Version and Date (e.g., Draft December 2004)
Project Title
Statement of Work and Budget FY2005

BPA Project Number:  1996-087-01
BPA Project Title:
Contract Number:  00004374
Contract Title:  Flathead River Focus Watershed
Performance/Budget Period:  March 1 2005-February 28, 2006

Les Evarts
Fisheries Program Manager
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
PO Box 278
Pablo, MT 59855
406-675-2700, ext 7240
lese@cskt.org

Jeannine Padilla
Contract Specialist
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
PO Box 278
Pablo, MT 59855
406-675-2700, ext 1009
jeanninep@cskt.org

Jeannine Padilla
Contract Specialist
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
PO Box 278
Pablo, MT 59855
406-675-2700, ext 1009
jeanninep@cskt.org

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has long been involved with funding of the Cooperative Habitat Protection and Improvement with Private Landowners program in accordance with the Northwest Power Planning Council's (NPPC) Fish & Wildlife Program (Section 7.7).  Section 7.7B.1 requires the establishment of "at least one model watershed coordinator selected by each representative state".  This project was initiated in 1997 with the purpose of fulfilling the NWPCC's watershed program within the Flathead River basin in western Montana.
Currently, the Flathead watershed has been radically altered by hydropower and other land uses. With the construction of Hungry Horse, Bigfork and Kerr dams, the Flathead River system has been divided into isolated populations. Bull trout have been listed as threatened  by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and westslope cutthroat trout have been petitioned for listing.    Many streams in the drainage have been destabilized during recent decades. Past legal and illegal species introductions are also causing problems.  This project fosters in-kind, out-of-place mitigation to offset the impacts of hydroelectric power to 72 miles of the South Fork of the Flathead River and its tributaries upstream of Hungry Horse Dam.
Key subbasins within the Flathead drainage, which are critical to native species restoration, are experiencing rapid changes in land ownership and management direction.  Subdivision and residential development of agricultural and timber lands adjacent to waterways in the drainage pose one of the greatest threats to weak but recoverable stocks of trout species.  Plum Creek Timber Company, a major landholder in the Flathead drainage is currently divesting itself of large tracks of its lakeshore and streamside holdings.  Growth of small tract development throughout the area and its tributaries is occurring at a record rate. Immediate to short-term action is required to protect stream corridors through many of these areas if cost-effective recovery efforts are to be implemented.  
In order to adequately address the issues, other segments of society and other (non-BPA) funding sources must be incorporated into the solution.  As stated in the 1994 Fish and Wildlife Program (section 7.7), "Comprehensive watershed management should enhance and expedite implementation of actions by clearly identifying gaps in programs and knowledge, by striving over time to resolve conflicts, and by keying on activities that address priorities."  A watershed coordinator helps to initiate and facilitate efforts for addressing the issues mentioned above and pulling together a plan for mitigation.  Locally lead recovery plans provide the greatest chance for success and recovery of the fisheries resources.  Local support is essential before local governments and individual citizens are going to allow government initiatives to be implemented.