Response for project 199206800: Willamette Basin Mitigation
Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget
The budget amount for FY 2006 is not correct. We are proposing a budget of $1,500,000 to reserve for 4 acquisitions for 2006. Currently we are in the pre-acquisition phase including preliminary negotiations with current owners, contacting adjacent landowners, working with potential stakeholders, and within ODFW to insure that the process will proceed smoothly, efficiently and effectively. They include 4 sites with major expanses of focal habitats including a 126 ac parcel composed of upland wet prairies and bottomland hardwood forests, a 60 ac parcel containing upland wet praries and bottomland forests, 146 ac parcel consisting of wet praires and wetlands, and 17 ac parcel that contains an intact upland hardwood forest with an understory complex of native shrubs. All sites are near the confluence of the Luckiamute and Santiam and Willamette Rivers and are conjoined to a state wildlife area. Landowners from all sites indicated an interest in selling their property and a willingness to work with ODFW.
Accomplishments since the last review
BPA assisted in the acquisition of Green Island, a 865 ac island at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willametter Rivers. The acquisition was completed in 2003 at the end of the last provincial agreement. This area contains signficant restoration and enhancement value including substantial areas of of riparian habitats, upland wet prairies, bottomland hardwood forests. No new acquisitions were completed since this last review. From 2003-2005, most of the work on this island has been through the expense budget (please see project accomplishments under that budget item)including substantial restoration and enhancement work, management planning, and monitoring and evaluation.
FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments
| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | One site has a completed Haz-mat review. The others will not likely need one. | |
| # of people reached in each of 3 classes (T/S/G): Teachers, Students, General public | The wildlife area has been used as a study area for OSU and a teaching field site. A large corps of volunteers assist in vegetation renewal and weed control. The staff have a on-going outreach program- 10 teachers/400 students/1000 general public | |
| Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities | Substantial work will need to be completed for pre-acquisition activities including appraisals, MOU, conservation agreements, etc.. |
The anticipated accomplishments from the proposed acquisitions are substantial including protection of habitats that have declined to a fraction of their historic size. Included in these parcels are considerable areas of wetland prairies and bottomland hardwood forests, habitats that are <10% of their former extent. All sites are adjacent to a state wildlife area and near USFW Wildlife Refuges, Willamette greenways, and urban greenspaces. The restoration potential is also substantial for all sites through the control of weedy exotics, and re-planting of native plants. Additional, portions of two sites have the potential to create and/or enhance wetlands features.
Subbasin planning
How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?
These proposed acquisitions are consistent with the Willamette subbasin plan because: 1) they contain substantial proportions of focal habitats prioritized in the subbasin plan, 2) they are associated or near protected wildlife areas, refuges, and greenspaces, 3) they are adjacent to a major confluence site (Luckiamute, Santiam, and Willamette Rivers), 4) they connect valuable wildlife habitats, 5) they are have strong restoration potential, and 6) they represent one of the few declining opportunities to acquire multiple parcels under one ownership.
How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?
The goals for the proposed acquisitions match many of the priorities outlined in section 4.5.2.2 (terrestrial habitat conservation priorities), 5.2 (focal habitats), 5.2.2.3 (extent of current habitats), 5.2.2.4 (restoration priorities for lowland riparian areas), and 5.4.3.2 (connecting favorable habitats). Opportunties to acquire habitats that are connected to major resource sites, that are interconnected, that have substantial restoration potential, and that are of a significant size in the Willamette Valley are rare and will become more difficult and expensive.