FY 2001 Ongoing proposal 198811525

Section 1. Administrative

Project location

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Total estimated budget

Reason for change in estimated budget

The FY2000 estimated budget did not include the necessary replacement of the Office/Research Facility at Nelson Springs. This FY 2001 budget reflects substantial modification to/and addition of a broodstock collection facility to Lyle Falls Ladder.

Reason for change in scope

The existing facility is inadequate to serve current and foreseeable needs of the YKFP. The facility is unsafe, lacks sufficient office space for existing personnel, adequate heating and air conditioning systems, and has been steadily deteriorating in condition. Because of its deteriorating infrastructure, the facility cannot be remodeled at a reasonable cost. An adult broodstock collection facility low in the basin is critical for successful supplementation in the Klickitat Basin. The ability to collect broodstock using YKFP (Roza-Cle Elum) protocol will allow for preservation of the genetic fitness still existing in chinook and steelhead thereby reversing past hatchery domestication. Facility will allow collection of locally adapted broodstock for coho and fall chinook programs. Passage modifications will bring ladder into industry standard criteria, including adult fish monitoring. The O & M facility will provide office/support space for activities in the Klickitat basin.

Cost sharing

Reviews and recommendations

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

Comment:

This FY 2001 budget reflects substantial modification to/and addition of a broodstock collection facility to Lyle Falls Ladder (Section 4, Objective 2). An adult broodstock collection facility low in the basin is critical for successful supplementation in the Klickitat Basin. The ability to collect broodstock using YKFP (Roza-Cle Elum) protocol will allow for preservation of the genetic fitness still existing in chinook and steelhead thereby reversing past hatchery domestication. The facility will allow collection of locally adapted broodstock for coho and fall chinook programs. Passage modifications will bring ladder into industry standard criteria, including adult fish monitoring. The O&M facility will provide office/support space for activities in the Klickitat Basin.

Comment:

1. Nelson Springs M & E Facilities Upgrade
2. Klickitat River O & M Facility
3. Cle Elum Hatchery Interpretive Center
4. Adult Fish Trap at Lyle, Washington

The FY 2001 request is for $4,225,000. The FY 2000 request was for $1,565,000. Based on FY 2000 analysis of end of year un-obligated balances (adjusted for "carry forward" estimates), there is a balance of $420,000. This balance could be either returned to the Anadromous Fish Placeholder or retained and credited toward a Council approved budget for 2001.

Initiative No. 1 - Nelson Springs M & E facility upgrade:

Recommendation: Support Current AIWP budget level.

Background: Between 1991 and 1992, BPA purchased a total of 11.5 acres in an area of Yakima referred to as "Nelson Springs." The purchases were made under the YKFP in anticipation that the location near the Natches River could serve as an acclimation site. The site was never developed for acclimation use and instead, has become the office and lab center for Yakama Nation staff working on the YKFP monitoring and evaluation program.

When the properties were purchased, they came with several buildings. These building included a house/garage, several accessory buildings, and a modular doublewide house. The buildings today serve as offices for ten to twelve staff (seasonal) and support the following YKFP functions: 1) modeling for Spring Chinook (Upper Yakima River, Naches and American River), Coho, fall Chinook, and Steelhead, 2) data Management, 3) library, 4) planning, 5) life history research, and 6) equipment storage. In looking at an overall needs assessment for the M&E function, the YKFP Policy Group identified the following needs for the Nelson Springs site: 1) renovations or reconstruction of office facilities, 2) storage facility, 3) meeting facility, 4) library facility, and 5) wet lab for biosampling.

The proposal correctly describes the condition of the housing/office space of the Nelson Springs site. The buildings are in a deteriorated condition and unsafe for workers. The determination that the building be demolished and or removed and be replaced with new construction is a reasonable proposal given the current mission of the site. At one time, BPA program management looked into disposing of the Nelson Springs property. Given the evolving requirements of the M&E function of the YKFP, disposing of the property does not appear to be a prudent option. The cost of alternative office space would be costly. Either the rental of office space or the purchase of property and building in another location would be expensive. The sunk costs of the property purchased at Nelson Springs suggest retaining the property is a prudent choice.

The design and development of the new facility will involve environmental review and siting considerations. A major portion of the property lies within the flood plain so careful consideration will have to be made for site and layout.

No NEPA analysis has been performed on this proposal yet and will have to be completed prior to initiation of construction.

Budget Estimate: The total proposed budget for the Nelson Springs upgrade totals $1,525,000.

The estimate for engineering and design is $175,000 and is based on information received from CH2MHill. The NEPA analysis is estimated at $25,000 and is probably a best estimate. It is not clear at this time what level of environmental analysis will be necessary for this activity. Design, engineering and NEPA total $200,000

The construction and related costs total $1,325,000. Construction is estimated at $1,300,000 and is on information received from CH2MHill. The estimate is based on a 5,560 sq. ft. building. (For comparison the office building at the Cle Elum hatchery is 2,130 sq. ft.) This estimate assumes construction costs of $200 per sq. ft., ($1,110,000) and design and "services during construction" of $190,000. These cost estimates appear reasonable. Additional costs related to construction are for the demolition of the existing buildings ($15,000) and temporary office space for employees displaced during construction ($10,000). These cost estimates also appear reasonable

Initiative No. 3, Cle Elum Hatchery Interpretive Center: Recommendation: Full funding in FY 2001 for this initiative to design and construct the interpretive building and related displays: $400,000.

Background: The hatchery interpretive building is an element of the master plan for the Cle Elum hatchery and was incorporated in the final design for the hatchery. Due to concerns regarding total construction costs for the hatchery, the interpretive building (designed as a 1,600 sq. ft. building) was deferred. Site preparation for the center was completed in 1997 as part of the general construction of the hatchery. The site prep included constructing a public parking area and public restrooms next to the area designed for the interpretive building.

There is significant public interest in getting the center completed and opened to the public. During the community involvement phase of planning for the hatchery, project staff identified the interpretive center as the link to public access to the hatchery and as the location for public learning and educational about the research conducted at the hatchery. The importance of the center's link to public access to the hatchery is that the main hatchery buildings are not "open" to the public due to the biological specifications under which the hatchery operates as a research facility. As such, the interpretive center will serve as the primary location for public information and education about the facility.

In anticipation of the center being established, the operating plan for the hatchery incorporates authority for the manager to develop and operate a "hatchery host" program. The hatchery host program will allow volunteers to proved information and interpretation about the facility to the public without involving hatchery staff.

Budget Estimate: The budget estimate for constructing the interpretive building is $400,000. Pricing to construct the building was estimated by CH2MHill for $220 sq. ft. (includes a 20 percent contingency) totally $352,000. An additional amount, $48,000, is estimated for interpretive displays, signs, building furnishings, etc. Based on the local interest and overall importance this facility holds for community and public involvement and learning, this budget estimate appears reasonable.

Initiatives No. 2 and 4, Klickitat O&M Facility and Klickitat Broodstock Collection and Monitoring Facility at Lyle Falls:

Recommendation: Recommend that a Council step review be planned as soon as possible to review the YKFP Klickitat River activities planned under these initiatives and that the budget estimates proposed for these activities be reviewed at the same time. Due to the time period needed to accomplish the Council review and NEPA analysis, it is not likely the sponsor will need all of the requested 2001 funds ($2,325,000) in 2001. Partial funding in FY 2001 for these two initiatives to fund only design and NEPA: $203,000.

Background: The design and construction of an O&M facility to support the Klickitat fisheries of the YKFP is estimated at $175,000. Due to discussions between the Yakama Nation and WDFW over the possible change in operators for the Klickitat hatchery, it is not clear what role the O&M facility will play in the sub-basin. The broodstock collection and monitoring facility at Lyle Falls is estimated at $2,325,000.

The O&M facility and the broodstock collection and monitoring facility at Lyle Falls are facilities intended to support the YKFP's fisheries activities in the Klickitat River. There has not been Council "step review" or approval for these facilities or the fisheries programs that these facilities will support. In addition, there has been no NEPA analysis of the fisheries program proposed for the Klickitat River under the YKFP or the facilities described above. While the proposal recognizes that NEPA is required (estimating NEPA at $75,000), the time period for analysis could be from 9 months for an EA to 24 months for a supplemental EIS to the Final Yakima Fisheries Project EIS (FEIS). The Klickitat River was not incorporated in the FEIS.

Comment:

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website