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.  Restoration of open upland areas (meadow/prairie) would follow substantial completion of the riparian and wetland restoration.

2009 Objectives

Objective 1: Riparian Forest Restoration

     *  Over 350 acres have been restored on Sundial Island.  Two activities will be completed in 2009:
- Continued weed spot spray treatments are required on 345 acres.
-  Purchase of 2000 native trees and shrubs.
-  Inter-planting between the rows with shrubs and trees to create a more natural structure of the restored forests.
     *  Over 200 acres of Columbia River Banks are being restored.  Additional work in 2009 will be completed:
-  Maintenance mowing on 127 acres,
-  Spot spray weed treatments on 140 acres this year.
    

Objective 2: Project Administration and Reporting