Restore Potlatch R Watershed proposal 200206100

FY07-09 proposal 200206100

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Restore Potlatch R Watershed
Proposal ID	200206100
Organization	Latah County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD)
Short description	Implementation stage for the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan with focus on restoration of A-run steelhead spawning and rearing habitat through the implementation of best management practices on private agricultural, forest and range lands.
Information transfer	Project information will be hosted on supporting agencies websites, site reviews and published summary reports highlighting projects benefits, costs and available monitoring data.
Proposal contact person or principal investigator

Contacts

Contact	Organization	Email
Form submitter
Kenneth Stinson	Latah Soil and Water Conservation District	[email protected]
All assigned contacts
Kenneth Stinson	Latah Soil and Water Conservation District	[email protected]
Kenneth Stinson	Latah Soil and Water Conservation District	[email protected]
Kenneth Stinson	Latah Soil and Water Conservation District	[email protected]

Section 2. Locations

Province / subbasin: Mountain Snake / Clearwater

Latitude	Longitude	Waterbody	Description
46 37' 5"	116 46' 5"	Big Bear Creek	Big Bear Creek mouth near Kendrick, Idaho
46 39' 2"	116 32' 53"	Cedar Creek	Cedar Creek mouth near Kendrick, Idaho
46 45' 56"	116 29' 33"	Corral Creek	Corral Creek mouth near Helmer, Idaho
46 37' 50"	116 39' 15"	Little Bear Creek	Little Bear Creek mouth near Kendrick, Idaho
46 37' 45"	116 35' 41"	Pine Creek	Pine Creek mouth near Kendrick, Idaho
46 28' 30"	116 46' 14"	Potlatch River	Potlatch River mouth near Juliaetta, Idaho.

Section 3. Focal species

primary: Steelhead Snake River ESU
secondary: Chinook Snake River Fall ESU
secondary: Chinook Snake River Spring/Summer ESU
secondary: Brook Trout

Section 4. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishments
2005	- Management Plan nears final draft - Additional fish production information incorporated - Additional stream surveys undertaken - Landowner conservation plans developed - Stream flow monitoring continues - Secured non-BPA implementation funds
2004	- Management Plan begins technical review - New fish abundance information incorporated - Additional implementation funding secured - Additional stream gauges installed - Additional stream surveys undertaken - Landowner conservation plans develope
2003	- Fish survey completed - Data analysis undertaken - Implementation agreement with NRCS signed - Management Plan in early draft stage - Implementation funding secured - Stream gauges installed - Stream surveys undertaken
2002	- Developed Technical Advisory Committee - Compiled existing databases - Developed structure and outline for Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan - Fish survey 50% complete - USGS flow gauge installed - Implementation proposals for direct-seeding

Section 5. Relationships to other projects

Funding source	Related ID	Related title	Relationship
PCSRF - Idaho	040 04 CW	Potlatch River Watershed Restoration	Administered by the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District. The primary focus is riparian restoration work within priority steelhead watersheds through the implementation of agricultural and livestock BMPs and riparian restoration. This proposed project will expand on work already underway in priority waterhseds within the Potlatch River watershed.
Other: Idaho Soil Conservation Commission	WQPA - A23	Potlatch River Water Quality Improvement Project	Administered by the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District. This project focuses on sediment reduction for CWA 303(d) listed waterbodies within the Potlatch River watershed. The project provides financial assistance to agricultural operators interested in transitioning from conventional tillage to continuous direct seeding systems.
Other: Idaho DEQ - CWA 319	319 - S106	Potlatch River Water Quality Improvement Project	Administered by the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District. This project focuses on sediment reduction for CWA 303(d) listed waterbodies within the Potlatch River watershed. The project provides financial assistance to agricultural operators interested in transitioning from conventional tillage to continuous direct seeding systems.
Other: Idaho DEQ - CWA 319	319 - S-069	North Idaho AFO Implementation Project – Phases I & II	Administered by the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District. This project focuses on improving water quality in 303(d) listed waterbodies throughout Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis, Latah and Nez Perce counties. Within the Potlatch River watershed, livestock exclusion fencing and off-site watering projects have been developed on the Potlatch River mainstem, Pine Creek and Big Bear Creek. Additional FY06 funding for this project has been requested from IDEQ.
Other: Idaho Soil Conservation Commission	WQPA - A15	North Idaho AFO Implementation Project - Phases I & II	Administered by the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District. This project focuses on improving water quality in 303(d) listed waterbodies throughout Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis, Latah and Nez Perce counties. Within the Potlatch River, livestock exclusion fencing and off-site watering projects have been developed in the Potlatch River mainstem, Pine Creek and Big Bear Creek.
Other: USDA - Natural Resources Cons. Service	68-0211-4-96	CCRP Contribution Agreement	Administered by the Latah Soil and Water Conservation District. This contribution agreement partially funds Latah SWCD's efforts to coordinate, plan and implement riparian restoration efforts within the Potlatch River watershed through USDA's Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP).
BPA	199608600	Clearwater Focus Program-IDSCC	Administered by the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission. This program assists with the coordination of the Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan. This program provides a conduit to BPA and NWPCC programs and policies.
PCSRF - Idaho	027 05 CW	Potlatch River Steelhead Popul	Administered by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Steelhead production surveys are entering their second year in the Big Bear and Little Bear Creek watersheds. This production information will be incorporated into the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and the data will be used as a base-line to measure effectiveness of best management practices within these watersheds.
PCSRF - Idaho	041 04 CW	Potlatch River Steelhead Popul	Administered by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Steelhead production surveys initiated in the Big Bear and Little Bear Creek watersheds. This production information has been incorporated into the draft Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan and the data will be used as a base-line to measure effectiveness of best management practices within these watersheds.
Other: USDA - Natural Resources Cons. Service	WHIP	Corral Creek Passage Barrier Removal	An abondoned railroad fill is scheduled for removal in 2006 by the Idaho Department of Lands and Idaho Department of Fish & Game with funding from USDA's Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Salmon Habitat Restoration Initiative. This barrier blocks steelhead access to 80% of the 14,000 acre watershed.

Section 6. Biological objectives

Biological objectives	Full description	Associated subbasin plan	Strategy
A. Implement riparian and upland agricultural BMPs	Implement riparian and upland agricultural best management practices designed to reduce sedimentation, reduce nutrient loading, reduce stream summer temperatures, increase/maintain summer flows and increase riparian habitat complexity.	Clearwater	Objective B/Strategies 2,5 Objective O/Strategy 4 Objective Q/Strategies 1,2,3 Objective S/Strategies 3,4 Objective T/Strategies 3,4 Objective U/Strategies 1,2,3,4,5 Objective BB/Strategies 1,2,3 Objective LL/Strategy 3 Objective QQ/Strategy 2
B. Implement pasture and rangeland riparian BMPs	Implement pasture and rangeland best management practices designed to reduce sedimentation, reduce nutrient loading, reduce summer stream temperatures, increase and maintain summer flows, increase riparian habitat complexity and protect functional riparian areas from further degradation by livestock grazing.	Clearwater	Obj. B/Strategy 2,5 Obj. O/Strategy 4 Obj. Q /Strategies 1,2,3 Obj. S/Strategies 3,4 Obj. U/Strategies 1,2,3,4,5 Obj. T/Strategy 3,4 Obj. BB/Strategies 1,2,3 Obj. EE/Strategies 1,2,3 Obj. FF/Strategy 2 Obj. LL/Strategy 3 Obj. QQ/Strategy 2
C. Secure alternative non-BPA financial resources	Secure technical and non-BPA financial resources necessary for the implementation of the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan.	Clearwater	Obj. B/Strategy 2,5 Obj. O/Strategy 4 Obj. Q /Strategies 1,2,3 Obj. S/Strategies 3,4 Obj. U/Strategies 1,2,3,4,5 Obj. T/Strategy 3,4 Obj. BB/Strategies 1,2,3 Obj. EE/Strategies 1,2,3 Obj. FF/Strategy 2 Obj. LL/Strategy 3 Obj. QQ/Strategy 2
D. Coordinate barrier removal planning	Planning and design will be coordinated through this project to determine feasibility of barrier modification to allow upstream and downstream migration past an abandoned dam structure on Little Bear Creek.	Clearwater	Objective P/Strategies 1,2 Objective LL/Strategies 1,3
E. Coordinate interagency conservation planning	Coordinate interagency conservation planning, including Potlatch Rivers TMDLs, and BMP implementation efforts within the Potlatch River watershed.	Clearwater	Objective B/Strategy 5 Objective S/Strategy 1 Objective T/Strategies 2,4 Objective LL/Strategy 2 Objective MM/Strategies 1,2,3 Objective NN/Strategies 2,3,4
F. Monitor riparian habitat and stream flows	Monitor riparian habitat, water quality parameters and stream flows to analyze BMP effectiveness and watershed-scale trends.	Clearwater	Objective B/Strategies 4,7 Objective O/Strategy 7 Objective Q/Strategy 6 Objective S/Strategy 5 Objective T/Strategy 5 Objective U/Strategies 6,7 Objective BB/Strategy 6 Objective EE/Strategy 4 Objective FF/Strategy 5
G. Develop landowner/producer information programs	Develop mechanisms to engage and inform landowners and agriculture producers about the conservation issues of concern within the Potlatch River wateshed and the availability of technical and financial resources to assist with the implementation of BMPs.	Clearwater	Objective BB/Strategy 4 Objective LL/Strategy 3 Objective RR/Strategies 1,2,3,4
H. Manage and administer BPA contracts	Manage and administer BPA contracts and coordinate these efforts with other programs.	Clearwater	Objective LL/Strategy 2

Section 7. Work elements (coming back to this)

Work element name	Work element title	Description	Start date	End date	Est budget
Identify and Select Projects	A1 Identify/select sites for agricultural BMPS	Identify a set of preferred sites for BMP implementation within each of the priority tributaries. Identify landowners willing to implement BMPs in priority watersheds.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$21,878
Biological objectives A. Implement riparian and upland agricultural BMPs			Metrics
Produce Plan	A2 Develop and implement site-specific conservation plans	Develop and implement site-specific conservation plans for BMP implementation. This element includes: plan development, permitting, review and approval by Latah SWCD, project inspections during construction, plan modifications, if needed, and any other landowner/agency assistance needed related to BMP installation.	3/1/2007	9/30/2009	$72,586
Biological objectives A. Implement riparian and upland agricultural BMPs			Metrics
Coordination	A3 Identify non-BPA alternative funding sources	Identify alternative non-BPA funding sources, if available, for selected BMPs.	3/1/2007	12/31/2009	$5,150
Biological objectives A. Implement riparian and upland agricultural BMPs			Metrics * # of acres of planted: 10
Increase Instream Habitat Complexity	A4 Implement riparian restoration BMPs	Regenerate riparian areas within agricultural areas through planting of native grasses, shrubs and trees.	3/1/2007	10/31/2009	$161,001
Biological objectives A. Implement riparian and upland agricultural BMPs			Metrics * # of stream miles treated: 3
Practice No-till and Conservation Tillage Systems	A5 Continuous direct seeding systems	Transition 3,000 acres from conventional tillage to continuous direct-seed systems. Landowner/operator contracts for cost-share will be for three years.	4/1/2007	10/31/2009	$270,000
Biological objectives A. Implement riparian and upland agricultural BMPs			Metrics * # of acres treated: 3000
Upland Erosion and Sedimentation Control	A6 Erosion/Sediment Control Structures	Construct 5 erosion/sediment control structures per year.	6/1/2007	10/31/2009	$45,000
Biological objectives A. Implement riparian and upland agricultural BMPs			Metrics * # of acres treated: 75
Identify and Select Projects	B1 Identify and select sites for pasture and rangeland BMPs	Potential restoration sites will be identified and willing landowners will be selected.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$21,878
Biological objectives B. Implement pasture and rangeland riparian BMPs			Metrics
Produce Plan	B2 Develop and implement site-specific conservation plans	Develop and implement site-specific conservation plans for BMP implementation. This element includes: plan development, permitting, review and approval by Latah SWCD, project inspections during construction, plan modifications, if needed, and any other landowner/agency assistance needed related to BMP installation.	3/1/2007	6/30/2009	$46,797
Biological objectives B. Implement pasture and rangeland riparian BMPs			Metrics
Coordination	B3 Identify non-BPA alternative funding sources	Identify alternative funding from non-BPA sources, if available, to implement the planned set of BMPs.	3/1/2007	12/31/2009	$7,150
Biological objectives B. Implement pasture and rangeland riparian BMPs			Metrics
Install Fence	B4 Install livestock exclusoin fencing	Install fencing to exclude livestock access to streams and rivers.	5/1/2007	11/30/2009	$79,200
Biological objectives B. Implement pasture and rangeland riparian BMPs			Metrics * # of miles of fence: 6.0
Develop Alternative Water Source	B5 Livestock off-site water developments	Off-site water developments may include wells, sping developments, etc.	6/1/2007	10/31/2009	$60,000
Biological objectives B. Implement pasture and rangeland riparian BMPs			Metrics
Increase Instream Habitat Complexity	B6 Implement riparian restoration BMPs	Riparian plantings along streams recently fenced to exclude livestock	3/1/2007	11/30/2009	$161,002
Biological objectives B. Implement pasture and rangeland riparian BMPs			Metrics * # of stream miles treated: 3
Identify and Select Projects	C1 Identify and select sites for agricultural, pasture and/or rangeland BMPS	Identify and select potential project sites and coordinate with willing landowners to initiate the conservation planning process on their property.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$26,883
Biological objectives C. Secure alternative non-BPA financial resources			Metrics
Produce Plan	C2 Develop site-specific conservation plan for non-BPA funding	Develop site-specific conservation plans for non-BPA funding sources.	5/1/2007	12/31/2009	$21,503
Biological objectives C. Secure alternative non-BPA financial resources			Metrics
Produce Plan	C3 Solict alternative funding for BMP implementation	Solicit alternative funding for BMP implementation, when appropriate.	5/1/2007	12/31/2009	$61,630
Biological objectives C. Secure alternative non-BPA financial resources			Metrics
Coordination	D1 Coordinate technical and community review of possible barrier removal options	Discuss passage options with current owners of the facility, adjacent and upland landowners and partner agencies with appropriate technical expertise.	6/1/2007	12/31/2009	$23,608
Biological objectives D. Coordinate barrier removal planning			Metrics
Coordination	D2 Solict funding for passage barrier planning and design	If feasible, solicit technical and financial assistance to initiate planning, design and permitting phases.	7/1/2007	12/31/2009	$22,760
Biological objectives D. Coordinate barrier removal planning			Metrics
Produce Design and/or Specifications	D3 Coordinate implementation funding for passage barrier removal	If the planning and design phase is funded, coordinate the completion of designs to address the passage barrier and coordinate an application for implementation funding assistance for submittal to various funding agencies.	7/1/2008	12/31/2009	$5,043
Biological objectives D. Coordinate barrier removal planning			Metrics
Coordination	E1 Coordinate the technical advisory group for the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan	Continue coordination role with the Technical Advisory Group formed to draft the Potlatch River Watershed Management Plan. Use this mechanism to coordinate interagency efforts to identify, prioritize and implement conservation practices to address limiting factors within the Potlatch River watershed.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$15,228
Biological objectives E. Coordinate interagency conservation planning			Metrics
Coordination	E2 Participate on the Potlatch River TMDL Watershed Advisory Group	Participate as an active member of the Potlatch River TMDL Watershed Advisory Group once formed by IDEQ.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$7,984
Biological objectives E. Coordinate interagency conservation planning			Metrics
Provide Technical Review	E3 Review Potlatch River TMDL and associated implementation plan	Provide technical assistance to the development of the Potlatch River TMDL, and associated implementation plan(s), as water quality parameters of concern to steelhead spawning and rearing habitat are addressed.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$17,215
Biological objectives E. Coordinate interagency conservation planning			Metrics
Coordination	E4 Continue participation on the Clearwater Policy Advisory Group	Continue to participate on the Clearwater Policy Advisory Committee as an alternate to the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation Districts.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$12,878
Biological objectives E. Coordinate interagency conservation planning			Metrics
Coordination	E5 Participate on interagency planning and assessment committees/workgroups	Participate on interagency planning and assessment committees/workgroups to identify, prioritize and fill data gaps, undertake watershed-scale assessments, undertake economic/social impact assessments, and review implementation options/priorities for natural resources issues within the Potlatch River and lower Clearwater watersheds.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$14,396
Biological objectives E. Coordinate interagency conservation planning			Metrics
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	F1 Undertake BMP effectiveness monitoring	Monitor selected restoration sites before and after BMP installation.	3/1/2007	12/31/2009	$70,761
Biological objectives F. Monitor riparian habitat and stream flows			Metrics Primary R, M, and E Type: Action Effectiveness Research
Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data	F2 Maintain temperature and flow gauging stations throughout watershed	Maintain the temperature and flow gauging stations in select tributaries and the USGS station at the mouth of the Potlatch River.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$96,317
Biological objectives F. Monitor riparian habitat and stream flows			Metrics Focal Area: Potlatch River Flow Measurements
Create/Manage/Maintain Database	F3 Maintain data from stream gauging stations	Produce and maintain stream temperature and flow data in a format useful for future analysis.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$9,874
Biological objectives F. Monitor riparian habitat and stream flows			Metrics
Outreach and Education	G1 Inform potential participants of restoration program funding	Inform potential project participants of the availability of technical and financial BMP assistance through landowner and land user meetings, TMDL watershed advisory groups, agency newsletters, and through established web sites and email networks of agencies and local conservation organizations.	3/1/2007	12/31/2009	$13,304
Biological objectives G. Develop landowner/producer information programs			Metrics * # of general public reached: 500
Outreach and Education	G2 Communicate project outcomes to the public	Communicate project processes and outcomes to the general public and landuser groups.	7/1/2007	12/31/2009	$17,403
Biological objectives G. Develop landowner/producer information programs			Metrics * # of general public reached: 1000
Outreach and Education	G3 Undertake field tours	Complete tours for landowners and agricultural producers when individual projects are complete.	6/1/2007	11/30/2009	$17,086
Biological objectives G. Develop landowner/producer information programs			Metrics * # of general public reached: 80
Outreach and Education	G4 Participate in local and regional seminars/conferences	Participate in local and regional workshops to provide information regarding project highlights, current federal and state agency processes and opportunities for technical and financial assistance.	8/1/2007	12/31/2009	$9,298
Biological objectives G. Develop landowner/producer information programs			Metrics * # of general public reached: 70
Manage and Administer Projects	H1 Manage and administer BPA contract	Administer BPA contract per contract requirements, Latah SWCD accounting procedures and related State of Idaho requirements for state agencies.	1/1/2007	12/31/2009	$29,245
Biological objectives H. Manage and administer BPA contracts			Metrics

Section 8. Budgets

Itemized estimated budget

Item	Note	FY07	FY08	FY09
Personnel	Project Manager (0.65 FTE)	$33,000	$34,500	$36,200
Personnel	Resource Conservation Planner (1.0 FTE)	$47,000	$49,500	$52,000
Personnel	Assistant Resource Conservation Planner (1.0 FTE)	$34,000	$35,700	$37,500
Fringe Benefits	All project staff	$40,000	$42,000	$44,000
Travel	Airfare	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
Travel	Lodging/Per Diem	$2,150	$2,150	$2,150
Travel	Mileage	$7,788	$7,788	$7,788
Supplies	Office/Computer Supplies	$5,250	$5,250	$5,250
Supplies	General Field Supplies	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Supplies	Monitoring Supplies	$12,500	$12,500	$12,500
Other	Storage Rental	$900	$900	$900
Other	Repair and Maintenance	$750	$750	$750
Other	Cell Phones/Internet Service	$2,100	$2,100	$2,100
Other	Postage	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
Capital Equipment	Laptop Computers (2) w/software	$7,000	$0	$0
Capital Equipment	4x4 ATV w/trailer	$7,000	$0	$0
Other	BMP Contract - Direct Seeding Cost-share	$90,000	$90,000	$90,000
Other	BMP Contract - erosion/sediment control structures	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Other	BMP - Riparian Plantings - ag fields	$40,920	$40,920	$40,920
Other	BMP Contract - Livestock Exclusion Fencing	$26,400	$26,400	$26,400
Other	BMP Contract - Off-site Water Developments	$20,000	$20,000	$20,000
Other	BMP - range/pasture riparian plantings	$40,920	$40,920	$40,920
Other	Contract - USGS monitoring station	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Overhead	Indirect Costs	$27,428	$28,198	$28,998
Totals		$482,106	$476,576	$485,376

Total estimated FY 2007-2009 budgets

Total itemized budget:	$1,444,058
Total work element budget:	$1,444,058

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
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality	Grant funding to support direct-seed cost-share on 303(d) listed water bodies with sediment listing.	$75,000	$0	$0	Cash	Confirmed
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality	Grant funding to support riparian restoration on pasture and range lands on 303(d) listed waters	$20,000	$0	$0	Cash	Confirmed
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality	Grant funding to support riparian restoration on pasture and range lands on 303(d) listed waters.	$15,000	$5,000	$0	Cash	Under Review
Idaho Department of Fish and Game	Funding through the Land Owner Incentive Program for Latah SWCD staffing	$34,000	$0	$0	Cash	Under Review
Idaho Soil Conservation Commission	Grant funding to support riparian restoration on pasture and range lands on 303(d) listed waters.	$25,000	$0	$0	Cash	Confirmed
Idaho Soil Conservation Commission	Grant funding to support direct-seed cost-share on 303(d) listed water bodies with sediment listing.	$75,000	$0	$0	Cash	Confirmed
Idaho State Department of Agriculture	Engineering assistance with livestock BMP design and inspection	$6,000	$6,000	$6,000	In-Kind	Under Review
Individual landowners/operators	Landowner and operators contribute 25% of BMP implementation cost through cash and labor	$80,000	$80,000	$80,000	In-Kind	Confirmed
USDA Farm Service Agency	CCRP funded riparian restoration projects	$25,000	$0	$0	Cash	Under Development
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	EQIP funded direct-seeding cost-share and riparian restoration	$100,000	$0	$0	Cash	Under Development
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Contribution agreement to develop conservation plans for the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program	$30,000	$0	$0	Cash	Under Development
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	Planning and engineering techncial assistance with agricultural BMPs	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000	In-Kind	Confirmed
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service	USDA provides the Latah SWCD project staff with office space, utilities and office equipment.	$6,000	$6,000	$6,000	In-Kind	Confirmed
Totals		$496,000	$102,000	$97,000

Section 9. Project future

FY 2010 estimated budget: $490,000
FY 2011 estimated budget: $490,000

Comments: The implementation practices outlined in FY07-09 would be continued within the same priority watersheds, if needed, or implementation would begin in other watersheds where restoration efforts are needed. Focus would remain with private lands.

Future O&M costs: The operation and maintenance of installed BMPs will remain the responsibility of landowners per signed contracts. No additional O/M costs will be needed for individual BMPs. Stream monitoring will need to be continued. An annual operations budget of approximately $35,000/year would keep the USGS station and all the tributary temperature and stream gauges operational.

Termination date: 9/30/16
Comments: The 377,000 Potlatch River watershed is a large area predominantly under private ownership. An integrated implementation effort by affected state and federal agencies could make measureable differences to A-run steelhead habitat within the watershed. However, habitat restoration work on this scale will respond slowly and major land-use changes not addressed by this project could significantly impact the conditions within the watershed. With the proposed 10-year time horizon, measureable changes could be made to steelhead habitat on private lands within the lower tributaries of the Potlatch system. New efforts may be needed to protect and/or restore areas within the upper watersheds.

Final deliverables: - 10-20 miles of restored riparian habitat within the dryland agricultural regions of the watershed. - 10-20 miles of restored riparian habitat within active pasture and rangelands. - 10,000 - 20,000 acres for agriculture land converted from conventional tillage to continuous direct seeding systems. - Higher, on average, summer flows from tributaries within the lower Potlatch River watershed. - Lower stream tempertures in areas serving as rearing habitat. - Decreased levels of sedimentation in spawning reaches of tributaries and the mainstem. - Measureable increases in riparian habitat complexity. - Wider steelhead distribution within the watershed, as a whole, and higher productivity within treated tributaries. - Baseline flow and temperature measurements for the watershed that can be used as reference background data for future restoration efforts. - A complementary and functional TMDL implementation plan for the Potlatch River with measureable progress to obtaining Idaho's water quality standards and established beneficial uses (including spawning and rearing habitat). - Productive family farms and ranching operations that have implemented restoration BMPs and have remained profitable. - Community members who are informed about A-run steelhead needs for healthy habitats and are willing, and able, to implement restoration projects throughout the watershed.

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]
$397,486	$397,486	$397,486	$1,192,458	Expense	ProvinceExpense	Fund
NPCC DRAFT FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS (Sep 15, 2006) [full Council recs]
$397,486	$397,486	$397,486	$0		ProvinceExpense

ISRP PRELIMINARY REVIEW (Jun 2, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable

NPCC comments: The ISRP is pleased to see stronger ties to fish and aquatic habitat here than in most SWCD proposals; this still works to implement Best Management Practices, but the authors have done an assessment and prioritized the tributaries with an understanding of what needs to be worked on first. This is a very strong point of this proposal. They used information from their assessment to actually inform their current understanding; i.e., some of the assessment data changed their minds. There is also a strong working connection, not just lip service, to IDFG steelhead studies on the Potlatch system. The M&E needs to be better developed and coordinated; see ISRP's programmatic comments on M&E. Fish monitoring would be dependent upon IDFG. This is not likely a situation where in-depth habitat effectiveness monitoring is needed. The effectiveness monitoring should use methods that are peer reviewed and up to Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership (PNAMP) and Collaborative Systemwide Evaluation Program (CSMEP) standards. In order to track progress toward a "restored" state, abundance targets (in this case, numbers of steelhead) are needed. Project staff will need to work with others to better identify abundance goals for fish in the Potlatch River. On page 9, paragraph 2 of the proposal, 5,900 - 10,000 adult A-run steelhead are identified as the goal for the Clearwater, and sponsors suggest that the Potlatch could produce a significant number of these fish. These goals should largely be identified by management agencies and perhaps a recovery plan.

ISRP FINAL REVIEW (Aug 31, 2006)

Recommendation: Fundable