FY 2002 Mountain Snake proposal 200003400

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal titleProtect and Restore The North Lochsa Face Analysis Area Watersheds
Proposal ID200003400
OrganizationNez Perce Tribal Fisheries/Watershed Program (NPT)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
NameJack J.S. Yearout
Mailing addressP.O. Box 365 Lapwai, ID 83540
Phone / email2088437144 / jacky@nezperce.org
Manager authorizing this projectIra Jones
Review cycleMountain Snake
Province / SubbasinMountain Snake / Clearwater
Short descriptionProtect and Restore the North Lochsa Face Watershed by working within an overall watershed approach, based on comprehensive studies of the analysis area. The overall goal of this project is to increase anadromous fish populations.
Target speciesSpring Chinook Salmon, Steelhead, Bull Trout, and Westslope Cutthroat Trout.
Project location
LatitudeLongitudeDescription
46.49 -114.87 Lochsa River
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
Habitat RPA Action 149
Habitat RPA Action 150

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agencyAction #BiOp AgencyDescription

Section 2. Past accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
2000 Monitoring of 29 road obliteration sites completed.
2001 PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Finalize Partnering Agreement with the Clearwater National Forest
Obliterate 20 miles of system/non-system roads within North Lochsa Face Analysis Area
Complete monitoring of 30 road obliteration sites.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project IDTitleDescription
199608600 Idaho Soil Conservation Commission Clearwater Focus Program This project implements the goals and objectives of this program.
19970600 Nez Perce Tribal Focus Watershed Program This project implements the goals and objectives of this program.
199809802 Salmon Supplementation in Idaho Rivers Pete King Creek is a treatment stream for this study. This project works toward restoring this stream and its watershed.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Finalize Partnering Agreement between the NPTFWP and the Clearwater National Forest (CNF). a. Consult with the CNF and update Partnering Agreement on watershed restoration activities. 1FY/on-going $4,744
b. Finalize agreement and obtain required signatures for project implementation. 1FY/on-going $2,214
2. Alleviate sediment input from road caused sources. a. Consult with the CNF on identifying roads for obliteation. 1FY/on-going $17,394
b. Consult with the CNF on all pre-work needs, planning, and logistics between the CNF and the NPTFWP. 1FY/on-going $5,693
c. Provide pre-work planning, training, logistics, and supervision for road obliteration crew. 1FY/on-going $11,385
d. Consult with CNF on items to be paid for per Partnership Agreement between NPTFWP and CNF. 1FY/on-going $2,214
e. Consult with the CNF on any necessary environmental analysis. 1FY/on-going $2,776
f. Identify any landslide areas needing to be stabilized to reduce sediment potential into streams. 1FY/on-going $1,581
3. Monitoring and evaluation of road obliteration implementation and effectiveness. a. Review objectives and task of the Road Obliteration Implementation and Effectiveness Monitoring Plan and make the necessary changes for finalization. 1FY/on-going $3,795
4. Monitoring and evaluation of long term watershed, stream, and aquatic conditions. a. Evaluate current long-term monitoring and evaluation plan for any additions or changes determined needed. 1FY/on-going $3,479
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Alleviate sediment input from road caused sources. 2003 2006 $219,919
2. Monitoring and evaluation of road obliteration implementation and effectiveness. 2003 2006 $18,327
3. Monitoring and evaluation of long term watershed, stream, and aquatic conditions. 2003 2006 $15,708
4. Consultation with CNF on removing obliterated roads from map system. 2003 2006 $7,854
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$65,566$75,401$65,566$55,275

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget
ObjectiveTaskDuration in FYsEstimated 2002 costSubcontractor
1. Alleviate sediment input from road caused sources. a. Survey 20 miles of road obliteration candidates. 1FY/on-going $12,437
b. Obliterate 20 miles of road. 1FY/on-going $189,237 Yes
2. Breakdown of project information and peer review. a. Complete quarterly and end of the year reports. 1FY/on-going $2,487
b. Project presentations to the public and project peers. 1FY/on-going $1,658
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Alleviate sediment input from road caused sources. 2003 2006 $932,371
2. Breakdown of project information and peer review. 2003 2006 $19,028
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$236,692$272,196$236,692$205,819

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
1. Monitoring and evaluation of road obliteration implementation and effectiveness. a. Collect monitoring data on 30 sites set up in previous years. 1FY/on-going $5,796
b. Collect suspended sediment volume and turbidity measurements on newly obliterated site. 1FY/on-going $5,555
c. Set up and collect data on 10 new monitoring sites. 1FY/on-going $6,038
d. Compile and analyze data. 1FY/on-going $3,623
e. Make recommendations for improvements on monitoring plan and road obliteration practices. 1FY/on-going $1,208
f. Produce Road Obliteration Implementation and Effectiveness Monitoring Final Report. 1FY/on-going $1,208
e. Re-visit previous year's road obliteration sites for evaluation. 1FY/on-going $1,313
Outyear objectives-based budget
ObjectiveStarting FYEnding FYEstimated cost
1. Monitoring and evaluation of road obliteration implementation and effectiveness. 2003 2006 $142,072
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
FY 2003FY 2004FY 2005FY 2006
$28,452$32,720$37,628$43,272

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget
ItemNoteFY 2002 cost
Personnel FTE: Project Leader, PTE: Biologist, 2 Techs $67,164
Fringe 20% Exempt, 30% Non-Exempt $18,005
Supplies $2,685
Travel $9,235
Indirect 20.9% of direct costs $23,482
Capital $10,000
Subcontractor $150,000
Other GSA Vehicles/ Training $5,264
$285,835
Total estimated budget
Total FY 2002 cost$285,835
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds$0
Total FY 2002 budget request$285,835
FY 2002 forecast from 2001$285,835
% change from forecast0.0%
Cost sharing
OrganizationItem or service providedAmountCash or in-kind
Clearwater National Forest Road obliteration inspectors and erosion control personnel. $90,000 in-kind
Clearwater National Forest Road obliteration - Travel expenses $16,000 in-kind
Clearwater National Forest Road obliteration - Heavy equipment $50,000 in-kind
Clearwater National Forest Road obliteration - supplies $10,000 in-kind
Clearwater National Forest Road obliteration implementation and effectiveness monitoring - personnel $20,000 in-kind
Clearwater National Forest Road obliteration - Indirect costs $33,000 in-kind

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:
Sep 28, 2001

Comment:

A response is needed. This is a road obliteration project on a massive scale. The proposal and presentation were well done. The project is well organized. Mass wasting is primary contributing factor to sedimentation input. Justification for project location was a good addition to the presentation and should be included in other presentations. The NPT is in a lawsuit against FS over an EIS counting joint NPT/FS road obliteration and improvements as mitigation for proposed building of new FS roads; the NPT position is that BPA funding should not be used to promote FS roading and logging. The proposal referred to this controversy so vaguely that readers who lack background on the issue could not possibly understand what was written.

The project's Objective 4, M&E for "watershed, stream and aquatic [fish and other organisms inferred]" is "tiered to a proposal being submitted by our program," which surely refers to Project 28045. However, this planned coordination should be made more specific, especially with regard to monitoring of biological results—a programmatic monitoring matter.

General comment for NPT habitat projects: Although M and E linkages ("tiers") are provided in the set of NPT habitat proposals, this proposal and the set of NPT habitat proposals need to demonstrate closer ties to the NPT and other fish monitoring projects in the watershed and province (e.g. NPT projects 1988335003, 199703000, IDFG project 199107300, and the ISS studies). In the long term, fish-monitoring data will be critical in determining the efficacy of the restoration activities. The response needs to describe clear coordination between this proposal, proposal 28045, and the NPT fisheries and other entities' monitoring programs; and demonstrate how data and analysis will be shared between the projects. In addition, see the ISRP's comments on 28045 and programmatic comments on M&E at the beginning of this report. The NPT may want to submit one coordinated response for its numerous habitat projects.


Recommendation:
High Priority
Date:
Nov 30, 2001

Comment:

T8 - CBFWA's concern with transfer of information from this project has been adequately addressed in the response to the ISRP.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Dec 21, 2001

Comment:

Fundable. Responses adequate—except ISRP still has reservations about adequacy of the M&E. Sponsor should take measures to improve M&E. This is a road obliteration project on a massive scale. The project is well organized. Mass wasting is primary contributing factor to sedimentation input. Justification for project location was a good addition to the presentation and should be included in other presentations. The NPT is in a lawsuit against FS over an EIS counting joint NPT/FS road obliteration and improvements as mitigation for proposed building of new FS roads; the NPT position is that BPA funding should not be used to promote FS roading and logging.

To assist in establishing a sound basinwide monitoring program, the proponents are referred to the programmatic section of this report on Monitoring, the specific comments on Aquatic Monitoring and Evaluation, and the specific comments on Terrestrial Monitoring and Evaluation.


Recommendation:
Date:
Feb 1, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Improvement of water quality through the reduction of sediment by obliterating roads may improve survival.

Comments
No specific RPA addresses water quality projects alone. Although road obliteration on USFS land may be beneficial to salmonids, there is no specific RPA in the FCRPS BiOp that covers this action unless justified by completed subbasin and watershed assessments and plans.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? No


Recommendation:
B
Date:
Feb 11, 2002

Comment:

Recommend not funding at this time. This project should wait until it is reviewed under BPA's policy for funding habitat projects on federal lands.

BPA RPA RPM:
--

NMFS RPA/USFWS RPM:
--


Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Apr 19, 2002

Comment:

Council recommendation: The Bonneville comments on each of these ongoing Nez Perce tribe habitat projects [199607702; 199607703; 19960705; 200003400; 200003500; 200003600] did not support funding until they are reviewed in light of Bonneville's draft proposed interim policy for funding projects on federally owned land. If this review is not done right away, given that each of these projects are ongoing projects, the Bonneville comment could amount to a defunding recommendation. Defunding these ongoing projects that were rated as "fundable" by the ISRP and which also remain a priority of the local fish and wildlife managers and interested parties is contrary to two of the general Council approved funding principles (protect the past investment of ongoing projects that have ISRP support; support projects that are supported and coordinated locally). These projects are also responding to the ESA needs outlined in the Action Agency 2002 Implementation Plan, and are a priority under the Council general funding considerations. The Council does not believe that the Bonneville comments should be understood as defunding recommendations. Rather, given the timing of its release, and the lack of notice to project sponsors of the substance of this draft proposed interim policy, the Council believes that these projects should be supported by Bonneville if they demonstrate responsiveness to its primary principles.

For the reasons discussed in the programmatic policy issue regarding draft Bonneville policy, the Council will not accept and use Bonneville's draft policy in a dispositive manner, as written, in making its recommendations on these projects. However, the Council does believe that it is enlightening to do a project-by-project review of the projects on two points: (1) cost-sharing; and (2) connections or relatedness of the habitat work to other Bonneville investments. The Council believes that this would be informative because notwithstanding the rather cumbersome and complex multiple sets of criteria in the proposed Bonneville policy, the issues of cost-share and relationship to other Bonneville investments seem to be the key points. The Council believes that evaluating these projects relative to those two main points is responsive to Bonneville's comments and, depending on the results, should be sufficient to allow these projects to proceed as the Council, Bonneville, and public further discuss the draft interim policy.

  1. 199607702 - Protect and Restore Lolo Creek Watershed: The project is on 50% private and 50% federal land. The sponsor reports a proposed federal cost-share for FY 02 of $370,000 matched with an FY 02 request of $221,013 in Bonneville funds. This amounts to an approximate non-Bonneville cost-share of 62%.
  2. The sponsor has presented detailed information that shows significant past Bonneville investment in the project area, including habitat work, research, and Nez Perce Tribal Hatchery components. The watershed has also received out-plantings from the Lower Snake River Compensation Program (BPA funded). The Action Agency 2002 Implementation Plan identifies this project as one of the habitat projects that will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2002 to address habitat elements of the off-site mitigation component of the Biological Opinion.

  3. 199607703 - Protect and Restore Waw'aatamnima Creek to 'Imnaamatoon Creek Watersheds Analysis Area: The sponsor reports a proposed federal cost-share for FY 02 of $365,000 matched with an FY02 request of $413,000 in Bonneville funds. This amounts to an approximate non-Bonneville cost-share of 47%.
  4. The sponsor has provided detailed information that demonstrates that Bonneville has invested over $15 million in the project area for actions that include habitat restoration, passage work, research, and artificial production that this proposed work builds upon. The Action Agency 2002 Implementation Plan identifies this project as one of the habitat projects that will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2002 to address habitat elements of the off-site mitigation component of the Biological Opinion.

  5. 199607705 - Restore McComas Meadows: The sponsor reports a proposed federal cost-share for FY 02 of $722,000 matched with an FY02 request of $332,000 in Bonneville funds. This amounts to an approximate non-Bonneville cost-share of 70%.
  6. The sponsor has provided detailed information showing that the proposed work builds upon substantial past Bonneville investments including habitat restoration, research, and artificial production actions. The stream is used for varied supplementation initiatives of the Nez Perce tribe, such as out-planting Lower Snake River Compensation Program fish (BPA-funded). The Action Agency 2002 Implementation Plan identifies this project as one of the habitat projects that will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2002 to address habitat elements of the off-site mitigation component of the Biological Opinion.

  7. 200003400 - Protect and Restore North Lochsa Face Analysis Area Watersheds: The sponsor reports a proposed federal cost-share for FY 02 of $219,000 matched with an FY02 request of $182,507 in Bonneville funds. This amounts to an approximate non-Bonneville cost-share of 55%.
  8. The sponsor has provided detailed information showing how the proposed work builds upon substantial past Bonneville investments in the project area for habitat work, passage, and research. The Action Agency 2002 Implementation Plan identifies this project as one of the habitat projects that will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2002 to address habitat elements of the off-site mitigation component of the Biological Opinion.

  9. 200003500 - Rehabilitate Newsome Creek Watershed (S.F. Clearwater R.): The sponsor reports a proposed federal cost-share for FY 02 of $ 136,000 matched with an FY02 request of $287,732 in Bonneville funds. This amounts to an approximate non-Bonneville cost-share of 32%.
  10. The sponsor has provided detailed information showing how the proposed work builds on past Bonneville investments in the project area for habitat restoration, research, and out-planting for Bonneville funded Lower Snake River Compensation Program (BPA funded) fish. The Action Agency 2002 Implementation Plan identifies this project as one of the habitat projects that will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2002 to address habitat elements of the off-site mitigation component of the Biological Opinion.

  11. 200003600 - Protect and Restore Mill Creek: The sponsor reports a proposed federal cost-share for FY 02 of $ 45,000 matched with an FY02 request of $ 74,915 in Bonneville funds. This amounts to an approximate non-Bonneville cost-share of 38 %.
  12. The sponsor has provided detailed information showing how the propose work relates to and builds upon past Bonneville investments. Bonneville has funded habitat restoration and monitoring work, and the watershed is involved in Nez Perce Tribe and Lower Snake River Compensation Program production initiatives (both BPA funded). The Action Agency 2002 Implementation Plan identifies this project as one of the habitat projects that will be implemented in Fiscal Year 2002 to address habitat elements of the off-site mitigation component of the Biological Opinion.

Four of the projects budgets are held to the general rule of a 3.4% increase to the Council's Fiscal Year 2001 recommended budgets. Project 199607705 is recommended to receive a substantial increase. The watershed scale assessment has been completed for this project, and the additional funding is recommended to move to the next logical and planned step, which is to implement the restoration strategies in light of the assessment. Project 200003500 has a substantial budget decrease from the Fiscal Year 2001 approved amount, and the Council recommends that lower amount. See Table 1 for all of the budget impact specifics. The Council recommends that the sponsor and Bonneville document, as a condition of contracting, how the sponsors will monitor and report on the effectiveness of these activities.
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Jul 11, 2002

Comment:

Fund
Recommendation:
Fund
Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

Project is being audited by BPA. Follow up after audit to verify 04 and 05 estimates.
Recommendation:
Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:


REVIEW:
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review
Funding category:
expense
Date:
May 2005
FY05 NPCC start of year:FY06 NPCC staff preliminary:FY06 NPCC July draft start of year:
$195,129 $0 $0

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website