BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1997 Proposal

Section 1. Administrative
Section 2. Narrative
Section 3. Budget

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Administrative

Title of project
Upper Klickitat Meadows Riparian Restoration

BPA project number   5512600

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Yakama Indian Nation

Sponsor type   WA-Tribe

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   ,

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   3.1D.1

Short description
In general this project would increase fish habitat by restoring the function of the meadow habitat. Riparian bank stabilization and cattle exclusion fencing would create a better pool/riffle habitat, and reduce aggradation of the system. Restoration of fish habitat in the upper Klickitat River would be done by, creating pools and providing bank cover in meadow areas mostly by allowing natural aggradation processes to take place. Rehabilitation of the upper Klickitat must entail (1) exclusion of cattle, (2) stabilization of streambanks, and (3) making the channel narrower and higher (aggradation) by trapping sediment from upstream. The Yakama Nation has recently adopted a new grazing policy which will discontinue grazing within the Klickitat River valley above the confluence with Diamond Fork Creek. This incorporates the high mountains meadows

Project start year   1997    End year   1998

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1998

Project development phase   Planning

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
Preliminary Design for Passage and Habitat Improvement in the Klickitat River: Proj# 95-68

Project history

Biological results achieved

Annual reports and technical papers

Management implications

Specific measureable objectives
The riparian regrowth can will be measured using standardized vegetation surveys, and through photo documentation. The increased pool riffle ratio can be measured using standardized habitat inventory technique. Aerial photo documentation can also be used to measure the success of the project.

Testable hypothesis
Exclusion of cattle will eliminate the riparian degradation , which result in cutting and lowering of the water table in the wet meadow habitat.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints

Methods

Brief schedule of activities
FY 1997 Conduct a range survey--survey forage conditions in Range unit 15, determine the impact of closing the upper Klickitat valley, plan, development, if necessary, of alternatives range area in Unit 15 and/or pastures in the agricultural area of the Yakama Reservation.

FY 1998 Fence and cattle guard--design and install exclosure.

Instream structures--design and install bank protection and water-level control structures in erosion-prone sections of river.

Plantings-- plant riparian vegetation to supplement natural propagation.

FY 1999 Monitoring and enforcement-- monitor changes in channel and riparian vegetation, maintain enclosures

Biological need
This project will result in better habitat for resident trout (bull, rainbow, ) as well as provide better rearing habitat for potential outplants of spring chinook, coho, and steelhead. This project id commensurate with BPA’s goal of achieving enhancement through off-site mitigation and with salmon recovery for the Columbia River. And its tributaries.

Critical uncertainties
None

Summary of expected outcome
Increased riparian heath and vigor along with a better pool riffle ratio will provide an increase in quantity and quality of available rearing habitat. Additional spawning habitat for coho and steelhead will also be a result of this project.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
All activities are within the Closed Area of the Yakama Indian Reservation and are not subject to state and federal permitting the process. Work activities would proceed during the normal field season, and could be affected by adverse weather conditions.

Risks
None

Monitoring activity

Section 3. Budget

* For most projects, Authorized is the amount recommended by CBFWA and the Council. Planned is amount currently allocated. Contracted is the amount obligated to date of printout.

Funding recommendations

CBFWA funding review group   Bonneville Dam - Priest Rapids Dam

Recommendation    Tier 1 - fund

Recommended funding level   $32,292