December 2005

Sandy River Delta Habitat Restoration
Statement of Work and Budget 2006

BPA Project Number: 1999-025-00
Sandy River Delta Habitat Restoration
Performance/Budget Period: January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2006

Purpose and Need

The purpose and need of these actions is to satisfy a portion of the mitigation requirements of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980, as amended.  This act requires that BPA fund, where appropriate, fish and wildlife actions recommended by the Northwest Power Planning Council, that mitigate for the effects to fish and wildlife resources associated with the construction and operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System.  The actions described herein have been adopted by the Northwest Power Planning Council as part of its Fish and Wildlife Program for FY 2003-2005, and extended to 2006.  The project would meet RPA 152, RPA 155 and RPA 157.  

Programmatic Goals

Sandy River Delta was historically a wooded, riparian wetland with components of ponds, sloughs, bottomland woodland, oak woodland, prairie, and low and high elevation floodplain.  It has been greatly altered by past agricultural practices and the Columbia River hydropower system.  The original channel of the Sandy River was diked in the 1930's, and diverted into the "Little Sandy River".  The original Sandy River channel has subsequently filled in and largely become a slough.  Restoration of historic landscape components is a primary goal for this land, with current focus on restoration of riparian forest and wetlands.  The Forest Service proposes to remove the 1930's dike across the Sandy River to restore the hydrologic pattern and improve estuary habitat for anadromous fish.  Restoration of open upland areas (meadow/prairie) would follow substantial completion of the riparian and wetland restoration.

2006 Objectives

Objective 1: Dike Removal/Breaching for Restoration of Original Sandy River Channel Environmental Compliance

Objective 2: Riparian Forest and Wetland Restoration

Objective 3: Project Administration and Reporting