Through CR-333361, the Upper Wenatchee Floodplain Reconnection Project includes development of project pre-concepts collaboratively with key stakeholders; Chelan County Natural Resources Department (CCNRD), BPA, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Pre-concept designs will then be fully developed to 15% concepts via subcontractor, for RM 35.6-38.6 in the main stem Wenatchee River, which is also known as the Upper Wenatchee Assessment Unit.

The main deliverables of this contract include development of a collaborative conceptual design that incorporates stakeholders’ input and a Restoration Strategy for the Upper Wenatchee Floodplain Reconnection Project for RM 35.6-38.6.    

It is possible BPA may not develop pre-concepts that would be taken to 15% conceptual designs along the entire 3-mile reach.  CCNRD reserves the right to seek alternative funding to develop conceptual designs for portions of the 3-mile reach that BPA excludes from its conceptual design.  If CCNRD decides to pursue alternative funding, CCNRD has agreed to notify BPA as soon as possible for optimal coordination and should notify UCSRB staff to avoid any confusion with other funding processes.

BPA and CCNRD both reserve the right to terminate conceptual design development at any point during the contract period for any number of undefined reasons (e.g., If it is determined a feasible concept is not possible).  Developed designs, no matter what phase of development they may be in, will be the property of BPA.

BPA and CCNRD will be cognizant to all adjoining and adjacent UC partners working in close proximity to the project area and agree to coordinate and collaborate with such partners as necessary.

The Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board (UCSRB) is co-sponsor to Upper Columbia Programmatic Habitat Project.  As such they are a key partner to BPA and within the UC region, a local first point of contact for general Programmatic inquiries and coordination.  It is possible from time to time that the UCSRB may seek general project information and updates from CCNRD to preform and fulfill their necessary role and obligations under the Northwest Power and Conservation Council approved Programmatic with BPA.  CCNRD has agreed to coordinate with UCSRB and accommodate any such requests.  As examples, UCSRB may request the following:

Participation in periodic BPA-UCSRB-Sponsor check-in calls, if/as needed
Information about partner contributions for reporting cost-share
Copies of presentations about the BPA-UCSRB Programmatic project  

Project Background:

The main goal of the project is to re-initiate natural channel migration processes. Historic logging and log drive practices reduced instream complexity and the availability of large key pieces of wood. Existing side channels were historically “gated” with pilings inserted at the inlets to keep log drives from losing wood into the side channels along with removal of natural anchors in the mainstem. This channelization was helpful for log drives but not for peripheral habitat.

The purpose of this project is to increase off-channel rearing and refuge habitat for spring Chinook and steelhead by increasing instream complexity and natural channel migration into a 100-acre floodplain.

This could be accomplished by constructing large wood and rock structures and notching the bank at strategic locations, including tipping trees into the channel, natural channel migration and in-channel aggradation will be encouraged. This process will facilitate the development of multi-thread channels throughout the floodplain.  A proposed method is the “Stage 0” approach as defined in the Stream Evolutionary Model has been found to be very successful at restoring natural process in alluvial valleys with high wood loading and sediment storage potential and may be the approach planned for this project design effort.

Primary restoration metrics for the conceptual design phase of the project could include 1.3 miles of instream complexity treatments and 100-acres of off-channel habitat with a potential for 1-2 miles of side channel/wetland habitat for juvenile rearing.

The project is located within a very important overwinter rearing area for spring Chinook juvenile fish.
Rearing habitat may be limited in upper sections of the Upper Wenatchee (UCRTT, 2017), but this area just upstream of Tumwater Canyon provides important over-winter rearing habitat for spring Chinook juveniles.

The Upper Wenatchee River is a major spawning area for spring Chinook and steelhead. The project area is also likely to provide spawning habitat for summer Chinook.  The Upper Wenatchee Assessment Unit has been identified as the #2 priority sub-watershed for restoration actions in the Wenatchee basin.

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 Bonneville Financial Assistance Instruction (BFAI), Bonneville procurement Instruction (BPI), and BPA contracting processes, project management plans, design review protocols (including but not limited to BPA HIP design review, and integration of input and comments from BPA).

CCNRD Contract Manager and CCNRD's design consultant (a mutually agreed to and selected subcontractor) will all cooperate, coordinate, collaborate, and maintain effective communication with the BPA PM/COR, EC Lead, HIP Review Lead, and Hydraulic Engineer(s) during the entire length of this contract with regards to project design.  CCNRD and its subcontractors will address BPA comments and concerns, and the two entities will arrive at a mutually beneficial consensus. CCNRD contract manager will upload all of the subcontracts being executed under this contract to cbfish.org.   CCNRD will involve BPA in the selection of the subcontractor that would produce the conceptual design drawings of the alternative selected.