Response for project 200300800: Pres/Restore Col R/Est Willapa
Comment on proposed FY 2006 budget
The budget of 70k is consistent with last year and is adequate for the current monitoring program and invasive plant control. The division of 43k for M&E and 27k for O&M is incorrect. It should be 50k for monitoring and 20k for invasive plant control. We are requesting that 15k be added for monitoring post-restoration vegetation response. The pre-restoration vegetation monitoring was paid by the Corps, but it is unlikely they will be able to fund the post-restoration phase. The original proposal, as shown on the CBFWA web site and approved by the Council and the ISRP, contained 20k for vegetation monitoring in FY2006, but we can get it done for 15k. Vegetation monitoring contributes to Strategy 2 (Protect and Restore Habitats) in the Subbasin Management Plan Supplement (p. 2-10). In summary, we are requesting a total budget of 85k.
Accomplishments since the last review
| # of acres treated (0.1 ac) | 500-700 acres. | |
| Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland | 94 acres of tidal marsh |
2003 -Acquired 473 acres on Crims Island -USGS completed pre-restoration fish survey 2004 -Environmental Assessment for restoration of 94 acres of tidal marsh and 115 acres of riparian forest was completed. -Pre-restoration vegetation survey was completed. -Restoration construction began. -Acquired 50 year conservation lease of Walker Island. -Phase 2 of Columbian white-tailed deer (CWTD) reintroduction was completed. -CWTD and water bird use of habitats at Crims and Walker Islands was monitored. -Purple loosestrife biocontrol insects were released at 10 sites and plants were hand pulled along 10 miles of route. 2005 -Release biocontrol insects and hand pull invasive plants on 500-700 acres of tidal marsh. -Complete construction phase of 94 acres of tidal marsh and 115 acres of riparian forest. -Monitor Columbian white-tailed deer and waterbird use of habitats at Crims an Walker Islands.
FY 2006 goals and anticipated accomplishments
| Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation | Produce biological assessments for the use of herbicides in weed control to USFWS and NOAA Fisheries and obtain biological opinions.Deliverable: Biological opinions from USFWS and NOAA | |
| Produce Annual Report | Annual report for Bonneville. | |
| Produce Status Report | Produce 3 quarterly report for Bonneville. | |
| # of acres treated (0.1 ac) | 500-700 | |
| Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data | Monitor Columbian White-tailed Deer subpopulation status, movements, reproductive success, and habitat use including use of tidal wetlands at Crims and Walker Islands and vicinity. Monitor Waterbird Use of the Restored Tidal Wetland and a reference site | |
| Disseminate Raw & Summary Data | Provide information on weed control activities to the State and the public. |
Monitoring of Columbian white-tailed deer and waterbird use of restored habitats and a reference site will continue. Invasive plants will be controlled on 500-700 acres of the estuary on and near Crims and Walker Islands. Vegetation response to habitat restoration will be monitored. Salmonid use of the restored tidal marsh will be monitored.
Subbasin planning
How is this project consistent with subbasin plans?
The habitat restoration and wildlife, plant, and fish monitoring phases of the project are consistent with and implement the following strategies in the Lower Columbia Salmon Recovery and Fish and Wildlife Subbasin Plan, Volume IIA (Subbasin Plan for the Lower Columbia Mainstem and Estuary): EH.S3 and EH.S5 (P.A-245) and their associated measures EH.M1, EH-M2, EH.M3, and EH.M8 (p. A-246, 247). The invasive plant control phase implements strategy E1.S1 (p.A-257) and measure E1.M3 (p. A-258). Columbian white-tailed deer monitoring implements item 33 in Chapter 5.10.6, Vol.IIA (p. A-264). The habitat restoration, reintroduction, and monitoring aspects of this project will contribute to physical objectives CWTD.PO.1, CWTD.PO.2, and CWTD.PO.5 (p. A-231,232). The project as a whole falls under Strategy 2 (Protect and Restore Habitats) in the Management Plan Supplement (p. 2-10). The invasive plant control also contributes to Strategy 4 (p. 2-12).
How do goals match subbasin plan priorities?
The Columbian white-tailed deer is a focal species in the Subbasin Plan (Vol. IIA, Chapter 5.2.1.9, p. A-215). The habitat restoration and monitoring in this project contributes to strategy 2 (Protect and Restore Habitat) of the 5 prioritized strategies in the Management Plan Supplement (p. 2-1). Thus, the Subbasin Plan identifies the work conducted in this project as a high priority.