FY07-09 proposal 200205000

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Contacts

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Blue Mountain / Asotin

Section 3. Focal species

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Section 6. Biological objectives

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Cost sharing

Section 9. Project future

Future O&M costs: We are not requesting any O&M Funds, private landowners take over after project completion.

Termination date: 2030
Comments: This project, a spin-off of the Asotin Creek Implementation Project, added partnerships with new landowners and built on the trust and credibitily gained by funding sources and local agencies for complex ESA habitat issues. The Asotin Subbasin Plan includes Couse and Tenmile Creeks and other streams within Asotin County that have salmonids and implementation of the actions on private property is the main goal of this on-going project. Momentum is building and projects are being completed with new ones identified for protection of prioritized habitat.

Final deliverables: We envision achieving the objectives identified for aquatic habitat conditions in the Asotin Subbasin Plan by implementing the habitat protection measures identified within this project. We hope to realize the vision identified in the Asotin Subbasin Plan for a healthy ecosystem with abundant, productive, and diverse populations of aquatic and terrestrial species that supports the social, cultural and economic well-being of the communities within the Subbasin and Pacific Northwest.

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

Reviews and recommendations

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Response requested

NPCC comments: This is a good proposal showing progress toward overall goals and tied into subbasin plan. A response needs to provide more detail on M&E, provide basic results on fish response to habitat improvements to date, and describe the need to introduce greater sinuosity back into the stream system as a vehicle for reconnecting with the flood plain. The proposal describes a project designed to implement procedures without adequately describing the problems to be solved. The causative problems have probably been analyzed to greater extent than the proposal indicates, and the proposal should be revised to show this -- and to show where genuine watershed analysis is still needed. Adequate watershed analysis should precede application of techniques. None of the strategies described are likely to "Reduce [embeddedness] within the area to 10%." If the existing imbrication is to be removed, the stream's width:depth ratio, sinuosity and connectivity with the floodplain need to be restored in order to enable the stream to re-work its gravels and sort them, leaving the fines on the downstream end of point bars. A watershed analysis is not presented as part of technical and scientific section. Therefore, the problem analyses may be deficient, despite the probable ability of project personnel to identify various obvious ones. Technical and scientific background: This project, a spin-off of the Asotin Creek Implementation Project, added partnerships with new landowners and built on the trust and credibility gained by funding sources and local agencies for complex ESA habitat issues. The Asotin Subbasin Plan includes Couse and Tenmile Creeks and other streams within Asotin County that have salmonids and implementation of the actions on private property is the main goal of this ongoing project. Momentum is building and projects are being completed with new ones identified for protection of prioritized habitat. Specific results of watershed analysis need to be described in the response. Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: The portion of the proposal for developing buffers and implement CRP / CREP riparian buffer plans directly supports many of the goals, objectives and strategies identified in the Asotin Subbasin Plan. Riparian buffer systems address several specific fish and wildlife needs cited in the Asotin Creek Subbasin Summary under Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Recommended Actions include: (a) NPT’s Habitat Objectives 2 and 3 (b) WDFW’s Strategies 1, 2, and 3 (c) ACCD Objectives 1, 2, and 3 specifically off-stream watering systems, riparian fencing and protection and enhancement of riparian areas. Relationships to other projects: This project proposal is to continue ongoing restoration activities and will coordinate and integrate the Asotin Subbasin Plan, Strategy and Continue Coordination, and Implementation of Asotin Creek Watershed funding. These work together to protect fish habitat in the Asotin County. This proposal will continue to help bridge the gap between landowners and agency representatives on sensitive resource issues on Asotin County streams. The Asotin Subbasin Plan provides the framework for such recovery efforts. Project history: The project has not existed long, so detailed results can't be expected. But there is good recounting of progress to date. Some of the material in this section should have been in the technical section. Riparian Projects completed for water and grazing. Comprehensive objectives are provided that are tied to Asotin Subbasin Plan. The facilities, equipment, personnel, and information transfer are adequate.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: The ISRP recommends the project as fundable with the qualifications that geomorphological watershed analysis and monitoring and assessment results from previous projects be incorporated into the proposal. This qualification applies to both Asotin SWCD projects. See full comments under proposal 199401805.