FY07-09 proposal 200205900

Jump to Reviews and Recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleYankee Fork Salmon River Dredge Tailings Restoration Project
Proposal ID200205900
OrganizationShoshone Bannock Tribes
Short descriptionReconnect the Yankee Fork River to its floodplain and restore natural channel characteristics and processes in a segment impacted by dredge-mining. Integrate biological and physical data with project experiences to develop future restoration alternatives.
Information transferData will be transfered to STREAMNET for public availaiblity, and findings disseminated through formal reporting, scientific publications, and prestentations at scientific meetings.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Contacts
ContactOrganizationEmail
Form submitter
Andrew Ray Fish & Wildlife Department, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes aray@shoshonebannocktribes.com
All assigned contacts
Andrew Ray Fish & Wildlife Department, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes aray@shoshonebannocktribes.com

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Mountain Snake / Salmon

LatitudeLongitudeWaterbodyDescription
Yankee Fork Yankee Fork Salmon River Dredge Tailings Restoration Project

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Chinook Snake River Spring/Summer ESU
secondary: Steelhead Snake River ESU

Section 4. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishments
2005 Reviewed existing biological, chemical, and physical data, developed cooperations with other agencies, drafted a plan for the restoration of a pilot project on the YFSR, and initiated research on key riverine processes. Presented preliminary findings.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding sourceRelated IDRelated titleRelationship
BPA 199405000 Salmon River Habitat Enhance Data sharing, technical assistance, equipment sharing, field assistance, and office support
BPA 199201000 Habitat Imprvmnt/Enhnmnt - For Technical assistance, field assistance
BPA 199605300 North Fork John Day Dredge-Tai Data and information sharing, project guidance

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectivesFull descriptionAssociated subbasin planStrategy
Eliminate data gaps Eliminate existing data gaps in the YFSR watershed through the ongoing monitoring of key riverine processes and exchanges of energy and nutrients between river and floodplain using within watershed comparisons (upstream-downstream comparisons) and paired watershed comparisons with reference ecosystems Salmon 3B1, 2A4
Integrate adaptive RM&E plan Integrate a monitoring and evaluation plan to examine physical, chemical, and biological response from the resulting reestablishment of connectivity. Salmon 18B3
Monitor water quality conditions in the YFSR brack Monitoring water quality in the YFSR using continuous monitoring equipment and conventional water sampling techniques. Particular attention will be paid to monitoring the the diffuser and also the project site before, during, and following restoration Salmon 18A1
Produce restoration plan for YFSR Produce a restoration design for the 10-km segment of the YFSR impacted by dredge-mining activities by adopting successful strategies from the 1-km pilot project and adaptively evaluating and incorporating the newest information. Salmon 18B2
Use remote sensing technologies Use remote sensing technologies to characterize the existing stream-floodplain complex and support design and modeling future restoration alternatives. Salmon 18B1

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element nameWork element titleDescriptionStart dateEnd dateEst budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation Obtain Permits, NEPA and cultural resources Obtain necessary environmental and biological compliance, cultural resources, construction, and other necessary permits. This work will be administered by the project sponsor but a contractor will be used to assist with necessary permits (e.g. local and regional construction permits) and to consult with the appropriate agencies on behalf of the project sponsor 4/1/2007 3/31/2008 $92,366
Biological objectives
Metrics
Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities Conservation Easement Activites The proposed activity will occur, in part, on private lands and will require a conservation easement or similar action. Tribal attorneys and a contractor will facilitate with the easement negotations 4/1/2007 3/31/2008 $74,859
Biological objectives
Metrics
Other 185 - Produce Pices Status Report Produce quarterly Pices status report 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $3,000
Biological objectives
Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects Manage and Administer Yankee Fork Project Manage and adminster project components, mentor biologist and technician, mentor graduate students, work with subcontractors, cooperate and coordinate work with agencies, interact with COTR and funding agency, interact with interal administrative staff 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $200,174
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Design and/or Specifications Produce restoration designs and Specifications A contractor will be used to develop engineering designs and provide the appropriate specifications. All materials will be stamped by a liscensed engeer. 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $435,024
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Plan Produce plan for pilot project and for 3 alternatives for the 10-km restoration Production of design and engineering drawings for the 1-km pilot project and the 3 designs for the 10-km segment impacted by historic mining. This plan will also include the planting design and other associated design elements. 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $351,490
Biological objectives
Metrics
Produce Annual Report Produce Annual Report Write annual report for BPA 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $30,000
Biological objectives
Metrics
Analyze/Interpret Data Data management, analysis, and interpretation This will be a major component of the work carried out and required to interpret and report findings from data collection activites and for the dissemination of project information. The project sponsor will participate in these activities but contracts from ISU and DRI and other key investigators will be participate in this element. 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $215,741
Biological objectives
Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data Field and laboratory data collection Collection of data for water quality monitoring, eliminating data gaps, remote sensing needs, and pre restoration monitoring. The project sponsor will administer all data collection, but data collection activites will occur by subcontractors (e.g. ISU graduate student). 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $349,989
Biological objectives
Metrics
Create/Manage/Maintain Database Database Management Collected data (e.g. water quality monitoring data) will be managed in spreadsheets/databases requiring management by the project sponsor. 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $27,945
Biological objectives
Metrics
Develop RM&E Methods and Designs Research monitoring and evaluation This element describes RM&E associated with all proposed monitoring activities (i.e. water quality, remote sensing, and post construciton RM&E). All key investigators will assist the project sponsor in the development of specific RM&E methods and designs 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $80,000
Biological objectives
Metrics
Disseminate Raw/Summary Data and Results Data dissemination Data will be dissmeniated using various means include public meeings, presentations, and publication of reports and manuscripts. This work will be initiated by the project sponsor, but contractors like ISU will be especially helpful with data dissemination. 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $67,000
Biological objectives
Metrics
Submit/Acquire Data Submission and Acquistion of Data Data collected from various monitoring efforts will be submitted to StreamNet or equivalent data management outlets. 4/1/2007 3/31/2010 $18,000
Biological objectives
Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget
ItemNoteFY07FY08FY09
Personnel Coordinator $11,324 $11,891 $12,486
Personnel Project Manager $49,818 $52,308 $54,924
Personnel Biologist $40,950 $42,998 $45,147
Personnel Technician $8,339 $8,756 $9,194
Personnel Assistant/Contracts $1,092 $1,147 $1,204
Personnel Clerk $7,817 $8,208 $8,618
Fringe Benefits Fringe (31%) $36,809 $38,650 $40,582
Supplies Office Supplies/Equipment $5,100 $5,202 $5,306
Supplies Field Supplies $7,400 $4,968 $5,037
Travel per diem (100 days) $13,545 $14,222 $14,933
Travel Lodging (12 nights) $693 $728 $764
Travel BPA training $1,000 $1,000 $1,000
Travel Professional Meetings (2/year) $4,000 $4,000 $4,000
Travel Vehicles $14,688 $14,982 $15,281
Capital Equipment Water Quality Insturments $19,783 $9,490 $9,490
Other Subcontractors - ISU Stream Ecology Center $40,111 $40,811 $41,627
Other Subcontractor/Remote Sensing $61,000 $20,492 $0
Other Subcontractor - Water Quality DRI $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
Other Subcontractor - Hydraulic/Engineering Consultation $12,000 $12,000 $12,000
Other Water Quality Analysis $8,224 $8,635 $9,067
Overhead Overhead (28%) $43,722 $45,908 $48,204
Other Subcontractor/restoration design/engineering/permitting $280,971 $280,971 $280,971
Totals $678,386 $637,367 $629,835
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
Total itemized budget: $1,945,588
Total work element budget: $1,945,588
Cost sharing
Funding source/orgItem or service providedFY 07 est value ($)FY 08 est value ($)FY 09 est value ($)Cash or in-kind?Status
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality calibration standards $1,327 $1,327 $1,327 Cash Under Review
Idaho State University CERE Provided equipment for water quality monitoring and stream discharge measurements during high flows $1,800 $0 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
Idaho State University Remote Sensing Laboratory Provide technical and engineering services associated with proposed airborne remote sensing methods $3,000 $0 $0 In-Kind Under Review
Idaho State University Stream Ecology Center Developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation plan for the YFSR $3,860 $0 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Land Information Services Provided GIS services describing changes in river length and sinuosity and illustrating historic red $4,000 $0 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
US Geological Survey Performed high flow stream measurments using ADCP $3,600 $0 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
US Geological Survy Preparation of report on Hg and Se concentrations in aquatic biota of the YFSR $11,400 $0 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
USDA Forest Service Watershed Analysis (Overton et al. 1999) $130,000 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
USDA Forest Service Physical survey work $20,000 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
USDA Forest Service Examination of Hg and Se concentrations in aquatic biota in the YFSR $112,800 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
USDA Forest Service Purchased and permitting for bank-operated travelling block cableway $4,955 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
USDA Forest Service Funded Reports on Historical Context and Cultural Resources Narrative for the YFSR Dredge Tailings $34,997 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
USDA Forest Service Administration on Cultural Resources Work $3,000 $0 $0 In-Kind Confirmed
USDS Forest Service Physical surveys to support design for hydraulic modelling and restoration plan development $95,621 $0 $0 Cash Confirmed
Totals $430,360 $1,327 $1,327

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $5,000,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $5,000,000
Comments: Although many of the tasks outlined in this proposal will also be used for implementation of a full-scale restoration of the YFSR 10-km impacted segment it is impossible to predict the cost of implementation until the work outlined here is completed.

Future O&M costs: Cost associatied with ongoing monitoring and assessment of the implementation of the restoration, continued plantings in the pilot area, continued coordination with all stakeholders, planning and coordination with future conservation easements, implementation of full scale restoration.

Termination date:
Comments:

Final deliverables:

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

Revised Narrative for proposal 200205900 Jul 2006
ISRP Response 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]
$160,373 $160,373 $160,373 $481,119 Expense ProvinceExpense Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$160,373 $160,373 $160,373 $0 ProvinceExpense
Comments: Fundable in part (qualified). Fund completion of planning work for step submittal to address ISRP concerns. Funding for implementation contingent upon favorable ISRP and Council review.

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Not fundable

NPCC comments: The proposal itself is well put together and easy to read, but the scientific rationale for benefits to fish and wildlife is not convincing. A stated goal is to increase chinook smolt production by an order of magnitude. This is certainly a gross exaggeration of the project's potential. The ISRP previously concluded that fishery benefits on this project are likely to be low. The impacted area is a relatively short stretch of moderately high gradient. The primary chinook salmon rearing area is upstream, and passage doesn't seem to be impeded. Some objectives do not seem reasonable, and methods for the actual stream engineering are not given. Previous ISRP concern over the need for a conservation easement that would limit future development of lands associated with the stream channel restoration was not addressed. It is interesting that a similar project funded in the past by BPA (Crooked River on South Fork Clearwater) and now perhaps in need of re-doing was not mentioned in the proposal. If resources were unlimited and the availability of effective methods were assured, this might be the right thing to do at this profoundly altered site. Cost estimates are $15 million through 2011 and that certainly is an underestimate. No cost-share is identified.


ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable in part (Qualified)

NPCC comments: The sponsors provided a quality response that is further evidence of the strength of their team. Some progress in negotiating with Simplot is evident. However, significant issues of concern to the ISRP remain. Reviewers continue to agree there can be little doubt that the dredge impacted reach of Yankee Fork could be better habitat for native salmonids. Even with their careful analysis of responses provided by the sponsor, reviewers remain skeptical that significant gains in smolt production from the area and adult production in the upper Salmon River basin will result even if the project sponsors are successful in increasing productivity of the reach. And, because of the profound alteration of the system, reviewers remain unconvinced that the desired rehabilitation is even possible. The ISRP strongly recommends that this project needs a benefits analysis by the Council with comparison to other alternative protection and restoration activities in the area. The ISRP recommends Fundable in Part (Qualified) for this project. The qualification includes two requirements. First, a thorough analysis of the likely benefits for Chinook salmon and other focal species in the area is required. Second, the sponsors need to obtain pre-implementation reviews of project plans that describe the scientific basis of the methods to be applied and for what purpose. A report of these findings should be submitted to the Council and reviewed by the ISRP before any Fish and Wildlife Program funds are committed to project activities. The ISRP understands that the Council's Three-Step Review Process can be used for complex and high cost restoration projects; this project would benefit from such a review. In sum, this project is scientifically justified to complete this planning phase but is not justified to begin implementation.