FY07-09 proposal 200701700

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleLower Columbia Slough Off-Channel and Floodplain Habitat Restoration Project - Phase Two
Proposal ID200701700
OrganizationColumbia Slough Watershed Council
Short descriptionThe Project seeks to restore 5 acres of historic tidal floodplain wetland habitat in the Ramsey Wetland Complex while principally restoring hydrologic connectivity and ecological function in the lower Willamette River benefiting native fish and wildlife.
Information transferProject information will be transferred and dissiminated through the following: 1) Columbia Slough Watershed Council website, email updates and watershed council meetings; 2) City of Portland Environmental Services website; 3) Project partners (LCREP, US Army Corps, NOAA Fisheries, etc.); and 4) Conference presentations.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Margaret Nover City of Portland margaret@bes.ci.portland.or.us
All assigned contacts

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Lower Columbia / Willamette

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
45.62173N 123.23875W lower Columbia Slough NW ¼ of Section 36, Township 2 North, Range 1 West

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Chinook All Populations
primary: Coho Lower Columbia River ESU
primary: Steelhead All Populations
secondary: Pacific Lamprey
secondary: River Lamprey
secondary: Freshwater Mussels
secondary: All Wildlife
Additional: Northern red-legged frog, Western painted turtle, bald eagle, pileated woodpecker, willow flycatcher, Swainson's thrush, yellow warbler, Bullock's oriole, California myotis (bat), Yuma myotis (bat), long-legged myotis (bat), fringed myotis (bat), long-eared myotis (bat), silver-haired bat, and Pacific western big-eared bat

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
Other: ACOE Estuary Habitat Restoration Program tbd Lower Columbia Slough Off-channel & Floodplain Habitat Restoration Cost-share agreement with the Corps to provide construction services for Phase Two
OWEB - State [no entry] Lower Columbia Slough Off-Channel and Floodplain Habitat Restoration Grant application pending January 2006 for Phase Two
Other: LCREP/NOAA Grant 09-2005 Ramsey Wetland Complex Off-channel Habitat Design and Restoration Phase One project funder
Other: City of Portland na Ramsey Wetland Complex Off-channel Habitat Restoration Phase One project funder
Other: Port of Portland na Ramsey Wetland Complex Off-channel Habitat Restoration Phase One project funder
Other: Private Donation na Ramsey Wetland Complex Off-channel Habitat Restoration Phase One project funder
Other: Metro Regional Government na Ramsey Wetland Complex Off-channel Habitat Restoration Phase One project funder
Other: FishAmericaFoundation/NOAA Grant FAF-5050 Ramsey Wetland Complex Off-channel Habitat Restoration Phase One Project Funder
Other: ODFW na Ramsey Wetland Complex Off-channel Habitat Restoration Phase One Project Funder

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Increase habitat diversity for native species Increase habitat diversity throughout off-channel and floodplain wetland / riparian habitat for native fish and wildlife species Willamette Restore physical habitats; Conserve and restore biological communities; and Connect favorable habitats
Increase instream complexity Increase the amount and the quality of instream rearing and refuge habitat for juvenile Chinook, coho and steelhead to assist in species recovery Willamette Restore physical habitat; Conserve and restore biological communities; and Connect favorable habitats
Reconnect off-channel / floodplain wetland habitat Restore hydrologic connectivity between Ramsey Wetland Complex and the Lower Columbia Slough to enhance historic floodplain wetland habitat Willamette Restore physical habitats; Conserve and restore biological communities; and Connect favorable habitats

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Produce Biological Assessment and secure permits Produce Biological Assessment, in coordination with US Army Corps of Engineers, and secure permits from City of Portland, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of State Lands, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other relevant permitting agencies. 12/1/2007 3/31/2008 $8,000
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Increase instream complexity
Reconnect off-channel / floodplain wetland habitat
Metrics
Increase Instream Habitat Complexity Place large wood Place approximately 100 pieces of large wood in newly created slough channels and along banks to provide cover and instream complexity. 6/15/2008 9/15/2008 $0
Biological objectives
Increase instream complexity
Metrics
* # of structures installed: Approx 100 pieces of large wood
Plant Vegetation Install native trees, shrubs and herbaceous species Install native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plant species throughout the project area. Species selection includes native riparian and scrub-shrub / forested wetland vegetation. 1/15/2009 3/30/2009 $0
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Metrics
* # of acres of planted: 5 acres
Realign, Connect, and/or Create Channel Construction of backwater slough channels Create off-channel habitat by constructing backwater slough channels. This work element is part of Phase 2, and will be completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under a cost-share agreement with the City of Portland est. at $399,500. 6/15/2008 9/15/2008 $0
Biological objectives
Reconnect off-channel / floodplain wetland habitat
Metrics
* # of stream miles treated, including off-channels, after realignment: Less than 1.0 miles
Remove vegetation Site preparation Preparing 5 acres for installation of native wetland and riparian vegetation 10/1/2008 1/15/2009 $0
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Metrics
* # of acres treated: 5 acres
Maintain Vegetation Vegetation management For five years, ensure plant establishment through interplanting of native plants and control of noxious weeds during the growing season. 4/1/2009 9/15/2010 $0
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Project and fiscal Management Manage project elements from pre-design and design phase, through construction, revegetation and monitoring. Manage finances associated with project and grant. 3/1/2007 2/28/2010 $15,000
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Increase instream complexity
Reconnect off-channel / floodplain wetland habitat
Metrics
Outreach and Education Environmental Stewardship Create and implement a civic engagement plan that encourages public participation in the project including volunteer planting events, monitoring, educational field trips, etc. Also, water quality sampling is performed continuously in-stream and through monthly grab samples 3/1/2007 2/28/2010 $0
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Reconnect off-channel / floodplain wetland habitat
Metrics
* # of general public reached: Up to 150 people
* # of students reached: Approx. 150 students
Produce Design and/or Specifications Conduct pre-design and design phase Conduct pre-design activities, including, but not limited to, topographic surveys, soil and sediment analysis, wetland delineation and hydrogeomorphic (HGM) wetland assessment, and hydraulic / hydrologic analysis. Design deliverables will include (but may not be limited to) all applicable state, federal and local permits, design drawings, erosion control plan, implementation monitoring plan, fish salvage plan (if necessary), large wood placement plan, and a revegetation planting plan. The US Army Corps will implement the project design. 6/1/2007 3/31/2008 $85,000
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Increase instream complexity
Reconnect off-channel / floodplain wetland habitat
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Large Wood Monitoring Tag large wood and monitor its movement once per year for five years. 9/15/2008 9/15/2010 $0
Biological objectives
Increase instream complexity
Metrics
Focal Area: Large Wood Movement
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring Monitor fish use of the project site before, during and after construction to ensure project meets biological objectives. 3/1/2007 2/28/2010 $45,000
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Increase instream complexity
Reconnect off-channel / floodplain wetland habitat
Metrics
Focal Area: Fish surveys- absence/presence, genetics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Vegetation monitoring Monitor native plant survival, % of invasive recurrence over five years. 3/1/2007 9/30/2010 $0
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Metrics
Focal Area: At least 800 woody native plants/acre
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Wildlife monitoring Wildlife surveys documenting aquatic and terrestrial target species pre/post construction. 3/1/2007 2/28/2010 $0
Biological objectives
Increase habitat diversity for native species
Metrics
Focal Area: Target wildlife species absence/presence

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel Fiscal administration $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Other Design Engineer $30,000 $6,000 $0
Other CADD Technician $2,000 $2,000 $0
Other Monitoring $15,000 $15,000 $15,000
Other Permits $0 $8,000 $0
Other Survey $20,000 $0 $0
Other Archaeological Invest-Ph 2 $5,000 $0 $0
Other Enviro Invest - Ph 2 $20,000 $0 $0
Totals $97,000 $36,000 $20,000
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $153,000
Total work element budget: $153,000
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
ACOE Construction $0 $0 $399,500 Cash Confirmed
City of Portland Staff $10,000 $15,000 $10,000 In-Kind Confirmed
OWEB Investor $150,000 $0 $0 Cash Under Review
Volunteers Labor $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 In-Kind Confirmed
Totals $165,000 $20,000 $414,500

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $25,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $25,000
Comments: Ongoing monitoring and maintenance

Future O&M costs: Up to five years post construction monitoring and maintenance.

Termination date: 9/15/2013
Comments: The termination date is established five years after construction, coinciding with the end of project monitoring.

Final deliverables: Five acres of fully restored off-channel/floodplain wetland habitat.

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 proposal provides a very clear description of the nature of the problem and the role of floodplain habitat in providing rearing areas for juvenile salmon. Limiting factors identified in the Willamette Subbasin Plan are lack of key habitats and lack of habitat diversity that have affected the availability of habitat as refugia and rearing areas for juvenile salmon. The proposed project is a priority for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the City of Portland. It is related to three other habitat connectivity projects described in this section, including phase one of this project in the Ramsey Wetland Complex, which included evaluation and assessment of the potential for reconnectivity projects, now being proposed. The restoration of 5 acres will add about 12% to the existing 42 acres of natural wetlands that exist. These restoration actions are expected to provide multiple ecological benefits including benefits to listed salmon, and other native fish and wildlife. A wide range of amphibians, birds, and bats will benefit from the improved habitat. Results from this work could be informative elsewhere. Acknowledging perhaps the high price tag of $600,000 for this small area, the proposers claim some benefits that stretch the imagination; the increase in flood storage for the Willamette is trivial, and for the Columbia is microscopic. Monitoring work elements are built into each objective. Fish response to the construction of backwater slough channels will be monitored by collaborations of the City of Portland, Ducks Unlimited, and ODFW. Effect of placement of large wood (Task 2.2) will also be monitored by the City of Portland. Specific criteria for vegetation success (Task 3.5.1) will be monitored. Frequency of data collection is also described. Wildlife response will be monitored by surveys as well as in coordination with volunteer groups.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The proposal provides a very clear description of the nature of the problem and the role of floodplain habitat in providing rearing areas for juvenile salmon. Limiting factors identified in the Willamette Subbasin Plan are lack of key habitats and lack of habitat diversity that have affected the availability of habitat as refugia and rearing areas for juvenile salmon. The proposed project is a priority for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the City of Portland. It is related to three other habitat connectivity projects described in this section, including phase one of this project in the Ramsey Wetland Complex, which included evaluation and assessment of the potential for reconnectivity projects, now being proposed. The restoration of 5 acres will add about 12% to the existing 42 acres of natural wetlands that exist. These restoration actions are expected to provide multiple ecological benefits including benefits to listed salmon, and other native fish and wildlife. A wide range of amphibians, birds, and bats will benefit from the improved habitat. Results from this work could be informative elsewhere. Acknowledging perhaps the high price tag of $600,000 for this small area, the proposers claim some benefits that stretch the imagination; the increase in flood storage for the Willamette is trivial, and for the Columbia is microscopic. Monitoring work elements are built into each objective. Fish response to the construction of backwater slough channels will be monitored by collaborations of the City of Portland, Ducks Unlimited, and ODFW. Effect of placement of large wood (Task 2.2) will also be monitored by the City of Portland. Specific criteria for vegetation success (Task 3.5.1) will be monitored. Frequency of data collection is also described. Wildlife response will be monitored by surveys as well as in coordination with volunteer groups.