FY 2003 Lower Columbia proposal 31032

Additional documents

TitleType
31032 Sponsor Response to the ISRP Response
31032 Narrative Narrative
31032 Powerpoint Presentation Powerpoint Presentation

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleDevelop a Well Water Supply System for the Hardy Creek Chum Salmon Spawning Channel
Proposal ID31032
OrganizationU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Columbia River Fisheries Program Office and Pierce National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameHoward Schaller
Mailing address9317 Highway 99, Suite I Vancouver, WA 98665
Phone / email3606967605 / howard_schaller@r1.fws.gov
Manager authorizing this projectHoward Schaller and Jim Clapp
Review cycleLower Columbia
Province / SubbasinLower Columbia / Columbia Lower
Short descriptionDevelop a well water supply system for the Hardy Creek chum salmon spawning channel. This system will mimic spring and seepage flow to ensure that water will be provided to the spawning channel during subfreezing weather when Hardy Creek is frozen.
Target speciesChum Salmon. This species is part of the Evolutionarily Significant Unit for Columbia River chum salmon.
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
45.63 -122.0025 Section 41 T24N, R7E
Project is on Pierce National Wildlife Refuge east of Beacon Rock State Park, Washington.
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
Action 16
Action 157

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription
NMFS Action 16 NMFS The Action Agencies shall operate the FCRPS to provide access for chum salmon spawning in Hamilton and Hardy creeks.
NMFS Action 157 NMFS BPA shall fund actions to improve and restore tributary and mainstem habitat for CR chum salmon in the reach between The Dalles Dam and the mouth of the Columbia River.
BPA Action 156 NMFS The Action Agencies and NMFS shall study the feasibility (including both biological benefits and ecological risks) of habitat modification to improve spawning conditions for chum salmon in the Ives Island area.
BPA Action 157 NMFS BPA shall fund actions to improve and restore tributary and mainstem habitat for CR chum salmon in the reach between The Dalles Dam and the mouth of the Columbia River.

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
2000 Chum salmon spawning channel adjacent to Hardy Creek was constructed. The Corps of Engineers provided funding for the spawning channel. Drought conditions precluded use of the channel in the fall of 2000.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
200001200 Evaluate Factors Limiting Columbia River Gorge Chum Salmon Populations A primary objective of this project is to enhance and restore chum salmon production in Hamilton and Hardy Creeks. The proposed well system will contribute to this objective in Hardy Creek.
199900301 Evaluation of Spawning for Fall Chinook and Chum Salmon Just Below the Four Lowermost Columbia River Dams Data from spawning channel chum salmon will be provided to the participants in this study.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
1. Conduct environmental analysis a. Complete NEPA analysis 1 $1,500
b. Conduct cultural resources analysis 1 $1,000
c. Acquire water right 1 $1,500
d. Complete ESA evaluation 1 $1,000
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 2003 costSubcontractor
1. Develop a well water supply and distribution system for the Hardy Creek spawning channel a. Drill well (Fish and Wildlife Service would fund $50k of the original $52.5k which leaves $2.5k for FY03 cost 1 $2,500 Yes
b. Install pump and electrical connection 1 $20,500 Yes
c. Install pipes and injection nozzles 1 $27,500 Yes
d. Pay Skamania County sales tax 1 $9,300 Yes
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 2003 costSubcontractor
1. Supply up to 1,000 gallons per minute from the well a. Pay electrical power costs Life of the project (50 years) $5,000
2. Maintain well system reliability a. Remove and replace pump motor Once every 15 years $0 Yes
b. Remove and replace worn or damaged pipes and nozzles Once every 10 years $0 Yes
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. $5,000 per year is requested to pay for electrical power costs to operate the well pump. 2004 2007 $20,000
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006FY 2007
$5,000$5,000$5,000$5,000

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2003 costSubcontractor
1. Monitor spawning channel use by chum salmon a. Monitor streamflow in Hardy Creek and in the chum salmon spawning channel (cost share for USFWS: $8,600) 4 $0
b. Monitor adult chum spawning (cost share for USFWS: $6,300) 4 $0
c. Monitor juvenile chum salmon emigration (cost share for USFWS: $15,400) 4 $0
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2003 cost
Supplies Electrical Power $5,000
Capital Pump and electrical connections $48,000
NEPA $5,000
Subcontractor Well Drilling Company $2,500
Other Skamania County Sales Tax $9,300
$69,800
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2003 cost$69,800
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2003 budget request$69,800
FY 2003 forecast from 2002$0
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
Corps of Engineers Construction of spawning channel in FY2000 $36,000 cash
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monitoring of Hardy Creek and spawning channel streamflows, adult salmon spawning, and smolt emigration $30,300 in-kind
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Well Drilling $50,000 cash

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:
Mar 1, 2002

Comment:

A response is needed. This proposal from the USFWS requests $152.5k to develop a well water supply system for the Hardy Creek chum salmon spawning channel to ensure water when the creek is frozen. Chum is listed species, and Hardy Creek is a known chum salmon spawning area. Chum spawning in Hardy Creek is hindered by sediment deposition from Columbia River backwater in flood events every 2-5 years, so a spawning channel was constructed in 2000 (USACE funds) to contribute to recovery of Columbia River chum through the increase in habitat. The channel gets water diverted from the Creek when sufficient water is available. Drought conditions in 2000 prevented water form reaching the channel.

The concern this proposal addresses is the effect of freezing winter temperatures on eggs and fry in the channel if the water supply is reduced or cut off from the Creek. A well could supplement water in the channel during these times at 1,000 gallons per minute. The well could also be used to simulate spring flow. The proposal is for assessment, construction and maintenance of the well but monitoring of the channel and chum use will take place under the related project 2000-012-00. Potential FWP benefits could be significant as the channel capacity for chum spawning is designed at six times that in Hardy Creek.

A response is required because the proposal is technically deficient of any information to review. The obvious issue is do you write past investments off or continue to fund improvements that could become substantial over time. Given the status of chum salmon in the lower Columbia River, the expected response should likely be to proceed, but there are several questions that the proponents could provide background information on. For example:

  1. Chum did not use the channel in 2000 due to drought, but did chum enter the channel during 2001? How did they distribute through the channel?
  2. Is there any concern regarding the removal of 1,000 gpm on proximal streams, especially Hardy Creek? Is there any concern for acquiring the Water Right? The volume to be pumped is large, how was this volume determined?
  3. Water temperature of the well water is likely to be warmer than surface, has there been any assessment of the potential effect on rates of egg development and emigration of chum fry?
  4. What is the basis of water supply system proposed and is there any experience in the construction of artificial upwelling for chum spawning? Is there any evidence that chum will utilize this design?
  5. Is there any management plan for the chum spawning populations in the Hardy Creek - Ives Island group (i.e., will the channels be loaded as a priority or will use be voluntary by the chum salmon)?

While we acknowledge the potential importance of an effective channel as a safe spawning refuge for these chum salmon, there is an apparently need to more fully consider the management of these chum spawning groups. The issue of 2 in 5 years flooding in the lower reaches of the streams is a concern that could be addressed by modifying the slope of the lower river to encourage chum to move above that area. The ISRP would recommend a more comprehensive consideration of production and management plans for these chum spawners and how the channel factors into these plans.


Recommendation:
High Priority
Date:
May 17, 2002

Comment:

Budget has been reduced to $69,800 -- see response to the ISRP for an explanation. NMFS has identified that this project is a BiOp project.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Jun 7, 2002

Comment:

Fundable. This proposal from the USFWS requests $152.5k to develop a well water supply system for the Hardy Creek chum salmon spawning channel to ensure water when the creek is frozen. Chum is a listed species and Hardy Creek is a known chum salmon spawning area. Chum spawning in Hardy Creek is hindered by sediment deposition from Columbia River backwater in flood events every 2-5 years, so a spawning channel was constructed in 2000 (USACE funds) to contribute to recovery of Columbia River chum through the increase in habitat. The channel gets water diverted from the Creek when sufficient water is available. Drought conditions in 2000 prevented water from reaching the channel.

The concern this proposal addresses is the effect of freezing winter temperatures on eggs and fry in the channel if the water supply is reduced or cut off from the Creek. A well could supplement water in the channel during these times at 1,000 gallons per minute. The well could also be used to simulate spring flow. The proposal is for assessment, construction and maintenance of the well but monitoring of the channel and chum use will take place under the related project 2000-012-00. Potential FWP benefits could be significant as the channel capacity for chum spawning is designed at six times that in Hardy Creek.

The response adequately addresses the review questions including past chum use, water withdrawal issues (impact on Hardy Creek, water rights, water volume determination), water temperature effects on egg development and fry migration, and potential effectiveness of the upwelling design. Additionally, project redesign (several small wells in place of one large well) has lowered the project budget. Finally, the ISRP recommends that the project managers monitor potential concerns for interactions of the water movement between spawning sites.


Recommendation:
Date:
Jul 19, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Uncertain benefits

Comments
The technology behind this project (an underground sprinkler system to mimic hyporheic flow in a manmade chum spawning channel) is somewhat experimental in nature. If the underground sprinkler system functions as proposed, increased habitat in the spawning channel could increase natural production for the Bonneville chum population.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? Yes


Recommendation:
A
Date:
Jul 23, 2002

Comment:

Recommend funding to implement RPAs 156 and 157. This is part of the implementation of project #2000-012-00 to maintain open water in the spawning channel during winter freezing conditions.
Recommendation:
Do Not Fund
Date:
Oct 30, 2002

Comment: