The Shillapoo Wildlife Area (SWA) was initially approved as a BPA wildlife mitigation project in 1996 and was re-approved for funding in 2002 as part of the Northwest Power Planning Council's (NWPPC) Provincial/Sub-Basin Planning Process.  This project is located in the Lower Columbia Province (Lake River Sub-Basin) and partially addresses wildlife losses due to adverse impacts caused by construction of Bonneville, The Dalles and John Day dams.  Land acquisition and management programs to meet mitigation objectives have been under way since 1996 on the SWA.  Continued operation, maintenance and enhancement activities funded by BPA are necessary to maintain and enhance wildlife habitat benefits and to ensure BPA's mitigation obligation is met.

Ongoing maintenance and enhancement work includes restoration of approximately 650 acres of wetland plant communities within the drained Shillapoo Lakebed and management/enhancement of other smaller wetland basins throughout the wildlife area. This primary enhancement focus is envisioned to provide wintering habitat for Canada geese, other waterfowl and sandhill cranes while increasing the overall habitat and wildlife diversity in the area.  The results of an emerging feasibility study could possibly change the management scheme for some of these wetland areas by reestablishing direct hydrologic connections with the Columbia River with the intent of providing benefits to out migrating juvenile salmonids.  It is reasonably certain that this alternative approach will result in lower quality habitat for some of the target wildlife species than we could produce under the current management regime.  To what degree this approach affects target wildlife species is uncertain and will require close study as potential alternatives are evaluated, but up to 75% of the waterfowl habitat could be lost if the South Unit of the Wildlife Area is connected to the Columbia River.

Tree and shrub planting will occur along approximately 1 3/4 miles of riparian zone on the west bank of Lake River and in other areas to restore or improve riparian habitat.  Some of these areas require that exotic vegetation (usually Himalayan Blackberry) be removed prior to planting, making these projects multiple year endeavors.  Tree planting will also occur in selected wetland/riparian and Oak habitats to improve habitat conditions for indicator species including Great Blue Heron, Yellow Warbler, mink and other species.

Other ongoing maintenance activities include fence maintenance, noxious weed and brush control, and waterfowl forage improvements much of which is accomplished largely though agreements with cooperating farmers.  Water levels are also managed and moist soil management practices are employed in wetland basins where enhancement has occurred to reduce reed canary grass cover in order to create favorable conditions for native plants.

A feasibility study has been initiated to determine if Buckmire Slough and the South Unit wetlands can be reconnected to the Columbia River to benefit both migrating juvenile salmonids, as well as native plants and wildlife under the WA Estuary MOA.  Modeling is currently underway and completion for the feasibility study should be in 2016.