Project/contract history:

This project is a part of the Clearwater National Forest-Nez Perce Tribe Watershed Restoration Partnership. Project #2007-395-00 'Protect and Restore the Upper Lochsa,' incorporates all three project watersheds (Crooked Fork, Middle and Upper Lochsa)  which  greatly increases administrative and financial efficiency in order to maximize the direct benefit to fish and wildlife.   This project has two BPA contracts, one with the Nez Perce Tribe, and this one which is with the USFS Clearwater National Forest (CNF). In previous years, the NPT would subcontract BPA funds to the CNF for culvert replacements and road improvement and decommissioning.  These BPA funds are now contracted directly with the Clearwater National Forest.  

Restoration follows a ridge top to ridge top approach with implementation focused on increasing aquatic habitat connectivity, decreasing resource impacts from roads, and exotic invasive plant control.  Project planning, costs, and implementation responsibilities are shared with the Nez Perce Tribe.  The Clearwater National Forest, in addition to this direct contract with BPA, contributes approximately 30% of project costs in both cash and in kind for contract preparation, administration and technical oversight.

FY 08 Contract summary:

FY 08 implementation includes the decommissioning of 7 miles of roads and the replacement of a bridge that has become a barrier to the movement of aquatic organisms, including fish species listed under the Endangered Species Act.  Both projects will include revegetation and erosion control.  The Nez Perce Tribe, under the BPA-NPT contract of this project, will assist the CNF in soliciting bids, selecting subcontractors, and with technical assistance during construction and the final inspections.  The associated project implementation/effectiveness monitoring and evaluation will also be conducted by the NPT under the BPA-NPT contract of this project.  

Matching Costs Summary 2008:

In 2008 the Clearwater National Forest will provide approximately 30% of project costs for road removal and bridge replacement, which includes project planning and oversight, contract preparation, solicitation and administration, and implementation.

In addition, the Clearwater National Forest will replace another barrier culvert with a bridge in the Colt Killed watershed using North Idaho Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) funds of $100,000 and Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) funds $5,000.      

Weed treatment costs are shared between the Nez Perce Tribe's BPA contract and three North Central Idaho RAC grants (federal Title II funds): $17,650 for Prescribed Grazing, $8,000 for Weed Inventory, and $17,000 for herbicides and weed treatment along the Lochsa.  The RAC funds are contracted through the Clearwater National Forest to the Nez Perce Tribe.

In addition, an environmental non-profit, Wildlands CPR, maintains a volunteer based project monitoring program in this area and the in-kind value of this monitoring is about $15,000.  Wildlands CPR collects monitoring data on roads and road removal, focusing on impacts of road removal to wildlife populations and stream habitat condition in the Upper Lochsa.