The goal of this project is to restore habitat function and channel processes in the priority reaches of the Tucannon River to improve spring Chinook productivity. With long-term and sufficient funding levels, restoring channel processes and habitat function across large reaches will improve spring Chinook productivity in the Tucannon River. Habitat work under this project has been or will go through a proposal process similar to the SRSRB process for Salmon Recovery Funding Board funding, with selection criteria that prioritize projects that will address the limiting factors outlined for the Tucannon River in the 2008 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion.

Work to be funded under this project will be identified by the SRSRB RTT in advance of the solicitation process to ensure that proposals are aligned with the priority projects. The RTT will select projects based on their ability to achieve measurable progress towards one or more of the objectives listed below in as short a time as possible. Solicitation of proposals will include publication through newsletters, web site, and newspapers on an annual basis, two months before the pre-application is due. Project proposals to be evaluated by the RTT and the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board will be required to be in standard form with a signed landowner acknowledgment and agreement. The form will include sponsor name and related information, project name, project type, applicant information, vicinity and site maps, description of project, scope of work, project history/context, funding request/budget spreadsheet, and supporting technical documentation including limiting factors and species to be addressed, available maps, site photos, design documentation, as well as permits required and their status.

Objectives:
1. Increase riparian function to 75% of maximum
2. Increase large woody debris to 2 or more pieces per channel width
3. Increase pool frequency to 15% of stream area
4. Reduce channel confinement/increase floodplain connectivity to at least 25% of river length
5. Reduce maximum daily water temperature so that it does not exceed 72F at confluence of Pataha Creek (RM 11.8 of the Tucannon)
6. Decrease substrate embeddedness to 20% in all reaches above confluence of Pataha Creek (RM 11.8).

Implementation will be conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Columbia Conservation District, Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group (legislative program that supports non-profit groups of volunteers who cooperate with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to improve salmon resources throughout the state), the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Pomeroy Conservation District, and/or other qualified groups, tribes, or agencies that submit proposals that are approved by the SRSRB.  It is expected that this contract with SRSRB will provide administrative oversight and support for contractors that will have separate contracts with BPA.

WDFW will partner with SRSRB to implement this project and will be a subcontractor under this contract to help perform project selection, monitoring planning, data collection, outreach, and other tasks where they can provide expertise.