FY07-09 proposal 199604200
Jump to Reviews and Recommendations
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Restore and Enhance Anadromous Fish Populations and Habitat in Salmon Creek |
| Proposal ID | 199604200 |
| Organization | Colville Confederated Tribes |
| Short description | This project is directed at reconnecting a productive tributary of the Okanogan River, Salmon Creek. This project involves a 12-year water lease with the Okanogan Irrigation District and construction of a low flow channel within the lower reach. |
| Information transfer | Electronic |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Chris Fisher | Colville Tribes | chris.fisher@colvilletribes.com |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Chris Fisher | Colville Tribes | chris.fisher@colvilletribes.com |
| Donald Rose | dlrose@bpa.gov | |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Columbia Cascade / Okanogan
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 41 70 | 119 62 77 | stream | Salmon Creek a tributary of the Okanogan River, with a primary emphasis on the lowermost 4.3 miles. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: Steelhead Upper Columbia River ESUSection 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Collect nearly 400 naturally-produced steelhead smolts from downstream of irrigation diversion as a result of water lease during 2003. Release smolts into Okanogan River. |
| 2004 | Juvenile steelhead survival is verified, downstream of diversion dam where sufficient groundwater percolates through streambed. |
| 2003 | Draft EIS is completed. Water release allows for adult steelhead passage and successful natural reproduction is documented. |
| 2002 | [Accomplishment field left blank] |
| 2001 | Environmental consultant provides preliminary design for channel restoration in the lower 4.3 miles. BPA purchase 56 acres at Ruby Townsite, (7,600’ streambank). The Independent Economic Advisory Board (IEAB) to review the Salmon Creek. |
| 2000 | Water leasing, was initially identified as an interim measure. A voluntary water leasing program was initiated with irrigators within the OID. During 2000 322 acres at $135 per acre totaling 900 acre-ft. of water was leased (three acre feet per acre). |
| 1999 | In 1999 the Bureau of Reclamation constructed a fish ladder at the OID diversion dam. The ladder is designed to pass fish with minimum instream flows. Also in 1999 the Bureau upgraded the fish screen to NMFS’ present screening criteria. |
| 1998 | [Accomplishment field left blank] |
| 1997 | Partnerhsip formed with Okanogan Irrigation District to evaluate restoring Salmon Creek to support anadrmous salmonids while maintaining agriculture production. |
| 1996 | [Accomplishment field left blank] |
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conduct risk assessment | Evaluate dump site for hazardous materials | Okanogan | Strategy 1-1C. Stabilize landfill areas below Watercress. |
| Conserve water for instream flow | Minimal continuous flow (0.5 cfs) may be available by providing city of Okanogan an alternative source of water | Okanogan | Strategy 1-1A. Provide water for adult fish passage, over-winter rearing, and juvenile out-migration (below OID).Strategy 1-2E. Reestablish and/or improve existing riparian areas. |
| Increase streambank stability | Install instream structures to minimize streambank erosion, lateral channel migration and reduce the risk of contamination by inundating adjacent landfill. | Okanogan | Strategy 1-1C. Stabilize landfill areas below Watercress. |
| Provide access to habitat | Design and construct a stable, low flow channel where appropriate, through the lower 4.3 miles of Salmon Creek. This will include the removal of an aluvial deposition at the confluence. | Okanogan | Strategy 1-2C. Design for unimpeded passage at mouth. |
| Provide access to habitat | Provide access to Salmon Creek by releasing water downstream of diversion dam. | Okanogan | Strategy 1-1A. Provide water for adult fish passage, over-winter rearing, and juvenile out-migration (below OID). |
| Provide access to habitat | Design and construct a stable, low flow channel, where appropriate, through the lower 4.3 miles of Salmon Creek. | Okanogan | Strategy 1-1B. Channel rehabilitation from Watercress to mouth. |
| Provide access to habitat | Develop and implement a long-term water lease program in collaboration with the Okanogan Irrigation District to provide a migration corridor for steelhead adults and smolts downstream of the irrigation diversion (RM 4.3). | Okanogan | Strategy 3-1B. Create full-scale coordinated resource management plans (irrigation needs, fish needs, human population needs, recovery needs under ESA and other management plans). |
| Provide long-term bank stability | Where possible and appropriate, reestablish riparian vegetation to provide long-term bank stability in the lower reach of Salmon Creek. Limited continuous flow (0.5 cfs) may be provided by funding a well for Okanogan City and utilizing the current surface water from Watercress Springs. | Okanogan | Strategy 1-2E. Reestablish and/or improve existing riparian areas. |
| Trend monitoring for adult and smolt production | Baseline and status/trend monitoring for adult escapement and juvenile production once long-term water lease program in Salmon Creek is implemented. | Okanogan | M & E need |
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 | Develop Biological Assessments for USFWS and NMFS | Develop and submit a biological assessment for proposed actions (low flow channel construction, water lease program, etc.). | 4/1/2007 | 9/1/2007 | $20,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Develop traditional cultural properties contract | Develop traditional cultural properties contract with Colville Tribe | 4/1/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $8,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Obtain federal, state, county, city permits to construct | Prior to construction of the low flow channel, permits will be obtained from appropriate federal, state, county and city offices | 11/1/2006 | 8/1/2008 | $50,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Respond to DEIS comments | Respond to Draft EIS comments and identify issues/concerns if any. | 12/1/2006 | 4/1/2007 | $10,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Realign, Connect, and/or Create Channel | Design and construct a low flow channel in the lower 4.3 miles of Salmon Creek | Reconnect the lowermost 4.3 miles of Salmon Creek by incorporating a long-term water lease program | 6/1/2007 | 10/31/2009 | $2,000,000 |
|
Biological objectives Provide access to habitat |
Metrics * # of stream miles before treatment: Salmon Creek inaccessible results in 0 miles * # of stream miles treated, including off-channels, after realignment: Reconnection of Salmon Creek results in 15 miles |
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| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Conduct pre-acquisition activities with city of Okanogan to access confluence area of Salmon Creek | Condudt pre-acquisition activities with city of Okanogan to acquire to parcels adjacent to the confluence of Salmon Creek. This will facilitate the removal of the alluvial deposition at the mouth. The City of Okanogan would develop a park at these parcels while protecting riparian habitat. | 3/1/2007 | 3/1/2008 | $50,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Coordination | Coordinate with local stakeholders of the breadth of contructing a low flow channel in the lower reach of Salmon Creek | Coordinate meetings between local stakeholders, city and county governments and consultants. Meetings will inform and discuss particulars to proposed low-flow channel construction and increased bank stability. | 6/1/2007 | 6/1/2008 | $20,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Coordination | Coordination with Okanogan Irrigation District (OID) to manage the water lease program | Coordination with OID manager and board members to implement the water lease program and manage water releases in the lower reach of Salmon Creek for steelhead migration | 1/15/2007 | 6/15/2010 | $30,000 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | BPA project and contract management | Project and contract management for actions funded by BPA | 10/1/2007 | 9/30/2010 | $40,000 |
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Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Conduct cultural resource survey and report | Conduct cultural resource survey within proposed project area (construction of low flow channel, removal of alluvial deposition, water release) and develop a report on findings. | 4/1/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $30,000 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Produce Inventory or Assessment | Conduct Hazardous Site Assessment | Conduct hazardous site assessment, specifically at domestic dump that may be disturbed during channel construction or leach hazardous material due to water release. | 7/1/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $10,000 |
|
Biological objectives Conduct risk assessment |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Conduct field surveys for ESA wildlife species | Conduct field surveys for ESA wildlife species at the proposed action site. | 4/1/2007 | 9/1/2007 | $1,000 |
|
Biological objectives Conduct risk assessment |
Metrics Focal Area: Tributaries Secondary R, M, and E Type: Compliance monitoring |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Enumerate adult steelhead | Collect biological data (length, weight, age, sex, origin) of returning adult steelhead to Salmon Creek | 3/15/2010 | 5/15/2010 | $3,000 |
|
Biological objectives Trend monitoring for adult and smolt production |
Metrics Focal Area: Tributaries Primary R, M, and E Type: Project Implementation/Compliance Monitoring Secondary R, M, and E Type: Status and Trend Monitoring |
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| Install Fish Monitoring Equipment | Install a temporary picket-weir | Install a temporary picket-weir trap to enumerate adult returns to Salmon Creek. | 3/15/2010 | 5/15/2010 | $500 |
|
Biological objectives |
Metrics |
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| Install Well | Install Well for city of Okanogan | Install well for city of Okanogan and utilize watercress springs to agument instream flow in lower Salmon Creek | 8/1/2008 | 8/1/2009 | $100,000 |
|
Biological objectives Conserve water for instream flow |
Metrics |
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| Acquire Water Instream | Develop and implement long term water lease program | Develop and implement a long-term water lease program that will provide a migration cooridor for steelhead (adults, smolts) in the lower reach of Salmon Creek. The annual cost is $128,500 for 1,700 acre feet. This cost included O & M for pumping ($25,000 annually), 700 ac-ft. ($45/ac-ft.) and 1,000 ac-ft for leased water ($72/ac-ft.). | 3/15/2007 | 5/15/2009 | $385,500 |
|
Biological objectives Provide access to habitat |
Metrics |
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| Develop and Negotiate Water Right Transaction | Develop a water right transaction with Okanogan City/Watercress Springs | Develop a water right transaction with the City of Okanogan from watercress springs (released to instream flow in Salmon Creek) to a well (groundwater) | 8/1/2007 | 8/1/2009 | $50,000 |
|
Biological objectives Conserve water for instream flow |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | Bio III (0.5), Staff Assistant (0.25), Bio I (0.5) | $55,260 | $58,023 | $60,925 |
| Fringe Benefits | 25% | $13,815 | $14,506 | $15,232 |
| Other | subcontract - channel design/construction oversight | $100,000 | $250,000 | $100,000 |
| Other | subcontract - construction | $0 | $0 | $1,632,008 |
| Other | Water lease with OID | $128,500 | $128,500 | $128,500 |
| Other | subcontract - Coordination with OID | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Overhead | Indirect (37.73%) | $20,850 | $21,893 | $22,988 |
| Other | subcontract- conduct cultural resource, ESA wildife and hazardous material surveys | $41,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | subcontract - complete responses to DEIS | $10,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Totals | $371,425 | $474,922 | $1,961,653 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $2,808,000 |
| Total work element budget: | $2,808,000 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | 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: $300,000 FY 2011 estimated budget: $300,000 |
Comments: Continuation of a long-term water lease program |
Future O&M costs: Continue a long-term (12-year) water lease program with the Okanogan Irrigation District and monitor adult steelhead returns and smolt production
Termination date: Ongoing
Comments: This project is proposed to continue, at least through the extent of the MOA (12 years) between the Colville Tribes and Okanogan Irrigation District.
Final deliverables: This water lease program will adult and juvenile steelhead to access approximately 11 miles of spawning and rearing habitat in Salmon Creek. It is anticipated this access to habitat will increase natural production of summer steelhead at a considerable level in the Okanogan River sub-basin and will augment recovery of this stock within the Upper Columbia River ESU.
Section 10. Narrative and other documents
Reviews and recommendations
| FY07 budget | FY08 budget | FY09 budget | Total budget | Type | Category | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NPCC FINAL FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Oct 23, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund Pending Available Funds |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)
NPCC comments: Reconnecting Salmon Creek to the Okanogan River is a worthwhile project that will benefit fish and wildlife. This is an excellent, well thought-out proposal. The proposal provides good information on habitat surveys and is well associated with the subbasin plan. Successful implementation will provide an estimated 11 miles of spawning habitat. This is likely to provide long-term benefits that will persist. The ISRP was somewhat critical of this restoration plan early on, because of the lack of water in the confluence area coupled with the obvious need to restore access for anadromous fish through the grossly damaged lower reaches of the river, which were clearly impassable to fish. This proposal, which springs from efforts undertaken since our first reviews, has considered those problems and addressed them in a logical and comprehensive manner. The previous ISRP review raised concerns about the potential benefit compared with the extensive restoration effort needed (and associated extremely high costs), which made this a not fundable proposal. (Insufficient benefit to fish.) In our previous review, the project sponsors estimated that about a potential of 280 steelhead and chinook could benefit from this project. This present proposal describes a reduced effort and addresses some of the concerns with availability of water in the stream and treatment of the alluvial deposit blocking passage at the mouth. This project might warrant a Three-Step review. We rate this Fundable (Qualified) because of the non-technical question whether the funding of one staff member would be sufficient to supervise this rather complex construction contract. The proposal states that no facilities and equipment are needed. Apparently, this arises from the fact that the construction work will be arranged by contract with experienced contractors. A more detailed description of the study design for the sponsors 10-year plan to monitor adult returns would improve the proposal. It is possible that M&E activities (e.g., weir construction) might affect non-focal species. The proposal would have been improved by discussion of potential problems. The proposal would also be improved by a better description of information transfer. The administrative form lists "electronic" transfer, but there is no discussion in the narrative. We found no discussion of long-term storage of data.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable (Qualified)
NPCC comments: Reconnecting Salmon Creek to the Okanogan River is a worthwhile project that will benefit fish and wildlife. This is an excellent, well thought-out proposal. The proposal provides good information on habitat surveys and is well associated with the subbasin plan. Successful implementation will provide an estimated 11 miles of spawning habitat. This is likely to provide long-term benefits that will persist. The ISRP was somewhat critical of this restoration plan early on, because of the lack of water in the confluence area coupled with the obvious need to restore access for anadromous fish through the grossly damaged lower reaches of the river, which were clearly impassable to fish. This proposal, which springs from efforts undertaken since our first reviews, has considered those problems and addressed them in a logical and comprehensive manner. The previous ISRP review raised concerns about the potential benefit compared with the extensive restoration effort needed (and associated extremely high costs), which made this a not fundable proposal. (Insufficient benefit to fish.) In our previous review, the project sponsors estimated that about a potential of 280 steelhead and chinook could benefit from this project. This present proposal describes a reduced effort and addresses some of the concerns with availability of water in the stream and treatment of the alluvial deposit blocking passage at the mouth. This project might warrant a Three-Step review. We rate this Fundable (Qualified) because of the non-technical question whether the funding of one staff member would be sufficient to supervise this rather complex construction contract. The proposal states that no facilities and equipment are needed. Apparently, this arises from the fact that the construction work will be arranged by contract with experienced contractors. A more detailed description of the study design for the sponsors 10-year plan to monitor adult returns would improve the proposal. It is possible that M&E activities (e.g., weir construction) might affect non-focal species. The proposal would have been improved by discussion of potential problems. The proposal would also be improved by a better description of information transfer. The administrative form lists "electronic" transfer, but there is no discussion in the narrative. We found no discussion of long-term storage of data.