The purpose of this Statement of Work is to continue implementation of the YN Lower Yakima Valley Wetlands and Riparian Wildlife Mitigation Project that began in 1991 (Contract Number 94BI12521).  The advance design work and implementation protocols were completed in 1991-93 as Project Number 92-062.  An Environmental Assessment (EA) and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), based on these implementation plans, were developed in 1994 (DOE No. 0941).  Project implementation began immediately after the FONSI was signed.  

The guiding documents mentioned above are cited below.  These plans, assessments and agreements (totaling over 300 pages) are very extensive and provide the basis for this Statement of Work.  The reader is encouraged to refer to these documents for detailed information pertaining to the objectives and tasks outlined below.  

The goals of this Project are as follows:

1) To permanently protect 27,000 acres of floodplain lands along the Yakima River, Toppenish and Satus Creeks within the agricultural portion of the Yakama Reservation.

2) To enhance those lands to realize a net increase in native fish and wildlife habitat values.

3) To adaptively manage those lands to ensure permanent fish and wildlife value.

4) To monitor the habitat conditions to ensure the desired habitat value is reached and maintained.

The goals of this contract focus on goals 3 and 4 above.

This project is being undertaken pursuant to Section 1003(b)(7) of the Wildlife Mitigation Rule promulgated by the Northwest Power Planning Council (NPPC).  The Lower Yakima Valley Wetlands and Riparian Project is consistent with subbasin fish and wildlife mitigation priorities established by the NPPC.  This project also reflects and supports the fish and wildlife mitigation objectives developed for the Lower Columbia River Dams resulting from the Power Council-mandated public revue process outlined in Section 1003(b)(4)(B) &(D) for the Columbia River Fish and Wildlife Program.

National Marine Fisheries Service Biological Opinion of the Federal Columbia River Power System - Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPA)

This project addresses the following RPAs:

Action 150: This project protects currently productive non-federal habitat along streams with listed steelhead.  Toppenish and Satus Creeks are responsible for >60% of the total steelhead production in the Yakima Subbasin.

Action 151: This project is directly involved in increasing instream flows within Toppenish and Satus Creeks by purchasing lands currently served by creek diversions.  

Actions 152, 153: This project is utilizing and pursuing funding from many sources for restoration cost-share.  These include USDA (WHIP, CREP, WRP), North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), BOR, BIA, Pheasants Forever, and many other sources as they are appropriate.  The project seeks to go beyond a simple buffer system along these important waterways.  Instead, total floodplain restoration is the goal.

Action 154: Planning activities related to this project are incorporated directly into Yakima Subbasin summaries, assessments and plans.  The methods and successes of this project are important to these future subbasin planning activities.

Land protection under the project follows the goals set out in the guiding documents, including the 1994 Environmental Assessment (EA).  Lands are targeted for protection when they help to "increase quality and quantity of wetland, riparian, and upland wildlife and wildlife and wildlife habitat" and "Maintain consistency with the Council's 1989 Fish and Wildlife Program Wildlife Rule", as stated in the EA. In general, lands within the floodplains of the Yakima River, Toppenish Creek and tributaries, and Satus Creek and tributaries meet these criteria as they support wetland, riparian, and upland wildlife habitat. Once lands are protected, they are assessed with respect to habitat quality and quantity. Based on this assessment and the land management plan they fall under, restoration begins. Typical restoration actions include hydrological reconnection, noxious weed control, vegetation management, and removal of old structures etc. Further details of this process can be found in the guiding documents listed below.

Currently, approximately 21,000 acres are under protection out of the goal of 27,000 acres. Of these, approximately 17,500 acres are protected with leases or land use agreements, and approximately 3,500 acres are protected by fee purchase. In any given year, leases may be renewals or for new lands depending on willing sellers of appropriate properties and the vagaries of the land acquisition process.

Project Guiding Documents

Bich, J., T. Hames, S. McCorquodale, J. Reichel, and W. Bradley.  1991.  The Yakama Nation Wildlife Mitigation Plan.  Prepared for the Northwest Power Planning Council, Portland, OR.  62pp.

Washington Wildlife Coalition, and Bonneville Power Administration.  1993.  Washington Wildlife Mitigation Agreement.  22pp.

Yakama Nation.  1994.  Yakama Nation Lower Yakima Valley Wetlands and Riparian Restoration Plan - Predesign Management Plan.  Prepared for Bonneville Power Administration.  Portland, OR.  164pp.

Bonneville Power Administration, Yakama Nation, and Bureau of Indian Affairs.  1994.  Lower Yakima Valley Wetlands and Riparian Restoration Project - Final Environmental Assessment.  DOE No. 0941.  Portland, OR  58pp.

Bonneville Power Administration, and Yakama Nation.  1996.  Memorandum of Agreement for the Implementation of the Lower Yakima Valley Wetlands and Riparian Restoration Project.  Portland, OR


Supporting Documents Providing Further Implementation Methods and Protocols

Yakama Nation.  1984.  Current Status of the Yakama Nation's Public Hunting and Fishing Program with Planning Recommendations for future Management.  Yakama Tribal Council, Toppenish, WA.  12pp.

_____.  1987.  Land and Natural Resource Policy Plan (T-92-87). Yakama Tribal Council, Toppenish, WA.  26pp.

Meuth, J.  1989.  Yakama Nation Waterfowl Management Plan.  Prepared by U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Yakama Nation.  Toppenish, WA.  190pp.