WDFW will start the Tide Gate Management Plan, continue collecting field data on manipulation of the Tide Gate and the affects on the Surface Elevations, writing the Draft Chinook Restoration Plan, solicit Public Outreach on Draft Restoration Plan, continue acquisition process and begin Final Chinook Estuary Restoration Project -- under the Washington Estuary Habitat MOA Umbrella Scoping Project 2010-070-00 via BPA funding of this contract.

Brief Background: The Chinook Estuary Restoration Project Restoration Project was initiated by WDFW and BPA under contract 53956: 2010-020-00 EXP CHINOOK RIVER ESTUARY RESTORATION. The amended performance period of Project 2010-020 is 8-1-2011 through September 30, 2012. This contract included the development of recommended Restoration Alternatives incorporated into the Draft Chinook Estuary Restoration Plan -- for subsequent engineering, scientific, and public review.  All of the information, data, and the Restoration Plan (draft and final) will be available to WDFW Habitat Program environmental engineering staff to develop the agreed-upon alternatives and restoration design for the current BPA contract (CR-228367).

Public Review:  WDFW, BPA and Estuary Partners will plan, schedule and facilitate public outreach meetings to:
1. Concisely explain the anadromous fish restoration goals, objectives, and proposed restoration alternatives;
2. Describe how the  anadromous fish restoration fits within the Washington Estuary MOA, the WDFW Conservation Initiative, and the ongoing Mission of the Chinook Unit of the WDFW Wildlife Area;
3. Describe the potential benefits of the restoration plan with respect to fish passage, habitat enhancement, and the Recovery of ESA-listed and native anadromous salmonid species; while developing an Adaptive Tide Gate risk management plan in conjunction with empirical data to lower risk of flooding to the adjacent landowners (in conjunction with PNNL through a sub-contract);
4. Describe near term opportunities for local entities, companies and individuals to participate in the habitat restoration project, and how abundant salmon runs can contribute to the local economy for the long term;
5. Solicit input from restoration partners (e.g., WDNR, Sea Resources, CLT, LCREP, CREST and NOAA Fisheries), local governmental entities, landowners in the Chinook Valley, and other interested stakeholders -- on the various restoration alternatives;
6. Incorporate public and Chinook Estuary stakeholder input into the Final Chinook Estuary Restoration Plan.

Technical Review: WDFW biological and engineering staff, and PNNL Ecological and Hydrodynamic Modeling scientists will review the relevant information, data, and recommendations derived from proposed restoration alternatives in the Chinook Estuary Restoration Plan -- and develop a final preferred restoration alternatives for final design under this contract.  WDFW will present the rationale for the Phase 1 Restoration Alternatives to the BPA COTR and PM; upon consensus between WDFW and BPA regarding the final preferred alternative, the WDFW Engineering Team will move forward to the Design Phase.

PNNL Subcontract to WDFW: Pacific Northwest National Laboratories has developed a Statement of Work and Budget to provide scientific support to help develop restoration alternatives based on the latest ecological knowledge, experience on recent restoration projects in the Lower Columbia River, and continuation of the Chinook Estuary Hydrodynamic modeling that is needed to project effects of tide gate management on flooding risk.

Engineering Design: The first phase of implementation, covered by this contract is development of the Conceptual (30%-60%) and Final Design (100%) of the preferred restoration alternatives.

1. The conceptual design (30-60%) will be the basis for initiating county, state and federal permitting requirements, as well as the NEPA / SEPA environmental review processes.  
2. The Final (100%) design will be the basis for estimating the costs and developing a WDFW Budget and Bidding Package for the Construction phase of the project implementation.

Construction Planning: As part of this contract, WDFW will develop a Statement of Work and Draft WDFW-CAMP Construction Budget, and subcontractor Bidding Package(s) (if needed) for the Construction Phase of the Project that is scheduled for the subsequent contract period October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014.  The construction Phase will target the CY 2014 work window, i.e., August 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014.