Data Management for Invasive Species

NRM’s Integrated Application

Data entry with the TESP-IS integrated application may be made through either a mobile version or a non-mobile version. The mobile software version, Invasive Species Mobile (ISM) version 3.0, is designed to integrate survey and treatment data obtained in the field with GPS-based portable data recorders (PDRs) such as a HP IPAQ®, Trimble Juno®, or Garmin®. The non-mobile version of the TESP-IS application allows direct entry of data onto ArcGIS maps on desk computers without a PDR. In lieu of using a PDR, NFS field forms found at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/invasivespecies/data/index.shtml may be used for collection of field data (survey, inventory, and treatment) to enter into the non-mobile TESP-IS version.

Data entered through the TESP-IS application is automatically transferred into two NRM master databases of record: the FACTS (Forest Service Activity Tracking System) database for treatments and the TESP-IS database for invasive surveys and inventories. The FACTS database stores records on all management activities that have actually occurred on NFS landscapes. In particular, any pesticide use information required for regulatory compliance and/or pesticide use reporting on NFS lands is compiled directly from pesticide data recorded in FACTS. On some forests, the overall treated acreage reported in FACTS may reflect treatment conducted on NFS lands by outside organizations such as treatment of ROWs by State or County highway departments.

Reports and editing: Records on invasive species management activities that have not been entered into FACTS through the TESP-IS application will not be summarized in annual program performance reports. All required fields in FACTS should be filled out including the name of the certified applicator, infestation(s) treated, and the specific spatial polygon of the pesticide application. When the license number of a certified applicator is unavailable (e.g., treatments made by unlicensed applicators using repellants, pheromones, or borax), the name of the applicator should be used and the code “NA” added to the license number field in the Certified Applicator table in FACTS.

The Forest Invasive Species Coordinator has overall responsibility for entering invasive species records into FACTS with the TESP-IS application by the reporting deadline which is normally October 31 of the current fiscal year. All treatments must be recorded as accomplished on or before September 30 of the FY in which they were initiated. Performance credit is given for treatment activities that occurred during the fiscal year in which the activities were planned and funds expended. For purposes of performance accomplishments and target attainment, activities are not allowed to cross fiscal years. Treated acres are counted for both Force-Account and awarded Contracts/Agreements when the accomplishment date is within the fiscal year where funds were obligated. Treatment contract work that straddles the fiscal year break should be attributed to the year in which the contract was awarded regardless of the actual date the work is completed. In addition to the accomplishments reporting deadline on October 31, the Regional Forester’s report also requires that program performance data for invasive species be entered into FACTS before the data is pulled up by the Performance Accountability System (PAS) during the fourth week of September. To meet both the October 31 deadline for final accomplishments and the earlier September deadline for the Regional Forester’s report, data should be entered as accomplished or at least quarterly into FACTS with the TESP-IS application.

Current invasive treatment data for performance reports that have been provided by individual USFS units may be accessed from the FACTS reports tab of the NRM Main Menu or the FACTS Web Reports website found at http://fsweb.ftcol.wo.fs.fed.us/frs/facts/outputs/Web_Reports/ [internal USFS website]. To view treatment data in FACTS after it has been entered through the TESP-IS application, one should go to NRM Read-only Access pull-down menu found on the NRM Main Menu at https://iweb.fs.usda.gov/login/welcome.html [internal USFS website] and select the specific Region and forest before logging in.

Editing of existing treatment records must be completed through the TESP-IS application. Individuals responsible for invasive species inventory and treatment data entry will need both the FACTS User role and the TESP/IS Editor role approved for the unit(s) on which they work. Although the FACTS User role is district-based, the TESP-IS Editor is forest-based. Further information on FACTS and TESP-IS roles may be obtained by calling the Regional FACTS Coordinator in Albuquerque at 505-842-3483.

Training for Region 3 personnel with the mobile and non-mobile modules is offered annually by registration through AgLearn. The Training Calendar for scheduling AgLearn courses can be accessed through the NRM training webpage at http://fsweb.nrm.fs.fed.us/support/training/ [internal USFS website]. The NRM TESP-IS Account Manager (208-373-4156) or Regional Invasive Species/Pesticide Coordinator (505-842-3280) should be contacted for further information.