Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

In consultation with BPA, the YN concurs with the $25,000 requested FY06 capital expense budget for this contract. In conjunction with BPA project management it has been determined that this budget item is a non-discretionary monitoring and maintenance requirement in order to fully comply with the Washington State Dept. of Ecology water rights permits for operation of the Cle Elum Supplementation and Research Facility (CESRF) main station at Cle Elum.

Accomplishments since the last review

Loss of wetland performance on CESRF property has been determined to be associated with groundwater consumption during normal operations at the CESRF. As such, this budget item is directly connected to construction of the hatchery and installation of the ground water supply system.

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

Tillman Creek wetland mitigation is designed to compensate for lost performance in a wetland located within the hatchery's well field area. This is continuation funding for monitoring and maintenance of wetlands at Tillman Creek. The goal is to establish and maintain plant growth such that it becomes successful as a long-term functioning wetland.

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

This project is consistent with guiding principles 1 and 2 on p. 3 of the Yakima Subbasin Supplement (Nov. 26, 2004). Also, Table 1 on p. 6 of the supplement identifies Interior Riparian Wetlands as a key limiting factor in the Yakima subbasin.

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

The first primary strategy listed in Table 3 on p. 17 of the supplement states that implementing hydrologic restoration measures within wetlands is a priority measure. This project is also consistent with prioritized strategies to address flow (Table 9, p. 26), habitat quantity (Table 11, p. 28), habitat diversity (Table 12, p. 29), and temperature (Table 13, p. 30) of the subbasin supplement.

Other comments

This project is linked with YKFP Upper and Lower O&M, project #1997-013-25. Successful operation of the CESRF and compliance with WA dept of ecology water rights permits require this monitoring and maintenance in FY06 consistent with the action plan adopted by DOE.