FY 2002 Columbia Plateau proposal 200002300
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 |
|---|---|
| 200002300 Narrative | Narrative |
| 200002300 Sponsor Response to the ISRP | Response |
| Columbia Plateau: Columbia Lower Middle Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
| Columbia Plateau: Columbia Lower Middle Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon, Horn Butte (Philippi Property) |
| Proposal ID | 200002300 |
| Organization | Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
| Name | Susan P. Barnes |
| Mailing address | 2501 SW 1st Ave. Portland, OR 97207 |
| Phone / email | 5038725260 / susan.p.barnes@state.or.us |
| Manager authorizing this project | Susan P. Barnes |
| Review cycle | Columbia Plateau |
| Province / Subbasin | Columbia Plateau / Umatilla |
| Short description | Protect and enhance shrub-steppe and native bunch grass habitat in the Horn Butte area to mitigate for wildlife impacts by the Columbia River Federal hydropower system. |
| Target species | California quail, western meadowlark, long-billed curlew, ferruginous hawk, Swainson's hawk, burrowing owl, loggerhead shrike, grasshopper sparrow, sagebrush lizard, Washington ground squirrel |
Project location
| Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest of Heppner Junction, Oregon west of Willow Creek, east to the John Day "Arm"; T2N, R22E, Section 16, 17, 18 (Lots 2,3,4 - S1/2NE1/4, E1/2SW1/4, SE1/4), 19, 20, 21,22 (W1/2 NW1/4, SW 1/4), 27 (N1/2, SW 1/4), 28 (N1/2) | ||
| 45.6718 | -120.0237 | Horn Butte |
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)
Sponsor-reported:
| RPA |
|---|
Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:
| Reviewing agency | Action # | BiOp Agency | Description |
|---|
Section 2. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Completed Oregon Trust Agreement Planning (OTAP) Project |
| 1997 | Completed draft Assessing OTAP Project using Gap Analysis: Potential Mitigation for Impacts to Oregon Wildlife Resources Associated with Relevant Mainstem Columbia River and Willamette River Hydroelectric Projects |
| 1997 | FY 1997 OWC Programmatic Project proposal for $250,000 dollars for mitigation planning and coordination was approved by the NWPPC. OWC coordination/planning occurred, data was gathered on priority projects, and the securing of properties began. |
| 1998 | FY1998 OWC Programmatic Project proposal for $500,000 for mitigation planning and coordination was approved by the NWPPC. OWC coordination/planning occurred, potential projects were investigated, $ for Pine Ck Ranch and Ladd Marsh projects were obtained. |
| 1998 | Developed partnerships with BLM, Clearwater Land Exchange, Trust for Public Lands, and the Nature Conservancy to help facilitate project objectives in the Horn Butte area. Landowner communications began at the Horn Butte project site. |
| 1998 | FY 1999 OWC programmatic proposal request for $4 million for project coordination/planning & implementation was approved by the NWPPC. The Horn Butte project ($1 mill. for land acquisition and/or easement) was approved under this proposal. |
| 1999 | Continued landowner communications and negotiations at Horn Butte project site. |
| 1999 | FY 2000 programmatic project proposal for project coordination/planning & implementation ($5 million) was submitted by the OWC. The Horn Butte project ($400,000 for land acq and/or easement) was included under this proposal |
| 1999 | FY 2000 proposal for first-year restoration and O&M costs ($42,302) was submitted by the OWC. |
| 1999 | OWC allocated the $1 million earmarked for Horn Butte to the Pine Creek Ranch Acquisition project. |
| 2000 | FY 2000 proposal for first-year restoration and O&M costs ($42,302) was approved by the NWPPC. |
| 2000 | FY 2000 OWC programmatic proposal approved by the NWPPC - $3.9 mill allocated. The Horn Butte project ($400,000 for continued land acquisition and/or easement -BAIC Tract) was approved for funding under the OWC's FY 2000 programmatic proposal allocation. |
| 2000 | Continued landowner communications and negotiations at Horn Butte project site. |
| 2000 | OWC allocated $350,000 of the $400,000 earmarked for Horn Butte to the Pine Creek Ranch Acquisition project. |
| 2000 | FY 2001 Budget Update form proposal for Horn Butte first-year restoration and O&M costs ($42,302) was submitted by the OWC and approved by the NWPPC. |
| 2001 | Option to Purchase secured on Philippi property in the Horn Butte area by Trust for Public Lands on February 1, 2001 |
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
| Project ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | |
| Wildlife Impact Assessment: Bonneville, McNary, The Dalles, and John Day projects. (Rasumssen and Wright 1990). | Evaluated pre- and post- dam construction/inundation habitat conditions and estimated wildlife losses using the HEP methodology. | |
| 199208400 | Oregon Trust Agreement Planning (OTAP) Project (BPA 1993) | Identified and evaluated potential wildlife mitigation sites within Oregon |
| 9565 | Assessing OTAP Project Using Gap Analysis (ODFW 1997) | Refinement of OTAP Project. Identified and evaluated potential wildlife mitigation sites in Oregon using Gap Analysis techniques |
| 199705900 | FY 1999 Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon | OWC's programmatic project proposal that included the Horn Butte project on a list of priority projects. The requested and approved $4 mill would fund projects from the list as they were ready to be implemented. Horn Butte project budget for acq: $1 mill |
| 199705900 | FY 2000 Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon | OWC's programmatic project proposal that included the Horn Butte project in priority list. OWC requested $5 mill, NWPPC approved $3.96 mill to fund projects from priority list as they were ready. Horn Butte project budget for acquisition: $400,000 |
| 20116 | FY 2000 Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon, Horn Butte | ODFW FY 00 project proposal for Horn Butte. Project request was $400,000 for continued land acquisition/easement (to be funded under OWC's Project No. 199705900) and $42,302 for first-year project implementation |
| 199705900 | FY 2001 Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon | OWC's budget update proposal that included the Horn Butte project in priority list. OWC requested $6 million of new funds. NWPPC approved $2.6 million. Horn Butte project budget: $1 million |
| 200002300 | FY 2001 Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon, Horn Butte | ODFW's FY 01 budget update proposal that requested carrying forward NWPPC-approved FY 00 funds ($42,302) for first -year project implementation. |
| 200002300 | Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon, Horn Butte (BAIC Tract) | TNC/ODFW joint FY 02 Columbia Plateau solicitation proposal to acquire 22,642 acres of native shrub steppe and grassland habitat near Boardman, OR. Complements Horn Butte - Philippi property purchase. |
Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | $0 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Assess baseline assessments (Conduct HEP survey, conduct species surveys, collect other necessary baseline data | 2004 | 2004 | $10,000 |
| 2. Develop Management plans (Evaluate baseline data to develop site goals and objectives, complete habitat management plans) | 2004 | 2004 | $5,000 |
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
| FY 2004 |
|---|
| $15,000 |
Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Complete pre-acquisition activities on Philippi property | a. Conduct appraisals | 2 | $20,000 | |
| b. Complete necessary property line surveys and adjustments | 2 | $10,000 | ||
| c. Complete NEPA surveys | 2 | $15,000 | Yes | |
| d. Complete MOAs with involved parties | 2 | $5,000 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Complete pre-acquisition activities (complet appraisals, appraisal review by BPA, MOAs with involved parties, NEPA surveys, necessary property line surveys and adjustments | 2002 | 2003 | $50,000 |
| 2. Acquire Philippi property | 2003 | 2003 | $1,300,000 |
| 3. Implement management plans (alter livestock grazing and agricultural practices, control noxious weeds, plant native grasses and shrubs, construct boundary fence) | 2004 | 2006 | $100,000 |
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
| FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,350,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 |
Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | $0 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Manage and improve property habitat values (manage property, plant native vegetation, control expansion of noxious weeds, remove tresspass livestock, maintain boundary fence, signs, gates and roads) | 2005 | 2006 | $20,000 |
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
| FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|
| $10,000 | $10,000 |
Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | $0 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of habitat management plans (establish photopoints, conduct vegetation surveys to monitor vegetation changes, conduct wildlife surveys to evaluate responses to habitat changes, analyze data, prepare M&E reports) | 2005 | 2006 | $10,000 |
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
| FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $5,000 |
Section 8. Estimated budget summary
Itemized budget
| Item | Note | FY 2002 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | FTE: ODFW staff time | $8,000 |
| Fringe | @ 38.8% | $3,100 |
| Travel | $1,000 | |
| Indirect | @ 24% | $2,900 |
| NEPA | conduct NEPA surveys | $15,000 |
| Subcontractor | conduct appraisals, conduct property line surveys and adjustments | $20,000 |
| $50,000 | ||
Total estimated budget
| Total FY 2002 cost | $50,000 |
| Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds | $50,000 |
| Total FY 2002 budget request | $0 |
| FY 2002 forecast from 2001 | $77,000 |
| % change from forecast | -100.0% |
Reason for change in estimated budget
The project budget has changed due to a delay in project acquisition. Project implementation has progressed more slowly than originally anticipated because of increased project complexity. New estimated budgets are based on the new project schedule. Also, more funds will be needed in FY 03 for property purchase. Funds approved by the NWPPC for the OWC's programmatic proposal were reallocated by the OWC from the Horn Butte project to the Pine Creek Ranch Acquisition project to meet it's immediate funding need. The $50,000 of OWC money that remains earmarked to the Horn Butte project would fund necessary pre-acquisition activities in FY 02. TPL anticipates that they will exercise their option to purchase at Horn Butte within the two-year agreement period. The FY 03 budget request is primarily for property purchase costs. Other outer budget requests are similar to last year's projection, but have been adjusted to reflect the delay in project implementation.
Reason for change in scope
The intent of this project is the same, however, the project has been delayed due to the complex interests of the private landowner and the numerous entities involved. This project will result in fee-title acquisition of about 4,761 acres in the Horn Butte area and will involve BLM and ACOE ownerships in the Columbia River/John Day River confluence area. Property line surveys and adjustments are likely. A high level of coordination between TPL, ODFW, BLM, ACOE, CTWSRO, CTUIR, and the landowner will occur. The landowner recently entered into an option to purchase agreement with Trust for Public Lands. The OWC requests funds to implement the project within the new timeframe, including funds for property purchase that are no longer available under the OWC's programmatic proposal since they were used to fund the Pine Creek Ranch Acquisition project.
Cost sharing
| Organization | Item or service provided | Amount | Cash or in-kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLM | assistance with property purchase, baseline data collection, management plan development, and future management | $0 | in-kind |
| ODFW | assistance with property purchase, baseline data collection, management plan development, and future management | $0 | in-kind |
| Trust For Public Lands | assistance with land trade, property line adjustment, and property purchase | $0 | in-kind |
| ACOE | assistance with land trade, property line adjustment, and property purchase | $0 | in-kind |
| CTWSRO | assistance with property purchase, baseline data collection, management plan development, and future management | $0 | in-kind |
| CTUIR | assistance with property purchase, baseline data collection, management plan development, and future management | $0 | in-kind |
Reviews and recommendations
This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.
Fundable only if response is adequate
Jun 15, 2001
Comment:
Fundable if adequate responses are given to ISRP concerns. This project has a complicated history as part of the Horn Butte properties, but seems to be on a clear path to acquire the Philippi property now. There seems to be good wildlife values associated with the property. The parcel will be an important part of a block of properties in the general vicinity (something that was clarified during the presentation). It appears that actual funding will be required after FY 2002.
Adequate documentation on planning, acquisition, management plans, operations and maintenance, monitoring and evaluation sections should be given. Virtually no details are given on which the merits of proposed activities can be judged. At a minimum the plans should be consistent with those for Project #200020116 (Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon, Horn Butte Area (BAIC Tract)). References to habitat evaluation and survey procedures should be given. Washington ground squirrel surveys procedures should be given in detail. Vegetation and wildlife surveys sites should be selected in cooperation with the EPA EMAP survey procedures developed by the EPA office in Corvallis, Oregon. Potential benefit of the property to fish should be explained in more detail. Factors limiting passage, flow and water temperature should be addressed along with the potential for problems to be resolved.
Purchase of this property was approved in previous reviews, but funds were redirected to other approved projects. We continue to agree that this property would be of significant long-term benefit to wildlife.
Comment:
This parcel is the last contiguous area of shrub steppe habitat and is home to many imperiled species. Through this project (I.e., acquisition) shrub steppe habitat would be protected .* Identified by the CBFWA as a proposal that could potentially be implemented as High Priority projects pending crediting resolution with BPA and NWPPC. The CBFWA will formally request a policy level meeting to resolve this issue.
Comment:
* Identified by the CBFWA as a proposal that could potentially be implemented as High Priority projects pending crediting resolution with BPA and NWPPC. The CBFWA will formally request a policy level meeting to resolve this issue.Comment:
Fundable. The responses to ISRP concerns were very complete and included a high level of attention to details on evaluation of the property for acquisition, future O&M, and future M&E. The response should be made part of the original proposal and serve as a model for future proposals for acquisition of lands for the primary benefit of wildlife and uplands vegetation. The ISRP recommends acquisition of this property.One of the initial recommendations of the ISRP on this proposal was that the proponents consider cooperating with the EPA EMAP to ensure compatibility of wildlife and vegetation sampling across large landscapes (counties, states, or combinations of states) in the same manner that the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds is using EPA EMAP procedures for monitoring of aquatic resources. The proponents commented that the Western EMAP does not have a terrestrial component. This may be true for the current Western EMAP, but certainly the original EMAP had a large terrestrial component. The ISRP is not specifically recommending the EMAP terrestrial sampling plan. Rather, we are more interested in ensuring that sampling on these large blocks of Fish and Wildlife Program lands be compatible with a larger scale terrestrial sampling plan and that data collected will be useful for monitoring and evaluation at the subbasin and Columbia Basin levels.
We appreciate the proponents' research into the Natural Resources Conservation Service's terrestrial monitoring program called the National Resources Inventory. Apparently there are more than one million sampling points across the United States where land cover information is gathered. The proponents propose to evaluate this sampling program and the possibility of coordinating mapping locations with established NRI points and we strongly recommend that they do so. Data on the Philippi part of the Horn Butte property would be at an intensified finer scale than the planned national survey, but compatibility of sampling methods and data collection protocols would enhance the ability of the proponents to compare their property to other areas on a larger scale and to provide information to monitoring and evaluation at the subbasin, basin, and national levels. In short, the ISRP is not pushing the EMAP terrestrial sampling plan. We are recommending that the terrestrial sampling on Fish and Wildlife Program lands follow a common sampling method and some common data collection protocols across the four States involved to enhance monitoring and evaluation of terrestrial systems on subbasin and basin scales. Perhaps the National Resources Inventory sampling procedures and data collection protocols would serve the region well.
There seems little that this purchase will do for summer steelhead (extirpated) until passage barriers (irrigation structures) are removed in lower reaches. Perhaps that problem should be addressed first.
Comment:
Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESUN/A
Comments
Already ESA Req? N/A
Biop? no
Comment:
Habitat acquisition proposals 200002300 Horn Butte Philippi property and 200020116 Horn Butte BAIC tract these proposals would fund habitat acquisition to protect disappearing shrub steppe habitat. The BAIC tract is a particularly sensitive property. It functions as one of the last available pieces of shrub steppe that serves as a home for the Washington ground squirrel, a listed species under Oregon endangered species law.
Staff recommendation: To warrant funding, these proposals would need to demonstrate that it protects existing high-quality habitat, or connects to historic quality habitat. Both proposals would qualify under those criteria. Oregon has proposed a habitat acquisition placeholder for the Columbia Plateau province in the Oregon subbasins. They have developed a prioritized list for acquisitions. The BAIC tract 200020116 ranks first; the Philippi property 200002300 ranks third. The Council would also have to be willing to recommend the proposals in light of uncertainty regarding Bonneville's crediting response as discussed in General Issue 5.
Budget effect on base program (Project 200020116, 200002300, 23084):
| FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
|---|---|---|
| Increase $200,000 | Increase $2,000,000 | Increase $1,900,000 |
Comment:
Council's "recommendation": "To warrant funding, these proposals would need to demonstrate protection of existing high-quality habitat, or connection to historic quality habitat. Both proposals would qualify under those criteria. Oregon has proposed a habitat acquisition placeholder for the Columbia Plateau province in the Oregon subbasins and developed a prioritized list for acquisitions. The BAIC tract ranks first; the Phillipi property ranks third. The Council would also have to be willing to recommend the proposals in light of the uncertainty regarding Bonneville's crediting response as discussed in General Issue 5."Comment:
Land acquisition, BPA did not agree to the project.Comment: