Reclamation participates with many other Federal, State, local, Tribal, and private parties, including Le,mhi and Custer S&WCD, in ESA-listed anadromous fish protection and restoration activities in the Upper Salmon and Lemhi River subbasins.   In the past, Reclamation has worked closely with Custer S&WCD and Lemhi S&WCD (Districts) to garner support and sponsorship for constructing projects that mitigate for effects of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS).  

Some of the past work involves improving stream flow for these fish, removal of barriers, improvement of riparian habitat and screening diversions.  Reclamation lacks construction authority in the Upper Salmon and Lemhi River subbasins; therefore, partnerships are essential to insure the success of the FCRPS subbasin habitat program.  Additionally, Districts are not staffed with the appropriate technical people to do all aspects of construction management; therefore, they rely on other agencies such as Reclamation or the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for that technical expertise.  

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) provides guidance and funding for habitat improvement project construction through their Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Program (FWMP) which is managed by the Northwest Power Planning Council.  BPA has funded several habitat improvement construction projects through the Districts in the Lemhi River subbasin.  Reclamation designs the projects, and the Districts apply for money from BPA through the FWMP to construct the projects.  

The Districts request technical assistance from Reclamation through the remainder of FY06 whereby Reclamation will perform some construction management duties in the field during construction of the above-mentioned projects to promote successful project completion.  Reclamation, working through their Tributary Habitat Improvement Program (Tributary Habitat Program), can provide technical assistance to agencies in the Lemhi and Upper Salmon subbasins to meet implementation goals of the FCRPS that remove fish barriers, install screens or improve flow for fish.  Technical assistance can be in the form of project facilitation; project conceptualization; land survey and engineering designs; environmental compliance and permit acquisition and construction monitoring  . These activities are authorized under the Reclamation act of 1902 and confirmed in a policy letter by the PN Regional Director May 16, 2003.

This contract between BPA and Reclamation will reimburse Reclamation for construction management duties.