The Yakima Phase II fish screening program was initiated in 1992 to reduce the injury, entrainment, and mortality of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed, and all native, fish in the Yakima basin by effectively screening surface water diversions. These fish screen facilities are mandated to meet National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) fish screening requirements which are based on best available science. This contract proposal’s scope of work supports the compliant operation of these twenty-eight BPA-owned facilities by performing basic routine operations and maintenance (O&M) inspections, communicating with water users, and performing basic seasonal inspections, repairs, and fish salvage after irrigation season end. This contract does not support capital improvements or refurbishment needs.

The execution of O&M activities is conceptually divided into four parts during the contract year. The contract start date is July 1, 2018. At this time O&M crews will be in the middle of the irrigation season and will perform weekly visits to Phase II sites. During these visits the screen facilities are inspected for cleanliness and proper function. Log books are updated and any necessary modifications to the site are made and recorded. The goal of each visit is to assure fish are being adequately protected and the correct amount of water is being taken. WDFW O&M staff will advise water users of any problems and any threat to fish life will be dealt with immediately.

The second part of the contract year is site shutdown. Water rights dictate when sites shutdown occurs. WDFW proactively sends out letters to irrigators explaining how to appropriately shut their individual screen sites down for the winter. Some of these sites pose a stranding risk to fish that may be caught between the headgate and fish screens when water stops coming into the site. In these cases, Yakima Construction Shop (YCS) staff performs fish salvage with backpack electrofishers to safely return fish to natural waters.

The third part of the contract year is annual inspections. With no water coming into sites the screens can be thoroughly inspected and basic maintenance like seal rubber replacement conducted. Needs at each site are documented and the screens are prepped for the winter months. The annual work plan meeting will follow in the winter months so that WDFW and the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR) can coordinate on their operation of Phase II sites with BPA.

Lastly, spring will bring start up activities as a new irrigation season begins. As with the shutdown letters, YCS staff provide ample notice to irrigators with instruction for starting to take their water as per the right. Some sites require cleaning and other maintenance as screens are set before water comes through the site again. It should be noted that this description is a course, general, overview and the actual detail of tasks performed to keep each screen site functional is quite detailed.

Seven irrigation districts have the ability to submit invoices with receipts for reimbursement by BPA, through the WDFW Phase II contract, as outlined in the original
1992-009-00 agreement. These reimbursements are intended to cover costs above and beyond what historic diversion operating costs were prior to their respective Phase II screen installations. Utility bills are the most commonly documented item invoiced. These seven districts are Acheson Ranch, Bull Canal, Gleed water users, Mill Ditch, Naches-Selah Irrigation district, South Naches Irrigation District, and Yakima Valley Canal Company.

Other Contract Details

There are other tasks associated with the scope of work besides O&M. Environmental compliance documentation, contract management, reporting, and effective communication with the USBOR are a few of these tasks. More specifically, WDFW is to assure consistent contact with BPA and make reasonable progress addressing the problems at the Phase II Gleed fish screen facility. This facility is often non-compliant with screening criteria but even more importantly it can pose a serious risk to human life as debris accumulates in mass some years at the site (Figures 1 and 2). The end goal is to better pass woody materials, require less maintenance, and be compliant for fish screening and passage. Other needs for Yakima Phase II sites are detailed below.

Not outlined as a line item, due to constraints of the available budget, is work on the Phase II inventory effort. Considerable time has already been applied, and more will be in the future, to assess the current condition of Phase II fish screen facilities in Washington. Cost estimates for needed repairs or refurbishments have also been requested by BPA but adequate funding for this scoping has not been provided. WDFW requests that funds be made available in addition to the $180,213 value of this contract so we can provide BPA the best possible information in an accurate, concise format.

WDFW O&M Phase II Site List:
Anderson
Chapman/Nelson
Clark
Congdon
Ellensburg Mill
Emeric
Fogarty
Fruitvale
Gleed
Huntsville Mill
Kelly/Lowry
Lewis
Lindsey
Mason/Hayes
Naches/Cowiche
Naches/Selah
New Cascade
Old Union
Packwood
Powell/LaFortune
Scott
Selah/Moxee
Snipes & Allen
Stevens
Taylor
Union Gap
Wilson/Bull
Younger