Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation (MSRF) seeks to improve upon benefits gained from the 2013 Middle Methow (M2) WDFW Project (Contract 57327). The M2 Projects are a component of a larger multi-agency effort to implement habitat improvement projects within the Upper Columbia River Tributary system designed to address the priorities established by the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Plan.  The Bureau of Reclamation completed the Middle Methow (M2) Reach Assessment in August 2010.  The assessment provided the basis for identification and prioritization of projects to benefit ESA-listed fish species.  As the next step in this effort, MSRF and its partners, including Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), Yakama Nation (YN), WA Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Trout Unlimited (TU), and Colville Tribes (CTCR) began implementing multiple independent salmon habitat enhancement projects in the M2 reach of the Methow River beginning in 2012.  

The M2 WDFW Flow Connection project seeks to further enhance floodplain connection to peripheral side channel and wetland habitats by removing the final segment of a levee at the upstream edge of the M2 WDFW Floodplain Project area.  The remaining segment is a cross levee that is perpendicular to the river channel and effectively blocks flow from a series of wetlands within an existing floodplain side channel during normal spring high flow periods.  MSRF removed the portion of the levee parallel to the river in 2013 as part of the larger project, but did not remove the cross levee  due to adjoining landowner concerns. Following four years of post-project observations to demonstrate project benefits, the upstream landowner has agreed to allow removal of the levee.  Removing the levee will reconnect a 3,200 foot-long wetland channel flowing through WDFW property and into adjacent protected wetland areas.

The contractor MSRF, its designated agents, sub-consultants and project stakeholders will be available, responsive and 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, UCSRB, & RRT design review, review, input, comments, integration, stakeholder congruence with proposed actions and decisions rendered by 1) the project executive team (BPA, MSRF, & UCSRB). Arbitration and dispute resolution will occur relative to the following two tier escalation ladder: 1) conference with the project Executive Team and 2) Direct consultation between program managers.