The actions funded under this contract are elements of a larger multi-agency effort to implement habitat improvement projects within the Upper Columbia River Tributary system designed to address the priorities established by the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Plan.  The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) completed the Nason Creek Tributary Assessment in 2008 and the Lower White Pine Reach Assessment in 2009.  These assessments identify anthropogenic impacts to Nason Creek and potential project areas that benefit ESA-listed fish species.  Following completion of the Reach Assessments, ICF Jones & Stokes worked with Chelan County Natural Resources Department (CCNRD), the Wenatchee Habitat Sub-Committee, and the Regional Technical Team to complete a prioritization of all potential project areas in Nason Creek.  The Lower White Pine floodplain reconnection project ranked as one of three projects in Nason Creek that is anticipated to provide the highest biological benefit to ESA listed salmon. This is the largest single project for floodplain reconnection within the Nason Creek subbasin. Thus, CCNRD has been working with Reclamation to design and obtain permits for project implementation in 2013.

Construction of the Burlington Northern Sante Fe (BNSF) railroad in the 1890's disconnected Nason Creek from 152 acres of floodplain wetland.  In addition, the railroad prism blocks access to four perennial tributaries, Coulter, Rearing, Gill and Knutson Creek basins which account for 15% of the flows in the Nason Creek basin.

This contract for the Lower White Pine Floodplain Reconnection project will fund construction action to reconnect 152 acres of floodplain wetland near RM 9.7 in Nason Creek.  Project construction will include the following elements:
• Construction of a bridge under the BNSF road prism to reconnect surface waters of Nason Creek and 152 acres of floodplain wetland
• Excavation within the floodplain to enhance the surface water connection between Nason Creek and the floodplain wetland
• Site restoration including revegetation

The project will provide the following benefits to ESA listed spring Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout:
• Hydraulic reconnection of the 152 acres of floodplain area which reconnects 39% of the 385 acres of disconnected floodplain within the Nason Creek subbasin.
• Hydraulic reconnection of the Coulter, Roaring, Gill, and Knutson creek basins, accounting for a reconnection of 15% of the Upper Nason Creek subbasin.
• Fish access to 72.7 acres of high flow and 6.8 acres of low-flow rearing and refuge habitat.
• Steelhead access to 1 mile of lower Coulter Creek.
• Steelhead and Chinook access to 0.75 mile of lower Roaring Creek.

The Upper Columbia Spring Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan recognizes that the lack of off-channel/floodplain habitat as a primary habitat-limiting factor for listed salmonids at Nason Creek. Thus, the project goals are to reconnect flows and fish to off-channel refuge and foraging habitat directly addresses the primary habitat-limiting factor affecting anadromous fish populations in Nason Creek.

Reclamation has funded project design and permitting.  CCNRD has facilitated project development and permitting with landowners, stakeholders, and permitting agencies. Permits have been sent to regulatory agencies and authorization is anticipated in Spring 2013.  Under this contract, CCNRD will manage construction of the Lower White Pine floodplain reconnection project.  This will include ensuring environmental compliance prior to commencement of construction.  CCNRD will manage a mitigation contract with BNSF railroad through a separate Memorandum of Agreement with BPA.   CCNRD will hire a subcontractor to build a temporary access road for earthwork associated with floodplain reconnection.  Once grading is completed, the access road will be removed and the site will be restored to stabilize soils and revegetate the area.  CCNRD will also sub-contract with BNSF railroad to install a bridge under the railroad to provide fish passage into the floodplain of Nason Creek.  CCNRD will oversee construction to ensure construction is consistent with plans, specifications, and environmental permits.