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
Eastern WA Model Watershed Coordinators

BPA project number   9202602

Short description
Fund resource coordinator positions for the implementation phase of the Asotin Creek, Pataha Creek, and Tucannon River Model Watersheds Plans.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Washington State Conservation Commission

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Section 2. Goals

General
Supports a healthy Columbia basin; increases run sizes or populations; provides needed habitat protection

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Stream name   Asotin CreekPataha CreekTucannon River
Stream miles affected   20 miles (Asotin)40 miles (Pataha)50 miles (Tucannon)
Hydro project   Lower Granite Dam (Asotin)Lower Monument Dam (Pataha, Tucannon)
Subbasin   Asotin Creek (Asotin )Tucannon River (Pataha)Tucannon River (Tucannon)
Land ownership   Public & Private (Asotin)Public & Private (Pataha)Public & Private (Tucannon)
Acres affected   60,000 acres approximately affected of 208,260 watershed acres (Asotin)35,000 acres approximately affected of 118,388 watershed acres (Pataha)60,000 acres approximately affected of 203,520 watershed acres (Tucannon)
Habitat types   UPLAND: wetlands, cropland, rangeland, forestland (Asotin, Pataha, Tucannon)RIPARIAN CORRIDOR: white fir, ponderosa pine, cottonwood, alder and willow (Asotin, Pataha, Tucannon)INSTREAM: pools, riffles, runs, glides and large woody debris (Asotin, Pataha, Tucannon)

History
diment basin repair.In each project area, increased information-education activities play an important part in exposing more people in the local community to the unique problems and issues of their watersheds. These outreach efforts also demonstrate the widely differing viewpoints and needs of the individuals and groups brought together by the CRM process.Finally, riparian plantings totaling 10 miles have been completed in the three watersheds.

Biological results achieved
Data that is currently being collected in the three model watersheds can only be compared to incomplete data that was taken before the plans were developed. By the year 2000, a reliable water quality monitoring data base will be in place and biological results will be available. In addition, evaluation of the fisheries in future years will be utilized to assess project effectiveness.1996 was the first year of habitat project implementation in the three model watersheds. Implementation projects are currently being evaluated for effectiveness.

Project reports and papers
The Asotin Creek Model Watershed plan was completed and published in April 1995. Draft watershed plans for the Pataha Creek and Tucannon River watersheds are expected in the spring of 1997. Quarterly progress reports will be sent to BPA and the Conservation Commission. GIS databases and accompanying maps for each watershed; technical project designs for each project; biological assessments for each project; and complete resource inventory reports for all three watersheds will also be submitted.

Adaptive management implications
During FY 1998, implementation of projects within the Asotin Creek, Pataha Creek, and Tucannon River Model Watersheds will continue. The use of Coordinated Resource Management Planning (CRMP) principles in establishing and operating the LSC and TACs has produced plans that are scientifically sound and locally accepted. The decision early on to use conservation district-based watershed coordinators has also proven to be a good one, giving the projects a high degree of credibility and acceptance with local landowners and users. The use of district staff has also given Washington State, through the Conservation Commission grants program, a means of insuring an appropriate degree of uniformity and efficiency in program and budget administration. Model watershed staff continue to use existing district communication channels and meeting schedules (e.g. Washington Association of Conservation Districts [WACD] area and annual meetings) to promote and publicize their work, as well as coordinate with each other. Finally, communication and working relationships among the coordinators, cooperating agencies, and landowners has been excellent. This derives from the conservation districts’ historical role as centers for targeting NRCS technical assistance to locally identified natural resource issues.

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
Measurable objectives include a decrease in water temperatures; a reduction in sediment delivery to the waterways; lower fecal coliform levels; and an increase in available spawning area and fish habitat.

Critical uncertainties
Sources of funding are uncertain at this time. Continuity of funding is critical to keep the momentum of comprehensive watershed management moving forward; otherwise, the long-term commitment from all local, state and regional entities may be stalledObtaining permits in a timely fashion is also a concern. Improvements should be made in the permitting process to ensure that needed permits are issued in a timely manner. Once permitted, projects must be designed to specification, implemented according to design, and completed within the established time frame.Landowner buy-in is also critical to the success of these projects. Landowners must be willing to cooperate, and also agree to the maintenance standards while still feeling that there is a benefit from the proposed practice.

Biological need
These three watersheds have been significantly and adversely impacted by human activities and catastrophic natural events, such as floods and droughts. Only remnant salmon and trout populations use these waters, and are much smaller than in earlier years. Increasing salmonid productivity will require protection and restoration of fish habitat and the adjacent riparian corridor. The barriers include high stream temperatures, lack of quality resting and rearing pools, excessive sediment deposition in spawning gravel, and high fecal coliform levels. To most effectively restore fish habitat, the projects addressing these barriers must be coordinated.
The responsibility of the model watershed coordinators is to see to it that the proper permits are obtained; construction designs are completed on time and meet established specifications; the public is informed and educated about the importance and health of their watersheds; and that relationships among landowners, agencies, and conservation district personnel remain in positive working order.

Hypothesis to be tested
The primary goal of the three model watershed projects is to increase fisheries and restore the Snake River spring Chinook, Snake River fall Chinook, summer steelhead, and bull trout. The model watershed process has identified many practices, including in-stream, riparian, and upland, which must be installed to meet this goal. Success will be based on the number of practices installed and maintained.

Alternative approaches
Meeting landowner needs and obtaining agency acceptance are both crucial to project success. Biological objectives are more easily accomplished through a voluntary approach with the conservation districts than through regulation by a state or federal agency.

Justification for planning
Not applicable. Coordination of BMP implementation Asotin Creek, Pataha Creek, and the Tucannon River is the primary focus for this project.The three model watersheds involve three conservation districts (Asotin, Pomeroy, and Columbia) and utilize three watershed coordinators.

Methods
The three model watersheds will experiment with many different types of biological engineering designs. These include: root wads, large woody debris placement, point barbs, off-site stock watering devices, planting trees for bank stabilization, and off-channel rearing ponds. Monitoring and evaluation will produce data which will be compared to data collected in recent surveys. Presently, reintroduction of fish into streams in any of these watersheds is prohibited by law.In 1996, the three watershed projects installed root wads, root wad revetments, rock barbs, rock vortex weirs, log weirs, log barbs, off channel rearing sites, off site watering facilities and streambank stabilization through vegetative plantings and bio-engineering.

Section 5. Planned activities

Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
Lack of funding is certainly a factor. Continuity of funding is critical to keep the momentum of comprehensive watershed management moving forward; otherwise, the long-term commitment from all local, state and regional entities may be stalled.Constraints include: receiving needed permits in a timely manner, availability of knowledgeable contractors, heavy workload on NRCS engineers, and the limited time window for needed work. Any one of these constraints may cause schedule or budget changes.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Present utilization and convservation potential of target population or area
The present Upper Snake River Chinook Salmon population has reached dangerously low levels due to several factors. The combined watershed habitat conservation and restoration projects in the three model watersheds will enhance overall fisheries habitats. If sufficient target species return to the watersheds, fish population increases are possible.

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
Historically, Spring Chinook Salmon were present in Asotin Creek and the Tucannon River. The Tucannon River still supports a small run of salmon, but the fish returning to Asotin Creek have reached low levels of returning spawners. Historically, sufficient habitat was available throughout the watersheds but, over the years, many factors have contributed to loss of habitat.

Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
The long term expected/desired utilization and conservation potential for the target population or target habitat type in all three model watersheds is to restore and enhance habitat to a level capable of sustaining increased populations of adults and juvenile salmonids.

Contribution toward long-term goal
In the long run, the three model watersheds will provide a sustainable habitat for Spring Chinook, Bull Trout, Summer Steelhead, and on the Tucannon River, Fall Chinook.

Indirect biological or environmental changes
Ultimately, if all enhancement and restoration goals of the model watershed plans can be met, the watersheds' ecosystems will be improved.

Physical products
Specific measurable objectives for the three model watersheds began in 1996 with implementation of habitat enhancement projects. Activities will continue specific to the individual model watershed plan.Asotin Creek -- 7 BPA early action projects that included the following implementation activities: 13 root wads; 10 rock barbs; 8 boulder placements; 4 log barbs; 3 large woody debris placements; and 3 vortex rock weirs.Pataha Creek -- 9 BPA early actions projects that included the following implementation activities: 2 off-site watering facilities; 3 stream bank stabilization projects; 1.5 miles riparian fencing; 15.2 acres riparian buffer strip; 1 fish passage removal; and 1 stream crossing improvement.Tucannon River -- 7 BPA early action projects that included the following implementation activities: 8 rock vortex weirs; 8 rock barbs; 81 rood wad/revetments for streambank stabilization; and 1 sediment basin repair.

Environmental attributes affected by the project
Implementation of BMPs in the three model watersheds has resulted in: reduced sedimentation, reduced water temperature, and increased instream fish habitat.

Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
Expected near and long term changes are not noticeable in the watersheds. Over time, additional protection and enhancement measures must be implemented to positively impact the watersheds. These efforts cannot be viewed as something to be accomplished quickly or having an endpoint. It will need to evolve over time to succeed.

Measure of attribute changes
Individual model watershed habitat enhancement goals for 1996 Early Action projects were met as identified in 101G. Currently, the model watersheds are identifying 1997 habitat enhancement goals. All three conservation districts have identified O&M costs from 1996 projects which impact available funding for 1997 enhancement projects, and beyond.

Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
Habitat enhancement projects are new to southeastern Washington. Landowner acceptance on private property will be the key to success of the implementation of watershed planned goals. Continuity of funding is critical to keep the momentum of comprehensive watershed management moving forward; otherwise, the long-term commitment from all local, state and regional entities may be stalled.

Information products
Information products are produced on a watershed by watershed basis. Each model watershed is unique and has certain qualities that affect project implementation. All three watersheds utilize water quality monitoring to determine sedimentation, flows, total suspended solids and fecal coliforms. In addition, all three watershed evaluate projects use photo documentation, modeling guidelines, on-site evaluations, and documented results.

Coordination outcomes
Coordination outcomes of the project include: improved cooperation among the three model watershed conservation districts; and enhanced coordination of implementation activities among the landowners/operators and each model watershed's Technical Advisory and Landowner Steering committees.

MONITORING APPROACH
The three model watersheds will experiment with many different types of biological engineering designs. These include: root wads, large woody debris placement, point barbs, off-site stock watering devices, planting trees for bank stabilization, and off-channel rearing ponds. Implementation will also include installation of upland and forestland BMPs. Upland and forest practices will be measured by reduced soil erosion and sedimentation reaching the streams. Monitoring and evaluation will produce data which will be compared to data collected in recent surveys.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
The conservation districts involved in the three model watersheds, in cooperation with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, US Forest Service, and the NRCS, are monitoring the status of the target stock, the availability and quality of habitat, and the success of the implemented projects.

Data analysis and evaluation
The conservation districts, in cooperation with the model watershed TACs, will act as a gathering and disseminating group for data collected regarding water quality and habitat.

Information feed back to management decisions
Information will be made available to the management agencies for review and input for modification. Requested project modification will be reviewed by conservation district supervisors, model watershed TAC and LSC for project modification and implementation.

Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
Natural disasters impact the ability to predict project outcomes. In addition, landowner acceptance of new management techniques utilizing bio-engineering techniques, vegetation development, and large woody debris placement are meeting resistance. An extensive information and education program must be maintained to keep landowners and the public informed of the benefits of these new techniques and the status of implemented projects.Committed long term funding would allow the three model watershed conservation districts to work with landowners to develop stable, long-term implementation plans. Landowners are more likely to participate if they can plan for the future.

Evaluation
The Eastern Washington model watersheds' overall performance is dependent on landowner and public understanding of bio-engineering techniques. Details of plans, implementation, and evaluation of projects will be made available to landowners and other interested parties. Information/education through newsletters and local media, as well as tours of project areas will be used to highlight project activities.Long term overall project performance will be determined by reduced stream temperatures, reduced sedimentation, and reduced fecal coliforms, and ultimately by an increase in fish populations.

Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
Through mutual agreements utilizing the adaptive management process between all concerned entities.

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
Publication of model watershed newsletters and newspaper articles along with project tours, school involvement in educational projects and presentations, volunteer group involvement in project implementation, and other sources of communication are tools that will be used to increase public awareness.

Section 7. Relationships

Opportunities for cooperation
Each conservation district began their planning by involving the community. Each formed a landowner-based committee, known as the Landowner Steering Committee (LSC) , to represent the views and needs of the community. Each district also established a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to assist the LSC in meeting their goals. The TACs consist of representatives from the following agencies: USDA NRCS; USFS; WDFW; WDOE; WDNR; WSU-CES; BPA; Inland Power and Light and Clearwater Power Company.

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $153,000

Other non-financial supporters
List other individuals, agencies, or businesses that support the project or are involved in some way but are not providing direct or in-kind financial support. Other non-financial supporters in the three model watersheds include: area schools, Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife, County Commissioners, Universities, and group and individual volunteers.

For continued implementation and O&M

How does percentage apply to direct costs
0