FY 2002 Mountain Columbia proposal 199101903

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
199101903 Narrative	Narrative
199101903 Sponsor Response to ISRP	Response
Mountain Columbia: Flathead Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map
Mountain Columbia: Flathead Subbasin Map with BPA Fish & Wildlife Projects	Subbasin Map

Section 1. Administrative

Proposal title	Hungry Horse Mitigation
Proposal ID	199101903
Organization	Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP)
Proposal contact person or principal investigator
Name	Brian Marotz, Clint Muhlfeld, Grant Grisak
Mailing address	490 North Meridian Road Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone / email	4067514546 / [email protected]
Manager authorizing this project	Brian Marotz
Review cycle	Mountain Columbia
Province / Subbasin	Mountain Columbia / Flathead
Short description	Mitigation for the construction and operation of Hungry Horse Dam. Implements habitat restoration, improves fish passage, protects and recovers native fish populations and reestablishes fish harvest opportunities.
Target species	Bull Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, and Mountain Whitefish

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description
48.1893	-114.1048	Jessup Mill Pond
48.36	-114.19	Flathead River
48.57	-114.13	North Fork Flathead River
48.35	-114.03	South Fork Flathead River
48.5	-113.98	Middle Fork Flathead River
48.46	-114.06	Sekokini Springs Natural Rearing Facility
48.8	-114.46	Red Meadow Creek
48.67	-114.43	South Fork Coal Creek
48.65	-114.46	Mathias Creek

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
1992	Completed study examining enhancement of benthic insect production in Hungry Horse Reservoir.
1992	Completed chemical rehabilitation of Lion Lake. Removed illegally introduced perch and pumpkinseed from the lake located approximately 1 mile from Hungry Horse Reservoir.
1993	Completed brook trout eradication and habitat enhancement project at Elliott Creek, a direct tributary to the Flathead River.
1993	Completed offsite chemical rehabilitation of Rogers Lake. Removed perch and reestablished cutthroat trout and arctic grayling. Lake is now a genetic reserve for Red Rocks Lake strain arctic grayling.
1994	Chemically rehabilitated Devine Lake of introduced brook trout to reduce hybridization threat to bull trout.
1994	Completed bank stabilization and sediment abatement project at Big Creek, a major bull trout spawning stream.
1995	Completed sediment source surveys on road systems associated with 6 major connected bull trout spawning tributaries to Hungry Horse Reservoir.
1995	Completed cooperative culvert improvement project on Margaret Creek, a direct tributary to Hungry Horse Reservoir. Opened 3.8 km of high quality habitat. Adfluvial cutthroat redds and juvenile bull trout were found upstream of former culvert barrier.
1995	Completed thermal modeling and installation of selective withdrawl structures on Hungry Horse Dam to restore normative river temperatures (Marotz et al. 1994).
1996	Completed a fish ladder at Taylor's Outflow to allow access for spawning populations of cutthroat trout in the Flathead River.
1996	Completed baseline data collection of bull trout spawning habitat quality and utilization in reservoir and backcountry tributaries of the South Fork Flathead River to monitor population trends and spawning and rearing habitat quality.
1996	Completed cooperative culvert improvement projects on Murray Creek and Riverside Creek, direct tributaries to Hungry Horse Reservoir. Opened 7 km of high quality habitat and found adfluvial cutthroat trout redds and juvenile bull trout above culvert.
1996	Completed fish passage and habitat enhancement project at Hay Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Flathead River.
1996	Completed willow survival experiments in drawdown zone of Hungry Horse Reservoir. Examined methods for re-establishing vegetation in the varial zone.
1996	Completed offsite chemical rehbilitation of Bootjack Lake. Removed introduced pumpinseed and introduced westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout.
1996	Completed development of Integrated Rule Curves (IRCs) for Hungry Horse Reservoir (Marotz et al. 1996).
1997	Completed cooperative culvert improvement projects on 7 Hungry Horse Reservoir tributaries to eliminate passage barriers for adfluvial cutthroat trout.
1997	Completed offsite chemical rehabilitation of Murray and Dollar Lakes. Rmoved illegally introduced fathead minnows and redside shiners and reestablished trout.
1997	Completed food habits study for lake trout and northern pikeminnow in the Flathead River. Collected and analyzed > 850 stomachs and estimated species-specific losses to predation (Malta et al. 1997; Zollweg 1998).
1998	Completed study quatifying zooplankton entrainment at Hungry Horse Dam under various operational scenarios using selective withdrawl (Cavigli et al. 1998).
1998	Completed offsite chemical rehabilitation of Little McGregor Lake. Removed illegally introduced perch and reestablished trout in the lake in 1999.
1998	Completed Griffin Creek fencing project that excluded cattle from 8 km of stream containing genetically pure westslope cuttrhroat trout.
1998	Completed construction of Crossover Wetlands project. Installed sub-surface diversion structure to expand wetland in reservoir varial zone. Biological monitoring is ongoing.
1998	Completed development of a basin-wide radio-telemetry monitoring system for the upper Flathead River drainage.
1998	Completed seasonal movement studies on lake trout and northern pike and initiated habitat use and movement studies on bull trout and westslope cuttrhoat trout.
1998	Completed channel reconstruction of 2 km of Taylor's Outflow spring creek. Improved habitat complexity and channel stability in the spawning reach.
1999	Implemented and completed fish passage improvement project on Paola Creek, a major spawning tributary to the Flathead River. Removed culvert barrier and installed baffles to allow fish passage.
1999	Contracted stream survey and design with Land and Water Consulting to reconstruct selected channel reaches of Emery Creek, a major spawning tributary to Hungry Horse Reservoir.
1999	Established livestock management agreements and eliminated point sediment/nutrient sources (e.g. fencing and streambank stabilization) in Dayton Creek in cooperation with CSKT.
1999	Pursued land acquisition and developed preliminary channel and pond complex designs for Sekokini Springs Experimental Rearing Facility.
1999	Completed riparian fencing project in lower Hay Creek to exclude cattle in conjunction with USFS grazing allotment modification.
1999	Conducted project-specific monitoring and evaluation of ongoing and completed projects throughout the Flathead River drainage (i.e. Taylor's Outflow, 7 Hungry Horser Reservoir tributaries, Crossover Wetland Area, Hay Creek, Griffin Creek, and area lakes).
1999	Completed site evaluation, feasability analysis, and landowner scoping for Rose Creek stream/pond project.
1999	Monitored watershed level fish and habitat parameters in cooperation with fish management staff and other agencies. Efforts included population surveys, streambed coring, redd counts, and gillnetting (ongoing since 1991).
1999	Initiated Instream Flow Incremental Methodology study (IFIM) in cooperation with Miller and Associates (Fort Collins, CO) on the Flathead River targeting size-classes of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.
2000	Initiated a comprehensive study in cooperation with the University of Montana examining the degree and threat of hybridization between native cutthroat trout and non-native rainbow trout throughout the Flathead River drainage.
2000	Completed winter population electrofishing surveys, whirling disease sampling, spring migrant trapping, and radio-telemetry surveys in the Flathead River drainage.
2000	Completed winter growth analysis of westslope cutthroat trout in headwater populations.
2000	Completed a minimum instream flow study on the South Fork Flathead River (Marotz and Muhlfeld 2000).
2000	Initiated a study focusing on the movements and habitat use by juvenile bull trout throughout the Flathead River system.
2000	Land & Water Consulting (contracted consultant) and MFWP completed a stream restoration project in selected channel reaches of Emery Creek, a major spawning tributary to Hungry Horse Reservoir.
2000	Completed the first year of data collection for the IFIM study in Reach 1 of the Flathead River; developed habitat suitability curves for juvenile and adult bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.
2000	Miller and Associates (CO) completed physical and hydrologic modeling of the Flathead River for the IFIM study.
2000	Chemically rehabilitated Whale Lake and Tom Tom Lake to eliminate hybridized westslope cutthroat trout populations.
2000	Completed pre-treatment surveys in 8 high mountain lakes in the South Fork Flathead drainage.
2000	Introduced an experimental population of westslope cutthroat trout into Robertson Creek.
2000	Developed an MOU with the USFS and Trout Unlimited to manage westslope cutthroat trout in the Good Creek drainage.
2000	Continued monitoring of bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout populations in Hungry Horse Reservoir through electrofishing and gill-netting surveys.
2000	Quantified rainbow trout X westslope cutthroat trout hybrid production in 4 connected tributaries to the Flathead River.
2000	Participated in a cooperative fencing project in Rogers Lake with 2 other agencies.
2000	Rehabilitated and stocked Hubbard Reservoir and Hidden Lakes to provide angling opportunities as part of the offsite mitigation program.
2000	Completed annual growth analysis of mountain whitefish in the Flathead River; results will be use to determine if growth rates differ pre- and post selective withdrawl.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description
199502510	Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) study on the Flathead River	Physical and hydraulic component of the IFIM model
19101901	Hungry Horse Mitigation - Flathead Lake and Habitat Enhancement (CSKT)	Partner with CSKT in mitigation for Hungry Horse
199608701	Focus Watershed Coordination - Flathead Basin (CSKT)	Cooperator in Dayton Creek restoration
3874700	Streamnet Geographic Information Services unit	Provide GIS and GPS support. Design and archive watershed maps

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost
1. Eliminate or supress hybridized or non-native populations to reduce negative species interactions with native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout.	a. Comprehensive basin-wide survey to identify hybrid populations and hybridization sites in lakes, rivers and streams.	7	$49,000
	b. Survey candidate streams to identify potential fish barrier sites, geology, hydrology, insect fauna, etc.	5	$7,500
	c. Calculate materials, methods and logistics for isolating cutthroat trout, chemical rehabilitation and removal of exotic fish, or installation of barriers to impede hybridization.	5	$12,000
	d. Prepare individual EA's (MEPA), public scoping and draft MOU's with Forest Service and sportsman groups on candidate recovery populations.	5	$9,000
2. Provide angling opportunities for public (off-site mitigation).	a. Survey candidate lakes for chemical rehabilitation and/or habitat improvements.	2	$7,900
	b. Prepare individual EA's (MEPA) and public scoping with sportsman groups and landowners on candidate recovery populations.	3	$10,000
	c. Develop off-site angling opportunities for consumptive use to reduce pressure on native populations.	1	$3,700
3. Improve fish habitat and passage problems in streams throughout the Flathead Basin.	a. Survey canidate streams and associated upland areas for fish habitat improvement projects (i.e. sediment source abatement, fish passage improvements, pool habitat development).	5	$15,000
	b. Work cooperatively with federal, state, tribal, and private landowners to improve habitat conditions in priority watersheds.	1	$2,500
	c. Prepare individual EA's (MEPA) and public scoping with sportsman groups and landowners on candidate recovery streams.	3	$12,000
	d. Work cooperatively with federal, state and tribal agencies to protect populations at risk.	1	$2,500

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Eliminate or supress hybridized or non-native populations to reduce negative species interactions with native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout.	2003	2006	$310,000
2. Provide angling opportunities for public (off-site mitigation).	2003	2006	$95,000
3. Improve fish habitat and passage problems in streams throughout the Flathead Basin.	2003	2006	$125,000
4. Move Hungry Horse operations 50% closer to normative compared to current operations over the next three years using results from the Flathead River IFIM study and other significant results.	2004	2006	$55,000

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$130,000	$130,000	$150,000	$150,000

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Eliminate or supress hybridized or non-native populations to reduce negative species interactions with native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout.	a. Trap spawning runs on select streams to identify hybridization sites of cutthroat and rainbow trout.	4	$21,000
	b. Conduct genetic analyses of fish tissue using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA techniques.	4	$28,000
	c. Trap outmigrants to quantify the number of hybrid/exotic fish entering Flathead River from known hybridization sites.	4	$21,250
	d. Sample mountain lakes and streams in North, Middle and South Fork rivers to identify genetic purity (livestock/helicopter)	ongoing	$26,500
	e. Chemically rehabilitate 3 lakes.	ongoing	$110,000
	f. Install fish barriers on 1 candidate stream per year to eliminate hybridization and non-native interactions; chemically treat above barriers if deemed necessary.	ongoing	$10,000
	g. Reconstruct stream/pond habitat at Sekokini Springs Natural Rearing Facility and prepare sources of wild WCT stocks and water routing plan for the proposed fish ladder.	5	$65,000
2. Improve fish habitat and fish barriers in streams throughout the Flathead Basin.	a. Reconnect three blocked tributaries (Red Meadow, South Fork Coal Creek, and Mathius Creek) for bull trout spawning over the next three years	3	$45,000	Yes
	b. Reduce fine sediments in critical spawning areas in five indexed streams (Coal, Granite, Whale, Red Meadow, and Big Creeks) over the next 3 years.	3	$43,000
	c. Restore natural pool frequency to that of undisturbed referenced reaches in five streams (Red Meadow, Hay, Moran, Moose and Granite Creeks).	3	$17,500	Yes
	d. Cooperatively assist the USFS with a stream habitat restoration project on Mill Creek (Jessup Mill Pond).	1	$10,000
3. Provide angling opportunities to public (off-site mitigation).	a. Chemically rehabilitate Skyles, Spencer, Lore, and Sherrett lakes upon public approval.	3	$38,000
	b. Provide fish food to state hatchery for fish to be stocked in rehabilitated lakes	3	$4,500
4. Move Hungry Horse operations 50% closer to normative compared to current operations over the next three years.	a. Implement seasonal flow windows and flow ramping rates based on VARQ and IRC concepts as prescribed in the Bull Trout Biological Opinion.	ongoing	$7,500

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Eliminate or supress hybridized or non-native populations to reduce negative species interactions with native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout.	2003	2006	$872,000
2. Improve fish habitat and fish barriers in streams throughout the Flathead Basin.	2003	2006	$464,000
3. Provide angling opportunities to public (off-site mitigation).	2003	2006	$172,000
4. Move Hungry Horse operations 50% closer to normative compared to current operations over the next three years.	2003	2006	$36,000

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$450,000	$495,000	$545,000	$700,000

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost
1. Maintain past restoration projects and associated shoreline properties as per contractual obligations or land use agreements.	a. Maintain a contingency fund for natural disasters/unforseen liabilities or emergencies to purchase materials, rock, washed river gravel, seed, plants, erosion control mats and heavy equipment labor.	ongoing - usually 5 year commitments, otherwise unforseen	$50,000
2.Maintain project equipment	a. boats, skid steer, buildings, traps, nets, laboratory equipment	annually	$32,500
3. Project equipment, associated materials and miscellaneous costs of operation	a. light equipment implements, temporary land access leases and easements	annually, unforseen	$45,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Contingency for natural disasters/unforseen liabilities, emergencies or contractural obligations for land use agreements from past projects	2003	2006	$225,000
2. Maintanence of project equipment	2003	2006	$140,000
3. Project equipment, associated materials and miscellaneous costs of operation	2003	2006	$120,000

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$130,000	$130,000	$150,000	$150,000

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2002 cost	Subcontractor
1. Devlop habitat suitablity use curves for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout required by the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) Project (BPA #9502500) on the Flathead River.	a. Collect micro and macro habitat parameters (i.e. depth, velocity, substrate, habitat type etc.) for use in developing weighted useable area curves for size-classes of bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.	2	$55,000
2. Monitor effects of selective withdrawal at Hungry Horse Dam on Flathead River ecosystem.	a. Monitor river temperatures at 6 locations in Flathead River system.	ongoing	$23,000
	b. Quantify differences in macrozoobenthos diversity and abundance pre- and post-selective withdrawal.		$0	Yes
	c. Quantify and compare whitefish growth rates pre- and post.		$0
3. Assess abundance, distribution, and food habits of predator fish species (lake trout, northern pike, and bull trout) in the main stem Flathead River and mouth of Flathead Lake.	a. Perform seasonal creel surveys throughout the Flathead River and upper Flathead Lake.	3	$28,000
	b. Obtain growth information and analyze stomach contents from harvested northern pike and lake trout.		$0
	c. Tag and release fish for abundance and distribution analyses.		$0
	d. Estimate catch rates of bull trout in the Flathead River and upper Flathead Lake.		$0
4. Assess distribution and movements of juvenile and adult bull trout and westlope cutthroat trout in the main stem, North, and Middle forks of the Flathead River using radio-telemetry.	a. Collect data on bull trout distribution, movement and habitat use through weekly ground, boat and aerial surveys.	ongoing	$20,000
5. Assess distribution and movements of westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and WCT x RBT hybrids in the main stem, North, and Middle forks of the Flathead River.	a. Collect data on distribution, movement and habitat use by the study fish through weekly ground, boat and aerial surveys.	ongoing	$23,000
	b. Identify and prioritize source hybridization streams.		$0
6. Monitor watershed level fish and habitat parameters in cooperation with fish management staff and other BPA projects.	a. Annually monitor spawning, incubation and habitat quality by McNeil method of streambed coring in 33 tributaries to assess juvenile bull trout rearing habitat quality, and by substrate scoring in 21 tributaries.		$21,000
	b. Conduct annual migratory cutthroat and bull trout redd counts in 45 index tributary reaches to monitor adult runs.		$18,000
	c. Conduct annual cutthroat and bull trout juvenile estimates in 31 tributaries to monitor recruitment.		$8,500
	d. Conduct river population estimates in main stem and forks of Flathead River.		$12,000
	e. Conduct annual gill net series on Flathead Lake and Hungry Horse Reservoir.		$9,000
	f. Collect disease samples from wild fish populations.		$4,500
7. Evaluate effectiveness of established flow ramping rates on fish and aquatic communities in the Flathead River.	a. Assess changes in fish behavior and habitat use under various ramping rates using radio-telemetry. b. Quantify differences in macrozoobenthos diversity and abundance under various operating strategies.	3	$28,000
8. Evaluate past mitigation projects.	a. Monitor habitat conditions and fish populations in Emery Creek, Taylor Spring, Hay, Robertson, Griffin and Dayton Creeks.	ongoing	$5,000
	b. Monitor fish growth, species composition, and angler use at past lake rehabilitations on Whale, Tom Tom, Lion, Rogers, Bootjack, Murray, & Dollar lakes.	ongoing	$7,000
	c. Initiate a basin-wide water chemistry analysis of the South Fork Flatead River to assess the feasibility of using radio-isotope markers and nuclear DNA techniques to identify bull trout and cutthroat trout natal streams.	3	$15,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost
1. Devlop habitat suitablity use curves for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout required by the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) Project (BPA #9502500) on the Flathead River.	2003	2006	$220,000
2. Monitor effects of selective withdrawal at Hungry Horse Dam on Flathead River ecosystem.	2003	2006	$102,000
3. Assess abundance, distribution, and food habits of predator fish species (lake trout, northern pike, and bull trout) in the main stem Flathead River and mouth of Flathead Lake.	2003	2005	$112,000
4. Assess distribution and movements of juvenile and adult bull trout and westlope cutthroat trout in the main stem, North, and Middle forks of the Flathead River using radio-telemetry.	2003	2006	$70,000
5. Assess distribution and movements of westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and WCT x RBT hybrids in the main stem, North, and Middle forks of the Flathead River.	2003	2006	$113,000
6. Monitor watershed level fish and habitat parameters in cooperation with fish management staff and other BPA projects.	2003	2006	$99,000
7. Evaluate effectiveness of established flow ramping rates on fish and aquatic communities in the Flathead River.	2004	2006	$112,000
8. Evaluate past mitigation projects.	2003	2006	$91,000
9. Assess the feasibility of using radio-isotope markers and nuclear DNA genetic techniques to identify bull trout and cutthroat trout natal streams.	2003	2006	$70,000

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2005	FY 2006
$280,000	$310,000	$340,000	$375,000

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2002 cost
Personnel	FTE: 12.01	$398,000
Fringe		$99,000
Supplies		$391,350
Travel		$34,000
Capital		$18,000
NEPA		$15,000
Subcontractor	fixed-wing aircraft with pilot	$7,500
Subcontractor	macroinvertebrate laboratory analyses	$5,000
Subcontractor	tributary passage and habitat improvements	$15,000
		$982,850

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2002 cost	$982,850
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$0
Total FY 2002 budget request	$982,850
FY 2002 forecast from 2001	$920,502
% change from forecast	6.8%

Reason for change in estimated budget

Changes in Hungry Horse Dam operations called for by the 2000 Biological Opinions on bull trout, salmon and steelhead have made it necessary to modify field activities to examine the affect on reservoir and river biota. Personnel expenditures have also increased.

Reason for change in scope

none

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind
Trout Unlimited	Chemical rehabilitation of lakes	$10,000	cash
U.S. Forest Service	Fish passage and habitat improvements	$0	in-kind
	Cost-share on bull trout monitoring	$20,000	cash

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:

Fundable, but a response is needed that better ties the work to the current subbasin summary with objectives of the summary and the project explicitly linked in the proposal. This project is to mitigate effects of Hungry Horse dam on native fisheries within the Flathead Lake basin. It is a successful, continuing project that includes many specific and quite diverse small projects. As the ISRP noted the last two years, it is very difficult to determine from the proposal the relative priorities, and their rationale, of the many projects, and how effective they have been on the broad scale of dam/reservoir mitigation. Rather than fitting under an umbrella proposal, as last year, the project is presented in the framework of the Subbasin Summary. However, the format of quoting objectives from the Subbasin Summary followed by the project's objectives and tasks does not make the necessary linkage that demonstrates that the Subbasin objectives are being met by the project's activities. The proposal reviewer should not have to decipher the connections; the proposal should make the connections explicitly.

The quality of the proposal is borderline, especially in contrast to the high quality of other proposals reviewed. However, the good presentation provided a great boost for the written proposal. The scientific background is more administrative than scientific. Much of the content is actually material that relates to item 2 (rationale and significance to the region). That rationale section does a good job of relating the work to the FWP, but does not mention the Subbasin Summary. The emphasis of the proposal is on carrying out the long-range plan of the early 1990s. That plan should have been clearly identified as consistent (or not) with the current planning embodied in the Subbasin Summary. The proposal gives good linkage and description with other projects, demonstrating a broad range of cooperation. The project history is good, especially if the material presented in the background and rationale are tacitly included. The work objectives and tasks seem good, although the place for methods was often used for more statements of rationale, with methods often not mentioned. In general, the methods were not well explained. A large part of the project is comprised of monitoring and evaluation (as listed in Part 1), but these efforts are not clearly called out in the narrative section.

There is a good complement of facilities and staff. Information transfer seemed particularly deficient, for little was said about it in the proposal. If this aspect is being handled by another project (as it is in the Montana part of the Kootenai basin; project 199608720) then this should have been clearly stated.

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
High Priority

Date:
Mar 16, 2001

Comment:

REVIEW:
ISRP Final Review (ISRP 2001-4)

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Apr 6, 2001

Comment:

Fundable, the response was adequate and informative. The logic of prioritization is reasonable scientifically. However, this project is an amalgam of many discrete projects, and it is difficult to evaluate how well the work is progressing toward attaining the stated goals. Although the sponsors reported some data on results of past activities (one of the few to do this at their presentation), the ISRP expects that in subsequent reviews the sponsor will focus on reporting of results in terms of the original project goals. The stated goal is to mitigate loss of 250,000 juvenile bull trout and 65,000 juvenile westslope cutthroat trout from a loss of 124 km of spawning and rearing habitat. (Also see similar comments on Project 199500400).

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fundable

Date:
May 30, 2001

Comment:

This project does not presently meet ESA BiOp requirements, but will require funding under the implementation plan. It is anticipated that this project will be fully developed by December 2001. The original project goals are identified in the "Hungry Horse Mitigation Implementation Plan". Those are the annual numbers given by the ISRP in their review. Those numbers/goals have not changed since 1993. The ISRP was correct in identifying this as an amalgam of many discrete projects. Past performance on individual projects has been satisfactory, but it has been difficult to establish clear linkages between individual projects and the overall mitigation goals. There has been no clear delineation of how each project fits into an overall program, or how construction and operational losses could be separated between the proposed individual projects. This project should only be funded with the stipulation that an overall project management plan be developed in conjunction with a clarification of the project goals and objectives.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Oct 19, 2001

Comment:

REVIEW:
BPA Funding Decision

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Mar 25, 2002

Comment:

Bonneville will fund... as recommended to meet requirements of the USFWS's BiOp as described in the Action Agencies 2002 Annual Implementation Plan.

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

Check on project adjustment 03, needed to add NEPA work, sponsor needs to restore elements to project.. Work delayed in 2003 - need to restore those elements in 04 ($100k). Expense project. $400 k in 2005 for construction, remaining - base. Construction dependant on STEP. Check for capital

REVIEW:
Project Sponsor Request for FY04-05

Recommendation:

Date:
Sep 20, 2003

Comment:

The FY 2004 figure reflects our ongoing program, plus the first implementation year of the Westslope Cutthroat trout Conservation Project in mountain lakes of the South Fork Watershed. We expect to have completed the ongoing EIS this year and will begin implementation of the 10-year project in 2004. The FY 2005 budget includes an annual budget of $250k for the WCT mountain lakes project and the first installment for constructing the Sekokini Springs Native Rearing Facility. Sekokini Springs project is currently in step 1 of the 3-step APR process. We will have step 1 and 3 completed within the next few months. Upon Council approval of step 1, we will begin the Step 2 NEPA process included in 2004. By 2005, we should be able to construct the facility and complete work in 2006.

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:
$1,715,000	$1,715,000	$1,715,000

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website