FY 2001 High Priority proposal 23026

Additional documents

TitleType
23026 Narrative Narrative
Yakima Nation Response to ISRP Comments on project proposal 23026 Correspondence

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleKlickitat Basin Key Habitat Acquisition
Proposal ID23026
OrganizationYakama Nation (YN)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameMel Sampson
Mailing addressPO Box 151 Toppenish
Phone / email5098656262 / mel@yakama.com
Manager authorizing this projectMel Sampson
Review cycleFY 2001 High Priority
Province / SubbasinColumbia Gorge / Klickitat
Short descriptionPurchase high priority lands for preservation of refugia habitat. Protection of stream channel and riparian habitats and associated uplands which influence immediate riparian function and channel processes.
Target speciesESA "threatened" summer and winter steelhead and spring chinook.
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
45.7826 -121.2072 Logging Camp Creek (Canyon)
45.73 -121.17 Dillacort Canyon
45.6914 -121.2934 Klickitat River
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2001 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 2001 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 2001 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 2001 costSubcontractor
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2001 cost
Personnel FTE: 1.0 $33,288
Fringe @ 20% $6,658
Supplies $1,000
Indirect @ 23,5% $9,622
Capital Combined total of both high priority land and future acquisitions $2,949,432
$3,000,000
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2001 cost$3,000,000
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2001 budget request$3,000,000
FY 2001 forecast from 2000$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
Land Owner Seller agrees to donate lands within Logging Camp Creek sale as part of sale $135,000 in-kind
Yakama Nation Monitoring and Evaluation of fisheries resources benefit, through existing habitat and fisheries resource monitoring $1,200 in-kind
Land Owner Seller agrees to donate 200 acres of land as part of the Dillacort Creek sale $78,800 in-kind
Columbia Land Trust Administrative support. Past and future staff time developing purchase agreements with seller. $1,500 in-kind

Reviews and recommendations

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

Recommendation:
B*
Date:
Feb 1, 2001

Comment:

Objectives 1 - 3A appear to meet the High Priority criteria and critical areas appear to be targeted, however 3b, 3c and 4 do not meet the criteria and appear to be primarily developing infrastructure for the future. A major part of the project is "prioritization" of future purchases. There is little indication that the purchases are time sensitive.
Recommendation:
HP "A"
Date:
Feb 1, 2001

Comment:

This proposal would fund acquisition of three important parcels. This project would provide significant benefits to wildlife.
Recommendation:
Date:
Feb 15, 2001

Comment:

Comments: Objectives 1 - 3A appear to meet the High Priority criteria and critical areas appear to be targeted, however 3b, 3c and 4 do not meet the criteria and appear to be primarily developing infrastructure for the future. A major part of the project is "prioritization" of future purchases.

Response: Project #23026 was developed by the Yakama Nation (YN) in conjunction with Columbia Land Trust (CLT) to address immediate land development pressures within the Klickitat Basin. As outlined in Objectives 1-3 of the proposal, two important parcels were identified for immediate acquisition. Subsequent the Washington State Salmon Recovery Board (SRFB) has agreed to purchase of the Dillacort Canyon parcel, which secures 579 acres of quality spawning and rearing habitat for threatened Klickitat steelhead for $333,175.

As stated in the original proposal, the YN believes that land acquisition is a cost effective means to preserve critical habitat in perpetuity thus preventing costly habitat restoration. To successfully preserve these habitats, an administrative infrastructure, which uses a prioritized approach and trust fund account to expedite implementation, should be a fundamental part of any strategy. However, the YN agrees with the ISRP comments that, for the intent of the "High Priority" solicitation, the administrative infrastructure and trust accounts should be eliminated. The YN will work in collaboration with CLT to develop the administrative/infrastructure component in an alternative forum.

Therefore, modifications to the existing proposal are as follows:

The revised proposal includes the following elements:

See revised project #23026 budget form.

ISRP Comment: "There is little indication that the purchases are time sensitive".

Response: The YN concurs with the ISRP that the proposal inadequately described the time sensitivity specific to each parcel. While the YN adequately described the overarching development pressures, lack of County ordinances, and biological and ESA rationale, specific issues relating to each parcel were not presented. The following is a summary of the time sensitive issues affecting the Logging Camp Creek parcel.

Major land developers in Klickitat County have actively solicited the Logging Camp Creek owner who is getting out of the ranching business and actively divesting his land holdings. The owner has expressed a strong desire to preserve the natural resource value of Logging Camp Creek. The property was on the market in 1999 and contracted with a major land developer. No sale was negotiated during that time because of the landowners desire to protect the natural resource value. Currently the property owner is under no contract, but has indicated his strong desire to sell the property. The landowner is very aware that adjacent properties have recently sold for $4,0000/acre for 20-acre parcels. The Logging Camp Creek property will be sold in the very near future.

Excerpt from Original Proposal, Describing Logging Camp Creek Acquisition and Project Linkage: Logging Camp Canyon land acquisition proposal is the fee simple purchase of 380 acres of land, which provides 4,620 linear feet of stream frontage. Logging Camp Canyon is a west bank tributary that enters the Klickitat River at River Mile 9.5 in Klickitat County. The Canyon creek has 2.5 miles of quality spawning and rearing habitat accessible to anadromous fish Logging Camp Canyon provides one of the last best vestiges of quality habitat. It has a dense forest canopy and suitable water temperatures. Purchase of this property will ensure that steelhead spawning and rearing habitat will be protected from development and degradation. Wild Klickitat River steelhead (summer and winter run) are ESA "threatened" stocks that have limited tributary spawning and rearing opportunities in this portion of the basin. This project will complement the following habitat restoration activities currently underway within Logging Camp Canyon: 1) Klickitat County-sponsored Logging Camp Canyon Passage Improvement Grant (Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) funded 1999), 2) Yakama Nation/Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) projects (#97-BI-61835 and #9506800). The BPA/Yakama Nation projects will conduct riparian plantings in conjunction with the SRFB Passage Project and project monitoring via Timber Fish & Wildlife (1994 TFW Ambient Monitoring Manual) habitat inventory methodology, spawner surveys and snorkel counts. The willing seller would like to complete this land sale during 2001.

Excerpt from Original Proposal, Identifying Project Need: As identified in the Northwest Power Planning Council's (Council) 2000 Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Report this proposal addresses the action to "preserve habitats that are intact and restorable".

This project will benefit ESA "threatened" Klickitat River summer and winter steelhead. Additionally, rearing and migratory habitat will be protected for spring and fall chinook, coho and resident fishes, by securing these lands through acquisition. Upland wildlife species will benefit from preservation of oak woodlands, which are identified by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) as a high priority habitat for preservation.

Land acquisition for conservation eliminates the need for restoration "triage" forever. The Columbia Land Trust (CLT) and Yakama Nation Fisheries Program (YNFP) goal is to manage this land for habitat and conservation in perpetuity. This project will allow us to acquire these lands containing important salmon habitat at a 30% reduced cost. Protecting a large single-ownership parcel now is much cheaper than acquiring multiple parcels subsequent to subdivision. If subdivision of this property occurs it will seriously diminish, if not completely extinguish, steelhead re-colonization.

The Logging Camp Creek watershed is located in a portion of the county which is experiencing rapid subdivision and domestic development. Klickitat County's Critical Area Ordinance is currently under appeal. It is being challenged for not adequately protecting riparian and floodplain habitats. This project will secure a large area of land in perpetuity to protect lower basin steelhead habitat.

Recently completed EDT analysis for Klickitat steelhead identifies Reach 3A (Lyle Falls –2.2 to Swale-RM 17.2) as a very high priority for preservation (Fig. 1.). This reach ranked number 2 out of 44 reaches modeled. Reach 3A is the primary migration corridor for all steelhead production within the basin. Additionally, reach 3A provides key summer and winter rearing for progeny from mainstem spawners as well as the progeny from lower basin tributaries. Logging Camp Creek feeds into this reach of the mainstem at river miles 9.5 and 5.5 respectively. It is the contention of YN fisheries professionals that the majority of annual production from lower basin tributaries (Logging Camp, Dillacort, Wheeler, Swale Creeks) emigrates to rear in this portion of the mainstem. A smaller portion of the steelhead juveniles do remain in the upper and middle reaches of these lower basin tributaries if they can find adequate rearing habitat. Preservation of this portion of the Klickitat mainstem and these lower basin tributaries must be of the highest priority.