Burlington Bottoms Wildlife Mitigation Project proposal 199107800

FY07-09 proposal 199107800

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Burlington Bottoms Wildlife Mitigation Project
Proposal ID	199107800
Organization	Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW)
Short description	This project will restore and maintain wildlife habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife species on 417 acres of wetlands & riparian forests. On-going work includes wetland restoration, O&M, as well as monitoring and evaluation of enhancement activitie
Information transfer	This information will be used to evaluate the success of all activities including habitat restoration and on-going O&M. In addtion, information will be shared with other agencies, entities, etc. in order to increase the knowledge and understanding of what strategies, etc. work for habitat restoration and how they benefit fish and wildlife species.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Sue Beilke	Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife	sbeilke@europa.com
All assigned contacts
Sue Beilke	Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife	sbeilke@europa.com

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Lower Columbia / Willamette

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
45.646 deg. N	122.841 deg. W	Multnomah Channel	Ten miles north of Portland off of Hwy. 30 and across from Sauvie Island.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: All Wildlife
Additional: Yellow Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Pileated Woodpecker, Western Pond Turtle, Beaver, Green Heron, River Otter, Red-legged Frog, Common Yellowthroat, Purple Martin, Willow Flycatcher, Wood Duck, Western Wood-Pewee

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	Habitat restoration included native planting on 10 acres and invasive species removal on 15 acres. Surveyed & monitored past activities to determine success of plantings, etc. Conducted wildlife surveys. Surveyed for listed fish species.
2004	Completed Section 7 Consultation. Completed installation of foundation for water control structure. Completed native planting on 12 ac. & removed invasive species on 15 acres. Conducted wildlife surveys on 300 acres. Surveyed for listed fish species.
2003	Worked with partners including DU & NRCS to plan for installation of water control structure as part of Moist Soil Mngt. for habitat restoration. Obtained state & federal permits. Restoration included planting and removal of invasives species on 18 ac.
2002	Began implementation of 5-Year Habitat Plan, including planning for moist soil mngt. activities. Conducted wildlife surveys on 300 acres. Restoration included invasive species removal & native planting on 20 acres. Conducted O&M.
2001	Completed 5-Year Habitat Mngt. Plan. Conducted habitat restoration including native planting on 10 acres & invasive species removal on 20 acres of wetlands. Continued wildlife surveys on 300 acres. Conducted O&M including road & trail maintenance.
2000	Continued work on Draft Habitat Management Plan, including GIS mapping. Increased values for HEP and other species through invasive plant species removal and native planting on approx. 20 acres. Conducted wildlife surveys. Conducted O&M.
1999	Completed Draft 5-Year Habitat Management Plan. Planted native species on 10 acres of wetlands. Removed invasive species on 15 acres. Conducted wildlife surveys on 300 acres. Conducted O&M including maintaining, roads, trails, etc.
1998	Habitat restoration activities included native planting on 12 acres of wetlands, and removal of invasive species on 15 acres of riparian forest habitat. Conducted wildlife surveys. Conducted O&M of roads, trails, etc.
1997	Habitat restoration included planting of native species on 15 acres of riparian scrub/shrub and forested habitats; removal of invasive species on 20 acres of wetlands. Conducted wildlife surveys on 300 acres.
1996	Habitat restoration included removal of ivy, blackberry, etc. on 25 acres. Conducted wildlife surveys, including for State & Federal (bald eagle) listed species on 300 acres. Conducted O&M for site, including maintaining 2.5 miles of roads for access.
1995	Continued implementation of Mngt. Plan. Removed invasive plant species, including Scot's broom, from approx. 30 acres. Began surveys & monitoring of target & other wildlife species; conducted Neotropical Migratroy Songbird & amphibian breeding surveys.
1994	Began implementation of Management Plan. This included surveying & identifying areas for restoration, including native planting and removal of invasives species.
1993	Identified target species and conducted a Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) for the site. Completed a hydrology and hyraulics assessment. Completed a Management Plan/EA for the site.

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	199206800	Willamette Basin Mitigation	This project develops and implements measures to mitigate for wildlife habitat losses in the Willamette Subbasin, working in a cooperative manner with various agencies and groups to improve habitat, improve water quality, develop management plans and in general to improve the overall ecosystem health. Results of enhancement and maintenance activities at Burlington Bottoms are shared with this project, in an effort to further the understanding of Willamette riparian, floodplain, and wetland systems. In addition, some staff time and equipment are shared and collaborated between this project and the Willamette Subbasin program.
BPA	199205900	Amazon Basin/Eugene Wetlands -	Located in the Willamette Valley, this on-going project also contributes to mitigation requirements for the Willamette Subbasin, and involves the protection and enhancement of wetland habitats similar to those found at Burlington Bottoms. It involves cooperation and collaberation of several groups and agencies, including the Nature Conservancy, Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and the City of Eugene.
OWEB - State	[no entry]	McCarthy Creek/Enyart Floodplain/Wetland Restoration	This project lies adjacent to the north property boundary of Burlington Bottoms, and contains wetland/riparian habitats. This project is a cooperative and cost sharing project between the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, OWEB, DU, BPA, a private landowner, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The main goal is to restore floodplain connectivity between the Multnomah Channel, McCarthy Creek, and the adjacent wetlands on the private property as well as at Burlington Bottoms. Benefits will include restoration of native plant communities, improved quality of wildlife habitat for such focal species as red-legged frog, and improved backwater refugia for juvenile salmonids.
BPA	200001600	Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge	Located in the lower Willamette River Subbasin, this project involves the protection and enhancement of wetland/riparian habitats similar to those found at Burlington Bottoms, and also contributes to mitigation requirements for the Willamette River Subbasin. Cooperaters in this project include the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, and Ducks Unlimited.
BPA	[no entry]	Scappoose Bay Watershed/Malarkey Ranch Proposed Acquisition	This project is a proposed land acquisition that is located approximately eight miles north of Burlington Bottoms. It shares similar focal habitat types including tidal creeks and ponds, emergent marsh and riparian forests. Fish and wildlife species, including focal species found on the site, are also similar to those found at Burington Bottoms and include coho and fall Chinook salmon, cavity nesting birds such as the hairy woodpecker, yellow warbler, willow flycatcher, bald eagle, painted turtle, and red-legged frog. Habitat objectives for the proposal are also similar to those at BB and inlcude removal of exotic invasive plant species and restoraton of the various habitat types on the property.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Connect floodplain habitats using moist soil mngt.	Continue moist soil management of wetlands through operation of the water control structure (WCS), allowing for seasonal control of water levels to wetland habitats. Benefits will include providing for reconnection of a creek, sloughs and wetlands to the Multnomah Channel, thus connecting fish to off-channel habitat and increasing habitat quality. Approximately 125 acres of wetlands will be enhanced.	Willamette	1. (Terrestrial) Achieve more natural flow and water regimes. This includes maintaining more natural water levels and soil moisture regimes. 2. Restore physical habitats. 3. (Aquatic) Achieve more natural flow regimes. 4. Connect favorable habitats.
Monitor and evaluate restoration activities.	M&E will allow the determination of the degree of success of restoraton activities, as well as fish and wildlife species use and response. Effective adaptive management includes M&E in order to measure the response of focal and other species to the actions carried out under a management plan	Willamette	Evaluate the local effectiveness of site-specific restoration efforts by monitoring representiave samples of specific restoration types. Assess general status and trend for habitats, fish and wildlife populations.
Protect & maintain high quality habitats.	Maintain existing high quality habitats through removal of newly found invasive plant species, replacement of trees (e.g., willows) destroyed by beavers, etc. Approximately 200 acres will be targeted from 2007-2009.	Willamette	1. Conserve and restore biological communities; this includes removal and control of invasive species through rapid response.
Restore emergent wetland habitat.	Continue moist soil management of wetlands through operation of the water control structure (WCS), allowing for seasonally increasing water levels to emergent wetland habitats. Benefits will include restoring native plant communities for a variety of wildlife species, thus increasing both the quality of habitats and the biological diversity. Approximately 125 acres of wetlands will be enhances.	Willamette	1. (Terrestrial) Restore physical habitats. 2. Conserve and restore bological communities. 3. Achieve more natural flow and water regimes.
Restore habitats for focal terrestrial species.	Enhancement activities will include planting native species and removal of invasive plant species in varioius habitats including riparian forest, scrub/shrub, and wet meadows. Specific habitat objectives addressed in the Willamette Subbasin Plan for our focal species will be addressed. For example, for Willow Flycatcher, the Plan recommends maintaining a patchy deciduous shrub layer (i.e., 30-80% shrub cover) with scattered herbaceous openings. Approximately 200 acres will be targeted for treatment from 2007-2009.	Willamette	1. Restore physical habitats 2. Conserve and restore biological communities. 3.Connect favorable habitats.

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	BPA's Environmental Compliance Group will be contacted to determine what documentation and assistance will be needed for activities under this work element. It is anticipated that compliance will include approval from BPA's Habitat Improvement Program for herbicide use in regard to the ESA and listed salmonids. Environmental compliance may be needed with USFWS & NOAA for operation of the water control structure and listed fish species.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$6,700
Biological objectives			Metrics
Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland	Continue Moist Soil Management for Wetland Enhancement	Moist soil management will include operating and maintaining the water control structure for wetland restoration and enhancement. In addition, where needed, native planting and invasive species removal will occur using various methods such as mowing and herbicide treatment.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$97,143
Biological objectives			Metrics * # of acres treated: Approximately 125 ac. will be enhanced.
Plant Vegetation	Plant native vegetation	Native vegetation will be installed in order to restore and enhance wildlife habitats. Approximately 75 acres will be targeted including riparian forest, scrub/shrub and emergent wetlands.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$70,345
Biological objectives			Metrics * # of acres of planted: Install native plants on 75 ac. of wetlands.
Remove vegetation	Remove invasive, non-native vegetation	In order to restore and/or maintain habitats, non-native, invasive plant species will be removed using a variety of methods including herbicide treatment, mowing, etc.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$66,995
Biological objectives			Metrics * # of acres treated: Approximately 150 acres will be treated.
Investigate Trespass	Monitor authorized and unauthorized uses of the site	The site will be monitored in order to protect fish and wildlife and habitats from illegal removal of vegetation, poaching, etc.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$6,700
Biological objectives			Metrics
Maintain Vegetation	Protect and Maintain Habitat Through O&M of Past Plantings	Previous native plantings for restoration and enhancement will be maintained where necessary through pruning, mulching, weeding, etc., and where necessary, replacement.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$16,749
Biological objectives			Metrics
Remove Debris	Remove debris, garbage etc. from site.	Periodic debris removal is needed in order to maintain high quality habitats.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$3,350
Biological objectives			Metrics
Other	Maintain Terrestrial Structures; signs, roads, trails, etc.	Maintain signage on site. Maintain all roads and trails needed for management access in order to access habitat enhancement projects, fish and wildlife surveys, and monitoring and evaluation. Maintenance will include brush/tree removal and filling of potholes, etc.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$3,350
Biological objectives			Metrics
Other	Produce Status Report	Prepare quarterly reports to track project progress. Reporting will be done against each milestone, indicating whether the milestone is green, yellow, or red. Reports will be submitted on-line via Pisces.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$3,346
Biological objectives			Metrics
Coordination	Coordinate with surrounding landowners	Coordinate and cooperate with surrounding landowners regarding shared access road, maintenance, etc. and to ensure protection of the site.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$3,350
Biological objectives			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Manage and Administer Projects	Supervise contracted field teams and volunteer crews. Maintain field equipment needed for habitat enhancement activities, including field mower and varous hand-powered tools and equipment. Administration of BPA contract; administrative work to support BPA's programmatic requirements; administration of subcontracts.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$16,749
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce Annual Report	Produce Annual Report	Produce annual reports documenting all project activities, results, etc. for the performance period.	10/1/2007	12/31/2009	$6,700
Biological objectives			Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Data Collection for Fish and Wildlife and Habitats	Surveys will be conducted to collect data on habitat enhancement projects (e.g., success of planting, growth, etc) and on fish and wildlife presence and use of habitats on the site. Pond-breeding amphibians, including the State listed and focal species Northern Red-legged Frog, will be surveyed during the breeding season. Point count surveys will be conducted during the breeding season for neotropical migratory landbirds, including such focal species as Western Wood-peewee, Yellow Warbler and Willow Flycatcher.	2/1/2007	7/15/2009	$33,498
Biological objectives			Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Approximately 200 ac. will be surveyed

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	Includes 1 FTE & 1 seasonal	$42,036	$43,836	$44,728
Fringe Benefits	OPE (54%) for Natural Resource Specialist 2	$19,099	$20,053	$21,056
Travel	Mileage (.40/mile) for meetings, etc.	$500	$550	$600
Other	Costs include field crews, transportation, tools, etc.	$13,000	$10,000	$10,000
Supplies	Includes cell phone, plants, seed, materials, photo development, tools, equipment repair, etc.	$9,270	$7,625	$6,900
Other	Equipment rental of backhoe at $500/hr.	$2,500	$2,000	$1,500
Overhead	Estimated at a rate of 0.3587%.	$26,330	$26,567	$26,825
Totals		$112,735	$110,631	$111,609

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$334,975
Total work element budget:	$334,975

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
Totals		$0	$0	$0

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $108,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $108,000

Comments: Estimates include reduction in costs due to less time spent on restoration activities and more time on O&M.

Future O&M costs: Future O&M will include operation and maintenance of the water control structure, maintaining the infrastructure including access roads and trails, replacing plants where needed due to beaver or deer activity, dealing with new invasive species, etc.

Termination date: None
Comments: This is an on-going mitigation project that includes on-going O&M activities

Final deliverables: Original habitat units of 1,319 plus additional AAHUs after restoration activities are complete.

Section 10. Narrative and other documents

Sponsor Response to the ISRP for Proposal 199107800

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]
$112,735	$110,631	$111,609	$334,975	Expense	ProvinceExpense	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$112,735	$110,631	$111,609	$0		ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Response requested

NPCC comments: This proposal focuses on wetland habitat for fish and wildlife at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers near Portland. This habitat is an important area for local fish and wildlife populations. Habitat management in terms of native plantings, removal of exotics, and improvement of connectivity of creeks, sloughs and wetlands have been ongoing for more than a decade. In addition, wildlife surveys have taken place. The types of wildlife surveys used were listed, but no data were presented to evaluate effects on wildlife use of the many management actions or the success of the plantings themselves or the success of the exotic plant removal. Admittedly, it is difficult to evaluate wildlife responses on small parcels of land (400+ acres), but as a minimum some baseline values and where this data would be stored (listing species and relative abundance/density) would be useful for evaluating future wildlife changes as the habitats develop. A response should present the results of wildlife surveys on the parcels, identify results of planting on parcels, and provide an evaluation of exotic plant removal on parcels. Once this data is summarized, the ISRP requests an exploration between plantings and exotic plant removal and wildlife surveys to ensure that an alternative management strategy is not needed. Perhaps more passive techniques, rather than planting, would be valuable and less expensive. In the past, the ISRP have requested a summary of wildlife survey findings, but none were provided. Secondly, the ISRP is curious about the oviposition data presented in Figure 2. The ISRP interprets these data to suggest that exotic plant communities were used at a higher rate than native species, yet the exotic plant communities were aggressively controlled. The authors have a different interpretation; the ISRP requests a fuller discussion of these data.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The ISRP was happy to see the documented wildlife findings reported in Table 1 and Table 2. The sponsors did a better job presenting the vertebrate side of the request for more information than they did for the vegetation sampling. The interpretation of the year-to-year egg mass data seems logical and provides an indication that personnel associated with the project are utilizing the data being collected to understand what is happening in Burlington Bottoms. The next step may be to determine if there is a realistic (cost-effective) way to maintain adequate water in all of the ponds in years with low water. An attempt was made to describe the egg mass distribution in relation of exotic species (i.e., exotic species dominate the situation now). The bird data seemed very useful and informative with the implication that numbers and species are increasing as habitat improves, but quantification of the habitat changes could use some improvement. Measurements of vegetation from plots before and after their work, rather than ocular estimates may be more useful. In future years, the project should continue to use monitoring data to evaluate costs and benefits of the various active and passive management techniques that are used, providing quantitative results to address this important issue.