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 fish screens, and improvements to fish passage by installation of fish passage devices (ladders, siphons, bottomless culverts at road crossings, etc.) or complete passage barrier removals.  These facilities reduce or eliminate fish loss associated with irrigation withdrawals and passage barriers.  The program uses cost share from NOAA, 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.  As of the end of FY2013, cooperative efforts between BPA, NOAA, OWEB/M66, ODFW, private landowners, and a multitude of government entities have allowed the program to install over 321 gravity diversion screens, 67 pump screens, and 10 passage structures that meet the new criteria in the John Day, Umatilla and Walla Walla River subbasins..  Annual Reports have been provided to BPA that detail results.  

The program will install up to 8 gravity screens, up to 5 pump screens, up to 3 passage projects, and up to 11 water control structures (Headgates and/or Water measuring devices); and implement fish habitat restoration project(s) if identified. The project may elect to move money between pump fish screens, gravity fish screens, water control structures, and passage structures. The following ratios will be used to re-distribute funds: 1 passage structure equals 2 gravity fish screens; 5 pump screens equal 1 gravity fish screen; and 3 water control structures equal 1 pump fish screen. Size and scope of all projects will be evaluated prior to work beginning to determine if projects should be removed from the implementation list (larger projects equal more money).  It should be noted that fish barriers on irrigation returns are considered fish passage structures.  The work elements will aid in the breakdown of the costs and describe the actions needed to continue these efforts.