This contract is for Phase 5 of the Upper Wenatchee Floodplain Reconnection Project.

During Phase 5 the construction contracting process will be completed and the project will be implemented. We will continue to respond to inquiries regarding the construction bid packages released during Phase 4, and will select and contract with contractors to complete ground-based and helicopter-based construction tasks. We will also renew our contract with the design engineering firm (Natural Systems Design - NSD) that has been part of this project since the beginning, and expect to contract with a landscaping firm for assistance with post-construction planting tasks.

We will work with these contractors to prepare for 2024 construction (approximately July through October). Upon contract execution and notice to proceed, the construction contractors will begin preparations needed to complete the project including, but not limited to, obtaining materials and supplies and preparing construction submittals (e.g., Dewatering and Isolation Plan, Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, Temporary Bridge Drawings, etc.). During construction, they will mobilize to the site and complete tasks necessary to implement the project. NSD will assist with review and approval of contractor submittals, and will provide construction oversite during project implementation. A landscaping firm be subcontracted to assist with tree and shrub planting needed to rehabilitate areas disturbed during project construction. In addition to the contracting mentioned above and other project administration, CCNRD will work with USFS to assure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. CCNRD will order supplies and materials and complete all actions needed to implement the recreational safety, fish use monitoring and water quality monitoring plans during project implementation and will provide construction management and oversite during project implementation. This scope also includes post-implementation environmental compliance and grant reporting.

CCNRD has received $600,058 in cost share funding from WA RCO and USFS to support this 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.

Phase 4 (contract # 91590), the design package was advanced to construction-ready, construction bid documents were prepared and disseminated to prospective construction contractors, and a pre-bid meeting was held. In addition, CCNRD continued working with USFS staff to complete necessary regulatory consultations (including ESA, NEPA, tribal consultations, etc.), and work needed to secure necessary permits was continued. We also applied for and received cost-share funding through the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB). SRFB funds are administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office, and more details regarding the cost share agreement are provided elsewhere in this Contract. USFS has previously agreed to provide an additional $100,000 in funding towards implementation, and has agreed to allow some tree harvest to provide materials for project use.

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.