The 2,817 acre Wanaket Wildlife Area was established in 1992 to mitigate for habitat losses due to construction and operation of the McNary Hydroelectric facility.  The area is located in Umatilla County in northeastern Oregon and lies adjacent to the south shore of the Columbia River between River Mile 295 and 299.  It is bordered by the  Port of Umatilla on the west and Hat Rock State Park on the east.  State Highway 730 bisects the area.  The legal description includes T5N, R28E, portions of sections 12, 23, 34 and T5N, R29E, portions of sections 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21.  

Wanaket is managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), through contract with BPA, to provide protection and enhancement credits for wildlife mitigation.  Wanaket provides an estimated 2,334 habitat units of protection credit for 8 wildlife mitigation species.  Primary habitat types include shrub-steppe/grassland (2477 acres) and riparian wetland (159 acres).  Other habitat types include riparian herb, riparian shrub, riparian tree, and sand/cobble/gravel/mud.

The 2007 SOW is a continuation of management activities on Wanaket Wildlife Area and provides direction for planned actions in the 2007 contract period.   Management focuses on providing wetland habitat by applying irrigation water to the "McNary Potholes", exclusion of livestock grazing, enhancing native vegetation through removing undesirable vegetation, noxious weed control and plantings, and providing regulated public access.  

Project activities include: 1) planning and design, 2) construction and implementation, 3) operations and maintenance, and 4) monitoring and evaluation.  Management efforts undertaken as part of this contract are designed to protect, enhance, and mitigate target wildlife mitigation species, which include mallard, Canada goose, California quail, spotted sandpiper, yellow warbler, downy woodpecker, mink and western meadowlark.

Management activities planned for 2007 will focus on implementation of the following tasks:

- Administration and operations of Wanaket Wildlife Area
- Maintain the irrigation infrastructure and irrigate wetlands
- Continue weed treatment program
- Continue removal of Russian Olive
- Collect supplemental weed data and update the weed treatment strategy, if needed
- Maintain boundary fence to prevent trespass livestock
- Provide regulated public access
- Conduct monitoring and evaluation (waterfowl breeding and public use)