FY 2002 Columbia Plateau proposal 25076

Additional documents

TitleType
25076 Narrative Narrative
25076 Sponsor Response to the ISRP Response

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleEnhancing Riparian Corridors Sustainably With Integrated Agroforestry
Proposal ID25076
OrganizationInstitute for Washington's Future (on behalf of the Walla Walla Agroforestry Group) (IWF)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameDonald Hopps, Ph.D.
Mailing address1900 South Puget Drive, Suite 200 Renton, WA 98055-4418
Phone / email4252261909 / don@forwashington.org
Manager authorizing this projectJohn Warinner, PE
Review cycleColumbia Plateau
Province / SubbasinColumbia Plateau / Walla Walla
Short descriptionEnhance streamflows, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and physical stream functions in irrigated agricultural stream corridors while also enhancing community economy and social welfare through sustainable, integrated agroforestry systems.
Target speciesSalmon, steelhead, trout, upland game birds
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
46.0169 -118.3998 Yellowhawk Creek Corridor
46.0259 -118.4334 Garrison Creek Corridor
46.035 -118.535 Walla Walla River Corridor (near Lowden)
46.025 -118.405 Walla Walla River Corridor (near Mojonnier)
46.085 -118.5 Dry Creek Corridor (near Sudbury)
46.035 -118.67 Touchet River Corridor (near Touchet)
46 -118.58 Pine Creek (near Stateline)
46 -118.57 Little Mud Creek (near Stateline)
46.0624 -118.9393 Walla Walla River
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA

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
1997 Established basic model agroforestry plantation to demonstrate profitable agricultural wood production (privately funded).
1998 Expanded, operated and maintained model agroforestry plantations. Evaluated and refined precision irrigation technologies (privately funded).
1999 Expanded, operated and maintained model agroforestry plantations. Performed mill testing to verify wood value and usability for high-value solid wood applications (privately funded).
2000 Expanded, operated and maintained model plantations. Investigated established industry in Italy based on agricultural production of poplar. Developed integrated strategy for large-scale stream enhancement in irrigated agricultural corridors.
2001 Designed and constructed two model agroforestry plantations for beneficial utilization of wastewater residuals.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
WDFW Fish Screening Program Integrate screen upgrades into integrated program seeking comprehensive compliance with environmental regulations
BPA Conserved Water Lease Program Enhances scope to recognize and capture opportunities for partial curtailment of water use
OR & WA Water Trust Programs Enhances scope to recognize and capture opportunities for partial curtailment of water use
WW Conservation District CREP/SRFB Projects Illustrates improved methods for PFC assessment and restoration

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Establish, develop and promote the Walla Walla Agroforestry Program a. Establish Walla Walla Agroforestry Fund (grants and revolving loans) b. Formalize Walla Walla Agroforestry Program c. Secure & administer initial cooperator agreements d. Promote program to landowners and community leaders ongoing $125,000 Yes
2. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek riparian corridors a. Conduct PFC assessments of Yellowhawk and Garrison Creeks b. Select appropriate restoration strategies to foster PFC c. Design appropriate stream enhancements to foster PFC 1 $30,000 Yes
3. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek corridors a. Assess historic irrigation water and energy usage and conservation potential for each project site b. Design appropriate agroforestry plantations for each site c. Negotiate leases to transfer conserved irrigation water to instream flow 1 $30,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Establish, develop and promote the Walla Walla Agroforestry Program 2003 2006 $500,000
2. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of other riparian corridors in the Walla Walla watershed, including the Walla Walla and Touchet Rivers, Dry Creek and Pine Creek 2003 2006 $200,000
3. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in the other riparian corridors 2003 2006 $400,000
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$275,000$275,000$275,000$275,000

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek riparian corridors a. Implement appropriate active and passive riparian enhancements to foster PFC on Yellowhawk and Garrison Creeks (40 acres) 1 $160,000 Yes
2. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek corridors a. Construct model agroforestry plantations (400 acres) 1 $600,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of other riparian corridors in the Walla Walla watershed, including the Walla Walla and Touchet Rivers, Dry Creek and Pine Creek 2003 2006 $1,200,000
2. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in the other riparian corridors 2003 2006 $6,000,000
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$1,800,000$1,800,000$1,800,000$1,800,000

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek riparian corridors a. Operate and maintain appropriate active and passive riparian enhancements to foster PFC on Yellowhawk and Garrison Creeks (40 acres) 3 $40,000 Yes
2. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek corridors a. Operate and maintain model agroforestry plantations (400 acres) 8 $200,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of other riparian corridors in the Walla Walla watershed, including the Walla Walla and Touchet Rivers, Dry Creek and Pine Creek 2003 2006 $465,000
2. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in the other riparian corridors 2003 2006 $5,360,000
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$685,000$1,217,500$1,731,250$2,191,250

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek riparian corridors a. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of riparian enhancements to foster PFC on Yellowhawk and Garrison Creeks (40 acres) ongoing $20,000 Yes
2. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in Yellowhawk and Garrison Creek corridors a. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of model agroforestry plantations (400 acres) b. Develop, review, and publish program reports and promotional papers ongoing $65,000 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Assess and enhance PFC functionality of other riparian corridors in the Walla Walla watershed, including the Walla Walla and Touchet Rivers, Dry Creek and Pine Creek 2003 2006 $90,000
2. Conserve water and energy, enhance upland shading and wildlife habitat, and improve agricultural sustainability on irrigated uplands in the other riparian corridors 2003 2006 $540,000
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$77,500$132,500$182,500$237,500

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2002 cost
Personnel FTE: 1.5 $30,000
Fringe $6,000
Supplies $10,000
Travel $1,000
Indirect $3,000
Subcontractor $500,000
$550,000
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2002 cost$550,000
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2002 budget request$550,000
FY 2002 forecast from 2001$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Reason for change in estimated budget

N/A

Reason for change in scope

N/A

Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
National Fish & Wildlife Service grant $200,000 cash
Limited Partnership equity investment $100,000 cash
Other Landowners equity investment $170,000 cash
Other Grants grant $200,000 cash
Land Donation 40 acres riparian zone $200,000 in-kind
Other budget explanation

Note that our proposed budget includes a combination of grants and loans as further explained in our narrative document.


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:
Jun 15, 2001

Comment:

Fundable if adequate responses are given to ISRP concerns. This is an interesting proposal that deserves some attention by the Council. The proposal is to replace some existing lowland crops with poplars (hybrid cottonwood trees) as a cash crop. This is a novel proposal for an alternative irrigated agriculture product (trees for high-quality wood) that saves water for streams and incorporates a requirement for riparian improvements. Project personnel also propose to grow and plant native trees and shrubs to enhance vegetation in stream corridors.

From a fisheries enhancement perspective, a response that details the specific methods (and projected benefits) to be used in the stream corridor is needed. The reviewers had several questions in regard to the proposals potential benefits that the response should address: How much water will be saved? What do the water use records from other cottonwood plantations in the basin indicate? Are there long-term guarantees that the riparian improvement will remain in place?

The project seems technical feasible, but it requires a large amount of cash (both grant and loan) to be initiated. Partners in the project (farmers) seemed keen, and there were several other opportunities in this area of 90% agricultural use along the stream, and where 80% of the water is in irrigation (this project reduces that usage).

The pilot experiments, including 1000 acres, have generated further enthusiasm by the proponent for this work. Again, however, we see little in the way of evaluation of the fish response (describe how this will be done), yet suspect the results may be dramatic and provide a very useful demonstration of this, and the economic benefits. The effective riparian restoration methods are potentially the most attractive components, but the additional temperature benefit from the poplar plantation is also important.

Some support for further expansion onto other properties seems justified, particularly if an evaluation and demonstration project is included, and should not require the large sum indicated; a set of alternative funding levels that might be more acceptable. An economic review and analysis is essential - this is a large budget, seeking a grant and a large revolving loan program. The proponents should provide further detail of the economic analysis, which then should receive independent economic review.


Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Aug 10, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. This is an interesting proposal that deserves attention by the Council. The proposal is to replace some existing lowland crops with poplars (hybrid cottonwood trees) as a cash crop. This is a novel proposal for an alternative irrigated agriculture product (trees for high-quality wood, rather than pulp) that saves water for streams and incorporates a requirement for riparian improvements. Project personnel also propose to grow and plant native trees and shrubs to enhance vegetation in stream corridors.

The pilot experiments, including 1000 acres, have generated further enthusiasm by the proponent for this work. We suspect the results may be dramatic and provide a very useful demonstration of riparian, stream, and economic benefits. The riparian restoration methods are potentially the most attractive components, but the additional temperature benefit from the poplar plantation is also important.

Project sponsors provided detailed responses including alternatives to full funding. However, the response to fish monitoring was inadequate in that it seemed to shuffle the responsibility off to fish agencies. The project could sub-contract the measurement of the fish response on a reach-by-reach or preferably, whole stream treatment and control approach, including a staircase experimental design. The (likely positive) fish response could be a key selling point to this approach, towards more willing and enthusiastic farmers. Independent economic analysis still is recommended.


Recommendation:
Date:
Oct 1, 2001

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Project could help reduce water temperatures and would improve riparian function. Buffer widths (50 feet) do not provide for pfc)

Comments
Project leaves many questions unanswered. Cannot predict whether pulp prices will remain high enough to keep upland portion of project viable. Purported benefits to stream temps may be very optimistic relative to current literature. Very high costs relative to fish benefits. Consider more specific proposal at smaller scale.

Already ESA Req? no

Biop? yes


Recommendation:
Rank C
Date:
Oct 16, 2001

Comment:

This proposal needs to await completion of a subbasin plan to focus its concepts on priority habitat areas. The relationship between investments in uplands and along the riparian buffers needs to be better understood. This is an interesting concept that should initially be tried on a pilot project basis. The scientific merit is also uncertain related to monoculture of poplars vs. native plant species in the riparian zone.
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Jan 3, 2002

Comment: