Shillapoo Wildlife Area proposal 200301200

FY07-09 proposal 200301200

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Shillapoo Wildlife Area
Proposal ID	200301200
Organization	Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Short description	The Shillapoo Wildlife Area's principal purpose is to provide high quality habitat for migrating and wintering sandhill cranes, waterfowl and several other key species as mitigation for losses associated with Bonneville, John Day and The Dalles dams.
Information transfer	Information derived from this project will be used to improve wildlife/habitat management techniques on mitigation and non-mitigation wildlife areas and will be provided to CBFWA project managers and other interested parties either electronically or in hard copy reports.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Brian M. Calkins	Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife	calkibc@dfw.wa.gov
All assigned contacts
Brian M. Calkins	Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife	calkibc@dfw.wa.gov
Paul Dahmer	WDFW	dahmepad@dfw.wa.gov

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Lower Columbia / Columbia Lower

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
		[none]	Approximate center of Shillapoo Wildlife Area's North Unit.
		[none]	Approximate center of Shillapoo Wildlife Area's South Unit.
		[none]	Approximate center of Shillapoo Wildlife Area's Vancouver Lake Unit.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Wildlife
Additional: Sandhill crane, Canada geese, Dabbling duck (mallard), Yellow warbler, Mink, Diving ducks, Black capped chickadee, Great blue heron, Western meadowlark

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Design for remaining Shillapoo lake enhancement and North basin enhancement completed by USACOE and Ducks Unlimited. Oak habitat plantings (10 acres). All significant waterfowl pasture forage sites mowed and in a usable condition.
2004	Water supply for Vancouver Lake Unit Wetlands completed. Wetland project at the south end of Shillapoo lakebed was partially completed. Design and permits will have to be modified to accommodate an existing easement in order to complete.
2003	Old fencing removed at several locations. Marked volunteer trees along Lake River to avoid mowing them, thus reducing future planting costs. Positive vegetative changes noted in some managed wetlands. Continued applying for permits fo wetland projects.
2002	Project went through provincial review process. A substantial amount of old flood debris was encounterd and removed from the newest properties during pasture mowing. Bio control for purple loosestife released on Vancouver Lake Unit.
2001	Purchased 210 acres including the east-central portion of the Shillapoo Lakebed.
2000	Limitations of pump station built in '99 became evident.
1999	DU completed construction of features to manage over 200 acres of wetland basins on the North and Vancouver Lake units. Columbia Land Trust receives NAWCA grant including funds to enhance 80 acre wetland basin in the North unit.
1998	Purchased 612 acres including the north end of Shillapoo Lakebed (39% state and 61% BPA funds). USACOE completes analysis pertinent to hydrology of Shillapoo Lakebed. DU receives NAWCA and WRP grants for 150 acre wetland project in Shillapoo Lakebed.
1997	Bonneville Power begins funding basic O&M activities for the Shillapoo Wildlife Area. Cultural Resource survey completed by BOAS inc.
1996	Major flood event put the entire wildlife area underwater. Much of this year spent on subsequent repairs and cleanup. Substantial and positive short-term vegetative changes noted in wetland areas atributed to the extended inundation.
1995	Completed HEP study and report. Ducks Unlimited receives NAWCA grant that includes funding for wetland enhancements on the South and Vancouver Lake Units.
1994	Purchased 60-acre parcel in the center of the Shillapoo Lakebed (state and Ducks Unlimited funds). Initial planting of 5-acre oak habitat plot.
1993	First wildlife area manager for the site hired.
1992	Site managed by regional office staff.
1991	Interim Management Plan completed. Purchased three properties (1,042 acres) including the southern end of the Shillapoo Lakebed.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	199107800	Burlington Bottoms Wildlife Mitigation	Compliments wetland, riparian and upland management goals
BPA	199902500	Sandy River Delta Habitat	Complimentary wetland and riparian goals
BPA	200001600	Tualatin River National Wildli	Complimentary wetland habitat and species goals.
Other: USFWS	[no entry]	Ridgefield NWR	Very similar and complimentary goals and projects on a National Wildlife Refuge that is almost adjacent to the wildlife area.
Other: State (Oregon)	[no entry]	Sauvie Island Wildlife Area	Very similar and complimentary goals and projects on an Oregon State Wildlife Area that is directly across the Columbia River from the Shillapoo Wildlife Area.
Other: USFWS/USACOE	[no entry]	Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge	Mitigation site for Bonneville Dam Second Powerhouse compliments wetland and wildlife objectives of the Shillapoo Wildlife Area

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Control weeds	Reduce the levels of noxious weeds and other undesirable plants that limit habitat quality.	Lower Columbia	Strategy 4 (Slow introductions of non-native species.)
Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands	Improve and protect wintering waterfowl habitat, with an emphasis on wetland restoration and management, throughout the Shillapoo Wildlife Area.	Lower Columbia	Strategy 1,2 and 4 (Reduce hydrosystem effects, protect and restore habitat and slow introduction of non-native species.)
Manage public use	Manage appropriate public use and recreation in a manner, which minimizes impacts to wildlife habitat and other sensitive resources.	Lower Columbia	Strategy 2 (Protect and restore habitat)
Restore native habitat	Maintain, improve and restore desired habitats in specific areas including herbaceous, scrub shrub and forested wetlands, riparian forest, oak and grass/shrub habitat for multiple species benefits.	Lower Columbia	Strategy 2&4 (Protect and restore habitat, and slow introductions of non-native species.)

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland	Install Water Control Structures (Shillapoo Lakebed)	Create three wetland management cells within the Shillapoo Lakebed totalling approximately 600 acres. These enhancements are in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Ducks Unlimited and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$4,000
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands			Metrics * # of acres treated: 600 acres
Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland	North Basin Enhancement	Install ditch plugs and low levee to reesetablish wetland hydrology in an 80 acre wetland basin. This enhancement is in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited.	10/1/2006	9/30/2007	$2,000
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of acres treated: 80 acres
Remove vegetation	Riparian Enhancement Site Prep (Blackberry Removal)	Remove Himalayan blackberry and other exotic or undesireable vegetation in areas scheduled for riparian vegetation plantings. Includes areas along Lake River and sloughs within the wildlife area	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$27,000
Biological objectives Control weeds Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of acres treated: 113 acres
Install Fence	Riparian and Wetland Fencing	Install fencing as necessary to protect riparian plantings and wetland vegetation or to facilitate the use of grazing as a tool to help manage undesireable vegetation in enhancement sites.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$60,000
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of miles of fence: 3 miles
Plant Vegetation	Plant Native Trees and Shrubs in Oak and Great Blue Heron Nesting Habitat	Plant native trees and shrubs in two existing oak habitat sites (10-acres) in the South Unit and a third (20 acre) new site on the North Unit. Also plant 500 cottonwood trees per year in the South Unit former heron colony to rehabilitate it as a potential site for future nesting.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$25,500
Biological objectives Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of acres of planted: 70 acres
Plant Vegetation	Riparian plantings	Plant trees and shrubs in riparian zones	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$55,000
Biological objectives Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of acres of planted: 108 acres * # of riparian miles treated: 4 miles
Maintain Vegetation	Maintain Planted Trees and Shrubs	Control weeds and competing vegetation, place tree mats and tubes as needed	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$39,000
Biological objectives Control weeds Restore native habitat			Metrics
Remove vegetation	Remove Vegetation (Moist Soil Management Practices)	Disking to control reed canary grass or other measures	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$30,000
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of acres treated: 50 to 100 acres per year
Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage	Operate Wetland Management Facilities and Structures (Including Pumps) and Repair as Needed	Manage water levels in individual wetland basins to favor the reestablishment and/or maintenance of beneficial native wetland species.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$78,000
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands			Metrics
Maintain Vegetation	Maintain Vegetation (Upland Goose Forage)	Annually mow up to 400 acres, fertilize 200 acres, plant 50 acres of understory crops and 100 acres of fall grain, and over seed or replant 50 acres of pasture.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$105,000
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands			Metrics
Remove vegetation	Reduce Noxious Weeds and Other Undesirable Plants	Control Canada thistle, Himalayan blackberry, poison hemlock, and purple loosestrife. Monitor for and control other weeds as needed throughout the wildlife area.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$111,000
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of acres treated: 50 acres annually (Himalayan blackberry) * # of acres treated: 200 acres annually (Canada thistle) * # of acres treated: 200 acres (Purple Loosestrife)
Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage	Maintain, Repair or Replace Existing Fences as Needed for Management Purposes	Make minor repairs as needed. Replace fencing as needed that has deterioriated beyond the point of being repairable.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$34,000
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Manage public use Restore native habitat			Metrics
Improve/Relocate Road	Improve Interior Roads and Travel Routes in Support of Other Activities	Clear brush and limbs as needed and place rock in areas only when necessary to support enhancement and maintenance activities.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$9,000
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Manage public use Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of road miles improved, upgraded, or restored: 8 miles total maintain as needed
Remove Debris	Remove Debris, Litter and Other Materials as Required	Remove debris as it is found or generated. Includes litter, old fencing, flood debris, etc. Hazardous materials removed in cooperation with the Washington Dept. of Ecology.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$19,200
Biological objectives Restore native habitat			Metrics
Other	Construct storage building	Construct a storage building dedicated to wildlife area use either on site or at a new regional office site if logistically feasible. This is a cost share project with state funds.	10/1/2006	9/30/2008	$2,500
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Manage public use Restore native habitat			Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Cultural Resource Surveys and/or Consultation	Cooridinate cultural resource surveys as appropriate and work with BPA environmental compliance staff.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$18,000
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Restore native habitat			Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Wildlife Use Data, General Habitat Monitoring and Photo-Point Documentation	Conduct established waterfowl and crane surveys to track response to enhancements. Collect habitat data and photo-point documentation to track vegetative trends and the potential need for adaptive management.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$31,500
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Restore native habitat			Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Trend monitoring of waterfowl use by treatment Primary R, M, and E Type: Trend monitoring of wetland vegetation Secondary R, M, and E Type: Monitor HEP variables and wildife response
Analyze/Interpret Data	Analyze waterfowl and habitat data	Evaluate wildlife use data based on land treatments and evaluate habitat data relative to HEP models	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$9,300
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Restore native habitat			Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Trend monitoring of waterfowl use by treatment Primary R, M, and E Type: Trend monitoring of wetland vegetation Secondary R, M, and E Type: Monitor HEP variables and wildife response
Provide Public Access/Information	Monitor and manage public and other uses.	Manage public uses in a manner that does not significantly detract from the goals of the wildlife area.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$12,300
Biological objectives Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Manage public use Restore native habitat			Metrics
Outreach and Education	Community Outreach	Maintain an advisory group, presentations to local stakeholder groups, media contacts, and involvement of volunteers in wildlife area projects.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$9,300
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Manage public use Restore native habitat			Metrics * # of general public reached: several hundred annually
Produce Plan	Conduct annual reviews and updates to management plan	Review the management plan on an annual basis and modify as necessary to achieve goals.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$8,100
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Manage public use Restore native habitat			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Conduct Administrative Activities to Operate, Enhance and Maintain Shillapoo Wildlife Area	Coordinated and responsive actions consistent with wildlife area management/ mitigation goals and objectives, improved employee performance, and compliance with pesticide application licensing requirements.	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$140,288
Biological objectives Control weeds Improve waterfowl habitat and wetlands Manage public use Restore native habitat			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Produce PISCES status reports	Produce quarterly reports	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$1,750
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce Annual Report	Annual Report	Report on activities and accomplishments	10/1/2006	9/30/2009	$2,300
Biological objectives			Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	Manager 0.5 FTE, Assistant Manager 1.0 FTE, (Annual 3.5% inflation factor used.)	$73,300	$75,865	$78,520
Fringe Benefits	(Annual 3.5% inflation factor used.)	$16,750	$17,336	$17,943
Personnel	Contracted crew labor (DNR WCC or corrections) (Annual 3.5% inflation factor used.)	$15,000	$15,525	$16,068
Supplies	Includes project supplies, utilities, tools, plants, seed, fertilizer etc. (Annual 3.5% inflation factor used.)	$80,000	$82,800	$85,698
Travel	Inflation factor of $50/year used.	$400	$450	$500
Other	Contracted services such as brush mowing, heavy disking, weed spraying, grading, etc.	$18,000	$18,630	$19,282
Capital Equipment	Replace one 3/4 ton truck	$0	$20,000	$0
Overhead	Current rate of 28.79% applied. Not applied to capital equipment.	$58,573	$60,633	$62,765
Totals		$262,023	$291,239	$280,776

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$834,038
Total work element budget:	$834,038

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
NRCS (through Ducks Unlimited)	Shillapoo Lake wetland water management infrastructure	$100,000	$0	$0	In-Kind	Confirmed
USACOE	Shillapoo Lake wetland water management infrastructure	$750,000	$750,000	$0	In-Kind	Confirmed
USFWS--NAWCA (through Columbia Land Trust and DU)	North Unit wetland management control structures	$90,000	$0	$0	In-Kind	Confirmed
WDFW	Security service contract.	$6,500	$6,800	$7,000	In-Kind	Confirmed
WDFW	Access site maintenance	$2,500	$2,600	$2,700	In-Kind	Confirmed
WDFW	Diking District Assessments (BPA has stopped funding this)	$9,000	$9,000	$9,000	Cash	Confirmed
WDFW (State Migratory Bird Stamp)	Waterfowl and public use monitoring, habitat improvement, wood duck boxes	$40,000	$0	$0	In-Kind	Confirmed
Totals		$998,000	$768,400	$18,700

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $290,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $290,000

Comments: All years: add 3.5% inflation cost. FY 2011 includes anticipated need for a 1 ton pickup replacement ($25,000).

Future O&M costs: Future O&M needs include monitoring of habitat trends, human use and wildlife responses, maintenance of wetland vegetation and tree plantings, weed control, fence repair, water system operation and maintenance, general facility upkeep, administrative duties, public relations and reporting.

Termination date: Ongoing
Comments: Long term operation and management of wildlife habitat mitigation projects is a necessary component of mitigating the long term operation of the Columbia River Hydroelectic System.

Final deliverables: Secure high quality habitat that, along with other projects, mitigates the wildlife Impacts of the Columbia River Hydroelectric System.

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]
$190,000	$190,000	$190,000	$570,000	Expense	ProvinceExpense	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$190,000	$190,000	$190,000	$0		ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: Actions related to the project date back to 1992, including ISRP review in 2002 as part of the provincial review process. The SWA is located in the Vancouver Lowlands, and is intended to provide riparian, wetland, and oak woodland habitat across a former lakebed that was drained and developed as agricultural land. A goal of the WDFW acquisition program is to acquire the entire former lakebed and restore it to its former species diversity and wetland functions for wintering waterfowl, while keeping a portion of it in a semi-agricultural state that supports sandhill crane and geese populations. The proposed project should benefit focal wildlife species. It is not clear that the benefits will persist over the long-term because of the great potential for urban pressure on the site. The proposal clearly identifies the specific objectives in the Lower Columbia River Subbasin Plan and specific parts of the Fish and Wildlife Program. The proposal identifies other similar work but does not identify collaborative efforts. The ISRP encourages collaborative efforts. The rationale for this project and significance to regional programs is clear. Specifically, the problem of habitat degradation imposing limiting factors on wildlife species is clearly explained. This appears to be a worthwhile project that will benefit wetland-dependent species in the Vancouver Lowlands. Areas targeted for restoration and specific restoration actions are clearly identified. The objectives are very clearly defined and relate to specific tasks and related to the subbasin plan. The proposal clearly identifies tasks that are related to the objectives. The measurable benefits to wildlife are stated in terms of amount of habitat restored. It appears that reasonable, pragmatic approaches are proposed. An extensive monitoring and evaluation component includes five types of surveys. Monitoring of habitat and of wildlife response to changes in habitat will be done. Evaluation in terms of amount of habitat restored is clearly explained, but identification in terms of wildlife response is not as clearly specified. Identification of specific, measurable benefit to wildlife is recommended. Information transfer is mentioned but more specific information should be presented. It is not clear that the information obtained will be readily available in a usable format. The proposal should clearly identify the effect of the habitat restoration activities and resulting wildlife response on fish. Previous ISRP reviews noted the possibility of the potential for negative impacts on fish; the current proposal makes no mention of negative impacts. Indeed, little is mentioned about interactions with the larger lower Columbia River aquatic ecosystem. The ISRP encourages inclusion of a discussion of the effects of the overall actions on fish and aquatic species in the Lower Columbia River ecosystem as part of project reporting.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable