FY 2002 Mountain Columbia proposal 199004400

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
199004400 Narrative	Narrative
199004400 Sponsor Response to ISRP	Response
Intermountain: Coeur d'Alene Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map
Intermountain: Coeur d'Alene Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Implement Fisheries Enhancement Opportunities on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation
Proposal ID	199004400
Organization	Coeur d'Alene Tribe (CDA Tribe)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Name	Ron Peters
Mailing address	850 A Street, P.O. Box 408 Plummer, ID 83851
Phone / email	2086865302 / [email protected]
Manager authorizing this project	Ron Peters
Review cycle	Mountain Columbia
Province / Subbasin	Mountain Columbia / Coeur d'Alene
Short description	Enhance critical watershed habitat to mitigate limiting factors for westlope cutthroat in the Coeur 'd Alene subbasin. Compile physical, chemical and biological trend data and implement an environmental education and outreach program.
Target species	westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
47.4	-116.19	Coeur d'Alene subbasin

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Sponsor-reported:

RPA

Relevant RPAs based on NMFS/BPA review:

Reviewing agency	Action #	BiOp Agency	Description

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Year	Accomplishment
1987	NPPC ammended the F&W Program to include baseline stream surveys of tributaries located on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation.
1990	Conducted preliminary surveys of Reservation streams. Collected data on location, accessability, broad geomorphic characterization, and habitat potential of 21 streams within the Reservation boundaries.
1991	Used a modified habitat quality index (Fajen and Wehnes 1981) and information on biological indicators to evaluate streams and select target tributaries for restoration and enhancement.
1992	Compiled population and biomass estimates for westslope cutthroat trout and calculated community metrics for macroinvertebrate populations in four target tributaries.
1993	Completed channel type inventories (Rosgen 1991), riffle armor stability index surveys (Kappesser 1992), channel stability evaluations (Pfancuch 1975), and ambient stream monitoring (TFW 1990) in target tributaries.
1994	Quantified limiting factors for westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in target tributaries and developed recommendations for improving habitat and increasing trout populations.
1994	Initiated mark-recapture efforts in Coeur d'Alene Lake to help describe fish assemblasges in near shore areas and evaluate interactions between cutthroat trout and their predators.
1994	Recommendations developed by the Coeur d'Alene Tribe were adopted by NPPC into the F&W Program (10.8B.20).
1995	Used GIS technology to identify priority areas for restoration by overlaying information on riparian condition, fish population abundance and distribution, and land ownership.
1995	Completed a demonstration project to improve local channel stability and availability of rearing habitat; installed bank protection structures, constructed pool habitat, and reestablished connections with historic floodplain channels at two locations.
1995	Eliminated grazing pressure in 10 acres of riparian pasture and protected more than 2,100 feet of stream channel through construction of 1.7 miles of exclusion fencing.
1995	Implemented the first compensatory harvest project by planting 1000 rainbow trout into Worley Pond.
1995	Initiated annual creel census surveys at Worley Pond to help manage put and take fisheries on the Reservation.
1996	Completed projects to improve local channel stability, availability of lateral water rearing habitat and reduce thermal loading; placed LWD in a 300 meter test reach, installed two current deflectors, and planted more than 9,000 trees and shrubs.
1996	Eliminated grazing pressure in 5 acres of riparian pasture and protected more than 1,600 feet of stream channel through construction of 1.2 miles of exclusion fencing.
1996	Maintained and stocked Worley Trout Pond with over 3000 rainbow trout as part of ongoing compensatory harvest efforts.
1997	Completed 5-year management plan for enhancement of Tribal fisheries. Compiled physical, chemical and biological data for the target tributaries, identified appropriate restoration techniques and projected anticipated program expenses for FY1997-2001.
1997	Constructed 4 acres of lacustrine and palustrine, emergent wetland habitat. Substantially reduced non-point source pollution from 140 acres of farmland.
1997	Completed a project to increase the availability of deep-water rearing habitat in Benewah Creek.
1997	Completed projects to improve local channel stability, availability of lateral water rearing habitat and reduce thermal loading; built a bio-revetment to protect 100 meters of streambank, and planted more than 9,000 trees and shrubs.
1997	Initiated baseline water quality monitoring in Lake Coeur d'Alene to identify limiting factors for the adult cutthroat trout lifestage.
1997	Stocked Worley Pond with 2200 rainbow trout as part of ongoing compensatory harvest efforts.
1998	Constructed and enhanced 2 acres of lacustrine and palustrine, emergent wetland habitat. Substantially reduced non-point source sediment pollution from 260 acres of farmland.
1998	Completed projects to reduce thermal loading of streams in all target watersheds; planted more than 9,000 trees and shrubs.
1998	Stocked Worley Pond with 1400 rainbow trout as part of ongoing compensatory harvest efforts.
1998	Collected over 400 individual tissue samples from westslope cutthroat trout at 13 locations for genetic analysis. Determined stock purity and relatedness of westslope cutthroat trout stocks on the Reservation.
1998	Quantified the quality and quantity of available spawning gravel in known spawning tributaries of each target watershed.
1998	Compiled population statistics for each target tributary.
1998	Completed a supplementation feasibility report for westslope cutthroat trout on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation. Described the potential for supplementation of natural fish stocks to meet the harvest goals of the Tribe.
1999	Completed a NEPA compliance checklist and supplemental analysis for watershed projects under the watershed management program EIS.
1999	Completed a biological assessment for bull trout in waters of the Coeur d'Alene Reservation. Obtained an incidental take permit from the USFWS to authorize all activities associated with this project in compliance with ESA.
1999	Completed a four-year study of Coeur d'Alene Lake to determine water quality related effects on native species.
1999	Completed projects to reduce thermal loading in all target tributaries; rehabilitated more than 20 acres of riparian habitat and planted more than 11,000 trees and shrubs.
1999	Completed projects to increase residual pool depth and lateral water habitat in approximately 2000 feet of stream channel.
1999	Cost-shared construction of gully plugs and sediment basins. Substantially reduced non-point source sediment pollution from 560 acres of farmland.
1999	Completed a rapid bioassessment of the Lake Creek macroinvertebrate community for comparison with baseline data.
1999	Stocked Worley Pond with 1400 rainbow trout as part of ongoing compensatory harvest efforts.
1999	Completed the Master Plan for a Trout Production Facility and completed step one on the NPPC 3-step process for hatchery construction.
2000	Initiated construction of an engineered channel design encompassing 2,700 feet of stream channel.
2000	Constructed 2 acres of lacustrine and palustrine, emergent wetland habitat. Substantially reduced non-point source pollution from 630 acres of farmland.
2000	Completed projects to reduce thermal loading in all target tributaries; planted more than 12,000 trees and shrubs.
2000	Completed a Biological Assessment for construction of additional put and take rainbow trout ponds as part of ongoing compensatory harvest efforts.
2000	Stocked Worley Pond with 1500 rainbow trout as part of ongoing compensatory harvest efforts.
2000	Completed the draft Coeur d'Alene subbasin summary.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
199004401	Lake Creek Land Acquisition	Fee title acquisition of 2000 acres to protect critical habitat in a watershed targeted for restoration.
199004402	Coeur d'Alene Tribe Trout Production Facility	Facility to be constructed in 2001 to produce westslope cutthroat trout to supplement weak but recoverable stocks in the target watersheds, and to produce rainbow trout to support compensatory harvest efforts.
9206100	Albeni Falls Wildlife Mitigation Project	Project proposes fee title acquisition of citical habitat in watersheds targeted for restoration as in-kind mitigation of habitat losses associated with construction and inundation of Albeni Falls Dam.

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Complete advanced project planning to allow for timely and effective implementation.	a. Engage in advanced scoping of restoration projects with landowners in the target watersheds.	ongoing	$21,334
1.	b. Complete restoration project designs that will meet project objectives.	ongoing	$68,178	Yes
1.	c. Complete Supplemental Analysis for NEPA for all planned enhancement projects. Obtain required permits.	ongoing	$28,351	Yes
2. Coordinate restoration and management activities with other Tribal programs, federal or state agencies, and private landowners involved in natural resources management on the Reservation.	a. Conduct quarterly meetings with an inter-agency workgroup to review and discuss proposed management efforts that affect ecosystem recovery.	ongoing	$10,479
2.	b. Participate in the development of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Integrated Resource Management Plan.	2	$29,726
2.	c. Develop a consolidated road management agreement for forestlands on the Reservation involving Tribal, state, and private, industrial landowners.	1	$15,977

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Complete advanced project planning.	2003	2006	$610,881
2. Coordinate restoration and management activities with other managers.	2003	2006	$176,780

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$182,747	$191,884	$201,478	$211,552

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Implement habitat restoration projects to increase carrying capacity in target tributaries and improve the functioning of key watershed processes.	a. Implement riparian enhancement projects in the target watersheds to address limiting factors related to temperature.	ongoing	$40,080
1.	b. Implement lateral water development projects that will restore elements of floodplain function, provide high quality rearing areas for juvenile trout, or improve available spawning habitat for adult trout.	ongoing	$245,081	Yes
1.	c. Implement projects targeting upland sources of sediment transport and delivery.	ongoing	$141,695	Yes

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Increase carrying capacity and improve watershed process functioning.	2003	2006	$1,688,947

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$391,856	$411,448	$432,021	$453,622

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost
1. Improve awareness of Program activities to encourage long-term support of restoration activities within the Reservation community.	a. Publish a quarterly newsletter that highlights Program activities, recognizes cooperative efforts, and serves as a forum for discussing land management issues.	ongoing	$75,302
1.	b. Continue meeting with watershed work groups to discuss restoration and cooperative opportunities.	ongoing	$75,302
2. Provide educational opportunities in the local schools to improve student/teacher involvement in Program activities.	a. Engage K-12 students in outdoor classroom activities to expose students to scientific methods, conservation and restoration principles, and consequences of landuse management.	ongoing	$95,302
2.	b. Provide summer internships for high school students to assist with implementation of restoration projects.	ongoing	$15,303

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Improve Program awareness.	2003	2006	$591,066
2. Provide educational opportunities.	2003	2006	$591,067

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$274,269	$287,982	$302,382	$317,500

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Compile physical, chemical and biological trend data in target tributaries to evaluate project effectiveness.	a. Monitor emmigration and immigration of adult and juvenile fish within target watersheds.	ongoing	$28,615
1.	b. Monitor abundance and distribution of cutthroat trout and other salmonids in mainstem and tributary reaches within the four target watersheds.	ongoing	$70,430
1.	c. Collect benthic macroinvertebrate samples from selected sites and calculate metrics used as ecological indicators.	2	$27,000	Yes
1.	d. Monitor water quality parameters at selected sites in each target watershed.	ongoing	$40,474	Yes
1.	e. Evaluate project effectiveness at selected sites.	ongoing	$45,000	Yes
2. Evaluate relationships between large piscivorous fish and their prey in Coeur d'Alene Lake	a. Identify fish assemblages in littoral and limnetic zones of Coeur d'Alene Lake.	ongoing	$32,194
2.	b. Map physical habitat characteristics of littoral areas.	1	$8,482
2.	c. Compile baseline data on water quality and productivity.	ongoing	$60,060	Yes

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Compile physical, chemical and biological trend data in target tributarires to evaluate project effectiveness.	2003	2006	$870,712
2. Evaluate relationships between large piscivorous fish and their prey in CDA Lake	2003	2006	$414,677

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$318,961	$306,559	$321,887	$337,982

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2002 cost
Personnel	FTE: 11.7	$363,720
Fringe	41% of Salaries	$149,125
Supplies	Includes: office supplies, motor vehicle expense, equipment repair/maintenance, etc.	$161,525
Travel		$21,000
Indirect	32.5%	$225,995
Capital	Kobelco Excavator	$70,000
NEPA	Cultural resource inventories, wetland delineation, etc.)	$8,000
Subcontractor	Spokane Tribal Laboratory	$36,000
Subcontractor	Macroinvertebrate Analysis	$18,000
Subcontractor	CDA Tribe GIS	$16,000
Subcontractor	TBD Construction Contractor	$80,000
Subcontractor	TBD Design Engineer	$25,000
		$1,174,365

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2002 cost	$1,174,365
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2002 budget request	$1,174,365
FY 2002 forecast from 2001	$843,600
% change from forecast	39.2%

Reason for change in estimated budget

An increase in staff by 3.25 FTE is needed to increase productivity in order to meet the biological objectives set for this project.

Reason for change in scope

No new objectives or tasks have been added to this project, however the effort put in to implementation has been substantially increased to meet the biological objectives set for this project.

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
EPA 319	Implementation	$150,000	cash
EPA 106	Monitoring	$50,000	cash
SAWQP	Implementation	$64,000	in-kind
USDA	Monitoring	$91,000	in-kind
CDA Tribe	Implementation	$20,000	in-kind

Reviews and recommendations

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

REVIEW:
ISRP Preliminary Review (ISRP 2001-2)

Recommendation:
Fundable only if response is adequate

Date:
Feb 9, 2001

Comment:

Do not fund in present form. A response is needed that addresses the ISRP's concerns. The proposal and the project(s) it entails were difficult to review. The proposal and the presentation were filled with loosely linked information and observations, and were very difficult to find major themes and projects within. The proposal needs to be tightened significantly. Background material in the first section of proposal needs to be referenced and discussed without its present excessive detail. For example, the proposed objectives and methods begin on page 24 of the proposal.

Parts of the proposed program of fisheries enhancement appear to be well justified from subbasin analyses; others appear to be a potpourri of fisheries activities that may or may not address critical factors limiting salmonid abundance. Taken together, the activities do not add up to a coherent approach to subbasin level fisheries enhancement activities.

The program appears to lack a clear focused approach that is based strongly in the fisheries literature and on regional analyses of factors limiting salmonid distributions and abundance. The program appears disjointed. The proposed fisheries enhancement program would benefit from involvement and input from a senior fisheries ecologist. Development of a suite of focused fisheries activities strongly linked to the subbasin analyses needs to occur.

Specific comments and questions:

This project has been implementing watershed restoration - sediment retention ponds, riparian plantings, etc. - since 1990 on 4 small tributaries, with the primary goal of increasing numbers of westslope cutthroat trout. The original problem was identified as a decline in abundance of native salmonids caused by reduced streamflow, elevated water temperature, and increased fine sediment in stream substrates.

Please provide a concise description of the extent to which restoration activities have increased summer base flows, reduced water temperature, and reduced fine sediments. Such a description was lacking from the proposal and presentation.
Please provide average (and range) for trout density in the four streams that represent abundance prior to the restoration efforts.
Is there evidence that fish abundance has significantly increased as a result of this program?
What are the endpoints of this program? How will program/project managers know when they have met their goals and objectives?
Revegetation is used extensively in this program. Is there evidence that revegetation is necessary or effective? A good experimental design and monitoring program could and should address these.
Benthic samples are notoriously variable. Do the results to date show promise as a monitoring tool or are the results so variable that detection of a trend in any reasonable time seems unlikely?
Non-native brook trout are abundant in at least one stream (Alder Creek) and cutthroat trout restoration efforts elsewhere in the West generally have not been effective without eliminating or suppressing them. What is the basis for, and expectation of, the ongoing program, which is apparently based solely on habitat modification?

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
High Priority

Date:
Mar 16, 2001

Comment:

FY 02 Budget Review Comments: CBFWA reviewers have concerns with the O&M budget proposed. A more complete budget breakdown will be provided to the RFC at the next phase of project review

REVIEW:
CBFWA FY02 Budget Review Comments

Recommendation:
High Priority

Date:
Mar 16, 2001

Comment:

CBFWA reviewers have concerns with the O&M budget proposed. A more complete budget breakdown will be provided to the RFC at the next phase of project review

REVIEW:
ISRP Final Review (ISRP 2001-4)

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Apr 6, 2001

Comment:

Fundable, with qualification that a plan is provided for how the project sponsors are going to monitor progress. The plan should include an experimental design to test the major hypotheses concerning habitat condition and resident trout production. The Council and the BPA contracting officers should ensure that a monitoring and evaluation plan is provided that is suitable for evaluating progress. This is a serious concern of the ISRP, but does not warrant re-review by the ISRP. Analysis of the data generated from these efforts should be provided for the next review in approximately three years.

A central concern of the ISRP (and the 1996 Amendment to the Power Act) is project accountability. The project has been ongoing for almost a decade (total expenditures of approx. $4 million), but the results reported do not show significant changes or demonstrate significant benefits. Therefore, benefits to fish and wildlife are only marginally justified. Adequate fish abundance data need to be collected and analyzed in order to show positive or decreasing trends.

The response addressed our specific questions, but not our broader concerns. For example, fish population status in the four target streams was clarified to the extent that we now know that maximum trout density in some of the upper tributaries currently is about 25 fish/100 sq. meters. This is a good baseline maximum density value for westslope cutthroat in northern ID, based on data from the Tribe and other sources like IDFG and the Potlatch Corp. Also, a more normal density might be the 9 fish/100 sq. m. given in the response (from the literature).

Now the problem is in trying to assess what the proposal uses as a target for a fully recovered population. The values given in the table on p 211 (unfortunately in numbers of fish and not density) are those generated by the Tribe's HQI model, which, to our knowledge, have never been used elsewhere to set targets. It appears that these target values would represent maximum fish density in every square meter of every stream, especially in the lower portions that historically were probably only passage corridors. Thus these targets are grossly inflated and as such, could lead to requests for funding to continue rehabilitation efforts forever. This is not realistic.

This project should also include monitoring of spawner abundance for each brood and the number of offspring produced in each stream so that relations between parent and offspring abundance can be examined. The relationship produced should reflect habitat productivity. If habitat productivity is increased through habitat improvement, greater survival of offspring at each spawner density should result causing elevation of the curve. The availability of such relations would provide a tool to identify when habitat improvement can no longer be expected to be cost-effective, and to drive adaptive management. Stating that"... measurable increases in cutthroat populations will not be realized for at least three generations (15 years) and significant increases that allow for subsistence harvest will be further off" certainly raises doubts about the strategy being followed.

The project's goals are unrealistically ambitious. For example, Objective 1, task e, the macroinvertebrate study, is not well justified. They appear to be addressing the potential opportunities for restoration and enhancement on the reservation. This project is essentially testing the hypothesis that use of catch basin from agriculture land will result in reduced sediment input and water temperature in the stream. The proposal in subsequent reviews should have substantial data to inform the testing of this hypothesis. It does not appear likely that as presented or based on past results that this project will collect or analyze the data necessary to test this hypothesis.

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fundable w/cond

Date:
May 30, 2001

Comment:

Past implementation performance has been successful. We recommend project funding contingent that the sponsor provides an acceptable monitoring and evaluation. The plan must be acceptable to the Council and BPA.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Oct 19, 2001

Comment:

The ISRP (p. 21) supported the Coeur d'Alene watershed restoration project (199004400) with conditions. The ISRP criticized the goals of the project as unrealistically high and lacking adequate monitoring.

Council recommendation: Funding recommended. Bonneville should address the ISRP comments in contracting. The adequacy of the treatment of these comments will be considered by the Council in future funding decisions.

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Decision

Recommendation:
Fund w/cond

Date:
Mar 25, 2002

Comment:

This ongoing project proposed a budget increase from $728,000 in FY2001 to $1,174,365 in FY2002. The expansion of funding will be phased in based on complete reporting of the historic project accomplishments and implementation status on all current project sites. In addition, expansion will be contingent upon development of a clear set of goals and objectives and a subsequent monitoring and evaluation plan to validate project hypotheses and measure results as recommended by the Council. Habitat restoration should focus on completion of ongoing or previously planned projects and operation and maintenance of existing projects.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

See sponsor comment

REVIEW:
Project Sponsor Request for FY04-05

Recommendation:

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

FY2004 - The total of sponsor' budget projections are the same as the Council recommendation. The budget breakdown by phase indicates additional monies above the FY2002 provincial review estimates are needed for Planning/Design to complete detailed channel design on property purchased under the Albeni Falls Mitigation Project. Other budget phases generally are within 10% of the totals estimated in the provincial review. FY2005 - The total of sponsor' budget projections are $1,564,338. We didn't see a Council recommendation posted for this project during this fiscal year. The budget breakdown by phase includes 69,788 for P/D; $881,728 for C/I; $335,485 for O/M; and $277,337 for M/E. A substantial increase in C/I over past years is reflective of completed design work that will allow restoration to proceed for 6,600 linear feet of stream channel. This work will reconnect the existing incised channel with historic floodplain elevations in critical habitat for westslope cutthroat trout.

REVIEW:
NW Power and Conservation Council's FY 2006 Project Funding Review

Funding category:
expense

Date:
May 2005

FY05 NPCC start of year:	FY06 NPCC staff preliminary:	FY06 NPCC July draft start of year:
$1,197,873	$1,197,873	$1,197,873

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website