The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) propose ongoing fish habitat protection, restoration and enhancement, maintenance, and monitoring activities under the CTUIR Grande Ronde Subbasin Restoration Project (199608300) to achieve the vision, goals, and objectives established in the Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan (NPCC, 2004) and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) Fish and Wildlife Program (NPPC 2000).  The Project plans, designs, implements, maintains, and monitors habitat protection, enhancement and restoration projects in the Subbasin with a primary goal of protecting high quality habitat and restoring/enhancing degraded habitats to support the recovery of focal species, including Threatened Snake River spring-summer Chinook salmon and summer steelhead.   The habitat program participates in BiOp remand efforts in the Basin, including the BiOp expert panel, recovery planning, and technical review and planning team.  Work under the project is directly linked to the CTUIR-BPA Accord.

In FY 2012, project implementation will be focused on three primary projects:  Catherine Creek (CC37 involving channel re-meandering and structural additions; Willow Creek (OAF Willow) involving re-activation of historic channel meanders, instream placement of wood, streambank stabilization, and extensive planting; Rock Creek Project, involving extensive habitat enhancement and restoration work consisting of large wood additions, re-connection of historic channel meanders and channel segments, large wood additions, and fence construction. The Catherine Creek project is a partnership between the landowner, Union County Soil and Water Conservation District, Bureau of Reclamation, ODFW, and the CTUIR.  This project includes about 0.75 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for Chinook and steelhead along the mainstem of Catherine Creek downstream from Union Oregon.  Implementation is scheduled summer/fall 2012.  Planning on the Willow Creek Project was initiated by the GRMW with the Oregon Agricultural Foundation Board.  Project design and permitting is currently underway and funding has been secured through the GRMW BiOp project funding process.  Project is planned for construction beginning in summer 2012 and continuing into 2013.  This project includes approximately over 5 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for all life stages of summer steelhead and potential winter rearing habitat for spring Chinook salmon.  The Rock Creek Project is located along Rock Creek, Sheep Creek, Graves Creek, Little Graves, and a short reach of Little Whiskey Creek.  Rock Creek is a tributary to the Grande Ronde River near Hilgard State Park and the confluence of 5-Point Creek.  This project area encompasses over 15.8 miles of fish bearing streams, supporting all life stages for summer steelhead and rearing habitat for juvenile spring Chinook salmon which CTUIR secured a 15 year term conservation easement to during FY2011.  Implementation is scheduled to be initiated during summer 2012.  Completion date is currently anticipated to be completed in 2013 with additional work anticipated for the wide scope of planned actions associated with incorporation of other federal programs, including EQUIP and CREP.

The 2012 SOW also includes additional fish passage project planning and implementation under the CTUIR-BPA Accord with the Muir Creek culvert replacement project and the Chicken Creek culvert replacement project (both in cooperation with the USFS) currently in design.  Land acquisition planning will continue during FY2012 with the expectation that the CTUIR and BPA will initiate and possibly complete acquisition of several parcels and/or easements during the contract period.  CTUIR fish habitat project staff have identified five primary parcels which are currently under evaluation.  

Project staff will continue to coordinate with project partners in the development and prioritization of BiOp and Accord fish habitat projects and develop future project opportunities.  A large project currently in the planning phase consists of approximately 4 miles of mainstem Catherine Creek.  Several additional potential projects are also being development with local landowners and partners for out-year implementation.  

A budget of $613,004 is requested to perform watershed restoration-related tasks associated with several project areas.  Funds provided under this contract are utilized to conduct pre-project planning, administration, project maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, as well as developing cost-share proposals to support restoration project implementation from various sources.