BPA Fish and Wildlife FY 1998 Proposal


Section 1. Summary
Section 2. Goals
Section 3. Background
Section 4. Purpose and methods
Section 5. Planned activities
Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation
Section 7. Relationships
Section 8. Costs and FTE

see CBFWA and BPA funding recommendations

Section 1. Summary

Title of project
Willamette Basin Mitigation - Phase II

BPA project number   9206800

Short description
The HEP Analysis and Alternatives Plan will be used as a guide for developing and implementing a site management plan. This plan will be followed and a number of enhancement and implementation tasks will be conducted within the study area.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

 NameGreg Sieglitz, Assistant Staff Wildlife Biologist
 Mailing address7118 NE Vandenberg Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97330
 Phone541/757-4186
 EmailGreg.B.Sieglitz@state.or.us
   

Section 2. Goals

General
Supports a healthy Columbia basin; maintains biological diversity; maintains genetic integrity; increases run sizes or populations; provides needed habitat protection; program coordination or planning

Target stockLife stageMgmt code (see below)
Black-tailed Deer  
Western Gray Squirrel  
Wood Duck  
Western Pond Turtle  

 
Affected stockBenefit or detriment
Sensitive, Threatened or Endangered Wildlife found in valley habitat types 

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Stream name   Middle and Coast Forks Willamette River
Stream miles affected   15
Hydro project   Dexter and Lookout Point
Subbasin   Lower Columbia River
Land ownership   Both
Acres affected   6000
Habitat types   Riverine/Riparian, Wetlands, and Coniferous Forest

History
Project has surveyed known populations and identified lands necessary to mitigate for these species' losses of habitat due to Willamette basin hydro facilitiies. Draft management plan for the Willamette basin was submitted to BPA for review in Jan. 1994.

Biological results achieved
Intensive trapping, marking, and monitoring of western pond turtles was conducted between April 1995 through March 1997 to assess the population distribution, size, habitat use, nesting habitat and overwintering habitat within the limits of this project. A geographic information system (GIS) was developed for the project area and is currently being used for the development of the HEP and Alternatives plans. Contacts have been made with landowners and governmental agencies that will lead to cooperative habitat enhancement work for multiple species. A hydrologic study has been conducted which will be used to implement water manipulation projects to enhance wildlfie habitat. The habitat improvement projects will result in securing habitat units for the Council's target species to be credited to the losses.

Project reports and papers
Hep, Alternatives, and various progress reports.

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
Objectives of this project include: 1) develop a management plan for the area; 2) secure enhancement projects that will provide mitigation credits through easements, acquisitions, and cooperative mangement plans; 3) identify future project opportunities to meet mitigation needs; 4) produce historic and current habitat maps for the Willamette Basin in GIS to be used for developing objectives and implementation of currrent and future projects.

Methods
Pond turtle biology involved systematic live trapping prior to and during the nesting season in areas of known or suspected turtle activity (based on previous projects and observations from this project). Systematic searches were made in open areas for turtle nest sites. Standard HEP methods are used for the vegetation/habitat analysis. GIS techniques will be used to develop scienitifically credible project outcomes and future alternatives.

Section 5. Planned activities

Phase PlanningStart Aug 97 End June 98Subcontractor Possible
Management alternatives will be developed in FY97. Landowner and governmental contacts will continue throughout the project. GIS mapping and analysis of Willamette Valley vegetation will occur to be used for scoping and predicting the outcomes of enhancement work.
Phase ImplementationStart Oct 97 End sept 98Subcontractor
Wildlife Habitat Improvements will take the form of exotic vegetation removal and pond restoration and creation.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
Assessment of importance of various properties within the study area for mitigation of target species, list of willing cooperators, landowners and agencies, analysis of managment alternatives, GIS and database for future site management plans.

Contribution toward long-term goal
Willamette Valley target species e.g. Western Pond Turtle

Coordination outcomes
Draft management plan for the Willamette basin was submitted to BPA for review in Jan. 1994, and will be available in April, l995.

MONITORING APPROACH
Pond turtle biology involved systematic live trapping prior to and during the nesting season in areas of known or suspected turtle activity (based on previous projects and observations from this project). All turtles were permanently marked with a statewide shell code and released. Radio transmitters were placed on 15 turtles. Turtles locations were monitored daily during the nesting season and bi-weekly or weekly thereafter. Systematic searches were made in open areas for turtle nest sites. Standard HEP methods will be used for the vegetation/habitat analysis. Monitoring of the enhancements and improvements will occur although this will most productive during the next nesting and growing seasons in 1998.

Section 7. Relationships

Related BPA projectRelationship
9206800 This is Phase I Phase I addressed the status and distribution of western pond turtles throughout Oregon and identified this project area as the most important site in the Willamette drainage for this species.
9206800 Phase II Developed HEP and alternatives reports to be used in phase III to implement habitat protection measures

Opportunities for cooperation
Local and state governments own land within the study area. These land managers have developed management plans that provide for activities which complement the mitigation efforts of this project.

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $200,000
1996 Unobligated  $600,000

Future funding needs   Past obligations (incl. 1997 if done)
FY$ Need% Plan % Implement% O and M
19982,000,000 5%95%  
1999500,000 20%70% 10%
2000200,000 10%65% 25%
2001200,000 10%65% 25%
2002100,000 23%50% 27%
 
FYObligated
1992242,246
199388,438
1995295,075
Total625,759
FY97 overhead percent   28%

How does percentage apply to direct costs
[Overhead % not provided so BPA appended older data.]