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
Willamette Basin Mitigation - Phase II

BPA project number   9206800

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
ODFW

Sponsor type   OR-State/Local Agency

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Charlie Craig, EWP 503/231-6964

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   11.3F.1

Short description
Conduct BEP analysis for the confluence area of the Coast Fork and Middle Fork Willamette Rivers, complete data acquisition on western pond turtles, determine feasibility of acquisition, conservation easements and site restoration, and assemble information for a site management plan.

Project start year   1995    End year   1997

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1997

Project development phase   Planning

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
This is Phase II of Project 92-68. Phase I addressed the status and distribution of western pond turtles throughout Oregon and identified this project area as the most important site in the Willamette drainage for this species.

Project history
Project has surveyed known populations and identified lands necessary to mitigate for these species' loss of habitat due to Willamette basin hydro facilitiies. Draft management plan for the Willamette basin was submitted to BPA for review in Jan. 1994.

Biological results achieved
Intensive trapping, marking, and monitoring of western pond turtles was conducted between April and November 1995 to assess the population distribution, size, habitat use, nesting habitat and overwintering habitat within the limits of this project. This will continue through the next nesting season. A geographic information system (GIS) was developed for the project area and is currently being refined. Prelinfinary contacts have been made with landowners and governmental agencies that may be cooperators in the project. Plans have been made to contract a hydrologic study of the area using a graduate student through Oregon State University Geosciences Department.

Annual reports and technical papers
None to date.

Management implications

Specific measureable objectives
Objectives of this project include: 1) determining the potential of this area for use in part as a rnitigation area using BEP; 2) determine nesting and wintering habitat for western pond turtles; 3) determine feasibility of site acquisition, conservation easements and restoration measures; 4) assemble information for a future site management plan.

Testable hypothesis
None.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
One of the primary reasons for conducting an assessment of this area was because of the potential mitigation opportunities perceived from one large private landowner. This landowner has not indicated interest in the project to date.

Methods
Pond turtle biology involved systematic live trapping prior to and during the nesting season in areas of known or suspected turtle activity (based on previous projects and observations from this project). All turtles were permanently marked with a statewide shell code and released. Radio transmitters were placed on 15 turtles. Turtles locations were monitored daily during the nesting season and bi-weekly or weekly thereafter. Systematic searches were made in open areas for turtle nest sites. Standard BEP methods will be used for the vegetation/habitat analysis.

Brief schedule of activities
Data collection and analysis for the HEP will be conducted in FY96. Management alternatives will be developed in FY97. Landowner and governmental contacts will continue throughout the project. Pond turtle monitoring will continue through the next nesting season as time allows. A final project report will be written.

Biological need

Critical uncertainties

Summary of expected outcome
Assessment of importance of various properties within the study area for mitigation of target species, list of willing cooperators, landowners and agencies, analysis of managment alternatives, GIS and database for future site management plans.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
Project timeline has moved several months backward due to project personnel leaving ODFW.

Risks

Monitoring activity
Monitoring occurs via review of annual reports and subsequent surveys and data collection.

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   Wildlife

Recommendation    Tier 2 - fund when funds available

Recommended funding level   $0

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $800,000