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
North Fork John Day Habitat Improvement

BPA project number   8400800

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
USFS

Sponsor type   OR-Federal Agency

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   Andy Thoms, EWP 503/230-5827

Biological opinion ID   None

NWPPC Program number   3.1D.1, 7.6B.5

Short description
Restore summer steelhead and spring chinook salmon habitat in the North Fork John Day River watershed.

Project start year   1984    End year   1995

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1997

Project development phase   Maintenance

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects
Funds from this project were transferred to project 9303800 in 1993.

Project history
Originally, the contract focused on restoring Granite and Clear Creeks from past dredge mining operations which severely reduced salmon and steelhead populations. Dredging operations began in the 1920’s and continued intermittently until 1954. Restoration efforts began on a 4 mile stretch of Clear Creek where spawning areas were increased by the addition of 7100 cubic yards of gravel. Instream structures, log and boulder weirs, were constructed and stream banks were stabilized. Blackjack mine was plugged and its acid water seepage was diverted into a bog to reduce wastes leaking into the stream. Instream structures have been constructed throughout the watershed to improve summer survival habitat for salmon and steelhead. Riparian exclosures and water gaps have been constructed with barb wire fence to promote riparian recovery while still allowing traditional livestock grazing. Monitoring has included riparian exclosure projects, vegetation measurement, structure durability monitoring, and physical and biological stream measurements.

Biological results achieved
The North Fork John Day River is home to the one remaining totally wild run of summer steelhead and spring chinook salmon within the Columbia basin. The project focus was on instream work that provided summer survival habitat for anadromous fish. The riparian exclosure fencing portion of the contract promoted stream adjacent vegetation protection and recovery to provide stream surface shade which results in cooler summer water temperatures.

Annual reports and technical papers
Annual reports were completed from 1988 to 1992. Bi-monthly progress reports were submitted on the active project. Opac billings are due quarterly on the active project.

Management implications
This project pioneered the use of track mounted excavators and the super hoe (spider) for instream habitat restoration developing pool forming structures using native materials. Hilti epoxy glue and cable was adapted to secure instream structures increasing the life of project during high flows to protect the investment.

Specific measureable objectives
N/A - This project is in the O/M phase

Testable hypothesis
N/A - Project was not a study

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
N/A

Methods
N/A

Brief schedule of activities
This project will be in the Operations & Maintenance phase from 1997 to 2001 and beyond. Project activities will include an annual inspection of existing investments to determine maintenance needs. Maintenance of existing inchannel fish habitat restoration structures may be necessary to maintain their effectiveness. Annual maintenance of existing barb wire fence exclosures will be necessary to protect this investment and insure project effectiveness.

Biological need
The underlying need for the O/M phase of this project is to maintain project effectiveness in providing summer survival habitat and cooler water temperatures for summer steelhead trout and spring chinook salmon.

Critical uncertainties
N/A - This project is in the O/M Phase

Summary of expected outcome
The expected outcome of operation and maintenance of this project is the continued effectiveness of the fish habitat restoration improvements resulting in aquatic habitat recovery for summer steelhead and spring chinook salmon.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
There are no anticipated actions or events that may effect this project’s timing or budget.

Risks
There are no known risks associated with the O/M phase of this project.

Monitoring activity
A modified Hankin and Reeves (1988) US Forest Service Region 6 stream inventory protocol was used to gather baseline data and assess instream characteristics. Data obtained includes stream surface shading, habitat types, width/depth ratio, bank cover, and erosion. The stream inventory is repeated at 2 to 5 year intervals to document habitat changes. Photo points, often associated with riparian exclosures, are re-photographed at regular intervals to document vegetation change over time

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   $30,000

BPA 1997 authorized budget (approved start-of-year budget)   $30,000