Response for project 200003600: Protect And Restore Mill Creek
Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget
The budget, while consistent with Bonneville's approved budget, won't cover the intended work for 2006 which includes operation and maintenance of past projects and upgrading fish passage structures. We request an additional $70,000. The existing budget will cover operation and maintenance of riparian fencing, tree plantings, and less than one quarter of the cost of replacing one culvert. The proposed budget of $80,096 was only intended to cover costs associated with inventory and prioritization of culverts in the drainage. Since it will be five years since the proposal was written for the provincial review process, progress has been made in the watershed: the inventory and prioritization of fish passage structures is completed. The budget (in 2001) was not projected for implementation of culvert replacements. The estimated cost of replacing just one culvert is over $80,000; therefore a request is being made to increase the budget to $150,096.
Accomplishments since the last review
| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | NEPA for culvert replacement projects was completed under sub-contract. ESA consultation and cultural resource surveys were completed by the Nez Perce Tribe. | |
| Coordination | The Nez Perce Tribe and the NPNF have been partners in watershed restoration since 1996, which includes sharing funds and resources to complete projects. Each year, projects specifics are spelled out in an agreement signed by both parties. | |
| Manage and Administer Projects | Project management includes coordinating project activities, attending meetings, seeking additional funding, preparing statements of work, managing budgets, and completing reports. | |
| Produce Plan | A document was completed in May 2005 that prioritizes culvert upgrades for future BPA contracts. | |
| Produce Design and/or Specifications | Designs for culvert replacement are a cooperative effort between the NPT and the NPNF. Two designs were completed for Corral and Camp Creek Culverts. | |
| Produce Annual Report | Annual reports summarize yearly activities. | |
| # of riparian miles treated (0.01 mi.; count each bank separately) | 5.0 miles of stream along riparian areas was planted with native vegetation, including alder and willow species. Approximately 8,000 trees were planted between 2002 and 2005. | |
| Maintain Terrestrial Structure | Three miles of fence have been constructed within the Mill Creek draiange, and annual maintenance is completed under this project. | |
| Does the structure remove or replace a fish passage barrier? (Y/N) | Yes, the round pipe culvert at Corral Creek was replaced with an arch pipe that was sunken and installed using stream simulation methods. | |
| # of miles of habitat accessed (0.1 mi.) | Three miles of habitat was accessed by replacing the Corral Creek culvert. | |
| Was barrier Full or Partial? (F/P) | The barrier was a partial barrier to salmonid species. | |
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Collected biological, chemical, and physical habitat parameter data in the Mill Creek drainage, including data on culvert replacements. |
2002- Completed inventory of all road/stream crossing structures (culverts) 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 - Planted approx 2,000 riparian plants annually 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 - performed maintenance on existing riparian protection fence. 2003- completed NEPA, ESA consultation, cultural resouce surveys, and designs for culvert replacements 2004 - replaced Corral Creek culvert 2004, 2005 - completed prioritization for culvert replacement within the Mill Creek watershed.
FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments
| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Complete NEPA Checklist and other NEPA documents. | |
| Coordination | The Nez Perce Tribe and the NPNF have been partners in watershed restoration since 1996, which includes sharing funds and resources to complete projects. Each year, projects specifics are spelled out in an agreement signed by both parties. | |
| Manage and Administer Projects | Project management includes coordinating project activities, attending meetings, seeking additional funding, preparing statements of work, managing budgets, and completing reports. | |
| Produce Design and/or Specifications | Designs for culvert replacement are a cooperative effort between the NPT and the NPNF. The Forest Service generally takes the lead, and the Nez Perce Tribe reviews and approves all designs before being solicited for bids on construction projects. | |
| Produce Annual Report | Stream habitat and temperature data has been collected within Mill Creek, and this data will be summarized into a monitoring report, showing trends of conditions as a result of watershed restoration activities. | |
| # of riparian miles treated (0.01 mi.; count each bank separately) | 2 miles of stream along riparian area will be planted with native trees. | |
| Maintain Terrestrial Structure | Five miles of fence were constructed between the years of 2000 & 2001 to protect critical meadow habitat. Fence consists of post and rail and post and four-strand barbed wire. | |
| Does the structure remove or replace a fish passage barrier? (Y/N) | Yes, a fish passage barrier will be replaced at Hepner Creek. | |
| # of miles of habitat accessed (0.1 mi.) | 4 miles of habitat will be accessed with the replacement of Hepner Creek culvert. | |
| Was barrier Full or Partial? (F/P) | Full barrier is present on Hepner Creek | |
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Stream habitat and temperature data will be collected within Mill Creek, and this data will be summarized into a monitoring report, showing trends of conditions as a result of watershed restoration activities. | |
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | A monitoring protocol for culvert replacements will track the status of habitat within and around the culvert and the stream channels reaction to the newly installed culvert. |
Fall 2005- Complete design for culvert replacement on Hepner Creek Spring 2006 - Solicite for contract to replace culvert Spring 2006 - Plant riparian vegetation Spring 2006 - Maintain five miles of fence Summer 2006 - Replace Hepner Creek culvert Summer 2006 - Complete monitoring of restoration activities and watershed trend monitoring.
Subbasin planning
How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?
The Mill Creek Watershed project, is consistent with many Problems, Objectives, and Strategies outlined in the Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan (CSMP). A list of Problems, Objectives, and Strategies is provided. Problem 2, Obj B, Strategies1-5 and 7 (pg 18, CSMP). This project addresses this problem by meeting it’s objectives and strategies that identify and prioritize limiting factors within each PMU as well as implementing projects resulting from this prioritization. Problem 4, Obj E, Strategies 1-3 and Obj F, Strategies 2-4 (pg 22-23, CSMP) are consistent with this project. Problem 4 addresses native fish resident species within the Clearwater Subbasin. These improvements and protection measures have been prioritized through a watershed assessment and EIS. Problem 7, Obj O, Strategies 3,4,7; Obj P, Strategies 1-5; Obj Q, Strategies 1-6; Obj S, Strategies 1, 3-5; Obj U, Strategies 1-7 (pages 31-38, CSMP), are consistent with this project. This project restores water quantity, quality, connectivity and habitat complexity through various watershed restoration projects such as culvert replacements, riparian planting and protection, and noxious weed treatment. Problem 10, Obj Z, Strategies 1,2,4 (pg 41, CSMP). This project addresses wetlands and riparian zones through planting and cattle exclusion. Problem 12, Obj EE, Strategy 1,2,4 are addressed through fencing to reduce grazing impacts. Problem 16, Obj JJ, Strategies 1-4 (pg 50, CSMP) are consistent with this project. This project reduces road impacts to the stream system through various road treatments. Problem 19, Obj MM, Strategies 1-2; Obj NN, Strategies 1-3 (pg 52-53, CSMP) are consistent with this project. Personnel associated with this project are key in coordinating activities and prioritizing restoration/protection activities between several agencies. RME are conducted on Aquatic variables: II. Water Quality; III. Passage; IV. Habitat; VIII. Anadromous Fish; X. Terrestrial Habitat: In stream habitat & noxious weeds.
How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?
The Mill Creek watershed lies in 1 PMU. This project is consistent and addresses several High and Moderate Priorities within the identified PMU. The Mill Creek Watershed lies within PMU FD-4 (Figure 3, Clearwater Subbasin Management Plan (CSMP), page 135). For PMU FD-4 this project addresses the following High priorities: Grazing Impacts and Roads; moderate priority that is addressed: Water Temperature (Table 7, CSMP, page 85 & 86). The project will implement replacing fish barrier culverts, planting and maintaining riparian vegetation. Project personnel coordinate and comment on outside agencies activities within the watershed to make sure other activities are consistent with our watershed restoration goals.
Other comments
For more information see the Statement of Work or Annual Reports. Contact Heidi McRoberts 208-843-7144 or heidim@nezperce.org