Overview of Planning and Prioritization Framework

Restoration work implemented by the Columbia Conservation District in this contract is consistent with habitat protection, enhancement, and recovery strategies to support FCRPS BiOp habitat goals, the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan, the Tucannon Subbasin Plan, and the Walla Walla Subbasin Plan -- including support for identified ESA-listed and culturally significant species in the Tucannon/Walla Walla Subbasins. These species include spring and fall Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout during their respective key life stages.  

The 2021 Tucannon River Plan update parallels the Touchet River Conceptual Restoration Plan document to ensure consistency among existing salmon recovery planning efforts in the two watersheds, technical work group collaboration and review, and the involvement of co-managers and stake holders. The Tucannon and Touchet plans include rigorous data analyses and a technical approach to prioritize restoration actions for the watersheds.

Tucannon River Planning:  The Tucannon River basin approach is described in the 2021 Tucannon River Conceptual Restoration Plan (Update) (Tucannon River Habitat Restoration Design, Geomorphic Assessment (1/20/21), and Habitat Restoration Prioritization and Conceptual Restoration Plan (1/2021)). The restoration plan characterizes the geomorphic conditions of the Tucannon River basin through the lens of key parameters: channel and floodplain connectivity, channel complexity, excess transport capacity, in-channel (LWD) structure, and pool frequency. The 2021 plan is attached to this project in CBFish under contract 84826.

Individual reach-scale Project Areas (PA) have been identified and prioritized for the Tucannon River basin through the geomorphic assessments and conceptual restoration plans for the watershed. Project proposals are reviewed by the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board (SRSRB) Regional Technical Team (RTT), Tucannon Coordinating Committee (TCC) and Tucannon Implementers Workgroup (TIW), and placed on the SRSRB 3-year habitat work schedule.  Project areas are assessed under the following elements: channel characterization, floodplain characteristics, conceptual project actions, geomorphic implications, biological benefits, and potential challenges. Projects are then evaluated and placed in implementation tiers based on four criteria: expected biological response, consistency with natural processes, benefit-to-cost, and reach priority (Anchor (Nov 2012), pages 29-44).

The restoration strategies and recommendations for each delineated reach are based on habitat limiting factors identified in the Tucannon Subbasin Plan (CCD 2004), Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan (SRSRB 2006, 2010), and the completed Tucannon Conceptual Restoration Plan Update (2021), including salmonid life history and site-specific physical, hydrologic, and geomorphic conditions. The selection criteria that are used to prioritize projects for implementation address the limiting factors outlined for the Tucannon River in the Biological Opinion (Bi-Op) for the FCRPS.

Touchet River Planning:  Foundational documents for the Update follow the outline of the earlier restoration planning approach in the Tucannon. A similar plan or strategy for the Upper Touchet Basin, the Habitat Restoration Geomorphic Assessment and Restoration Prioritization (HRGARP), has been developed with cost-share from Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO contract #17-1301). The project mimics the general concepts developed in the Tucannon River Habitat Restoration Prioritization and Conceptual Restoration Plan (Update) by utilizing content from the Geomorphic assessment. Project areas are conceptualized and prioritized to “inform and support efforts to improve habitat conditions for focal aquatic species, promote a thriving fluvial ecosystem, and restore geomorphic processes within the Upper Touchet basin” (Touchet Basin HRGARP, 2020).

Due to the extent of data available for the Touchet River, there are some differences in how the project areas were prioritized compared to the Tucannon River. Instead of the 4 key components utilized in the Tucannon plan (floodplain connectivity, river complexity, excess transport capacity, and pool frequency), the Touchet River HRGARP uses 3 key components, excluding pool frequency. There are 9 designated reaches within the plan, and 61 designated project areas; these project areas are prioritized into a 3-tier system by applying essential metrics developed and recognized through results of data-driven conclusions by the geomorphic assessment. The report includes 4 distinct parts: an executive summary, an assessment and prioritization report, the technical and supporting appendices, and a Webmap and GIS data package. The project is projected to deliver referenceable data for ~50+ years. “The size of the river and nature of recreation [use] allows for large scale, 'make a difference' restoration treatments that can move the needle on steelhead and salmon production” (Touchet Basin HRGARP, 2020).
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Columbia Conservation District Work in Project Area 26

Project Area 26 Phases I & II

Project Area 26 Phase II was implemented in 2021 and targeted the upriver most 0.8 river mile of the 2.9 mile long PA26. Large wood was placed in-channel at locations and in orientations to increase floodplain connectivity in areas where previous levee removals and modifications were implemented in 2011 as part of Phase I (see contract #50146). The primary goals were to restore, to the nearest possible extent, a healthy naturally-functioning river channel and re-engaged floodplain. These goals were set within the landscape context of adjoining active agricultural production fields and infrastructure supporting those activities.
Phase II Objectives were to: place up to 37 instream LWD structures to increase channel complexity and increase floodplain connectivity; place 15 floodplain roughness LWD structures to increase floodplain complexity and aid in the recruitment of fine sediments; and increase flood frequency and duration to about 14 acres of floodplain.

Project Area 26 Phases III/IV in the current FY23 contract:

Phase III-IV design was initiated in the previous contract (#89883) for the project reach (RM 24.4 – 26.1), and identified two phases that could be implemented in one or two years, based on available funding and permitting timelines. This project has an estimated total cost of >$1.5 million. The CCD has secured a WA SRFB grant of $545,500 (22-1015) for part of Phase III, leaving a >$400k short fall. Due to partial funding and unknown inflationary costs in materials and labor since 2022, restoration actions not covered in FY23 will be prioritized in FY24 (Phase IV). Restoration actions identified in the Basis of Design Report will be planned based on construction sequencing needs, and the need to adjust for costs.

Phase III/IV is a 1.7-mile reach of private land with an opportunity to improve floodplain connectivity to ~57 acres through a combination of side channel pilot cuts and LWD placement, levee setback, gravel berm leveling, and channel construction. Historic side channel and flow paths exist within the available floodplain and will be utilized in the design. Pilot cuts will be placed in combination with 56 LWD structures to reconnect 1.5 miles of perennial side channel habitat currently disconnected. Work is planned for implementation beginning in 2023 with a potential follow up work window in 2024.

Phase III Objectives:

• Place 72 LWD structures in channel over ~6,400’ of river channel.
• Place 16 LWD structures on the floodplain
• Cut ~450’ of side channel pilots to connect 7,900’ of side channels and >60 acres of low floodplain
• Levee modification (remove set back 1,600’) to reconnect 3.7 ac of floodplain
• Remove 800’ of gravel berms to reconnect/create side 2,600’ additional side channels and 3.4 additional floodplain acres.
• Modification to existing irrigation system to accommodate floodplain reconnection.

Project design will require maintaining the landowner’s farm road access across the river (via railcar bridge for main channel as well as hardened fords for side channel flow paths) to cattle pasture near the upper end of the project area.

Anticipated work in future phases may include the placement of log jams within the active river channel and on the floodplain, and the removal or modification of river-confining features. It may also include improvements to stream crossings, removal of additional floodplain-confining features, reconnecting disconnected channels, the placement of additional log jams, planting riparian trees, and treating invasive or nonnative plant species.

Adaptive management evaluations for this project reach will target maintaining the project restoration goals of improving channel complexity and floodplain connectivity. Observations of improperly functioning or unintended geomorphic outcomes made during site visits by the CCD will be reviewed by the CCD and the Tucannon Habitat Programmatic staff (2010-077-00). Based on the site- specific outcomes, management actions would be designed and implemented to realign conditions to the project goals.

Monitoring in the Tucannon Watershed is conducted through the Rapid Habitat Survey approach, implemented by Snake River Salmon Recovery Board staff with support from CTUIR, NPT, WDFW and CCD staff.  This protocol has proven to show habitat component changes in a pre/post site comparison. A pre-construction Rapid Habitat survey was completed on PA-26 and data were utilized in developing the restoration plan. A post-construction survey is also planned for comparison of changes in habitat condition.

Touchet Plan (MS-15/14/13): Design Specifications & Engineering: Salmonid Habitat Complexity Improvement Projects (MS-15/14/13)

The habitat restoration actions proposed at MS-15/14/13 are comprised of high priority restoration actions identified in the Restoration Plan and implementation framework for the Touchet River (Anchor 2020). Initiated in the prior contract, the design emphases continue to be reconnection of the floodplain throughout this reach. The design will be completed to the 60-80% design stage by April 2024. Implementation is planned for 2025-2026.

Tucannon (PA-34.1/34.2) - Final Designs: Channel Complexity, Floodplain Connection, and Habitat Function

Advance the planning and design development for the project at PA-34.1 and PA-34.2 to the final (100%) stage. This project has been selected from those identified in the Restoration Prioritization and Implementation Framework for the Tucannon Watershed. Implementation is planned for 2024.