This is a one and done agreement.  That is, after the work is completed, there will be no contract renewal.

Under this contract Cascade Fisheries (CF) will develop final designs collaboratively with the US Forest Service (USFS) and BPA, with project implementation in FY23.  The main deliverables of this contract include development of a collaborative design that incorporates stakeholders’ input for the replacement of a partial fish passage barrier at RM 0.25 of Big Meadow Creek, a tributary to the Chiwawa River, with a bridge.  An 80' by 18' steel bridge with crash tested guardrails is the preferred alternative that has been selected and is currently being advanced through progressive design phases. A 60% design was submitted for comment in May of 2022.

Work was not able to be completed in FY22 due to lack of participation in the design process by the USFS. A key first step before designs can begin is to have the USFS Design Assistance Team visit the site and provide guidance and feedback. This was not completed until the fall of 2021. The timetable was just too truncated to attempt to implement the project in 2022. CF expressed that this was a highly likely scenario during the development of the FY22 agreement.  

This barrier, located on USFS land, is the highest priority barrier in the Wenatchee Basin based on the UC Barrier Prioritization Tool.  This project addresses the second highest priority ecological concern in the Chiwawa River Assessment Unit, anthropogenic barriers, as identified by The Upper Columbia Biological Strategy (RTT, 2017).  This project was approved for funding through Bonneville Power Administration (BPA)/Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board (UCSRB) FY2020 Targeted Solicitation Notice and was reviewed and ranked by the Regional Technical Team (RTT).  The RTT is a team of technical experts familiar with the priority areas and limiting factors, and identify projects that will best contribute to the recovery of salmonids and other species of concern in the Upper Columbia.

The primary goal of the project is to improve fish passage and increase habitat quantity for multiple species and life stages of native salmonids to the Wenatchee River watershed.  The replacement of a partially passable culvert with a structure that is fully passable to all species and life stages will provide unrestricted access to 4.7 miles of Intrensic Potential (IP) for spring Chinook, 10.7 miles of IP for steelhead, and 7.0 miles of IP for bull trout.

The replacement culvert will be engineered and designed to specifications described in WDFW’s Water Crossing Design Guidelines (2013) and the USFS’ Stream Simulation: An Ecological Approach to Providing Passage for Aquatic Organisms at Road-Stream Crossings (2008).

These methodologies provide the best design approach to ensure fish passage for all species and life stages, as well as allowing for natural watershed processes to occur.  CF will confirm culvert type with USFS, and attain BPA concurrence before progressing to 60% design.

Cascade Fisheries will be responsible for managing the project.  USFS will provide design review, and NEPA/ESA consultation activities through the Aquatic Restoration Biological Opinion (ARBO) II process.  The USFS will own the culvert and overlaying road, and will be responsible for maintenance in the future.

The design phase is currently in progress.  This contract covers final design, and construction is planned for FY2023.

PROJECT PARTNER COLLABORATION

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 CF to preform and fulfill their necessary role and obligations under the Northwest Power and Conservation Council approved Programmatic with BPA.  CF 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  

The contractor CF, 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 BFAI or BPI and BPA contracting processes, project management plans, design review protocols (including but not limited to BPA engineering design review, Technical and Design Team guidance, review, input, comments, integration, stakeholder congruence with proposed actions and decisions rendered by 1) the project executive team (BPA, CF).  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.  

CF Contract Manager and CF'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, and Hydraulic Engineer(s) during the entire length of this contract with regards to project design.  CF, USFS and its subcontractors will address BPA comments and concerns, and the three entities will arrive at a mutually beneficial consensus.  CF contract manager will upload all of the subcontracts being executed under this contract to cbfish.org.