BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal

Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Title of project
Lower Dry Creek Riparian Restoration

BPA project number   5511000

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Yakama Indian Nation

Sponsor type   WA-Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   ,

Biological opinion ID   

NWPPC Program number   

Short description
Lower Dry Creek hosts seasonally high densities of spring chinook juveniles. Access conditions to the channel are excellent, and thermal characteristics in the winter are markedly better than in the mainstem Yakima. However, in the lower two miles riparian vegetation is virtually absent in many places, and pool frequency is extremely low. In past conversations, the landowner has expressed interest in working with fish managers to enhance habitat, however he is opposed to livestock exclusions if he is obligated to cover time and expense of controlling weeds and maintaining fences. This project would fund construction of in-channel structures, construction and maintenance of fence, and weed control.

Project start year   1997    End year   1999

Start of operation and/or maintenance   

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects

Project history

Biological results achieved

Annual reports and technical papers

Management implications

Specific measureable objectives
Fish density will be determined pre- and post-project implementation throughout season of use. Change in riparian canopy closure will also be measured.

Testable hypothesis
Restoring riparian habitat and adding stream complexity will increase rearing productivity.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
The hydrograph will be similar to historic; and water quality will remain adequate to support anadromous fish during season of use (i.e. discharge of toxic substances to the stream will not occur).

Methods
Fish density will be determined by mark and recapture methods. Three reaches will be sampled at three different times during the season of use (early fall through late spring). Equipment will include normal fish sampling tools.

Changes in riparian canopy will be determined with a densiometer.

Brief schedule of activities
The project will be completed in the first year. Fences will be built, large woody debris will be added to the stream, and riparian vegetation will be planted. In years two through ten, monitoring will be done for plant survival, weed control and fence upkeep. After the tenth year, only fence maintenance will be undertaken.

Biological need
From past research fish managers know that lower Dry Creek is utilized by juvenile spring chinook for rearing and over-wintering. However, managers believe rearing function could be improved substantially through restorative measures. It is believed that fish survival is currently poor because escape cover is very low in most places. Managers also believe rearing habitat for juvenile fish is severely limited in the basin. This project would redress rearing habitat function through increasing riparian canopy closure, reducing sedimentation, increasing in-channel habitat complexity and improving water reducing substrate embeddedness.

Critical uncertainties
Rearing habitat for juvenile fish is severely limited in the Yakima Basin, so much so that fish managers believe rearing habitat restoration is one of most important actions to restore stock health.

Summary of expected outcome
Native riparian vegetation density will increase. In turn, water quality will improve, in-channel habitat complexity will increase and stream banks will become more stable. Ultimately, the project will be used as a local demonstration area to encourage additional landowners to protect and restore streams.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
The restoration project will be developed in consultation with the USDA - NRCS and the WDOE. A Cost-share application will be presented to the USDA - CFSA, the WDNR, the USFWS, and other agencies that administer funding programs. A Hydraulics Permit Application will be required for the in-channel work. This will be processed two months prior to anticipated work.

Risks
Flooding may remove large woody debris.

Monitoring activity
Monitoring of revegetation, weed invasion, and fence integrity will be done for ten years. After the tenth year, only fence maintenance will be undertaken.

Section 3. Budget

* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.

Funding recommendations

CBFWA funding review group   Bonneville Dam - Priest Rapids Dam

Recommendation    Tier 2 - fund when funds available

Recommended funding level   $65,520