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
Conforth Ranch - O&M and Enhancements

BPA project number   9009200

Short description
Develop and implement a long-term management plan for the Wanaket Wildlife Area and conduct custodial management and enhancement activities consistent with the plan.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Section 2. Goals

General
Supports a healthy Columbia basin; maintains biological diversity; maintains genetic integrity; provides needed habitat protection

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Hydro project   McNary
Subbasin   Umatilla
Land ownership   Public, BIA Trust
Acres affected   2,817
Habitat types   Shrub/Steppe, grassland, Ripaian tree/shrub, wetlands, open water, sand dune, rock outcrop, talus

History
The Agreement began in 1993, and will continue until title is passed to the CTUIR, when a long-term maintenance agreement will be negotiated. This project supports tens of thousands of migrating and resident waterfowl and shore birds annually. State and Federal sensitive, threatened and endangered species and species of special concern use the project. The wetland complexes found on the project are extremely rare in Umatilla County and their on-site location provides benefits to the populations impacted by the Columbia Basin hydropower projects.

Biological results achieved
Increase diversity of wildlife species and enhance native wetland, open water, and shrub/steppe wildlife habitats on 2800 acres adjacent to the McNary project. Wetland habitats heavily grazed previously have been protected with a resulting net improvement of habitat for resident and migratory wildlife populations. Estimated HU�s from fully implemented project 2495.

Project reports and papers
Quarterly reports of progress are written by the CTUIR.

Adaptive management implications
Monitoring and evaluation of the species and habitat responses will be used to direct future management actions within the framework of the Management Plan/NEPA document prepared by the CTUIR and BPA to assure benefits from efforts expended.

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
Provide an estimated 2,334 Habitat Units of protection credit and 2,495 Habitat Units of enhancement credit against Bonneville Power Administration�s Hydro related debt.

Critical uncertainties
Security of long-term funding for operations and maintenance of the project.

Biological need
Restore/mitigate for wildlife habitats impacted by the construction and subsequent reservoir inundation of the McNary Hydro Facility as documented in the NPPC Wildlife Program�s Losses Assessments.

Hypothesis to be tested
Enhancement and protection of wildlife habitats will have a corresponding benefit to wildlife populations.

Alternative approaches
Conforth Ranch (Wanaket) Wildlife Mitigation Project Management Plan and EA.

Justification for planning
NA

Methods
For applicable information on specific implementation of this project please refer to the Conforth Ranch (Wanaket) Wildlife Mitigation Project, Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, 1996.

Section 5. Planned activities

Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
None identified.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
Permanent protection and enhancement of approximately 2800 acres of wetland, open water, and shrub/steppe habitats and increased productivity of wetland wildlife species.

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
Please refer to the Conforth Ranch (Wanaket) Wildlife Mitigation Project, Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, 1996.

Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
Refer to the Conforth Ranch (Wanaket) Wildlife Mitigation Project, Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, 1996.

Contribution toward long-term goal
Increase habitat diversity and wetland wildlife species on 2,800 acres

Indirect biological or environmental changes
Refer to the Conforth Ranch (Wanaket) Wildlife Mitigation Project, Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, 1996.

Physical products
2800 acres

Environmental attributes affected by the project
Number, extent and duration of naturally occurring wetland habitats increased through flood irrigation. Human access regulated and livestock grazing restricted to protect habitats and wildlife, particularly during critical life history periods such as nesting and migration.

Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
Number, extent and duration of naturally occurring wetland habitats increased through flood irrigation.

Information products
Regular HEP updates.

Coordination outcomes
The management plan and NEPA documentation has been completed. An agreement will be negotiated to turn title of the land over to the CTUIR for their long-term management. Funding to accomplish this long-term management has not yet been agreed to. During the past years, inventory of plant and animal populations has been on-going. The water delivery infrastructure has been overhauled including fish screens, intakes, electrical system, pumps and irrigation pipe, irrigation maintenance has occurred, and public access to the area has been regulated, including hunting during the waterfowl and upland game bird seasons. Fences have been maintained to control livestock trespass and clean-up of non-hazardous materials has occurred. Solid and hazardous waste have been identified, removed and disposed of. Planning for restoration of the canal water delivery system has been initiated.

MONITORING APPROACH
Monitoring will include regular HEP updates and enhancement specific evaluations
For applicable information on specific implementation of this project please refer to the Conforth Ranch (Wanaket) Wildlife Mitigation Project, Management Plan and Environmental Assessment, 1996.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
Habitat Evaluation Procedures, USFWS waterfowl survey protocols, upland brood survey methodologies.

Data analysis and evaluation
Waterfowl and shorebird survey data will be used to gauge target population responses to habitat enhancements, HEP data will be used to measure increases in habitat units.

Information feed back to management decisions
Waterfowl and shorebird survey data will be used to gauge target population responses to habitat enhancements, HEP data will be used to measure increases in habitat units.

Evaluation
Number of habitat units credited to BPA for target HEP species, response of target species to enhancements.

Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
Through Integrated Adaptive Management Principles (IAMP).

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
Through regulated access programs for waterfowl and upland bird hunting, use of volunteer organizations to acquire wildlife survey data.

Section 7. Relationships

Opportunities for cooperation
Opportunities exist for cooperative efforts with private conservation organizations to enhance and maintain habitats and public use facilities associated with the project.

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $200,000

How does percentage apply to direct costs
Indirect applied to personnel, services, travel, and services/supplies portions of funding. Does not apply to subcontracting activities.