Statement of Work

POTLATCH RIVER WATERSHED RESTORATION

Project #2002-061-00
Contract #_____

Mountain Snake Province
Clearwater Subbasin

  A. Administrative Summary

1. Performance Period:  September 1, 2005 - August 31, 2006

2. Grantee Information

Project Manager: Kenneth Stinson
Latah Soil and Water Conservation District
Address: 220 East 5th Street
Moscow, Idaho 83843
Telephone: (208) 882-4960 x118
Fax: (208) 883-4239
Email:  kstinson@moscow.com

Administrative Contact: Kenneth Stinson
Latah Soil and Water Conservation District
Address: 220 East 5th Street
Moscow, Idaho 83843
Telephone: (208) 882-4960 x118
Fax: (208) 883-4239
Email:  kstinson@moscow.com

Sponsor: Latah Soil and Water Conservation District
Address: 220 East 5th Street
Moscow, Idaho 83843
Telephone: (208) 882-4960 x3
Fax: (208) 883-4239
E-Mail:  lswcd@moscow.com


B.  BACKGROUND

Project Goal

Improve instream fish habitat in the Potlatch River and the lower Clearwater River through comprehensive watershed planning, implementation of best management practices  and expanded water quality and fish habitat monitoring.

Background and History

The 377,776-acre Potlatch River watershed is located in north central Idaho and is the largest tributary in the lower Clearwater River. The Potlatch River watershed is characterized by steep basaltic canyons rimmed by rolling cropland in the lower reaches and by timbered hills and high meadow terrain in the upper reaches. Approximately 78% of the area is privately owned, 13% Forest Service, 8% Idaho Department of Lands, less than one percent is Nez Perce Tribal lands, and less than one percent is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Forestland encompasses approximately 57% of the watershed and 38% is in non-irrigated cropland, and 4% rangeland.  The Potlatch River supports rainbow, brook, and Snake River steelhead trout (ESA listed threatened).

The Potlatch River provides habitat for fall chinook salmon, steelhead trout, bull trout, coho salmon, brook trout, whitefish, and rainbow trout. Adult bull trout may use the drainage for rearing when flows and temperatures are suitable, although use would be considered rare.  Spring/summer chinook salmon may use the drainage for rearing when conditions are suitable. Historically, spring chinook salmon spawning has been reported to occur in the drainage.  Pacific lamprey has been documented to use the drainage for spawning and rearing.  Other fish species documented as occurring in the Potlatch River include smallmouth bass, northern squawfish, chiselmouth, bridgelip sucker, specked dace, redside shriners, sunfish, and paiute sculpin.

C.  Summary of the Problem

The Potlatch River provides habitat for fall Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, bull trout, coho salmon, brook trout, whitefish, and rainbow trout.  However, the high quality habitat throughout the river basin is often unprotected on private lands and there is no organized effort to identify and initiate habitat rehabilitation efforts within the basin that could prove beneficial to the spawning and rearing needs of the anadromous fish species throughout the basin.  Without an organized effort to protect high quality habitat and/or restore moderately productive habitat, significant opportunities will be missed.

D.  Summary of the Grantee's Proposed Approach to Address Problems

Project Goal:  The goal of this habitat-based proposal is, to enhance and restore anadromous and resident fish habitat by improving the overall ecosystem functions.  The area of work will be within the Potlatch River watershed and the lower Clearwater River and will involve the:

• Completion of a comprehensive watershed planning document,
• Coordination of  technical and financial resources from agencies and organization willing to support the implementation of best management practices on private lands for the benefit of fish habitat, and
• Augmentation of existing monitoring efforts in the Potlatch River to broaden the water quality and fish resource data baseline.  

The project will be sponsored and facilitated by the Latah SWCD using technical and local expertise from federal, tribal, state, local agencies, local landowners and community members.

Actions proposed would be consistent with RPAs 152 and 153 as outlined in the 2000 Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion.  This project particularly addresses the issues of water quality, water quantity, and watershed health.


BUDGET JUSTIFICATIONS

Travel and Per Diem Justification

Travel expenses include three trips to Boise, ID and one trip to Portland, OR to allow participation by the project manager with BPA and NWPCC meeting during the contract period.  Per diem is allocated to cover the associated expenses for the project staff attending local watershed and regional interagency meetings.

Training

No training expenses are allocated.

Telephone

Telephone expenses include dedicated office internet phone line and cellular phone expenses.

Supplies

The office expenses include, but are not limited to, materials required for office management such as paper, pens, pencils, mailing supplies, reference materials, etc.  

Postage is necessary for coordination of the Technical Advisory Group, public outreach and notices, and mailing of documents created through the planning process.

Field supplies include those items necessary for the continued and expanded river flow and water temperature monitoring stations throughout the watershed.  In addition, field assessment supplies for field work are needed to assess stream conditions at a localized level.  Supplies include, but are not limited to, GPS units, field vests, clinometers, digital cameras, tape measures, biological sampling equipment, etc.

Computer supplies include, but are not limited to software and upgrades, blank disks, printer cartridges, and replacement parts.

Rent

Rental storage space is required to house monitoring equipment and other field supplies purchased for this project.  Farley Storage is the current rental space location.

Repair and Maintenance

Repair, maintenance and insurance funds are requested to repair the river monitoring equipment.  This equipment may need to be repaired due to damage from weather and/or extremely high river flows.

Vehicles

Mileage is allocated to cover private vehicle expenses for project staff.

Computers
One laptop computer will be purchased for office and field work.  This computer will replace an aging computer system used by project staff member.  The aging computer system was not purchased by BPA funds.

Equipment Lease

No equipment will be leased during the contract period.

Equipment

No equipment will be purchased during the contract period.

Consultants and Contracts

Resource Planning Unlimited, Inc. will be contracted to provide assistance with the drafting of the Restoration Plan and monitoring services.  

The United States Geological Service (USGS) will be contracted to maintain the Potlatch River gauging station near the mouth of the river.  USGS charges a state-level fixed rate for the installation and monitoring of USGS stations.  The proposed contract amount reflects this fixed rate.  

Cost figures for both of these contracts are generated from previous contracts associated with this project.