FY 2002 Blue Mountain proposal 199403900

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleWatershed Restoration Planner
Proposal ID199403900
OrganizationNez Perce Tribe (NPT)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameDon Bryson
Mailing address612 S.W. 2nd Enterprise, Or 97828
Phone / email5414260119 / bryson@oregontrail.net
Manager authorizing this projectJaime Pinkham
Review cycleBlue Mountain
Province / SubbasinBlue Mountain / Grande Ronde
Short descriptionAct as the liaison between the Nez Perce Tribe and Wallowa County. Help coordinate watershed restoration efforts in Wallowa County between the Tribe, County, Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program, local landowners, and state and federal agencies.
Target specieschinook, steelhead, bull trout, other resident native fish, native wildlife
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
The project is located throughout both the Grande Ronde and Imnaha subbasins.
45.52 -117.76 Grande Ronde Subbasin
45.4 -116.87 Imnaha Subbasin
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
Habitat RPA Action 149
Habitat RPA Action 150
Habitat RPA Action 151
Habitat RPA Action 153

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription
NMFS Action 154 NMFS BPA shall work with the NWPPC to ensure development and updating of subbasin assessments and plans; match state and local funding for coordinated development of watershed assessments and plans; and help fund technical support for subbasin and watershed plan implementation from 2001 to 2006. Planning for priority subbasins should be completed by the 2003 check-in. The action agencies will work with other Federal agencies to ensure that subbasin and watershed assessments and plans are coordinated across non-Federal and Federal land ownerships and programs.

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
1994 Completed the Bear Creek Action Plan.
1994 Seven flow gages installed at irrigation diversions in Bear Creek (Wallowa River tributary).
1995 Completed the Lostine Habitat Assessment.
1995 Combined three irrigation diversion structures into one structure with built in fish passage. This eliminated three annual push-up dams in the mainstem Wallowa River.
1995 Twenty-nine flow gages installed at irrigation diversions in the Lostine and Wallowa rivers. Five additional gages installed on the mainstems of Bear Creek and the Lostine and Wallowa rivers and two abandoned USGS gages were reinstalled.
1995 Wrote 4 habitat project proposals and completed necessary NEPA and BA's.
1995 Reviewed 191 Oregon Watershed Health Program project proposals for the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program in 1994 and 1995.
1995 Fifty-five habitat projects (GRMWP/BPA, OWHP) implemented in Wallowa County in 1994-1995.
1996 Converted an annual push-up dam into a permanent structure with built-in fish passage on the Lower Lostine River.
1996 Wrote 1 habitat project propsal and completed 2 NEPA and 2 BA documents.
1996 Reviewed 67 project proposals: 15 BPA, 34 Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program, 18 Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board.
1996 Twenty habitat projects (GRMWP/BPA, OWHP, GWEB) implemented in Wallowa County.
1997 Converted an additional three annual push-up dams into permanent structures with built-in fish passage on the lower Lostine River.
1997 Constructed a low flow channel in the lower three miles of Bear Creek to facilitate late season passage of spring chinook onto the spawning grounds.
1997 Wrote 4 habitat project proposals (excluding the following one) and completed necessary NEPA and BA's.
1997 Wrote a composite habitat project proposal at several sites with several landowners on Little Sheep Creek and completed the 404 permit.
1997 Reviewed 95 project proposals: 29 BPA, 53 Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program, 13 Governor's Watershed Enhancement Board.
1997 Thirteen habitat projects (GRMWP/BPA, GWEB) implemented in Wallowa County.
1998 Revised the hatchery/natural production model to accommodate the Imnaha sliding scale developed by the co-managers to manage spring chinook.
1998 Completed the Lostine River Instream Flow Incremental Methodology report.
1998 Wrote 7 habitat project proposals and completed necessary NEPA and BA's.
1998 Reviewed 135 project proposals: 23 BPA, 50 Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program, 62 Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board-Region 5.
1998 Twenty-one habitat projects (GRMWP/BPA, OWEB) implemented in Wallowa County.
1999 Coordinated an effort between the Wallowa SWCD, OWRD, and USGS to continue operating the mainstem flow gages on the Lostine River and Bear Creek and procured the funding.
1999 Worked with Wallowa County NRAC's Standing Committee and contractor to update the the County/Tribe Plan and add a terrestial vertebrate multi-species section based on habitat and cover types.
1999 Wrote 5 habitat project proposals and completed necessary NEPA and BA's.
1999 Reviewed 195 project proposals: 37 BPA, 42 Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program, 116 Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Region 5.
1999 Twenty-one habitat projects (GRMWP/BPA, OWEB) implemented in 1999 or will be implemented in 2000 in Wallowa County.
2000 Completed Chapter 6 for the Northeast Oregon Hatchery Project Spring Chinook Master Plan.
2000 Provided 15 pages of comments on the Grande Ronde and Imnaha Spawning Ground Survey Compendium authored by ODFW.
2000 Participated in a Joseph Middle School Riparian Class.
2000 Surveyed 3/4 miles of Prairie Creek (longitudinal and x-sections) to facilitate project design and proposal development for a riparian restoration project.
2000 Wrote 6 project proposals and completed necessary NEPA and BA's.
2000 Reviewed 170 project proposals: 53 BPA, 25 Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program, 92 Oregon Watershed. Enhancement Board Region 5.
2000 Seventeen habitat projects (GRMWP, OWEB) were implemented in 2000 in Wallowa County.
2001 Installed three ISCO sediment samplers in Prairie Creek..
2001 Reviewed 34 project proposals for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board's technical committee for Region 5.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
199202601 Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program Implements project 9202601 in Wallowa County and shares other project information.
199702500 County/Tribe Plan Implementation Manages project 9702500.
198805301 Northeast Oregon Hatchery Project Provides technical advise and the habitat/natural production tie.
199604400 Grande Ronde Basin Spring Chinook Captive Broodstock Program Provide technical advise and the habitat/natural production tie.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Implement the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program in Wallowa County. a. Participate as a member of the Board and Standing Committee representing the Nez Perce Tribe. on going $5,728
b. Act as the Wallowa County project planner counterpart to the Union County planner that works directly for the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program. on going $3,580
2. Implement the Wallow County/Nez Perce Tribe Salmon Habitat Recovery Plan with Multi-Species Strategy (County/Tribe Plan). a. Participate as the Nez Perce Tribe's representative on Wallowa County's Natural Resource Advisory Committee, Standing Committee, and Technical Committee. on going $3,341
b. Participate in the development, monitoring, and updating of Comprehensive Resource Management Plans and Action Plans and developing individual Land Use Management Plans with parties active in Wallowa County, as called for in the County/Tribe Plan. on going $7,159
3. Facilitate coordination, cooperation, communication, and planning between Wallowa County and the Nez Perce Tribe and between Wallowa County and Union County. a. Coordinate with the Nez Perce Tribe on a technical and policy level. on going $4,773
b. Participate in ODA's Senate Bill 1010 and ODEQ's TMDL planning process. on going $5,250
c. Coordinate with the Wallowa County Commissioners and Public Works Department, GRMWP, Wallowa Resources, NRCS, SWCD, ODFW, ODEQ, ODF, USFS, BLM, BOR, BPA, USF&WS, NMFS, and others as needed. on going $2,864
4. Facilitate watershed restoration project planning and development. a. Participate in the NPPC's subbasin assessment and subbasin planning effort. 3 years $3,194
b. Develop habitat project proposals as needed, working with private landowners and appropriate agencies and entities. on going $7,637
b. Participate in the GRMWP Board's review of projects and in OWEB's and Wallowa County NRAC's Technical Committee forums to review project proposals for technical merit. on going $4,773
c. Provide coordination and technical input for the Tribe on USFS and BLM activities (e.g. timber sales, grazing allotments, recreation, land swaps, culturally important plants) and COE/State 404 permit applications. on going $2,864
5. Facilitate project implementation and monitoring. a. Write Biological Assessments and complete NEPA compliance checklists and COE/State 404 permit applications for habitat restoration projects proposed by Wallowa County, the NRCS, SWCD, private landowners, and the Nez Perce Tribe. on going $5,728
b. Participate in developing a comprehensive watershed level monitoring plan for Wallowa County. on going $2,386
c. Participate in project level monitoring. on going $1,000
d. Participate in the annual spawning ground surveys with ODFW and USFS. on going $1,671
6. Provide technical help as needed for the development of the Northeast Oregon Hatchery Program (NEOH) in Wallowa County and the on-going operation of the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan hatchery program in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha subbasins. a. Provide written input and technical review of documents for NEOH. on going $1,386
b. Participate with NPT, ODFW, CTUIR, and WDFW on the development of the Annual Operating Plans for the LSRCP hatchery programs. on going $955
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Implement the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program in Wallowa County. 2003 2006 $41,896
2. Implement the Wallow County/Nez Perce Tribe Salmon Habitat Recovery Plan with Multi-Species Strategy (County/Tribe Plan). 2003 2006 $47,424
3. Facilitate coordination, cooperation, communication, and planning between Wallowa County and the Nez Perce Tribe and between Wallowa County and Union County. 2003 2006 $58,189
4. Facilitate watershed restoration project planning and development. 2003 2006 $83,792
5. Facilitate project implementation and monitoring. 2003 2006 $48,879
6. Provide technical help as needed for the development of the Northeast Oregon Hatchery Program (NEOH) in Wallowa County and the on-going operation of the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan hatchery program in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha subbasins. 2003 2006 $10,765
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$67,503$70,878$74,422$78,143

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2002 cost
Personnel FTE: 1.2: includes 1/5 time office manager (other 4/5 time covered by other budgets in office) $33,377
Fringe $8,147
Supplies office supplies, equipment lease and purchase $3,606
Travel vehicle lease, per diem, and air travel $4,682
Indirect 24% $12,056
Other telephone, repairs, and portion of office rent and utilities $2,421
$64,289
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2002 cost$64,289
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2002 budget request$64,289
FY 2002 forecast from 2001$64,149
% change from forecast0.2%
Reason for change in estimated budget

Change in indirect and addition of subbasin assessments and subbasin planning

Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
Bureau of Reclamation 50% of total project cost $64,289 cash

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 combined response with project 199702500 is needed. This proposal requests continuing funding for a liaison to function as a planner and coordinator for the NPT's involvement in the Wallowa County and Grande Ronde Watershed plans. Last year the ISRP recommended that the planner should be funded as part of a proposal for the work to be done under proposal 199702500. The planner remains a separate proposal for the purposes of indirect cost savings on project 199702500.

Some measures of performance are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the position. The coordinator appears to be performing a useful function, and there are some attempts to provide outcomes in the proposal. Objective 6 is a hatchery activity. Why is this task contained within a watershed project?

This proposal and 199702500 (requesting funds for the coordinator to encourage desired actions) do not present material needed to support a scientific review. The site visit provided some examples of past actions funded by the planner, but the proposal provides little detailed rationale for projects and assessment of outcomes. The material provided in both proposals is what one might use in a personnel description or evaluation, but it is not what is needed to judge the scientific value of the work. Obviously great detail cannot be presented on each of many small actions; however, an overall plan for targeted improvements, along with strategies for prioritizing and implementing them, and some evaluative outcome assessment should be presented. A response is needed to provide this sort of information for evaluation.


Recommendation:
High Priority
Date:
Nov 30, 2001

Comment:

This project addresses RPA 152. Although M&E does not exist in this proposal, M&E activities are performed through individual projects. Reviewers suggest that this project could possibly be combined with 199202601.
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Dec 21, 2001

Comment:

Not fundable. The response is inadequate. This proposal requests continuing funding for a liaison to function as a planner and coordinator for the NPT's involvement in the Wallowa County and Grande Ronde Watershed plans. In response to the request for more detail for scientific review, the responders return responsibility to the ISRP to provide suggestions about the information they should present. ISRP comments list several items of necessary information, including a plan for targeted improvements, strategies for prioritizing and implementing improvements, and some evaluative outcome assessment. The response provides justification as to why this position is not amenable to scientific review. However, the FWP seeks work that is scientifically sound and is subject to scientific review.

The response lists a number of documents that will be used to prioritize projects, but what is lacking is an integrated plan for the watershed coordinator. The need for such a plan, and the assistance provided to the watershed coordinator of having such a plan, are illustrated by the comments made about a watershed coordinator's time not being his own, and having to be available on request. Some way to prioritize these requests is needed, and a plan is one tool. The need for evaluative assessment is similar - with so many small individual activities in place, the coordinator should track whether overall, these activities are making a difference, or whether efforts are being fragmented to such a degree that the benefits are dissipated. The project proponent makes clear that he finds no need for monitoring or evaluation.

The explanation provided for why a hatchery objective is included in this proposal is that a person employed on 199403900 was an author of a habitat section of the NEOHP Spring Chinook Master Plan and will provide technical help to this plan. This objective is more appropriately placed in the NEOHP project, with budget amounts sufficient to pay for these services.


Recommendation:
Date:
Feb 1, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Benefits are indirect -- proposal is a coordination project

Comments
Proposal requests continuing funding for a liaison to function as a planner and coordinator for the NPT's involvement in the Wallowa County and Grande Ronde Watershed plans. Proposal needs details on planner's overall strategy for targeted improvements, along with strategies for prioritizing & implementing them, and outcome assessment.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? Yes


Recommendation:
Date:
Feb 11, 2002

Comment:

This project should be evaluated in the context of its role in the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program and in light of BPA's programmatic comments on accountability for funding of coordination and administration projects.

BPA RPA RPM:
--

NMFS RPA/USFWS RPM:
154


Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Apr 19, 2002

Comment:


Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:


Recommendation:
Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment: