FY 2003 Mainstem/Systemwide proposal 199705900

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
199705900 Narrative	Narrative
199705900 Powerpoint Presentation	Powerpoint Presentation

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Securing Habitat Mitigation Sites - Oregon
Proposal ID	199705900
Organization	Oregon Mitigation Coalition (OMC)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Name	Susan P. Barnes
Mailing address	P.O Box 59 Portland, OR 97207
Phone / email	5038725260 / susan.p.barnes@state.or.us
Manager authorizing this project	Susan Barnes
Review cycle	Mainstem/Systemwide
Province / Subbasin	Mainstem/Systemwide /
Short description	Protect, restore, enhance, and maintain NWPPC target habitat types and associated species in all Oregon subbasins within the Columbia River Basin to mitigate for impacts caused by hydro-electric facilities.
Target species	All 28 NWPPC target wildlife species in Oregon and Sensitive, "At-Risk"/ESA listed species. Fish species include chinook, coho, and chum salmon, red-band/steelhead trout, Oregon chub, bull trout, cutthroat trout, Pacific lamprey, white sturgeon.

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
44.85	-120.75	That portion of the Columbia River Basin within the state of Oregon
		-approximate northwesterly coordinate
		-approximate southwesterly coordinate
		-approximate northeasterly coordinate
		-approximate southeasterly coordinate

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
150
151
153
160
157
10(6)

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agency	Action #	BiOp Agency	Description
NMFS	Action 150	NMFS	In subbasins with listed salmon and steelhead, BPA shall fund protection of currently productive non-Federal habitat, especially if at risk of being degraded, in accordance with criteria and priorities BPA and NMFS will develop by June 1, 2001.

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishment
1991	Established the Oregon Coalition
1993	Completed Oregon Trust Agreement Planning (OTAP) Project
1995	Assembled preliminary ownership and habitat condition information on potential mitigation sites.
1996	Conducted project scoping and landowner contacts/negotiations. Developed partnerships with The Nature Conservancy, Trust For Public lands, Metro, BLM, and others.
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" project.
1997	Oregon Programmatic Project proposal for $250,000 for mitigation project planning and implementation approved by the NWPPC. Conducted coordination/planning activities, gathered data on priority projects, began securing properties.
1998	Oregon Programmatic Project proposal for $500,000 for mitigation project planning and implementation approved by the NWPPC. Coordination/planning activities occurred and potential projects pursued.
1999	CTUIR, CTWSRO, BPT, USFWS, and ODFW signed an MOA to plan and implement mitigation projects.
1999	Oregon Programmatic Project proposal for $4,000,000 for mitigation project planning and implementation approved by the NWPPC.
	(1) Completed NEPA surveys and appraisal review for Tualatin River NWR Additions #1 and #2 (Oleson and Oleson).
	(2) Appraisal review completed for Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Additions properties (Wallender and Simonis).
	(3) Conducted 309-acre Multnomah Channel project habitat enhancement.
	(4) Completed Pine Creek Ranch project NEPA surveys and secured an Option to Purchase on the 24,000-acre property.
	(5) Completed Malheur River (Denny Jones) Ranch appraisal and NEPA surveys.
2000	Oregon Programmatic Project proposal for $5,000,000 was submitted. $3,980,685 for mitigation project planning and implementation approved by the NWPPC.
	(1) Fee-title acquisition of 1,760-acre Logan Valley property.
	(2) Secured Malheur River (Denny Jones) Ranch Option to Purchase.
	(3) Completed fee-title acquisition of 232-acre Oleson #1 and Oleson #2 properties within the Tualatin River NWR Additions project area.
	(4) Option to Purchase Conservation Easement secured on the Willamette Basin McKenzie River property by the McKenzie River Trust.
	(5) Completed NEPA surveys for Ladd Marsh WA Additions properties (Wallender, Simonis, Conley Lake).
	(6) Completed appraisal for Tualatin River NWR Additions property (Henricksen) and entered into negotiations with landowner.
	(7) Negotiations with Horn Butte and Wenaha WA project area landowners occurred.
2000	First-year enhancement and O&M funds totaling $599,235 approved by the NWPPC for individual on-going Oregon projects that were acquired with OWC Programmatic Project funds.
2001	FY 2001 Oregon Programmatic Project proposal for $6,000,000 was submitted. $2,600,000 for mitigation project planning and implementation approved by the NWPPC.
	(1) Completed fee-title acquisition of the 24,000-acre Pine Creek Ranch.
	(2) Completed fee-title acquisition of the 6,385-acre Malheur River (Denny Jones) Ranch.
	(3) Secured Option to Purchase on Horn Butte Philippi Property.
	(4) Completed fee-title acquisition of the 309-acre Wallender, 375-acre Simonis, and 161-acre Conley Lake properties at the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Additions project area.
	(5) Completed Baseline HEP surveys at Tualatin River NWR Additions, Logan Valley, Pine Creek Ranch and Ladd Marsh WA Additions project sites.
	(6) Completed Five-Year Habitat Management Plan for Burlington Bottoms Wildlife project.
	(7) Completed Baseline HEP survey report for the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Additions project.
	(8) Funded partial acquisition costs of the Wagner Ranch.
2002	FY 2002 funding for the Oregon Programmatic Project approved by the Council at a provisional budget level ($3.3 million).
	Submitted an O&M project proposal for the Pine Creek Ranch project through the Columbia Plateau EcoProvince FY 02-04 solicitation. Approved for funding by the Council.
	Submitted a project proposal for the Horn Butte - Philippi Property project through the Columbia Plateau EcoProvince FY 02-04 solicitation. Approved for funding by the Council. Funding denied by BPA.
	Submitted a project proposal for the Horn Butte - BAIC Tract through the Columbia Plateau EcoProvince FY 02-04 solicitation. Approved for funding by the Council. Funding denied by BPA.
	Completed Draft Habitat Management Plans for Logan Valley, Pine Creek Ranch, and Ladd Marsh WA Additions project sites
	Completed appraisals for Westphal (Addition #3) and Markley (Addition #4) properties at the Tualatin River NWR Additions project site and currently negotiating with landowners.
	Submitted a project proposal for on-going habitat protection and improvement activities at the Ladd Marsh WA Additions project site through the Blue Mountain EcoProvince FY 03-05 solicitation Approved for funding by the Council.
	Submitted an O&M proposal for the Malheur River project through the Middle Snake EcoProvince FY 03-05 solicitation. Council funding decision pending.
	Submitted an O&M proposal for the Logan Valley project through the Middle Snake EcoProvince FY 03-05 solicitation. Council funding decision pending.
	Submitted a project proposal for on-going habitat protection and improvement activities at the Tualatin River NWR Additions project site through the Lower Columbia River EcoProvince FY 03-05 solicitation. Council funding decision pending.
	Conducted landowner negotiations with private landowners adjacent to Ladd Marsh WA Additions and Logan Valley.
	Wagner, pine creek, others?

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
	Status Review of Wildlife Mitigation at Columbia Basin Hydroelectric 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.
	Special Report: Lower Snake River Fish and Wildlife Compensation; Wildlife Habitat Compensation Evaluation for the Lower Snake River Project (USACE 1991).	Quantified and described wildlife habitat conditions pre- and post-hydroproject construction/inundation, evaluated contribution of Wildlife Mgmt. Units to current conditions, defined compensation goals in terms of habitat.
199208400	Oregon Trust Agreement Planning Project	A mitigation planning tool that includes methods for assembling a trust agreement and a list of potential mitigation projects in Oregon.
199506500	Assessing Oregon Trust Agreement Using GAP	A mitigation planning tool used to analyze and rank potential mitigation sites in Oregon.
199107800	Burlington Bottoms Wildlife Mitigation Project	First mitigation site in Willamette Basin. Project information shared.
199206800	Implement Willamette Basin Mitigation Program	Complimentary programmatic mitigation project for the Willamette Basin.
199009200	Wanaket Wildlife Area Operations and Maintenance Project.	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects.
199205900	Amazon Basin/Eugene Wetlands Project	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects
199506001	Protect and Enhance Wildlife Habitat in Squaw Creek Watershed	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects
199802200	Pine Creek Ranch Project	Same as above. A portion of acquisition funds derived from OMC Programmatic Project.
199902600	Sandy River Delta Riparian Restoration	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects
200001600	Tualatin River NWR Additions Project	Same as above. Acquisition portion of project derived from OMC Programmatic Project
200002000	Wenaha Wildlife Area Additions	Same as above. Acquisition portion of project derived from OMC Programmatic Project.
200002100	Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area Additions	Same as above. Acquisition portion of project derived from OMC Programmatic Project.
200002300	Horn Butte Project (Philippi Property)	Same as above. Acquisition portion of project derived from OMC Programmatic Project.
200002016	Horn Butte Project (BAIC Tract)	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects.
200001500	Oxbow Ranch Management and Implementation	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects
25004	Acquisition of Wagner Ranch	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects
20128	Riparian Restoration and Enhancement Planning for Multnomah Channel	Same as above. Enhancement component of project derived from OMC Programmatic Project.
25003	Forrest Ranch Acquisition Project	Project Management (O&M/M&E) issues, protocols, monitoring results exchanged amongst OMC members - insuring consistency within subbasins and facilitating Management Plan development for new projects and adaptive management decisions for ongoing projects.
200000900	Logan Valley Wildlife Mitigation Project	Same as above. Acquisition portion of project derived from OMC Programmatic Project.
200002700	Malheur River Wildlife Mitigation Project (Denny Jones property)	Same as above. Acquisition portion of project derived from OMC Programmatic Project.
	Oregon Wildlife Planning and Coordination Contracts	(Individual contracts are executed between BPA and Oregon Coalition members (ODFW, USFWS, CTWSRO, CTUIR, and BPT) for mitigation planning and coordination activities. Funds are derived from the Oregon Programmatic Project (199705900).

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost	Subcontractor
1. Develop Projects and Strategies to Mitigate for Impacts to Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems from the Development and Operation of the Columbia Basin Hydropower System	a. Maintain/update existing GAP-based GIS database to help identify and prioritize potential projects.	ongoing	$25,000	Yes
	b. Identify and evaluate potential projects using existing mitigation strategies and ranking criteria. Note: Revised strategies and criteria will replace existing within 2nd year, pending review/approval by managers and NWPPC.	ongoing	$25,000
	c. Revise current project selection/ranking criteria to reflect Provincial and Subbasin Plan priorities as they are developed and amended.	ongoing	$20,000
	d. Participate in the Basin-wide development of project implementation strategies to optimize benefits to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in a manner consistent with statewide, provincial, and subbasin fish and wildlife mitigation priorities.	ongoing	$25,000
2. Conduct Pre-Habitat Protection Activities	a. Conduct realty related requirements (e.g., appraisals, title searches)	ongoing	$100,000	Yes
	b. Complete federal compliance requirements (NEPA checklist/EIS or EA as appropriate, hazardous materials survey, T&E species survey/ESA consultation, cultural resources survey).	ongoing	$80,000
	c. Develop landowner agreements (e.g., conservation easement agreements, cooperative management agreements, Option to Purchase agreements) with appropriate entities (e.g., NGOs, SWCDs, landowners, governments) and engage with local constituents.	ongoing	$45,000
	d. Consult and coordinate with NWPPC, CBFWA, BPA, local/regional governments throughout Rolling Provincial Review Process.	ongoing	$15,000
	e. Facilitate expenditure of funds for selected projects through development of Intergovernmental Contracts/MOAs with BPA, briefings/updates/formal letters to inform Council of funding decisions and fund-transfers requests.	on-going	$40,000	Yes
3. Assess Baseline Conditions	a. Conduct HEP surveys in support of Regional HEP Team; write HEP reports; Collect additional baseline information, as appropriate for site in accordance with approved M&E Plans.	on-going	$60,000	Yes

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Develop Projects and Strategies to Mitigate for Impacts to Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems from the Development and Operation of the Columbia Basin Hydropower System	2004	2007	$413,417
2. Conduct Pre-Habitat Protection Activities	2004	2007	$1,218,491
3. Assess Baseline Conditions - Conduct HEP surveys in support of Regional HEP Team; write HEP reports; Collect additional baseline information, as appropriate for site in accordance with approved M&E Plans.	2004	2007	$252,520
4. Develop Management Plans - Evaluate baseline data to develop site management goals and objectives; Conduct boundary and contour surveys, design, and engineering work on projects involving habitat creation and other active restoration activities.	2004	2007	$195,702
5. Develop/Contract an RFP for a pilot project to (a)quantify FCRPS Operational Impacts to Terrestrial/Aquatic Ecosystems within the Columbia Basin/Oregon, (b)create a science-based crediting methodology that quantifies fish and wildlife project benefits.	2004	2005	$15,000
6. Develop Relocation Guidelines for Oregon Managers and standardized templates for Intergovernmental Contracts and Memorandums of Agreement.	2004	2005	$10,000

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006	FY 2007
$511,750	$518,554	$528,431	$546,396

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost	Subcontractor
1. Protect Habitat	a. Secure fee-titles, conservation easements, or other long-term management agreements.	ongoing	$3,000,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Protect Habitat	2004	2007	$13,055,274

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006	FY 2007
$3,417,370	$3,533,561	$3,653,702	$3,777,928

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost	Subcontractor
1. Post-acquisition maintenance of current habitat conditions by Implementing Interim Management and Priority Actions (~2 yrs.) consistent with CBFWA's Guidelines for Enhancement, Operation, and Maintenance Activities for Wildlife Mitigation Projects	a. Construct boundary fences to delineate property boundary and prevent trespass (e.g., livestock grazing).	ongoing	$80,000	Yes
NOTE: Interim actions will be implemented until baseline data is gathered and until restoration/ management plans are developed for each project site. Funding and implementation of Final Management Plans will occur at the individual project level.	b. Utilize chemical, biological, and mechanical methods for initial control of invasive and/or noxious plants.	ongoing	$50,000	Yes
	c. Conduct prescribed burns, in accordance with approved interim management plans.	ongoing	$20,000	Yes
	d. Plant native herbaceous vegetation as cover on disturbed sites to provide interim habitat for target species until habitat restoration implemented.	ongoing	$70,000	Yes
	e. Develop/control public access to minimize impacts to target species and habitats.	ongoing	$15,000
	f. Eliminate any fish passage barriers identified in Subbasin Summary/Plan or other inventory list by replacing culverts with appropriate structures.	ongoing	$70,000	Yes
2. Maintain Existing and Improved Habitat Values following completion of Priority Actions and Interim Operations & Maintenance Plans	a. Maintain existing native vegetation through continuance of exotic species control prescriptions.	ongoing	$50,000	Yes
	b. Maintain culverts and other "priority action" habitat improvements.	ongoing	$20,000
	c. Maintain minimal infrastructure (e.g., fences, gates, signs, roads).	ongoing	$20,000
	d. Manage public access to minimize impacts to target habitats and species.	ongoing	$15,000
3. Provide Input on Regional, Statewide and Provincial Policies, Procedures, Protocols, and Programs (FWP subbasin assessment and planning, project evaluation criteria, mitigation crediting, management plans, long-term O&M funding)	a. Develop standardized methodologies that reflect current policy in coordination with BPA and NWPPC staff, CBFWA managers and staff, and other involved parties.	ongoing	$30,000
	b. Develop a framework that reflects system-wide (Columbia Basin ecosystem) priorities by reorganizing existing RFC, AFC, WC in conjunction with CBFWA, BPA, NWPPC, and others.	1	$10,000
	c. Prepare a Funding Matrix that reflects current funding programs (federal, State, private) that can be used as cost-share opportunities to leverage FWP funds in a more integrated and cost-effective manner.	1	$5,000	Yes
	d. Incorporate wildlife into the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board Watershed Assessment Manual through active participation with OWEB staff and other interested parties in Oregon.	1	$15,000	Yes
4. Conduct Project Management Activities	a. Manage and track project budgets.	ongoing	$10,000
	b. Develop and manage professional services contracts; Prepare annual SOWs and budgets for contract renewal.	ongoing	$15,000
	c. Update GIS database.	on-going	$5,000	Yes
	d. Provide project information as requested.	on-going	$5,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Implement Interim Management Plans and Priority Actions	2004	2007	$1,327,287
2. Maintain Existing and Improved Habitat Values	2004	2007	$456,934
3. Provide Input on Regional, Statewide and Provincial Policies, Procedures, Protocals, and Programs	2004	2007	$130,553
4. Conduct Project Management Activities	2004	2007	$152,311
5. Establish and Manage and Oregon Project Implementation Funding Vehicle (i.e., long-term fund agreement) with BPA and the Council to provide the flexibility and security required to meet changing financial and project implementation scenarios.	2004	2007	$63,130

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006	FY 2007
$506,150	$507,849	$541,153	$559,553

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost	Subcontractor
1. Develop Data Collection and Monitoring & Evaluation Protocols for Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitats/Species Representative of Oregon Ecotypes	a. Form an interdisciplinary work-group to develop an overarching strategy for development of Sampling and M&E Plans based on existing M&E Protocols (e.g., M&E Plan for the Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigation Project, NRI).	two	$8,000	Yes
	b. Review existing data collection and M&E protocols, identify needed revisions to make applicable to Oregon habitats and species.	two	$10,000	Yes
	c. Develop data collection and M&E protocols for Oregon.	two	$10,000	Yes
2. Measure Effectiveness of Interim Priority Actions	a. Monitor integrity of boundary fence.	ongoing	$5,000
	b. Conduct vegetation surveys to monitor changes in plant communities.	ongoing	$20,000	Yes
	c. Monitor survivorship of planted vegetation.	ongoing	$10,000	Yes
	d. Conduct fish and wildlife surveys to monitor species responses to habitat changes.	ongoing	$20,000	Yes
	e. Monitor public uses.	ongoing	$5,000
	f. Monitor function and condition of culverts.	ongoing	$10,000
	g. Prepare M&E reports.	ongoing	$5,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Develop Data Collection and Monitoring & Evaluation Protocols for aquatic and terrestrial habitats/species representative of Oregon ecotypes - Form ID Workgroup, Review existing protocols, Develop Oregon M&E Protocols.	2004	2004	$28,952
2. Measure Effectiveness of Interim Priority Actions	2004	2007	$326,382

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006	FY 2007
$106,502	$80,187	$82,913	$85,732

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2003 cost
Personnel	FTE: 5 FTEs - representative of a composite of OMC personnel	$295,000
Fringe	agency specific, but averages @ ~35%	$103,250
Supplies	materials and miscellaneous equipment related to O&M and M&E	$30,000
Travel	airfare, per diem, training,and mileage for project related work,	$35,000
Indirect	agency specific but averages @ ~30%	$162,975
Capital	acquisition (fee-title, easement, long-term mgmt. agreements) closing costs, title searches, etc.	$3,145,000
NEPA		$80,000
Subcontractor	GIS database mgmt., Interim Priority Management Actions, certain M&E/O&M tasks.	$191,775
		$4,043,000

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2003 cost	$4,043,000
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2003 budget request	$4,043,000
FY 2003 forecast from 2002	$12,000,000
% change from forecast	-66.3%

Reason for change in estimated budget

Current budget shortfalls in the Council's Fish and Wildlife Program are insufficient to meet regional fish and wildlife mitigation needs that were identified in the Council's Rolling Provincial Review and Subbasin Planning Process.

Reason for change in scope

Adjustment of scope was a response to budget realities within the Columbia Basin and insufficient funding to fully implement Project goals and objectives.

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
Oregon Mitigation Coalition members (Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Confederated Tribes fo the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Spreings Reservation in Oregon, Burns Paiute Tribe)	provision of staff time, facilities, equipment; exact value of contribution unknown at this time.	$0	in-kind
Federal, State, and Local government agencies (e.g., USFS, BLM, ACOE, NRCS, Metro, NRCS, Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept., cities, counties, etc.)		$0	in-kind
Non-governmental organizations (e.g., The Nature Conservancy, Trust For Public Lands, Clearwater Land Exchange, Rocky Elk Mountain Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Wetlands Joint Venture).		$0	cash

Reviews and recommendations

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

REVIEW:
ISRP Preliminary Review (ISRP 2002-13)

Recommendation:
Fundable (Qualified) - no response required

Date:
Aug 2, 2002

Comment:

Fundable, but the monitoring and evaluation plan needs to be further developed. This project continues to be a good example of an umbrella proposal for acquisition of land to satisfy mitigation requirements of BPA. This proposal describes Oregon mitigation activities related to coordination and planning between Oregon wildlife managers and the implementation of projects. It contains a general description of the approach to mitigate for Habitat Units (HUs) lost as a result of the construction and operation of the Columbia Basin hydropower system. Oregon acquires wildlife mitigation sites according to a prioritized list following well-formulated criteria. Criteria used to rank sites are listed.

The proponents comment that they have already adopted portions of the Draft M&E Plan for the Albeni Falls Wildlife project to use in similar cover types found at the Burlington Bottoms and Ladd Marsh WA Addition project sites. They propose to use the M&E Plan for the Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigation project as a template for the Oregon M&E plan and state that ties will be made to national databases as well. However, the M&E program is not presented in the proposal. The proponents should have included and more completely developed the plans for monitoring and evaluation that were developed by the Albeni Falls Workgroup and reviewed by the ISRP in the addendum to report ISRP 2001-4"Review of Draft Albeni Falls M&E Plan."

The ISRP notes that a similar effort to expand the Albeni Falls Wildlife monitoring plan, which is more appropriate for riparian habitat, to upland and more terrestrial wildlife habitat is underway in the Upper and Middle Snake Province. We suggest that the proponents of this project contact the IDFG, e.g., Project 199505701 in the Upper and Middle Snake Province, and continue to work to ensure that common and compatible methods are developed within the Columbia Basin for M&E.

The proposal is clearly connected to regional programs and to other habitat acquisition and restoration projects. However, given the current importance of the BiOp to FWP funding, it would help this proposal to include the specific RPAs that the proposed habitat projects might address.

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Urgent

Date:
Oct 24, 2002

Comment:

Meets some of the RPAs identified in the 2000 NOAA Fisheries Biological Opinion. This project needs to coordinate closely with Project Number 200201100, Systemwide Operational Loss Assessment.

REVIEW:
CBFWA FY03 Budget Review Comments

Recommendation:
Urgent

Date:
Oct 24, 2002

Comment:

Although the initial budget request reflected a 66% reduction from the 2001 forecast, the Coalition determined that a short-term 50% reduction in habitat protection activities and related tasks could be instituted for one fiscal year without significantly undermining this programmatic project's intent to "protect, restore, enhance, and maintain priority habitats and species throughout the Columbia Basin in the state of Oregon." The 50% reduction of acquisition-related objectives and tasks resulted in a savings of $1,890,500 for FY 03, and a reduction $950,931 for FY 04 and 05 by establishing a base level for implementation without factoring in an inflation rate. Objective/Task 1.c. was removed from the O&M Phase and Objective/Task 2.e. was removed from the M&E Phase for FY 03. Objective/Task 1.c. (Conduct prescribed burns, in accordance with approved interim management plans) was reinstated for the 04 and 05 outyears. Otherwise, all Objectives and related tasks were considered essential to maintain the viability of the project. Budget reductions were the result of scoping down the acquisition-related objectives/tasks. Significant regional issues such as credit allocation to BPA for wildlife as well as fish projects, long-term O&M for acquisitions, and quantification of FCRPS operational losses have yet to be resolved and will require active participation by Coalition members during the next year, as well as involvement in the subbasin planning process, the development of finer resolution criteria for project prioritization, and the development of M&E protocols for Oregon habitats. Maintenance of these core activities is reflected in the requested budget allocation and the interim reduction in implementation funding. Because the "Securing Habitat Mitigation Sites – Oregon" has identified the overall spatial array of watersheds and habitat types (through the GAP Analysis) needed to protect important fish and wildlife populations, the goal to fulfill BPA's mitigation obligations for lost habitat values through concrete, habitat-based deliverables can resume when sufficient funding levels for the implementation phase of the project are provided. The reality is that short-term reduction in budget and deferral of acquisition opportunities until budgetary shortfalls and critical regional issues are addressed will result in the loss of opportunities to protect habitat that is often ecologically significant and threatened with development.

REVIEW:
ISRP Final Review (ISRP 2002-14)

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Nov 5, 2002

Comment:

Fundable (Qualified); the monitoring and evaluation plan needs to be further developed. Agree with CBFWA's "urgent" recommendation. The proposed budget reductions seem reasonable, although the ISRP performed only a cursory review of the budget changes.

This project continues to be a good example of an umbrella proposal for acquisition of land to satisfy mitigation requirements of BPA. This proposal describes Oregon mitigation activities related to coordination and planning between Oregon wildlife managers and the implementation of projects. It contains a general description of the approach to mitigate for Habitat Units (HUs) lost as a result of the construction and operation of the Columbia Basin hydropower system. Oregon acquires wildlife mitigation sites according to a prioritized list following well-formulated criteria. Criteria used to rank sites are listed.

The proponents comment that they have already adopted portions of the Draft M&E Plan for the Albeni Falls Wildlife project to use in similar cover types found at the Burlington Bottoms and Ladd Marsh, WA Addition project sites. They propose to use the M&E Plan for the Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigation project as a template for the Oregon M&E plan and state that ties will be made to national databases as well. However, the M&E program is not presented in the proposal. The proponents should have included and more completely developed the plans for monitoring and evaluation that were developed by the Albeni Falls Workgroup and reviewed by the ISRP in the addendum to report ISRP 2001-4 "Review of Draft Albeni Falls M&E Plan."

REVIEW:
NMFS Review

Recommendation:

Date:
Jan 21, 2003

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit
Indirect. Project proposes to protect, restore, enhance, and maintain NWPPC target habitat types and associated species in all Oregon subbasins within the Columbia River Basin to mitigate for impacts caused by hydroelectric facilities. Survival increases could be secured depending on the success of developing the process and tools needed to select appropriate sites, and their acquisition.

Comments
Project will apply existing HEP/crediting protocols for terrestrial species and attempt to modify for aquatic habitats which support salmon also. No discussion of feasibility of aquatic HEP. No specific projects for salmon are identified. The applicability to the RPA (150) would need to be considered on a case by case basis. Redundancy between this project and the anticipated products of the Council's subbasin planning effort needs to be considered before funding.

Already ESA Required?
No

Biop?
Yes

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Jun 2, 2003

Comment:

NPCC tier 1 (O&M only); BPA Phase 2

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund (Tier 1)

Date:
Jun 11, 2003

Comment:

Category:
1. Council Staff preferred projects that fit province allocation

Comments:
Land Acquisition/ CI removed @ $1.8, $3.0 and $3.0 million for '03 to '05. Costs reflect only ongoing O&M expense.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund (Capital Project)

Date:
Jun 11, 2003

Comment:

Category:
Capital Projects recommended by staff

Comments:
Land Acquisition/ CI removed @ $1.8, $3.0 and $3.0 million for '03 to '05, budget here reflects capital component.

REVIEW:
Project Sponsor Request for FY04-05

Recommendation:

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment: