Grays River Watershed Restoration proposal 200301300

FY07-09 proposal 200301300

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Grays River Watershed Restoration
Proposal ID	200301300
Organization	Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST)
Short description	Project restores habitat-forming processes important to enhance chum salmon as well as other declining populations in the Grays River following recommendations being developed during the ongoing BPA-sponsored Grays River Watershed Assessment.
Information transfer	Project results will be shared with agency representatives through their involvement on project technical panel. Regular presentations will be made to local community at Stakeholders group at each phase of the project and to solicit community input. Project effectiveness monitoring data will be shared in written reports, journals, and through regional restoration entifites such as the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board and Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Allan Whiting	Columbia River Estuary Task Force	awhiting@columbiaestuary.org
All assigned contacts
Allan Whiting	Columbia River Estuary Task Force	awhiting@columbiaestuary.org

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Lower Columbia / Columbia Lower

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
-123.55027	46.37109	Grays River	The proposed restoration sites are located at the Gorley family property located about 1.7 km upstream of State Highway 4 between River Kilometer 20.2 to 21.3.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Chum Columbia River ESU
secondary: Chinook Lower Columbia River ESU
secondary: Coho Lower Columbia River ESU
secondary: Coastal Cutthroat Southwest Washington/Columbia River ESU
secondary: Pacific Lamprey
secondary: River Lamprey
secondary: Steelhead Lower Columbia River ESU

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	All taskswere completed as scheduled. The geomorphic watershed assessment has been completed and the sub-contractor’s final report has been received by PNNL: Prepared by Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc. for PNNL. August 3, 2005. 110 pp.
2004	All tasks were completed as scheduled:1) completion of a geomorphic assessment of watershed condition, 2) field substrate, bedform, and hyporheic temperature data collection, 3) development, and verification of two models, the MASS2 hydraulic model a

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
BPA	200301000	Historic Hab Food Web Link Sal	Fish use monitoring component of this proposal will be closely coordinated with NOAA Research Program proposed work in the Grays in coordination with newly proposed work by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (new BPA proposal #200715000).
BPA	200300600	Effectiveness Monitoring of Estuary Restoration Projects in Grays River and Chinook River Watersheds	Fish use monitoring component of this proposal will be closely coordinated with newly expanded scope of Chinook Estuary Monitoring project as it relates to work in the lower Grays River.
Other: Army Corps	DE-AC0576RLO	Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Columbia River Estuary	CREST, PNNL, and NOAA are cooperating in the monitoring of physical habitat and fish monitoring of restoration sites in the Lower Grays currently managed and owned by Columbia Land Trust on the Grays River.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
Increase salmonid productivity for four (4)species	This project will contribute to salmon productivity goals through the application of tributary habitat improvements for chum salmon (14%), fall Chinook salmon (9%), and winter steelhead (6%)(LCFRB 2004, Table 11, page. c-70). Proposed restoration treatments meet nine of the 10 priority measures articulated in the Grays River Sub-basin Plan. This project is located within priority stream reaches (Tier1) and sub-watersheds (Group A) according to the EDT Restoration and Preservation Analysis conducted for the Grays. Successful completion of project work elements will address nine of 10 “Habitat Measures” (LCFRB 2004, pp. C-80-89) listed in the plan. Habitat measures are means to achieve the regional strategies applicable to the Grays Sub-basin and necessary to accomplish the biological objectives for focal fish species.	Lower Columbia	Meets 9 of 10 priority measures identified in table 16 of the SubBasin Plan

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Produce Design and/or Specifications	Produce ELJ Design and Specifications	CREST, with assistance from PNNL, will develop final project design drawings and specifications to be used in soliciting proposals from qualified engineering firms for the installation of engineered log jams (ELJs) in the Grays River Project Area. CREST will establish and coordinate a technical review team to assure appropriate input from local stakeholders and local and regional experts during the planning phases of the project.	1/1/2007	1/31/2007	$8,662
Biological objectives Increase salmonid productivity for four (4)species			Metrics
Produce Design and/or Specifications	Engineering sub-contractor selection	Based on proposals submitted to the design specifications developed, CREST, with assistance from PNNL, will select an experienced engineering firm and contractor to install multiple ELJ structures in the Grays River project area. CREST will receive and administer all funds disbursed to the sub-contractor.	2/1/2007	3/31/2007	$3,319
Biological objectives Increase salmonid productivity for four (4)species			Metrics
Increase Instream Habitat Complexity	Install Engineered Log Jams	The subcontractor will install to specifications up to eight ELJ structures within the Grays River project area. CREST, with assistance from PNNL, will oversee the design process and project installation. The ELJ structures will slow flood flows, reduce erosion, contribute to sediment storage in the project area, enhance fish habitat, and contribute large woody debris to the project area. These structures will also divert partial flow into alternate channels within the Grays River floodplain, increasing total aquatic habitat area, restoring spawning habitat.	4/1/2007	10/15/2007	$470,026
Biological objectives Increase salmonid productivity for four (4)species			Metrics * # of structures installed: 6-8 Engineered Log Jams
Plant Vegetation	Install riparian plantings	CREST, with assistance from PNNL, will work with the Grays River Enhancement Group to design a planting plan, applying established guidance by the Wahkiakum County Conservation District. The plan will direct the distribution of native riparian plantings based on site conditions and access. The plan will also include a maintenance component to ensure planting survival and success. CREST, with assistance from PNNL, will coordinate the Grays River Enhancement Group and other available volunteers to obtain native vegetation and replant the riparian zone of the Grays River project area according to the planting plan. This project task will be completed in phases over the initial three years of the project.	5/1/2007	10/15/2009	$27,176
Biological objectives Increase salmonid productivity for four (4)species			Metrics * # of acres of planted: 40 acres of riparian forest planted
Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities	Land acquisition feasibility	Preliminary activities are initiated to investigate feasibility of acquiriing ecologically important tracts of land. This includes working closely with groups capable of holding land such as Wahkiakum County Community Foundation and Columbia Land Trust. Activities encompass conducting community outreach to landowners, appraisals, and leveraging additional funds for securing conservation easement and/or fee title acquisition.	2/1/2007	10/31/2009	$19,039
Biological objectives Increase salmonid productivity for four (4)species			Metrics
Land Purchase	Fee Title Acquisition	Funds will be used to leverage additional funds for purchase of critical areas of land that directly compliment in-stream work and help acheive project biological objectives.	2/1/2007	10/31/2009	$250,000
Biological objectives Increase salmonid productivity for four (4)species			Metrics * # of acres of new purchase/easement: 40 acres of critical floodplain property
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	Restoration monitoring and assessment	PNNL will conduct a quantitative assessment of changes in physical and hydrologic characteristics associated with engineered logjam (ELJ) installation.	4/1/2007	3/31/2010	$285,158
Biological objectives			Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Monitoring
Analyze/Interpret Data	Data reduction and statistical analyses of monitoring variables	PNNL will prepare data and conduct statistical analyses of geomorphology, spawning habitat, habitat use data. Statistical analyses of spawning use will include fitting multiple logistic regression models with velocity, depth, substrate, and bedform (expressed as Dslope) as continuous variables and year as a factor variable with three levels. Individual comparisons will be made between year variables to identify changes in model parameters between years. These analyses will examine differences between fitted logistic regression curves, where each curve represents the probability of spawning use as a function of year and habitat variables.	7/1/2007	3/1/2010	$43,736
Biological objectives			Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Research
Manage and Administer Projects	Project Administration	CREST will manage and administer this project and is responsible for overall coordination of the project with its partners. CREST will be responsible for the fiscal administration of subcontracts. CREST and PNNL will be responsible for annual provision of accounting reports to BPA associated with the respective funds received by each agency.	1/1/2007	6/30/2010	$18,317
Biological objectives			Metrics
Coordination	Planning and Coordination	CREST will be the lead for project coordination and will work with PNNL to ensure project tasks outlined in the statement of work (SOW) are completed in accordance with the project schedule. CREST will also coordinate with representatives from WDFW, Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, Columbia Land Trust, Grays River Habitat Enhancement Group, and the Wahkiakum County Conservation District and other local organizations to ensure that this project aligns with similar efforts in the Lower Columbia River.	2/1/2007	6/30/2010	$61,749
Biological objectives			Metrics
Outreach and Education	Project Presentations and Reporting	Using the already formed Grays River Stakeholder Group as the primary forum, CREST and/or PNNL will provide monthly presentations on project status and developments. Feedback on the project from stakeholders will also be obtained. Volunteer support from stakeholders will also be solicited when needed. In addition, CREST and/or PNNL will present project information to interested stakeholders at other forums, such as the Grays River Grange. Landowner permission has already been obtained, but CREST will continue to work closely with the landowner during all phases of the project.	1/1/2007	6/30/2010	$15,380
Biological objectives			Metrics * # of general public reached: # of general public reached: 12 meetings, 10 citiz
Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation	Secure required local, state, and federal permits for instream work	CREST, with assistance from PNNL, will coordinate with federal, state, and county agencies and private landowners to obtain the necessary permits and work authorizations. These may include permits from WDFW (HPA), Wahkiakum County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CWA Section 404), WDOE (CWA Section 401).	1/1/2007	6/1/2007	$9,824
Biological objectives			Metrics
Manage and Administer Projects	Produce Annual Status and Technical Reports	CREST will be responsible for project status reporting. PNNL will assist CREST in the preparation of annual reports.	12/31/2007	12/31/2009	$27,024
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report	Prepare project completion report	In the final year of the project the CREST PI and PNNL CO-PIs, with assistance from other CREST and PNNL staff will prepare a project completion report that summarizes all restoration assessment and monitoring efforts of the project. The report will follow standard scientific format.	7/1/2009	7/30/2010	$35,094
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report	Write article(s) for submission to peer-reviewed journals	PNNL will produce at least one peer-reviewed scientific journal article reporting findings of the restoration design, installation, and assessment.	8/1/2009	6/30/2010	$11,039
Biological objectives			Metrics
Produce/Submit Scientific Findings Report	Conference Presentation	PNNL will present monitoring results to one regional or national conference such as the American Fisheries Society or the American Geophysical Union.	7/1/2009	9/30/2010	$16,224
Biological objectives			Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Overhead	CREST Overhead (19.5%)	$6,318	$5,460	$5,018
Personnel	CREST Staff	$28,800	$25,000	$22,410
Fringe Benefits	CREST Fringe Benefits	$3,600	$3,000	$3,320
Supplies	Log Jam Materials	$50,000	$50,000	$0
Other	Construction Contract	$200,000	$100,000	$0
Supplies	Riparian Planting Materials and Supplies	$15,000	$5,000	$0
Other	Appraisal Fees	$7,500	$10,000	$0
Other	Engineering Contract	$100,000	$0	$0
Other	Acquistion Costs	$0	$250,000	$0
Personnel	PNNL Staff	$52,898	$27,674	$41,759
Fringe Benefits	PNNL Fringe Benefits	$17,776	$9,248	$13,086
Travel	CREST Travel	$8,000	$4,000	$4,000
Travel	PNNL Travel	$11,368	$3,066	$13,086
Supplies	Misc. Field Equipment	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
Overhead	PNNL Overhead	$86,832	$44,173	$71,375
Totals		$589,092	$537,621	$175,054

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$1,301,767
Total work element budget:	$1,301,767

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
Columbia Land Trust	Cash will be used to assist in land acquisition	$40,000	$0	$0	Cash	Confirmed
Hancock Timber Co.	Materials Donation for engineered log james	$50,000	$0	$0	In-Kind	Under Development
Wahkiakum Community Foundation	Facilitation, Community Outreach and Education	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	In-Kind	Confirmed
Wahkiakum County	Cash will be used for material purchase of engineered log jams.	$50,000	$0	$0	Cash	Confirmed
Totals		$141,500	$1,500	$1,500

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $75,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $75,000

Comments: [Outyear comment field left blank]

Future O&M costs: Maintenance costs associated with the ELJs and riparian reforestation are antcipated. In addition, we propose to continue to monitor restoration activities annually and recommend with lower-frequency monitoring continue through 2017. Monitoring should be extended beyond 2017 if watershed restoration activities including levee removal and upland forest management are implemented.

Termination date:
Comments:

Final deliverables:

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]
$400,000	$101,612	$100,000	$601,612	Expense	ProvinceExpense	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$400,000	$101,612	$100,000	$0		ProvinceExpense
Comments: Joint proposal from OR and WA.

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The proposal contains a comprehensive technical background and good description of watershed conditions. The history of perturbations in this watershed is very well documented, including the specific problems regarding chum and Chinook salmon spawning habitat. The proposal gives a clear depiction of limiting factors affecting chum salmon as identified in the literature and in the subbasin plan. Excellent rationales are given for large woody debris (LWD) and riparian restoration. Use of photos, charts and graphics is helpful. Excellent literature citation is provided. Good descriptions of the restoration monitoring needed are included throughout the work element and methods sections. A brief but sufficient history of the predecessor project, the watershed assessment, is provided in the project history section of the proposal. Further detailed history (with project results) is presented in the significance to regional programs section of the proposal. All tasks were completed as scheduled: 1) completion of a geomorphic assessment of watershed condition, 2) field substrate, bedform, and hyporheic temperature data collection, 3) development, and verification of two models. However, Figure 3 badly misrepresents the central process of fluvial geomorphology. Stream geomorphology depends on both land-use and water and riparian land cover, as well as geology and soils, and climate. It critically influences the hydrologic regime and sediment transport, and dictates instream habitat and biological integrity. This basic misunderstanding of the central role of fluvial geomorphology is evident in a great many of the proposals.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable