Often, there was not sufficient time available during a core team meeting to discuss important technical issues. Therefore, subgroup meetings were sometimes convened (e.g., field erodibility studies, frozen soils, irrigation modeling, etc.). Because the subgroups were much smaller, critical issues could be more easily resolved. The subgroup meetings were usually conducted in the same manner as the core team meetings, and a detailed agenda was prepared.An initial model delivery date of 1989 was established. After each of the core team meetings and several of the subgroup meetings conducted between August 1985 and June 1992, J. E. Gilley assembled and distributed a meeting report and a list of action items to the entire WEPP team. Each action item identified a specific assignment, individuals responsible for completing the task, and the anticipated completion date. Critical path analysis was used as necessary to determine completion dates. It was recognized that completing critical assignments on time was essential to keep the entire group on schedule.A USDA‐ARS National Program Leader (NPL) was responsible for coordinating erosion research within ARS, and the NPL usually attended core team meetings. The NPL provided administrative support for the project and kept top agency administrators informed of project activities and requirements. ARS National Program Leaders directing erosion research since the inception of WEPP include: C. R Amerman (August 1985 to July 1987), W. D. Kemper (August 1987 to August 1990), S. Rawlins (September 1990 to October 1992), C. R. Amerman (November 1992 to December 2002), and M. A. Weltz (January 2003 to present). Beginning in August 1987, development of the Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS), an improved wind erosion prediction technology, closely paralleled WEPP model development (Hagen et al., 1996). Members of the Wind Erosion Research Unit (WERU) at Manhattan, Kansas, provided project leadership for WEPS. Representatives of the WEPS project often attended WEPP core team meetings and have collaborated with WEPP project members for manyyears on several joint activities.The WEPP project was initiated to provide a specific product within an established timeline. Many individuals participated in project activities, made important contributions, and then redirected their efforts to other pursuits. As the project progressed and new issues evolved,participation by additional individuals was required to provide renewed energy and expertise. Flanagan et al. (2001) provide additional information concerning WEPP model development.An extensive team effort at numerous research locations, ARS laboratories, and cooperating land‐grant universities was needed to develop this state‐of‐the‐art simulation model. Over 200 individuals representing different federal agencies, universities, disciplines, and international locations have made significant contributions to the WEPP project. Managing and coordinating the efforts of this diverse group was a substantial administrative challenge. The four ARS senior scientists who served as Project Leaders are identified in table 1 and figure 1. Many of the WEPP participants and the areas in which they contributed are shown in table 3.Figure 1. WEPP Project Leaders (left to right): George R. Foster (1985‐1987), Leonard J. Lane (1987‐1989), John M. Laflen (1989‐1999), and DennisC. Flanagan (1999‐present).
đang được dịch, vui lòng đợi..
