FY07-09 proposal 200204500

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Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleCoeur D'Alene Fish Habitat Acq
Proposal ID200204500
OrganizationCoeur D'Alene Tribe
Short descriptionThis project aims to protect westslope cutthroat trout habitats by acquiring land management rights through purchase of easements, long term leases and possibly fee title. Priority areas have been previously defined by a Prioritization Plan (2003).
Information transferTechnical information will be shared with other Fish and Wildlife Managers through quarterly reports, annual reports, and property assessment reports. Management of properties after management rights are acquired will be the responsibility of BPA #199004400 and gathering and dissemination of pertinent data will be handled through that project.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Gerald Green Coeur d'Alene Tribe ggreen@cdatribe-nsn.gov
All assigned contacts
Gerald Green Coeur d'Alene Tribe ggreen@cdatribe-nsn.gov
Cameron Heusser Coeur d'Alene Tribe cheusser@cdatribe-nsn.gov

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Intermountain / Coeur d'Alene

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
47 degrees 14 minutes N 116 degrees 46 minutes W Tributaries of Lake Coeur d'Alene Benewah, Alder, Evans and Lake Creek on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Westslope Cutthroat

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments
2005 Funding stalemate continued, however, a list of potential Expense acquisitions was submitted to BPA in July. BPA declined to fund any of these acquisitions. A Within-Year-Budget Modification Request for easement acquisitions was submitted for FY2006.
2004 Budget constraints prevented contracting for Expense funding. NPCC recommended funding in excess of $2,000,00, however, the lack of a crediting mechanism for resident fish substitution prevent contracting under the Capitol ledger.
2003 Budget constraints prevented contracting for Expense funding. NPCC recommended funding in excess of $2,000,00, however, the lack of a crediting mechanism for resident fish substitution prevent contracting under the Capitol ledger.
2002 Recieved a Fundable recommendation from the Bonneville Power Administration (March 25).
2001 The Project Proposal recieved a fund recommendation from the ISRP (April 6), a High Priority recommendation from CBFWA (March 16), and a Fund recommendation from the then NWPPC with the added recommendation to combine it with the Lake Creek Project.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 199004400 Implement Fisheries Enhancement on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation within the Coeur d'Alene Subbasin 19904400 strives to restore a westslope cutthroat trout fishery on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation and in the Coeur d'Alene Subbasin. However, it lacks a means of providing long term protection for fish habitats. This Project will provide that protection primarily through acquisition of conservation easements. The possibility exists to protect priority fish habitats through fee title acquisition as well.
BPA 199004401 Lake Creek Land Acquisition Lake Creek is the one Target Tributary on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation where wildlife mitigation can overlap with resident fish substitution efforts. The Lake Creek Land Acquisition Project uses both wildlife mitigation criteria and priority westslope cutthroat trout habitat as a means of identifying target properties in the Lake Creek Watershed. Management responsibilities on acquired properties are assigned through development of a management plan for acquired properties.
BPA 199206100 Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigati Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigation Project is a cooperative, multi-agency wildlife mitigation project developed and coordinated through the Albeni Falls Interagency Workgroup. Implementation efforts are focused at providing in-kind mitigation for habitat types impacted through the construction and inundation of Albeni Falls Dam. Target habitats identified for protection, restoration, and enhancement efforts include riparian corridors, wetlands, floodplains and scrub-shrub habitats. The Johnson Property in central Benewah Valley was purchased as HU crediting for construction and inundation losses attributed to Albeni Falls Dam. The purchase of this property has enabled the Coeur d’Alene Tribe to conduct restoration activities on 3 mile of Benewah Creek. Unfortunately, little opportunity exits to use the Albeni Falls Mitigation Project to protect resident fish habitat because habitats best suited for Wildlife HU crediting generally do not overlap with resident fish needs in most of the Target Tributaries on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation.
BPA 200103200 Coeur d'Alene Fisheries Enhancement in the Hangman Watershed 200103200 strives to improve redband trout habitats in the streams of the Hangman Watershed, which is in the Spokane Subbasin. 200103200 has identified, monitored and improved habitats for native redband trout in the Upper Hangman Watershed, which is east of the Washington/Idaho State border. 200103200 lacks a habitat protection component as does 199004400
BPA 200103300 Hangman Restoration Project The Hangman Restoration Project is to 200103200 what the Coeur d'Alene Fish Habitat Acquisition (this project) is to 199004400. The Hangman Restoration Project was designed and implemented to provide habitat protection for the red band trout populations that are the focus of 200103200. The Hangman Restoration Project has completed a prioritization plan and has purchased high priority property in the Upper Hangman Watershed for HU crediting against Albeni Falls. The acquired properties are in connective habitats and do not encompass the stream reaches where current redband populations are found. As in the Coeur d'Alene Subbasin, habitats that are currently critical for resident fish populations do not overlap with suitable wildlife mitigation habitats with high consistency.
Other: EPA Special Project TMDL Development EPA provides funding to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to monitor surface water quality of streams, conduct watershed assessments, and provide the frame work for Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development on the Reservation under section 106 of the Clean Water Act. Monitoring is conducted at 25 sites within the Reservation including 19 sites within the Coeur d'Alene Subbasin. Data is compiled and used to supplement the analysis of fish and macroinvertebrate abundance and distribution on the Reservation. Data on temperature, discharge and turbidity, in particular, are important in evaluating restoration project effectiveness and coupled with landscape analysis and GIS modeling, provide the necessary information to formulate watershed assessments. Data currently gathered from the sites in the Coeur d'Alene Subbasin will be used in the research, planning, design and monitoring phases of all Coeur d'Alene Fish and Wildlife Proposals. The TMDL plan for Lake Creek was completed in October of 2005, The TMDLs are scheduled for Hangman, Benewah and Alder Creeks are scheduled for completion in 2006.
Other: Coeur d'Alene Tribe Education Dept. Summer Intern Program The Coeur d'Alene Tribe Education Department funds a summer internship program for high school students interested in natural resources management. The Fisheries Program supervises 3-5 of these interns each year and benefits by using them in tree planting and fence building projects, among other things. Several graduates of the internship program have continued working on restoration projects as seasonal technicians. It is expected that some of the upcoming new interns, as well as employees who started as interns, will work on aspects of projects associated with this proposal.
Other: Coeur d'Alene Tribe IRMP Integrated Resource Management Plan In September of 2005, the Tribe completed a Integrated Resources Management Plan (IRMP) with funding assistance from the USEPA General Assistance Program, USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, Administration for Native Americans, and Department of Health and Human Services. The Tribe’s Natural Resource Department took the lead on the project, with participation coming from all Tribal programs and departments. Goals of the project are to create a common vision for the future use and sustainability of Tribal natural, environmental and cultural resources; provide clear goals and objectives to reach the Tribe’s common vision; and coordinate the management of tribal natural, environmental and cultural resources. Direct benefit will come to this project through adoption of standards and guidelines for the protection of fish and wildlife resources, and through identification and remediation of conflicting management practices. The IRMP is the first Tribal management plan that will encompass all natural resources and environmental elements on the Reservation.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Protect Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat Acquire management rights to riparian zones, wetlands, stream courses and adjacent non riparian habitats to protect, and restore and enhance as needed, at least 3 miles of priority westslope cutthroat trout habitat per year. Intermountain Coeur d'Alene Subbasin Acquatic Strategies 2A2 a-g; Acquatic Strategies 2B1, a and c

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Coordination Coordinate Activities with Project 199004400, Implement Fisheries Enhancement on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation Coordinate all activities with Project #19904400 to ensure the Prioritization Plan incorporates the latest data, properties are properly identified, and easements are sought in the proper sequence to maximize the benefits of project efforts. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $6,000
Biological objectives
Protect Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat
Metrics
Produce Plan Update the Habitat Protection Plan Defining Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat Incorporate recent data gathered on westslope cutthroat trout population distributions and habitat characteristics into the Habitat Protection Plan for the 4 Target Tributaries in the Coeur d’Alene Subbasin. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $9,500
Biological objectives
Protect Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat
Metrics
Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities Complete Conservation Easement Pre-Acquisition Activities Complete all pre-acquisition activities in preparation for the acquisition of conservation easements to protect priority westslope cutthroat trout habitat. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $297,660
Biological objectives
Protect Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Complete NEPA Checklists Complete NEPA checklists to ensure each easement acquisition conforms to all federal standards for acquisitions. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $14,000
Biological objectives
Protect Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat
Metrics
Land Purchase Purchase Conservation Easements to Protect Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat Complete the purchase of management rights on lands encompassing and supporting priority westslope cutthroat trout habitat within the 4 Target Tributaries of the Coeur d’Alene Subbasin. 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $2,700,000
Biological objectives
Protect Priority Westslope Cutthroat Trout Habitat
Metrics
* # of riparian miles protected: A minimum of 4 miles of stream protected per year
Outreach and Education Inform the Public, Particularly Local Residents, of Project Activies Inform local public of activites directed at protection of priority westslope cutthroat trout habitats in the Target Watersheds 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $5,500
Biological objectives
Metrics
* # of general public reached: 1,500/year through meetings and published articles
* # of students reached: 100/year through educational events
* # of teachers reached: 5/year through curriculum developmetn and events
Manage and Administer Projects Complete and Report on Efforts to Complete All Work Elements Ensure completion of all FY2007-FY2009 Work Elements, Milestones and Reports 10/1/2006 9/30/2009 $31,000
Biological objectives
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel 0.5 FTE Project Manager $22,391 $23,504 $24,679
Personnel 0.25 FTE Administrative Assistant $8,580 $9,009 $9,459
Fringe Benefits 40% $12,388 $13,005 $13,655
Travel Local and Regional Involvements $1,200 $1,200 $1,200
Other GSA Vehicle (1/4 year) $1,800 $1,890 $1,985
Other Office Space Rental $1,047 $1,047 $1,047
Other Communications and Postage $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Other Office Supplies $600 $600 $600
Other Copy Machine Rental (1/4 year) $975 $975 $975
Overhead Indirects (31.47%) $15,729 $16,437 $17,183
Other Subcontracted Appraisals (7/year) $31,500 $31,500 $31,500
Other Subcontracted Cultural Resource Surveys (7/year) $21,000 $21,000 $21,000
Other Easement Acquisition $900,000 $900,000 $900,000
Totals $1,018,210 $1,021,167 $1,024,283
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $3,063,660
Total work element budget: $3,063,660
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Totals $0 $0 $0

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $0
FY 2011 estimated budget: $0
Comments:

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: No definit date
Comments: This project will terminate when the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Fisheries Enhancement Project in the Coeur d'Alene Subbasin attains its goals for westslope cutthroat trout production.

Final deliverables: Conservation Easements that provide protection for priority west slope cutthroat trout habitats.

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

[Attached Document] 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]
$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: Response requested

NPCC comments: The proposal is to purchase easements so that management rights can be exercised to provide protection for habitats that provide or can potentially provide instream habitats for native westslope cutthroat trout. They would be acquired from one timber company and are in the Benewah Creek drainage. A response is needed better justifying the properties that the program proposes to protect. Please substantiate how these properties would fit in with their overall restoration and protection prioritizations. What management actions would be implemented? How would these benefit fish and wildlife, especially cutthroat trout? Please provide specific quantitative information on distribution and density of cutthroat trout, and any other trout species present, within or nearest to the property. What is the size (stream order and/or approximate dimensions) of the stream(s) involved? Are these easements for perpetuity or limited in time? See ISRP programmatic comments on easements.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Not fundable

NPCC comments: The proposal was vague and confusing, and the response, although clearly written, makes it evident that the proposal was premature. The process of prioritizing potentials parcels of land needs to be revised and completed before the process advances. The proposal did not make very clear that the funded land-acquisition project was largely based on property priorities developed in a 2002 Habitat Protection Plan. That planning was laudable and likely had a strong influence on the successful funding at that time. As described in the sponsors' response to the ISRP's 2007-2009 proposal comments, that plan developed a systematic (numerical) scoring system for the habitat value of each potentially obtainable property (primarily for cutthroat trout), including consideration of lack of data. The principal activity of the project since funding was provided appears to have been re-evaluation of potentially available properties based on new data (apparently obtained in conjunction with other funded projects). This is appropriate. Neither the proposal nor the response, however, indicates that action has been taken to acquire any properties. A major result of the continuing evaluations, as the response makes clear, has been recognition that the original prioritization was inadequate and that both the priority listing and the system used for setting priorities need to be changed. The work of redoing the prioritization appears to be a task for the proposed contract period. In spite of apparent good initial planning, the project has developed into a continual planning exercise rather than a project that has accomplished its stated mission to acquire properties and manage them for habitat protection and enhancement. The vagueness of habitat management plans remains a concern to the ISRP. Because the 2002 prioritization used specific degradation metrics, it would seem logical that the proposal would have indicated how these habitat problems would be addressed during 2007-2009 for properties acquired. This could have been done generically without identifying the specific properties. For example, stream temperature was listed in the response as a factor in the ranking process. The proposal (or response) could have proposed specific measures to improve streamside vegetation and shading, such as riparian plantings or cattle exclusion (assuming the prioritization analysis identified riparian problems). The reviewers could have seen whether the approaches were sound. Simply discussing each habitat degradation category in a few sentences would have shown that this aspect of the work had been given some detailed thought. The proposal is really premature, a result of inadequate progress with the current funding. Although it will be awkward for the 2007-2009 funding cycle, the revised prioritization should be completed before this project is re-funded. Then the project funds could be used for actual property acquisition and habitat management.