Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

This budget is consistent with our 2002 request and the amount received for the past four years. Even though we have been flat lined with BPA funds, we have been able to leverage to accomplish priority projects on a watershed scale for salmonid habitat enhancement and protection in the Asotin. We agree with the 2006 proposed budget and will utilize up to 30% for administration and 70% for on-the-ground priority projects.

Accomplishments since the last review

On-Going Project. 3,856 ft of riparian fence, 2 spring developments, 4,000 ft of cross fence, 3,340 ac of long-term direct seeding, 1 sediment basin and monitoring of sediment, habitat, redds and juveniles to fill EDT data gaps. 2004 - 3,957 ft of riparian fence, 1,000 native riparian trees and shrubs, 3 spring developments, 2 water troughs, 1,487 ac of long-term direct seeding and monitoring of sediment, habitat, redds and juveniles to fill EDT data gaps. 2005 - Funding year to date. 971 ft of riparian fence, 3 spring developments, 475 ac of long-term direct seeding and monitoring sediment, habitat, redds and juveniles to fill EDT data gaps. For list and location of all projects completed by ACCD since 1996 refer to section 6.3.1 Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Protection Projects (pages 104-118). BPA funds have resulted in an additional $333,000 from either landowners or other funding sources.

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

Winter 2005 - Reduce cropland erosion by continuing long-term direct seed projects, plant native riparian vegetation on 37 acres of CREP, reduce domestic stock direct access to streams by providing alternative water developments and fencing priority riparian areas. Continue working with other funding sources to help flat lined budget go farther and get more on-the-ground projects. Public information and education with local schools, landowners and citizens on importance of habitat programs. Spring 2006 - Re-establish and protect prioritized riparian areas with fencing and alternative water developments to reduce domestic stock access and native riparian tree and shrub plantings. Alternative crop rotations with springtime long-term direct seed projects to reduce cropland erosion. Work with WDFW on surveys to fill EDT data gaps. Set priorities for FY 07 Funding. Fall 2006 - Reduce cropland erosion by continuing long-term direct seed projects, reduce domestic stock access to streams with riparian fencing and alternative water developments.

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

This project is consistent with the Vision and Management Plan Components in sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 and 7.2 Aquatic Working Hypotheses and Biological Objectives (pages 120-126). Embeddedness, riparian function, and Temperature are the major limiting factors that are addressed with this project. In the FY 07 funding cycle we will again be looking at LWD, pools, confinement and bedscour. 7.3.1 Imminent threats (pages 128 – 131), 7.3.3 Priority Protection Areas (pages 150-153), 7.3.5 Aquatic Strategy Special Topics (Pages 154-156) and 7.5 Research, Monitoring and Evaluation to fill EDT data gaps, implementation of effectiveness monitoring and data management and coordination, fund additional actions to complete basic population status monitoring are also important projects to the local technical and landowner committees. This project has and will continue to address multiple limiting factors for all freshwater lifecycles for summer steelhead, spring Chinook and bull trout within the Asotin Creek watershed.

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

The priorities for this project can be found in 7.3.2 Priority Restoration Area Strategies (pages 131 – 149). This project is working with private landowners in upper Asotin, Lower George and Charley Creeks. Reduction of embeddedness to less than 10% with current data at 18%. Continue riparian recovery and reestablishment to achieve at least 75% riparian function with current data showing 62% functioning. Decrease summer daily maximum temperatures to no more than 4 days greater than 75 degrees and show progress toward meeting the WA St. standards and TMDL goals with current data showing more than 4 days above 75 degrees. Tables 7-4 and 7-5 give specific hypotheses and strategies to help achieve restoration potentials. Please note that instream habitat shows up as a priority and will be something we will address in the FY 07 funding processes. Additional Priority Protection Area Strategies can be found in section 7.3.3 (pages 150-153).

Other comments

This project follows the Management Plan section of the Plan and emphasis projects in high priority EDT reaches or imminent threats that if not addressed will continue to have long-term negative impacts on ESA listed summer steelhead, spring Chinook salmon and bull trout. Past accomplishments, coupled with a prioritized framework and local knowledge elevates the on-going restoration and protection projects identified by this projects as a high priority. The projects are consistent with the Asotin Subbasin Plan and supported by both the local landowner steering committee and technical advisory committee, which provides the backbone for all the groundwork that the Asotin Creek Model Watershed Plan provided for complex habitat restoration and protection projects with local solutions and support.