Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program proposal 200202501

FY07-09 proposal 200202501

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Yakima Tributary Access & Habitat Program
Proposal ID	200202501
Organization	South Central Washington Resource Conservation and Development
Short description	The Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program intends to: a) screen diversion structures; b) provide for fish passage at man-made barriers; c) assist landowners improve stream habitat; and, d) coordinate the acquisition of riparian buffer easements.
Information transfer	The Kittitas County Conservation District maintains a YTAHP website for the public and for YTAHP Core Team members. Presentations are also made to various audiences; including natural resource managers, irrigators, elected officials, and the public. In addition annual reports are made to BPA.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Ed Harrell	South Central Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council	ytahp@nwinfo.net
All assigned contacts
Ed Harrell	South Central Washington Resource Conservation and Development Council	ytahp@nwinfo.net
Jay Marcotte		jgmarcotte@bpa.gov
Dave Myra	S. Cent. Wa. RC&D	kiyak@nwinfo.net

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Yakima

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
46.74	_120.46	Tributaries of the Yakima River	Tributaries to the Yakima River in Yakima and Kittitas Counties.
47.0400	-120.46	Tributaries of the Yakima River	Tributaries of the Yakima River in Kittitas and Yakima counties.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Steelhead Middle Columbia River ESU
secondary: Chinook Mid-Columbia River Spring ESU
secondary: Coho Unspecified Population
secondary: Bull Trout

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Four barriers removed, irrigation canal and stream separated by a siphon, six pump screens installed, riparian and instream enhancement(corral removed, livestock bridge, vegetation planted, LWD, instream structures), 34 miles of stream surveyed.
2004	Five projects completed, involving: five barriers removed, diversion screened and fish bypass constructed, eight pump screens installed, and instream habitat improvements. Ninety-one additional miles of stream surveyed for a total of 206 miles.
2003	Engineering and permits were completed for six projects. Pump screens installed at five locations. Cooke Creek siphon and screen installed. Rosbach piping. Two fish barriers removed. Two miles of livestock fencing. Stream surveys (115 mi. completed).
2002	Organization of the Core Team (WDFW, KCCD, KCWP ,AID, NYCD, RC&D). Data collection, project prioritization, engineering design and some permitting on 10 Early Action projects. Completion of the Strategic Plan.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	199107501	Yakima Screens Const-Fogarty	Working in cooperation with BOR to install associated small pump screens, revegetation work and landowner outreach.
PCSRF - WSRFB	02-1656	Dry/Cabin Crk Fish Passage & S	YTAHP through KCCD did project planning and submittal of successful funding proposal.
BPA	199701325	Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Pro	Barrier removal, fish screening, and habitat improvement/protection projects by YTAHP are correcting what might be the immediate threat to fish produced and released from the Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Program.
BPA	199901300	Ahtanum Creek Watershed Assess	YTAHP is identified in the assessment as part of the implementation mechanism that will address the fish and portions of the wildlife needs of the Ahtanum Creek watershed. YTAHP activities within the Ahtanum watershed are complimentary to the implementation plan that came out of the assessment.
PCSRF - WSRFB	01-1238	Ahtanum Creek Fish Screens	YTAHP has provided the engineering, permitting, archaeological surveys, and some administration/technical input for the first two screens and has the remaining four screens scheduled in the next 18 months.
PCSRF - WSRFB	01-1256	Cowiche Creek Barrier Removal	Removal of two high priority barriers identified in the YTAHP stream assessment. YTAHP has provided; permitting, ESA consultation, archaeological surveys, technical input and coordination for this project. This has led to potential inclusion of water saved into the trust program for instream flow in this limited flow reach of Cowiche Creek.
PCSRF - WSRFB	02-1614	Snow Mtn Ranch Acq & Barrier R	YTAHP has provided engineering, permitting, ESA consultation, archaeological survey, and construction funds to implement this project. This project also improves habitat and provides instream flow through acquisition and placement of irrigation water into the states water trust program.
PCSRF - WSRFB	04-1675	YTAHP Lower Reecer Creek Fish	YTAHP sponsored project for removal of the first barrier on Reecer Creek.
PCSRF - WSRFB	04-1676	YTAHP Wilson Creek Riparian Re	YTAHP sponsored project for riparian habitat enhancements along Wilson Creek.
Other: WSDOT/City of Yakima/Yakima County	none	Lower Naches River Coordination	A cooperative project between WSDOT, City of Yakima and Yakima County to deal with erosion, floodplain and irrigation system problems along the lower Naches river. YTAHP provides technical assistance related to fish access and habitat. YTAHP will implement fish passage and habitat elements of the coordinated plan.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Allow passage and prevent entrainment	Yakima Subbasin Plan Supplement: Replace/redesign diversion dams in tributaries to allow passage and prevent entrainment. Screen all unscreened diversions and upgrade inadequate screening.	Yakima	Continue long term restoration and removal of obstructions to spawning habitat, side channels, and lower ends of tributaries.
Bring all diversions into compliance	Bring all diversions into compliance over the next 10 years, especially those in Lower tribs with good rearing access.	Yakima	Move diversion off channel, Provide screens, Consolidate diversions.
Convert Wilson system to more natural system	Manage/convert the Wilson system to have more attributes similar to the natural system - riparian zone/bank stability, gravel bed and banks, hydrology.	Yakima	Convert irrigation systems to pipes or separate conveyance, Replant riparian zones, Improve sediment transport through the system.
Improve habitat diversity	Yakima Subbasin Plan Supplement: Improve habitat diversity by restoring flow to stream channels and side channels. Restore channel form and process by removal, relocation or alteration of levees, bridges, diversion dams. LWD installation to improve complexity.	Yakima	Work with cooperating landowners to protect intact floodplain habitats. Levee removal/ reconfiguration. Improve irrigation efficiencies, especially in tributaries to restore flow. Purchase easements to allow restoration. Riparian restoration.
Improve habitat quality	Yakima Subbasin Plan Supplement: Improve, through protection and restoration, the wetted area of the stream channel and riparian zone.	Yakima	Work with cooperating landowners, tribes, and public agencies through purchase, easement, and land-use agreements to protect intact floodplain habitats and to secure lands for restoration. Installation of in-channel LWD. Improve irrigation efficiency.
Improve passage and design of irrigation diversion	Improve passage and design of irrigation diversions to allow fish and sediments to pass through diversion points.	Yakima	Replace/rebuild existing diversion dams based on prioritization from WDFW/YTAHP. Relocate or consolidate existing structures
Improve passage of fish and sediments	Improve passage and design of irrigation diversions to allow fish and sediments to pass through diversion points. Improve passage on forest roads. Repair and replace all blocked culverts over the next 20 years.	Yakima	Replace/rebuild existing diversion dams based on prioritization from WDFW/YTAHP. Culvert replacement.
Provide screening	Provide screening at all locations where it does not exist, upgrade existing screens to meet new criteria, consolidate diversions, move diversions off stream.	Yakima	Continue with screening and passage improvements.
Reduce grazing impacts	Reduce potential for grazing operations to impact bull trout spawning or redds.	Yakima	Fence off stream, off channel watering structures, Crossing structures for cattle.
Screen diversions	Screen all diversions over the next 10 years, especially those in Lower tribs with good rearing access.	Yakima	Move diversion off channel, Provide screens, Consolidate diversions.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Obtain Permits (Various projects)	Cost of a dedicated staff person with WDFW to prepare permit applications and administer processing of YTAHP project permits.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$189,000
Biological objectives			Metrics
Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland	Restore and/or enhance wetland functions	May include water control structures, re-contouring and excavation.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$20,000
Biological objectives Improve habitat quality			Metrics * # of acres treated: 5 acres
Develop Alternative Water Source	Cowiche Water Users Group shift to Yakima/Tieton Irrigation System	Substitute use of Yakima/Tieton water for water now diverted from Cowiche Creek.	10/1/2006	9/30/2007	$40,000
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Bring all diversions into compliance Improve passage of fish and sediments			Metrics
Enhance Floodplain	Enhance Reecer Creek Floodplain	Breach and relocate dike along Reecer Creek in west Ellensburg.	2/1/2007	6/30/2007	$35,000
Biological objectives Improve habitat quality			Metrics * # of acres treated: 112 acres
Increase Instream Habitat Complexity	Instream Habitat Complexity	Work to add natural materials instream to create habitat features or to improve channel morphology.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$135,000
Biological objectives Improve habitat diversity Improve habitat quality			Metrics * # of stream miles treated: 2.25 miles
Install Fence	Install Fencing	Work to install various types of fences and gate to keep livestock out of riparian habitat.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$55,000
Biological objectives Improve habitat quality			Metrics * # of miles of fence: .35
Plant Vegetation	Plant Vegetation	Plant vegetation for purposes such as erosion control, shading, restoring native habitat.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$169,400
Biological objectives Convert Wilson system to more natural system Improve habitat quality			Metrics * # of riparian miles treated: 4.7
Realign, Connect, and/or Create Channel	Realign, connect and/or creat channel	Attempts to add sinuosity, meanders, side channels, and/or off channel habitats.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$56,000
Biological objectives Improve habitat diversity Improve habitat quality			Metrics * # of stream miles treated, including off-channels, after realignment: 0.17 miles
Maintain Vegetation	Maintain Vegetation	Ongoing care of vegetation planted for habitat projects or as restoration of areas disturbed by construction for other YTAHP projects.	10/1/2007	9/30/2009	$69,600
Biological objectives Convert Wilson system to more natural system Improve habitat quality			Metrics
Install Fish Passage Structure	Install fish passage structures	Install, replace or modify structures to improve fish passage and/or flow.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$82,000
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Improve passage and design of irrigation diversion Improve passage of fish and sediments			Metrics * Does the structure remove or replace a fish passage barrier?: Yes * # of miles of habitat accessed: 10 miles accessed
Install Fish Screen	Install new or replacement gravity screens on diversions	Install a fish screen, meeting NOAA/WDFW, specifications at a gravity diversion.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$120,000
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Bring all diversions into compliance Provide screening Screen diversions			Metrics * Quantity of water protected by screening, as determined by what is stated in the water right or calculated based on flow rate: 160 cfs screened * Does the screen meet NOAA/FSOC specs?: Yes
Install Fish Screen	Install or replace pump screens	Install pump screens meeting NOAA/WDFW specifications on irrigation diversion pumps.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$78,000
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Bring all diversions into compliance Provide screening Screen diversions			Metrics * Does the screen meet NOAA/FSOC specs?: Yes * Flow rate at the screen diversion allowed by the water right: 98 cfs
Install Siphon	Install siphons	Install siphons on Currier Creek, Cascade canal, and Cowiche Creek.	10/15/2007	12/5/2007	$88,000
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Improve passage of fish and sediments			Metrics
Remove/Install Diversion	Remove/Install irrigation diversions	Work that removes and/or replaces fish passage barriers associated with stream diversions.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$132,000
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Bring all diversions into compliance Improve passage and design of irrigation diversion Improve passage of fish and sediments			Metrics * # of miles of habitat accessed: 17 miles accessed
Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities	Van Wyke development rights	Work with WDFW to acquire the development rights to 4,500 acres on Van Wyke property.	1/1/2007	12/31/2007	$10,000
Biological objectives Improve habitat quality			Metrics
Coordination	Project coordination	Coordination of project development and implementation between various agencies and landowners.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$260,000
Biological objectives			Metrics
Identify and Select Projects	Identify, prioritize and select potential projects	[Work Element Description Not Entered]	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$97,500
Biological objectives			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Manage YTAHP Program	[Work Element Description Not Entered]	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$736,500
Biological objectives			Metrics
Outreach and Education	Outreach and Education	Outreach and education to landowners, local elected officials and community organizations.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$227,500
Biological objectives			Metrics * # of general public reached: 2400 people reached
Produce Design and/or Specifications	Engineering	Contracted engineering and design services, for YTAHP projects, from certified engineering firms.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$409,300
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce Inventory or Assessment	Inventory and Assessment of various streams	Complete variouse sections of stream inventories and inventory reports.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$38,800
Biological objectives			Metrics
Create/Manage/Maintain Database	Produce pertinent project maps	Produce GIS maps and data for use in project engineering, design, technical review, and funding applications.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$55,500
Biological objectives			Metrics
Install Pipeline	Install pipeline	Install pipeline in conjunction with diversion relocation or consolidation.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$49,700
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Bring all diversions into compliance			Metrics * Amount of unprotected water flow returned to the stream by conservation in cfs: 16 cfs
Install Well	Install Ring Well	Install ring wells to replace instream diversions.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$14,000
Biological objectives Allow passage and prevent entrainment Bring all diversions into compliance Improve passage and design of irrigation diversion			Metrics * Amount of unprotected water flow returned to the stream by conservation in cfs: 1.5 cfs

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	Includes: Program administration, education and outreach, project development and coordination, in-house engineering, technical review, and permitting.	$350,000	$360,000	$375,000
Fringe Benefits	Approximately 30% of salaries	$98,000	$100,800	$105,000
Supplies	Includes: Office supplies, small tools.	$8,000	$8,000	$8,000
Travel	Includes: mileage and travel expenses	$8,000	$8,500	$9,000
Overhead	Includes: Indirect costs	$75,500	$79,000	$81,000
Other	Engineering and Design	$65,000	$70,000	$75,000
Other	Contracted Construction	$180,000	$190,000	$200,000
Other	Professional Services - Includes: Cultural Surveys, Attorney's fess, Computer Tech. Assistance, Fish Biologists.	$27,000	$28,000	$29,000
Other	Contract for Habitat restoration crew	$55,000	$58,000	$61,000
Other	Construction materials, plants for revegetation, fish/pump screens	$142,000	$152,000	$162,000
Totals		$1,008,500	$1,054,300	$1,105,000

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$3,167,800
Total work element budget:	$3,167,800

Cost sharing

Funding source/org	Item or service provided	FY 07 est value ($)	FY 08 est value ($)	FY 09 est value ($)	Cash or in-kind?	Status
Community Salmon Funds	Funding for construction	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	Cash	Under Development
Conservation Commission Engineering Program	Project Engineering	$40,000	$40,000	$40,000	Cash	Confirmed
Department of Fish and Wildlife	Program Assistance / Construction	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	Cash	Under Development
Irrigation Efficiencies Program	Funding for water savings / construction	$200,000	$200,000	$200,000	Cash	Under Development
Landowners	Project implementation	$35,000	$40,000	$45,000	Cash	Under Development
Open Rivers Initiative	Funding for construction	$45,000	$45,000	$45,000	Cash	Under Development
Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group	Funding for construction	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000	Cash	Under Development
Salmon Recovery Funding Board	Funding for construction	$200,000	$200,000	$200,000	Cash	Under Development
USDA/EQIP	Funding for water savings	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000	Cash	Under Development
USFW Cooperative Partnership Program	Funding for construction	$40,000	$40,000	$40,000	Cash	Under Development
Water Infrastructure Grants	Funding for construction	$200,000	$200,000	$200,000	Cash	Under Development
Totals		$855,000	$860,000	$865,000

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $1,150,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $1,150,000

Comments: Stream surveys completed to date indicate enough potential barrier removal, screening, and habitat improvement projects to require funding beyond 2011.

Future O&M costs:

Termination date:
Comments:

Final deliverables:

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

Sec.10 Narrative 200202501n

Jul 2006

Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget	FY08 budget	FY09 budget	Total budget	Type	Category	Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$600,000	$600,000	$600,000	$1,800,000	Capital	ProvinceCapital	Fund
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$466,666	$466,666	$466,666	$1,399,998	Expense	ProvinceExpense	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$466,666	$466,666	$466,666	$0		ProvinceExpense
Comments: ISRP fundable (qualified): habitat m&e programmatic issue. See decision memo discussion. On BPA's list of possible capital project. Need to determine capital elements.

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Response requested

NPCC comments: This project is in its early years and has the potential to produce some valuable information to guide further projects. The sponsors provide a good summary of passage work. However, there is no effort made in the proposal to translate the structural changes being made in these tributaries into biologic changes. The sponsors should provide the ISRP with biologically meaningful monitoring protocols of at least a subsample of the restoration program. This information might come from other projects such as the Yakama Nation's monitoring program, but this needs to be spelled out. The project proposal does not contain an adequate description of benefits to fish populations; those should be summarized in the response.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: This project is in its early years and has the potential to produce some valuable information to guide further projects. The sponsors provided a good summary of passage work. However, there was no effort made in the proposal to translate the structural changes being made in these tributaries into biological changes and the project proposal did not contain an adequate description of benefits to fish populations. The response was very thin in terms of realized or potential benefits to fish. The sponsors are referred to Marmorek et al (2004) (see below) for specific information and methods to assess effectiveness of screening in the Yakima River basin. Reporting of past results was diffused throughout the narrative. The sponsors concurred with the ISRP that M&E is needed and a newly created Monitoring Plan (submitted to BPA last year) was included in the response. In the response they state that in the near future empirical data will be available to show actual benefits to steelhead and other fish species. However, the commitment to monitoring for benefits to fish still appears tentative. Statements in the response such as, "As long as project sites provide a fish friendly environment, habitat improvements are maintained, and the structures are functioning as intended and meeting the needs of water users/landowners/operators, projects will be considered successful." Another statement, "It is generally assumed that removal of fish passage barriers and correctly designed fish passage structures leads to reestablished access for salmonids" indicates that the sponsors need to be encouraged to include biologically oriented monitoring in addition to engineering indicators of success. One part of the monitoring plan will focus on selected tributaries, which harks to an index stream approach rather than the highly regarded probabilistic approach. Guidance may be required to make sure the proponents use appropriate monitoring methods. Perhaps there is scope to use the Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program as a demonstration project to develop and use realistic and cost-effective monitoring protocols that could be used elsewhere in the Columbia River Basin. This Fundable recommendation is Qualified to indicate that a better monitoring protocol should be developed so project staff can report on fish results. In developing the monitoring design they should consider a probabilistic design, rather than an index stream approach. The ISRP will look for better reporting in the next review. This monitoring can be done through another agency/entity, but the sponsors should describe those efforts and report the results. Reference: Marmorek et al 2004. A Multiple Watershed Approach to Assessing the Effects of Habitat Restoration Actions on Anadromous and Resident Fish Populations. 420 p. (www.efw.bpa.gov/publications/H00012481-1.pdf).