BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1998 Proposal


Section 1. Summary
Section 2. Goals
Section 3. Background
Section 4. Purpose and methods
Section 5. Planned activities
Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation
Section 7. Relationships
Section 8. Costs and FTE

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Summary

Title of project
Spokane Tribe Grand Coulee Mitigation

BPA project number   5509500

Short description
Implement Spokane Tribal Share of Washington Wildlife Mitigation Agreement

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Spokane Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

 NameChris Merker
 Mailing address
,
 Phone509/359-4726
 Email
   

Section 2. Goals

General

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

History
Under the 1993 BPA/WWC Washington Wildlife Mitigation Agreement, the Spokane Tribe was a sigtory guaranteeing funding for its approved project. This Agreement Funding is considered non-discretiory in the NPPC Fish & Wildlife Program wildlife budget.

Biological results achieved
Criteria and a ranking system have been developed to prioritize land purchases. Seventy-seven acres or priority habitat have been bought from a targeted objective of 1768 acres.

Project reports and papers
(1) Wildlife Mitigation and Restoration for Grand Coulee Dam: Blue Creek Project. (2) Blue Creek Winter Range: Wildlife Mitigation Project. final Environmental Assessment and FONSI.

Adaptive management implications
Accuracy of forecasting Habitat Units of wildlife credit by habitat type, proposed management techniques and fixed "up-front" budget.

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
Goal of implementation is to protect and enhance approximately 1768 acres or priority wildlife habitat containing approximately 1697 white-tailed deer Habitat Units.

Critical uncertainties
Adequate funding for wildlife mitigation in the Columbia River Federal Power System programs.

Biological need
The Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act includes provisions for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of fish and wildlife affected by the development and operation of hydroelectric facilities of the Columbia River Basin. This Act authorizes the Administrator of the BPA to use the BPA fund to carry out the provisions of the Act. The development of the hydropower system in the Columbia River Basin has affected many species of wildlife. Some floodplain and riparian habitats important to wildlife were inundated when reservoirs were filled. Fluctuating water levels caused by dam operations have created barren vegetation zones, which expose wildlife to increased predation. Activities associated with hydroelectric development have altered land and stream areas in ways that adversely affect wildlife. The impacts of dam construction and reservoir inundation have been documented and the wildlife losses are included in the NPPC's program.

Hypothesis to be tested
This is a habitat management project. Pre- and post-implementation (ears) habitat changes will be measured and analyzed, as measured in Habitat Units.

Methods
For applicable discussion of methods to be used in this habitat mitigation project, see two technical reports/EA listed earlier under "Annual Reports and Technical Papers.

Section 5. Planned activities

Project completion date   1997

Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
The risk is NOT implementing the project. Desirable habitat is under development and logging threats. Prices are increasing as we wait for funding.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
BPA will receive credit for about 1768 acres with 1692 HUs of deer habitat. This assumes BPA provides adequate and timely funding for acquisition, operation and maintenance, and monitoring and evaluation. With completion of this project approximately 2132 acres will need to be protected and enhanced to mitigate habitat losses to the Spokane Tribe from Grand Coulee Dam.

MONITORING APPROACH
For applicable discussion of methods to be used in this habitat mitigation project, see two technical reports/EA listed earlier under "Annual Reports and Technical Papers.

Section 7. Relationships

Opportunities for cooperation
The Spokane Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs will work together to locate, prioritize and protect priority habitat parcels. The Tribe will conduct baseline HEP and write management plans. BIA will assist in land enhancement techniques.

Section 8. Costs and FTE

Future funding needs   Past obligations (incl. 1997 if done)
FY$ Need% Plan % Implement% O and M
1998443,000     
1999443,000     
2000443,000     
2001443,000     
 
FY97 overhead percent   20%

How does percentage apply to direct costs
[Overhead % not provided so BPA appended older data.]