FY 2002 Blue Mountain proposal 27012

Additional documents

TitleType
27012 Narrative Narrative
27012 Sponsor Response to ISRP Response

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleRestore and Enhance Grande Ronde Valley Deciduous Riparian Habitat
Proposal ID27012
OrganizationOregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameMark Henjum
Mailing address107 20th St. La Grande, OR 978950
Phone / email5419632138 / mark.g.henjum@state.or.us
Manager authorizing this projectSusan P. Barnes
Review cycleBlue Mountain
Province / SubbasinBlue Mountain / Grande Ronde
Short descriptionProtect, restore and enhance deciduous riparian habitat adjacent to the Grande Ronde River and its tributaries in the Grande Ronde Valley
Target speciesNeotropical migrant and resident passerine birds and resident and anadromous fish including: Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Yellow Warbler, Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook (juvenile wintering), Snake River Steelhead, Bull trout
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
46.0718 -116.9845 mainstem Grande Ronde River and tributaries within the Grande Ronde Valley, Union Co. Oregon
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
Habitat RPA Action 150
Habitat RPA Action 153

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription
NMFS Action 153 NMFS BPA shall, working with agricultural incentive programs such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, negotiate and fund long-term protection for 100 miles of riparian buffers per year in accordance with criteria BPA and NMFS will develop by June 1, 2001.

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
NA

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
NMFS Biological Opinion RPA Action #150 Proposed project would protect important Spring Chinook winter habitat
NMFS Biological Opinion RPA Action #153 Proposed project would achieve BPA/NMFS goal of protecting riparian buffers in agricultural areas
198402500 Grande Ronde Basin Fish Habitat Enhancement Proposed project would compliment this project; emphasis on low elevation, riparian, deciduous habitat in the Grande Ronde Valley
199202604 Investigate Life History of Spring Chinook and Summer Steelhead the Grande Ronde Basin Proposed project will utilize findings from this project to protect and enhance riparian habitat in river reaches utilized as winter habitat by Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon and Snake River Steelhead.
Status Review of wildlife Mitigation at Columbia Basin Hydroelectric Projects, Col. mainstem and Lower Snake Facilities (BPA 1984) Reviewed past, present and proposed future wildlife planning and mitigation programs at BPA's hydrofacilities. Called for quantitative and qualitative assessment of wildlife losses attributable to the dams and implementation of mitigation plans.
Special Report: Lower Snake River Fish and Wildlife Compensation; Wildlife Habitat Compensation Evaluation for the Lower Snake River Project (ACOE 1991) Quantified and described wildlife habitat conditions pre- and post-hydroproject construction/inundation, evaluated contribution of Habitat Mgmt. Units to current conditions, defined compensation goals in terms of habitat.
199208400 Oregon Trust Agreement Planning Project (BPA 1993) A mitigation planning tool that includes methods for assembling a trust agreement and a list of potential mitigation projects. The Grande Ronde River Valley was identified as a priority site.
199506500 Assessing Oregon Trust Agreement Planning Project Using Gap Analysis (ODFW 1997) A mitigation planning tool used to analyze and rank potential mitigation projects within the basin. The Grande Ronde River Valley was identified as a priority site.
199705900 Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon Programmatic project; explains overall intent for mitigation planning, coordination and implementation by Oregon wildlife managers within Oregon.
200002100 Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon, Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Additions On-going project within the Grande Ronde subbasin that will be complemented by the proposed project's intent to protect and restore riparian habitats.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Assess baseline conditions a) Acquire aerial photos of mainstem Grande Ronde river 1 $5,000
b) Produce landowner map 1 $5,000
2. Develop priority river reaches a) Analyze map/photo data 1 $5,000
b) Interview landowners 1 $5,000
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Determine priority habitat protection/enhancement projects 2003 2006 $20,000
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$5,000$5,000$5,000$5,000

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Conduct pre-conservation easement activities a) Verify appraisal and obtain BPA approval on-going $2,000
b) Complete NEPA surveys; prepare biological assessment on-going $12,000 Yes
2. Draft and sign easement agreements a) All parties review and sign on-going $2,000
3. Prepare subcontract to administer long-term conservation easement a) Develop statement of work and contract on-going $2,000
4. Protect riparian habitat a) Construct riparian fence on-going $70,000 Yes
5.Enhance riparian habitat a) Reconnect old oxbows where feasible on-going $32,000
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Conduct pre-conservation easement activities 2003 2006 $10,000
2. Draft and sign easement agreements 2003 2006 $10,000
3. Prepare subcontracts to administer long-term conservation easement 2003 2006 $10,000
4. Protect riparian habitat 2003 2006 $350,000
5. Enhance riparian habitat 2003 2006 $250,000
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
FY 2006FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005
$80,000$150,000$200,000$200,000

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Develop management plans for riparian buffers a) Write management plan; all parties review and sign on-going $2,000
2. Control noxious weeds a) Write and implement subcontract for weed control on-going $2,000 Yes
3. Maintain riparian fence a) Write and implement subcontract for fence maintenance on-going $2,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Develop management plans 2003 2006 $8,000
2. Control noxious weeds 2003 2006 $20,000
3. Maintain riparian fence 2003 2006 $12,000
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$6,000$12,000$12,000$10,000

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Assess bird species composition and abundance in riparian buffers a) Write and implement subcontract for bird survey on-going $5,000 Yes
2. Assess fish species composition and abundance during winter a) Write and implement subcontract for fish survey on-going $5,000 Yes
3. Determine change in habitat condition in riparian buffers a) Establish photo-points on-going $0
b) Conduct periodic HEP analysis on-going $0
c) Prepare M&E reports on-going $0
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
0. Assess bird species composition and abundance 2003 2006 $20,000
2. Assess fish species composition and abundance 2004 2006 $15,000
3. Determine and document habitat change 2003 2006 $10,000
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$6,000$11,000$16,000$15,000

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2002 cost
Supplies Fence materials, aerial photos, maps, weed control supplies $40,000
Travel ODFW vehicle $2,000
Indirect $1,275
NEPA $12,000
Subcontractor fence construction, fence maintenance, weed control $44,000
Other develop landowner/habitat map (ODFW NE Region Wildlife Research Lab; long-term easement payments $56,725
$156,000
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2002 cost$156,000
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2002 budget request$156,000
FY 2002 forecast from 2001$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
ODFW 0.25 FTE; $20,000 in-kind

Reviews and recommendations

This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.

Recommendation:
Fundable only if response is adequate
Date:
Sep 28, 2001

Comment:

A response is needed. More detail is need on the methods. This is a proposal to establish cooperative arrangements with Grande Ronde riparian owners to set up long-term easements for protection and enhancement of riparian habitat. Habitat emphasis is on birds and juvenile Chinook and steelhead.

The technical background is excellent, providing detail on context for this project, and putting the problem of riparian habitat protection in perspective. It discusses riparian mitigation priorities in the context of several subbasin planning and watershed assessment documents. The rationale for the project is embedded in this technical background section. The proposal provides a long list of projects to which it would be related.

Despite this good beginning, the proposal gets a little vague beginning with the goals and objectives. The proposal lists general goals that the project will help achieve: are these taken directly from the Grande Ronde Subbasin summary or are these goals specific to this project? Below the list of goals, the proposal contains lists of actions to be taken under various categories: again, are these tasks for this project or actions listed in the Subbasin Summary?

Objectives and tasks are listed, but without any detail. There is no explanation of methods, e.g., as to how habitat will be restored once easements are signed, or what information will be acquired to provide the NEPA analysis. No explanation of methods for weed control, buffer management, bird surveys, stock assessment are given beyond "write the subcontract" to have the activity performed. With regard to M&E, the methods for Task 1a and for Objectives 2 and 3 are missing.

The idea of reconnecting old river oxbows is particularly laudable from the standpoint of regaining fish and wildlife habitat. However, arrangements with landowners for this could be very difficult, and the physical work could be complicated. What method(s) will be used to relocate the channel?

There appear to be good working relationships with landowners in the valley.

The review group suggests that future terrestrial monitoring efforts be made compatible with one of the national terrestrial survey efforts. Perhaps an intensification of the National Resources Inventory survey sites and data collection protocols would serve the region well. See the Proposals #200002300 and #200020116 and ISRP reviews in the Columbia Plateau.


Recommendation:
Recommended Action
Date:
Nov 30, 2001

Comment:

This project addresses RPAs 150 and 400. Reviewers questioned why the proposed work was not added to Project 198402500. By combining the proposed work with Project 198402500, a potential cost savings could be realized. The reviewers suggest that the proposal does not illustrate coordination with other entities and other on-going work. In addition, NMFS questions how the restoration efforts will affect the status of fish populations. The reviewers suggest the sponsors consider alternative funding options (e.g., OWEB and the Grand Ronde Model Watershed Program). The Wildlife Committee rated the project as having significant wildlife benefits using the criteria of permanence, size, connectivity to other habitat, and juxtaposition to public lands.
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Dec 21, 2001

Comment:

Not Fundable. A timely response was not provided and concerns with objectives and methods remain. This is a proposal to establish cooperative arrangements with Grande Ronde riparian owners to set up long-term easements for protection and enhancement of riparian habitat. Habitat emphasis is on birds and juvenile Chinook and steelhead.

The technical background is excellent, providing detail on context for this project, and putting the problem of riparian habitat protection in perspective. It discusses riparian mitigation priorities in the context of several subbasin planning and watershed assessment documents. The rationale for the project is embedded in this technical background section. The proposal provides a long list of projects to which it would be related.

Despite this good beginning, the proposal gets a little vague starting with the goals and objectives. The proposal lists general goals that the project will help achieve: are these taken directly from the Grande Ronde Subbasin summary or are these goals specific to this project? Below the list of goals, the proposal contains lists of actions to be taken under various categories: again, are these tasks for this project or actions listed in the Subbasin Summary?

Objectives and tasks are listed, but without any detail. There is no explanation of methods, e.g., as to how habitat will be restored once easements are signed, or what information will be acquired to provide the NEPA analysis. No explanation of methods for weed control, buffer management, bird surveys, stock assessment are given beyond "write the subcontract" to have the activity performed. With regard to M&E, the methods for Task 1a and for Objectives 2 and 3 are missing.

The idea of reconnecting old river oxbows is particularly laudable from the standpoint of regaining fish and wildlife habitat. However, arrangements with landowners for this could be very difficult, and the physical work could be complicated. What method(s) will be used to relocate the channel?

There appear to be good working relationships with landowners in the valley.

To assist in formulating a sound basinwide monitoring program, the proponents are referred to the programmatic section of this report on Monitoring and the specific comments on Terrestrial Monitoring and Evaluation.


Recommendation:
Date:
Feb 1, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Possible survival improvements if habitat modifications have intended effects. Proposal is to establish cooperative arrangements with Grande Ronde riparian owners to set up long-term easements for protection and enhancement of riparian habitat. Active restoration would include riparian fencing, vegetation plantings, and re-connecting existing oxbows with the active river channel.

Comments
No info provided on how habitat will be restored once easements are signed. Also, no discussion of coordination/collaboration or how proposed restoration activities would benefit fish. Project will implement Action 153 if permanent or long term (> 15 years) easement is secured. Easement should be consistent with Oregon CREP.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? Yes


Recommendation:
C
Date:
Feb 11, 2002

Comment:

Do not recommend. This project should wait until Subbasin Planning is completed. Project sponsors have the option of going through the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program for funding.

BPA RPA RPM:
--

NMFS RPA/USFWS RPM:
400 (153)


Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Apr 19, 2002

Comment: