Lower Columbia River Ecosystem Monitoring Project
Statement of Work and Budget FY2008

BPA Project Number:  2003-007-00
Contract Request Number:  CR-102912
Performance/Budget Period: September 1, 2008– August 31, 2009

Technical Contact:  Jennifer Morace
Technical Projects Coordinator
USGS
10615 SE Cherry Blossom Drive
Portland, OR 97216
Phone: 503-251-3229
jlmorace@usgs.gov


BPA Project Manager:  Tracey Yerxa
Bonneville Power Administration
905 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon  97208
Phone:  503.230.4738
Fax:  503.230.4564
tyerxa@bpa.gov

Date of Submission:  August 2008




BACKGROUND

Our understanding of the relationships between salmonids and their habitat in the lower Columbia River and estuary (LCRE) is hindered by substantial data gaps and poor access to existing data. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is working closely with the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership (Estuary Partnership) to implement elements of the Estuary Partnership’s Ecosystem Monitoring Project in order to provide information on salmonids and their habitat in the LCRE.  

This statement of work describes the work elements, deliverables, and costs for work efforts that USGS will implement from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009 as part of the Estuary Partnership’s Ecosystem Monitoring Project.

Review of Prior Work

The USGS was a subcontractor under the Estuary Partnership’s BPA contract from September 1, 2003 to August 31, 2005. During this time, USGS collaborated with the University of Washington (UW) to create the LCRE Ecosystem Classification System (Ecosystem Classification) using LANDSAT TM imagery and bathymetry data. They, then, used the Ecosystem Classification to develop metrics for monitoring habitat in the LCRE. Additionally, USGS conducted fixed station and seasonal variation water quality monitoring and deployed semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) to characterize water quality conditions.

Starting September 1, 2005, USGS began contracting directly with BPA to conduct their work with the Estuary Partnership. From September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006, USGS completed chemical analyses of the water samples from the fixed station and seasonal water quality monitoring and from the SPMDs.

During September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007, USGS was using the Ecosystem Classification to develop a rotational panel sampling design for monitoring efforts during the subsequent three years (September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2011) of the Ecosystem Monitoring Project. Additionally, USGS completed contaminant analyses of salmon and water samples from prior collection efforts. They, then, produced a report detailing the water quality results. The Estuary Partnership, NOAA Fisheries, and USGS integrated the salmon, salmon prey, and water quality results into one report that is available on the Estuary Partnership’s website (http://www.lcrep.org/pdfs/WaterSalmonReport.pdf).

During September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008, USGS deployed probes to monitor the water column for dissolved oxygen, temperature, water-surface elevation, and conductivity at 2 sites (1 in reach G and 1 in reach H) where Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) and NOAA Fisheries collected vegetation and salmon data, respectively. In lieu of the probabilistic sampling design, USGS collected sediment samples at vegetation and salmon sampling sites, and are outlining a strategy for future sampling efforts that relates number of sites with available financial resources.

Work Efforts for September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009

During this contract year, USGS will work with UW to develop criteria based on river geomorphology and hydrology for delineating habitats at smaller spatial scales and UW will incorporate these criteria into the Ecosystem Classification. UW, USGS, and the Estuary Partnership will develop a draft (intended for a peer-reviewed scientific publication) that describes the Ecosystem Classification’s conceptual basis, methods used to develop datasets, preliminary results, and management applications.

Additionally, USGS will implement monitoring work. USGS will deploy probes to monitor the water column for dissolved oxygen, temperature, water-surface elevation, and conductivity at 2 sites where vegetation and salmon data will be collected by PNNL and NOAA Fisheries, respectively.

2009-2010 Objectives for USGS’ contribution to the Ecosystem Monitoring Project include:
1. Develop hydrology and geomorphology criteria for habitat delineation in the Ecosystem Classification
2. Develop a draft of the Ecosystem Classification intended for a peer-reviewed publication
3. Monitor water column conditions at tidally influenced wetlands within a selected reach of the LCRE
4. Analyze water column data
5. Develop Annual Report detailing the results of Objectives 1-4