Background:  Under prior contracts, the Columbia Conservation District (CCD) coordinated the completion of the Tucannon River Habitat Assessment (Anchor Aug 2011) which led to the development of the Tucannon River Conceptual Restoration Plan (Anchor Nov 2011) from RM-20 upstream to RM-50.   The Conceptual Restoration Plan (Anchor QEA, 2011) has prioritized projects into three Tiers (1-3) based on the projected effects of implementation as a benefit to Snake River spring Chinook, cost-efficiency relative to those benefits, and the feasibility of construction.  

Project Area Summary:  Project Area 6, 8 & 9 (PA-6, PA-8 & PA-9) are located within the active river channel and floodplain of the Tucannon River, on public land from RM-45.85 to approximately RM-45.3 and from 44.95 to 43.7.  The primary objectives of the project are to improve channel complexity through placement of large wood debris in the form of helicopter constructed log jams, and through the placement of LWD to increase floodplain connectivity.  Throughout the project reach LWD will be placed to recapture historic side channels and disconnected floodplain.

Prior Design Phase: The project consists of 3 individual projects identified in the Restoration Plan (Anchor QEA 2011) (PA-6, 7 & 9) assessed in 2014 along with PA-7, not included in this project. The initial project reach was assessed for restoration alternatives in 2014 as part of assessment called at the time Beetle Kill LWD (WDFW Contract #68874) from RM 45.96 to 43.7).  One of the alternatives was to cull existing pine located within the reach and on adjacent parcels being killed by pine beetle and place them in channel.  Early on in the assessment it was determined that PA-6, 8 & 9 were similar in that they would require only wood loading to achieve the restoration objectives and the existing riparian habitat was in fairly good condition.  At that point it was determined the three projects could be completed in one effort using a helicopter to place LWD, minimizing impacts during construction.  PA-7 was determined to have actions which would require additional assessment and design to meet restoration objectives and therefore not included in this project for completion in 2017.  The preliminary design was completed in 2015 by WDFW (contract #68874); and it is attached to the SOW in Pisces.  The current final design (90%) focus on increasing in-channel complexity through the placement of LWD, and reducing channel confinement through the placement of that wood.

In 2015, WDFW secured a Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant for $400,000 to match with BPA funding toward the completion of the project.  In a partnership which would will save time, money and effort we are combining the helicopter subcontract acquisition and funding in the CTUIR contract to complete PA-17 &18 in 2017 (currently CR-294900).  The CTUIR project also requires helicopter support in 2017 and it is anticipated a MOA will be developed between CTUIR and WDFW on sequencing and timing of 2017 implementation logistics.

Status: The project spans 3 contract periods over a 24 - 36-month duration covering design (Year-1/2); and the subsequent implementation of the restoration design, including engineered structures and other features (Year-3). It is anticipated that ongoing riparian planting will be conducted first in year-3 as part of this contract, and then in future contracts as conditions evolve on site.

  (a)  Contract #64003 concept development (Year-1) completed in 2014; includes a final assessment. Contract #68874 (year 2) completed the design report, project design, and implementation cost-estimate; subsequent design modifications (following review), and the initiation of permitting including environmental and cultural resources clearance were attached to contract #72044 (year 3).
  (b)  This contract completes the implementation of the design during the construction phase (Year-3); including:  
  -- any subsequent design modifications that may be required (following review), or as an adaptation in response to changes in channel geomorphology or site conditions (since completion of the design), and as adjusted during the pre-construction phase
  -- modifications to or renewal of existing permits; or additional required permitting
  -- revised or amended environmental and cultural resource clearances
  -- adjustments to implementation strategies or approaches, including scheduling and logistics, that facilitate the construction of improved habitat features, in-channel structures, and other actions to restore ecological function
  -- vegetative plantings that are an integral component of the restoration design, to improve habitat function and connectivity; and
--  the remediation of construction impacts that includes the clean-up and restoration of construction access points and materials or equipment storage and mobilization areas.

  [CCR-38076]: (c)  In the next10-mos period (Oct-Jul), it is anticipated that work identified in the initial PA-13 design (contract #75493), completed Spring 2018, would be initiated in Summer 2018, and fully implemented during the following in-water work window (2019).
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Background on the Tucannon River:  The Tucannon River basin is located in Southeast Washington State in Columbia and Garfield counties.  The system-wide restoration objective for the Tucannon River is to improve habitat conditions for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed species (Snake River Spring Chinook and Steelhead) for all life history stages.  It is expected that improved habitat conditions will lead to an increase in the abundance of listed species returning to the river.  Increasing abundance will lead to de-listing of the species, which is the overall recovery goal for the system.  Previous efforts (CCD 2004; SRSRB 2006) have identified the habitat-limiting factors associated with the decline of ESA-listed populations.

Project Summary:  Enhancing and restoring instream habitat in this project area will be accomplished through a variety of treatment actions in the main channel, along the banks, and within the floodplain. These treatments include construction of instream habitat features such as engineered log jams (ELJs), removal of artificial embankment to reconnect disconnected side channels, and the installation of riparian plantings.  The principal benefits of project implementation will be restoration of historic spring Chinook spawning, rearing, and migration corridor habitats.  The associated treatment of riparian areas is expected to induce naturally occurring repair, restoration, and recovery of both floodplain and riparian zone function and processes.

Expected Implementation Actions (from restoration design):  Reconnect 0.3 miles isolated side channel habitat through the excavation of a <150’ starter channel.  Install ~73 ELJs and other LWD structures to increase channel complexity over a 1.8 mile reach.  Re-plant adjacent floodplain and riparian areas where disturbed to re-vegetate and restore disturbed construction access sites and staging areas.  During planting efforts will be made to increase pines and cottonwoods throughout the reach for the purpose of future LWD key piece recruitment.

Geomorphic Implications:  Reconnecting disconnected side channel habitat will allow more access to floodplain areas. Increased connectivity with the low-lying floodplain will lead to decreased channel velocities during high flows and dispersion of sediment across the floodplain.  Addition of LWD will initiate a geomorphic response resulting in bed scour and sorting of sediment, which forms critical habitat features (e.g., pools, cover, and spawning gravels).  The LWD structures will influence the development of additional pools and deposition areas in the plane-bed sections of the channel. In addition, large wood structures will promote development of a more complex channel network by splitting flow, initiating gravel bar and island development, and promoting channel migration within the reconnected floodplain area.

Biological Benefits:  Immediate biological benefits of the project include decreased instream velocities during high flows from better connectivity with the floodplain, and pool development and cover provided by the LWD placements. As the channel is able to establish a more complex plan form through the reconnected floodplain, more diverse habitat areas will be available to increase the carrying capacity for juvenile salmonids. Deposition of sediment and formation of side channels will create additional spawning area. Over time, greater floodplain connectivity will also lead to a healthier riparian zone and, in turn, promote improved ecosystem processes and habitat function.

Potential Challenges:  As in every implementation work window we will be at the mercy of several factors out of our control including delays caused by increased risk of wild fire or conditions that could lead to wild fire.  Work delays can push work out of the designated work window.  Additionally, helicopters can be called by the USFS into fire-suppression during catastrophic forest fire, also delaying or postponing implementation.