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
Billy Shaw Res Development

BPA project number   9501500

Short description
Analyze feasibility of the Billy Shaw Reservoir and develop an additional lake fishery at this site.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Shoshone-Paiute Tribes

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Section 2. Goals

General
Increases run sizes or populations; provides needed habitat protection

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Stream name   Billy Shaw
Stream miles affected   0
Hydro project   Bonneville, The Dalles, John Day, McNary, Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, Lower Granite, Hells Canyon, Oxbow, Brownlee, Owyhee.
Subbasin   Owyee
Land ownership   Federal (Tribes) Trust Status
Acres affected   550

History
1) Pursuant to Amendment Section 10.8C.4 Resident Fish Substitution Project.
2) A preliminary feasibility study was conducted by B.O.R. in 1987 (Two sites were studied and were both positive, further studies were suggested).
3) In 1995 a in-depth Feasibility Study was conducted by Kleinfelders, Inc. which was completed in April of 1996 - A biological assessment will be completed in May by B.P.A.
4) The project was deemed feasible, has been recommended by CBFWA’s Resident Fish Manager, and has been approved by the NWPPC.
5) Final engineering design and construction specifications will begin as soon as possible.
6) The actual construction phase may possibly begin in the fall of 1997.

Project reports and papers
1. Preliminary Feasibility Study - Bureau of Reclamation - 1987
2. Lake Billy Shaw Feasibility Study - Kleinfelders - April 1996
3. Environmentai Assessment - BPA - May 1996.
4. Fisheries Management Plan(s) USFW 1990, 1991, 1992 / Sho-Pai Tribes Fishery Management Plans 1996.
5. Natural Resource Management Plar December, 1991
6. DRAFT final Ethnographic Report: Duck Valley - D. Walker.
7. Economic Development Plan (in process).

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
Specific measurable objectives include but may not be limited to the following: Create a trophy trout fishery that increases opportunities for sustainable consumptive and non-consumptive resident fisheries that are compatible with the continued existence of native resident fish species.
Provide wetland, riparian, and open water habitats for migratory waterfowl, colonial waterbirds, raptors (including bald eagles), migratory birds, upland game birds (in particular sage grouse), local big game species (deer, antelope, and elk), and non-game species (red fox, coyote, bobcat, mountain lion, badger, raccoons, muskrat, etc.).

Critical uncertainties
None

Biological need
Biological Need: The reservoir will decrease pressure on local native fish species by increasing local fishing opportunities by 33%.
The newly created fishery will also complement resident wildlife restoration efforts in the upper Columbia River drainage through enhancement of native wildlife populations by increasing the area of riparian habitat; enlarging areas for migratory waterfowl nesting, feeding, and resting; increase feeding areas for raptors; and provide additional habitat for migratory birds, and resident and upland game birds.

Hypothesis to be tested
Creating a pristine high desert plateau lake will support a viable population of rainbow trout. The completed project would produce an ecologically sound environment for all wildlife that inhabit the Southern Upper Columbia Basin.

Alternative approaches
None

Justification for planning
None

Methods
The Feasibility Study - April, 1996 (Kleinfelders) is based on the best available science and demonstrates all reasonable precautions have been taken.

Section 5. Planned activities

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
Increase of nesting/habitat for game/non-game species of birds, raptors, migratory waterfowl, game and non-game animals.
Enhance local economics, increase wetland area, provide extended water catchment for big game animals and/or all living species.
Convert 550 acres of uplands to a reservoir having 430 surface acres of water.

Present utilization and convservation potential of target population or area
Currently, the area is rangeland with a flashy stream. Creating a reservoir will stabilize the water level and create riparian habitat.

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
na

Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
Create a viable rainbow trout trophy fishery.

Contribution toward long-term goal
Increase opportunities for sustainable consumptive and non-consumptive resident fisheries that are compatible with the continued persistence of native resident fish species and their restoration to near historic abundance (including incentive fisheries within closed to isolated systems).

Indirect biological or environmental changes
Creating a stable reservoir improves riparian habitat and contributes to species diversity.

Physical products
After construction, Lake Billy Shaw will have a volume of 3,330 acre feet at normal water, surface area of 430 acres, and approximately 18 miles of shoreline.

Environmental attributes affected by the project
The environment will be enhanced by re-vegetation of native trees, shrubs, and habitat. The project converts an intermittent stream to a year-round reservoir.

Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
Creation of an additional source of riparian and aquatic habitat for all migratory and resident fish and wildlife.

Measure of attribute changes
na

Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
na

Information products
Annual Report and creel census.

Coordination outcomes
na

MONITORING APPROACH
The Feasibility Study (April, 1996 Kleinfelders) is based on the best available science and demonstrates all reasonable precautions have been taken.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
The provisions are currently in place, but the tribe plans to survey the size of the trout population in the reservoir and annually conduct creel surveys to document angler success/effort. Trout will be sampled annually to determine growth rates.

Data analysis and evaluation
See above.

Information feed back to management decisions
An adaptive management strategy, including reviewing monitoring data annually, will be used to prepare the operating plan for each coming year.

Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
The Sho-Pai Tribes have previously consturcted two similar reservoirs, therefore, critical uncertainties do not exhist with the construction and operation of the reservoir.

Evaluation
1. Size of trout population in the reservoir;
2. Catch rates, number of angler hours expended (to assess the success of the trophy fishery), growth rates and survival of stocked trout, number of trout reaching brood stock age/size annually.

Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
na

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
The Tribes will highlight BPA’s role in th is project through the Tribal Fishing Guide and Regulations.

Section 7. Relationships

Opportunities for cooperation
A joint trout production facility with the Sho-Ban Tribes. Partnership with private organization in the State of Idaho, IDFG, BPA, Idaho Power Company, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada State Fish and Game, Owyhee County Cattle and Land Use Association, and private organizations.

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $3,360,340
1996 Unobligated  $435,675

Other non-financial supporters
The Southwest Idaho business community supports this project.

For Operations and Maintenance.

How does percentage apply to direct costs
Negotiated amount varies from year to year, dependent on the Inspector of the Department of the Interior. Total direct costs.