Lake Creek Land Acquisition proposal 199004401

FY07-09 proposal 199004401

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Lake Creek Land Acquisition
Proposal ID	199004401
Organization	Coeur D'Alene Tribe
Short description	This project is intended to protect, enhance, and maintain wetland and riparian habitat in the Lake Creek drainage to provide a minimum of 760 HUs to credit against construction and inundation losses attributed to the Albeni Falls Dam.
Information transfer	Technical information will be shared with other Fish and Wildlife Managers through annual reports, HEP reports, property assessment reports and monitoring and evaluation reports. Data gathered from projects will conform to Albeni Falls Monitoring and Evaluation protocols and will contribute to ongoing mitigation efforts for Albeni Falls Dam. Technical information obtained from the project will also be incorporated in adaptive management procedures adopted by tribal and agency managers involved with Albeni Falls mitigation. Information generatied through this project will also be shared with the public and professional peers at appropriate opportunities.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
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

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
47 degrees, 31 minutes N	117 degrees, 31 minutes W	Lake Creek empties into the Coeur d'Alene Lake	The Lake Creek Watershed is in the Southern portion of Kootenai County, Idaho. The lower half of the Watershed is within the northwest corner of the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservaiton

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Cutthroat Trout
Additional: Black-capped Chickadee, Yellow Warbler, White-tailed Deer, Muskrat, Mallard, Bald Eagle, Canada Goose

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Draft outline of the Ramsey Property Management Plan, which was based heavily on the assessment work of the previous year, was completed. Negotiations with landowners are continuing and the opportunity exists to complete the crediting of 760 HUs to BPA.
2004	New contract established in April. Initial assessments of the Ramsey property were completed. HEPs were completed and crediting was changed to 66.91 HUs credited against Albeni Falls construction and inundation losses.
2003	Attempts to combine the Lake Creek Land Acquisition Project with the Coeur d'Alene Wetlands Project failed due to the lack of a crediting mechanism for land purchases designed to benefit resident fish substitution efforts.
2002	BPA recommended project be funded in combination with Coeur d'Alene Wetlands Project as was recommended by ISRP (March 25, 2002). The 147.6 acre Ramsey property was acquired in July, crediting BPA a minimum of 30 of the 760 HUs.
2001	Project recognized as High Priority by CBFWA (March 16, 2001). The ISRP recommended the Project be combined with the Coeur d'Alene Wetlands Project (April 6, 2001). NPCC recommended the Project be funded under conditions stated by the ISRP.
2000	Negotiations with Kootenai Properties were suspended and the Project was redefined to shift focus to finding other properties in the Lake Creek Watershed that provide similar benefits to wildlife and westslope cutthroat trout recovery efforts.
1999	Ongoing negotiations with Kootenai Properties to acquire approximately 2,300 acres in Lower Lake Creek.
1998	Ongoing negotiations with Kootenai Properties to acquire approximately 2,300 acres in Lower Lake Creek.
1997	Ongoing negotiations with Kootenai Properties to acquire approximately 2,300 acres in Lower Lake Creek.
1996	Ongoing negotiations with Kootenai Properties to acquire approximately 2,300 acres in Lower Lake Creek.
1995	Initiate negotiations with Kootenai Properties to acquire approximately 2,300 acres in Lower Lake Creek.
1994	Project inception: Complete all pre-acquisition activities and acquire approximately 2,300 acres of the Lower Lake Creek Watershed owned by Kootenai Properties. BPA would be credited 760 HUs against Albeni Falls construction and inundation losses.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	199004400	Coeur D'Alene Reservation Habi	Since Lake Creek is one of the four drainages in which 199004400 focuses its efforts, all activities of the Lake Creek Land Acquisition Project will complement 199004400. 199004400 focuses on stream habitats and the Lake Creek Land Acquisition will focus on protecting and enhancing the habitats on Lake Creek lands that encompass those stream habitats. While the Lake Creek Land Acquisition Project credits against losses attributed to Albeni Falls Dam, it also has the westslope cutthroat trout as a target species to ensure duel benefits can be derived from the land purchases it completes.
BPA	199206100	Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigati	The Lake Creek Land The Lake Creek Land Acquisition and Enhancement Project specifically targets in-kind wetland and riparian habitats impacted by Albeni Falls Dam and credits against losses attributed to Albeni Falls. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is a member of the Albeni Falls Work Group and has ensured that the Lake Creek Land Acquisition Project is an umbrella project approved by the Workgroup.
BPA	200204500	Coeur D'Alene Fish Habitat Acq	According to the results of the last Rolling Provincial Review the Lake Creek Land Acquisition and Enhancement Project was to be combined with the Coeur d’Alene Fish Habitat Acquisition Project. However, the lack of a crediting mechanism for acquisitions that benefit resident fish prevented any progress in contracting the Coeur d’Alene Fish Habitat Acquisition Project thus preventing progress toward completing the Lake Creek Land Acquisition goals. In order to circumvent this situation the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has decided to pursue the Lake Creek Land Acquisition Project independently of the Coeur d’Alene Fish Habitat Acquisition Project. The Lake Creek Project will remain a dual benefits project but will no longer be held up by the complications associated with purchasing lands strictly for the enhancement of resident fish population.
Other: EPA	Special Project	Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Sediments in the Waters of Lake Creek in Couer d'Alene Lake Subbasin, Idaho	The Lake Creek TMDL Project, which was completed in September 2005, defined the major stream imparements in Lake Creek. The TMDL also defined strategies for meeting the TMDL allocations and the Lake Creek Land Acquisition Project strives to implement those strategies. In addition, 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.
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. Habitats that support fish in the Hangman Watershed are unlike habitats in Lake Creek in that they are not juxtaposed with habitats that can readily support HU crediting.
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 criticle for resident fish populations do not overlap with suitable wildlife mitigation habitats with high consistency. Lake Creek is purhaps the one Target Tributary where HU crediting can be juxtaposed with fish habitat protection.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Acquire Mitigation Properties in Lake Creek	Acquire properties in the Lake Creek watershed that can provide the dual benefits of crediting a minimum of 200 HUs against Albeni Falls construction and inundation losses and encompass a minimum of 1.0 miles of priority westslope cutthroat trout habitat by September 2009.	Intermountain	Coeur d'Alene Subbasin Terrestrial Strategies 1A1 - 1A8 a through e; Acquatic Strategies 2B1 a & c.
Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats	Begin restoration on a minimum of 200 acres of degraded habitats by October 2009.	Intermountain	Coeur d'Alene Subbasin Terrestrial Strategies 1A1 - 1A8 c, d, & e; Terrestrial Strategy 1A9 a.
Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties	Maintain minimum HUs established by HEP proceedures the acquired 147.6 acre property.	Intermountain	Coeur d'Alene Subbasin Terrestrial Strategy 1A1-1A8 a, b, d, and e; Terrestrial Strategy 1A9 a.
Monitor and Evaluate Mitigation Efforts	Using the Albeni Falls Monitoring and Evaluation Plan as a template, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation/restoratoin efforts on the 147.6 acres already acquired and any additional properties that are acquired during the FY2007-FY2009 review period.	Intermountain	Coeur d'Alene Subbasin Terrestrial Strategy 1A1-1A8 a, b, d, and e; Terrestrial Strategy 1A9 a.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est 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 priority parcels in the Lake Creek Watershed are properly identified and management of acquired properties maximizes benefits to native cutthroat trout.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$6,000
Biological objectives Acquire Mitigation Properties in Lake Creek Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats Monitor and Evaluate Mitigation Efforts			Metrics
Produce Plan	Produce Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for Each Acquired Property	Using the Albeni Falls Monitoring and Evaluation Plan as a template, produce a plan to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation management on acquired properties.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$18,842
Biological objectives Monitor and Evaluate Mitigation Efforts			Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Collect Data to Determine Effectiveness of Mitigation Activities	Collect data to reflect the status and identify trends in habitat development on acquired properties.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$16,374
Biological objectives Monitor and Evaluate Mitigation Efforts			Metrics Focal Area: Data specific to mitigation properties
Create/Manage/Maintain Database	Centralize Mitigation Property Monitoring Data	Establish data bases to store monitoring data, enable statistical analysis and share with regional management entities.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$3,620
Biological objectives Monitor and Evaluate Mitigation Efforts			Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data	Analyze and Interpret Data to Determine Effectiveness of Mitigation Efforts	Quantitatively define the effects of mitigation management through statistical evaluation of management efforts.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$27,400
Biological objectives Monitor and Evaluate Mitigation Efforts			Metrics Focal Area: Data specific to mitigation properties
Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities	Complete Pre-acquisition Activities on Suitable Lake Creek Properties	Complete all pre-acquisition activites to comply with all Federal pre-acquisition standards	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$292,021
Biological objectives Acquire Mitigation Properties in Lake Creek			Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Complete NEPA Checklists	Complete NEPA checklists for each property prior to acquisition.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$4,360
Biological objectives Acquire Mitigation Properties in Lake Creek			Metrics
Land Purchase	Complete Acquisitions of Suitable Properties in Lake Creek	Close on the fee title acquisition of lands in the Lake Creek Watershed that will credit against Albeni Falls and protect resident fish habitats	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$3,000,000
Biological objectives Acquire Mitigation Properties in Lake Creek			Metrics # of HU's protected by land purchase or easement: HU's will be determined by HEP
Produce Inventory or Assessment	Determine Immediate Threats to Integrity of Acquired Properties	Survey properties to identify imminent and possible threats to habitats of target species.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$1,400
Biological objectives Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics
Produce Inventory or Assessment	Complete HEP and Other Appropriate Habitat Assessments	Assess each acquired properties current and potential habitats to accurately credit BPA for lossed HU's and develope management stratetegies to maximize benefit to native fish and wildlife.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$87,136
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics
Produce Plan	Produce a Management Plan for Each Acquired Property	The management plan for each acquired property will identify the management strategies that will maximize habitat effectiveness and minimize investment requirements.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$17,525
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics
Maintain Vegetation	Maintain Vegetation Patterns within Acquired Propertiess	Maintain native vegetation patterns to benefit native fish and wildlife populations,	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$8,393
Biological objectives Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics
Install Fence	Install Structures Designed to Manage Access to Mitigation Properties.	Install fences and gates were needed to minimize damage to mitigation properties caused by inappropriate access.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$6,253
Biological objectives Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics * # of miles of fence: distance determine by inventories and plans
Remove vegetation	Treat Noxious Weeds to Limit Their Effects on Native Habitats	Complete initial treatments of noxious weeds to allow establishment of native vegetation.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$6,747
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics * # of acres treated: area determined by inventories and plans
Remove Debris	Remove Debris from Acquired Properties	Remove debris from acquired properties that either limits the native habitat or presents a hazard.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$4,772
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics
Remove vegetation	Reduce Fuel Loads within Acquired Forest Lands to Prevent the Spread of Wildfire	Reduce/manage fuel loads within forests on acquired properties to minimize the threat of catastrophic wildfire.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$85,796
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics * # of acres treated: Areas determined by inventories and plans
Decommission Road	Decommission Roads According to Management Plan Perscriptions	Decommission roads that impair native fish and wildlife habitat in accordance with management plans developed for mitigation properties.	10/1/2007	9/30/2009	$5,348
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats			Metrics * # of road miles decommissioned : roads decommissioned according to management plans
Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland	Improve Wetland Habitats within Mitigation Properties	Create, restore, and/or enhance wetlands on mitigation properties according to management plan perscriptions.	10/1/2008	9/30/2009	$10,780
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats			Metrics * # of acres treated: areas according to management plan prescriptions
Plant Vegetation	Plant Native Vegetation to Improve Habitats for Native Fish and Wildlife	Improve native fish and wildlife habitats according to management plan perscriptions.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$67,225
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats			Metrics * # of acres of planted: in accordance with management plan perscriptions
Upland Erosion and Sedimentation Control	Reduce Erosion on Mitigation Properties	Install grade stabilization structure, catchment ponds and/or other structures as prescribed by the management plans to minimize sediment delivered to Lake Creek.	10/1/2008	9/30/2009	$3,538
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats			Metrics * # of acres treated: according to management plan prescriptions
Conduct Controlled Burn	Conduct control burn on mitigation properties.	Conduct control burn according to perscriptions of management plans to improve wildlife habitats and limit fuel accumulation.	3/1/2007	7/30/2009	$33,570
Biological objectives Begin Restoration of Degraded Habitats Maintain HUs on Acquired Mitigation Properties			Metrics
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	$60,888
Biological objectives			Metrics
Coordination	Pursue Regional Partnerships to Implement Conservation Practices in Lake Creek	Pursue partnerships as opportunities arise.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$8,722
Biological objectives			Metrics
Outreach and Education	Inform the Public, Particularly Local Residents of Management Activities	Involve local public in management plan developement and implementation for mitigation properties	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$15,057
Biological objectives			Metrics * # of general public reached: 1,500/year through meetings published articles * # of students reached: 200/year through educational events * # of teachers reached: 5/year through curriculum development and events

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	Project Manager	$44,782	$47,008	$49,358
Personnel	Project Technician	$21,528	$22,589	$23,712
Personnel	0.25 Administrative Assistant	$8,580	$9,009	$9,459
Fringe Benefits	40%	$29,956	$31,442	$33,012
Travel	Regional Travel	$1,200	$1,200	$1,200
Other	GSA Vehicle	$7,200	$7,560	$7,938
Other	Office Space Rental	$4,709	$4,709	$4,709
Other	Communications and Postage	$1,300	$1,300	$1,300
Other	misc. hardware, weed control chemicals, fencing equip.	$2,500	$2,500	$2,500
Other	Office Supplies	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
Other	Copy Machine Rental	$3,900	$3,900	$3,900
Other	Contract Control Burn	$0	$0	$16,000
Overhead	31.47%	$39,859	$41,609	$62,339
Other	Subcontract Forest Fuels Reduction	$0	$0	$65,000
Other	Subcontract Habitat Assessments and Inventories	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Other	Contract Appraisals	$17,000	$17,000	$17,000
Other	Contract Cultural Resource Inventory	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Other	Property Acquisitions	$1,000,000	$1,000,000	$1,000,000
Other	Heavy Equipment Rental	$0	$0	$6,000
Other	Native Grass Seed Stock and Drilled	$0	$0	$20,000
Other	Native Tree, Shrub and Broadleaf Planting	$0	$0	$18,000
Totals		$1,208,514	$1,215,826	$1,367,427

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$3,791,767
Total work element budget:	$3,791,767

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
Totals		$0	$0	$0

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $1,275,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $1,275,000

Comments: O & M Costs are expected to remain low due to the cost efficiency of managing multiple properties within a single watershed.

Future O&M costs:

Termination date: No definit date
Comments: Acquisitions will be completed when BPA is credited 760 Habitat Units for mitigation properties purchased within the Lake Creek Watershed.

Final deliverables: Minimum of 760 Habitat Units for construction and inundation losses attributed to Albeni Falls Dam.

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

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The proposal has received high marks from ISRP in the past and is excellent work. This proposal is a good response to ISRP comments in the Province Reviews and offers considerable wildlife benefits. The project has been active for many years, but the acquisition of land has been an ongoing problem. In the past the Coeur D’Alene tribe tried unsuccessfully for only one land area The proposal would be improved by a better description of the reason for the difficulty in purchasing land. Are there confounding issues with other real estate issues? Now they have a new list of smaller properties delineated for purchase. The justification for purchasing these properties is well described and justified. However, it's not clear when the agreements will be completed or when 760 HUs will be credited to BPA. It seems like there is still much work to be done. The project is budgeted for $1 million in acquisition each year (next 3 years) with about $200+K for other expenses which seems reasonable.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable