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
Crates Point

BPA project number   9701200

Short description
Mitigate for wildlife habitat units lost from construction and operation of Bonneville Dam. The project will also provide direct benefits to anadromous fish.

Business name of agency, institution or organization requesting funding
Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon

Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Section 2. Goals

General
Supports a healthy Columbia basin; maintains biological diversity; maintains genetic integrity; increases run sizes or populations; provides needed habitat protection

Section 3. Background

Stream area affected

Stream name   Columbia R
Stream miles affected   3
Hydro project   Bonneville Dam
Subbasin   Mainstem Columbia
Land ownership   public & private
Acres affected   186.5 acres
Habitat types   Riparian/Wetland

History
N/A

Biological results achieved
N/A

Project reports and papers
N/A

Adaptive management implications
N/A

Section 4. Purpose and methods

Specific measureable objectives
BPA will receive credit for the habitat units identified in section "Target Species" listed above.

Critical uncertainties
Adequate funding to implement and complete project. Environmental factors which we have no control of.

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 predation. Activities associated with hydroelectric development have altered land and stream areas in ways that adversely affect wildlife. Habitat Units will be increased by 166.65 HU for the target species identified above.
The impacts of dam construction and reservoir inundation have been documented and the wildlife losses are included in the NPPC's program.

Hypothesis to be tested
N/A

Alternative approaches
N/A

Justification for planning
N/A

Methods
Phase I of the project will focus on revegetation and rehabilitation of projects lands and water resources adjacent to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Phase II will focus on development of a management plan for the remaining project lands. This will include baseline HEP, enhancement techniques, operation and maintenance and monitoring and evaluation. For more information pertaining to planning and implementation of Phase I of the project please see: Vegetation management Plan by Walker and Macy and Crates Point Site Evaluation Report, USDA Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, 1992.

Section 5. Planned activities

Constraints or factors that may cause schedule or budget changes
Inability to develop needed management agreements with State and Corps.

Section 6. Outcomes, monitoring and evaluation

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Expected performance of target population or quality change in land area affected
BPA will receive credit for an estimated minimum of 166.65 habitat units when full implementation of this project is achieved.

Present utilization and convservation potential of target population or area
Unknown

Assumed historic status of utilization and conservation potential
Unknown

Long term expected utilization and conservation potential for target population or habitat
Wildlife Habitat

Contribution toward long-term goal
It will provide BPA credit for the habitat units lost at Bonneville.

Indirect biological or environmental changes
Unknown

Physical products
185.6 Acres

Environmental attributes affected by the project
Water quality and vegetation at the site will be improved. Migration corridors will be created or improved. Some land access restrictions may be required to ensure enhancement of some target species.

Changes assumed or expected for affected environmental attributes
Restoring and maintaing native vegetation and migratory corridors. Improved water quality and aquatic habitat for reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and avians. Improved habitat for anadromous fish.

Assessment of effects on project outcomes of critical uncertainty
Monitoring and evaluation through the use of the Habitat Evaluation Procedure

Information products
Monitoring reports on the HEP.

MONITORING APPROACH
For information pertaining to planning and implementation of this wildlife mitigation project. Please see: Vegetation management Plan by Walker and Macy.
A H.E.P. would be conducted on the project area for all wildlife species.

Provisions to monitor population status or habitat quality
N\A

Data analysis and evaluation
N\A

Information feed back to management decisions
N\A

Critical uncertainties affecting project's outcomes
N\A

Evaluation
N\A

Incorporating new information regarding uncertainties
N\A

Increasing public awareness of F&W activities
N\A

Section 7. Relationships

Opportunities for cooperation
Many cooperators are involved. They include: Columbia Gorge Commission, State of Oregon, Wasco County, Wasco County Museum, Citizens of the Gorge Discovery Center, U.S. Forest Service, Bonneville Power Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Section 8. Costs and FTE

1997 Planned  $200,000

Other non-financial supporters
Wasco County, Sen. Wyden, Sen. Hatfield, Gov. Kitzhaber, ODF&W, Gorge Discovery Center, USDA Forest Service, Corps of Engineers.

How does percentage apply to direct costs
For Phase I there will be no overhead or indirect. For rest of project will likely be a portion of direct costs.