FY 2001 Ongoing 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

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, Grant Grisak, Clint Muhlfeld
Mailing address	490 North Meridan Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone / email	4067525501 / [email protected]
Manager authorizing this project	Brian Marotz
Review cycle	FY 2001 Ongoing
Province / Subbasin	Mountain Columbia / Flathead
Short description	Implementation of watershed based habitat restoration and fish recovery actions to mitigate the losses caused by hydropower in the Flathead Subbasin. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks collaborates with the Salish and Kootenai Tribes, USFWS and B.C. Canada.
Target species

Project location

Latitude	Longitude	Description

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. This became the most popular small lake fishery in this area.
1993	Eradicated brook trout and enhanced spawning and rearing habitat in 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 the rare Red Rocks Lake strain of arctic grayling.
1994	Chemically rehabilitated Devine Lake. Successfully eradicated non-native brook trout to reduce hybridization threat to bull trout in one of the strongest remaining populations.
1994	Completed bank stabilization and sediment abatement project at a massive land slide in Big Creek, a major Flathead River bull trout spawning stream. The slide was directly above a known spawning area.
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 are now upstream of a former culvert barrier.
1995	Completed thermal modeling and installation of selective withdrawal 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. Rainbow trout attempting to enter the stream are now excluded by a trap weir.
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 coop. fish passage projects replacing culverts on Murray and Riverside Creeks, tributaries to Hungry Horse Reservoir. Opened 7 km of quality habitat. Adfluvial cutthroat trout redds and juvenile bull trout are now above the culvert barrier.
1996	Completed fish passage and habitat enhancement project at Hay Creek, a tributary to the North Fork Flathead River. Lower reaches of this stream no longer flows subsurface (passage barrier) during summer and supports native trout.
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 rehabilitation of Bootjack Lake. Removed introduced pumpkinseed and introduced westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout. The lake now has fish up to 20 inches in length and looks like a bowl of cheerios (float tubers).
1996	Completed development of Integrated Rule Curves (IRCs) for Hungry Horse Reservoir (Marotz et al. 1996). Updated 1999.
1997	Completed cooperative culvert improvement projects on 7 Hungry Horse Reservoir tributaries to eliminate passage barriers for adfluvial cutthroat trout. Resulted in 16 percent more spawning and rearing area in Hungry Horse Reservoir.
1997	Completed offsite chemical rehabilitation of Murray and Dollar Lakes. Removed illegally introduced fathead minnows and redside shiners and reestablished trout. Fishing improved dramatically.
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 quantifying zooplankton entrainment at Hungry Horse Dam under various operational scenarios using selective withdrawal (Cavigli et al. 1998). Provided dam operators with instructions for using the duel intake ports.
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 cutthroat trout.
1998	Completed construction of Crossover Wetlands project. Installed sub-surface diversion structure to expand wetland in reservoir varial zone. Wetland has expanded over several acres. 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 cutthroat 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 Hungry Horse Reservoir. 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 Natural Rearing Facility. Water source proved to promote impressive growth and condition factor of westslope cutthroat trout.
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 Horse Reservoir tributaries, Crossover Wetland Area, Hay Creek, Griffin Creek, and area lakes).
1999	Completed site evaluation, feasibility analysis, constant flow rate and water quality tests, 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.

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Project ID	Title	Description

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2001 cost
1. Address the threats to westslope cutthroat trout in the Flathead River Basin.	a. Continue 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.	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 by restoring species assemblages.	a. Survey candidate lakes for chemical rehabilitation and/or habitat improvement.	2	$7,900
	b. Prepare individual EA's (MEPA) and public scoping with sportsman groups and landowners on candidate recovery populations.		$15,000
	c. Design a self-contained fishing complex for westslope cutthroat trout as part of the State's Family Fishing Program in Rose Creek.	2	$15,000
3. Improve fish habitat and fish passage problems in streams throughout the Flathead Basin.	a. Maintain the role of HH Mitigation in the Dayton Creek Watershed Project with Tribes, agencies and private landowners.	1	$3,700
	b. Negotiate removal fish passage barriers on Paola Creek with the railroad company and Department of Transportation.	1	$2,000
	c. Work cooperatively with consultant and USFS to develop, modify and/or meet objectives of the Emery Creek habitat project.	1	$2,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

FY 2005	FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2002
$143,100	$133,100	$143,100	$133,100

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2001 cost	Subcontractor
1. Address the threats to westslope cutthroat trout in the Flathead River Basin.	a. trap spawning runs on select streams to identify hybridization sites of cutthroat and rainbow trout.	4	$21,000
	b. genetic analyses of fish tissue	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)	6	$26,500
	e. Chemically rehabilitate 3 lakes per year until goal has been reached.	7	$60,000
	d. Install fish barriers on 2 candidate streams to isolate cutthroat trout; chemically treat above barriers.	5	$11,246
2. Provide angling opportunities to public by restoring species assemblages.	a. Chemically rehabilitate Skyles and Spencer lakes.	1	$37,500
	b. Stock rehabilitated lakes with trout	1	$3,000
3. Improve fish habitat and manage fish barriers to benefit native trout in streams throughout the Flathead Basin.	a. Cooperate on fencing approximately 1.5 miles of Dayton Creek, or replacing undersized culverts.		$15,000
	b. remove fish passage barriers on streams (TBA)	4	$4,000
4. Create a ponds and a new stream channels for natural spawning and rearing for westslope cutthroat trout in Sekokini Springs and Rose Creek.	a. Construct pond, wetlands and an "E" spawning and rearing channel in the outlet and connect to Flathead River.	3	$125,000	Yes

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

FY 2005	FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2002
$372,500	$362,500	$372,500	$362,500

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2001 cost	Subcontractor
1. Contingency for natural disasters/unforeseen liabilities, emergencies or contractual obligations for land use agreements from past projects	a. fencing materials, rip rap, washed river gravel, seed, plants, erosion control for all restoration sites, and upkeep of Sekokini Springs Natural Rearing Facility	ongoing - usually 5 year commitments, otherwise unforeseen	$95,000	Yes
2.Maintanence of project equipment	a. boats, skid steer, buildings, traps, nets, laboratory equipment	annually	$32,400
3. Project equipment, associated materials and miscellaneous costs of operation	a. light equipment implements, temporary land access leases and easements	annually, unforeseen	$25,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

FY 2005	FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2002
$172,500	$152,500	$172,500	$152,500

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Objective	Task	Duration in FYs	Estimated 2001 cost
1. Develop habitat suitability use curves 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.	3	$33,236
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. b. Quantify differences in macrozoobenthos diversity and abundance pre- and post-selective withdrawal. c. Quantify and compare whitefish growth rates pre- and post.	ongoing through duration of project	$23,000
3. Assess abundance, distribution, and food habits of predator fish species (lake trout, northern pike) in the main stem, north, and middle forks of the Flathead River.	a. Perform creel surveys throughout the Flathead River system. b. Obtain growth information and analyze stomach contents from harvested northern pike and lake trout. c. Tag and release fish for abundance and distribution analyses.	2	$21,600
4. Assess distribution and movements of juvenile, sub-adult and adult bull trout and westslope 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.	4	$20,300
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 westslope cutthroat trout distribution, movement and habitat use through weekly ground, boat and aerial surveys.	5	$24,100
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.	ongoing throughout duration of project	$21,000
	b. Conduct annual migratory cutthroat and bull trout redd counts in 45 index tributary reaches to monitor adult runs.	ongoing throughout duration of project	$17,400
	c. Conduct annual cutthroat and bull trout juvenile estimates in 31 tributaries to monitor recruitment.	ongoing throughout duration of project	$8,200
	d. Conduct river population estimates in main stem and forks of Flathead River.	ongoing throughout duration of project	$12,000
	e. Conduct annual gill net series on Flathead Lake and Hungry Horse Reservoir.	ongoing throughout duration of project	$8,400
	f. Collect disease samples from wild fish populations.	ongoing throughout duration of project	$4,200
7. Evaluate past mitigation projects.	a. Taylor Spring Creek, Hay Creek, Dayton Creek.	4	$5,000
	b. Monitor fish growth, species composition, and angler use at past lake rehabilitations on Lion, Rogers, Bootjack, Murray, & Dollar lakes.	4	$5,000

Outyear objectives-based budget

Objective	Starting FY	Ending FY	Estimated cost

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

FY 2005	FY 2003	FY 2004	FY 2002
$223,500	$213,500	$223,500	$213,500

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Item	Note	FY 2001 cost
Personnel	FTE: 3.12	$78,600
Fringe	Insurance and benefits	$20,597
Travel	travel, training, professional meetings	$11,453
Subcontractor	Rose Creek site development consultant (TBA)	$12,450
Personnel	FTE: 4.37	$112,250
Fringe		$28,846
Supplies	Barrier materials, lake sampling equip, nets, trap equipment fence materials, Rotenone	$104,400
Subcontractor	Contractor for Rose Creek & Sekokini sites (TBA)	$79,000
Subcontractor	University of Montana	$28,000
Personnel	FTE: 2.21	$55,250
Fringe	insurance and benefits	$14,588
Supplies	listed above	$50,062
Capital	Improvement of westslope cutthroat isolation laboratory at Sekokini Springs.	$32,500
Subcontractor	TBA	$0
Personnel	FTE: 4.27	$106,750
Fringe	Insurance and benefits	$28,186
Travel	transportation	$33,700
Capital	radio telemetry equipment, scuba	$17,300
Subcontractor	otolith analysis	$10,000
Subcontractor	fixed-wing aircraft with pilot	$7,500
		$831,432

Total estimated budget

Total FY 2001 cost	$831,432
Amount anticipated from previously committed BPA funds	$50,000
Total FY 2001 budget request	$781,432
FY 2001 forecast from 2000	$800,000
% change from forecast	-2.3%

Reason for change in estimated budget

Refined cost estimate

Reason for change in scope

No scope change. Continuing to carry out Hungry Horse Mitigation Implementation Plan.

Cost sharing

Organization	Item or service provided	Amount	Cash or in-kind

Reviews and recommendations

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

REVIEW:
CBFWA Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:

Date:
Jul 14, 2000

Comment:

REVIEW:
NWPPC Funding Recommendation

Recommendation:
Fund

Date:
Sep 13, 2000

Comment:

Rationale: Budget increase inappropriate in this review. Project does not have carry-forward available.

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