

Appellee – The party that is the defendant in an appeal of a lower court decision. See appellant. – U.S. Treasury OTS (Office of Thrift Supervision, in charge of banks, savings and loan associations, etc.) http://www.ots.treas.gov/glossary/gloss-n.html

 

Appendicularia – A genus of small, free-swimming, pelagic tunicates shaped somewhat like a tadpole and remarkable for their resemblance to larvae of other tunicates. http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/zy198.htm

 

Appendix – An emergency operations plan element attached to a functional annex to provide information on special approaches or requirements generated by unique characteristics of specified hazards of particular concern to the jurisdiction.

 

Applicant – Applicant means a Person who is required to submit a Proposal that is subject to management and regulation under this Compact. Application has a corresponding meaning. – “For the purposes of this Compact, and of any supplemental or concurring legislation enacted pursuant thereto, except as may be otherwise required by the context.” Great Lakes Basin Water Resources Compact, Confidential, Draft, Not for Distribution.

http://www.allianceforlakes.com/conservation/Draft_Compact_2005.pdf (18 pages)

 

Application – A formal request for rights to use, or obtain eventual title to, public lands or resources. – Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Pit 14 Coal Lease-by-Application, DOI/BLM http://www.wy.blm.gov/nepa/rsfodocs/pit14/DEIS/09chap5-ref-glos.pdf (pages 15-18 of 18)

 

Application (Oil and Gas) – A written request, petition or offer to lease lands for the purpose of oil and gas exploration and/or the right of extraction. – National Grassland Plan (USDA Forest Service)

http://www.fs.fed.us/ngp/draft/plan/pdf_plan_draft/Dakota_Prairie_Plan/Appendices/appendix_g.pdf

 

Application Efficiency – The ratio of the average depth of irrigation water infiltrated and stored in the root zone to the average depth of irrigation water applied, expressed as a percent.

Application Positions – See Spark Arrester.

Application Repository – A repository that lists all interoperable applications that are developed within a COI (Community Of Interest). – GWOB

 

Applied Research – Applied research is that effort that (1) normally follows basic research, but may not be severed from the related basic research, (2) attempts to determine and exploit the potential of scientific discoveries or improvements in technology, materials, processes, methods, devices, or techniques, and (3) attempts to advance the state of the art. Applied research does not include efforts whose principal aim is design, development, or test of specific items or services to be considered for sale; these efforts are within the definition of the term development.

 

Applied Water (delivered water) – Water delivered to a user. Applied water may be used for either inside uses or outside watering. It does not include precipitation or distribution losses. It may apply to metered or nonmetered deliveries.

 

Apportioned Federal Funds – The FHWA [Federal Highway Administration] apportions most Federal-aid funds to each State via statutory formulas. State and local governments decide which projects to advance using these apportioned Federal-aid funds while the Secretary has no discretion on project selection. Apportioned funds account for over 90% of all transportation funds distributed to States. http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants/guidance/glossary

 

Appraisal (Report) – An appraisal is a written report, independently and impartially prepared by a qualified individual, setting forth an opinion of defined value of an adequately described property, as of a specific date, and supported by the presentation and analysis of relevant market data [Uniform Act, 1993, 49 CFR Part 24.2(b)]. – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Reclamation Manual, Directives and Standards LND 05-01, Appendix C http://www.usbr.gov/recman/lnd/lnd0501c.htm

 

Appraisal Estimate – An estimate used in an appraisal study as an aid in selecting the most economical plan by comparing alternative features or for determining whether more detailed investigations of a potential project are economically justified. Used to obtain approximate costs in a short period of time with inadequate data. Not to be used for project authorization.

 

Appraisal Level of Detail – The level of detail necessary to facilitate making decisions on whether or not to proceed with a detailed study and evaluation of any alternative.

 

Appraisal Options – Appraisal options refer to USPAP's three basic appraisal options, as follows: A. Self-Contained Appraisal has the greatest level of detail of the appraisal options, containing all information significant to the solution of the appraisal problem (USPAP, 1996, pp. 105-107). B. Summary Appraisal has the next level of detail providing a summary of all information significant to the solution of the appraisal problem (USPAP, 1996, pp. 106-107). C. Restricted Appraisal has the least amount of detail of the appraisal options and contains only a brief statement of information significant to the solution of the appraisal problem (USPAP, 1996, pp. 106-107). – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Reclamation Manual, Directives and Standards LND 05-01, Appendix C http://www.usbr.gov/recman/lnd/lnd0501c.htm

 

Appraisal Review – Appraisal Review (Review) is a technical review by an appraiser qualified to evaluate the accuracy and validity of the data, analysis, and value conclusions in an appraisal. The review appraiser is equally responsible for the validity and accuracy of the appraisal as the appraiser. – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Reclamation Manual, Directives and Standards LND 05-01, Appendix C http://www.usbr.gov/recman/lnd/lnd0501c.htm

 

Appraisal Service – Appraisal service refers to the preparation or the review of an appraisal by either a staff or fee appraiser. – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Reclamation Manual, Directives and Standards LND 05-01, Appendix C http://www.usbr.gov/recman/lnd/lnd0501c.htm

 

The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) – The ASB is an independent board of The Appraisal Foundation, who writes, amends, and interprets USPAP. The ASB is composed of up to seven appraisers appointed by the Foundation's Board of Trustees. The ASB holds public meetings throughout the year to interpret and amend USPAP. In order to help inform Appraisers and others about changes in USPAP each year, the ASB participates in annual USPAP Updates for Instructors and Regulators. In addition, the ASB solicits and accepts many speaking engagements. The ASB is assisted by the staff of The Appraisal Foundation.

http://www.appraisalfoundation.org/s_appraisal/doc.asp?SID=1&DID=155&CID=60&VID=2&

RTID=0&CIDQS=&Taxonomy=False&specialSearch=False

 

Appraised Stumpage Price (or appraised rate) – On national forests, the Forest Service estimate of the market price for timber to be cut and removed. It cannot be less than the base rates. The appraised price is the advertised minimum for competitive bidding by purchasers.

 

Appraiser – Appraiser refers to a person who possesses the education, training, and experience necessary to accurately render an opinion of real property value. – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Reclamation Manual, Directives and Standards LND 05-01, Appendix C http://www.usbr.gov/recman/lnd/lnd0501c.htm

 

Appropriate Management Level (AML) – The optimum number of wild horses that provides a thriving natural ecological balance on the public range. – Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Pit 14 Coal Lease-by-Application, DOI/BLM http://www.wy.blm.gov/nepa/rsfodocs/pit14/DEIS/09chap5-ref-glos.pdf (pages 15-18 of 18) 2.

The number of wild horses and burros suitable for a herd management area as determined through BLM's planning process and evaluation of monitoring data. – BLM

 

Appropriate Management Response – A management strategy for suppression action (in terms of kind, amount, and timing) on a wildfire, which most efficiently meets fire management direction under current or expected burning conditions. The response strategy may be to confine, contain, or control a fire. Confine: To restrict the fire within predetermined boundaries, established either prior to, or during the fire. These identified boundaries will confine the fire, with no action being taken to put the fire out. Tactics include, but are not limited to: indirect lines with backfiring, extended hose lays, holding along drainage, cold trailing dormant sectors, hot spotting isolated flare-up pockets, aerial retardant pre-treatments, mop up perimeters and extended patrols. Tactical aerial mobility and long distance water distribution systems shall actuate this strategy of time and distance. Contain: To restrict a fire to a defined area, using combination of natural and constructed barriers that will stop the spread of fire under prevailing and forecasting weather conditions, until out. Tactics include, but are not limited to: direct, parallel and indirect lines with limited backfiring, extended hose lays, improved hand lines, mop up to 300 feet into the fire area to secure perimeter from rekindle and firebrand sources. Theoretically, at this level of effort, perimeter can be considered secure more quickly and with fewer resources required for extended mop-up and patrol than compared with the confinement strategy. Control: To aggressively fight a wildfire, through the skillful use of personnel, equipment, and aircraft to establish firelines around a fire to halt the spread and to extinguish all hot spots, until out. Tactics are directed at total suppression of the fire as quickly as possible. The objective is to attain “control” by the advent of the following burning period. In practice, this is the traditional “10 a.m.” policy. With respect to suppression responses to wildfire, this is the most effective and time proven technique to achieve the goal of prompt fire control. – USDI (United States Department of the Interior) Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces (New Mexico) Field Office, 2004 Fire Management Plan. http://www.nm.blm.gov/fire/lcfo_fmp.doc (Page 82-84 of 86) 2. Specific actions taken in response to a wildland fire to implement protection and fire use objectives. – KIPZ – Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests http://www.fs.fed.us/kipz/documents/reference/glossary.shtml

 

Appropriation – Amount of water legally set apart or assigned to a particular purpose or use.

 

Appropriation doctrine – The system for allocating water to private individuals used in most Western states. The doctrine of Prior Appropriation was in common use throughout the arid west as early settlers and miners began to develop the land. The prior appropriation doctrine is based on the concept of "First in Time, First in Right." The first person to take a quantity of water and put it to Beneficial Use has a higher priority of right than a subsequent user. Under drought conditions, higher priority users are satisfied before junior users receive water. Appropriative rights can be lost through nonuse; they can also be sold or transferred apart from the land. Contrasts with Riparian Water Rights. – USGS

 

Appropriative – Water rights to, or ownership of, a water supply, which is acquired for the beneficial use of water by following a specific legal procedure. http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pubs/gloss2.html

 

Approval Official – An individual who has final authority to approve findings and recommendations; normally used in the approval/disapproval of findings and recommendations of the Survey Officer or Board of Survey on Reports of Survey for lost, damaged, or destroyed property. Also used in approval/disapproval of new acquisitions. – Glossary is a feature of Know Net, a knowledge management, e-learning and performance support system sponsored by the Government of the United States of America. Know Net can be accessed at http://www.knownet.hhs.gov http://knownet.hhs.gov/log/propmanDR/PPMGloss/definitions.htm#Property%20Management%20

Information%20System

 

Approved refuge boundary – A project boundary, which the Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approves upon completion of the planning and environmental compliance process. An approved refuge boundary only designates those lands, which the Fish and Wildlife Service has authority to acquire and/or manage through various agreements. Approval of a refuge boundary does not grant the Fish and Wildlife Service jurisdiction or control over lands within the boundary, and it does not make lands within the refuge boundary part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Lands do not become part of the National Wildlife Refuge System unless they are purchased or are placed under an agreement that provides for management as part of the refuge system. – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Glossary of Planning Terms http://www.fws.gov/pacific/planning/gloss1.htm

 

Approving/approval – The action taken by the BIA to approve a permit. – DOI-BIA Glossary

 

Approving Official – In the Governmentwide Purchase Card program, the approving official is responsible for, at a minimum, reviewing his/her cardholders' monthly billing statements or statements of account, verifying that all transactions made were proper/necessary to the Government and certifying the billing statement or statement of account for payment. – Glossary is a feature of Know Net, a knowledge management, e-learning and performance support system sponsored by the Government of the United States of America. Know Net can be accessed at http://www.knownet.hhs.gov http://knownet.hhs.gov/log/propmanDR/PPMGloss/definitions.htm#Property%20Management%20

Information%20System

 

Appurtenance – Something accessory to another and more important thing. In law, it is a right, privilege or improvement belonging to and passing with a principle property. – Glossary is a feature of Know Net, a knowledge management, e-learning and performance support system sponsored by the Government of the United States of America. Know Net can be accessed at http://www.knownet.hhs.gov http://knownet.hhs.gov/log/propmanDR/PPMGloss/definitions.htm#Property%20Management%20

Information%20System

 

Appurtenant – A word employed in deeds, leases, etc., for the purpose of including any easement or other right(s) used or enjoyed with the real property, which are considered to be so much a part of the property that they automatically pass to the grantee under the deed conveying the real property. – Cadastral Data glossary http://www.fairview-industries.com/standardmodule/glossary.htm

 

APR – Accessible Pedestrian Route

 

APR – Agricultural Preservation Restriction

 

APRIL – Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living

 

APRO – Association of Progressive Rental Organizations

 

APS – American Press Syndicate

 

APS – Annual Program Summary

 

APSA – American Political Science Association

 

APSIA – Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/career/global/APSIA%20International%20Career%20Guide.doc

 

APSMOA – Arizona Prospectors and Small Mine Operators Association

 

APTR – Appalachian National Scenic Trail http://www.nps.gov/aptr/

 

APV – All-purpose vehicle

 

APWA – American Public Works Association http://www.pubworks.org/

 

APZ – Agricultural Protection Zoning

 

AQA – Office of Air Quality Assessment (also know as Air Monitoring) - http://www.deq.virginia.gov/regulations/pdf/airimpactfinal2002.pdf

 

AQCR – Air Quality Control Region

 

AQD – Air Quality Division (National Park Service)

 

AQI – Air Quality Index - http://www.deq.virginia.gov/regulations/pdf/airimpactfinal2002.pdf

 

AQMD – Air Quality Management District (also South Coast AQMD) http://www.aqmd.gov and http://www.aqmd.gov/aqmp/cvves/cvsip_2.doc

 

AQMP – Air Quality Management Plan

AQN – Aquatic Conservation Network

AQO – Air Quality and Odor

AQRV – Air Quality Related Values http://www.nps.gov/grca/compliance/pdf/forest-EA.pdf

AQS – Aquatic Conservation Strategy (Forest Service)

 

AQUA – Aquaculture

 

Aquaculture (AQUA) – Uses of water for aquaculture or mariculture operations including, but not limited to, propagation, cultivation, maintenance, or harvesting of aquatic plants and animals for human consumption or bait purposes. – Report in Support of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Review of California's Continuing Planning Process - State Water Resources Control Board, May 2001. Appendix B, Attachment 1: Standard Beneficial Use Definitions. The following are the beneficial uses for surface and groundwaters that have been adopted by the regional boards in basin plans and have been approved by the State Board. Not all the beneficial use definitions ... are appropriate for each basin. The uses and their definitions and abbreviations are to remain standard for all basins. http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/plnspols/docs/oplans/cpp2001.doc 2. The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 defines aquaculture as 'the propagation and rearing of aquatic species in controlled or selected environments, including ocean ranching.' The Act divides responsibility for most aquaculture research, regulatory and related activities among the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Interior. Private aquaculture has grown rapidly and diversified in recent years; in the United States, aquaculture is dominated (80%) by catfish production.

 

Aquatic – Living, growing, or occurring in, on or near water.

 

Aquatic Biota – Aquatic biota are living things dependent on water. In this document, the term refers to fish and amphibians. – KIPZ – Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests http://www.fs.fed.us/kipz/documents/reference/glossary.shtml

 

Aquatic Ecosystem – An ecosystem (biological and physical components and their interactions) in which water is the principal medium. Examples include wetlands, streams, reservoirs and areas with plants or animals [that are] characteristic of either permanently or seasonally inundated soils. – National Grassland Plan (USDA Forest Service)

http://www.fs.fed.us/ngp/draft/plan/pdf_plan_draft/Dakota_Prairie_Plan/Appendices/appendix_g.pdf 2. Any body of water, such as a stream, lake or estuary, and all organisms and nonliving components within it, functioning as a natural system. – The Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT) http://pnwin.nbii.gov/nwfp/FEMAT/ Chapter 9 Glossary http://pnwin.nbii.gov/nwfp/FEMAT/Chapter_9.htm

 

Aquatic habitat – Habitat that occurs in free water. – The Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT) http://pnwin.nbii.gov/nwfp/FEMAT/ Chapter 9 Glossary http://pnwin.nbii.gov/nwfp/FEMAT/Chapter_9.htm

 

Aquatic Habitats – Habitats confined to streams, rivers, springs, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, oceans, and other water bodies.

 

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) – Aquatic invasive species are organisms [which are] introducted to marine or freshwater ecosystems to which they are not native and whose introduction causes harm to human health, the environment, or the economy. AIS have negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems throughout the United States, costing the nation billions of dollars annually in economic and ecological damages. AIS are considered one of the greatest threats to coastal environments and can significantly affect public water supplies; recreational activities, such as boating; and valuable natural resources, such as fisheries. Major pathways for AIS include: discharge of ships' ballast water; fouling, such as barnacle growth, on commercial and recreational vessels; accidental or intentional release of marine organisms intended for human consumption, aquaculture, bait, horticulture, aquaria, and the pet trade. –

http://www.epa.gov/owow/invasive_species/invasives_management/pdf/Introduction.pdf 2. Aquatic invasive species are often spread in coastal ecosystems through introductions with ballast water, which has been taken in at locations far from the site of subsequent release. The speed of modern ships allows ballast-water organisms from one area to survive interocean voyages and, therefore, facilitates the transfer of viable invasive organisms to a new compatible environment. Nonindigenous invasive species, especially parasites and pathogens, are also spread inadvertently in coastal waters through aquaculture operations and importing of ornamental and pet species. In some cases, invasive species are also introduced and spread intentionally to control pests or for other purposes. A number of recent studies, often based on serendipitous discovery of invasive species, have documented the appearance and spread of such species in U.S. coastal waters, including the Great Lakes. Efforts to identify and track reports of invasive species, however, have only recently started to be coordinated at a national level. Often this coordination is limited to a specific species (e.g., Zebra Mussel), region (e.g., 100th Meridian Initiative), or mode of introduction (e.g., ballast water). A comprehensive monitoring program is clearly needed to (1) detect invasive species, (2) identify their location and mode of initial release, (3) evaluate the spread of such species, (4) evaluate their impacts on biodiversity, and (5) evaluate the success of control and mitigation measures. – EPA/NOAA/USDA/USGS Clean Water Action Plan: Coastal Research and Monitoring Strategy Workgroup, September 2000. http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nccr/H2Ofin.pdf Invasive species means an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive species are one of the largest threats to our terrestrial, coastal and freshwater ecosystems, as well as being a major global concern. Invasive species can affect aquatic ecosystems directly or by affecting the land in ways that harm aquatic ecosystems. Invasive species represent the second leading cause of species extinction and loss of biodiversity in aquatic environments worldwide. They also result in considerable economic effects through direct economic losses and management/control costs, while dramatically altering ecosystems supporting commercial and recreational activities. Effects on aquatic ecosystems result in decreased native populations, modified water tables, changes in run-off dynamics and fire frequency, among other alterations. These ecological changes in turn impact many recreational and commercial activities dependent on aquatic ecosystems. Common sources of aquatic invasive species introduction include ballast water, aquaculture escapes, and accidental and/or intentional introductions, among others. http://www.epa.gov/owow/invasive_species/

 

Aquatic Life Criteria – Water quality criteria designed to protect aquatic organisms, including fish, plants, and invertebrates. Also see "Great Lakes Initiative" and "Clean Water Act." – Great Lakes glossary

 

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) – Water-borne plants or animals that pose a threat to humans, agriculture, fisheries, and/or wildlife resources. See "non-indigenous species," "zebra mussel," "Bythotrephes," "Eurasian ruffe," and "Eurasian watermilfoil." – Great Lakes glossary

 

Aquatic Nuisance Species Great Lakes Panel – A federal organization formed in 1991 by the Great Lakes Commission to advance exotic species research, monitoring, and control activities. The activities conducted are based on federal legislative and budgetary needs and research and management requirements. Activities include Great Lakes-wide education. – Great Lakes glossary

 

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force – An international organization that develops and implements programs to prevent the introduction and distribution of aquatic nuisance species. Their goal is to monitor, control, and study these species, and to disseminate technical and educational information. Made up of 19 provincial, state, and federal organizations. – Great Lakes glossary

 

Aquatic Resources – Plants and animals that live within or are entirely dependent upon water to live; living resources of aquatic habitats (fish, invertebrates, amphibians, etc.); aquatic species.

 

Aquatic resources – All waters of the U.S. and associated sensitive species.

 

Aquatic sustainability – The inherent capability or existing potential for a watershed system to provide water quality, water bodies (streams, lakes, wetlands, ponds, etc.), riparian environs (wetlands, flood plains, stream banks, lake shores, and other lands including terrestrial lands proximal to water bodies that can directly influence the water), and the biologic organisms that live in or are dependent on the water that are necessary to support the beneficial uses of the water. – KIPZ – Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests http://www.fs.fed.us/kipz/documents/reference/glossary.shtml

 

Aquatic Systems – A complete interacting system of organisms (aquatic species) considered together with their environment. – BLM Surface Mgmt. Regs.

 

Aquatic Toxicity – The potential of a substance to have an adverse effect on aquatic species. Measurement methods for aquatic toxicity can be found in 40 CFR part 797, subpart B. – Glossary is a feature of Know Net, a knowledge management, e-learning and performance support system sponsored by the Government of the United States of America. Know Net can be accessed at http://www.knownet.hhs.gov http://knownet.hhs.gov/log/propmanDR/PPMGloss/definitions.htm#Property%20Management%20

Information%20System

 

Aquatic Zone – The aquatic zone of a natural watercourse (as a river) or sometimes of a lake or a tidewater that remains under water the entire year. Plants in this zone have special adaptations that enable them to survive being partially or totally under water. – “What Do You Mean By That? Ever wonder about the meaning of Ecosystem Management (EM) and all the unfamiliar terms associated with it? If so, this is the page for you. We provide you with a dynamic list of EM terms and intend to add terms to it as appropriate and upon request. You can help us with our glossary construction by letting us know what terms you'd like defined. Please submit suggestions to Janie Canton-Thompson jcantonthompson@fs.fed.us or 406-542-4150 (Disclaimer – Definitional terms sometimes vary slightly, depending on who is using them and for what purpose. Terms defined here are intended for the general interest reader and will usually suffice for most EM uses.) – Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project Glossary http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/ecopartner/bemrp_glossary.shtml

 

Aqueduct – Manmade canal or pipeline used to transport water.

 

Aqueous – Something made up of, similar to, or containing water; watery.

 

Aquic Conditions – Current soil wetness characterized by saturation, reduction, and redoximorphic features. – Soil Survey of McDowell County, West Virginia, Issued 2004. http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/WV047/1/WVMcDowell9_2005.pdf (page 69 of 115) 2. A soil-water regime, mostly too wet (reducing conditions, waterlogged) for parts of the year.

 

Aquiclude – A geologic formation that is saturated but is incapable of transmitting sufficient quantities of water to a well. Also, this type of formation is not capable of transmitting enough water to be considered as a significant part of the regional ground water system. A layer of clay [that] limits the movement of ground water.

 

Aquifer – A geologic unit (rock or sediment) that can store and transmit water at rates sufficient to supply reasonable amounts of water to wells and springs. – U.S. Department of Energy (DOI) Remediation of the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah Draft Environmental Impact Statement http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/docs/deis/eis0355d/vol_1/chap10.pdf 2. A water-bearing rock unit (unconsolidated or bedrock) that will yield water in a usable quantity to a well or spring. – McGregor Range Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement, Prepared for United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces (New Mexico) Field Office, January 2005.

http://www.nm.blm.gov/lcfo/mcgregor/docs/Draft%20RMPA_EIS_01_05_low.pdf (DOI/BLM)

Glossary (Pages 259-268 of 282) 3. A water-bearing layer of rock, sand and/or gravel, with sufficient density of pores to allow water to move through the layer. A body of rock that is saturated with water or transmits water. When people drill wells, they tap water contained within an aquifer. A geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation capable of storing, receiving and transmitting water. The formation is capable of yielding enough water to support a well or spring. A water-bearing stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel. A water-bearing formation that provides a ground water reservoir. Underground water-bearing geologic formation or structure. A geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that stores and transmits water and yields significant quantities of water to wells and springs. A natural underground layer of porous, water-bearing materials (sand, gravel) usually capable of yielding a large amount or supply of water. http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/pubs/gloss2.html 4. A geologic formation or structure that transmits water in sufficient quantity to supply the needs for a water development; usually saturated sands, gravel, fractures, and cavernous and vesicular rock (Soil Conservation Society of America, 1982). – EPA’s Management Measures for Agricultural Sources Glossary http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/MMGI/Chapter2/ch2-3.html and National Grassland Plan (USDA Forest Service)

http://www.fs.fed.us/ngp/draft/plan/pdf_plan_draft/Dakota_Prairie_Plan/Appendices/appendix_g.pdf 5. A geologic formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs. – Yosemite National Park, Merced Wild and Scenic River Revised Comprehensive Management Plan and Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) Chapter VIII: Glossary http://www.nps.gov/yose/planning/mrp/html/14_rmrp_ch8.htm 6. A water-bearing bed or stratum of permeable rock, sand, or gravel capable of fielding considerable quantities of water to wells or springs. – Soil Survey of McDowell County, West Virginia, Issued 2004. http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/WV047/1/WVMcDowell9_2005.pdf (page 69 of 115) 7. An underground geological formation or group of formations, containing usable amounts of groundwater that can supply wells or springs for domestic, industrial, and irrigation uses. Removing more groundwater from an aquifer than is naturally replenished is called overdrafting, and can result in a dropping water table, increased pumping costs, land subsidence (which reduces the future recharge capacity), saltwater intrusion, reduced streamflows in interconnected ground- and surface-water systems, and exhaustion of groundwater reserves. Overdrafting groundwater occurs primarily in the Plains States and the West. Soil or rock below the land surface that is saturated with water. There are layers of impermeable material both above and below it and it is under pressure so that when the aquifer is penetrated by a well, the water will rise above the top of the aquifer. – USGS

 

Aquifer Recharge Area – The surface area (land or water) through which an aquifer is replenished.

 

Aquifer (unconfined) – An aquifer whose upper water surface (water table) is at atmospheric pressure, and thus is able to rise and fall. – USGS

 

Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) – A technology for storage of water in a suitable aquifer via a well during times when excess water is available and recovery from the same aquifer when the water is needed to meet peak emergency or long-term water demands. – Everglades Plan glossary

 

Aquifuge – A geologic formation that is both impermeable and contains no water.

 

Aquitard – A layer of low-permeability formation immediately above or below an aquifer that retards but does not prevent the flow of ground water to or from the aquifer. It does not readily yield water to wells and springs but may serve as a storage unit for ground water. – U.S. Department of Energy (DOI) Remediation of the Moab Uranium Mill Tailings, Grand and San Juan Counties, Utah Draft Environmental Impact Statement http://www.eh.doe.gov/nepa/docs/deis/eis0355d/vol_1/chap10.pdf 2. A geologic formation that is saturated but is incapable of transmitting sufficient quantities of water to a well. However, this type of formation is capable of transmitting enough water to be considered as a significant part of the regional ground water system.

 

AR – Access Road

 

AR – Acquisition Regulations

 

AR – Actual Representation (State Governments)

 

AR – Additional Requirements

 

AR – Aggregate Resources

 

AR – American Rivers

 

AR – Annual Report

 

AR – Aristocratic Republic (America, as described by Henry Cabot Lodge)

 

AR – Artificial Refugia

 

AR – Asset Retitlement

 

ARA – Agricultural Retailers Association

 

ARA – American Rental Association

 

Arable – Arable – Suitable for farming. – U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Glossary http://www.usbr.gov/uc/envdocs/eis/navajo/pdfs/deis_glossary.pdf 2. Suitable for farming. Having soil or topographic features suitable for cultivation.

 

Arable Land – Land, which, when farmed in adequate size units for the prevailing climatic and economic setting, and provided with the essential on-farm improvements of removing vegetation, leveling, soil reclamation, drainage, and irrigation related facilities, will generate sufficient income under irrigation to pay all farm production expenses; provide a reasonable return to the farm family’s labor, management, and capital; and at least pay the operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of associated irrigation and drainage facilities. Land that can be cultivated to grow crops.

 

A-race/B-race — Terms related to timing and distribution of adult steelhead in the Columbia River System. A-race refers to those summer steelhead that enter the Columbia River in early August and are destined for tributaries throughout the Columbia. B-race refers to those that enter in late August through October and are destined primarily for tributaries of the Snake River. – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lower Snake River Juvenile Salmon Migration Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement, Chapter 10, Glossary http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/lsr/final_fseis/study_kit/Main_Report/chap10.htm

ARAP – Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy

ARAR – Applicable or relevant and appropriate requirement

ARB – Air Resources Board

ARB – Architectural Review Board

Arbitrage – The process of buying something in one geographic market area and selling it at the same time in another so as to take advantage of spatial price differences. Also may be used to refer to speculating on price movements between two different markets over time, such as a spread between feeder cattle and live cattle.

Arbitrary and Capricious – Willful and unreasonable action, without consideration and in disregard of the facts or circumstances of the case; action taken without some basis [that] would lead a reasonable and honest person or entity to such action.

Arbitration – Process in which a neutral third party (arbitrator) hears arguments from disputants, then issues a decision. Whether court-annexed or private, this process tends to be more formal and judicial than other ADR processes, but less formal than a court procedure. Depending on the situation, an arbitrator's decision can be either binding by law or non-binding. The exact nature of the process and decision is usually prescribed beforehand by court rule or a contract. http://www.disputeresolution.ohio.gov/terms.htm 2. A process, quasi-judicial in nature, whereby a dispute is submitted to an impartial and neutral third party who considers the facts and merits of a case and decides the matter. To be revised consistent with 5 U.S.C. 588, et seq. – DOI – alternative dispute resolution glossary

Arboreal – Living in the canopies of trees. – The Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT) http://pnwin.nbii.gov/nwfp/FEMAT/ Chapter 9 Glossary http://pnwin.nbii.gov/nwfp/FEMAT/Chapter_9.htm 2. Resembling a tree, or inhabiting or frequenting trees. http://biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/zy198.htm