The Precious Lands project was initiated in 1996 to provide partial mitigation for wildlife habitat losses sustained from construction and inundation of the four lower Snake River dams.  This project includes 16,286 acres of high quality fish and wildlife habitat in the Lower Grande Ronde subbasin consisting primarily of canyon grasslands with intermixed shrub fields, Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine forests, and riparian areas.  Precious lands includes parts of Bear, Cottonwood, Basin, Rock, Broady, Tamarack, Joseph, Rush, and Buford Creeks which provide habitat for listed Snake River Steelhead and resident trout.  It lies approximately 40 miles north of Enterprise, Oregon adjacent to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.  Part of the project (1,242 acres) is located in Washington state south of Anatone.

This contract represents a continuation of on-going work designed to protect, enhance, and mitigate for ten target wildlife species as well as promote biodiversity and ecosystem health.  This contract will help the Bonneville Power Administration meet its obligations under the Northwest Power and Conservation Act as well as its trust responsibilities to the Nez Perce Tribe.  This contract will authorize funding for the Nez Perce Tribe to manage and administer the Precious Lands Wildlife Area to benefit target species as well as Threatened and Endangered fish, wildlife and plants.  Currently, the Precious Lands Project provides 20,015 baseline Habitat Units (HU's) for target wildlife species.

A Management Plan was approved in 2002 which guides the current management direction of the project.  Primary goals of that management plan include 1) Maintain or improve native plant communities and other desirable species to benefit fish and wildlife, and provide traditional gathering and cultural opportunities for tribal members; 2) Maintain or enhance fish ands wildlife populations; 3) Provide public access for activities compatible with maintaining high quality wildlife populations and habitat; 4) Foster productive, interactive relationships with neighboring landowners, including private individuals and state and federal agencies; and 5) Conduct monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure management actions are providing the desired response and/or benefit.  This contract will providing funding to fullfill the goals set forth in the management plan.

Significant management activities planned for 2006 include the following tasks:
~Noxious weed management
~Habitat restoration of native grasslands, conifer forests, and riparian areas
~Fence constructiuon and maintenance to limit trespass by neighboring livestock
~Road, trail and building maintenance
~Monitoring and evaluation of target species and habitats
~Analysis of monitoring and evaluation data already collected
~Revision of the 2002 Management Plan
~Contract administration