This contract is for Phase 4 of the Upper Wenatchee Floodplain Reconnection Project.

During Phase 4, the design package will be advanced to construction-ready, construction bid documents will be prepared and disseminated to prospective construction contractors, and a pre-bid meeting will be held. In addition, CCNRD will continue working with USFS staff to complete necessary regulatory consultations (including ESA, NEPA, tribal consultations, etc.), and work needed to secure necessary permits will be continued. It is expected that construction contract(s) will be executed and construction will occur during the subsequent phase.

Completed Work To Date via BPA Funding:

Phase 1 (contract #: 82854), which was vetted by the Regional Technical Team (RTT), completed pre-conceptual work and development of 15% conceptual designs.

Phase 2 (contract # 86732), included development of a 30% design package; coordination among project proponents and key stakeholders (Chelan County Natural Resources Department (CCNRD), BPA, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board (UCSRB), and others); an assessment of access feasibility; bedrock profiling using seismic refraction to aid in the determination of siting and structural stability requirements needed for design work; and preparation of a draft recreation safety plan.

Phase 3, (contract # 89494) included development of a permit-ready (60%) design package; wetland delineation field work and reporting; cultural resources survey and reporting; preparation of JARPA and HPA permit applications; coordination with Washington DNR to achieve Aquatic Use Authorization (AUA - including preparation of Public Safety Checklist for Large Woody Debris Projects, a required component of the DNR AUA process). In addition, USFS initiated ESA and NEPA consultations, and we met with USFWS, NOAA Fisheries and WDFW staff to discuss potential for in-water work window extension.

Project Background:

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 and rearing and migration habitat for bull trout. As a result, the RTT identified the Upper Wenatchee Assessment Unit as the #2 priority sub-watershed for restoration actions in the Wenatchee basin prior to initiation of the Phase 1 contract for this project. In its updated prioritization, RTT has ranked the Upper Wenatchee as Tier 1 priority for both spring Chinook and steelhead and as Tier 2 priority for bull trout. Accordingly, focal species for this project are steelhead and spring Chinook.

A variety of actions are expected to be completed between approximately river miles 37.0 and 37.9 as a result of this project. These include installation of engineered log jams (ELJ) and pilot channel excavation to direct mainstem flows onto river left floodplain, and construction of  ELJs and placement of boulder clusters in the main channel and installation of large wood along an existing river left side channel to add in-stream structure.

This contract will contain subcontracts.