Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

In order to implement the fish and wildlife components that remain in the balance from previous recommendations, the CSKT would like to request a capital budget approval of $8.906 million that represents the FY05 NWPCC recommendation ($12,396,000) less the FY05 MOA budget figure ($3.49 million). In order to conduct pre-acquisition activities, a small portion (~$100,000) of the capital budget request of $8.906 million will need to be expensed to fund appraisals, surveys, title searches, etc. This project was recommended by the NWPCC each year since 2002 for nearly full funding (~13 million approved over the three year period). Due to the ongoing disagreement between CSKT and BPA regarding wildlife mitigation, this project was not initiated until May of 2005 when CSKT signed an MOA with BPA to begin acquiring land to mitigate for the direct impacts to resident fish associated with the construction and inundation of Hungry Horse Dam. Funding for FY05 is at a level of $3.49 million. The wildlife portion remains unfunded. As stated above, the NWPCC recommended $12.396 million in FY05. This figure represented the approximate sum of the FY02 through FY04 funding request submitted in the original proposal that was completely unfunded at the time of the NWPCC recommendation. A portion ($100,000) of the $8.396 million will need to be expensed in order to fund pre-acquisition activities such as appraisals, surveys, etc.

Accomplishments since the last review

Because it took over 5 years from project submittal to an agreed upon MOA allowing for actual implementation, this project has accomplished little to date, except for the MOA discussions. However, BPA signed an MOA in early May with CSKT to begin acquiring land to mitigate the impacts to resident fish. In late May, the Tribes received a pre-award authorization from BPA to begin pre-acquisition activities. This will allow us to begin to implement the necessary activities to acquire land such as appraisals, surveys, title searches, etc.

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

Conduct pre-acquisition activities and all necessary negotiations in order to purchase land as outlined in the subbasin plan to mitigate for the direct impacts to resident fish (as measured in stream km) associated with the construction and inundation of Hungry Horse Dam (125 km).

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

This project is consistent with many of the objectives in the subbasin plan that are directed at mitigating the limiting factors associated with resident fish and wildlife. This project is an integral component of completing the following objectives within the subbasin plan: M1, M4, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, L1, L2, RW3, RW5 (pages 21 through 53 of the management plan). If BPA and CSKT reach resolution regarding wildlife mitigation, this project would also help to address objectives GS1, GS2, GS4, XF2, (pages 55 through 59). This project is also consistent with Basin Level Resident Fish Objectives 2 through 4 (pages 16 through 17 of the management plan) and Basin Level Wildlife Objectives 1 through 5 (page 17 of the management plan).

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

The limiting factors for resident fish and wildlife are outlined in the subbasin assessments and addressed within the objectives and strategies in the management plan (see above). This project will assist in allowing the CSKT to accomplish the objectives directed at addressing the limiting factors identified in the plan. The areas to implement those objectives are also outlined in the plan (listed and mapped as near term priorities in the plan).

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