FY07-09 proposal 199506001
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Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Iskuulpa Watershed Project |
| Proposal ID | 199506001 |
| Organization | Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation |
| Short description | Continue operations and maintenance of the Iskuulpa Watershed to protect and enhance watershed resources to provide benefits for seven HEP Target Species and anadromous and resident salmonids. |
| Information transfer | Annual reports, summarizing yearly accomplishments, will be sent to BPA in pdf format. Weed data will be input into the Tribes Weed database (in development) and will be available to view over the internet. |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
Contacts
| Contact | Organization | |
|---|---|---|
| Form submitter | ||
| Jenny Barnett | Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla | [email protected] |
| All assigned contacts | ||
| Jenny Barnett | Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla | [email protected] |
Section 2. Locations
Province / subbasin: Columbia Plateau / Umatilla
| Latitude | Longitude | Waterbody | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squaw Creek | The entire watershed of Iskuulpa (Squaw) Creek. |
Section 3. Focal species
primary: All Wildlifesecondary: Anadromous Fish
Additional: HEP Species: western meadowlark, blue grouse, downy woodpecker, black-capped chickadee, yellow warbler, mink, great blue heron
Section 4. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishments |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Initiated a pilot study for monitoring songbird populations in grassland habitat. Four transects, with 10 points each, were established. Purchased whole conifer trees for placement in Iskuulpa Creek in 2006. |
| 2004 | Conifer and hardwood trees were planted on 20 acres. A time change analysis, focusing on species composition (perennial vs annual) of grassland habitats was completed using a combination of remotely-sensed and field-collected data. |
| 2003 | Large woody debris was added to approximately 4 miles of Iskuulpa Creek. The HEP report was completed. BPA was credited with 4,567 habitat units for 7 indicator species. 400 willow stakes were planted along the mainstem of Iskuulpa Creek |
| 2002 | Data were collected for a HEP evaluation of the project area. |
| 2001 | [Accomplishment field left blank] |
| 2000 | Established 14 additional ecological reconnaissance plots. Completed summaries of HEP and ecological plot data. Rested grazing allotments. |
| 1999 | Completed field surveys for HEP. Established 20 ecological survey plots in grassland and forest cover types. Acquired an additional 80 acres of land. Administratively closed 16.3 miles of road to protect fish and wildlife habitats. |
| 1998 | Acquired an additional 320 acres of fee lands. Purchased two BIA-administered grazing allotments, totally approx 20,000 acres and 1,056 AUMs. Started management plan. Initiated Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP). |
| 1997 | Approximately 5,536 acres of land in the Iskuulpa Creek subbasin purchased to form the nucleus of the Squaw Creek Watershed Project. Additionally, 1,005 acres of BIA-administered Trust land was incorporated into the project. |
| 1996 | [Accomplishment field left blank] |
| 1995 | The Iskuulpa (Squaw) Creek Watershed Project was identified and prioritized by the CTUIR as a mitigation project providing dual benefits for fish and wildlife. |
| 1994 | Completed 10 miles of fish habitat and population surveys in Iskuulpa Creek. Established baseline data, characterized existing riparian and fish habitat conditions and obtained estimate of salmonid populations (37,611 salmonids). |
Section 5. Relationships to other projects
| Funding source | Related ID | Related title | Relationship |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | 198710001 | Umatilla Anad Fish Hab - CTUIR | This project incorporates Iskuulpa Creek Watershed due to the subbasin's critical contribution of summer steelhead spawning/rearing habitat to the Umatilla Basin. Opportunities exist to share personnel, vehicles, and equipment to minimize project expenses. |
| BPA | 199000501 | Umatilla Basin Nat Prod M&E | Fish habitat monitoring and evaluation surveys for the Iskuulpa Creek Watershed will be conducted under this project, and will help quantify benefits of activities accomplished under this proposal |
| BPA | 199009200 | Wanaket Wildlife Area | One of 3 fish and/or wildife mitigation projects developed by CTUIR to mitigate for impacts of the John Day and McNary Dams within the CTUIR ceded territory. All meet the vision of the CTUIR Wildlife Mitigation Plan. |
| BPA | 200002600 | Rainwater Wildlife Area Operat | One of 3 fish and/or wildife mitigation projects developed by CTUIR to mitigate for impacts of the John Day and McNary Dams within the CTUIR ceded territory. All meet the vision of the CTUIR Wildlife Mitigation Plan. |
Section 6. Biological objectives
| Biological objectives | Full description | Associated subbasin plan | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat | Implement enhancements that will contribute towards the provision of 393 enhancement credits over the next 10 years. Enhance 25 acres of riparian wetland and 200 acres of grassland. | Umatilla | Interior grassland, bio obj 2, strat 1, 2, and 3. Mixed conifer, bio obj 2, strat 2, 3, and 4. Ponderosa pine, bio obj 2, strat 2, 3, and 4. Riparian wetland, bio obj 2, strat 1, 2, 3, 4. |
| Provide protection credit, protect habitat. | Operate and maintain the Iskuulpa Creek Watershed project to provide 4,567 habitat units of protection credit and protect habitat. Aquisition of land within the Iskuulpa watershed provided a high level of protection. Habitat types in Iskuulpa include interior grassland, riparian wetland, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer | Umatilla | Mixed conifer, Bio obj 1, strat 1; Interior grassland, bio obj 1, strat 2; Ponderosa Pine, bio obj 1, strat 1: Riparian Wetland, bio obj 1, strat 2. |
| Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment | Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment in Iskuulpa Creek, to address limiting factors to natural fish production | Umatilla | 6) Fence and plant riparian zones 9) Maintain, relocate, or eliminate ...roads... 11) Modify detrimental land use activites 12) Restore upstream or headwater attributes |
Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)
| Work element name | Work element title | Description | Start date | End date | Est budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lease Land | Purchase two grazing leases for two Bureau of Indian Affairs grazing units | Grazing leases are purchased to allow rest from livestock grazing. Rest from grazing allows natural recovery of riparian zone and grassland plant communities. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $56,915 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics * # of acres of renewed lease: 20,000 |
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| Plant Vegetation | Plant Native hydrophilic shrubs in Iskuulpa Creek | The riparian area along Iskuulpa Creek has been damaged through past management. Native willow cuttings, collected from Iskuulpa Creek and grown in CTUIR's Native Plant Nursery, will be planted to facilitate recovery of stream-side vegetation. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $50,170 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics * # of acres of planted: 25 |
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| Plant Vegetation | Plant native grasses and forbs in grassland habitats | Grassland habitats in Iskuulpa Watershed have been heavily impacted by past management acitons. Bluebunch wheatgrass has been lost from many locations, replaced by exotic vegetation. Bluebunch wheatgrass seed and plugs, grown from locally collected seed, will be planted in appropriate upland sites. Sandberg's bluegrass and a variety of native, perennial forbs, will also be planted to enhance plant communities. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $71,111 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat |
Metrics * # of acres of planted: 200 |
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| Remove vegetation | Remove Himalayan blackberry | Himalayan blackberry infestations are common in the riparian area along Iskuulpa Creek. This undesirable plant can quickly dominate a site and outcompete native vegetation. It forms dense thickets which prevent the establishment of shade intolerant trees. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $78,344 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics * # of acres treated: 30 |
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| Remove vegetation | Remove Noxious Weeds | Adjacent watersheds possess varying levels of yellow starthistle and knapweeds. Although comparatively weed-free, the Iskuulpa Watershed includes small, isolated patches of noxious weeds. Tribal staff have identified Iskuulpa as a high priority for weed prevention. Work element includes systematic survey of the watershed for weed infestations and hand, mechanical, or chemical treatment of weed patches found. Work in the Iskuulpa Watershed is part of a weed survey and treatment effort throughout the Upper Umatilla River Management Area | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $61,945 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics * # of acres treated: 50 |
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| Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage | Monitor and maintain existing range allotment boundary fence | Range units are leased to protect and maintain gass cover, height, and native species composition in interior grassland and riparian wetland cover types. Benefits steelhead and spring chinook, and the HEP species western meadowlark, mink, and yellow warbler | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $42,021 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics |
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| Investigate Trespass | Prevent trespass by illegal livestock and motor vehicles | Grazing season on neighboring allotments occurs from May 15 - October 31, annually. Range units within the project area are leased to protect and maintain grass cover, height, and native species composition. Motor vehicles are excluded during steelhead spawning season and during periods of extremem fire danger. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $54,960 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics |
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| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor Success of Revegetation Projects and songbird populations in grasslands | Establish and run monitoring transects to track the success of revegetation projects. Transects will be designed to determine % survival and/or density of planted vegetation. Run 3 point count transects (10 points each) to monitor songbird populations in grassland habitats | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $25,323 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: monitor success of revegetation projects |
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| Analyze/Interpret Data | Analyze data from songbird point counts and revegetation projects | [Work Element Description Not Entered] | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $8,768 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: baseline data on songbird abundance in grasslands Primary R, M, and E Type: monitor success of revegetation projects |
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| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Environmental Compliance | Environmental compliance includes meeting NEPA requirements, obtaining cultural resource clearance, obtaining permits and conducting Endangered Species Consultation on any project which requires it. Most habitat improvement projects, including planting vegetation, thinning timber, and removing weeds and unwanted vegetation require some environmental compliance. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $33,932 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics |
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| Manage and Administer Projects | Manage and Administer Projects | General project administrative duties | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2007 | $32,939 |
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Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics |
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| Coordination | Participation in CBFWA and NWPPC Processes | This project must be considered in the context of the Fish and Wildlife Program, which includes reviewing the project for consistency with regional standards and reviewing project funding needs at quarterly reviews. Develope match funding opportunities and partnerships through coordination. | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $29,170 |
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Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics |
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| Produce Annual Report | 2007, 2008, and 2009 Annual Reports | The annual report is a contract requirement | 1/1/2007 | 9/30/2009 | $16,371 |
|
Biological objectives Provide enhancement credit, enhance habitat Provide protection credit, protect habitat. Reduce stream temperatures and fine sediment |
Metrics |
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Section 8. Budgets
Itemized estimated budget
| Item | Note | FY07 | FY08 | FY09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | [blank] | $67,666 | $71,050 | $74,602 |
| Fringe Benefits | [blank] | $18,270 | $19,183 | $20,143 |
| Travel | [blank] | $10,548 | $10,739 | $10,934 |
| Supplies | [blank] | $15,940 | $15,940 | $15,940 |
| Overhead | [blank] | $43,845 | $45,596 | $47,431 |
| Other | [blank] | $24,714 | $24,714 | $24,714 |
| Totals | $180,983 | $187,222 | $193,764 | |
Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets
| Total itemized budget: | $561,969 |
| Total work element budget: | $561,969 |
Cost sharing
| Funding source/org | Item or service provided | FY 07 est value ($) | 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: $199,577 FY 2011 estimated budget: $199,577 |
Comments: Accounts for increase costs of personnel, fuel, good/services, etc |
Future O&M costs: Base cost of project should increase to cover increased operations and maintenance costs due to inflation
Termination date: perpetual
Comments: Project should be maintained for the life of the hydroelectric projects it mitigates for.
Final deliverables: Long-term/perpetual protection and managment of lands providing habitat unit credits against BPA's loss obligation
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] | ||||||
| $175,000 | $175,000 | $175,000 | $525,000 | Expense | ProvinceExpense | Fund |
| NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs] | ||||||
| $175,000 | $175,000 | $175,000 | $0 | ProvinceExpense | ||
ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable
NPCC comments: The proposal is well organized and written. The proposal clearly states the logical need to provide and maintain habitat in the Iskuulpa Creek Watershed that includes interior grassland, riparian wetland, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer. Enhancements designed to address limiting factors to fish production, such as reduction of stream temperatures and fine sediment, are clearly explained and tied to the Umatilla Subbasin plan. Past results are documented with benefit to fish and wildlife noted. The proposed project will benefit focal species. Biologically measurable outcomes are identified where possible. Monitoring and evaluation is provided by a directly related project. These benefits may persist over the long-term if human disturbances can be controlled. The project would benefit from a better discussion of possible impact of habitat restoration on non-focal species. Also, the project sponsor should identify the metric to be used for evaluating bird community response. Sharing of personnel and equipment with other projects is commendable. Collaboration with others involved in similar projects outside the subbasin should be explored. Information transfer, in addition to annual reports, should be considered and described. For example, strategies for sharing successes and lessons learned with other teams in the region could be considered information transfer.
ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)
Recommendation: Fundable
NPCC comments: The proposal is well organized and written. The proposal clearly states the logical need to provide and maintain habitat in the Iskuulpa Creek Watershed that includes interior grassland, riparian wetland, ponderosa pine, and mixed conifer. Enhancements designed to address limiting factors to fish production, such as reduction of stream temperatures and fine sediment, are clearly explained and tied to the Umatilla Subbasin plan. Past results are documented with benefit to fish and wildlife noted. The proposed project will benefit focal species. Biologically measurable outcomes are identified where possible. Monitoring and evaluation is provided by a directly related project. These benefits may persist over the long-term if human disturbances can be controlled. The project would benefit from a better discussion of possible impact of habitat restoration on non-focal species. Also, the project sponsor should identify the metric to be used for evaluating bird community response. Sharing of personnel and equipment with other projects is commendable. Collaboration with others involved in similar projects outside the subbasin should be explored. Information transfer, in addition to annual reports, should be considered and described. For example, strategies for sharing successes and lessons learned with other teams in the region could be considered information transfer. See ISRP comments on the “Umatilla Initiative” under proposal 198343600.