The project provides immediate and long-term protection for anadromous and resident fish species in the Deschutes, John Day, Umatilla, and Walla Walla subbasins by the installation or replacement of outdated fish protection and passage devices on private irrigation diversions and dam structures.  These facilities reduce or eliminate fish loss associated with irrigation withdrawals and passage barriers.  The program uses cost share from NOAA, PCSRF, OWEB Measure 66 (M66) funds, and BPA for implementation.  From 1993 to 1997, the program focused on an inventory of irrigation diversions in need of fish screens, or due to the change in NOAA criteria for Salmonids needed replaced, in the John Day, Umatilla and Walla Walla Basins.  During this time, there were also several pump irrigation screens installed.  In 1997, the program, directed the focus on replacement of non-criteria fish screens and related passage barriers, throughout the John Day, Umatilla and Walla Walla Subbasins.  The program wishes to expand into the Deschutes subbasin since we are in the same province.  

The program will solicit a subcontractor to complete cultural resource surveys on ground disturbance projects.  Once the subcontractor has completed all surveys for the contract year, the report will be reviewed by ODFW and then submitted to BPA for final compliance review and approval.  Work on ground disturbance projects will not begin until BPA has provided approval.

Additional BPA funds were added in FY2014 to provide maintenance for fish screens and passage in the John Day, Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Deschutes that were installed using BPA dollars.