FY07-09 proposal 199205900
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Amazon Basin/Eugene Wetlands - |
| Proposal ID | 199205900 |
| Organization | Nature Conservancy |
| Short description | Continue restoration and enhancement of Willow Creek Wildlife Wildlife Mitigation Area. Habitats being protected or restored include riparian zones of seasonal streams, wet prairie, upland prairie, forested wetland, oak woodland, and dry coniferous fores |
| Information transfer | Information and data are consistently shared with a variety of partners in the Willamette Valley and elsewhere, including the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership which includes nine State, Federal and private organizations. Data collected during this project will be made available to other land managers and regulatory agencies through publications, symposia, and workshops. Vegetation maps and special status species data will be provided to the Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center to be included in statewide vegetation and at-risk species coverages and made available on their web site. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Jason Nuckols | The Nature Conservancy | jnuckols@tnc.org |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Jason Nuckols | The Nature Conservancy | jnuckols@tnc.org |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Lower Columbia / Willamette
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44deg02'00" | 123deg10'00" | Willow Creek | Located in the Willamette Valley ecoregion, situated at the margin of the valley floor on the western edge of Eugene. The site is in the Willow Creek watershed. Willow Creek is a tributary of Amazon Creek and the Long Tom River. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: All Wildlifesecondary: All Wildlife
Additional: Bradshaw's Lomatium, Common Yellowthroat, Northern Harrier, Willamette Valley Daisy, Fender's Blue Butterfly, Kincaid's Lupine, Vesper Sparrow, Western Bluebird, White-topped Aster, Western Meadowlark, Beaver, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-tailed Hawk, Valley Quail, Yellow Warbler, and Western Pond Turtle
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Expanded the implementation of restoration and enhancement actions to include the four new parcels acquired in 2004. Completed the largest prescribed burns to project date. Installed RAWS at project site. |
| 2004 | Acquired conservation easement over an additional 167 acres of habitat (Willow Creek total = 497 acres). |
| 2003 | Implementation of restoration and enhancement actions proposed in management plan. |
| 2002 | Implementation of restoration and enhancement actions proposed in management plan. |
| 2001 | Implementation of restoration and enhancement actions proposed in management plan. Completed baseline Habitat Evaluation on newly acquired tracts (99 acres). Performed follow-up Habitat Evaluation on 330 acres. |
| 2000 | Implementation of restoration and enhancement actions proposed in management plan. |
| 1999 | Implementation of restoration and enhancement actions proposed in management plan. |
| 1998 | Implementation of restoration and enhancement actions proposed in management plan. |
| 1997 | Implementation of restoration and enhancement actions proposed in management plan. |
| 1996 | Completed the Willow Creek wildlife management plan and Environmental Assessment proposing restoration and enhancement actions and wildlife mitigation credits that would be produced. |
| 1995 | Acquired conservation easement over 330 acres of habitat. |
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 199107800 | Burlington Bottoms Wldlf Mitig | Complimentary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin |
| BPA | 199206800 | Willamette Basin Mitigation | Complimentary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin |
| Other: McKenzie River Trust | [no entry] | McKenzie and Long Tom River Acquisitions | Complimentary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin |
| Other: USFWS | [no entry] | Fender's Blue Butterfly Monitoring | Funded monitoring of Fender's blue butterfly at Willow Creek from 1993 to 2005 |
| Other: LCOG | [no entry] | Rivers to Ridges Project Planning | Developing a comprehensive natural area and open space plan for Eugene and Springfield to link critical habitats |
| Other: NWOIWMP | [no entry] | NW Oregon Invasive Weeed Partnership | Partnership is working to advance invasive species management in NW Oregon through the Upper Willamette Cooperative Weed Management Area |
| Other: BLM | [no entry] | West Eugene Wetlands Partnership | Partnership to maintain, enhance and restore over 2500 acres of wetland and wet prairie in west Eugene |
| Other: City of Eugene | [no entry] | West Eugene Wetlands Partnership | Partnership to maintain, enhance and restore over 2500 acres of wetland and wet prairie in west Eugene |
| Other: Long Tom Watershed Council | [no entry] | West Eugene Wetlands Partnership | Complimentary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improve population trend for focal species | The overall objective is to significantly increase population trends of focal species, especially those listed under the Endangered Species Act, and the quantity and quality of connected habitats on which they depend. | Willamette | increase population trends of focal species (especially those listed under the Endangered Species Act) while supporting habitat objectives |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove or Relocate Predaceous Animals | Bullfrog eradication | Reduce adult bullfrogs in semi-permanent aquatic habitats | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $1,963 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Land Purchase | Wire funds to escrow account | BPA will wire funds to an escrow account for the property and execute the easement for the property. . | 7/15/2008 | 8/1/2008 | $475,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics * # of acres of new purchase/easement: 28 acres |
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| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Complete a Hazardous Materials Survey and NEPA | Bonneville Power Administration staff will complete a Phase I Hazardous Materials Survey of the property which will include gathering documents, conducting a literature and records review, site inspection and documentation. If any environmental conditions of concern are identified, a Phase II Hazardous Materials Survey will be complete. There are no improvements on the property – and as such no problems are anticipated. | 4/1/2008 | 6/1/2008 | $3,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Controlled Burn | Prescribed burns in wet and upland prairie and oak habitats | Consult with USFWS about T&E species within burn units, Mow fire breaks, coordinate with burn contractor and complete approximately six prescribed burns over approximately 110 acres. | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $29,921 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Remove vegetation | Ash Woodland Restoration | Restore 30 acres of invaded wet prairie and woodland to wet prairie and ash savanna habitats. | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $21,954 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics * # of acres treated: 30 acres |
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| Remove vegetation | Oak Woodland and Savanna Restoration | Restore 35 acres of oak woodland and savanna. | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $24,168 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics * # of acres treated: 35 acres |
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| Remove vegetation | Upland Prairie Restoration | Restoration of Upland Prairie habitat identified in the Proposed Critical Habitat for Fender's blue butterfly | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $33,269 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics * # of acres treated: 65 acres |
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| Investigate Trespass | Defensibility Monitoring | Work with volunteers to continue defensibility monitoring | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $1,919 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Maintain Vegetation | Continued non-native vegetation control efforts | Continue non-native vegetation control efforts on entire 497 acres; reduce or eliminate the top 10 problem non-native plant species and maintain areas previously treated. Mow to reduce flowering and seeding of problem non-native plant species and spot treat with herbicide where needed. Remove non-native woody vegetation that has encroached into native prairies and oak woodlands. In addition to manual and mechanical methods Bobcat mounted mowers will be used to target large stature weeds such as blackberry, broom, rose. pear and hawthorn. | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $74,946 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Acquire Conservation Easement | The Nature Conservancy will execute the escrow agreement with Bonneville Power Administration and the agreed upon conservation easement with the landowner. Legal documents will be recorded. | 7/1/2008 | 7/15/2008 | $1,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Ash and Oak Woodland Restoration | An easement will be drafted based on easements executed in 2004 between The Nature Conservancy and Bonneville Power Administration for the Willow Creek Wildlife Management Area. Attorneys and real estate staff from The Nature Conservancy will review the easement with Bonneville Power Administration and update as necessary. | 4/1/2008 | 5/1/2009 | $1,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Complete a Fair Market Value Appraisal of the Property | The Nature Conservancy will contract for a Fair Market Value appraisal conducted to federal appraisal standards with a BPA approved appraiser. | 5/1/2008 | 6/1/2008 | $10,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Complete an estimate of Project HU’s | The Nature Conservancy will contract with qualified wildlife biologists to develop a preliminary HEP assessment of the property to incorporate into the draft a Memorandum of Agreement between the Bonneville Power Administration and The Nature Conservancy. | 4/1/2008 | 6/1/2008 | $2,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Prepare HEP Report | Complete a HEP assessment of the Property | The Nature Conservancy will contract with qualified wildlife biologists to develop a final HEP assessment of the property to set baseline conditions, and help identify management needs for the property. The habitat evaluation will be conducted to BPA approved standards. Wildlife habitat mitigation credits will be determined for protection of the habitat and possible habitat enhancement based on assessments of alternative future habitat management goals for the property. | 6/1/2008 | 8/1/2008 | $3,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Other | Complete Realty Package | Bonneville Power Administration staff will complete their internal Realty package for the easement including completing NEPA checklist, reviewing the appraisal and title report, and finalizing easement terms. An easement will be drafted based on easements executed in 2004 between The Nature Conservancy and Bonneville Power Administration for the Willow Creek Wildlife Management Area. Attorneys and real estate staff from The Nature Conservancy will review the easement with Bonneville Power Administration and update as necessary. The NEPA checklist includes obtaining cultural resources, hazardous materials, and threatened and endangered species inventories and assessments using staff and qualified contractors. This may include conducting surveys, addressing any significant issues and, as necessary, developing a biological assessment in consultation with NMFS or USFWS. | 4/1/2008 | 7/1/2008 | $5,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Other | Vehicle Replacement | Replace existing 1989 GMC truck with newer similar vehicle sharing costs with The Nature Conservancy | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2008 | $9,375 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Manage and Administer Projects | Provide oversight of the project. Respond to BPA as requested, providing financial, contractual, environmental compliance and administrative documents. Prepare FY07-09 SOW and submit no less than 90 days before end of current performance period. | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $4,925 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce Annual Report | Produce Annual Report | Produce annual report in FYs 2007-2009 | 12/1/2007 | 1/30/2010 | $4,494 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor hydrology and water quality conditions | Continue to monitor stream hydrology, precipitation, water quality, turbidity and groundwater wells | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $12,006 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor selected wildlife | Perform breeding bird surveys in wet prairie, oak woodland/savanna, ash woodland, and conifer forest habitats. | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $4,444 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitoring vegetation, photoplots and listed species | Monitoring of permanent vegetation and photoplots and listed and candidate threatened and endangered plant and animal species, including Willamette daisy, Bradshaw’s lomatium, Shaggy horkelia, Curtus’s aster, Kincaid’s lupine, and Fender’s blue butterfly | 4/1/2007 | 3/31/2010 | $50,413 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | [blank] | $24,658 | $26,159 | $24,659 |
| Fringe Benefits | Calculated at 40% | $9,863 | $11,364 | $9,864 |
| Supplies | The majority of these costs are for purchasing natiev seed and plugs for restoration projects | $10,783 | $10,783 | $10,784 |
| Capital Equipment | Vehicle replacement with 50% TNC cost share | $7,500 | $0 | $0 |
| Overhead | Indirect costs of 25% for supplies and rental and 3% for contractors | $12,335 | $12,785 | $12,335 |
| Other | BPA Wire for Land Purchase and Easement Acquisition | $0 | $475,000 | $0 |
| Other | Contractors to Prepare HEP report, Complete an estimate of Project HU’s and Complete a Fair Market Value Appraisal of the Property | $0 | $14,050 | $0 |
| Other | Subcontractors to complete management and restoration Improve population trend for focal species | $33,625 | $33,625 | $33,625 |
| Totals | $98,764 | $583,766 | $91,267 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $773,797 |
| Total work element budget: | $773,797 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLM | Fuels Reduction Funds | $0 | $27,500 | $32,600 | Cash | Under Review |
| BLM | Fuels Reduction Funds | $20,000 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Confirmed |
| Hynix Semiconductor | Tractor | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | Cash | Under Review |
| ODFW | Fender's blue butterfly restoration and monitoring | $24,000 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Confirmed |
| OWEB | Technical Assistance Funding | $36,435 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Under Review |
| The Nature Conservancy | Vehicle Cost Share | $7,500 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Confirmed |
| Volunteers | Weed management, native harvests, habitat restoration, prescribed burning and monitoring | $8,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | In-Kind | Under Review |
| Totals | $103,935 | $43,500 | $48,600 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $85,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $85,000 |
Comments: Level of costs are predicted to be approximately the same in 2010 and 2011. |
Future O&M costs: We anticipate the BPA funding a portion of the future operations, maintenance and restoration costs. Cost sharing will continue in the future as it has in the past. Outside funding sources will be acquired to fund large restoration projects such as the conflence of the east and west portions of Willow Creek.
Termination date: none
Comments: Project will develop permanent mitigation through habitat protection and long-term restoration and management.
Final deliverables: 1) Permanent protection of 497+ acres of 5 priority focal habitats for 26 focal species (2) Habitat Credits to BPA
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
| TNC Project 199205900 ISRP Review Response | Jul 2006 |
| Willow Creek LOBR Summary | Jul 2006 |
| Willow Creek ERDE Summary | Jul 2006 |
| fryr05_Native_ABC.ppt | 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] | ||||||
| $0 | $475,000 | $0 | $475,000 | Capital | ProvinceCapital | Fund |
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $98,764 | $108,766 | $91,267 | $298,797 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $98,764 | $108,766 | $91,267 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
|
Comments: Expense portion. See capital budget for capital recommendation. |
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| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $0 | $475,000 | $0 | $0 | ProvinceCapital | ||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Response requested
NPCC comments: This project has a reasonable level of monitoring, and involves land purchased or easements that contain many plant and animal species of special concern. A very active management program is outlined that appears logical. Furthermore, a large acquisition is planned for 2008 to enhance the land already obtained. A response should identify targets for each of the proposed objectives and how measurements will be used to assess progress towards those objectives. In addition it would be useful to see a review of the monitoring data obtained in the past and where it is stored. The ISRP expect that this data exists in progress reports or manuscripts. The response should present more details to the ISRP about the types of data being collected and analysis procedures (with some results) to determine the success/failure of the active management program, e.g., effects of bullfrog reduction (including numbers of frogs eliminated) and associated responses; effects of prescribed burn on vegetation response, and eventually associated wildlife response; and removal of 65 acres of invaded wet prairies and associated plant and wildlife responses. The proposal sections on technical and scientific background, rationale and significance to subbasin plans and regional programs, and the relationship to other projects are adequate.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable
NPCC comments: In some cases, appropriate measures of success are stated (e.g., measures of success for controlled burns are stated to come from monitoring of listed plant species, photo-monitoring of plots, and surveys of breeding birds and butterflies. This is appropriate monitoring to assess biological objectives, but results are not given in the response, though they are stated to be available in preliminary form in annual reports. The ISRP received a large amount of relevant data including graphs, which indicates meaningful data is being collected for the series of projects. These analyzed data become important in future decision making processes, and provide a measure of project progress. Some summary quantitative reporting of such information, including interpretation (statement of what the project proponents think it means relative to their project's actions and goals), is what is needed in future proposals for continuing funding of an ongoing project. In future reviews the ISRP will look for better analysis/summarization of the data and application of those results to management.