FY07-09 proposal 200300700
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Lower Columbia River and Estuary Ecosystem Monitoring |
| Proposal ID | 200300700 |
| Organization | Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership (LCREP) |
| Short description | This project creates a consistent approach to protocol development and status and trends monitoring of estuarine habitats. The goal is to develop an ecosystem based monitoring program focused on increasing the survival of juvenile salmonids. |
| Information transfer | The ecosystem monitoring program described here is intended to supplement existing research and monitoring efforts in the estuary, without being duplicative. The design of this monitoring program is built on recommendations in the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Plan for the estuary (Johnson et al. 2004), which in turn was designed to be integrated with the tributary RME and hydrosystem RME plans in the basin-wide RME effort. One of the needs identified for the estuary is a coordinated effort to gather baseline data about estuarine resources (Johnson et al. 2004). This habitat monitoring plan will address some of the data gaps for the mainstem estuary evident in the Lower Columbia River subbasin plan and will contribute to the database available for the Army Corps General Investigation study. This information will be made available on the Estuary Partnership's website as well as in regular reports. Data acquisition and management for this habitat monitoring study will be available to the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership and other ongoing efforts to standardize data systems in the region. Data collected at relatively pristine habitat monitoring sites suitable to serve as reference sites will be made available to restoration project managers for comparative studies of restoration trajectories and performance. It will also be made available those researchers engaged in the Historic Habitat Opportunities and Food-Web Linkages of Juvenile Salmon in the Columbia River Estuary effort and to the Corps’ Anadromous Fish Evaluation Program’s Cumulative Ecosystem Response study team for evaluation of the cumulative effects of multiple restoration projects in the estuary. The information will be used to guide management actions associated with species recovery, particularly as it relates to threatened and endangered salmonids. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Scott McEwen | Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership | smcewen@lcrep.org |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Jill Leary | Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership | leary@lcrep.org |
| Debrah Marriott | Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership | marriott.debrah@lcrep.org |
| Scott McEwen | Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership | smcewen@lcrep.org |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Columbia Estuary / Columbia Estuary
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46.2647229N | 124.0857592W | Columbia River | Mouth of the Columbia River |
| 46.2647229N | 124.0857592W | Columbia River | Mouth of the Columbia River |
| 45.6658347N | 121.8554293W | Columbia River | Bonneville Dam |
| 45.6658347N | 121.8554293W | Columbia River | Bonneville Dam |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: All Anadromous FishSection 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Utilized remotely sensed imagery to evaluate vegetation of habitats believed to be important for the survival of juvenile salmonids • Collected juvenile salmonid and analyzed for toxics that can impact immune systems, reproduction, and survival |
| 2004 | Implemented a pilot program to test draft habitat protocols that assess potential salmonid habitats • Implemented water column, sediment and fish sampling to develop baseline toxic contaminant data for the lower Columbia River and estuary |
| 2003 | Developed draft protocols to assess potential habitats important to juvenile salmonids • Established a monitoring program to assess and report on toxics in the water column, sediment and fish in the lower Columbia River and estuary |
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 200500100 | Estuary RME Pilot Project | This proposal is coordinating closely with the Estuary RME Pilot project. The overall goal of the Estuary RME Pilot Project is to determine the ecological importance to Snake River fall Chinook salmon of shallow water habitats in the 100-mile tidal freshwater reach of the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam in the context of RME (research, monitoring, and evaluation) pilot project. The principal investigators of the Estuary RME Pilot Project, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, are the same as those developing the habitat monitoring protocols for the ecosystem monitoring project. Direct collaboration will occur as it relates to: Sampling design; sampling site selection, data sharing, and YSI probe placement. The work of this project is closely associated with the following two efforts found within this proposal: 1) Status Monitoring of Nearshore Estuarine Habitats; 2) Status Monitoring of Primary and Secondary Productivity in the Lower River; and 3) Community Profile of Freshwater-Tidal Forested/Scrub-Shrub Wetlands. Finally, staff from the Estuary Partnership sit on the steering committee for Estuary workshop planning and the Estuary Partnership is one of the lead sponsors of this workshop. |
| BPA | 200301100 | Columbia R/Estuary Habitat | The enclosed proposal is closely coordinated with project #2003-011-00. Examples of this coordination include: the hierarchical ecosystem classification system providing the foundation in delineating management areas of the restoration prioritization strategy. The fish passage inventory, that includes geospatial layers of diking extend, tidegate location, and culvert barriers, that was developed in year 2005 of this program, are being utilized in the restoration prioritization strategy as restoration stressors. These projects share researchers working on reference site characterization and estuarine habitat monitoring. |
| BPA | 200400200 | PNAMP Funding | Estuary Partnership staff has been an integral part of the estuary subgroup of PNAMP since its inception and staff served as a co-chair of the subgroup in 2004-05. Data acquisition and management for this habitat monitoring study will be available to the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership and other ongoing efforts to standardize data systems in the region. This monitoring proposal is aligned with the following PNAMP goals: 1) improve communication between monitoring programs across state, tribal, and federal organizations; 2) improve scientific information needed to inform resource policy and management questions and decisions; 3) seek efficiencies and cost-effectiveness across monitoring programs through compatible and cooperative monitoring efforts; 4) promote science-based credibility of monitoring and assessment efforts; 5) share resources and information between monitoring programs across state, tribal, and federal organizations. |
| BPA | 200207700 | Estuary/Ocean Rme Support | Estuary Partnership staff has worked closely in the development and implementation of the RME plan for the estuary and plume. This proposal is carefully working to satisfy the following estuary and plume RME objectives: Status Monitoring 4. Determine the water quality in CRE&P salmon spawning and rearing habitat relative to state and federal water quality standards. Status Monitoring 5. Describe trends in the physical condition of CRE&P salmon spawning and rearing habitat in terms of substrate type, accretion rates, re-dox potential, ground water level, large woody debris, water velocity and water surface elevation compared to present conditions Uncertainties Research 1. Determine the significance of the CRE&P to listed salmon ESUs. Uncertainties Research 2. Identify changes that could be made to FCRPS operations that would improve habitat conditions in the CRE&P. Uncertainties Research 3. Determine the highest priority habitat types for restoration in the CRE. |
| BPA | 200301000 | Historic Hab Food Web Link Sal | Based on the uncertainties and priority research needs presented in Bottom et al. (2005), NMFS, in cooperation with the University of Washington and the Oregon Heath Sciences University (OHSU), is performing basic research on salmonid usage and ecological linkages in estuarine habitats (funded by Corps of Engineers). The research is providing fundamental information to assess management alternatives that will contribute to Columbia River salmon recovery through strategic conservation and restoration of critical habitat that is designed to sustain and promote increased life history diversity. This project (# 2003-010-00) has utilized GIS habitat map developed by the Estuary Partnership of the lower river and estuary using satellite and hyperspectral images and conducting on the ground field surveys. Their researchers are utilizing deliverables from the ecosystem monitoring project such as the updated boundary of the historic floodplain and the seamless bathymetry dataset being developed by USGS. Likewise, researchers from the enclosed project are utilizing the historic T-sheets to more accurately define the historic floodplain and define hydrogeomorphic complexes as part of the Lower Columbia River and Estuary Ecosystem Classification (Simenstad et al. 2005). Finally, project # 2003-010-00 will be directing a considerable portion of their juvenile salmon sampling in 2006-2007 further up-estuary, into the Wallace Island, Lord Island, and Scappoose Bay/northern Sauvie Island region. Researchers from this proposal are working directly with these researchers on sampling site selection, protocol use, data sharing, and the sharing of remote sensing imagery. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel | Physical Objective 2: Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel habitats toward historic levels. Hypothesis Statement; If shallow water habitat is increased, then juvenile rearing capacity in the estuary and mainstem will increase. Justification; Rearing juvenile fall Chinook and chum are closely associated with shallow water habitats in the estuary and lower mainstem. | Lower Columbia | Strategies 1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 11 |
| Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat | Physical Objective 1: Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat to ensure no further net degradation. Hypothesis Statement: If current spawning and rearing habitat is protected, then salmonid adult spawning and juvenile rearing capacity and productivity in the lower mainstem, Western Oregon tributaries, estuary, and plume can be maintained. For white sturgeon, productivity and population recruitment in the estuary and mainstem can be maintained. Justification; Protection and maintenance of existing spawning and rearing habitat will provide a base level of salmonid production and diversity. For white sturgeon, protection and maintenance of existing deepwater, rocky substrate spawning habitat will maintain the current level of embryo survival and population productivity. (Sedimentation and dissolved oxygen delivery are two important concerns with developing embryos; concerns are minimized in rocky substrates. Further, protection of existing habitat is often more cost effective then restoration of former habitat. | Lower Columbia | Strategies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 20, 23 |
| Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid | Physical Objective 5: Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid and Pacific lamprey juveniles and white sturgeon eggs and juveniles. Hypothesis Statement; If contaminant exposure is reduced then salmonid juvenile, Pacific lamprey juvenile and white sturgeon embryo survival in the estuary and mainstem will increase. Justification; Contaminants have been shown to have detrimental effects, such as delayed development or disrupted physiological processes. In juvenile salmonids these may be decreased immune function, and generally reduced fitness. Numerous contaminants have been detected throughout the lower Columbia River and estuary at concentrations known to have detrimental effects on aquatic organisms. Fall Chinook and chum may be particularly susceptible to contaminant exposure because they are closely associated with peripheral, shallow water habitats where contaminants are known to accumulate. And Pacific lamprey juveniles may also be particularly susceptible because they are associated with fine sediments. | Lower Columbia | Strategy 12: Limit the effects of toxic contaminants in the Columbia River estuary, lower mainstem and nearshore ocean. Strategy 23: Assess the mainstem lower Columbia River and the Columbia River estuary by discreet geographic reaches for restoration |
| Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources | Physical Objective 32: Continue to and reduce, monitor and understand contaminant sources in the Lower Columbia River Hypothesis Statement: If bioaccumulative contaminants in the Bald Eagle become less prevalent in the Eagle food sources, successful reproduction efforts will increase over time. Justification: Productivity at new breeding sites is much higher than at old breeding sites suggesting that pairs at the older sites (particularly those in the lower 60 miles of the river) or impacted by contaminants to a greater level. Although the number of Bald eagles nesting along the river is increasing, continued foraging on contaminated prey form the LCR and subsequent bioaccumulation of contaminants could limit future productivity of some newer pairs as the chemical bioaccumulate in the adult birds with age. | Lower Columbia | [Strategy left blank] |
| Restore connectivity between river and floodplain | Physical Objective 3: Restore connectivity between river and floodplain, as well as in-river habitats. Hypothesis Statement; If connectivity with floodplain is restored, then juvenile salmonid productivity in the estuary and lower mainstem will increase. For Columbian White-tailed Deer openings were likely associated with the wet areas, accreting lands or lands having recently experienced a scouring flood. Justification; Connectivity with the floodplain will restore macrodetrital inputs and alter the current food web. A macrodetritus-based food web will increase productivity and support greater life history diversity. For CWTD, reducing damage due to floods will reduce mortality and out migration of deer due to floods. | Lower Columbia | Strategies 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 20 |
| Restore spawning/rearing | Physical Objective 19: Restore spawning and rearing habitat in the Western Oregon tributaries. Hypothesis Statement; If adult spawning habitat in priority reaches in the Coastal stratum are restored then productivity in the subbasin will be enhanced. Justification: Restoration of historically utilized spawning habitat in the Western Oregon tributaries will improve the diversity and spatial structure of the coast range DIPs. | Lower Columbia | Strategy 20 |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coordination | Convene workshop of bathymetry stakeholders | Convene workshop of bathymetry stakeholders | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2007 | $20,000 |
|
Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics |
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| Coordination | Coordinate bathymetry data collection in the lower Columbia River and estuary | The consortium will utilize the bathymetry strategy developed in the above work element to commit shared resources and seek funding for the collection of additional bathymetry data. | 11/1/2007 | 10/31/2009 | $20,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Manage projects for Estuary Partnership and BPA Administrative Requirements | Develop contracts with subcontractors, ensure environmental compliance documentation is completed by subcontractors where appropriate and submit PISCES status reports | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $426,034 |
|
Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Subcontracted management and administration of on-the-ground monitoring projects | Coordinate agencies to fulfill contract obligations, invoice BPA monthly, provide updates of spending plans and complete mid-year and end-of-year accruals | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $467,157 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report | Develop final products and disseminate results | Complete summary of results for Core and distributed sites and relate to remote sensing; integrate with results from Objectives 2 and 3; complete food web analysis and write final report | 11/1/2008 | 10/31/2009 | $104,063 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics |
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| Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report | Develop products and disseminate results | Complete and disseminate community profile and provide a summary document describing contents of community profile and recommendations for most appropriate monitoring variables and metrics most appropriately describing the community structure | 11/1/2008 | 10/31/2009 | $18,739 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics |
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| Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report | Produce an integrated report comparing concentrations to water-quality standards and examining seasonal patterns, inter-site variation, and interannual comparisons of the water column, salmonid, prey resource, and sediment chemistry data | At the end of the three year sampling for water column, salmonid, prey resource, and sediment chemistry data, the Estuary Partnership, USGS, NOAA and PNNL will complete an integrated report of all data to comparing concentrations to water-quality standards and examining seasonal patterns, inter-site variation, and interannual comparisons of the water column, salmonid, prey resource, and sediment chemistry data. | 11/1/2008 | 10/31/2009 | $169,500 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics |
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| Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report | Produce Annual Report | Complete three annual reports for the respective contracting years to provide information on progress and findings generated by the Ecosystem Monitoring Project. | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $4,304 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics |
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| Analyze/Interpret Data | Conduct data quality control and analysis | Complete thorough review, quality assurance and analysis of spatial, seasonality and annual productivity data | 11/1/2008 | 10/31/2009 | $110,100 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Analyze/Interpret Data | Prepare community profile | Prepare community profile document that describes results of in situ sampling, integrate community associations among flora and fauna, and specifically describe composition and relative occurrence of non-indigenous plants at study sites | 11/1/2008 | 10/31/2009 | $44,982 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Acquire remotely sensed imagery to describe wetland vegetation patterns | Acquire remotely sensed imagery and analyze field collected data in conjunction with the imagery to describe vegetation patterns in wetland habitats, and the images will serve as records for for long term comparisons within the lower Columbia River and estuary | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2007 | $55,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Characterize shallow water habitats by determining vegetation structure and controlling factors such as hydrology and elevation | Characterize vegetation at shallow water habitats in the lower Columbia River and estuary | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $600,508 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collect field data collection of in situ production at randomly distributed sites across a range of site disturbance within select reaches of the lower Columbia River | Conduct field data collection of primary and secondary production and water quality to quantify spatial (among reaches and among bathymetric strata) and temporal (seasonal) variation at 12 randomly distributed sites (panel) in two-three reaches (C – E) over the high productivity season for one year (Year 2). These added sites will provide better spatial inference within and among reaches at a range of site disturbance. All sampling will follow the same protocols and schedules for field and laboratory processing as outlined above in the previous work element. | 11/1/2007 | 10/31/2008 | $250,258 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collect field data of in situ production among habitat strata at eight Core Sites for three years to address spatial and temporal variability | Conduct field data collection of primary and secondary production and water quality to quantify spatial and temporal variability among habitat complexes during high productivity season (March – Aug/Sept) for eight core sites | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $736,344 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collect prey in emergent marsh and forested wetland border habitats using benthic core sampling and insect fallout traps | Characterize salmonid prey resources at selected shallow water habitats in the lower Columbia River and estuary | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $63,794 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collect sediment cores for analysis of grain size and sediment chemistry | Characterize sediments cores for grain size and organic material at all core sites and assess sediment chemistry at selected sites to develop a baseline understanding of the suite and degree of sediment contaminants at a range of shallow water sites | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $129,298 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Conduct in situ sampling of case study areas | Implement field sampling at case study areas | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2008 | $73,892 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Document chemical contaminant uptake through analysis of salmonid stomach contents, whole bodies, bile and blood | Analyze salmonid stomach contents, whole bodies, bile and blood to provide data on chemical contaminant uptake by salmonids | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $285,904 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Document salmonid diets through taxonomic analysis of stomach contents analysis | Characterize salmonid diets through taxonomic analysis of stomach contents analysis | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $14,100 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring, |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Document seasonal habitat occurrence patterns in nearshore habitats by juvenile salmonids | Characterize seasonal habitat occurrence patterns in nearshore habitats by juvenile salmonids | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $205,740 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Evaluate juvenile salmon condition and growth | Evaluate juvenile salmon condition and growth at core and distributed shallow water sampling sites in the lower Columbia River and estuary | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $227,090 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Measure concentrations of nutrients, carbon, and suspended sediment in the water column to further characterize water-quality conditions at core sites | Characterize water quality in the water column core sites in shallow water habitats in the lower Columbia River and estuary | 11/1/2007 | 10/31/2008 | $99,000 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Measure contaminant concentrations in major classes of salmonid prey collected in emergent marsh and forested wetland border habitats | Characterize contaminant concentrations in major classes of salmonid prey collected in emergent marsh and forested wetland border habitats | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $272,600 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring, |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Select case study areas for in situ study | Identify case study areas to be sampled | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2007 | $89,900 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Summarize existing data and other information on freshwater tidal forested/scrub-shrub wetlands of the lower Columbia River and estuary | Survey available historic and contemporary data and non-quantitative knowledge about the structure and attributes of freshwater-tidal forested/scrub-shrub wetland communities in the lower Columbia River and estuary | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2007 | $13,455 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Use continuously recording water-quality monitors to characterize patterns and variations in water-quality conditions at core sites | Characterize water quality at core sites in shallow water habitats in the lower Columbia River and estuary | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $565,000 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Use integrative water quality sampling devices to characterize the potential exposure of aquatic life to contaminants at shallow-water sites | Utilize integrative water quality sampling devices to characterize the potential exposure of aquatic life, such as salmonids to contaminants at shallow water sites | 11/1/2007 | 10/31/2008 | $99,000 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Use remote sensing to characterize the variability of primary productivity and temperature synoptically | The focus of this task is the strategic and practical use of remotely sensed products appropriate for assessing the spatial and temporal variation in estuary productivity and to test the use of remote sensing datasets to characterize the variability of primary productivity and temperature at multiple spatial and temporal scales (full estuary, reach, and habitat strata at distinct seasonal or single time periods) and evaluate the use of these remotely sensed technologies as a long-term monitoring tool. | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $239,468 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics Focal Area: Estuary Primary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Develop RM&E Methods and Designs | Develop a strategy to fill gaps identified by bathymetry gap analysis | The findings of the bathymetric workshop will be developed by the bathymetry consortium into a strategy to guide the prioritization and collection of the additional bathymetry | 11/1/2006 | 10/31/2009 | $30,000 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Develop RM&E Methods and Designs | Develop probabilistic sampling panel design and submit for peer review | Develop a habitat based probabilistic panel sampling design that is a spatially balanced design for random selection of Core and distributed sampling locations for primary and secondary productivity, salmonid, vegetation, sediment, water quality, and salmonid prey monitoring. | 11/1/2006 | 2/1/2007 | $133,838 |
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Biological objectives Increase shallow water peripheral and side channel Protect existing rearing and spawning habitat Reduce contaminant exposure of emigrating salmonid Reduce, monitor, understand contaminants sources Restore connectivity between river and floodplain Restore spawning/rearing |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Monitoring Coordinator at 1.0 FTE | $47,441 | $50,762 | $54,315 |
| Personnel | Fringe for Monitoring Coordinator | $10,617 | $12,740 | $15,288 |
| Personnel | Director of Technical Programs at .35 FTE | $22,708 | $24,298 | $25,998 |
| Personnel | Fringe for Director of Technical Programs | $2,445 | $2,934 | $3,521 |
| Travel | [blank] | $1,110 | $1,143 | $1,178 |
| Other | Vehicles for 1.35 FTE | $2,489 | $2,564 | $2,641 |
| Supplies | Supplies for 1.35 FTE | $2,086 | $2,148 | $2,213 |
| Other | Property Rental for 1.35 FTE | $7,529 | $8,282 | $8,530 |
| Overhead | 20% on above items | $19,285 | $20,974 | $22,737 |
| Capital Equipment | Purchase of YSI water quality monitors in FY2007 | $49,120 | $1,620 | $1,620 |
| Other | Contractual | $1,265,812 | $1,954,775 | $1,450,986 |
| Other | Project Management (10% of Contractual) | $126,581 | $195,477 | $145,099 |
| Totals | $1,557,221 | $2,277,714 | $1,734,121 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $5,569,056 |
| Total work element budget: | $5,569,068 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | Coordination of the Columbia Basin Toxics Reduction Strategy, pesticide reduction and toxic TMDLs | $300,000 | $300,000 | $300,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | ESA consultation, recovery planning in the lower Columbia River | $500,000 | $500,000 | $500,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| United States Geological Survey | Continuous dissolved gas and temperature monitoring on the mainstem of the Columbia River | $100,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| United States Geological Survey | Urban Land Use Gradient Study at 28 sites Portland area | $100,000 | $0 | $0 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| United States Geological Survey | Clackamas River Pesticide Study | $100,000 | $0 | $0 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| United States Geological Survey | Monitoring agricultural tributary, Zollner Creek, for pesticides, fertilizer, and manure. | $60,000 | $60,000 | $60,000 | Cash | Confirmed |
| United States Geological Survey | NAWQA and NASQAN water quality/toxic monitoring of Columbia and Willamette | $160,000 | $160,000 | $160,000 | In-Kind | Confirmed |
| Totals | $1,320,000 | $1,120,000 | $1,120,000 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $1,855,515 FY 2011 estimated budget: $1,855,515 |
Comments: The future operation of this monitoring program will annually increase due to inflation at a rate of 7% a year. |
Future O&M costs: The future operations and maintenance costs associated with this program are reflected in the comments on the outyear budget.
Termination date: Not determined
Comments: Long-term status and trend monitoring in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary is a long term commitment. It is unclear at the present time as to when, and if, status and trend monitoring at the landscape scale should terminate.
Final deliverables: A more complete description and understanding of the diversity and variability of the habitats of the Lower Columbia River and Estuary that will lead to more cost-effective management strategies oriented toward species recovery.
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
| Responses to ISRP Review Comments on Project 200300700 | 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] | ||||||
| $411,000 | $411,000 | $411,000 | $1,233,000 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $411,000 | $411,000 | $411,000 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
|
Comments: Joint proposal from OR and WA. |
||||||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Response requested
NPCC comments: The proposal is well-developed and the proposed work fills an important need for estuary restoration. The sponsors have addressed the major concerns raised by the ISRP in its last review of this project. The sponsors, however, need to address several other concerns. The overall design of the project is dependent on a positive relationship between habitat quality/habitat quantity and survival of juvenile salmonids in the estuary. There is, however, no work proposed that will define that relationship. The measurements of fish health/condition do not address survival at the population level. The proposal would be improved by the presentation of options, or at least discussion ideas, on how to move forward in addressing habitat-survival relationships. Such a discussion would also help put estimates of estuarine survival into the context of freshwater and ocean survival - researchers in those habitats often do work toward survival estimates. There are a number of other methodological questions that need to be addressed, most notably those related to determination of growth. Technical and scientific background: The proposal directly addresses the critical question of estuarine ecosystem health and seeks to continue the monitoring program begun in 2003 with BPA funding. There is clearly an identified need for a thorough monitoring program in the Lower Columbia River estuary. The work is well justified and could be very important for understanding salmon growth and survival in the estuary. The technical background, for the most part, is thoroughly explained. The sponsors provide good background on past studies. Of particular importance is a proposed assessment of toxic substance and their uptake by salmon, an area of work that has received little attention in the estuary. Detailed functional characteristics of estuarine habitat will be determined. The habitat characterization using catenas is an innovative approach to classification but it is not put in the context of existing systems such as USFWS's Cowardin system or vegetation-based systems that may be used by USFS. To assess the effects of contaminants in food webs on juvenile salmon integrated laboratory studies should be done in simulated lower Columbia River estuary conditions, e.g., turbidity. Extrapolation from lab studies done under other conditions is not appropriate. This project is a complex and expensive project requiring significant coordination, and there may be overlaps with other studies and agencies. For example, are there similar contaminant projects underway by EPA? One concern is that the sponsors make general statements about the importance of primary and secondary productivity in assessing estuarine ecosystem health. The sponsors need to explain how, specifically, this information will be used to assess health (what is a “healthy” food web and what isn’t) and its relevance to restoration decisions. Rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs: The work relates closely with the Lower Columbia Subbasin plan and addresses many of the critical issues raised in the Plan. The proposal also addresses actions in the 2000 Biological Opinion, the RME plan, and other plans related to estuarine health. Relationships to other projects: The sponsors have thoroughly discussed the project’s relationship to subbasin plans and other projects. The proposed work complements other estuarine projects and is closely coordinated with several of them. The linkages with the oceanographers in project #199801400 and assistance with modeling is evidence of this coordination. Project history: Past accomplishments of the project should be organized according to the objectives of the original proposal to permit assessment of whether the project has met its objectives. Currently these results are spread throughout the proposal rather than consolidated in this section. The discussion should be clear about how these accomplishments logically lead to the currently proposed work. The sponsors should state what actually was accomplished not just what kinds of data were collected and what kind of sampling was done. What are the results as they currently stand? What work from the original proposal has yet to be completed? The explanation of the relationship of the current work (and objectives) to the proposed work needs to be expanded. The sponsors need to clearly explain the current status of the monitoring program. Is it in place? Have sites been selected? Is data being collected and analyzed? If so, how? How will the current work improve the program? Results of the past physical monitoring have been reported mostly in the gray literature but the contaminant work is in scientific journals. Past work has clearly advanced our knowledge of Columbia River estuary. Objectives: Most objectives are well defined with carefully thought out time horizons and goals. There are some exceptions, for example objectives for sturgeon and lamprey are mentioned in the proposal but not in the narrative. In the abstract, the sponsors justify the continuation of the monitoring (actually mainly research observations) “aimed at increasing the survival of juvenile salmonids by assessing habitats.” However, the proposal lacks information on how survival will be determined. Tasks (work elements) and methods: This is a complex proposal with many specialized work elements. Methods are documented in sufficient detail. Most are appropriate, but they do not address survival at the population (or even "subpopulation") level. A number of questions need to be addressed. Are three samples sufficient to monitor species (phytoplankton, etc) with high turnovers? Why will sampling occur only during high productivity periods? Chlorophyll a, ADFM, and biomass are not measures of productivity (total tissue elaboration/time by the population) but rather are measures of standing stock. What are the risk models for salmon? How will stomach volume be estimated? Remote sensing (Task 1 d) is a method for assessing primary productivity that may be oversold. The sponsors need to explain how primary and secondary production data will be related to capacity, opportunity, and function (e.g., growth, survival). Methods for assessment of growth need to be better explained and justified. It seems that growth will be assessed by differences in sizes of fish caught near Bonneville and those caught further downriver. One assumption behind this method is that all fish near Bonneville will be the same size. This is highly unlikely. Hatchery and wild stocks, fish from different tributaries, and fish that have spent different amounts of time growing upriver likely will contribute to size variation near Bonneville which will confound growth estimates. In addition, fish caught in the estuary may have originated below Bonneville. Growth estimates from otoliths, although having their own problems, would be preferable. Monitoring and evaluation: The proposal is totally focused on developing a monitoring and evaluation program for the Columbia River estuary. Such a program is critically needed and responds to subbasin plans and the 2000 Biological Opinion. Facilities, equipment, and personnel: Facilities are definitely adequate. Personnel could be augmented by a statistician to help with the EMAP work. Most of the team are biologists or physical scientists. Information transfer: Raw data and meta-data will be archived at research agencies and universities and as well made available on web sites. There are excellent plans in place for technology transfer via peer-reviewed papers. Several workshops will be convened to disseminate information and involve stakeholders. Benefits to focal species and non-focal species: Development of methods for status and trends monitoring of physical habitat, productivity, and contaminants will benefit anadromous salmonids and indicators species such as sturgeon. There is no evidence that the work will harm endemic biota. In fact, the project likely will benefit non-focal species by leading to improved habitat. There could be demonstrated benefits to non-salmonid fish as well as wildlife.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)
NPCC comments: The sponsors provided thorough responses to most of the ISRP’s comments. They provided additional details to clarify most of the concerns the ISRP raised. It is gratifying to see a well thought-out approach to sampling the neglected freshwater tidal habitats of the Columbia River. The presentation of results related to contaminant monitoring in the lower Columbia River and estuary was especially well done. Of particular importance is the close cooperation of this project and Project # 200301000 “Historic Habitat Opportunities and Food-Web Linkages of Juvenile Salmon in the Columbia River Estuary and Their Implications for Managing River Flows and Restoring Estuarine Habitat.” Both projects should benefit considerably from this collaboration. Some concerns were not addressed very well by the sponsors, specifically those dealing with salmonid survival-habitat relationships and plans for publications. The sponsors adequately responded to the question of contaminant effects on survival, as the sponsors described models that would be used to forecast survival given body burdens and physiological limitations. A comparable response was not given on the relationship between survival and physical habitat/food supply. It is unfortunate that this powerful team of researchers seems to be approaching the survival-habitat issue in oblique and indirect ways (through models, inference, etc) instead of trying to obtain some empirical data on juvenile salmonid survival in the Columbia River estuary. Perhaps the close cooperation with Project # 200301000 will help close the gap. Possibly, the current proposal could be refocused to increase critical mass on #200301000. Survival in relation to habitat factors is notoriously difficult to assess in estuaries, and a large team with good funding is required to make progress, especially in large systems like the Columbia River estuary. The proponents make the statement, "The Ecosystem Monitoring Project is an ongoing monitoring project in the lower Columbia River and estuary whose goals are to create a consistent approach to protocol development and status and trends monitoring of estuarine habitats." In reality, therefore, the Project is really a research program to develop monitoring tools. The real monitoring program is yet to be set up. Although a substantial amount of work has been completed, some tasks defined in the original proposal are still in progress (see pages 19-21 of the sponsor’s response). A major concern is that delays in completion of the tasks in the original proposal would set back completion of the work proposed for 2007-2009. Completion of some of these tasks is apparently contingent on finalization of the Lower Columbia River and Estuary Ecosystem Classification System. New technologies and approaches will always arise that allow refinement of the habitat classification system, but the classification is so crucial to the habitat work that it should be completed as expeditiously as possible and submitted for peer review in the early stages of the project. Qualification: The sponsors should finalize the classification system as soon as possible so that it can used to complete the tasks contingent upon it.