# - CCR - 23520

Details which will be accomplished by this contract change request are described below.  Several descriptions refer to the location of a project site as being on river right bank or river left bank. As a standard practice, MSRF uses the hydrologist definition of river banks looking downstream.

Project sponsor identified new sites which will benefit from vegetative restoration. Riparian restoration was begun on 2 sites with other funding, but are heavily impacted and need much additional work -- MSRF Twisp Left Bank and Witte. The Twisp Left site is owned by MSRF, and will require several years' effort to restore floodplain impacted through many years of residential and agricultural use.  The Witte site is subject to a conservation easement held by Methow Conservancy, and is also heavily degraded by years of agricultural use.

Three new project sites will undergo first season restoration. One lies along Beaver Creek, a tributary to the Methow River, and is also degraded due to agricultural use. Proposed work area encompasses both banks of almost 1/4 mile of Beaver Creek. The Comstock site lies on Methow River right bank north of Twisp and is currently under review for acquisition. The owner is agreeable to have limited restoration work begin now. The Buckley / Christianson site lies on the right bank Twisp River, and an irrigation diversion works and levee are located there. Major renovation is planned for the diversion, but will not be implemented until 2012 at the earliest. Work proposed now is limited to noxious weed control in areas that will not be disturbed during future construction.

On two additional new sites located in the upper Methow Valley, where the Methow Conservancy own interests either in conservation easement or fee, MSRF proposes to partner with the Conservancy to implement aggressive noxious weed control in riparian areas of the properties.

Narrative continued below concerns work covered under the original contract, contract # 50025.
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The goal of the Methow Riparian program is to achieve properly functioning riparian conditions. Land use practices and past flood events and treatments have resulted in 1) degraded riparian conditions, 2) elevated stream temperatures, and 3) elevated fine sediment in the Methow mainstem and its tributaries.  Riparian enhancement projects are being proposed to recover watershed processes and functions associated with healthy native plant communities.

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) need to fulfill FCRPS BiOp metric goals, including 12 miles for riparian enhancement.  To help BPA and Reclamation meet these goals, MSRF has identified actions to be undertaken. The projects will be implemented by the Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation (MSRF) or a qualified sub-contractor.  For purposes of calculating metric distance, each side of the stream contributes to the metric, such that one mile of riparian enhancement on both sides of the stream provides two miles of metric for riparian enhancement.  Acreage enhanced by the project should also be determined.  

Riparian enhancement projects include streambank stabilization and riparian treatments such as installing fencing or reconstructing existing fencing.   Projects will generally involve installing exclusion fencing and/or new planting to establish a riparian buffer.  Except in areas of active grazing, exclusion fencing areas shall be established based on observed need and will not prevent access to the stream by native wildlife.  All vegetation projects will use native species; include vegetation management strategies that are consistent with the local topography and climate; specify seed and plant sources; and use only certified noxious weed-free mulch.  Fence projects will be implemented in conjunction with a prescribed grazing plan (for properties with continued grazing and conservation easements) to minimize impacts to the riparian area and streambanks.  Riparian buffers will generally range from 35 to 100 feet wide.

This is a multi-year project. The general background information presented in earlier contracts remains valid.

Year 4 proposed contract elements:
The fourth year work will encompass two types of activities: 1) maintenance / management of previously established vegetation at restoration sites treated under the first three contracts; and 2) new plantings in new areas of established sites. MSRF proposals for property acquisitions in the Middle Methow Reach, through non-BPA funding, are currently under review. In the event that funding is approved and acquisition is closed early in 2011, it is possible that new restoration sites may be added to this contract through amendment.

New plantings are planned at two established site - MSRF Twisp and Satiqua Park.  Work efforts will include establishing additional new plantings with cage protection, and /or installing new exclosure pods for protection. Management and maintenance of established sites where additional area will not be restored will include continued assessment of treatments completed, and replacing / maintaining previous improvements -- trimming, weeding, watering, irrigation maintenance, fence repair, etc. Assessment and data collection will occur at all sites. Photo point monitoring is undertaken at all restoration sites, and is included in annual progress reports.

MSRF will continue to work with planting contractors to complete prescribed work elements.

Aggressive maintenance and management in the early restoration years is proving to be key in maximizing viability of plantings.