Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

In 2002 the 2006 project budget was estimated to be over $550,000. Though Department cost sharing and working with cooperators, project costs have been held substantially below the projected amount. The $300,000 proposed is, however, short of the actual funds needed. Project has been under spent because some projects have been delayed and supervisor position hasn't been instituted. Department Other Fund (license dollars) has contributed the supervisory and programmatic requirements for this project historically as a cost sharing measure. Increasing Fish and Wildlife Program implementation complexity does not allow this level of cost sharing any more. It's anticipated the supervisory position will be instituted this contract period. In addition to the above mentioned items Department indirect and Other Employee Expenses (OPE) are increasing. For example Department indirect has increased from 23% to 31% and OPE from 50% to as high as 70%. Salary increases are anticipated starting this July as well.

Accomplishments since the last review

Project accomplishments include: McCoy Meadows Project - 2 mile restoration channel, 3.8 miles fence construction, 450 acre WRP-BPA easement, bridge construction, 2,000 ft. revetments, 10 crossvanes, 30 ac. seeding, planting 20,000 shrubs 1.2 miles channel reclamation; Longley Meadows Project - 1 mile Bear Cr restoration channel, 1,200 ft revetments, 19 crossvanes, 70 pcs.wood/whole tree additions to 1 mile reach Jordan Creek, planting over 40,000 trees/shrubs/sedge/rush plugs, seeding 20 ac., off-channel water sources (1 well, delivery pipe, 9 troughs), 5.7 miles fence, two water gaps, 0.5 miles channel reclamation; Phase 2 Mainstem Grande Ronde Project - 1.5 miles habitat enhancement, construction 950 ft restoration channel, 300 ft revetments, 2 crossvanes, 76 whole trees/lg wood, 3 ac. seeding, planting 10,000 trees/shrubs; Phase 1 Wallowa/McDaniel Restoration Project - 0.5 mile Wallowa restoration channel, 800 ft revetments, 5 rock cross vanes, 10,000+ trees/shrubs/sedges/rushes (ODFW), 3 ac seeding. Project planning, design, and implementation of listed projects has been facilitated through extensive interagency/staff coordination between ODFW, NRCS, CTUIR, and GRMWP and multiple funding organizations. Project preparation and implementation included design planning, completion of environmental compliance packages (BA's/consultations for ESA species, permit preparation (ODSL/Corps), preparation of NEPA checklists, and coordination of cultural resource investigations. In addition, subcontracting for construction services, subcontract administration and inspection, and field layout/survey for each project was accomplished. Project activities included maintenance of fences, structures, vegetation, monitoring/evaluation. M&E includes photo points, groundwater wells, water temperature, vegetation surveys, and cooperative fish habitat/morphological assessments, fish population evaluations. Project includes participation on GRMWP Board and Tech Co

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

10/05-9/06 - participate on monthly GRMWP Board of Directors meetings. Participate on technical committee as needed to address resource issues and review annual project funding proposals. 10/05-9/06 - WE encompasses administrative functions to implement project. 3/05 - Annual report to meet BPA contractual requirements. 10/05-9/06 - report on quarterly progress (Pisces). 10/05 - 3/06 - Complete planning/design and permitting for End Cr/Rice Project. Project orginated with single landowner (600 acres) and expanded to include 2 additional landowners (250 acres contiguous)in 2005. Additional planning/design required to implement project. 6/06-8/06 - Implement End Creek/Rice Restoration Project. Includes construction to activate restoration channels constructed in 2005, reclamation of channelized stream segments, fish salvage/trap & haul, phase 1 construction on new project elements, and fence construction. Planting to be completed during fall-winter dormancy period. Project includes 3 landowners, approx 850 acres conservation easements, and 8-10 miles of fish bearing streams and spring fed tributaries in Willow Cr Watershed (tribuary to middle Grande Ronde River). Project goals/objectives are to restore natural channel/floodplain function in Willow Cr system substantially altered by channelization. 7/06 - Implement phase 2 Meadow Cr. Project involving activation of new/historic channel network and relcamation of existing channel network. Planting to be completed during fall-spring dormancy period. 5/06 - Conduct late spring field review of fences, water gaps, and water sources prior to May livestock turnout. Conduct necessary maintenance to ensure effectiveness. 5/06-8/06 - Maintain planted vegetation on project areas including protection tubes/devises and water application as necessary to improve survival. 10/06-9/06 Conduct M&E

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

Subbasin Plan The Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan & Supplement (December 31, 2004) Vision Statement focuses on restoring healthy habitats for aquatic and terrestrial species (Section 5.1). A number of habitat based limiting factors are identified. This project focus on addressing these limiting factors through direct action, cooperative projects, follow-through support (i.e. technical assistance and maintenance), and monitoring to document progress and problems. This project specifically works to address the 4 key habitat attribute identified for improvement in the Plan (Section 5.2.4.2; low flow/irrigation diversion, sediment reduction, channel condition and riparian function). Habitat projects planned and implemented under this project work to make the best aquatic habitat possible under the flow condition experienced, restore riparian and upland areas to reduce sediment, improve channel conditions to provided high flow stability and improved habitat and restore and protect riparian function. The strategies identified by the Plan in each of these attribute areas are used buy this project. This project is part of a partnership of the CTUIR, NPT, Grande Ronde Model Watershed OWEB and others working to restore fish and wildlife habitats. Integrating these restoration efforts into the community and economic framework has been an important aspect of implementation. This cooperative framework in noted in the Plan and is encouraged by the Oregon Plan and ODFW priorities.

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

Table 5.4 of the Plan identifies priority attributes requiring attention if restoration is to be successful. Table 5.5 outlines a framework for identifying restoration priorities. The overall goal of this project is to address issues limiting restoration associated with these attributes. Table 5.6 identifies geographic priorities of the Plan. Project activities have focused on the top 4 watersheds identified.

Other comments

This is a cooperative project that has been very successful over it's term. As identified in the Plan there is still much that needs to be done to recover fish and wildlife in this basin. This project is integral to that effort.