Response for project 199202603: Model Watershed Studies - Lemh
Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget
The Idaho Soil Conservation Commission’s Upper Salmon Basin Watershed Project (USBWP) desires renewal of project #199202603 for FY2006. The amount currently approved and contracted for is $356,458. USBWP requests that funding be increased by 5%, from $356,458 to $374,281. This increase is to cover higher costs due to fuel costs, rent increase, phone call increase, cost of living, and higher insurance premiums.
Accomplishments since the last review
| # of people reached in each of 3 classes (T/S/G): Teachers, Students, General public | The USBWP staff assists with education projects through the Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other agencies requested. This includes Natural Resource Awareness Day, Envirothon, 4th Grade Watershed Studies, Water Quality Field Days, and tours. | |
| Identify and Select Projects | The USBWP utilizes the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, an Advisory Committee and a Technical Team to review proposed habitat and passage improvement projects. The Technical Team meets on the first Wednesday of each month. | |
| Coordination | The USBWP coordinates with landowners, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, irrigation districts, tribes, federal and state government personnel, and communities to assist with implementation of fish habitat and passage projects. | |
| Manage and Administer Projects | The USBWP provides technical assistance as requested by Soil and Water Conservation District’s and landowners to assist with implementation of on-the-ground fish habitat or passage projects. | |
| Provide Technical Review | The USBWP Technical Team meets on the first Wednesday of each month. The purpose of quarterly meetings is to review and rank proposed projects for biological and technical merit. | |
| Produce Plan | The USBWP’s “Model Watershed Plan, 1995” is used extensively during the project ranking process to ensure proposed projects are in areas of concern. Current work involves developing and implementation plan for tributary reconnections. | |
| Produce Design and/or Specifications | The USBWP utilizes various government agencies for assistance with engineering requirements. All projects follow Natural Resources Conservation Service design specifications. USBWP staff assists landowners with survey and other needs. | |
| Produce Annual Report | The USBWP produces a brief annual report each year of work completed. | |
| Produce Status Report | The USBWP produces quarterly reports that respond to the status of milestones as designated in our Statement of Work. |
The USBWP has worked with multiple entities to assist with implementation of the following projects: 2003 ---Installed 4.75 miles of riparian fence on the main-stem Salmon River; Installed .83 miles of riparian fence on the Pahsimeroi River; Installed .65 miles of riparian fence on the East Fork Salmon River; Installed .14 miles of riparian fence on a tributary of the Lemhi River; Eliminated 2 diversions and conserved 3 cfs of water on the Salmon River; Modified 3 diversions and eliminated 1 diversion on the East Fork Salmon River; Modified 1 diversion on the Pahsimeroi River; Modified 2 diversion on the Lemhi River; Installed 2 water control structures on the Pahsimeroi River 2004 ---Installed 2.75 miles of riparian fence on the Pahsimeroi River; Installed .3 miles of riparian fence on the East Fork Salmon River; Installed 5.45 miles of riparian fence on the main-stem Salmon River; Installed 1.5 miles of riparian fence on the Lemhi River; Modified 1 diversion on the Lemhi River; Modified 1 diversion on the Pahsimeroi River and conserved 7 cfs of water 2005 ---Installed .33 miles of riparian fence on the Lemhi River and 1 mile on the Salmon River; Eliminated or modified 3 diversions on Lemhi and Salmon Rivers. Planning and Coordination Work Elements Include: Outreach and education; identify and select projects; coordination; manage and administer projects; provide technical review; produce design or specifications; produce annual and status reports.
FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments
| # of people reached in each of 3 classes (T/S/G): Teachers, Students, General public | Planning for the coming year includes working with the Lemhi Extension Service to develop a small landowner workshop with focus on streams and riparian areas. There will be a renewed effort to issue quarterly newsletters. | |
| Identify and Select Projects | Projects in various stages of proposal, design, or implementation include: 7 riparian protection fencing projects; 8 water delivery modification projects; and 4 tributary reconnection projects. | |
| Manage and Administer Projects | The USBWP provides technical assistance as requested by Soil and Water Conservation District’s and landowners to assist with implementation of on-the-ground fish habitat or passage projects. Specific items are listed in the Custer or Lemhi SWCD responses. | |
| Produce Annual Report | In FY2006, a larger and improved annual report will be produced in an effort to report more thoroughly on our accomplishments. |
The USBWP Goals are consistent with addressing the limiting factors as listed in Table 23 of the Salmon Subbasin Summary, and include: • Provide for the safe and timely passage of migrating fish through critical reaches of the watershed. • Protect spawning areas by ensuring that spawning gravels are managed to prevent habitat losses. • Protect and manage juvenile fish rearing areas. • Protect and enhance water quality to ensure maximum survival of juvenile fish. • Protect and enhance instream and riparian environments to maximize fish production and escapement. • Minimize losses of migrating fish caused by irrigation diversions. • Ensure that any resources invested achieve maximum returns in terms of multiple-use benefits. • Coordinate all salmon recovery activities to minimize duplication of efforts and maximize use of limited resources. • Achieve measurable progress towards a holistic resource management approach that addresses water management, water conservation, fish habitat protection, and fish migration. • Develop an effective and responsive resource management program for the watershed. • Develop or adapt a holistic watershed management approach for fish habitat protection, enhancement, and restoration.
Subbasin planning
How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?
The USBWP is consistent with the Salmon Subbasin Plan as it relates to coordination of specific actions to address the aquatic objectives listed on pages 33-39. These objectives include: 9B, 9C, 9D, 10A, 12A, 12B, 14A, 14B, 15A, 16A, 17B, 20A, 21A, 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A, 27A, 28A, 30A, 30B, 31A, 31B, 32A, 34A, 34B, 35A, 36A, 37A, 38B, 40A, 41A, and 41B.
How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?
It is the Upper Salmon Basin Planning Team's contention that this collaborative approach is the most effective means of accomplishing the Salmon Subbasin Plan's vision while maintaining community support on a wide level and that this collaborative method should continue under the guidance of the USBWP Technical Team and Advisory Committee.
Other comments
The USBWP is related to BPA project #199401700 with the Custer Soil and Water Conservation District and the Lemhi Soil Conservation District as project sponsors. The USBWP strives to assist the Districts in implementing projects as requested by their respective District Board of Supervisors.