Pine Creek Conservation Area: Wildlife Habitat and Watershed Management on 33,557-acres to benefit grassland, shrub-steppe, riparian, and aquatic species. proposal 199802200

FY07-09 proposal 199802200

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Pine Creek Conservation Area: Wildlife Habitat and Watershed Management on 33,557-acres to benefit grassland, shrub-steppe, riparian, and aquatic species.
Proposal ID	199802200
Organization	Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon
Short description	Ongoing wildlife habitat and watershed management on the Pine Creek Conservation Area in FY2007-2009 (includes Pine Creek Ranch and Wagner Ranch acquisitions).
Information transfer	Cooperative data will be available through partner agencies and websites and Tribes will submit monitoring reports to BPA every five years beginning in 2006.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Mark Berry	Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon	pinecreek@bendnet.com
All assigned contacts
Mark Berry	Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon	pinecreek@bendnet.com
Mark Berry	Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon	pinecreek@bendnet.com
Mark Berry	Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon	pinecreek@bendnet.com
Terry Luther	Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon	tluther@wstribes.org

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / John Day

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
44.900	-120.350		This project is a Conservation Area of approximately 33,557 acres. A map of the Conservation Area will be included with the project narrative. The Lat Lon coordinate provided is within the Conservation Area.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Wildlife
secondary: Chinook Mid-Columbia River Spring ESU
secondary: Steelhead Middle Columbia River ESU
secondary: Interior Redband Trout

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Completed 8,726 ac burn targeting juniper in the Pine Creek watershed. Cut juniper in ½ mile of Robinson Canyon. Continued education partnership, access program, and monitoring photos, streamflow, water temp., weather, deer & elk, steelhead, and birds.
2004	BPA approved Management Plan. Planted 12,200 trees & shrubs & 134 ac. bunchgrass in CREP buffer. Replaced 2 culverts. Completed 10,907-ac. burn with BLM to improve wildlife habitat and watershed health. Cut juniper in 1.3 miles of riparian areas.
2003	Replaced undersized culvert ½ mile up Pine Creek with bottomless arch. Cut juniper in 2 miles of riparian area to improve wildlife habitat and watershed function. Additional monitoring: USGS streamflow gage with water temp. & weather; HEP on Wagner R.
2002	Management Plan public review, CBFWA approval, submission to BPA. Enrolled 5.4 miles of Pine Creek in CREP. Removed one passage barrier culvert. Additional monitoring: digital ortho photography, upland vegetation, aquatic habitat survey on John Day R.
2001	Draft Wildlife Habitat and Watershed Management Plan. Water rights leased instream. Acquired 9,253-acre Wagner Ranch. OWEB grant for fish-passage design. Monitoring: photos, PFC, riparian veg., water quality, deer & elk, steelhead redds, birds, & HEP.
2000	24,304-acre Pine Creek Ranch acquired in November 1999. Livestock removed. Monitoring and management planning began. Access regulations and education partnership with OMSI developed. Noxious weed survey and control began. Manager hired in Aug. 2000.
1999	Pre-acquisition surveys and appraisals were completed and BPA funding for acquisition of Pine Creek Ranch was secured.
1998	Began landowner negotiations for acquisition.
1997	Pine Creek Ranch identified as a potential mitigation site through GAP analysis due to linkages provided between wildlife habitats on adjacent federal lands.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	199705900	Or W/L Plan And Coordination	The Pine Creek and Wagner Ranch acquisitions were identified by this umbrella project for Oregon wildlife mitigation planning, coordination, and implementation.
BPA	200104000	Wagner Ranch Acquisition	Acquisition of Wagner Ranch and its incorporation into the Pine Creek Conservation Area was funded as a High Priority project while its review as a Wildlife Mitigation project was pending.
OWEB - State	204-431	Pine Cr Culvert Replacement at Robinson Canyon	This cooperative project with Wheeler SWCD was proposed by the Tribes, and received joint funding from OWEB, USFWS, and BPA through the Pine Creek Conservation Area. It removed two undersized passage barrier culverts, one from Pine Creek at Robinson Canyon, and the other on Robinson Canyon near the mouth. Both were replaced with bottomless arch structures.
OWEB - State	205-089	Pine Cr Prescription Fire For Watershed Restoration	This prescribed fire for watershed restoration and wildlife habitat improvement was a cooperative project of the Tribes, Prineville District BLM, and Wheeler SWCD. Funding was from OWEB, BLM, and BPA.
Other: OWEB - State	203-206	Pine Creek - Clarno Rd Fish Passage Restoration	The cooperative project with Wheeler SWCD and Wheeler County was proposed by the Tribes and received joint funding from OWEB, USFWS, and BPA through the Pine Creek Conservation Area. It replaced an undersized passage barrier culvert one half mile above the mouth of Pine Creek with a bottomless arch structure.
Other: OWEB - State	201-254	Pine Creek Steelhead Habitat Improvement Design & Cost-Analysis	This OWEB funded cooperative project between the Tribes and Wheeler SWCD was for engineering fish passage designs for three passage barrier sites on Pine Creek. The passage barriers were removed in separate projects in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
Other: USFWS	PC-2 2002	Pine Creek Fish Passage Improvement 2002	This cooperative project between the Tribes and Wheeler SWCD was cooperatively funded by USFWS and BPA through the Pine Creek Conservation Area O&M funding. It removed an elevated undersized culvert to restore fish passage and installed three rock weirs to protect the stream grade.
Other: NRCS/FSA	CREP	Pine Creek Riparian Buffer	The Tribes enrolled a riparian buffer along the lower 5.4 miles of Pine Creek in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The NRCS and FSA pay an annual rental fee per acre on the 124.1 acres enrolled, and provided reimbursement for planting grasses, shrubs, and trees in the riparian buffer.
Other: BLM	NA	Rattlesnake Prescribed Burn	The Tribes worked with BLM to plan this prescribed fire for watershed restoration and wildlife habitat improvement. The burn was completed in September 2004. The burn unit of 10,904 acres included 7,674 acres of the Pine Creek Conservation Area.
BPA	200203400	Wheeler Co Riparian Buffers	This project of Wheeler SWCD is dedicated to implementing riparian buffers on streams in Wheeler County. In May, 2004, the Tribes and SWCD hosted a Twilight Tour that highlighted the Tribes' CREP riparian buffer along with other wildlife habitat and watershed projects on the Pine Creek Conservation Area.
BPA	199801800	John Day Watershed Restoration	The Tribes' Watershed Restoration Program staff initially assisted with development of the Pine Creek proposal and continue to work in partnership with the Pine Creek Conservation Area.
BPA	200104101	Forrest Ranch Management	The Forrest Conservation Area is a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs John Day Basin project, focused on fish and wildlife habitat restoration. The Tribes' Conservation Area Managers work collaboratively.
BPA	200001500	Oxbow Ranch Management	The Oxbow Conservation Area is a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs John Day Basin project, focused on fish and wildlife habitat restoration. The Tribes' Conservation Area Managers work collaboratively.
Other: USFWS	NA	Partners for Fish and Wildlife	The USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provided cost-share funds and technical assistance for implementation of three fish passage projects on Pine Creek (OWEB 203-206 & 204-431, USFWS PC-2 2002). These projects were all in cooperation with Wheeler SWCD.
Other: BLM	NA	Porcupine Prescribed Burn	This prescribed fire of 8,726 acres targeted the Pine creek watershed for wildlife habitat and watershed restoration. This cooperative project of the Tribes, Wheeler SWCD and Prineville District BLM, was jointly funded and is also in this list as OWEB 205-089.
BPA	200201300	Water Entity (Rpa 151)	The Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports the work of the Oregon Water Trust. Oregon Water Trust assisted the Tribes with instream leasing of irrigation water rights on Pine Creek and the John Day River.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
All Biological Objectives	Is a placeholder for use in Section 7 when a single Work Element applies to all Biological Objectives of the Proposal.	None	[Strategy left blank]
Diversity of native wildlife increased.	Increased use by riparian, grassland, and shrub-steppe associated wildlife species. To be encouraged by allowing development of riparian habitats and managing upland habitats. To be evaluated through monitoring of breeding birds.	John Day	E: Riparian Habitat Improvements; G: Protect Existing High Quality Habitat Areas; H: Upland Improvement Projects; I: Education/Outreach.
Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated.	Pine Creek Conservation Area serves as an example of wildlife habitat and watershed management in the John Day Basin and Intermountain West.	John Day	I: Education/Outreach
Hunting opportunities provided.	Productivity of mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and upland game bird populations adequate to allow continued tribal and public hunting opportunities. To be achieved through habitat management and monitored through long-term population ratio monitoring and harvest reporting.	John Day	G: Protect Existing High Quality Habitat Areas; H: Upland Improvement Projects; I: Education/Outreach
Invasive species impacts reduced.	Impacts of invasive species on wildlife habitat quality and hydrological function should be minimal. Invasive species populations and potential for further spread should be reduced. To be evaluated beginning in 2010.	John Day	E: Riparian Habitat Improvements; G: Protect Existing High Quality Habitat Areas; H: Upland Improvement Projects.
Juniper encroachment reduced.	Ongoing encroachment of western juniper into grassland, shrub-steppe, and riparian habitats reduced. In FY07-09, 3,000 acres burned or juniper cut.	John Day	E: Riparian Habitat Improvements; H: Upland Improvement Projects; Grassland Obj. 2 Str. 1 & 4; Western Juniper Obj. 2 Str. 1 & 2.
Minimal erosion from roads.	Roads in a state of maintenance that prevents extensive movement of sediment and allows for vehicle access within 2 miles of any point on the Conservation Area.	John Day	H: Upland Improvement Projects.
Steelhead spawning increased to 4 out of 5 years.	Frequency of steelhead spawning and rearing use of Pine Creek increased from current levels (7 out of last 12 years) to 4 out of 5 years (80%) by 2015.	John Day	C: Flow Restoration, E: Riparian Habitat Improvements, G: Protect Existing High Quality Habitat Areas; H: Upland Improvement Projects

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Manage and Administer Projects	General Management and Administration	Covers general management and administration of the Pine Creek Conservation Area, including project planning and oversight. Does not include preparation and submittal of administrative documents, reports, or environmental compliance information to BPA.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$91,320
Biological objectives All Biological Objectives			Metrics
Maintain Vegetation	Manage Vegetation	Includes most aspects of vegetation management, including maintenance of riparian buffer plantings and control of invasive species as identified in the Weed Management Plan.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$92,075
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided. Invasive species impacts reduced. Steelhead spawning increased to 4 out of 5 years.			Metrics
Remove Debris	Remove old interior fences	Involves continued work to remove existing barbed -wire and woven-wire interior fences that pose a hazard to wildlife and interfere with natural movement of wildlife.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$37,240
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Hunting opportunities provided.			Metrics
Investigate Trespass	Remove trespass livestock	Monitor for trespass livestock, and work with livestock owners to coordinate removal and reduce trespass problems.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$23,405
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Invasive species impacts reduced.			Metrics
Improve/Relocate Road	Maintain proper drainage on Jennies Peak Rd	In FY2009, maintain the entire length of Jennies Peak Rd. Re-shape drainage features (drivable dips, water bars, and ditches) as necessary to maintain roadway and reduce erosion.	10/1/2008	9/30/2009	$31,805
Biological objectives Invasive species impacts reduced. Minimal erosion from roads.			Metrics * # of road miles improved, upgraded, or restored: 20
Remove vegetation	Chichester Gulch juniper cut	Cut juniper to improve wildlife habitat and watershed health. Project area in portions of Sect 25 & 26, T7SR20E in the Chichester Gulch and "North Robinson" watersheds.	10/1/2006	4/15/2007	$56,015
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided. Juniper encroachment reduced. Steelhead spawning increased to 4 out of 5 years.			Metrics * # of acres treated: 500
Conduct Controlled Burn	Shaw Canyon Prescribed Fire	Plan and Implement Prescribed Fire in Shaw Canyon area for wildlife habitat and watershed restoration in cooperation with BLM. approximately 20% of an estimated 5000-acre burn unit is tribal land. Burn tentatively scheduled for September 2007.	10/1/2006	10/1/2008	$68,395
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided. Invasive species impacts reduced. Juniper encroachment reduced.			Metrics
Remove vegetation	Amine Canyon juniper cut	Cut juniper to improve wildlife habitat and watershed health. This project to be completed in cooperation with a BLM juniper cut in the May Basin portion of Amine Canyon tentatively planned for 2008. CTWS cooperative portion in T9SR20E, parts of Sections 4, 10, and 16 in Amine Canyon watershed. Estimate CTWS portion at 550 acres.	10/1/2007	9/30/2008	$59,015
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided. Juniper encroachment reduced.			Metrics * # of acres treated: 550
Conduct Controlled Burn	East Robinson Prescribed Fire	Plan and implement a prescribed fire in cooperation with BLM for wildlife habitat and watershed restoration in the area east of lower Robinson Canyon, south of Highway 218, and west of Pine Creek Road. The estimated 500 acre burn unit is entirely on tribal land and is tentatively scheduled for September 2008.	10/1/2007	9/30/2009	$90,895
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided. Juniper encroachment reduced. Steelhead spawning increased to 4 out of 5 years.			Metrics
Remove vegetation	Cove Creek juniper cut	Cut juniper to improve wildlife habitat and watershed health. Project area in Cove Creek watershed in portions of T7SR20E Sections 19, 29, 30 and T7SR19E Section 36.	10/1/2008	9/30/2009	$92,015
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided. Juniper encroachment reduced. Steelhead spawning increased to 4 out of 5 years.			Metrics * # of acres treated: 1100
Conduct Controlled Burn	Little Pine Prescribed Fire	Plan and implement prescribed fire in cooperation with BLM in Little Pine and upper Robinson canyons for wildlife habitat and watershed restoration. Project area is estimated at approximately 2000 acres of tribal lands and the burn is tentatively planned for September, 2009.	10/1/2008	9/30/2009	$130,745
Biological objectives Diversity of native wildlife increased. Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided. Juniper encroachment reduced. Steelhead spawning increased to 4 out of 5 years.			Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Collect Monitoring Data	Ongoing collection of monitoring data, including: streamflow, water temperature, meteorogical data, riparian monitoring photos, steelhead redds, deer and elk population composition surveys, bird monitoring, and noxious weeds.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$86,120
Biological objectives Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated.			Metrics Focal Area: Tributaries & Wildlife Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Research Secondary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring
Outreach and Education	Represent the CTWS	Represent the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and work cooperatively with the local community, local conservation organizations, and education organizations. Use the Pine Creek Conservation Area as an example of conservation and stewardship practices in the lower John Day Basin.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$38,555
Biological objectives Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated.			Metrics
Provide Public Access/Information	Public Access and Information	Manage all aspects of public access to the Conservation Area. Includes reviewing access regulations, implementing access program, enforcing regulations, and coordinating research activities by outside parties.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$41,195
Biological objectives Habitat and watershed potential demonstrated. Hunting opportunities provided.			Metrics
Coordination	Coordinate Land Exchange between the Tribes and BLM	An equal value land exchange proposal to improve management and access to both tribal and federal land has been developed in cooperation with local government, neighbors, and conservation groups, and endorsed by the Wheeler County Commission. When legislation is enacted, coordinate the exchange of lands after review by BPA.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$9,915
Biological objectives All Biological Objectives			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Prepare and submit documents to BPA	Prepare and submit required documents to BPA. Includes Metric forms, Annual Income and Expense Reports, contracting documents, and other documents required by BPA. Also includes Scope of Work, Progress Reports, and Metric reporting in the Pisces system.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$13,670
Biological objectives All Biological Objectives			Metrics
Produce Annual Report	Produce and Submit Annual Reports	Produce and submit annual reports in the Pisces system.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$23,652
Biological objectives All Biological Objectives			Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Environmental Compliance	Covers Environmental Compliance documentation activities for operations and management activities on the Pine Creek Conservation Area.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$12,211
Biological objectives All Biological Objectives			Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	Conservation Area Manager (1 FTE)	$38,000	$39,140	$40,314
Personnel	Fish & Wildlife Biologist (1 FTE)	$32,000	$32,960	$33,949
Personnel	CTWS Wildlife & Parks Manager (.08 FTE)	$4,873	$5,019	$5,170
Fringe Benefits	0.25% of Salaries	$18,718	$19,280	$19,858
Supplies	Office supplies	$1,300	$1,339	$1,379
Supplies	Digital camera & GPS replacement	$1,000	$0	$0
Supplies	Software Updates	$0	$300	$350
Supplies	Printing: brochures, maps, regulations	$1,000	$1,030	$1,061
Supplies	Miscellaneous supplies: seed, hardware, etc.	$6,000	$6,180	$6,365
Supplies	Minor equipment and hand tools	$750	$750	$750
Supplies	Equipment maintenance	$400	$450	$500
Supplies	Equipment and vehicle fuel	$1,900	$1,957	$2,016
Supplies	Equipment rental	$1,500	$1,500	$2,000
Travel	Lodging and meals	$1,000	$1,030	$1,061
Travel	Mileage (POV)	$500	$515	$530
Travel	Conference & Training Fees	$500	$500	$500
Other	GSA Vehicle Leases: 1 Truck and 1 SUV	$6,600	$6,798	$7,002
Other	GSA Vehicles Mileage	$4,200	$4,326	$4,456
Other	Vehicles: Insurance	$3,000	$3,090	$3,183
Other	Telephone	$2,700	$2,781	$2,864
Other	Internet Service (Satellite)	$1,500	$1,545	$1,591
Other	Electricity	$3,000	$3,090	$3,183
Other	Sanitation: Garbage & Portable Toilet	$1,800	$1,854	$1,910
Other	Buildings Insurance	$900	$927	$955
Overhead	Tribal Overhead, at 37.1%	$49,395	$50,590	$52,291
Other	Subcontract: USGS Stream gage & weather station	$13,000	$13,390	$13,792
Other	Subcontract: Helicopter for deer & elk surveys	$2,400	$2,472	$2,546
Other	Subcontract: Salmon bake for volunteer weekend	$400	$412	$424
Other	Subcontract: Noxious weed control	$13,000	$13,390	$13,792
Other	Subcontract: Road maintenance	$0	$0	$20,000
Other	Subcontract: Prescribed Fire, Shaw Canyon	$37,500	$0	$0
Other	Subcontract: Juniper cut, Chichester Gulch	$30,000	$0	$0
Other	Subcontract: Prescribed Fire, East Robinson	$0	$60,000	$0
Other	Subcontract: Juniper cut, Amine Canyon	$0	$33,000	$0
Other	Subcontract: Prescribed Fire, Little Pine	$0	$0	$100,000
Other	Subcontract: Juniper cut, Cove Creek	$0	$0	$66,000
Totals		$278,836	$309,615	$409,792

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$998,243
Total work element budget:	$998,243

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
BLM	Prescribed Fires, Cooperative	$150,000	$10,000	$25,000	In-Kind	Under Development
BLM	Juniper cut	$0	$30,000	$0	In-Kind	Under Development
NPS	Bat monitoring	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000	In-Kind	Under Review
NRCS / FSA	CREP riparian buffer rental	$11,578	$11,578	$11,578	Cash	Confirmed
ODFW	Redd survey	$0	$0	$0	In-Kind	Under Review
OMSI	Education programs (1000 student-days/year)	$40,000	$40,000	$40,000	In-Kind	Under Review
ONDA & OHA	Volunteer work	$4,000	$4,000	$4,000	In-Kind	Under Development
USGS	Streamflow Gage	$6,750	$6,953	$7,161	In-Kind	Under Review
Wheeler SWCD	Joint tours and outreach	$500	$500	$500	In-Kind	Under Development
Totals		$217,828	$108,031	$93,239

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $425,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $425,000

Comments: Repeat HEP and satellite imagery in 2010, repeat water quality monitoring in 2011. These expenses may be cost-shared by partner agencies.

Future O&M costs: Operations and Maintenance of the Conservation Area will continue in perpetuity. Major project expenses should decrease after 15 years, but periodic prescribed fires and annual weed management and monitoring will be necessary.

Termination date: None
Comments: BPA is committed to funding operations and management of this mitigation site for the life of the hydropower system.

Final deliverables: Pine Creek Conservation Area managed for wildlife and fish habitat in perpetuity.

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

Reviews and recommendations

FY07 budget	FY08 budget	FY09 budget	Total budget	Type	Category	Recommendation
NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs]
$210,000	$210,000	$210,000	$630,000	Expense	ProvinceExpense	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$210,000	$210,000	$210,000	$0		ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: This proposal meets the ISRP review criteria, benefits wildlife, and is an exemplary proposal among the wildlife set of proposals. The project sponsors may want to explore work with their neighbors to expand the benefits of this project.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable