Observations of quantum systems carried out by finite observers who
subsequently communicate their results using classical data structures can be
described as "local operations, classical communication" (LOCC) observations.
The implementation of LOCC observations by the Hamiltonian dynamics prescribed
by minimal quantum mechanics is investigated. It is shown that LOCC
observations cannot be described using decoherence considerations alone, but
rather require the \textit{a priori} stipulation of a positive operator-valued
measure (POVM) about which communicating observers agree. It is also shown that
the transfer of classical information from system to observer can be described
in terms of system-observer entanglement, raising the possibility that an
apparatus implementing an appropriate POVM can reveal the entangled
system-observer states that implement LOCC observations.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures; final versio