Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget

The project sponsor is confirming the desire to renew the project for Fiscal Year 2006. Also, the project sponsor is confirming that the Council staff Fiscal year 2006 budget identified for this project is consistent with our expectation. Moreover, the proposed FY2006 scope and approach are consistent with the NWPCC, ISRP, CBFWA, and BPA recommendations and approval for the Mountain Columbia Provincial Review.

Accomplishments since the last review

Accomplishments since late 2002 Characterization, evaluation and feasibility of six site locations in the Kootenai River Valley for potential river-floodplain connectivity A)Evaluated sites for ability to mimic the natural river-floodplain connectivity B)Characterized sites for land and river water elevations within potential flooded zone, and ability/duration of land form to maintained the water when the river level recedes C)Evaluated sites potential secondary water source •Coordinated with local communities, agencies, and landowners on access, study design and feasibility •Site recommendation for river-floodplain connectivity concept, and identification of alternatives to cover the range of potential river-floodplain connection actions •Identification, evaluation and monitored baseline biological sampling of slough, side channels and wetlands consistent with Biomonitoring protocols established by Kootenai River Resident Fish A project (1994-049-00) •Researched and created study design, quantification of response and recommended monitoring parameters and protocols •Utilized topographic data and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) to develop cross sections and longitudinal profiles at key points to facilitate hydraulic modeling •Compiled and modeled river stage data from three gauging stations and estimated •potential for floodplain reconnection under the current regime of flow regulation •Researched, compiled and utilized hydraulic model (MIKE 11) and de Saint Venant equations simulating unsteady flows, conservation of mass, conservation of momentum, and sediment transport in rivers, drainage systems, and channels •Estimated floodplain volumes, stage-storage-area relationships and areas as a function of the existing topography and a series of water surface elevations represented as flat planes •Re-evaluate and re-select site location feasibility analysis due to ownership change, and begin new conceptual design for river-floodplain reconnection

FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments

Project activities planned for FY2006 •Complete, assess and utilize orthographic and topographic surveys (LiDAR) for DTM •Utilize topographic data and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) to develop cross sections and longitudinal profiles at key points to facilitate hydraulic modeling •Estimate floodplain volumes, stage-storage-area relationships and areas as a function of the existing topography and a series of water surface elevations represented as flat planes •Characterize soil, depth to groundwater and static groundwater level with monitoring wells •Continue monitoring baseline biological sampling of slough, side channels and wetlands consistent with Biomonitoring protocols established by Kootenai River Resident Fish A project (1994-049-00) •Coordinate with local communities, agencies, and landowners on access, study design and feasibility •Site recommendation for river-floodplain connectivity concept, and identification of alternatives to cover the range of potential river-floodplain connection actions •Estimate floodplain volumes, stage-storage-area relationships and areas as a function of the existing topography and a series of water surface elevations represented as flat planes •Coordinate and oversee technical peer-review process, fieldwork, surveys, biomonitoring, sampling for project completion and QA/QC evaluation process

Subbasin planning

How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?

This project addresses the following Urgent and High Priority Aquatic and Terrestrial biological objectives for White Sturgeon (WST), Burbot (BUR), Tributary (T), Wetlands (WB), Riparian (RP), Grassland/Shrubs (GS), Xeric Forests (XF), and Mesic Forests (MF). Page numbers for the objectives are listed in parentheses. Restore productivity rates and nutrient concentrations to pre-dam levels: WST1 (61), BUR1 (65), WB1 (73), RP2 (78) Restore natural recruitment: WST2 (62), BUR3 (68) Restore habitat conditions required for recruitment: WB2 (75), RP1 (77), RP5 (81), GS4 (84), XF1 (85), XF2 (85) Restore tributary hydrographs: T7 (36) Restore riparian habitat to reference conditions: T2 (30), RP1 (77), RP4 (80), RP5 (81) Increase habitat diversity to reference levels: T6 (35), RP1 (77), RP4 (80), GS2 (83), MF1 (87), MF2 (87), XF1 (85), XF2 (85) Protect and revegetate riparian areas: RP1 (77), RP4 (80) Improve habitat connectivity: RP1 (77), RP3 (79), GS1 (82), XF2 (85) This project also addresses the following Administrative/Programmatic Objectives (AP2 – page 90, AP3 – page 91, and AP5-page 92): Develop and maintain adequate regional and international coordination, pursue independent peer-review and qualified scientific council, and improve distribution of information required to successfully implement the Subbasin Plan.

How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?

This project addresses the Urgent and High Priority objectives of the Kootenai Subbasin Management Plan (listed above and in Table 10.5 – page 123). The objectives address the restoration of habitats and focal species, in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, this project meets the prioritization strategies in all Tier I and is the consistent with all Tier II criteria (and fully meets 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) found in Section 10.5 (page 125-128) of the Kootenai Subbasin Plan. Additionally, it is stated in the Subbasin Plan that “after applying and meeting Tier I criteria, ongoing projects that address urgent objectives will be afforded the highest priority of funding” (Page 126). This project falls in the above mentioned categories.

Other comments

This project is associated with an independent peer-review and qualified scientific counsel, the Research Design and Review Team (RDRT), and is consistent with work organized by the International Kootenai River Ecosystem Recovery Team (IKERT). Implementation is consistent with the Kootenai River Adaptive Management Framework Program that is outlined on Page 94 of the Kootenai Subbasin Management Plan. This project is tied strongly to the NWPPC Fish and Wildlife program scientific principles, where ecosystem function and ecological management are key to the directed project objectives. Moreover, this project framework works to assess, characterized and address the primary and secondary limiting factors listed in the Subbasin Plan, and associated scientific literature. Additionally, this project is consistent with the ESA recovery goals for the Kootenai White Surgeon outlined in the 1999 USFWS Recovery Plan and the 2000 Biological Opinion for White Sturgeon. The project is consistent with, and compliments the TMDL Implementation Plan that is under development for the Idaho portion of the Kootenai River basin.