FY07-09 proposal 199607000

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleMckenzie Focus Watershed
Proposal ID199607000
OrganizationMcKenzie Watershed Alliance
Short descriptionContinued administration of McKenzie River Focus Watershed for coordinated planning and monitoring of fish, wildlife and water quality improvement projects and improved resource stewardship through public outreach and education.
Information transferInformation is distributed on the McKenzie Watershed Council website (mckenziewatershedcouncil.org), as well as through Council newsletters distributed throughout the State of Oregon. The Council also provides annual reports to interested stakeholders including City of Eugene, City of Springfield, Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), Lane County Board of Commissioners, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (http://oregon.gov/OWEB/) and within BPA's Piesces system. Monitoring data is housed on the EWEB website (www.mckenziewaterquality.org/)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Megan Finnessy McKenzie Watershed Council Coordinator@mckenziewatershedcouncil.org
All assigned contacts
Megan Finnessy McKenzie Watershed Council Coordinator@mckenziewatershedcouncil.org

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Lower Columbia / Willamette

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
44,07,03 122,37,20 McKenzie Entire McKenzie subbasin, including Lane and Linn Counties, 1,300 square miles, USGS Number 17090004

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Chinook Upper Willamette River ESU
Additional: Bull Trout, Oregon Chub, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, winter steelhead, western pond turtle, red-legged frog, great blue heron, harlequin duck, northern spotted owl

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments
2005 45 Council meetings,work plan development,coordination of 12500 native trees,2000 ft fencing & 30 riparian projects,300 volunteers,1 culvert replaced, Mohawk Partnership,10 presenations,1400 students,70 teachers, newsletter,WQmonitoring(Amb.,Macro,Trib)
2004 42 Counil meetings,work plan development,coordination of 9000 native trees, 1200 ft fencing,15 projects,250 volunteers,3 culvert replaced,Mohawk Partnership, 5 presentation, 350 volunteers,1750 students,70 teachers, newlsetter,WQ monitoring(Amb,Macro,Trib
2003 38Council meetings,work plan development, coordination of 10 projects,1 off stream livestock watering system,culvert prioritization,Mohawk Partnership,2 workshops,150 attendees,250 volunteers,1500 students,70 teachers,newsletter,monitoring(Amb.,Macro,Trib
2002 38 Council meetings, work plan dev, 6 culvert designs developed, 4 riparian projects, project prioritization and program development,MohawkPartnership, 225 volunteers,40 workshop attendees, 400 students,60 teachers,newsletter,monitoring(Ambient,Macro,Trib
2001 36 Council meetings,work plan development,McKenzie Conservation Strategy and Confluence Guidelines,Mohawk Partne,250 volunteers,coordination of 500 trees,riparian fencing,5 culvert designs,300 students,60 teachers,newsletter,monitoring(Ambient,Macro,Trib)
2000 32 Council meetings, 200 volunteers, coordination of 3 projects and program developm, Mohawk Parternership, reports: Subbasin Assessment and Confluence Assessment, 1 workshop, 45 attendees, 400 students, 45 teachers, newsletter, Ambient, Macro, Trib moni
1999 30 Council meetings, coordination of 2 restoration projects and 1000 ft fencing, Spring Chinook Salmon Committee, Confluence Committee developed, 150 volunteers, 1 workshop, 30 attendees, 20 teachers, newsletter; Ambient, Macro, Trib, Storm Event monitori
1998 26 Council meetings, coordination of 3 riparian projects, Spring Chinook Salmon and Education Committees, SubbasinAssessment Planning, 100 volunteers, community and education outreach, WQ Committee, development of monitoring program (Ambbient, Macro, Trib
1997 22 Council meetings, work plan development, reports: Action Plan for Recreation and Human Habitat, 100 volunteers, community and education outreach, development of Water Quality Committee and monitoring program
1996 22 Council meetings, work plan development, reports: Action Plan for Fish&Wildlife and Water Quality, Technical Reports for Fish & Wildlife and Water Quality, 60 volunteers, community outreach and education, WQ coordination with local practitioner

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
OWEB - State 08-04-002 Deerhorn Lower McKenzie Ripara Restoration on McKenzie mainstem to improve juvenile spring chinook rearing habitat (2004 - $3,200)
OWEB - State 08-04-015 McKenzie-Dlouhy Riparian Enhan Restoration on McKenzie mainstem to improve juvenile spring chinook rearing habitat (2005 - $8,000)
OWEB - State 205-031 U McKenzie River Aquatic Resto Restoration on McKenzie mainstem to improve juvenile spring chinook rearing habitat (2005 - $60,000)
OWEB - State 204-205 Lower McKenzie Watershed Enhan Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve juvenile spring chinook rearing habitat (2003 - $4,500; 2004 - $45,000; 2005 - $30,000)
Other: BLM 04-06 Mohawk-McGowan Riparian Projects Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve spring chinook and resident trout habitat (2005 - $29,500)
OWEB - State 08-04-013 Bailey Mohawk Riparian Enhance Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve spring chinook and resident trout habitat (2005 - $5,500)
OWEB - State 205-030 Simmonds Cr Improvement Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve aquatic species passage opportunities (2005 - $290,000)
Other: BLM [no entry] Parsons Creek Fish Passage Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve aquatic species passage opportunities (2005 - $14,500)
Other: BLM [no entry] Toms Creek Fish Passage Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve aquatic species passage opportunities (2004 - $12,000)
Other: USFS [no entry] Fish Passage Prioritization Funding for process to identify high priority fish passage improvement opportunities (2005 - $20,000)
OWEB - State 08-04-012 Bockelie Riparian Enhancement Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve spring chinook and resident trout habitat (2005 - $2,500)
Other: BLM NA Council Support Matching funds to aid in implementation of MWC Conservation Strategy (1999 - 2003: $30,750).
Other: EWEB NA Council Support Matching funds to aid in implementation of MWC Conservation Strategy (1996-2005: $240,000).
Other: EWEB NA Education Partners in Education funding and Education Coordinator salary (1999-2005: $81,500).
Other: City of Eugene NA Council Support Matching funds to aid in implementation of MWC Conservation Strategy (1996-2005 - $100,000).
Other: City of Springfield NA Council Support Matching funds to aid in implementation of MWC Conservation Strategy (1996-2005: $50,000).
Other: City of Springfield NA Council Support Matching funds to aid in implementation of MWC Conservation Strategy (1996-2005: $50,000).
Other: Springfield Utility Board NA Minutes Recording Funds to cover montly MWC meeting minutes costs (1999-2005: $28,000).
Other: US Forest Service - McKenzie District NA Council Support Matching funds to aid in implementation of MWC Conservation Strategy (1999-2005: $20,000).
Other: National Forest Foundation NA Interpretative Signage Funds to develop and post watershed signs throughout community (1999 - $15,000).
Other: US Fish & Wildlife Service NA Western Pond Turtle Brochure Funding to develop and distribute brochure (1999 - $5,000).
Other: Padi Foundation NA Macroinvertebrate Sampling Funds to conduct annual sampling event.
Other: River Network NA Facilitating Stakeholder Dialogue Outreach to local community (1999 - $1,300).
Other: Fish America Foundation NA Gate Creek Restoration Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve juvenile spring chinook rearing habitat (2000 - $8,500)
Other: OWEB 99-342 Macroinvertebrate Funding to conduct 4 years of sampling and produce analysis report ($1,900).
Other: OR Parks Foundation NA Intepretive Signage Funds to develop and post watershed signs throughout community (1999 - $5,000).
Other: OWEB 99-101 McKenzie-Willamette Confluence Evaluation Development of McKenzie-Willamette Confluence Assessment report (1999 - $86,000).
Other: US Fish & Wildlife Service NA Aerial Photos Match funding to produce aerial photos for Subbasin Assessment (2001 - $3,000).
Other: OWEB 200-093 Confluence Action Plan Development of Confluence Area Guidelines (2002 - $51,000).
Other: OWEB 201-160 Macroinvertebrate Sampling Funds to conduct annual sampling event and analysis (2002 - $7,425).
Other: US Fish & Wildlife Service NA Native Plant Brochure Funds to develop and distribute native plant brochure (2002 - $1,500). Matching funds McKenzie River Trust ($200) and Division of State Lands ($200).
Other: NOAA NA McKenzie Tribs Project Restoration on prioritized McKenzie tributaries to improve juvenile spring chinook rearing habitat (2002 - $15,400).
Other: Bonneville Enviornmental Foundation NA Subwatershed Planning Subwatershed planning in Mohawk River area (2003 - $66,000).
Other: OWEB 201-470 Western Pond Turtle Restoration Development of alcove for turtle restoration and spring chinook rearing habitat (2003 - $96,204).
Other: Weyerhaeuser Company NA Education Education and outreach in local community (2003 - $3,500).
Other: Willamette Restoration Initiative NA Subbasin Planning EDT on McKenzie River (2004 - $17,400).
Other: OWEB 204-112 Media Outreach Development of media outreach plan to increase awareness of watershed health (2004 - $12,584).
Other: OWEB 204-111 Spawning Education Salmon education in local school districts (2004 - $3,795).
Other: Bella Vista Foundation NA Confluence Steering Committee Further development of McKenzie-Williamette Confluence Steering Committee process (2004 - $15,000).
Other: Ferguson Foundation NA Education Education Coordinator salary (2004 - $4,000).
Other: OWEB 205-259 Spawning Education Spawning education in local school districts (2004 - $21,835).
Other: EWEB NA Monitoring Salary to conduct tributary monitoring throughout watershed (2004 - $3,825).
Other: BPA 2000-030 Assess McKenzie Watershed Habitat & Prioritize Project Development of McKenzie River Watershed Subbasin Assessment (2000 - $183,000).

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Coordination of activites among diverse groups Continued coordination of McKenzie-Willamette River Confluence Steering Committee and Mohawk Watershed Partnership; integration with Willamette Basin activities; facilitation of Local Stewardship Action Groups; continued involvement with McKenzie River Maintenance and Security Partnership; and implementation of Marketing Strategy. Willamette Institutional: Increase capacity of local groups & agencies to market and implement incentive programs; improve coordination among management entities; promote more strategic targeting of restoration investments; and increase conservation resources.
Coordination of Education/Outreach Program Education and outreach are essential for providing McKenzie River Watershed residents with the knowledge they need to make wise choices to restore and protect the health of their watershed. Both children and adults can benefit from information on the status of the watershed's resources, as well as information on the appropriate actions to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats and water quality. The Council's education and outreach efforts include: working with local teachers and students on water quality monitoring and habitat restoration projects; providing watershed stewardship curricula and other supporting materials to teachers; providing information on the status of watershed resources and avenues for participation in stewardship actions; attending community events that provide information on Council actions and other information; reporting on the results of water quality monitoring efforts and other resource assessments; maintaining a website that describes Council activities and provides access to MWC reports and assessments; and raising awareness through workshops, tours, forums, and newsletters. The Council's visibility and relationship to the McKenzie community is enhanced tremendously by this form of outreach. Willamette Institutional: Increase capacity of local groups; improve coordination at local level by promoting frequent and effective communication, outreach and education to stakeholders, decision-makers and the public.
Coordination of Restoration Projects Program Coordinate monitoring and maintenance of completed restoration projects through continual communication with private landowners. Coordinate the prioritization, development and implementation of new restoration projects through Projects Committee. Identify and prioritize replacement of aquatic species passage barriers, secure necessary engineer design and replacement funding, provide lead coordinating role in securing permits, finalizing funding agreements and overseeing the contract replacement work, all within high priority areas for fish habitat within the watershed. Positive biological outcomes to water quality and fish & wildlife habitat (and populations) are fully expected when implementing watershed restoration projects on private lands in the McKenzie. Measurable outcomes include: 1) an increase in the amount of and protection of native plant communities that benefit fish and wildlife species, 2) an increase in ecologically functioning riparian and floodplain zones, 3) improvement in water quality, and 4) improved resource stewardship and actions necessary to protect fish and wildlife habitat and water quality due to increased public awareness. Willamette Aquatic: Restore Physical Habitats - increase large wood, improve riparian shading; Conserve and Restore Bio Com. - control invasive species; Connect Habitats - get fish past barriers Terrestrial - improve riparian areas, manage invasive species, LWD
Coordination of WQ Monitoring Program The quality of water is important - for fish, for drinking, and for recreation. To get a sense for the quality of water in the McKenzie River and its tributaries the Council has developed a comprehensive monitoring program. The MWC Monitoring Program objectives include: 1. monitoring the overall health of the McKenzie River; 2. determining if and how water quality in the McKenzie River is changing over time, accounting for natural and seasonal variation; 3. providing credible data upon which management decisions can be made; 4. providing an affordable and sustainable measurement tool to evaluate the effectiveness of steps taken to protect and enhance basin water quality; 5. providing an early warning system to signal if any adverse trends are developing; and 6. using historical data to develop longer trends. Protecting and restoring water quality and quantity is one of five goals in the McKenzie River Watershed Conservation Strategy. The Council, in partnership with interested stakeholders, works to protect, restore, and monitor water quality throughout the watershed. Much of the Council's focus will be on preventing conditions that contribute to water quality problems; it will do so through outreach and education targeted to watershed residents and landowners. Water quality restoration actions will work in concert with habitat restoration actions to improve riparian vegetation, upland, wetlands and other watershed characteristics that contribute to water quality. The Council will collaborate with key interests and other organizations to coordinate the ambient, tributary, macroinvertebrate and effectiveness monitoring programs. Willamette Aquatic: Restore physical habitats by coordinating improved water quality. Institutional: Improve coordination among those working to managing Willamette subbasin habitats and increase diversity, amount and effective use of conservation resources.
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council Maintain and enhance momentum of McKenzie Watershed Council programs and activities by convening monthly Council and Executive Committee meetings; developing annual Work Plan to guide and track programs and activities; managing Council funds; and managing and administering all Council grants. Willamette Institutional: Increase capacity of local groups (especially watershed councils and districts) and agencies to market and help implement incentive programs.
Secured funding for Council activities Increase funding for McKenzie Watershed Council programs and activities by maintaining current Local Match funding, implementation of fundraising priorities and submittal at least 6 program grants. Willamette Institutional: Increase diversity, amount and effective use of conservation resources, including through improved efficiencies or enhanced funding to assist with strategy implementation.
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action Continued implementation of Water Quality and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Action Plan, Recreation and Human Habitat Action Plan, McKenzie River Subbasin Assessment, and McKenzie River Conservation Strategies. GIS maps produced indicating Council program and activity locations; quarterly program updates in Conservation Strategy Benchmark tracking database. Willamette All listed Institutional Strategies.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Environmental Compliance Continue to work under CX since MWC is not implementing work that requires further environmental clearance. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $0
Biological objectives
Metrics
Other Office and Financial Management Timely and accurate McKenzie Watershed Council legal, fiscal and office management. Cost share funding provided by Lane County Parks and Local Match 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $93,970
Biological objectives
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
Coordination Continue to Build on Success of Mohawk Watershed Partnership Coordinate Mohawk Watershed Partnership outreach, education, water quality, restoration and funds diversification efforts. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $56,383
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Coordination of Education/Outreach Program
Coordination of Restoration Projects Program
Coordination of WQ Monitoring Program
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action
Metrics
Coordination Continued Coordination of McKenzie-Willamette Rivers Confluence Steering Committee Coordinate McKenzie-Willamette Confluence Steering Committee activities and projects. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $18,794
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Coordination of Restoration Projects Program
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action
Metrics
Coordination Continued Inspiration and Facilitation of Community Participation Improve citizen awareness through participation and collaboration with local organizations and implementation of community events and public outreach efforts. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $17,228
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Coordination of Education/Outreach Program
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
Coordination Integration with Willamette Basin Activities Collaborate with other conservation efforts being conducted in the Willamette Basin. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $4,698
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
Coordination Maintain McKenzie Watershed Council Momentum Maintain and enhance momentum of McKenzie Watershed Council programs and activities. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $43,853
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Secured funding for Council activities
Metrics
Identify and Select Projects Stream System Passage Improvement Identify, prioritzie and plan for replacement of compromised McKenzie Watershed stream system passage projects. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $12,530
Biological objectives
Coordination of Restoration Projects Program
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Increased Funding for McKenzie Watershed Council Activities Increase annual McKenzie Watershed Council funding through matching cost share. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $28,193
Biological objectives
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Secured funding for Council activities
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Maintenance and Improvement of Water Quality Ensure coordination of monitoring efforts throughout McKenzie Watershed that will continue to shape future watershed conditions; conduct community outreach to ensure WQ goals are shared community goals. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $62,867
Biological objectives
Coordination of WQ Monitoring Program
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Manage and Administer Projects FY08 Scope of Work Development 10/1/2006 1/31/2007 $4,698
Biological objectives
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Restoration Project Coordination Improve portions of McKenzie Watershed toward properly functioning condition through coordinated habitat restoration projects. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $87,707
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Coordination of Restoration Projects Program
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action
Metrics
Outreach and Education Promote Community Stewarship through Education Program Provide teachers, students and interested stakeholders tools and training to implement educational watershed-related activites. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $21,928
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Coordination of Education/Outreach Program
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action
Metrics
* # of general public reached: 80
* # of students reached: 1,400
* # of teachers reached: 80
Outreach and Education Update Decision-Makers on Mckenzie Watershed Council Programs and Activities Ensure Oregon decision-makers are updated on Council programs and activities. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $4,698
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Coordination of Education/Outreach Program
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
* # of general public reached: 75
Produce Inventory or Assessment Map Development Develop GIS maps indicating Council program activities; link maps to Conservation Strategy Benchmark database. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $18,794
Biological objectives
Coordination of activites among diverse groups
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
Produce Annual Report Annual Report Annual report delivered to BPA 10/1/2006 11/30/2006 $4,698
Biological objectives
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
Produce Status Report Status Reports Quarterly status reports delivered to BPA 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $4,698
Biological objectives
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Metrics
Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results Program Database Management Accurately track McKenzie Watershed Council program activities and activities in Access database via Conservation Strategy Benchmark tracking system. 10/1/2006 9/30/2007 $21,928
Biological objectives
Maintenance of highly functional watershed council
Secured funding for Council activities
Utilization of assessments for prioritzed action
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel Two 1.0 FTE; Five 0.5 FTE; One 0.25 FTE $113,500 $118,437 $123,589
Supplies Mohawk Watershed Partnership Overhead; Public Outreach (newsletters); Administrative Fund (Supplies, Utilities, Mailings, Copies, Insurance); Water Quality $25,200 $26,296 $27,440
Travel [blank] $5,000 $5,218 $5,445
Overhead Administrative Costs $18,370 $19,170 $20,000
Totals $162,070 $169,121 $176,474
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $507,665
Total work element budget: $507,665
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Ads for Free Internet Provider $3,500 $3,700 $3,900 In-Kind Confirmed
Bureau of Land Management Projects Program Support $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 Cash Under Development
City of Eugene Council Support $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 Cash Under Review
City of Springfield Council Support $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 Cash Under Review
Eugene Water & Electric Board Meals at monthly meetings $7,200 $7,500 $7,800 In-Kind Confirmed
Eugene Water & Electric Board Council Support $24,000 $24,000 $24,000 Cash Under Review
Eugene Water & Electric Board Education Support $12,000 $12,000 $12,000 Cash Under Development
Eugene Water & Electric Board Projects Program Support $93,000 $94,200 $96,000 Cash Confirmed
Eugene Water & Electric Board Water Quality Monitoring $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 In-Kind Confirmed
Forest Service Macroinvertebrate Analysis $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 Cash Under Review
Lane County Parks Office Space $7,200 $7,500 $7,800 In-Kind Confirmed
MWC Partner Professional Services, Involvement with Council $15,000 $17,000 $19,000 In-Kind Confirmed
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Small Grants $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 Cash Under Development
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Projects Program Support $60,000 $60,000 $60,000 Cash Under Development
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Education Salary and Supplies $16,000 $16,000 $16,000 Cash Under Development
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Coordinator, Salary, Supplies, Insurance $45,000 $45,000 $45,000 Cash Under Development
Private Foundations Water Quality Support $10,000 $12,000 $14,000 Cash Under Development
Springfield Utilitiy Board Minutes Recording $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 Cash Under Review
Totals $382,900 $388,900 $395,500

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $184,150
FY 2011 estimated budget: $184,150
Comments: Based on 4.35% increase

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: On-going
Comments: As part of BPA's Focus Watershed Program, the McKenzie River Watershed Council programs and activities will be conducted as an on-going process that will be sustained through collaborative partnerships and sustainable fundraising strategies. Continued BPA support is essential to providing the coordination base of the program. Historically, BPA funds have been used to leverage considerable match (4:1) to Council programs.

Final deliverables: Comprehensive and effective watershed program focusing on improved stewardship of McKenize Watershed resources through voluntary and collaborative partnerships.

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]
$0 $0 $0 $0 Expense ProvinceExpense Do Not Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$0 $0 $0 $0 ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The McKenzie Watershed Council (MWC) has been very active in subbasin issues, is well directed, and has achieved considerable success. There is every reason to believe this success will continue in the future. Future reviews should focus on the adequacy and accomplishments of the proposed monitoring program. The proposal presents a good summary of the problems facing the McKenzie watershed as identified in the McKenzie River assessment and the Willamette Subbasin Plans. It establishes a general link between the MWC and the mitigation of identified limiting factors such as invasive vegetation, stream velocities, bank erosion and lack of channel complexity. Although the watershed has high quality habitat, significant habitat degradation has occurred in the lower river on private land. The major threat to salmon in the watershed is loss of juvenile habitat. The MWC has been funded by BPA since 1996. The proposal includes a list of project accomplishments and reports, as well as a description of the adaptive management processes that the MWC follows to implement the conservation strategy. The MWC has an impressive list of accomplishments, many involving outreach to the public. It has established an innovative benchmark system to evaluate MWC progress toward its goals. However, as earlier ISRP comments have noted it would still be helpful to have a summary of the big picture effects of the many activities being coordinated. The project to date appears to have been well coordinated and involves multiple partners planning and actively participating in aquatic and terrestrial restoration projects. Particularly noteworthy is the 8300 volunteer hours that have been devoted to assisting with MWC projects. The proposal directly addresses objectives in the McKenzie and the Willamette Subbasin Plans and is driven by the McKenzie River Conservation Strategy, which prioritizes watershed restoration actions. The strategy includes benchmarks that establish target conditions. The planning document connects the actions of the MWC to the Fish and Wildlife Program goals and other regional programs. The sponsors appear to have strong cooperative relationships with landowners and the McKenzie River Trust. Agency personnel participate in restoration planning. Objectives are clear and are directed toward continuing the work of the MWC. The objectives deal primarily with coordination of restoration activities with private, government, and NGO entities. The proposal will establish several new, prioritized on-the-ground restoration projects. Improvement of water quality and outreach are especially important objectives of the proposal. They seem to be appropriate and ambitious objectives for a watershed council. Work elements under each objective are described in detail. Techniques are appropriate for the coordination tasks described. Particularly noteworthy are the education and outreach activities conducted under Objective 4, which include not only the usual public information dissemination but also educational programs for K-12, reflecting a long-range strategy for community stewardship. In total, the work elements describe activities of a well-integrated watershed council program. The sponsors have a long-standing record of achieving success with the outlined methods. The watershed council coordinates several monitoring programs related to water quality. As part of this proposal the MWC is developing an effectiveness monitoring program to expand on existing tributary monitoring. Information transfer is implemented through the MWC website, newsletters, and annual reports. Information distribution is also through collaborators. Probably the most effective information transfer is through the outreach and education programs which are well described under Objective 4.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The McKenzie Watershed Council (MWC) has been very active in subbasin issues, is well directed, and has achieved considerable success. There is every reason to believe this success will continue in the future. Future reviews should focus on the adequacy and accomplishments of the proposed monitoring program. The proposal presents a good summary of the problems facing the McKenzie watershed as identified in the McKenzie River assessment and the Willamette Subbasin Plans. It establishes a general link between the MWC and the mitigation of identified limiting factors such as invasive vegetation, stream velocities, bank erosion and lack of channel complexity. Although the watershed has high quality habitat, significant habitat degradation has occurred in the lower river on private land. The major threat to salmon in the watershed is loss of juvenile habitat. The MWC has been funded by BPA since 1996. The proposal includes a list of project accomplishments and reports, as well as a description of the adaptive management processes that the MWC follows to implement the conservation strategy. The MWC has an impressive list of accomplishments, many involving outreach to the public. It has established an innovative benchmark system to evaluate MWC progress toward its goals. However, as earlier ISRP comments have noted it would still be helpful to have a summary of the big picture effects of the many activities being coordinated. The project to date appears to have been well coordinated and involves multiple partners planning and actively participating in aquatic and terrestrial restoration projects. Particularly noteworthy is the 8300 volunteer hours that have been devoted to assisting with MWC projects. The proposal directly addresses objectives in the McKenzie and the Willamette Subbasin Plans and is driven by the McKenzie River Conservation Strategy, which prioritizes watershed restoration actions. The strategy includes benchmarks that establish target conditions. The planning document connects the actions of the MWC to the Fish and Wildlife Program goals and other regional programs. The sponsors appear to have strong cooperative relationships with landowners and the McKenzie River Trust. Agency personnel participate in restoration planning. Objectives are clear and are directed toward continuing the work of the MWC. The objectives deal primarily with coordination of restoration activities with private, government, and NGO entities. The proposal will establish several new, prioritized on-the-ground restoration projects. Improvement of water quality and outreach are especially important objectives of the proposal. They seem to be appropriate and ambitious objectives for a watershed council. Work elements under each objective are described in detail. Techniques are appropriate for the coordination tasks described. Particularly noteworthy are the education and outreach activities conducted under Objective 4, which include not only the usual public information dissemination but also educational programs for K-12, reflecting a long-range strategy for community stewardship. In total, the work elements describe activities of a well-integrated watershed council program. The sponsors have a long-standing record of achieving success with the outlined methods. The watershed council coordinates several monitoring programs related to water quality. As part of this proposal the MWC is developing an effectiveness monitoring program to expand on existing tributary monitoring. Information transfer is implemented through the MWC website, newsletters, and annual reports. Information distribution is also through collaborators. Probably the most effective information transfer is through the outreach and education programs which are well described under Objective 4.