FY07-09 proposal 200726000
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Acquisition of a Conservation Easement over 1084 acres of Upland Prairie and Oak Habitat, Willamette Subbasin |
| Proposal ID | 200726000 |
| Organization | Nature Conservancy |
| Short description | We propose to cost-share on acquisition of a conservation easement over focal habitats within priority areas identified in the Willamette Subbasin Plan and subsequent FY07-09 Guidance to benefit focal species and address BPA's wildlife mitigation need |
| Information transfer | Once acquired, monitoring and research data collected during management will be made available to other land managers and regulartory agencies through publications, symposia and workshops. Status information on at risk focal species will be provided to the Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Catherine Macdonald | The Nature Conservancy | cmacdonald@tnc.org |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Derek Johnson | The Nature Conservancy | djohnson@tnc.org |
| Theresa Koloszar | The Nature Conservancy | tkoloszar@tnc.org |
| Catherine Macdonald | The Nature Conservancy | cmacdonald@tnc.org |
| Jason Nuckols | The Nature Conservancy | jnuckols@tnc.org |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: None Selected / None Selected
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 5 30 | 123 0 0 | T17N R3W, portions of sections 11, 12, 13, and 14; north of the McKenzie River, east of the town of Coburg. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: All Wildlifesecondary: All Wildlife
Additional: Sharptail snake, Southern alligator lizard, Western rattlesnake, Acorn woodpecker, American kestrel, Bald eagle, Chipping sparrow, Common yellowthroat, Fender’s blue butterfly, Horned lark, Olive-sided flycatcher, Pileated woodpecker, Purple martin, Vaux’s swift, Vesper sparrow, W. Wood-pewee, Western meadowlark, White-breasted nuthatch, Wood duck, Yellow warbler, Red tree vole, Townsend’s big-eared bat, W. gray squirrel, Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly, Kincaid’s lupine, White-topped aster
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 200002300 | Wildlife Mitigation Sites Oreg | Complementary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin. |
| BPA | 199107800 | Burlington Bottoms Wldlf Mitig | Complementary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin |
| BPA | 199205900 | Amazon Basin/Eugene Wetlands - | Complementary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin |
| BPA | 199607000 | Mckenzie Focus Watershed | Protects priority habitat in the McKenzie Watershed |
| Other: USFWS | [no entry] | Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery through Private Stewardship of prairies, oak woodlands, and riparian habitats in the Willamette Valley, Oregon | Initiated restoration and management of oak and prairie on property proposed for acquisition |
| Other: USFWS | [no entry] | Fender's Blue Butterfly Monitoring | Funded monitoring of Fender's blue butterfly on Jaqua property from 2000 to 2005. |
| Other: TNC | [no entry] | Weyerhaeuser Easement | Secured a conservation easement over adjacent prairie habitat at the site |
| Other: LCOG | [no entry] | River to Ridge Open Space Planning | Developing a comprehensive natural area and open space plan for Eugene and Springfield to link critical habitats |
| Other: McKenzie River Trust | [no entry] | McKenzie River Acquisitions | Complementary habitat protection to improve the viability of focal species in the Willamette Basin |
| Other: OWEB | Various | Habitat Protection and Restoration | Complementary habitat protection and restoration of oak and prairie habitats in the Willamette Subbasin |
| Other: NWOIWMP | [no entry] | NW Oregon Invasive Weed Management Partnership | Partnership is working to advance invasive species management in NW Oregon through the Upper Willamette Cooperative Weed Management Area |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Improve population trend for focal species | Protect and restore 1084 acres of oak woodland, upland prairie and oak savanna habitats; and conifer forest. | Willamette | Conserve and restore biological communities. |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Complete Easement Terms | A preliminary easement has already been drafted based on terms in 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 and finalize the easement terms with Bonneville Power Administration and the landowner. | 10/15/2006 | 11/15/2006 | $3,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Land Audit | Review Conservation Easement, Appraisal and Title Report | BPA will review Conservation Easement, Appraisal and the Title Report and draft Memorandum of Agreement | 10/15/2006 | 12/30/2006 | $5,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Complete Easement Documentation Report | The Easement Documentation Reports will document the baseline conditions relative to the terms (rights and restrictions) of the easement. This is the legally agreed upon documentation used to enforce the provisions of an easement with the landowner. | 10/15/2006 | 12/30/2006 | $7,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| BPA Environmental Compliance | Complete a Hazardous Materials Survey and NEPA documents | BPA or the applicant will complete a Level 1 hazardous materials survey of the property and NEPA Checklist for the project | 10/15/2006 | 11/16/2006 | $3,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Update Preliminary Fair Market Appraisal | Appraisal will be updated by a BPA approved appraiser to Federal Appraisal Standards | 11/15/2006 | 12/5/2006 | $5,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Complete Preliminary HEP assessment | 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. | 10/15/2006 | 12/15/2006 | $2,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Complete Memorandum of Agreement with BPA | Draft and execute a Memorandum of Agreement with BPA defining terms and commitments of Mitigation Project | 10/15/2006 | 12/15/2006 | $3,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Land Audit | Complete Realty Package | Review appraisal, NEPA Checklist, and develop MOA, | 10/15/2006 | 1/15/2007 | $5,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Land Purchase | Wire funds to escrow account | [Work Element Description Not Entered] | 1/15/2007 | 1/30/2007 | $4,900,500 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics # of HU's protected by land purchase or easement: 2000 HU's assumes multiple species targets * # of acres of new purchase/easement: 1084 acres |
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| Other | Acquire Conservation Easement | Execute Conservation Easement with landowner | 12/15/2006 | 1/15/2007 | $500 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Prepare HEP Report | Complete a HEP assessment of the property | Identify target species, collect and analyze data, complte HEP report. | 6/1/2007 | 7/15/2007 | $10,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Complete Baseline Inventory of Property | Complete baseline inventories to guide management plan development | 3/1/2007 | 8/1/2007 | $15,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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| Produce Plan | Produce a Mitigation and Management Plan | Identify mitigation objectives, limiting factors, and develop strategies and actions to address limiting factors and meet objectives | 3/1/2007 | 12/1/2007 | $20,000 |
|
Biological objectives Improve population trend for focal species |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | BPA Wire for Easement Acquisition | $4,900,500 | $0 | $0 |
| Personnel | TNC: Complete Easement Terms | $2,013 | $0 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | TNC: Complete Easement Terms | $987 | $0 | $0 |
| Personnel | BPA Review of Easement, Appraisal, Title | $3,355 | $0 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | BPA Review of Easement, Appraisal, Title | $1,645 | $0 | $0 |
| Personnel | BPA Complete Haz Mat Phase I | $2,013 | $0 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | BPA Complete Haz Mat Phase I | $987 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | Contract FMV Appraisal | $5,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | Contract Prel. HEP Assess for MOA | $2,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Personnel | TNC: Complete MOA with BPA | $2,013 | $0 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | TNC: Complete MOA with BPA | $987 | $0 | $0 |
| Personnel | BPA Complete Realty Package | $3,355 | $0 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | BPA Complete Realty Package | $1,645 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | TNC Acquire Easement; Title Insurance and Recording | $500 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | Contract Prepare HEP Report | $10,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Personnel | TNC:Complete Baseline Inventory | $10,067 | $0 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | TNC:Complete Baseline Inventory | $4,933 | $0 | $0 |
| Personnel | TNC: Produce Management Plan | $6,712 | $6,712 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | TNC: Produce Management Plan | $3,288 | $3,288 | $0 |
| Personnel | TNC: Easement Documentation Report Preparation | $4,698 | $0 | $0 |
| Fringe Benefits | TNC: Easement Documentation Report Preparation | $2,302 | $0 | $0 |
| Totals | $4,969,000 | $10,000 | $0 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $4,979,000 |
| Total work element budget: | $4,979,000 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNC | Management Endowment | $0 | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | Cash | Confirmed |
| TNC | Bargain Sale | $1,375,500 | $0 | $0 | Cash | Confirmed |
| Totals | $1,375,500 | $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $0 FY 2011 estimated budget: $0 |
Comments: No outyear costs to BPA are planned. All costs will be covered by a Management Endowment. |
Future O&M costs: Operations and Management Costs to be funded from the interest from a portion (5.5%) of the interest generated from a $3,000,000 Management Endowment funded by The Nature Conservancy. Additional interest will be reinvested in the endowment principal to address inflation and maintain adequate funding to meet the mitigation needs of the project.
Termination date: None
Comments: Project will develop permanent mitigation through habitat protection and long-term restoration and management.
Final deliverables: (1) Permanent protection of 1084 acres of priority focal habitats for focal species; (2) Habitat Credits to BPA; (3) Long-term Mitigation Plan
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
Reviews and recommendations
| FY07 budget | FY08 budget | FY09 budget | Total budget | Type | Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $4,900,500 | $0 | $0 | $4,900,500 | Capital | ProvinceCapital | Fund |
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $68,500 | $10,000 | $0 | $78,500 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $68,500 | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
|
Comments: Expense O&M portion of project. See capital budget for capital recommendation ($4.9 m in 07) |
||||||
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $68,500 | $10,000 | $0 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
|
Comments: O&M portion of project |
||||||
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $4,900,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ProvinceCapital | ||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable
NPCC comments: The Nature Conservancy proposes to acquire a conservation easement on 1084-acres in the Coburg Ridge Conservation Area. The parcel is well integrated with other efforts, including 32 adjacent acres already under easement. The proposed acreage is approximately 10% of the annual average lost to development in the Valley, yet is a comparatively large parcel in the network. The biological objectives are to improve the population trend for at least 26 focal species and habitat for two listed species, through protection and long-term ecosystem management. Preliminary terms of the easement have been negotiated with the landowner and a preliminary appraisal completed. Objectives are related to Program and Subbasin plans. The intent to “improve population trend for all species" assumes what is good for one species is good for all; this is unlikely for specialist species. As a management plan develops, it may need to be ecosystem - rather than species-focused. Current work elements are procedural and reflect realistic understanding of the easement process. It appears M&E will be part of the management plan to be developed after acquisition. Collection of baseline data is a good start. Given that the project is only requesting funding for 1 cycle, they should state explicitly what future monitoring will occur. There should be some central place to store and aggregate data from all the multiple Willamette projects. This might be an additional role for the Nature Conservancy on some sort of contract basis, or perhaps ODFW? The Nature Conservancy has a well-recognized, positive track record in easement acquisitions and subsequent management. Overall, this is an excellent proposal. Properly managed, this easement will provide long-lasting benefits in itself and as part of a growing network of conservation lands in the Valley. Inclusion of a management endowment (~150 k/yr) anticipates future needs and long-term active stewardship, and further strengthens the investment value of the proposal. At an estimated $2490/HU, this is an effective and efficient proposal. The ISRP strongly encourages funding when M&E questions have been addressed, which should not be difficult.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable
NPCC comments: The Nature Conservancy proposes to acquire a conservation easement on 1084-acres in the Coburg Ridge Conservation Area. The parcel is well integrated with other efforts, including 32 adjacent acres already under easement. The proposed acreage is approximately 10% of the annual average lost to development in the Valley, yet is a comparatively large parcel in the network. The biological objectives are to improve the population trend for at least 26 focal species and habitat for two listed species, through protection and long-term ecosystem management. Preliminary terms of the easement have been negotiated with the landowner and a preliminary appraisal completed. Objectives are related to Program and Subbasin plans. The intent to “improve population trend for all species" assumes what is good for one species is good for all; this is unlikely for specialist species. As a management plan develops, it may need to be ecosystem - rather than species-focused. Current work elements are procedural and reflect realistic understanding of the easement process. It appears M&E will be part of the management plan to be developed after acquisition. Collection of baseline data is a good start. Given that the project is only requesting funding for 1 cycle, they should state explicitly what future monitoring will occur. There should be some central place to store and aggregate data from all the multiple Willamette projects. This might be an additional role for the Nature Conservancy on some sort of contract basis, or perhaps ODFW? The Nature Conservancy has a well-recognized, positive track record in easement acquisitions and subsequent management. Overall, this is an excellent proposal. Properly managed, this easement will provide long-lasting benefits in itself and as part of a growing network of conservation lands in the Valley. Inclusion of a management endowment (~150 k/yr) anticipates future needs and long-term active stewardship, and further strengthens the investment value of the proposal. At an estimated $2490/HU, this is an effective and efficient proposal. The ISRP strongly encourages funding when M&E questions have been addressed, which should not be difficult.