FY07-09 proposal 200712500

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleProtect and Restore the Tucannon River Watershed - Nez Perce Tribe
Proposal ID200712500
OrganizationDFRM Watershed Division
Short descriptionA cooperative project to reduce sediment, protect and restore critical riparian/stream habitat and increase fish survivability in the Tucannon Subbasin thru road decommissioning streambank stabilization and native plant restoration.
Information transferRoad inventory, assessment and implementation as well as compliance/implementation M&E efforts will be completed and compiled by our program. This information will be housed and available at the NPT DFRM Watershed Division. Data will be forwarded to StreamNet. The infomation will be provided to the Umatilla National Forest (UNF), Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), Columbia County Conservation District and the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board in both printed and electronic format. In addition, information from this project will utilized to update the Tucannon River Subbasin Plan and SE Washington Recovery Plan.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Paul Kraynak Nez Perce Tribe pkraynak@nezperce.org
All assigned contacts
Paul Kraynak Nez Perce Tribe pkraynak@nezperce.org
Mark D. Reaney, Jr., P.E. Nez Perce Tribe DFRM/Watershed Div. markr@nezperce.org
Emmit Taylor, Jr. Nez Perce Tribe DFRM/Watershed Div. emmitt@nezperce.org

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Tucannon

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
Tucannon River Tucannon mainstem and tributary areas on state and federal land

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Chinook Snake River Fall ESU
primary: Chinook Snake River Spring/Summer ESU
primary: Steelhead Snake River ESU
secondary: Bull Trout

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 199401806 Tucannon Stream And Riparian R This project focuses on projects lower in the watershed. This project proposal will implement restoration projects (road deommissioning) in the headwaters. The combination of the two takes a holistic ridge-top to ridge-top approach needed for full recovery.
BPA 200001900 Tucannon River Spring Chinook This project complements this project by addressing sedimentation problems for spawning and rearing habiatat.
Other: Lower Snake River Compensation [no entry] Lower Snake River Compensation Plan - Lyons Ferry Hatchery This project complements this project by addressing sediment problems for supplementation efforts by this project.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Objective PM1.1 Reduce embeddedness in the area... Reduce embeddedness in the area to 20%. This will also stimulate a corresponding decrease in fines and turbidity. Help reduce sediment entering the stream through road ecommissioning which will in turn help reduce embeddedness in the Pataha-Marengo section of the Tucannon River from current estimated 37% towards the goal of 20%. This will also stimulate a corresponding decrease in percent fines and turbidity. Tucannon PM1.1.10, PM1.1.11, PM1.1.12
Objective PM2.1: Reach or exceed 1 piece LWD...... Reach or exceed 1 piece LWD per channel width. Road decommissioning or realignment will help enhance floodplain connectivity, natural stream meanders and long-term recruitment of LWD in the Pataha-Marengo section of the Tucannon River from current estimated 1 piece/CW towards the goal of exceeding one piece LWD/CW. The historical estimate for this area is 4-6 LWD/CW. In the Marengo-Tumalum as well as the Hatchery-Little Tucannon sections the goal is reach or exceed two pieces LWD/CW, one to two pieces LWD/CW in the Tumalum-Hatchery section and at least one piece LWD/CW in the Mountain Tucannon area. Tucannon PM2.1.16
Objective PM4.2: Decrease manmade confinement to.. Decrease manmade confinement to no more than 25% of stream bank length. Decommissioning or realignment of roads in the stream corredor will help decrease manmade confinement in Pataha-Marengo section of the Tucannon River and will facilitate greater floodplain accessibility towards the goal of confinement no greater that 25% of stream bank length; no greater than 50% in the Marengo-Tumalum section; and a basic reduction, wherever possible, in the remaining sections of the river. Tucannon PM4.2.3, PM4.2.4
Objective PM5.1: Decrease summer dialy temps..... Decrease summer dialy temperatures to no more than 4 days greater than 75 degrees F. (24 C.) and show progress toward meeting WA State temp. standards and TMDL goals. Decommissioning roads will result in improved water infiltration and facilitate greater floodplain accessibility and will help decrease summer daily maximum stream temperatures throughout each section of the Tucannon River watershed. Tucannon PM5.1.18, PM5.1.22

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Manage and Administer Projects Management, Coordination, and Communication Project management includes coordinating project activities, attending meetings, seeking additional funding, preparing statements of work, managing budgets, completing reports, and responding to BPA requests. 11/1/2006 10/30/2009 $48,864
Biological objectives
Metrics
Develop RM&E Methods and Designs Involvement and Development of Watershed Level Monitoring and Evaluation Plan No watershed level status and trend M&E was proposed per NWPCC direction due to current efforts through PNAMP, CSMEP, Snake River Salmon Recovery Board and state efforts. Project manager or designated personnel will engage in these forums and coordinate with federal, state and local groups in the development of a M&E strategy for the Tucannon River Watershed. 9/1/2007 10/30/2009 $36,254
Biological objectives
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Monitor 5% of total miles road decommissioned
Produce Status Report Complete Quarterly Status Reports Complete quartely status reports to BPA on milestones progress in Pisces. 12/1/2006 5/1/2009 $20,238
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Annual Report Produce Annual Report Annual report describes all yearly activities, successes and problems encountered including photos and summary of all data collected and analysis completed. 9/1/2008 10/30/2009 $20,238
Biological objectives
Metrics
Coordination Partnering Agreement: Nez Perce Tribe, Umatilla National Forest and WDFW Update and finalize Partnering Agreement between the Umatilla National Forest and the Nez Perce Tribe. Create new Partnering Agreement between the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Nez Perce Tribe. The agreements will be developed collaboratively and will cover project statement of work, cost sharing and responsibilities of each agency in completion of the project. It will be updated yearly. 11/1/2006 5/1/2009 $28,038
Biological objectives
Metrics
Create/Manage/Maintain Database Develop and Maintain Database for Road Data Collection Develop and Maintain a road database for data housing and analysis. Database is needed to dissiminate information about the project to UNF and WDFW as well StreamNet and BPA reporting. 11/1/2006 10/30/2009 $32,250
Biological objectives
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Survey Roads Using WEPP Methodology Survey roads on Umatilla National Forest and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands within the Tucannon Subbasin. Surveys will be completed using the Water Erosion Prediction Potential (WEPP) methology. Target is to survey 100 miles of road per year in 2007, 2008 and 2009. 4/1/2007 1/31/2009 $119,506
Biological objectives
Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data Analyze and Interpret WEPP Road Data Collected Run WEPP model to determine road sediment production and interpret data. Create GIS layers and maps to present and dissiminate anaylsis. 11/1/2007 10/30/2009 $62,046
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Plan Produce Transportation/Restoration Plan Based on WEPP analyzed data and transportation infrustructure needs, coordinate with the Umatilla NF and WDFW on transportation/restoration planning to determine roads for decommissioning, long-term intermittent use and road upgrades or maintenance. Target road densities are less than 1 mile of road per square mile (high habitat quality) per "Matrix of Pathways and Indicators of Watershed Condition" analysis completed by NOAA Fisheries. 1/1/2008 10/30/2009 $48,474
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation NEPA/SEPA, ESA and Cultural Resource Compliance The Umatilla National Forest and the WDFW will take the lead in completing NEPA/SEPA, ESA and Cultural Resource compliance for road decommissioning projects. Tribal staff will assist in this effort. 1/15/2007 6/30/2009 $20,238
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Design and/or Specifications Contract Development for Decommissioning of Roads The UNF and the WDFW will take the lead in bidding and contract development. The Tribe will assist in this effort. 1/1/2008 10/30/2009 $20,238
Biological objectives
Objective PM1.1 Reduce embeddedness in the area...
Objective PM2.1: Reach or exceed 1 piece LWD......
Objective PM4.2: Decrease manmade confinement to..
Objective PM5.1: Decrease summer dialy temps.....
Metrics
Decommission Road Implement Road Decommissioning Decommision roads within sub-watersheds. Implementation will occur with a contractor and a project inspector will be onsite to guide and ensure proper techniques are followed. Target is to decommission 10 miles of road per year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 on UNF and WDFW lands. 5/1/2008 10/30/2009 $101,730
Biological objectives
Objective PM1.1 Reduce embeddedness in the area...
Objective PM2.1: Reach or exceed 1 piece LWD......
Objective PM4.2: Decrease manmade confinement to..
Objective PM5.1: Decrease summer dialy temps.....
Metrics
* # of road miles decommissioned : 10 miles/year minimum
* # of road miles decommissioned : 10.0
Plant Vegetation Road Decommissioning: Planting/Revegetation In cooperation with the Umatilla National Forest and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, all decommissioned roads will be revegetated with native grass seed. Target is to revegetate 20 acres of decommissioned road per year in 2007, 2008 and 2009 with certified weed-free native grasses. 5/1/2008 10/30/2009 $18,314
Biological objectives
Objective PM1.1 Reduce embeddedness in the area...
Metrics
* # of acres of planted: Minimum 20 acres/year
* # of acres of planted: 15.0 acres per year
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Road Decommissioning: Monitoring & Evaluation Review and finalize road decommissioning monitoring sites. Collect field data using an already established and approved protocol. Target is to monitor 5% of all decommissioned roads. 7/1/2008 10/30/2009 $18,314
Biological objectives
Metrics
Primary R, M, and E Type: Monitot 5% of total miles decommissioned per year

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel Salaries & Wages $77,740 $84,860 $91,980
Fringe Benefits Employee Benefits $23,322 $25,458 $27,594
Travel Travel & Per Diem $2,759 $2,759 $2,759
Other Training Expense $1,119 $1,119 $1,119
Personnel Telecommunications $2,260 $2,260 $2,260
Supplies Office Supplies $1,800 $1,800 $1,800
Supplies Field Materials/Supplies/Hardware $1,395 $500 $500
Overhead GSA Vehicle Expense $11,160 $11,160 $11,160
Supplies External hard drive, Desk Top and Laptop Computer, Virus protection, 1MB USB Storage device $5,600 $0 $0
Overhead Administrative Overhead (29.64%) $37,689 $38,507 $41,251
Other Office Space Rent $683 $683 $683
Capital Equipment 1-Trimble GPS Unit; 1-ATV w/ Ramps $9,000 $0 $0
Other Construction Contracts $0 $35,000 $35,000
Totals $174,526 $204,106 $216,105
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $594,737
Total work element budget: $594,739
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Umatialla NF Road decommissioning funding $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 Cash Under Development
Umatialla NF Rd. Decomm: NEPA/ESA/Cultural Resouce Compliance $5,000 $5,500 $6,000 In-Kind Confirmed
Umatilla NF Road maps, survey, analysis, transporation planning $5,000 $5,500 $6,250 In-Kind Confirmed
Umatilla NF Road decom. project: contract development; bidding; logistics; site inspection; M&E complinace/imple $0 $19,500 $20,500 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW Road maps, survey, analysis, transporation planning $5,000 $5,500 $6,000 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW Rd. Decomm: NEPA/ESA/Cultural Resouce Compliance $5,000 $5,500 $6,250 In-Kind Confirmed
WDFW Rd decom: contract development; bidding; logisitics; site inspection; Compliance/Implementation M&E $0 $9,500 $10,500 In-Kind Confirmed
Totals $30,000 $61,000 $65,500

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $300,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $300,000
Comments: Continue on addressing road related sediment problems. Will also be investigating projects on fish passage and other restoation projects. The Tribe will be coordinating with Columbia County Conservation District, WDFW and Umatilla National Forest.

Future O&M costs: None

Termination date: On-going
Comments: This project will be on-going until tribal and regional habitat monitoring parameters are achieved that are currently under development, and tribal and recovery fish numbers are met for specific species (Spring Chinook, Steelhead, Coho, Lamprey, Bull Trout) that are also under development.

Final deliverables: Tucannon River and tributaries watersheds will be intact, healthy, and properly functioning so that it is able to support all native anadromous and resident fish species at historical or near-historical levels. Streams within the watershed will meet Stream/Watershed standards.

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 (Qualified)

NPCC comments: "The overall goal of this project is to decommission roads that contribute sediment to the streams and encroach on stream channels, flood plains, and riparian areas." "... This project is intended to be a cooperative and collaborative project to reduce sediment, protect and restore critical riparian/stream habitat and increase fish survivability in the Tucannon Subbasin ..." While reference is made to #199401806, there is no reference to #199401807, also in the Tucannon. The latter takes a similar approach, i.e. sediment control by land management actions away from the stream (road decommissioning in the present case). These three projects are directed to similar objectives and should be more closely coordinated both in specifying goals, objectives, and tasks, and in development of either a collaborative monitoring program or in providing a convincing case that monitoring by other agencies and projects will provide data to assess the success or failure of these efforts. The sponsors need to include their methods for assessing whether or not the actions proposed here do in fact result in attainment of the physical changes described by the objectives. If the projects have to be separately maintained, they each should include a summary of how they are related, coordinated, and evaluated. Reduction of sediment input from uplands is likely to be the appropriate place to start, but apparently the state and federal governments own the roads. What is their responsibility? A large part of this proposal is to survey which roads to decommission, but this should have been covered in the subbasin plan and on Federal Lands by the Forest Service, state by state. If the existing data from state and federal files are inadequate for the purposes outlined in this proposal, these deficiencies should be described and discussed. Objectives include reducing embeddedness to 20%, producing large woody debris of one or more pieces per channel width, reducing man-made confinement to less than 25% of bank length, and reducing temperature to fewer than four days of greater than 75F. It is assumed that there is a direct relation between these objectives and measurable benefits to fish and wildlife. The scientific basis for many bioengineering actions does not exist. The sponsors should modify their proposal so that it reflects programmatic comments regarding bioengineering activities.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)

NPCC comments: "The overall goal of this project is to decommission roads that contribute sediment to the streams and encroach on stream channels, flood plains, and riparian areas." "... This project is intended to be a cooperative and collaborative project to reduce sediment, protect and restore critical riparian/stream habitat and increase fish survivability in the Tucannon Subbasin ..." While reference is made to #199401806, there is no reference to #199401807, also in the Tucannon. The latter takes a similar approach, i.e. sediment control by land management actions away from the stream (road decommissioning in the present case). These three projects are directed to similar objectives and should be more closely coordinated both in specifying goals, objectives, and tasks, and in development of either a collaborative monitoring program or in providing a convincing case that monitoring by other agencies and projects will provide data to assess the success or failure of these efforts. The sponsors need to include their methods for assessing whether or not the actions proposed here do in fact result in attainment of the physical changes described by the objectives. If the projects have to be separately maintained, they each should include a summary of how they are related, coordinated, and evaluated. Reduction of sediment input from uplands is likely to be the appropriate place to start, but apparently the state and federal governments own the roads. What is their responsibility? A large part of this proposal is to survey which roads to decommission, but this should have been covered in the subbasin plan and on Federal Lands by the Forest Service, state by state. If the existing data from state and federal files are inadequate for the purposes outlined in this proposal, these deficiencies should be described and discussed. Objectives include reducing embeddedness to 20%, producing large woody debris of one or more pieces per channel width, reducing man-made confinement to less than 25% of bank length, and reducing temperature to fewer than four days of greater than 75F. It is assumed that there is a direct relation between these objectives and measurable benefits to fish and wildlife. The scientific basis for many bioengineering actions does not exist. The sponsors should modify their proposal so that it reflects programmatic comments regarding bioengineering activities.