The Coeur d'Alene Tribe intends to reestablish a native redband trout fishery in the Hangman Watershed by addressing both the landscape level and in-stream habitat issues that restrict the redband populations both on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation and into the higher elevation tributaries of the Watershed.  Successful restoration of redband trout in the Hangman Watershed is regarded by the Tribe as a step towards preparing the Reservation landscape and community for the return of salmon as a Tribal resource.  The first major accomplishment of this Project was to initiate restoration in the Hangman Watershed through the acquisition of approximately 1,195 acres situated such that the property could function both as mitigation for Albeni Falls construction and inundation losses and as a site where the Coeur d’Alene Tribe could initiate substantive improvements to redband habitats. This Scope of Work describes the FY2017 activities associated with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Hangman Wildlife Project, which is the continuation of management activities that contributes to both Resident Fish benefits and Wildlife Mitigation.  This Project achieved benefits in the past by addressing the landscape level issues that result in decreased base flows, which improved habitats for Albeni Falls Mitigation Target Species and native redband trout populations.  This FY2017 Scope of Work continues the use of mitigation for Albeni Falls construction and inundations loses to improve instream habitat for redband trout. This FY2017 Scope of Work continues to seek additional means by which habitats can be improved in the Project Area by continuing to use Avista mitigation for wetlands losses due to Post Falls Dam on the Spokane River and to partner with FSA/NRCS Conservation Reserve lease agreements to implement riparian buffer protection and restoration. The Work Elements have been grouped under general categories that correspond to Planning and Coordination, Construction and Implementation, Research and Monitoring, and Project Administration.
Planning and Coordination Work Elements

A : 165. Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation - Complete NEPA Compliance

B : 141. Produce Other Report - Sharp-Tailed Grouse Habitat Effectiveness Evaluation

C : 191. Watershed Coordination - Cooperate with other projects and agencies to maximize restoration benefits

D : 189. Coordination-Columbia Basinwide - Coordinate Efforts with regional partners

E : 114. Identify and Select Projects - Identify & select lands within priority areas where conservation partnerships can be developed

F : 172. Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities - Exclude uplands within the hnt'k'wipn Management Area in favor of additional floodplain acreage

Construction and Implementation Work Elements

G : 115. Produce Inventory or Assessment – Determine immediate threats to integrity of habitats within Project Sites

H : 27. Remove Debris - Remove debris from passed use or from illegal dumping

I : 188. Provide Access and Public Information – Maintain and/or establish access to the Project Areas

J : 47. Plant Vegetation - Plant native grasses, trees and shrubs according to pertinent management plans

K : 198. Maintain Vegetation - Minimize the presence of noxious weeds on managed properties

L : 190. Remove, Exclude and/or Relocate Animals – Establish and maintain temporary fences to protect planted native vegetation

M: 29. Increase Acquatic and/or Floodplain Complexity – Reinforce beaver dams within Tribal Properties managed by CdA Tribe’s Natural Resource Department.

N:  181. Create, Restore, and/or Enhance Wetland – Place rock barrier between howellia pond and new Sheep Creek Channel.

Research and Monitoring Work Elements

O : 99. Outreach and Education – Involve Nehchen Creek landowner in beaver reintroduction

P : 157. Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data - Evaluate survival of Project plantings

Project Administration Work Elements

Q: 119. Manage and Administer Projects - Manage and administer project

R : 185. Produce Pisces Status Report - Periodic Status Reports for BPA

S : 132. Produce (Annual) Progress Report - Annual Report Required

T : 99. Outreach and Education - Involve students and inform public of Hangman Restoration Project activities

Major initiatives during FY2017 include; 1) a push to finish the exchange of the easement on uplands within the current hnt’k’wipn Management Area, which is a BPA Wildlife Mitigation Property, for a conservation easement on floodplain acreages that will more readily support in-stream habitats, 2) continuing the establishment of native vegetation, 3) minimizing noxious weeds, and 5) partnering with Avista and FSA/NRCS to broaden the effect of restoration efforts in Hangman, 6) attempt to partner with landowners of key parcels in Nehchen Creek to possibly return beaver back to that sub-watershed, and 7) reinforce beaver dams so they can retain function throughout the flashy hydric cycle by withstanding the intense flows that are confined to the entrenched Hangman Stream Channel.  Completion and submission of reports, gathering data to assess the effectiveness of restoration efforts, and protecting the project sites, are also part of the FY2017 Scope of Work.  The total work element budget being submitted with this Scope of Work is $317,750.