FY 2002 Blue Mountain proposal 200002100
Contents
Section 1. General administrative information
Section 2. Past accomplishments
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
Section 4. Budgets for planning/design phase
Section 5. Budgets for construction/implementation phase
Section 6. Budgets for operations/maintenance phase
Section 7. Budgets for monitoring/evaluation phase
Section 8. Budget summary
Reviews and Recommendations
Additional documents
| Title | Type |
|---|---|
| 200002100 Narrative | Narrative |
| 200002100 Response to the ISRP | Response |
| 200002100 Powerpoint Presentation | Powerpoint Presentation |
| Blue Mountain: Grande Ronde Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
| Blue Mountain: Grande Ronde Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects | Subbasin Map |
Section 1. Administrative
| Proposal title | Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon, Ladd Marsh WMA Additions |
| Proposal ID | 200002100 |
| Organization | Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) |
| Proposal contact person or principal investigator | |
| Name | Bruce Eddy |
| Mailing address | Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, 59116 Pierce Road La Grande OR 97850 |
| Phone / email | 5419632138 / [email protected] |
| Manager authorizing this project | Susan P. Barnes |
| Review cycle | Blue Mountain |
| Province / Subbasin | Blue Mountain / Grande Ronde |
| Short description | Protect and restore wetland and riparian habitats on parcels acquired and added to the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. |
| Target species | Steelhead, chinook salmon, 200 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, 10 species of reptiles and amphibians. |
Project location
| Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 45.25 | -118 | Approximately 6 miles SE of La Grande , Oregon |
Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)
Sponsor-reported:
| RPA |
|---|
| Habitat RPA Action 150 |
| Habitat RPA Action 151 |
Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:
| Reviewing agency | Action # | BiOp Agency | Description |
|---|
Section 2. Past accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Completed Oregon Trust Agreement Planning (OTAP) Project |
| 1996 | Conducted project scoping and developed partnerships with The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, USFWS, and others. |
| 1997 | Completed draft Assessing OTAP Project using Gap Analysis: Potential Mitigation for Impacts to Oregon Wildlife Resources Associated with Relevant Mainstem Columbia River and Willamette River Hydroelectric Projects. |
| 1997 | TNC began landowner negotioations for land acquisitions adjacent to Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area. |
| 1997 | FY97 OWC Programmatic proposal for $250,000 for mitigation planning and coordination was approved by the NWPPC. OWC coordination/planning occurred, data was gathered on priority projects, and the securing of properties began. |
| 1998 | FY98 OWC Programmatic Project proposal for $500,000 for mitigation planning and coordination was approved by the NWPPC. OWC coordination/planning occurred, potential projects were investigated, funding for Ladd Marsh projects were obtained |
| 1998 | The 308-acre Wallender and 160-acre Conley Lake parcels were acquired by The Nature Conservancy. |
| 1998 | GWEB project proposal was approved for planning and design, restoration, supplies and materials for the Ladd Marsh restoration project |
| 1999 | FY99 Ladd Marsh project proposal for $8,000 to enhance the Wallender and Conley Lake properties was approved by the NWPPC. |
| 1999 | The 375-acre Simonis parcel was acquired by The Nature Conservancy |
| 1999 | Federal Wetlands Reserve Program easement was conveyed to the Conley Lake, Wallender, and Simonis properties. |
| 1999 | BPA reviewed and approved the existing Wallender and Simonis property appraisals |
| 1999 | BPA NEPA checklists for Wallender and Simonis were completed by ODFW and submitted to BPA |
| 2000 | FY2000 Ladd Marsh project proposal for continued acquisition ($216,000) was approved by the NWPPC. |
| 2000 | FY2000 Ladd Marsh enhancement and O&M proposal ($144,637) was approved by the NWPPC. |
| 2000 | BPA NEPA checklist for Conley Lake was completed by ODFW and submitted to BPA. |
| ODFW/BPA Oregon Columbia Basin (Excluding the Willamette Basin) Wildlife Mitigation Memorandum of Agreement completed and signed | |
| 2000 | NEPA surveys (Hazardous materials, cultural resources, and biological analysis) completed; Wrote BA and submitted to NMFS and USFWS; initiated consultation. |
| 2000 | Coordination occurred between ODFW, BPA, and TNC to prepare for transfer of funds and fee-titles. |
| 2001 | Completed easement agreements with the City of La Grande for management of portions of Becker property; other agreements in progress. |
| 2001 | BPA funds transferred to TNC as reimbursement for expenses incurred; title for all three properties transferred to ODFW. |
| 2001 | Developed Statement of Work; Contracted first-year restoration and O&M funds |
| 2001 | Conducted baseline HEP with multi-agency HEP Team |
| 2001 | Five-Year Management Plan and Baseline HEP Report in progress. |
Section 3. Relationships to other projects
| Project ID | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Status Review of Wildlife Mitigation at Columbia Basin Hydroelectric Projects, Col. Mainstem and Lower Snake Facilities (BPA 1984) | Reviewed past, present and proposed future wildlife planning and mitigation programs at BPA's hydrofacilities. Called for quantitative and qualitative assessment of wildlife losses attributable to the dams and implementation of mitigation plans. | |
| Special Report: Lower Snake River Fish and Wildlife Compensation; Wildlife Habitat Compensation Evaluation for the Lower Snake River Project (ACOE 1991) | Quantified and described wildlife habitat conditions pre- and post- hydroproject construction/inundation, evaluated contribution of Habitat Mgmt. Units to current conditions, defined compensation goals in terms of habitat. | |
| 199208400 | Oregon Trust Agreement Planning Project | A mitigation planning tool that includes methods for assembling a trust agreement and a list of potential mitigation projects. The LMWA was identified as a priority site. |
| 199506500 | Assessing Oregon Trust Agreement Planning Project Using Gap Analysis | A mitigation planning tool used to analyze and rank potential mitigation projects within the basin. The LMWA was identified as a priority site. |
| 199705900 | Securing Wildlife Mitigation Sites - Oregon | Programmatic project; explains intent for mitigation planning, coordination and implementation by Oregon wildlife managers within Oregon. Served as the project through which Ladd Marsh acquisitions were originally identified, proposed and funded. |
Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Engineering and design | a. Survey, design and management services for wetland restoration and water control structure installation for Simonis parcel | one | $20,000 | Yes |
| b. Survey, design and management services for wetland restoration and water control structure installation for 400 acres of Becker parcel | one | $20,000 | Yes | |
| 2. Assess Baseline Conditions | a. Complete HEP survey on 400 acres of Becker and write HEP report | one | $4,286 | |
| b. Collect other baseline information | one | $2,597 | ||
| 3. Complete Pre-Conservation Easement Activities for lands adjacent to the LMWA | a. Conduct appraisals; prepare easement agreements with cooperators | one | $8,000 | Yes |
| b. Complete NEPA surveys and obtain compliance | one | $10,000 | Yes | |
| 4. Develop Management Plans | a. Evaluate baseline data to develop site management goals and objectives | one | $1,264 | |
| b. Amend existing management plan | one | $2,000 | Yes | |
| c. Develop cooperative management agreement with the City of La Grande | one | $1,437 | ||
| 5. Project Management | a. Project oversite | one | $6,414 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Engineering and Design - survey and design for Hot Lake, and Wallender #2 parcels in FY 2003; for future LMWA project sites in FY 2004-2006 | 2003 | 2006 | $40,000 |
| 2. Assess Baseline Conditions - complete baseline HEP survey, write HEP report; collect other baseline data for Hot Lake and Wallender #2 parcels in FY 2003; for future LMWA project sites in FY 2003-2006 | 2003 | 2006 | $20,000 |
| 3. Complete Pre-Conservation Easement Activities for lands adjacent to the LMWA - conduct appraisals, NEPA compliance, and easement agreements for future LMWA project sites | 2003 | 2006 | $18,000 |
| 4. Develop Management Plan - evaluate baseline data and amend existing management plan to include Hot Lake and Wallender #2 parcels; amend existing plan to include future LMWA project sites in FY 2004-2006 | 2003 | 2003 | $12,000 |
| 5. Project Management - personnel time, mileage, supplies, indirect rate | 2003 | 2003 | $40,000 |
Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase
| FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,500 | $32,500 | $32,500 | $32,500 |
Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Restore Habitat Conditions - Implement Management Plans | a. Conduct wetland restoration work through Ducks Unlumited contract for east side of Simonis parcel | one | $75,000 | Yes |
| b. Install/improve water control structures | one | $15,900 | Yes | |
| c. Plant native grasses, forbs, and shrubs | two | $5,563 | ||
| 2. Project Management | a. Construction management (personnel) | one | $6,539 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Restore Habitat Conditions - Implement Mgmt. Plans for Wallender #1, Simonis, and Becker: Continue native grass and shrub plantings on Wallender and Simonis (8,000 seedlings & 80 acres of forbs/grasses); Conduct wetland restoration work on Becker | 2003 | 2004 | $269,000 |
| 2. Project Management - personnel, mileage, supplies, indirect | 2003 | 2006 | $40,000 |
| 3. Complete easements on lands adjacent to LMWA - Hot Lake and Wallender #2 in FY 2003; other future LMWA project sites in FY 2004-2006 | 2003 | 2006 | $390,000 |
Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase
| FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $327,000 | $44,500 | $283,000 | $44,500 |
Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| l. Maintain Current and Enhanced Habitat Values - Implement Operations & Maintenance Plans | a. Control habitat enhancement activities as necessary to maintain habitat values (e.g., planting of native vegetation, control of non-native vegetation) | on-going | $4,412 | |
| b. Maintain water control structures | on-going | $1,040 | ||
| c. Maintain minimal infrastructure (e.g., sign, fences, gates, roadways, house, etc.) | on-going | $1,012 | ||
| d. Prepare annual SOW and budget | on-going | $1,238 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maintain Habitat Values - Implement O& M Plans: maintain native vegetation, control non-native vegetation, maintain water control structures; maintain signs, fences, gates, roadways, house, etc. | 2003 | 2006 | $37,000 |
Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase
| FY 2003 | FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $9,000 | $9,000 | $9,000 |
Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
Task-based budget
| Objective | Task | Duration in FYs | Estimated 2002 cost | Subcontractor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| l. Measure Effectiveness of Restoration Plan - Implement M&E Plans | a. Conduct vegetation surveys to monitor changes in plant communities (using HEP survey data, photopoints/transects | on-going | $1,069 | |
| b. Conduct wildlife surveys to monitor species response to habitat changes (using HEP survey data from periodic HEP sampling, wildife inventory data, stream surveys | on-going | $1,069 | ||
| c. Conduct hydrological surveys to establish most efficient techniques for restoring wetland function | on-going | $1,069 | ||
| d. Prepare M&E reports | on-going | $3,276 |
Outyear objectives-based budget
| Objective | Starting FY | Ending FY | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Measure effectiveness of Restoration Plan - Implement M&E Plans utilizing FY 2002 monitoring methods; write reports | 2003 | 2006 | $20,000 |
| 2. Conduct five year HEP survey and write report | 2006 | 2006 | $5,000 |
Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase
| FY 2004 | FY 2005 | FY 2006 | FY 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
Section 8. Estimated budget summary
Itemized budget
| Item | Note | FY 2002 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel | FTE: 5.2 months | $19,701 |
| Fringe | @38% | $7,487 |
| Supplies | $4,634 | |
| Travel | $1,339 | |
| Indirect | @24.5% | $8,124 |
| NEPA | $10,000 | |
| Subcontractor | $141,900 | |
| $193,185 | ||
Total estimated budget
| Total FY 2002 cost | $193,185 |
| Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds | $0 |
| Total FY 2002 budget request | $193,185 |
| FY 2002 forecast from 2001 | $160,000 |
| % change from forecast | 20.7% |
Reason for change in estimated budget
Costs associated with restoration of the 480-acre Becker property aquired by the City of La Grande
Reason for change in scope
The additon of 480 acres to the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area
Cost sharing
| Organization | Item or service provided | Amount | Cash or in-kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Resource Conservation Service | Wetland Restoration (Secured) | $220,000 | cash |
| Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board | Wetland Restoration (Projected) | $150,000 | cash |
| North American Wetlands Conservation Act | Wetland Restoration (Projected) | $200,000 | cash |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Wetland Restoration (Projected) | $20,000 | cash |
| Ducks Unlimited | Planning and Design (Secured) | $60,000 | cash |
| Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (Waterfowl Stamp) | Wetland Restoration (Projected) | $100,000 | cash |
Other budget explanation
Operations and Maintenance budget reflects 25% of total anticipated O&M budget.
Reviews and recommendations
This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.
Fundable only if response is adequate
Sep 28, 2001
Comment:
A response is needed. The proposed purchases are justified to extend the wetland, and the property is of high priority to migrating waterfowl. The restored wetlands will use treated wastewater from the City of La Grande, a practice in place on a smaller scale since the early 1990s. The project is clearly significant to regional programs, and well tied in with other projects. An extensive project history is provided that illustrates the collaboration among various entities to acquire contiguous lands and restore them as wetlands. This project is clearly tied to wildlife mitigation goals and to limiting water quality and quantity factors in the Grande Ronde Subbasin. The technical background of the proposal gives a good justification of the value of the restoring more of the historic wetlands, which once exceeded 20,000 acres as Tule Lake. Ladd Marsh has been identified as a priority restoration site by many different planning efforts.However, the proposal still fails to address the previously noted scientific deficiency that the management plan, especially the M and E component, needs to be better described. Sequential restoration goals are provided. Objective 4 refers to a five-year management plan that is in existence and will be amended with the addition of the new properties. Details of this management plan including the plan for monitoring and evaluation are not included in the proposal, and should be submitted in the response to this review.
The review group also suggests that future terrestrial monitoring efforts be made compatible with one of the national terrestrial survey efforts. Perhaps an intensification of the National Resources Inventory survey sites and data collection protocols would serve the region well. See the Proposals #200002300 and #200020116 and ISRP reviews in the Columbia Plateau.
Comment:
Reviewers question whether ODFW is still operating under a state restriction that prohibits new land acquisitions. The ODFW assured the reviewers that the legislature has given them permission seek funding; however, if ODFW is selected to receive funding they are required to seek legislative approval prior to accepting the funds. Although a large amount of wetland habitat has been lost in this area, the reviewers are unsure whether the proposed work is urgent. The Wildlife Committee rated the project as having significant wildlife benefits using the criteria of permanence, size, connectivity to other habitat, and juxtaposition to public lands.Comment:
Fundable for 1 year to develop a long-term management plan, after which the management plan should be submitted for review and subsequent funding should be contingent on that plan being found to be scientifically sound.The proposed purchases are justified to extend the wetland, and the property is of high priority to migrating waterfowl. The project is clearly significant to regional programs, and well tied in with other projects. An extensive project history is provided that illustrates the collaboration among various entities to acquire contiguous lands and restore them as wetlands. This project is clearly tied to wildlife mitigation goals and to limiting water quality and quantity factors in the Grande Ronde Subbasin. The technical background of the proposal gives a good justification of the value of the restoring more of the historic wetlands, which once exceeded 20,000 acres as Tule Lake. Ladd Marsh has been identified as a priority restoration site by many different planning efforts.
However, the proposal and response still fail to address the previously noted scientific deficiency that the management plan, including the M&E component, needs to be better described. This project should not receive long-term funding without a management plan that includes clear objectives and M&E. The response addresses many review comments, and a good description of the general components of the M&E plan that will be developed is provided in the response. The response to the recommendation to make terrestrial monitoring efforts compatible with national surveys conveys openness to this approach and a willingness to develop it as part of the M&E plan.
To assist in establishing a sound basinwide monitoring program, the proponents are referred to the programmatic section of this report on Monitoring and the specific comments on Terrestrial Monitoring and Evaluation.
Comment:
Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESUComments
Already ESA Req?
Biop?
Comment:
Recommend funding in part only. Recommended funding development of a management plan for current properties. Future funding of wildlife mitigation in this area will be contingent upon resolution of wildlife crediting issues. It appears that there are no further construction/Inundation wildlife credits available to be applied against this proposed project. BPA RPA RPM:
--
NMFS RPA/USFWS RPM:
NA
Comment:
Council Recommendation:The three projects [199608000, 27023, 200002100] are grouped together because they present essentially the same set of issues. Project 199608000 represents The Nez Perce Tribe's ongoing operations and maintenance and a new monitoring and evaluation component for the Precious Lands wildlife mitigation project. Project 27023 is a new project seeking to expand the Precious Lands wildlife mitigation by 5000 acres. The Nez Perce Tribe has voluntarily downsized project 27023 from its original scope of a 16,500-acre acquisition. ODFW proposed Project 20002100 as both ongoing operations and maintenance of the existing Ladd Marsh mitigation area and an expansion of that area.
ISRP recommended Fund in Part to complete a management plan on both ongoing projects. Without a management plan and monitoring and evaluation plan, ISRP believed long-term funding could not be justified and the projects were not amenable to scientific review. ISRP supported the Precious Lands expansion and commented favorably on the Ladd Marsh expansion as justified. Bonneville echoed the ISRP comments on the development of a management plan as part of their conditional funding recommendation on the ongoing aspects of Precious Lands and Ladd Marsh. Bonneville, however, could not support the expansion of either property citing "future funding of wildlife mitigation in this area will be contingent upon resolution of wildlife crediting issues. It appears that there are no further construction/inundation credits available to be applied against this proposed project."
The Council supports funding these ongoing projects. ODFW has indicated they are in the process of developing a management plan for the Ladd Marsh area and that the management plan will justify the request for additional dollars above the FY01 base budget for operations and maintenance and monitoring and evaluation. Similarly, the Nez Perce Tribe have not completed their management plan, but are in the stages of developing that plan. They have requested new money to enhance the monitoring and evaluation component of 199608000, which should help address ISRP concerns about the overall M&E aspects of the project. The Council would recommend these management plans should be completed within the first year of the funding cycle and should receive ISRP review, but activities in FY02 should go forward on these projects prior to completion of the management plan. Requiring a management plan prior to securing the habitat is at odds with past Council practice in implementing these types of projects. Rather, the Council expects a project sponsor to articulate why a particular piece of property if immediately protected, and eventually enhanced, would contribute to meeting program goals. If that showing is made, the Council has supported the project, and left the development and review of a management plan to the sponsor and Bonneville as a contracting condition.
ISRP emphasized numerous contracting issues in which it questioned specific cost elements of the proposed work in project 199608000. Specific questions of ISRP and some Council staff relate to the fencing costs associated with the project, justification for a full time manager, and expenditures on NPT offices as an element of indirect cost. Both ISRP and the Council would recommend that the sponsor and Bonneville address these elements through contracting.
Expansion of both properties appears justified. Bonneville's website lists the Lower Snake projects, where wildlife credits would be applied for these projects, standing at 52 percent mitigated. Discussions with Bonneville staff indicate that not all projects credited to the Lower Snake projects have received an accounting. The projects Bonneville notes as still outstanding would not appear to account for 48 percent of the mitigation for the Lower Snake projects. Both Precious Lands and Ladd Marsh would represent high quality habitat that would enhance the value wildlife mitigation credited against the Lower Snake projects and we believe available under the Council's fish and wildlife program. The areas to be acquired are modest, and almost certainly within the remaining crediting that is available.
Comment:
Fund ongoing objectives of project. Defer funding on land acquisition until project can be reviewed for possible implementation of RPA 150.Comment:
Contract received two weeks ago and project start date was October. Should be on target for expenditures.Comment:
Project moving to operation, maintenance and monitoring. Given late date of 03 contract award accrual doesn't accurately reflect project at this point.NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review
expense
May 2005
| FY05 NPCC start of year: | FY06 NPCC staff preliminary: | FY06 NPCC July draft start of year: |
| $48,000 | $48,000 | $48,000 |
Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website