CCR 44716 -  Through this CCR the following will be accomplished:

WE M (DESCOPED) - Loup Loup Property Habitat Improvement Design was descoped.  This WE was descoped because the property on which the habitat improvement project design was set to be accomplished was in the cue for acquisition.  The landowner withdrew from the acquisition process and the opportunity for project design was lost.

WE W - This WE was added to complete the EDT Implementation Tab, which was a contract deliverable in the previous contract, but the project was not completed  This additional funding will ensure that the implementation tab is completed.

WE X - This WE is added to provide a temporary solution to a sand "plug" that has deposited in the upstream portion of the Pharr side channel.  Excavation of a pilot channel that passes through the sand plug, allowing for the side channel to be activated at the flows for which it was designed.


Three themes emerge in this contract in the narrative of fish habitat improvement in the Okanogan river basin – floodplain activation, small wood addition, and Loup Loup creek planning.  These three items are addressed in turn below.

1.     The work element with the highest line item budget amount is the Klein Site floodplain activation project.  This project targets Upper Columbia summer Chinook.  The location is at the downstream end of one of the greatest patches of summer Chinook spawning habitat in the Similkameen River, and the rationale for expenditure is supported through several years of fish condition monitoring data from outmigrating subyearling Chinook captured at the Okanogan River rotary screw trap, and at Conservancy Island side channel, immediately downstream of the town of Okanogan.  With designs already completed, this project is ready to seek permits, complete environmental compliance, and implement in this contract.

2.    Boise Cascade has generously offered to donate 1,000 peeler cores for use in fish habitat improvement projects by the CCT Fish & Wildlife.  A goal of this contract is to install as many of these cores as possible to small wood projects throughout the basin.  To that end, three locations have been explicitly identified in this contract – Omak Creek, Aeneas Creek, and Ninemile Creek.  Cost share partners have been targeted, and grant funds have been applied for from BIA.  Results are forthcoming.

3.    Given its current status, Loup Loup Creek is identified by EDT as the fourth-ranked stream for restoration potential.  It is a high value stream (cold, clear, perennial flows), but it is challenged by a short distance accessible to anadromy, irrigation diversions, and a high sediment load especially after much of the watershed burnt in the Carlton complex fire of 2014.  We will continue to address some of these challenges with a renewed focus and energy in this contract.  To that end, leveraging relationships with landowners for project design work through the Okanogan Conservation District, beginning designs on a property in line for acquisition by Colville Tribes Fish & Wildlife, and completing designs to allow for fish passage over the Loup Loup velocity barrier, a project for which cost share has already been granted by Reclamation, and with the potential for more assistance from a pending BIA grant application.  Other conservation entities are also working in the Loup Loup basin (e.g. Washington Water Trust is laying groundwork for an irrigation conveyance efficiency project that could add up to 10 cfs to Loup Loup streamflow), and we are attempting to collaborate with these outside entities to restore and enhance Loup Loup Creek for the benefit of steelhead, spring Chinook, and the local community.

Additionally, we continue to work with the Okanogan Nation Alliance(ONA) In Canada to develop plans for future implementation of projects in the Canadian portion of the Okanogan Basin.  This work will help strengthen salmonid runs in the U.S. portion of the Okanogan, upstream fish populations, and throughout Columbia River Basin.  We will also participate in outreach and education projects throughout the Okanogan in the U.S. portion of the basin, reaching school groups and the general public to advocate for our restoration efforts which take place mostly on private land.

Partnership Communication and Collaboration Agreement:

The contractor (CTCR), its designated agents, sub-consultants and project stakeholders will be available, responsive and will collaboratively address contract related issues during the term of the contract. Contract issues include but are not limited to technical, policy, regulatory, project management and associated elements related to the project. Successful execution of this contract is contingent on alignment of the preceding contract issues with the BPI and BPA contracting processes, project management plans, design review protocols (including but not limited to BPA RRT design review, and integration of input and comments from BPA).

CTCR Contract Manager, CTCR's sponsor, and CTCR's design consultants will all cooperate, coordinate, collaborate, and maintain effective communication with BPA PM/COR, EC Lead, RRT Lead, and Hydraulic Engineer during the entire length of this design contract.  CTCR and its subcontractors will address BPA comments and concerns, and the two entities will arrive at a mutual beneficial consensus. CTCR contract manager will upload all the subcontracts executed under this contract cbfish.org.

Background on OSHIP:
The Okanogan River, Similkameen River and associated tributaries have several factors that limit salmonid production and rearing.  These ecological concerns include but are not limited to:  temperature, flow, habitat complexity, barriers, sedimentation and substrate.  We will be addressing these concerns throughout the Okanogan River Basin, (main-stem and tributary portions)  by implementing a list of stream habitat restoration projects and developing feasibility plans on future projects.  

The goal of this project, when it started was to implement the Okanogan Sub-Basin Plan.  The Sub-Basin Plan (2004) was developed to describe in detail the current state of the Okanogan Basin and then describe what are the limiting factors for anadromous salmonid production and survival.   We have continued to analyze the needs of the basin relating to salmonid production through cooperation with the OBMEP program and the use of the EDT model.  

Personnel working on the project are:

John Rohrback - project manager: project oversight, project development, coordinate with interested parties, public relations and funding and cost share developer.  Develop proposals, write reports, internal and external coordination

Chris Fisher - project oversight, project development, coordinate with interested parties, public relations, outreach and education, and funding and cost share developer

Kirk Truscott - Anadromous Division Lead-Represent the habitat division in upper level management and forums.  Participate with council and internal planning decisions that affect the habitat division.  Help to vet projects through the MOA agreement.

Casey Baldwin - participate in FPRB coordination, work with regional partners and forums to help facilitate habitat project implementation.  Biological expertise.

Dennis Papa - help to develop projects through field exploration, oversee construction implementation, write permits, and maintain habitat improvement projects.

Arnold Abrahamson - oversee construction projects, help on projects with heavy equipment, hauling and transport.  Evaluate habitat needs through field participation, repair fences, and otherwise maintain habitat improvement projects.