Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation (MSRF) and its partners, including Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), UCSRB, and USGS plan to implement a reach-scale salmon habitat enhancement project in the Middle Methow (M2) River in FY 2018. The Barkley Bear Pre-Implementation Project will conduct project development and environmental compliance activities in advance of the implementation contract for the M2 Barkley Bear Habitat Project funded through the UCSRB targeted solicitation process.

Project development activities for this project include on-site vegetation surveys, topographic surveys, hydrologic monitoring and data collection, wetland delineation, fish surveys (presence/absence/use), photo points, pre-implementation weed removal, concept development, landowner/stakeholder outreach and coordination, and related project coordination activities.  MSRF will also coordinate with BPA to initiate the HIP III design/review process for the larger implementation project.

Environmental compliance for this pre-implementation effort includes Section 106 cultural consultation, limited federal Section 7 ESA consultation (USFWS and NOAA) as needed for pre-implementation activities such as surveying, geotechnical investigations, or installation of test wells.  The state-required SEPA process was completed previously for the reach-based M2 project prior to work at Whitefish Island (2012) and WDFW Floodplain (2013).  Other permitting processes completed through APPS for  the WDFW Hydraulic Project Authorization and the JARPA process for Corps of Engineers Nationwide permits, county shorelines and floodplain development, and water quality permits may also be initiated and/or completed in this contract if sufficient design information is completed during the contract period.  

The goal of this Barkley Bear pre-implementation contract would be to work with BPA, UCSRB, the Bureau of Reclamation, and USGS to develop and design a preferred alternative for implementation at the site and to complete state, local, and BPA's federal EC requirements as early in the process as feasible in order to ensure completion of these requirements within the respective timelines, to allow construction to proceed in 2018.