FY 2001 Columbia Gorge proposal 200102100
Contents
Section 1. General administrative information
Section 2. Past accomplishments
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
Section 4. Budgets for planning/design phase
Section 5. Budgets for construction/implementation phase
Section 6. Budgets for operations/maintenance phase
Section 7. Budgets for monitoring/evaluation phase
Section 8. Budget summary
Reviews and Recommendations
Additional documents
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| 21015 Narrative | Narrative |
| Columbia Gorge: Fifteenmile Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
| Columbia Gorge: Fifteenmile Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Riparian Buffers |
| Proposal ID | 200102100 |
| Organization | Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District (Wasco SWCD) |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
| Name | Ron Graves |
| Mailing address | 2325 River Road, Suite 3 The Dalles, OR 97058 |
| Phone / email | 5412966178 / ron-graves@or.nacdnet.org |
| Manager authorizing this project | Ron Graves |
| Review cycle | Columbia Gorge |
| Province / Subbasin | Columbia Gorge / Fifteenmile |
| Short description | Implements ripairan buffer program using cost share provided by USDA, state of Oregon, and private landowners |
| Target species | Winter Steelhead, Spring Chinook, Pacific Lamprey, resident redband trout |
Project location
| Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 45.44 | -121.16 | Fifteenmile subbasin |
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)
Sponsor-reported:
| RPA |
|---|
Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:
| Reviewing agency | Action # | BiOp Agency | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMFS/BPA | 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
| Year | Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Two Rivers Watershed; No-till direct seding demonstration implemented 900 acres in White River Watershed |
| 2000 | Fifteenmile Watershed; completed implementation of 272 ac. strip system, 62 sediment basins, 11624 ft. terraces |
| 2000 | Fifteenmile Watershed: completed implementation of 4977 ac. of no-till, 6 ac. irrigation system improvements |
| 1999 | Fifteenmile Watershed: Wrapped up 3 year FEMA hazard mitigation program geared to control runoff and erosion |
| 1998 | Fifteenmile Watershed: 620 ac. strip system, 65 sediment basins, 31,381 ft. of terraces, 501 acres no-till |
| 1997 | Formed Fifteenmile Watershed Council, developed watershed action plan, began implementation |
| 1997 | Fifteenmile Bioengineering Demonstration: stabilized headcut and 717 ft. of bank with bio-engineering techniques |
| 1996 | Completed 43 restoration projects to protect infrastructure following the Feb. 1996 flood |
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
| Project ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 199304000 | Fifteenmile Creek Habitat Improvement Project | Complimentary. Extends work began by ODFW in 1987. ODFW Riparian lease agreements begin to expire soon. This project will implement riparian buffers through 10-15 year lease agreements funded by Oregon and USDA under the CRP and CREP program |
| 199304001 | 15-Mile Creek Steelhead Smolt Production | Complementary project. Establishes 35 ft. to 160 ft. riparian buffers each side of stream, establishing and protecting fish habitat. |
Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2001 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Implement 36 new CRP/CREP riparian buffer system agreements with participating landowners on 40 miles of anadromous stream to improve 872 riparian acres | a. Meet with interested landowner on site and assess eligibility of stream reach for program. (10%) | 5 | $7,341 | |
| b. Obtain landowner sign-up for program (2%) | 5 | $1,468 | ||
| c. Develop CRP/CREP plan for review and approval, including planting prescriptions, fencing design, and other practice elements as necessary (70%) | 5 | $51,390 | ||
| f. Report progress, complete documentation. (5%) | 5 | $3,670 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
| FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $65,785 | $67,758 | $69,790 | $71,885 |
Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2001 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Provide technical assistance during implementation as necessary | a. After contract approved, provide additional technical assistance as may be required by the landowner to implement the approved plan (13%) | 5 | $9,545 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
| FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $9,831 | $10,126 | $10,430 | $10,743 |
Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2001 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2001 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
Section 8. Estimated budget summary
Itemized budget
| Item | Note | FY 2001 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | FTE: 1.0 | $42,000 |
| Fringe | (incl. all other pers. exp: FICA, WC, etc.) | $12,600 |
| Supplies | field equipment and office equipment | $2,000 |
| Travel | 3 weeks NRCS planning training | $1,500 |
| Indirect | administration/overhead (10%) | $6,674 |
| NEPA | (n/a - CREP program already consulted on) | $0 |
| Subcontractor | vehicle lease and operations | $6,240 |
| Subcontractor | office space rental | $2,400 |
| $73,414 | ||
Total estimated budget
| Total FY 2001 cost | $73,414 |
| Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds | $0 |
| Total FY 2001 budget request | $73,414 |
| FY 2001 forecast from 2000 | $0 |
| % change from forecast | 0.0% |
Reason for change in estimated budget
New Project
Reason for change in scope
New Project
Cost sharing
| Organization | Item or service provided | Amount | Cash or in-kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of Oregon | Implementation cost share (25%) est. | $88,675 | cash |
| USDA Farm Service Agency | Implementation cost share (50%) est. | $177,350 | cash |
| Private landowners | Implementation cost share (25%)est | $88,675 | in-kind |
| USDA Farm Service Agency | lease payments over 10-15 yr. (100%)est | $1,033,320 | cash |
| USDA Farm Service Agency | bonus payments (100%) est | $444,000 | cash |
| Wasco Co. SWCD and NRCS | Office supplies, telephone, computer | $1,500 | in-kind |
| USDA NRCS | Training and Technical Supervision | $10,000 | in-kind |
Other budget explanation
Budget provides for 1 FTE, vehicle lease, office space and minimal overhead
Reviews and recommendations
This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.
Recommendation:
Fundable - no response required
Fundable - no response required
Date:
Oct 6, 2000
Oct 6, 2000
Comment:
Fundable. Further ISRP response review is not needed. This one FTE should also be part of the watershed assessment and restoration team. Consider this application in the other watersheds under an integrated plan.This proposal is to take advantage of federal incentive programs to implement riparian buffer contracts with private landowners. It convincingly describes the potential benefits that could be added to previous riparian protection efforts by using existing federal programs. Good detail on cost-sharing and coordination with other agencies is provided. The project's objective - to implement at least 36 riparian buffer agreements - is specific and measurable. CREP plans and FSA requirements will provide monitoring of buffer strip outcomes. This proposal will monitor the progress of implementing agreements.
Comment:
The benefits that could be realized for fish and wildlife by funding this project could potentially be very high. The question, however, is whether on federal agency should be funding a staff position to implement another federal program's implementation. This is a major policy decision to be made by CBFWA Members, BPA and NWPPC. Is there any other process to fund this position?FY 01 Budget Review Comments: Funding this project raises a policy question that should be addressed by CBFWA, NWPPC and BPA.
Comment:
Fundable. This one FTE should also be part of the watershed assessment and restoration team. This application should be considered in the other watersheds under an integrated plan.This proposal is to take advantage of federal incentive programs to implement riparian buffer contracts with private landowners. It convincingly describes the potential benefits that could be added to previous riparian protection efforts by using existing federal programs. Good detail on cost-sharing and coordination with other agencies is provided. The project's objective - to implement at least 36 riparian buffer agreements - is specific and measurable. CREP plans and FSA requirements will provide monitoring of buffer strip outcomes. This proposal will monitor the progress of implementing agreements.
Comment:
Specifically related to Issue 1, CBFWA recommended no funding for a staff position to provide technical assistance to willing landowners in the CREP program (proposal 21015. The ISRP supports the project. The Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District states that more than 30 landowners in the Fifteenmile Creek and Deschutes River subbasins have applied for enrollment in the CREP program. Current staffing is not adequate to process the enrollments. Both the ISRP and CBFWA say this funding represents a policy issue for the Council because of potential "in lieu" concerns. The 2000 Biological Opinion for the federal hydropower system has a specific requirement for Bonneville to fund assistance for CREP enrollment. Fifteenmile Creek offers a possible "pilot" opportunity for unlocking CREP assistance. In doing so, the Council should be satisfied that CREP enrollments will be coordinated with the overall habitat restoration priorities. Staff recommendation: The Biological Opinion calls for Bonneville to fund technical assistance to enroll landowners in the CREP program with a target of 10 miles of riparian protection a year. The Wasco Soil and Water Conservation District is the first proposal to demonstrate the value of funding technical assistance. The staff has considered the concern raised by the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority that such funding raises the concern of violating the "in lieu" restrictions of the Northwest Power Act. The staff conclude that the CREP program is a federal incentive program, not a regulatory or management responsibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bonneville funding for needed technical assistance to qualify landowners for CREP enrollment is similar to supporting watershed coordinators who apply for other watershed restoration funds. Bonneville concurs that such funding is not likely to be a violation of the Power Act's "in lieu" prohibition. The staff do recommend that the Council include in its approval of this project specific direction that the priority for the focus of the technical assistance be in support of past and scheduled riparian protection in Fifteenmile Creek. The quarterly performance report for the project should show on maps where the efforts have been focused. The Council staff were made aware by the project sponsor that the original project proposal contemplated spreading the effort funded by the project throughout Wasco County, including substantial effort in the Deschutes subbasin. The staff recommend that the Council recommend that the approval in this review be directed to a priority of effort in the Fifteenmile Creek subbasin because the region needs a quick demonstration of the effectiveness of aligning CREP enrollment with a planned strategy for riparian protection in a subbasin. The staff expects a proposal for similar assistance in the Deschutes subbasin during the provincial review for the Columbia Plateau province, as well as in other subbasins. The staff believe the best evaluation of supporting CREP enrollment with funding for technical assistance will come from a focused effort in Fifteenmile Creek.Comment:
Comment:
Fairly level spending rate for 03. Program could expand to accommodate new sign-ups for program. 81K without expansion of program. Contract period runs from April, could hire for six month period. SCOPE CHANGEComment:
Includes addition of one technician for FY04 and FY05 to assist in addressing growing backlog of buffer applicationsREVIEW:
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review
Funding category:
expense
expense
Date:
May 2005
May 2005
| FY05 NPCC start of year: | FY06 NPCC staff preliminary: | FY06 NPCC July draft start of year: |
| $77,884 | $77,884 | $77,884 |
Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website