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
Spokane Tribe Grand Coulee Mitigation

BPA project number   5509500

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Spokane Tribe

Sponsor type   WA-Federal Agency

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

BPA technical contact   , EWP

Biological opinion ID   NA

NWPPC Program number   11.3A.1

Short description
Implement Spokane Tribal Share of Washington Wildlife Mitigation Agreement

Project start year   1993    End year   1997

Start of operation and/or maintenance   1998

Project development phase   Implementation

Section 2. Narrative

Related projects

Project history
Under the 1993 BPA/WWC Washington Wildlife Mitigation Agreement, the Spokane Tribe was a signatory guaranteeing funding for its approved project. This Agreement Funding is considered non-discretionary in the NPPC Fish & Wildlife Program wildlife budget.

Biological results achieved
Criteria and a ranking system have been developed to prioritize land purchases. Seventy-seven acres or priority habitat have been bought from a targeted objective of 1768 acres.

Annual reports and technical papers
(1)Wildlife Mitigation and Restoration for Grand Coulee Dam: Blue Creek Project.
(2)Blue Creek Winter Range: Wildlife Mitigation Project. Final Environmental Assessment and FONSI.

Management implications
Accuracy of forecasting Habitat Units of wildlife credit by habitat type, proposed management techniques and fixed "up-front" budget.

Specific measureable objectives
Goal of implementation is to protect and enhance approximately 1768 acres or priority wildlife habitat containing approximately 1697 white-tailed deer Habitat Units.

Testable hypothesis
NA - This is a habitat management project. Pre- and post-implementation (�10 years) habitat changes will be measured and analyzed, as measured in Habitat Units.

Underlying assumptions or critical constraints
That BPA will provide funds allocated 3 years ago.

Methods
For applicable discussion of methods to be used in this habitat mitigation project, see two technical reports/EA listed earlier under "Annual Reports and Technical Papers.

Brief schedule of activities
FY 96&97:
(1) Receive promised funds from BPA.
(2) Tabulate available properties within management area, apply ranking criteria, and prioritize.
(3) Negotiate with willing sellers and purchase.
(4) Apply HEP to determine baseline Habitat Units.
FY 98+: Continue Objective 2, 3 and 4.
(5) Write management plans for each parcel.
(6) Apply priority (limiting factor) management techniques using HEP results.
(7) Obtain operation and maintenance funding.

Biological need
The Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act includes provisions for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of fish and wildlife affected by the development and operation of hydroelectric facilities of the Columbia River Basin. This Act authorizes the Administrator of the BPA to use the BPA fund to carry out the provisions of the Act. The development of the hydropower system in the Columbia River Basin has affected many species of wildlife. Some floodplain and riparian habitats important to wildlife were inundated when reservoirs were filled. Fluctuating water levels caused by dam operations have created barren vegetation zones, which expose wildlife to increased predation. Activities associated with hydroelectric development have altered land and stream areas in ways that adversely affect wildlife. The impacts of dam construction and reservoir inundation have been documented and the wildlife losses are included in the NPPC's program.

Critical uncertainties
Adequate funding for wildlife mitigation in the Columbia River Federal Power System programs.

Summary of expected outcome
BPA will receive credit for about 1768 acres with 1692 HUs of deer habitat. This assumes BPA provides adequate and timely funding for acquisition, operation and maintenance, and monitoring and evaluation. With completion of this project approximately 2132 acres will need to be protected and enhanced to mitigate habitat losses to the Spokane Tribe from Grand Coulee Dam.

Dependencies/opportunities for cooperation
The Spokane Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs will work together to locate, prioritize and protect priority habitat parcels. The Tribe will conduct baseline HEP and write management plans. BIA will assist in land enhancement techniques.

Risks
The risk is NOT implementing the project. Desirable habitat is under development and logging threats. Prices are increasing as we wait for funding.

Monitoring activity
Long-term monitoring and evaluation of management activities will occur 1) to determine if the objectives of a given proposed action are met, 2) to evaluate the success of the management plan for each wildlife or project area, 3) to ensure the principles of adaptive management are undertaken for any corrective action needed. Included in the monitoring and evaluation program will be:
(1) Monitoring and evaluation of habitat through the use of a quantifiable method to analyze change in Habitat Units as determined by Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) studies for each area in response to habitat maintenance and enhancement activities.
(2) Monitoring of species presence and occurrence before, during and after project implementation in response to habitat maintenance and enhancement activities.
(3) Cost effectiveness of comparative methodologies during the development of project proposals and implementation.
BPA will monitor and evaluate the proposed projects through periodic reports submitted by STOI.

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   Wildlife

Recommendation    No recommendation