FY 2002 Columbia Plateau proposal 25036

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleThe Impact of Flow Regulation on Riparian Cottonwood Ecosystems in the Yakima River Basin.
Proposal ID25036
OrganizationBioQuest International Consulting Ltd. (BQI)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameBob Jamieson- President, Bqi
Mailing addressBox 73, Ta Ta Creek, B.C. Canada VOB 2HO
Phone / email2504223322 / bjamieson@cintek.com
Manager authorizing this projectBob Jamieson
Review cycleColumbia Plateau
Province / SubbasinColumbia Plateau / Yakima
Short descriptionResearch riparian cottonwood and geomorphic response to regulated flows in theYakima Basin and compare to the responses of an unregulated reach of the Flathead River with the objective of enhancing flows to restore riparian habitats in the Yakima Basin.
Target speciesBlack Cottonwood and a range of anadromous and resident fish and wildlife species associated with alluvial floodplain habitats
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
47.4 -121.1 Cle Elum Reach of the Yakima River
47.106 -120.728 Kittitas Reach of the Yakima River
46.756 -120.822 Middle and Lower Reaches of the Naches River
46.628 -120.528 Union Gap Reach of the Yakima River
46.4808 -120.4235 Upper and Lower Wapato Reaches of the Yakima River
48.5 -133.875 Nyack Reach of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription
NMFS Action 183 NMFS Initiate at least three tier 3 studies (each necessarily comprising several sites) within each ESU (a single action may affect more than one ESU). In addition, at least two studies focusing on each major management action must take place within the Columbia River basin. The Action Agencies shall work with NMFS and the Technical Recovery Teams to identify key studies in the 1-year plan. Those studies will be implemented no later than 2003.

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
2000 Detailed vegetation and flow/stage data collected for Cle Elum, Union Gap and Wapato reaches in the Yakima sub-basin
2000 Preliminary research findings presented at AWRA International Riparian Conference, Portland, Oregon
2000 Preliminary research findings presented at the College of Forest Resources, University of Washington
2001 The historic extent of cottonwood stands asssessed using 1927, 1948 and 1993 air photos in 3 study reaches.
2001 LANDSAT 5, LANDSAT 7, ADAR, IKONOS AND AIR PHOTOS assessed in the Yakima Basin for their applicability in quantifying the areal extent of riparian cottonwood stands in the alluvial reaches of the Columbia River Basin
2001 Research findings presented at Annual Research Mtg of the Bureau of Reclamation, Yakima - February 2001
2001 Provided research findings and assisted with review/writing on the riparian habitat components of Yakima Sub-Basin Plan
2001 Research findings presented at the Annual Research Mtg. for the Yakama Indian Nations Fisheries Project - March 2001
2001 BPA Interim Progress Report outlining major research accomplishments for the Yakima and Kootenai River Basins
2001 Preliminary assessments of flow regimes required for enhancing cottonwood recruitment are being developed

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
BOR -- Yakima Critical River Reaches Project Research support for restoring riparian and fisheries habitat, critical stage/discharge functions for cottonwood recruitment Union Gap Riparian Floodplain Restoration Project
0 BOR -- Yakima Critical River Reaches Project: Linking Fluvial Processes to Floodplain Ecology of the Yakima River: Stream Flow, Sediment Loads and Potential for Geomorphic Work Parallel research studies by Drs. Mark Lorang and Jack Stanford
20510 Yakama Indian Nations Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Research Project research support for restoring habitat for anadromous and resident fish and wildlife; stage/discharge functions for cottonwood recruitment to parameterize riverine and riparian habitat functions for EDT modeling efforts.
9206200 Yakama Indian Nations Riparian/Wetland Restoration Project Research support for restoring riparian and fisheries habitat, critical stage/discharge functions for cottonwood recruitment to be used in restoration projects on Cle Elum and Wapato reaches.
20547 Yakima Indian Nations Habitat/Watershed Project Research support for restoring riparian and fisheries habitat, critical stage/discharge functions for cottonwood recruitment in watershed restoration projects
20117 Yakima River Sub-Basin Assessment Provide research findings for inclusion in the Yakima Sub-Basin Summary Plan
20057 Oregon State University -Strategies for Riparian Recovery: Plant Succession and Salmon Parallel studies of riparian vegetation in John Day Basin; providing critical life history data on cottonwood recruitment
20006 Washington Trout -- Yakima Basin Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity research findings to correlate biotic integrity indicies with complexity/diversity of riparian cottonwood stands

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

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

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
Objective 1. Document how the different flow regimes (flip-flop) of the Naches River and select reaches of the Yakima River has altered the population structure and long-term survival of riparian cottonwoods. Task a. Assess the influence of different flow regimes on the population structure of riparian cottonwood populations along the Naches River and select reaches of the Yakima River. 2001-02 $63,950
Task b. Measure the sex ratios and the reproductive fitness (local patterns of natural seedfall) of riparian cottonwoods to define how distinctive patterns of flow regulation alter the sex ratios and reproductive fitness of cottonwood populations. 2001-02 $5,125
Task c. Identify and document historic changes in the areal extent of cottonwood forests along the Naches River and the Kittitas and lower Wapato reach of the Yakima River 2001-03 $15,000 Yes
Task d. Document the extent to which regulated flows decline faster than the rate of root growth by cottonwood seedlings during the period of seed dispersal. 2001-02 $0
Objective 2. Document fluvial geomorphic processes critical to the recruitment of riparian cottonwoods along flow-regulated reaches of the Naches River and select reaches of the Yakima River. Task a. Correlate the historical discharge regime to the observed and measurable patterns of fluvial geomorphic response. 2001-03 $20,000 Yes
Task b. Measure changes in morphology, substrate composition and vegetative colonization of newly formed fluvial features (i.e. scroll bars) relative to the next two years of discharge. 2001-03 $20,000 Yes
Task c. Measure the rates of groundwater recession and river stage decline associated with the recruitment sites colonized by cottonwood seedlings. $22,170 Yes
Objective 3. Document fluvial geomorphic processes critical to the recruitment of riparian cottonwoods along the free-flowing Middle Fork (Nyack Reach) of the Flathead River in Western Montana. Task a. Correlate the historical discharge regime to the observed and measurable patterns of fluvial geomorphic response. 2001-03 $20,000 Yes
Task b. Measure changes in morphology, substrate composition and vegetative colonization of newly formed fluvial features (i.e. scroll bars) relative to the next two years of discharge. 2001-03 $20,000 Yes
Task c. Measure the rates of groundwater recession and river stage decline associated with the recruitment sites colonized by cottonwood seedlings. 2001-03 $20,000 Yes
Objective 4. Develop models for modifying regulated flows on the Naches and Yakima River to promote the recovery of riparian cottonwood ecosystems. Tasks a-f. (Will be completed in year 3 of the project, included here for consistency in the presentation) 2001-04 $0
Objective 5. Project monitoring and review Task a. Project Review 2001-04 $3,550
Task b. Project review meetings with BPA 2001-04 $2,800
Task c. Project Management 2001-04 $10,800
Objective 6. Annual and final reports of research findings Task a. Annual Reports 2001-04 $2,100
Task b. Final Report (Will be completed in year 3 of the project, included here for consistency in the presentation) 2003-04 $0
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Objective 1. Document how the different flow regimes (flip-flop) of the Naches River and select reaches of the Yakima River has altered the population structure and long-term survival of riparian cottonwoods. (Tasks c + d.) 2003 2003 $17,500
Objective 2. Document fluvial geomorphic processes critical to the recruitment of riparian cottonwoods along flow-regulated reaches of the Naches River and select reaches of the Yakima River. 2003 2003 $47,171
Objective 3. Document fluvial geomorphic processes critical to the recruitment of riparian cottonwoods along the free-flowing Middle Fork (Nyack Reach) of the Flathead River in Western Montana. 2003 2003 $50,000
Objective 4. Develop models for modifying regulated flows on the Naches and Yakima River to promote the recovery of riparian cottonwood ecosystems on these rivers.? 2004 2004 $47,400
Objective 5. Project monitoring and review 2003 2004 $19,750
Objective 6. Annual and final reports of research findings 2003 2004 $22,750
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
FY 2003FY 2004
$134,421$70,150

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: 4 $84,425
Fringe $0
Supplies $200
Travel $3,700
Indirect $0
Capital $0
NEPA $0
PIT tags $0
Subcontractor Central Washington University $15,000
Subcontractor Univ. of Montana-Flathead Biol. Station $122,170
$225,495
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2002 cost$225,495
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2002 budget request$225,495
FY 2002 forecast from 2001$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind

Reviews and recommendations

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

Recommendation:
Fundable - no response required
Date:
Jun 15, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. This proposal has been developed based on a BPA Innovative Projects Program that was initiated to study the impact of regulated flows on riparian cottonwoods in the Yakima River Basin. Initial results of that study have shown that current patterns of flow regulation within the Yakima Basin are having a significant negative effect on the recruitment of cottonwood seedlings. The authors have also developed a preliminary model for modifying flow regimes to promote the recovery of riparian cottonwoods, and assessed several different types of multi-spectral imagery for classifying the extent of riparian cottonwood ecosystems.

The life history and ecology of riparian cottonwoods are closely linked with the dynamics of riverine processes. With the damming of rivers and subsequent alteration of seasonal flow regimes, the structure and function of riparian cottonwood ecosystems have been significantly altered along many western rivers. On the merits of their recent findings, these authors propose to expand their sampling efforts and integrate studies of cottonwood recruitment with specific measures of fluvial geomorphic activity. The results of these studies would provide a scientific basis for modifying flows to lessen the ecological impacts of flow regulation in the Yakima Basin. The authors will also assess these quantitative relationships in a non-regulated reach that can serve as a natural analogue to the Yakima River; specifically, the Middle Fork (Nyack Reach) of the Flathead River in western Montana. These authors suggest that the synergy of these efforts would significantly advance the understanding of the ecology of alluvial reaches in the Columbia River Basin and quantify key relationships between flow regulation, geomorphic activity, cottonwood recruitment and the recovery of riparian-dependent wildlife, salmon and other native fish. The proposal also has strong support of agencies within the Yakima River Basin.

The proposal presented was well organized and informative. The ISRP strongly supports such investigations of riparian ecosystems and the development of remedial measures to restore productive riparian habitats. Costs for the proposal are modest and the study will be completed in FY04.


Recommendation:
High Priority
Date:
Aug 3, 2001

Comment:


Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Aug 10, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. This proposal has been developed based on a BPA Innovative Projects Program that was initiated to study the impact of regulated flows on riparian cottonwoods in the Yakima River Basin. Initial results of that study have shown that current patterns of flow regulation within the Yakima Basin are having a significant negative effect on the recruitment of cottonwood seedlings. The authors have also developed a preliminary model for modifying flow regimes to promote the recovery of riparian cottonwoods, and assessed several different types of multi-spectral imagery for classifying the extent of riparian cottonwood ecosystems.

The life history and ecology of riparian cottonwoods are closely linked with the dynamics of riverine processes. With the damming of rivers and subsequent alteration of seasonal flow regimes, the structure and function of riparian cottonwood ecosystems have been significantly altered along many western rivers. On the merits of their recent findings, these authors propose to expand their sampling efforts and integrate studies of cottonwood recruitment with specific measures of fluvial geomorphic activity. The results of these studies would provide a scientific basis for modifying flows to lessen the ecological impacts of flow regulation in the Yakima Basin. The authors will also assess these quantitative relationships in a non-regulated reach that can serve as a natural analogue to the Yakima River; specifically, the Middle Fork (Nyack Reach) of the Flathead River in western Montana. These authors suggest that the synergy of these efforts would significantly advance the understanding of the ecology of alluvial reaches in the Columbia River Basin and quantify key relationships between flow regulation, geomorphic activity, cottonwood recruitment and the recovery of riparian-dependent wildlife, salmon and other native fish. The proposal also has strong support of agencies within the Yakima River Basin.

The proposal presented was well organized and informative. The ISRP strongly supports such investigations of riparian ecosystems and the development of remedial measures to restore productive riparian habitats. Costs for the proposal are modest and the study will be completed in FY04.


Recommendation:
Date:
Oct 1, 2001

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Project will further understanding of how flow management in the Yakima affects riparian forest conditions. Effort would advance the understanding of the ecology of alluvial reaches in the Columbia River Basin & quantify key relationships between flow regulation, geomorphic activity, cottonwood recruitment and the recovery of riparian-dependent wildlife, salmon, & other native fish.

Comments
Proposal was developed based on a BPA Innovative Projects Program that was initiated to study the impact of regulated flows on riparian cottonwoods in the Yakima River Basin. The project would research riparian cottonwood & geomorphic response to regulated flows in the Yakima Basin and compare to the responses of an unregulated reach of the Flathead River with the objective of enhancing flows to restore riparian habitats in the Yakima Basin.

Already ESA Req? no

Biop? yes


Recommendation:
Rank C
Date:
Oct 16, 2001

Comment:

This proposal would provide information on riparian cottonwood and geomorphic response to regulated flows in the Yakima Basin and compare it to the responses of an unregulated reach of the Flathead River with the objective of enhancing flows to enhancing riparian habitats in the Yakima Basin.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Jan 3, 2002

Comment:


Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:


Recommendation:
Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment: