FY07-09 proposal 200600400
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Wenas Wildlife Area O&M |
| Proposal ID | 200600400 |
| Organization | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) |
| Short description | Provide and enhance riparian and shrub-steppe habitats for focal species as partial mitigation for the habitat losses associated with the construction and inundation of the Grand Coulee, McNary and John Day hydroelectric dams. |
| Information transfer | Information derived from this project will be used to improve wildlife/habitat management techniques for mitigation and non-mitigation wildlife areas and will be provided to CBFWA project managers and interested parties either electronically or in hard copy reports. Additional data can be found on the WDFW homepage (wildlife areas) on the web. Publications explain our efforts at maintaining and enhancing viable populations of sage grouse in Washington. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Cindi Confer | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife | confecjc@dfw.wa.gov |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Cindi Confer | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife | confecjc@dfw.wa.gov |
| Paul Dahmer | WDFW | dahmepad@dfw.wa.gov |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Yakima
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46.820833 | -120.590667 | Approximate center of Wenas Wildlife Area's South Umtanum Ridge Unit. | |
| 46.8020 | -120.505167 | Approximate center of Wenas Wildlife Area's Roza Unit. | |
| 46.8750 | -120.5535 | Approximate center of Wenas Wildlife Area's Umtanum Creek Unit. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: All Wildlifesecondary: Steelhead Middle Columbia River ESU
Additional: Sage grouse, mule deer, western meadowlark, black-capped chickadee, yellow warbler, mink, Brewer's sparrow, other shrub-steppe and riparian shrub obligates
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Seeded 143 ac of disturbed areas to native vegetation. Treated 1825 ac for weeds. Fertilized 195 ac of native-like vegetation. Removed 10 mi and installed 1 mi of stock fence. Maintained 33 mi of fence. Disked 8.6 mi firebreak. Monitored seedings. |
| 2004 | Seeded 60 ac of abandoned cropland to native vegetation. Abandoned 5 mi of stream-adjacent road. Treated 1530 ac for weeds. Removed 10 mi and installed 1 mi of stock fence. Maintained 32 mi of fence. Disked 8.6 mi firebreak. Monitored seedings. |
| 2003 | Abandoned 2 mi of stream-adjacent road. Treated 1126 ac for weeds. Removed 18 mi and installed 5 mi of stock fence. Maintained 26 mi of boundary fence and 5 mi of interior fence. Disked 8.6 mi firebreak. Monitored native-like seedings. |
| 2002 | Seeded 220 ac of abandoned cropland to native-like vegetation. Treated 22 ac for weeds. Fertilized 30 ac of native-like vegetation. Maintained 26 mi boundary fence. |
| 2001 | Chemically fallowed 220 ac of abandoned cropland. Treated 233 ac for weeds. Maintained 26 mi boundary fence. |
| 2000 | Seeded 293 ac of abandoned cropland to native-like vegetation. Treated 470 ac for weeds. Maintained 26 mi boundary fence. |
| 1999 | Seeded 370 ac of abandoned cropland to native-like vegetation. Chemically fallowed 293 ac of abandoned cropland. Treated 100 ac for weeds. Maintained 26 mi boundary fence. Completed baseline HEP transects for the W.A |
| 1998 | Treated 100 acres of the W.A. for weeds. Chemically fallowed 370 acres of abandoned cropland in the Sheep Company area. Maintained 26 mi of boundary fence. Completed 10 baseline HEP transects. |
| 1997 | Seeded 15 ac of old cropland to native-like perennial grasses and shrubs at McCade. Maintained 26 mi of boundary fence. Completed 10 baseline HEP transects. |
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 200201400 | Sunnyside Wildlife Mitigation | Compliments shrub-steppe and riparian/wetland management goals and objectives. |
| BPA | 199206200 | Lower Yakima Valley Riparian/W | Compliments protection and enhancement of riparian/wetland habitat in the Yakima River drainage. |
| BPA | 199705100 | Yakima Basin Side Channels | Compliments protection and enhancement of riparian/wetland habitat in the Yakima River drainage. |
| Other: WDFW | None | L.T. Murray and Oak Creek Wildlife Areas | Compliments protection and enhancement of shrub-steppe habitat and sage grouse recovery in the sub-basin. |
| Other: USFWS | None | Hanford Monument/ALE | Compliments protection and enhancement of shrub-steppe habitat and sage grouse recovery in the sub-basin. |
| Other: US Army | None | Yakima Training Center | Compliments protection and enhancement of shrub-steppe habitat and sage grouse re-introduction and recovery in the sub-basin. |
| BPA | 199609401 | Scotch Creek Wildlife Area | Shrub steppe habitat restoration. Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives. |
| BPA | 199404400 | Sagebrush Flat Wl Mitigation | Shrub steppe habitat restoration. Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives. |
| BPA | 200600500 | Asotin Creek Wildlife Area O&M | Shrub steppe habitat restoration. Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives. |
| BPA | 199106100 | Swanson Lake Wildlife Mitigati | Shrub steppe habitat restoration. Supports this project and WDFW goals and objectives. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat | Habitat protection includes, but is not limited to; acquisition, reducing or eliminating weed encroachment and disturbance factors, construction and maintenance of firebreaks, maintenance of boundary fences to prevent trespass cattle, installation of fencing to protect new plantings. Enhancement measures include, but are not limited to: weed control; planting native grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees. | Yakima | Supplement Table 6 - Strategies 2, 3, 6-8 |
| Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat | Habitat protection includes, but is not limited to; acquisition, reducing or eliminating weed encroachment and disturbance factors, construction and maintenance of firebreaks, maintenance of boundary fences to prevent trespass cattle, installation of fencing to protect new plantings and existing intact microbiotic crust. Enhancement measures include, but are not limited to: weed control; planting native grasses, forbs and shrubs. | Yakima | Supplement Table 5 - Strategies 1 and 3. Maintain/enhance connectivity, implement restoration techniques. Strive for a 25% reduction of invasive species by 2020. Protect areas with existing intact microbiotic crust. |
| Protect Microbiotic crust | Protect areas with existing intact microbiotic crust. Protect restored areas from degradation so crust can develop over time. | Yakima | Supplement Table 5 - Strategies 12 and 13. Protect areas from off-road vehicle use and new road construction. Utilize strategic fencing on key locations. |
| Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area | Protect and enhance existing habitat necessary for sage grouse life requirements. | Yakima | Supplement Table 5 - Strategies 8 and 9. Conduct habitat suitability assessments for sage grouse. Translocate individuals from healthy populations into areas of suitable habitat. |
| Restore large tree ponderosa pine habitat | Restore large tree overstory with appropriate size, spacing and density of large overstory trees on focal habitat area by 2105. Connect functional core habitats across subbasin by 2105. | Yakima | Supplement Table 4 - Strategies 1, 3, and 4. Protect key habitats through purchase, lease, easements, management agreements. Establish standards for management and protection. Improve planning process on public lands. |
| Restore natural fire regime | Restore natural fire regime return interval by reducing the annual rate of unplanned shrub-steppe burning by at least 50% by 2020. | Yakima | Supplement Table 5 - Strategies 5 and 6. Maintain firebreaks while minimizing habitat disturbance. Maintain current fire protections contracts and coordinate with wildfire managers on access. |
| Restore natural fire regime &/or thin stands | Restore natural fire regime that promotes large tree ponderosa pine characteristic habitat by 2020. Thin appropriate stands to restore appropriate stand density and species composition. | Yakima | Supplement Table 4 - Strategies 5 and 6. Conduct thinning and/or prescribed fires in identified areas. Where fire can't be used, utilize alternative management techniques that include fuel reduction and selective thinning. |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Prepare NEPA/ESA/Cultural Resource documentation. | Select, evaluate, and comply with NEPA/ESA/Cultural Resource regulations. Obtain all necessary permits and complete all required consultation. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $34,370 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area Restore large tree ponderosa pine habitat Restore natural fire regime Restore natural fire regime &/or thin stands |
Metrics |
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| Plant Vegetation | Seed Degraded Shrub-steppe Habitat | Seed 300 acres of shrub-steppe habitat. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $76,230 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics * # of acres of planted: 300 acres |
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| Plant Vegetation | Riparian Habitat Restoration | Plant hydrophytic shrubs/cuttings along 1.5 miles of stream over a three year period. | 11/15/2006 | 3/15/2009 | $13,600 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat |
Metrics * # of riparian miles treated: 1.5 miles |
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| Maintain Vegetation | Maintain Extant Plantings and Seedings | Maintenance actions include reducing competitive vegetation through mechanical, chemical, and/or biological weed control measures and applying fertilizer as needed. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $139,050 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics |
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| Maintain Vegetation | Weed Treatment | Treatment of weeds and undesirable vegetation throughout the wildlife area. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $237,225 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics |
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| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage | Maintain Boundary Fence | Check and repair 26 miles of existing boundary fence, gates, and cattle-guards. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $30,690 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust |
Metrics |
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| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage | Maintain Interior Stock Fence | Maintain and repair 7 miles of stock fence and gates installed to protect shrub-steppe and restoration projects. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $9,860 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust |
Metrics |
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| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage | Maintain Fire Breaks | Maintain firebreaks along the interface with populated areas to reduce risk of uncontrolled fire. | 3/1/2007 | 5/31/2009 | $6,440 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics |
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| Install Fence | Install Interior Stock Fence | Install 3 miles of stock fence and associated gates to protect shrub-steppe habitat. | 10/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $16,627 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust |
Metrics * # of miles of fence: 3 miles |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Assess/Monitor Habitat Conditions | Continue to assess vegetation trends through photo monitoring and use of nested frequency plots on key plant species and exotic vegetation and planting/seeding survival. Conduct HEP and wildlife surveys. | 10/1/2006 | 12/1/2008 | $77,871 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Action effectiveness monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor for Sage Grouse | Search for sage grouse leks and presence of sage grouse on the wildlife area. | 3/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $30,586 |
|
Biological objectives Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Sage grouse monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor Recreation Use | Record recreational use on project area incidental to other activities. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $25,373 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics Secondary R, M, and E Type: Monitor recreational use of the Wildlife Area |
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| Analyze/Interpret Data | Assess Monitoring Data | Assess data collected in monitoring habitat conditions, HEP and wildlife, sage grouse, and recreational use on the Wildlife Area. | 12/1/2006 | 9/30/2009 | $36,539 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Monitoring of Wildlife Area issues |
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| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage | Maintain Physical Improvements | Maintain office buildings, residence, shop/equipment, storage structures, and wells. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $62,100 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Improve/Relocate Road | Road Improvement and Relocation | Relocate and/or improve up to 10 miles of road to minimize damage to surrounding habitat. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $48,292 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat |
Metrics * # of road miles improved, upgraded, or restored: 10 miles |
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| Provide Public Access/Information | Maintain Project Roads/Parking Areas | Maintain project roads and parking areas as needed. Weed treatment and litter removal is also required. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $64,662 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics |
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| Provide Public Access/Information | Maintain Informational Signs, Reader Boards and Kiosks | Check and replace, as needed, boundary/informational signs and update information on readerboards and kiosks. Maintain physical appearance and structural integrity of reader boards and kiosks. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $48,629 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics |
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| Coordination | Fire Protection, PILT, and Weed Assessments | Fire protection contracts with Washington Department of Natural Resources, County Payments in lieu of Taxes, and County Weed assessments. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $344,051 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Restore large tree ponderosa pine habitat Restore natural fire regime Restore natural fire regime &/or thin stands |
Metrics |
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| Lease Land | DNR Grazing Leases | Grazing leases for DNR lands on the Wildlife Area to protect shrub-steppe and riparian habitat. | 1/1/2007 | 1/31/2009 | $73,933 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Protect Microbiotic crust Reintroduce sage grouse on the Wildlife Area Restore natural fire regime |
Metrics * # of acres of renewed lease: 16,514 acres |
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| Outreach and Education | Community Outreach | Organize and conduct a minimum of one Citizen Advisory Group meeting per year. Presentations/tours with stakeholder groups, schools, and contacts with news media as requested or needed. Enhanced public acceptance and knowledge of Wildlife Area objectives and management. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $17,220 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat Restore natural fire regime Restore natural fire regime &/or thin stands |
Metrics * # of general public reached: Provide contact point for public on projects/issue |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Administrative duties and professional development/licensing | Coordinated and responsive actions consistent with Wildlife Area management/mitigation goals and objectives, improved employee performance and compliance with pesticide application licensing requirements. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $76,882 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Annual Report | Provide annual report to BPA | 7/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $5,638 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Pisces Status Reports | Provide Pisces Quarterly Reports to BPA | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $8,544 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat |
Metrics |
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| Other | Capital Equipment | Purchase ATV with sprayer, V-Ripper and forks for tractor bucket in 2007, a 3/4 ton replacement pickup in 2008, and an equipment trailer and ATV with a seeder in 2009. | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $61,500 |
|
Biological objectives Protect and enhance riparian/wetland habitat Protect and enhance shrub-steppe habitat |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Represents an increase over 2006 funding of .4 FTE of Biologist time to cover biological reviews and planning needs. Include salary for HEP and wildlife monitoring. Also includes an overall increase of 3.5% per year for salary increases over the period (COLA). | $138,525 | $144,920 | $151,045 |
| Fringe Benefits | Includes benefits for added .4 FTE, HEP and wildlife monitoring, and 3.5% per year increase for COLA. | $38,820 | $40,360 | $41,810 |
| Supplies | Includes a 3.5% per year inflation rate. | $84,065 | $87,000 | $90,040 |
| Travel | Includes a 3.5% per year inflation rate. | $1,500 | $1,550 | $1,610 |
| Overhead | Does not include overhead on capitol equipment. Includes a 3.5% per year inflation rate. | $109,727 | $118,230 | $127,010 |
| Capital Equipment | ATV w/spray equipment, V-ripper, and forks for tractor bucket in 2007. One 3/4 ton replacement pickup in 2008. Equipment trailer and ATV w/Seeder in 2009. | $11,000 | $35,000 | $15,500 |
| Other | Fire Protection contracts, WDNR lease payments, PILT and Weed Assessments. | $99,220 | $102,695 | $106,285 |
| Totals | $482,857 | $529,755 | $533,300 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $1,545,912 |
| Total work element budget: | $1,545,912 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | FY 08 est value ($) | FY 09 est value ($) | Cash or in-kind? | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
Section 9. Project future
|
FY 2010 estimated budget: $505,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $505,000 |
Comments: This represents an accumulation of ongoing costs from this proposal plus 3.5% inflation per year. One-time projects completed were subtracted from previous budget. FY 2011: Purchase replacement pickup truck, $35,000. |
Future O&M costs: Future operational costs include administrative duties, monitoring recreational use, shrub-steppe enhancements and sage grouse populations, community outreach, and reporting. Ongoing maintenance needs include maintaining extant tree, shrub and grass plantings, roads and parking areas, weed control, equipment and vehicle repairs, signs and reader boards, physical improvements, and fence repair. There is an on-going need for more shrub-steppe restoration and riparian plantings, as well as the ongoing list of maintenance. Shrub-steppe restoration projects need to have forbs added in now that weeds are under control. Future Operations and Maintenance costs will be similar to this project proposal, mostly due to the large acreage of the project area and the additional lands in need of repair.
Termination date: Unknown
Comments: No given termination date, as of 1/06/06.
Final deliverables: Unknown at this time.
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
| Revised Narrative for proposal 200600400 | Jul 2006 |
| Wenas ISRP Comments Response | Jul 2006 |
Reviews and recommendations
| FY07 budget | FY08 budget | FY09 budget | Total budget | Type | Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $333,333 | $333,333 | $333,333 | $999,999 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $333,333 | $333,333 | $333,333 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Response requested
NPCC comments: This proposal meets the ISRP review criteria and benefits wildlife. The ISRP, however, requests a response to the following comments to improve the project before the ISRP makes its final recommendation. 1) Acquisition of the perpetual timber rights on the WWA would allow management towards this large diameter open stand habitat type: what is the status of this effort? Is there precedence for these types of arrangements in this area? How many landowners have been contacted, and what has been their response? 2) The project needs a much fuller explanation of past monitoring actions (how, what, when, where) and a discussion of how monitoring will be used to evaluate progress towards objectives.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable
NPCC comments: The sponsors provided an effective, detailed response to concerns raised by the ISRP. The response on the monitoring, although generic, did indicate that they had a plan. This response was quite similar with the response to 200201400, therefore the ISRP evaluation of the response for this project is similar to that presented for 200201400. Sponsors provided information about monitoring and evaluation such as noting that they currently incorporate standard Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) and Habitat Suitability Indices (HSIs). See general ISRP programmatic comments on HEP; this shouldn't be emphasized as a management tool. In addition, for operation and maintenance projects before and after photographs document the progress and completion of the project. They also provide some general information about monitoring of various mammal and bird species of interest. They should be more specific on the site designs. In the future, the ISRP wants to see the number, length, and location of transects used for monitoring and also see results obtained from these surveys. Also in the future, the ISRP would like more specific information included in proposals or linkages to readily available documents that specify monitoring and evaluation information.