The purpose of this contract is to fund fish passage assessment of two Idaho Power Company owned diversion structures in the Pahsimeroi River.  The first year of planning work by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) was completed under contract 44180.   Construction of the chosen design will now be completed.  These diversions divert water for two anadromous fish hatcheries operated by IDFG.  Upon assessing passage for all age classes of anadromous fish, a bid package will be developed for engineering services associated with redesigning the structures to facilitate fish passage.  The bid packages will then be advertised according to state law and an engineering firm chosen to complete all necessary survey and engineering design work for options to provide fish passage on both hatchery diversion structures.  The engineered drawings will then be used to attain construction bids.  This will complete the first year of the project.   If necessary, an environmental consultant will assist with compilation of data and compliance with all environmental regulations, as well as drafting necessary environmental documents and coordinating with all agencies (BPA, ID Power, IDFG, ACOE, IWDR, etc).  An Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional fishery biologist will coordinate and plan all necessary meetings and field activities, and administer the contract on a local basis.  This will include site visits and planning meetings with all necessary parties (engineers, environmental compliance consultants, Idaho Power representatives, IDFG officials, etc.).  

This contract will also allow for the identification and development of new projects not associated with hatchery diversion structures in the Pahsimeroi River Valley.  All projects identified and developed as part of this contract will be reviewed and ranked through the Upper Salmon Basin Technical Team.  This process will allow for a level of scrutiny and comment that will insure that the best projects are allowed to proceed to implementation.