Goal:   To provide protection of anadromous fish from loss in water diversions, improve fish passage at diversions for juvenile and adult anadromous fish, and improve stream flow conditions where possible.  

Project Coordination:  The Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG) coordinates other funding sources with this Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract in order to maximize the potential for anadromous fish recovery efforts in the Salmon River basin.  

Background:   Since the 1800's, anadromous fish runs in the Columbia River have declined drastically.  Historically,  IDFG estimates that the Salmon River basin produced 39% of the spring chinook salmon and 45% of the summer chinook salmon in the Columbia River Basin (Idaho Department of Fish & Game, 1985).  Steelhead estimates for the Salmon River basin are not available but production was substantial.  Due to the low return of spring Chinook salmon to Idaho in 1974, all but treaty harvest was curtailed.  Since then,  harvest has been limited to a tribal fishery and occasional harvest of surplus hatchery stocks.  

Irrigation diversions date back to the 1860's in the Salmon River basin of the Snake River drainage and have impacted anadromous fish in a number of ways.  These impacts included loss of habitat, entrainment of smolts on their migration to the ocean,  and returning adults have been blocked by irrigation diversion wing dams.  Riparian corridors have been degraded by various management actions.

In 1938 the U.S. Congress passed the Mitchell Act in an attempt to partially mitigate for losses resulting from hydroelectric projects, logging, mining, and agricultural developments.  The Act provided a mechanism for conserving fishery resources of the Columbia River basin and created the Columbia River Fisheries Development Program (CRFDP).  The CRFDP program was extended to include the upper basin (above McNary) in 1956.  Between 1958 and 1966, IDFG constructed more than 200 screens on the main stem Salmon River and tributaries.  Today about 225 screens are in operation in Idaho.  

Funding was first provided to the IDFG  by BPA in 1994 for anadromous fisheries projects falling outside the scope of the Mitchell Act.  These funds were used in non-traditional ways to eliminate or consolidate irrigation diversions, improve fish passage, conserve water and provide proper screening of water withdrawals.  The specific project tasks identified in this Statement of Work  are a continuation of this ongoing work.  These projects have been undertaken by IDFG on a tributary wide basis to maximize the potential for success.

Location of Project:   All portions of the project are located in the Salmon River drainage.   Legal descriptions for each capital improvement project are located in the Phase II Details section.  All phases of  these capital improvement projects identified within this document are located in waters applicable to the intent of  RPA 149 of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biological Opinion.

Results Expected:  Gravity water diversions will be screened following an intensive ditch consolidation and elimination program.  Pump intake diversions will be evaluated and screened where applicable. Water conservation avenues will be explored and implemented where possible.  Screens will be constructed in ditches diverted from streams that are migration routes and rearing areas for anadromous fish, both hatchery and wild/natural salmon produced in the upper Salmon River drainage. Upstream and downstream protection and passage will be improved for anadromous fish as they migrate to and from the Pacific Ocean.  A tributary wide approach will be incorporated in order to maximize benefits to the habitat.  All work outlined in this document will specifically apply to RPA149 of the FCRPS Biological Opinion.

BPA Furnished Property:   Following submittal by IDFG of NEPA checklists, biological assessments, and cultural resource documentations BPA will provide NEPA determinations as applicable by Federal regulation.  It is anticipated that many determinations will be in accordance with BPA's Fish & Wildlife Program Environmental Impact Statement.

Regulatory Compliance:   All Phase II projects will comply with State of Idaho and Federal regulations including, but not limited to, IDAPA Title 42, IDAPA Title 36, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Federal Land Management Policy Act, National Historical Preservation Act, and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.  

Substitutions:   In the event a delay on a scheduled Phase II task is encountered, a substitution project ready for implementation will be submitted to the COTR for possible funding under this contract.