FY 2003 Lower Columbia proposal 31033

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
Restoration of Columbia River Floodplain Functions to Steigerwald Lake Graphics	Narrative Attachment
31033 Narrative	Narrative
31033 Powerpoint Presentation	Powerpoint Presentation

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Restoration of Columbia River Floodplain Functions to Steigerwald Lake
Proposal ID	31033
Organization	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Ridgefield Refuge Complex (USFWS)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Name	James R. Clapp
Mailing address	Columbia River Gorge Refuges, 36062 SR 14 Stevenson, Washington
Phone / email	5094275208 / [email protected]
Manager authorizing this project	Thomas J. Melanson
Review cycle	Lower Columbia
Province / Subbasin	Lower Columbia / Columbia Lower
Short description	Reconnect Columbia River flows, restore riparian/wetland ecosystem functions, and improve salmon habitat on Steigerwald Lake and associated floodplain habitat.
Target species	Chinook salmon - Lower Columbia River, Snake River Fall , Snake River Spring/Summer run; Chum Salmon - Columbia River ; Steelhead - Upper, Middle, and Lower Columbia River; Sockeye Salmon - Snake River ESU; Cutthroat Trout SW WA/Col River; HEP wildlife.

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
45.57	-122.3	T1N, R4E, Portions of Sections 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 in Clark County, WA

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA
Action 160
Action 161
Action 7
Action 152
Action 157
Action 158
Action 159

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agency	Action #	BiOp Agency	Description
NMFS	Action 160	NMFS	The Corps and BPA, working with LCREP, shall develop and implement an estuary restoration program with a goal of protecting and enhancing 10,000 acres of tidal wetlands and other key habitats over 10 years, beginning in 2001, to rebuild productivity for listed populations in the lower 46 river miles of the Columbia River. The Corps shall seek funds for the Federal share of the program, and BPA shall provide funding for the non-Federal share. The Action Agencies shall provide planning and engineering expertise to implement the non-Federal share of on-the-ground habitat improvement efforts identified in LCREP, Action 2.
BPA	Action 155	NMFS	BPA, working with BOR, the Corps, EPA, and USGS, shall develop a program to 1) identify mainstem habitat sampling reaches, survey conditions, describe cause-and- effect relationships, and identify research needs; 2) develop improvement plans for all mainstem reaches; and 3) initiate improvements in three mainstem reaches. Results shall be reported annually.
BPA	Action 157	NMFS	BPA shall fund actions to improve and restore tributary and mainstem habitat for CR chum salmon in the reach between The Dalles Dam and the mouth of the Columbia River.

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishment
1991	Gibbons Creek project to attempt to improve fish passage constructed (USACE funds)
1995	Straub Tract purchased (BPA funds)
1996	Report on Fecal Coliform in Gibbons Creek completed by WA Department of Ecology
1996	James Tract purchased (BPA funds)
1996	Bliss Tract Purchased (BPA funds)
1996	Wetlands on Straub Unit partially restored (USFWS funds)
1999	Gibbons Creek Watershed Analysis completed to include determination of salmon passage blockages (USFWS funds)
1999	Burlington Northern Tract purchased (BPA funds)
2000	Comprehensive Conservation Plan begun - still in progress
2001	HEP Report for BPA acquisitions completed
2001	Preliminary Restoration Plan developed by USACE for Section 1135 funding
2001	Hickey Tract Purchase almost complete (MBCC funds)
2001	WA Department of Ecology drafting Water Cleanup Plan for Gibbons Creek

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
199003001	Evaluate Spawning for Fall Chinook and Chum Salmon Just Below the Four Lowermost Columbia River Dams.	Monitoring as part of project would assist addressing the need to survey the entire Columbia River downstream from Bonneville Dam for spawning areas outside of Ives/Pierce Island used by fall chinook, bright fall chinook, and chum salmon.
2000012	Evaluate Factors Limiting Columbia Gorge Chum Salmon Populations.	Project would provide increased rearing habitat for chum produced in Hamilton/Hardy Creeks, and benefit WA Department of Fish and Wildlife's efforts to reestablish chum salmon in other lower Columbia River tributaries.
	Sandy River Delta Plan & EIS, 1966, and Sandy River Watershed Analysis, Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area, 1995. Project will restore wetland and associated habitats, and will consider breeching levees to restore sloughs and backwater channels.	Project will conduct similar activities across the Columbia River from the Sandy River Delta.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost
1. Plan restoration elements to restore Columbia River flows and Steigerwald Lake floodplain.	a. Feasibility study to include contour survey, hydraulics and hydrology monitoring, structural requirements, and associated elements. (BPA portion)	Two	$148,000
	a. Feasibility study (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide the remaining $445,500)	Two	$0
	b. NEPA document for the above feasibility study, along with cultural resources review, wildlife/fish habitat assessments and public involvement (BPA portion)	Two	$16,500
	b. NEPA document (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide the remaining $49,500)	Two	$0
2. Evaluate feasibility of removing fish barriers in Gibbons Creek.	a. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to evaluate feasibility and cost to remove barriers to salmon movement on Gibbons Creek upstream of Steigerwald Lake.	One	$6,500
3. Develop habitat monitoring plans.	a. USFWS to develop a habitat monitoring plan for wetlands and riparian habitat.	One	$5,000
4. Develop wildlife monitoring plan.	a. USFWS to develop a monitoring plan for wildlife.	One	$5,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
5. Develop plans and specifications for restoring Columbia River floodplain functions to Steigerwald Lake (BPA portion)	2004	2004	$122,000
5. Develop plans and specifications (U.S. Army Corps to fund remaining $366,000)	2004	2004	$0

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

FY 2004
$122,000

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost	Subcontractor
1. Restore native wetland communities	a. Implement reed canarygrass control	Five	$15,000	Yes
2. Restore native riparian communities	a. Remove non-native blackberry	Five	$15,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
3. Restore hydraulic function to Steigerwald Lake floodplain by constructing the following: - a channel connecting Steigerwald Lake with the Columbia River - a controlled inlet/outlet structure capable of passing adult and juvenile salmonid	2005	2005	$639,000
- construction of interior levees along the upstream/downstream boundaries of the refuge to maintain the current level of flood protection for those boundaries outside of the refuge			$0
- relocation of Gibbons Creek from the eleveated channel to Steigerwald Lake			$0
- removal of an estimated 1,450 lineal feet of the current elevated Gibbons Creek channel - possible realignment of Gibbons Creek north of State Route 14 (BPA portion)			$0
3. Restore hydraulic function to Steigerwald Lake floodplain (U.S. Army Corps to fund remaining $1,916,000)			$0
($1,916,000)			$0
1a. Restore native wetland communities-reed canarygrass control	2004	2007	$60,000
1b. Restore native wetland communties - wet meadow planting	2005	2006	$40,000
2a. Restore native riparian communities - remove blackberries	2004	2007	$60,000
2b. Restore native riparian communities-plant trees, shrubs, grass	2004	2007	$220,000
2c. Restore native riparian communities - scrape canarygrass	2005	2005	$40,000

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006	FY 2007
$85,000	$744,000	$145,000	$85,000

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost	Subcontractor

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
Habitat maintenance - riparian plantings, wetlands scraped to convert canarygrass to native wetland vegetation, wetlands	2004	2007	$80,000

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006	FY 2007
$20,000	$20,000	$20,000	$20,000

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2003 cost	Subcontractor
1. Conduct pre and post project monitoring of fish communities	a. Describe fish community	Five	$10,000
	b. Describe habitat use - juveniles	Five	$15,000
	c. Evaluate predation on juveniles	Five	$15,000
	d. Describe invertebrate population	Five	$15,000
	e. Describe habitat structure	Five	$15,000
2. Conduct pre and post project macroinvertebrate monitoring in Gibbons Creek	a. Collect and analyze data	Five	$5,000
	b. Identification of macroinvertebrates	Five	$2,000	Yes
3. Collect and analyze Gibbons Creek water quality for contaminants	a. Monitoring of sites throughout Gibbons Creek watershed	Five	$35,000	Yes
4. Conduct pre and post project vegetation monitoring.	a. Monitoring of wetlands and aquatic zones.	Ongoing	$20,000	Yes
	b. Monitoring of riparian zones.	Ongoing	$10,000	Yes
5. Conduct pre and post project wildlife monitoring.	a. Monitoring of wildlife throughout project area.	Ongoing	$20,000	Yes

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Conduct pre and post project fisheries monitoring.	2004	2007	$280,000
2. Conduct invertebrate sampling/analysis in Gibbons Creek.	2004	2007	$28,000
3. Conduct water quality monitoring/evaluation of Gibbons Creek.	2004	2007	$140,000
4. Conduct pre and post project vegetation monitoring.	2004	2007	$120,000
5. Conduct pre and post project wildlife monitoring.	2004	2007	$60,000

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006	FY 2007
$157,000	$157,000	$157,000	$157,000

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2003 cost
Other	[Itemized budget section not filled out - adding request amt in one category. 5/28/03]	$373,000
		$373,000

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2003 cost	$373,000
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2003 budget request	$373,000
FY 2003 forecast from 2002	$0
% change from forecast	0.0%

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	Feasibility study and NEPA documentation	$445,500	cash
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	Develop engineering plans and specifications to restore Columbia River flows to Steigerwald Lake	$366,000	cash
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers	Contract/supervise construction to restore Columbia River flows to Steigerwald Lake	$1,961,000	cash
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	Planning assitance, contract/supervise restoration/monitoring work, equipment.	$80,000	in-kind
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife	Planning assistance	$10,000	in-kind
Washington Department of Ecology	Planning and coordination of water quality monitoring	$10,000	in-kind

Other budget explanation

It should be noted that the cost sharing funds from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are derived from Section 1135 funds, which require a 25% non-Federal match, for which BPA qualify. The Corps has completed a Preliminary Restoration Plan at the request of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Once matching funds are received, the Corps will conduct a full feasibility study and implement restoration.

Reviews and recommendations

This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.

REVIEW:
ISRP Preliminary Review (ISRP 2002-2)

Recommendation:
Fundable - no response required

Date:
Mar 1, 2002

Comment:

Fundable. This proposal has good potential for FWP benefits and would effectively reconnect a substantial wetland and lake with the Columbia River. The proposal has excellent cost sharing arrangements and would build on significant past investments by BPA for land acquisitions. The program structure is logical with assessments and planning leading to possible construction of flow controls in 2005. The costs for these activities are reasonable and a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan is outlined (to address pre- and post-development periods).

One point not emphasized in the proposal is the potential to restore another chum population in the lower Columbia River (Gibbons Creek). Chum salmon in this area exist as several population fragments and a restored population in this section of the river could be an important connection between populations below Bonneville Dam and those further downstream.

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
High Priority

Date:
May 17, 2002

Comment:

Portions of this project were originally funded through the Washington Wildlife Agreement. NMFS has identified that this project is a BiOp project.

REVIEW:
ISRP Final Review (ISRP 2002-11)

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Jun 7, 2002

Comment:

REVIEW:
NMFS Review

Recommendation:

Date:
Jul 19, 2002

Comment:

Statement of Potential Biological Benefit to ESU
Project intends to restore floodplain function to Steigerwald Lake. This may improve habitat and increase survival.

Comments
This is a highly engineered project as opposed to one that uses passive or bioengineered restoration solutions. It has a comprehensive monitoring plan and a good plan for overall restoration of chum salmon. Fulfils Biop requirements in part.

Already ESA Req? No

Biop? Yes

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
A w/conditions

Date:
Jul 23, 2002

Comment:

Recommendation for funding is contingent upon resolution of what appear to be high project costs. This project could implement RPAs 155 and 157. We also note that the importance of Gibbons Creek as a potential chum spawning area could be better evaluated after the development of a chum recovery plan.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Do Not Fund

Date:
Oct 30, 2002

Comment: