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Project Summary

Project 1996-080-00 - Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Project Number:
1996-080-00
Title:
Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Summary:
The Precious Lands project was initiated in 1996 to provide partial mitigation for wildlife habitat losses sustained from construction and inundation of the four lower Snake River dams. This project includes 16,286 acres of high quality fish and wildlife habitat in the Lower Grande Ronde subbasin consisting primarily of canyon grasslands with intermixed shrub fields, Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine forests, and riparian areas. Precious lands includes parts of Bear, Cottonwood, Basin, Rock, Broady, Tamarack, Joseph, Rush, and Buford Creeks which provide habitat for listed Snake River Steelhead and resident trout. It lies approximately 40 miles north of Enterprise, Oregon adjacent to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Part of the project (1,242 acres) is located in Washington state south of Anatone.
Proposer:
None
Proponent Orgs:
Nez Perce Tribe (Tribe)
Starting FY:
1996
Ending FY:
2024
BPA PM:
Stage:
Implementation - Project Status Report
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Blue Mountain Grande Ronde 100.00%
Purpose:
Habitat
Emphasis:
Restoration/Protection
Focal Species:
Bass, Largemouth
Bass, Smallmouth
Carp, Common
Catfish
Crappie, Black
Crappie, White
Cutthroat Trout, Westslope
Freshwater Mussels
Kokanee
Lamprey, Western Brook
Other Anadromous
Other Resident
Perch, Yellow
Pike, Northern
Pikeminnow, Northern
Steelhead - Snake River DPS
Sturgeon, White - All Populations except Kootenai R. DPS
Trout, Brook
Trout, Bull
Trout, Interior Redband
Trout, Lake
Whitefish, Mountain
Wildlife
Species Benefit:
Anadromous: 0.0%   Resident: 0.0%   Wildlife: 100.0%
Special:
None
BiOp Association:
None

Description: Page: 11 Figure 1: Cindy Sloane taking elevation readings prior to removal of an old culvert on Tamarack Creek.

Project(s): 1996-080-00

Document: P120087

Dimensions: 713 x 535

Description: Page: 12 Figure 2: Louie Scharnhorst uses the project tractor to remove the old culvert along Tamarack Creek.

Project(s): 1996-080-00

Document: P120087

Dimensions: 969 x 727

Description: Page: 13 Figure 3: Tamarack Creek before restoration.

Project(s): 1996-080-00

Document: P120087

Dimensions: 724 x 1086

Description: Page: 13 Figure 4: Tamarack Creek after restoration.

Project(s): 1996-080-00

Document: P120087

Dimensions: 724 x 1086

Description: Page: 2 Figure 1: Project botanist Blair McClarin gives perspective to the vigor of Great Basin Wild Rye plants planted near Basin Creek.

Project(s): 1996-080-00

Document: P125263

Dimensions: 1116 x 837


Summary of Budgets

To view all expenditures for all fiscal years, click "Project Exp. by FY"

To see more detailed project budget information, please visit the "Project Budget" page

Decided Budget Transfers  (FY2024 - FY2026)

Acct FY Acct Type Amount Fund Budget Decision Date
FY2024 Expense $500,000 From: General FY24 SOY Upload #2 06/08/2023

Pending Budget Decision?  No


Actual Project Cost Share

Current Fiscal Year — 2025
Cost Share Partner Total Proposed Contribution Total Confirmed Contribution
There are no project cost share contributions to show.
Previous Fiscal Years
Fiscal Year Total Contributions % of Budget
2024 (Draft)
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016 $0 0%
2015
2014
2013 $3,000 1%
2012 $2,500 1%
2011
2010
2009 $22,289 5%
2008 $37,701 8%
2007 $30,000 7%

Contracts

The table below contains contracts with the following statuses: Active, Closed, Complete, History, Issued.
* "Total Contracted Amount" column includes contracted amount from both capital and expense components of the contract.
Expense Contracts:
Number Contractor Name Title Status Total Contracted Amount Dates
BPA-011390 Bonneville Power Administration FY97 Land Acquisition Active $2,660,674 10/1/1996 - 9/30/1997
BPA-011391 Bonneville Power Administration FY98 Land Acquisition Active $402,453 10/1/1997 - 9/30/1998
BPA-011392 Bonneville Power Administration FY99 Land Acquisition Active $628,254 10/1/1998 - 9/30/1999
BPA-011393 Bonneville Power Administration FY01 Land Acquisition Active $590,741 10/1/2000 - 9/30/2001
4024 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-80-00 NE OREGON WILDLIFE PROJECT Closed $1,368,860 3/20/2001 - 12/31/2004
BPA-011394 Bonneville Power Administration FY05 Land Acquisition Active $278,865 10/1/2004 - 9/30/2005
21255 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996 080 00 NE OREGON WILDLIFE PROJECT Closed $416,577 1/1/2005 - 1/31/2006
26212 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996 080 00 NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION Closed $423,599 2/1/2006 - 1/31/2007
31129 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996 080 00 N E OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION Closed $413,666 2/1/2007 - 1/31/2008
36473 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 199608000 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION Closed $415,370 2/1/2008 - 1/31/2009
40858 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 199608000 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION Closed $373,447 2/1/2009 - 1/31/2010
45893 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 199608000 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2010 Closed $423,084 2/1/2010 - 1/31/2011
51361 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2011 Closed $428,250 2/1/2011 - 1/31/2012
55987 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2012 Closed $436,150 2/1/2012 - 1/31/2013
59955 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2013 Closed $418,469 2/1/2013 - 1/31/2014
63525 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2014 Closed $431,024 2/1/2014 - 1/31/2015
67792 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2015 Closed $423,540 2/1/2015 - 1/31/2016
71240 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2016 Closed $443,595 2/1/2016 - 1/31/2017
74744 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2017 Closed $447,123 2/1/2017 - 1/31/2018
74017 REL 19 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2018 Closed $458,686 2/1/2018 - 1/31/2019
74017 REL 39 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2019 Closed $458,686 2/1/2019 - 1/31/2020
74017 REL 57 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2020 Closed $410,572 2/1/2020 - 1/31/2021
74017 REL 79 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2021 Closed $458,686 2/1/2021 - 1/31/2022
74017 REL 96 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2022 Closed $416,268 2/1/2022 - 1/31/2023
84044 REL 14 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2023 Issued $458,686 2/1/2023 - 1/31/2024
84044 REL 36 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2024 Issued $500,000 2/1/2024 - 1/31/2025
CR-374956 SOW Nez Perce Tribe 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2025 Pending $500,000 2/1/2025 - 1/31/2026



Annual Progress Reports
Expected (since FY2004):20
Completed:18
On time:17
Status Reports
Completed:82
On time:26
Avg Days Late:36

                Count of Contract Deliverables
Earliest Contract Subsequent Contracts Title Contractor Earliest Start Latest End Latest Status Accepted Reports Complete Green Yellow Red Total % Green and Complete Canceled
BPA-11390 FY97 Land Acquisition Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/1996 09/30/1997 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-11391 FY98 Land Acquisition Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/1997 09/30/1998 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-11392 FY99 Land Acquisition Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/1998 09/30/1999 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
BPA-11393 FY01 Land Acquisition Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2000 09/30/2001 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4024 21255, 26212, 31129, 36473, 40858, 45893, 51361, 55987, 59955, 63525, 67792, 71240, 74744, 74017 REL 19, 74017 REL 39, 74017 REL 57, 74017 REL 79, 74017 REL 96, 84044 REL 14, 84044 REL 36, CR-374956 1996-080-00 EXP NE OREGON WILDLIFE MITIGATION 2025 Nez Perce Tribe 03/20/2001 01/31/2026 Pending 82 321 29 2 18 370 94.59% 11
BPA-11394 FY05 Land Acquisition Bonneville Power Administration 10/01/2004 09/30/2005 Active 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Project Totals 82 321 29 2 18 370 94.59% 11


The table content is updated frequently and thus contains more recent information than what was in the original proposal reviewed by ISRP and Council.

Review: 2017 Wildlife Category Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-NPCC-20210312
Project: 1996-080-00 - Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Review: 2017 Wildlife Category Review
Approved Date: 10/13/2017
Recommendation: Implement
Comments: Recommendation: No issues. Implement as proposed.

[Background: See https://www.nwcouncil.org/fish-and-wildlife/project-reviews-and-recommendations/2017-wildlife-project-review]

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-ISRP-20201105
Project: 1996-080-00 - Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Review: 2017 Wildlife Category Review
Completed Date: 11/5/2020
Final Round ISRP Date: 6/28/2017
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:

1. Objectives and outcomes

The proponents state that the work is important as partial mitigation for wildlife losses attributed to construction of dams on the Lower Snake River. The Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) from USFWS with Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models for target species was used to estimate available Habitat Units (HUs) on acquired mitigation property and to provide quantitative measure of mitigation credits to the project. It was estimated that 21,166 HUs are being provided by the 16,286 acres of property acquired. A proposed expansion of approximately 2,200 acres with an estimated 2,850 HUs would complete the project acquisitions. The HEP and HUs are not being used to monitor habitat or wildlife following acquisition.

Objectives include some elements of quantification. The first four objectives are stated as “protect,” “enhance,” restore,” or “improve” specified habitat types. Anticipated outcomes are not stated specifically and are best viewed as project goals. However, descriptions of desired future conditions (DFCs) for each of the five general habitat types are provided in the Updated Precious Lands Wildlife Area Management Plan (March 2017). For each habitat type, 3-5 quantitative, vegetation- or physical-habitat-based objectives for DFCs are clearly stated. Six primary monitoring protocols are used to help answer the question: "Is the project meeting or trending toward the community attributes described in the management plan?" The use of clearly defined DFCs is a reasonable approach to identifying quantitative objectives and providing a basis for assessing anticipated outcomes. All six objectives have a stated timeline of 10 years. The DFCs create the structure for annual work plans and allow tracking of progress toward DFCs. The combination of objectives with timelines, DFCs associated with each objective, and monitoring protocols to assess DFCs provides a sound basis for assessing project outcomes. This approach provides a very good example for other mitigation projects that are part of the wildlife mitigation program. This project meshes well with the mitigation efforts of the Council’s Fish and Wildlife Program. 

2. Scientific principles and methods 

It appears that sound scientific principles are in use. The Summary Report provides a comprehensive overview of the project’s activities and accomplishments. A clearly defined array of management activities are described in both the Summary Report and the 2017 management plan. The activities appear to be reasonable and involve standard management actions (e.g. replanting trees, fencing, chemical and biological weed control, etc.). Monitoring methods are documented and appear to be standard techniques (e.g., point counts, vegetation cover, etc.). Monitoring data are available for review and evaluation by resource managers, administrators, and the public through the Monitoring Resources website associated with the project. The ISRP commends the proponents for addressing climate change in their management plan. 

3. Monitoring and evaluation 

The proponents appear to have a well-structured monitoring and evaluation (M&E) program that is meeting management needs. They describe M&E protocols in the Summary Report, 2017 management plan, and links to Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership (PNAMP). The M&E program consists of (1) breeding bird surveys, (2) amphibian surveys, (3) habitat evaluations, (4) monitoring of three populations of Spalding’s catchfly, a threatened plant species, (5) assessments of abundance, percent cover, and frequency of occurrence of grassland plant species, and (6) the use of 15 photo points to track community composition and structure. Responses of animal populations to management activities are assessed primarily through breeding bird surveys. 

The monitoring program is being used to assess trends toward DFCs and responses of target bird species to management actions. They also use other sources of information such as data available from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for monitoring of large mammals and fish. However, they do not indicate specifically how these additional data are used to evaluate or to manage. 

The project has several permanent monitoring stations that will continue to be used over time. However, there does not appear to be provisions for sample site attrition (e.g., what will happen if a monitoring plot is destroyed by fire?). They also expressed a concern that their measurements at some of the permanent plots may be having a deleterious effect. The proponents need to plan for replacement (e.g., rotate out and rotate in) of monitoring stations.

The Summary Report provides the outcome of some analyses of monitoring data in the form of graphs of temporal trends of bird species in specific habitat types over 20 years of sampling, but no information is provided regarding sample sizes, variance around means, or how trend lines have been computed. These elements are standard in scientific papers and presentations, and should be included in future reports and presentations of monitoring data. Several graphs in the Summary Report present data from different bird and vegetation surveys. The graphs present summary data from individual surveys that are equidistance apart which may be misleading if the times between surveys are not equal. Many graphs are shown with trend lines, but there did not appear to be any formal analysis with estimates of trends and measures of uncertainty. Comparisons were made with controls based on the national Breeding Bird Count (BBC), but it was not clear which BBC controls were used (e.g. all of United States, just the Pacific Northwest). 

4. Results: benefits to fish and wildlife and adaptive management 

The project appears to be a good example of adaptive management; however, a formal adaptive management process is not described. A process for making decisions for changes in management activities and/or objectives (i.e., DFCs) needs to be defined and described in detail. 

The proponents have made a sound attempt to quantitatively describe the extent to which the project is meeting objectives (i.e., progress toward DFCs). The proponents address lessons learned and project changes by presenting informative lists of "Challenges" and "Opportunities" in the Summary Report. 

Evidence of adaptive management is found in the Summary Report and 2017 management plan. Examples include: (1) modification of DFCs between 2003 and 2017, (2) modification of work schedules to alleviate issues with high air temperatures, and (3) and refinement of how native plant species should be re-introduced in areas that were previously used for agriculture. However, there is no mention in the Summary Report of use of monitoring data to address biological outcomes of management activities. For example, trends in target bird species are provided, but relationships between the trends in target bird species and changes in habitat, and possible changes in management actions are not discussed. 

Rigorous statistical analyses of monitoring data have not occurred (see comment above). The proponents only provide summaries of temporal trends in habitats facilitating assessment of DFCs for grassland, shrub, conifer forest, and riparian area with assessments of progress toward DFCs. There appears to be an abundance of additional data to be analyzed. The project’s monitoring efforts have indicated that “shrub, forest, and riparian communities are progressing toward more stable, later successional stages as evidenced by higher shrub cover, increased tree canopy cover, and stable or positive breeding bird response to…increased habitat complexity.” A different pattern was observed in the grassland habitat where a decline in native bunchgrasses was noted. Uncertainty about the cause of the decline was expressed. The proponents suggest that repeated sampling in two grassland plots over a 15-year period may have disturbed the habitat enough to allow invasive annual grass species to take hold. An alternative sampling procedure will be needed to see how pervasive the observed decline in native grasses may be throughout the project’s grassland habitat areas. 

The proponents have discovered that restoration of old agricultural fields is more complex than previously anticipated, but there does not appear to be a modification to management activities to account for this (e.g., rock and boulders needed in fields). They hypothesize that boulders and stones removed from these locations provided important structural aspects for small mammals and insects that should be replaced. The effects of reintroducing stones to such areas should be evaluated. The formation of a more diverse animal community on these lands may help control noxious weeds as some of these species may be seed-eating specialists. This appears to be an opportunity for active adaptive management. 

The Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) have developed a Mitigation Monitoring and Evaluation Program (UWMEP). Can data from the Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project monitoring program, particularly vegetation data, be included in the UWMEP database to provide more regional coverage? Do the sampling methods provide data that are comparable?

Documentation Links:
Review: Wildlife Category Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-NPCC-20091217
Project: 1996-080-00 - Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Review: Wildlife Category Review
Approved Date: 5/31/2009
Recommendation: Fund
Comments: Programmatic issue #1 (pre-acquisition and instream habitat activities); #2-3, # 7, #10.
Conditions:
Council Condition #1 Programmatic Issue: Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) - interaction between wildlife crediting and monitoring
Council Condition #2 Programmatic Issue: Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) participation funding
Council Condition #3 Programmatic Issue: Management Plans - Multiple uses of wildlife conservation lands
Council Condition #4 Programmatic Issue: Regional Coordination funding

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-ISRP-20090618
Project: 1996-080-00 - Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Review: Wildlife Category Review
Completed Date: 5/19/2009
Final Round ISRP Date: None
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:
The project is well described, well documented, and in good hands. It should proceed as planned.

The Precious Lands project provides critical habitat and corridor linkages for fish and wildlife populations in the Joseph Creek drainage. The area is steep, remote, and rugged with 18-22 inches rainfall annually. Cheatgrass is diminishing and native bunch grasses are increasing. Lack of fire has increased the shrub component. Their M&E plan, and status and trend monitoring, is guiding the sponsors through the proposed vegetation changes on the landscape. Sponsors are also monitoring cryptogrammic crust and have data. Agricultural land conversions have shown increases in cryptogrammic crust, indicative of increasing ecological integrity.

The areas’ remoteness could affect whether sponsors can accomplish many restoration tasks. Breeding bird biodiversity is very high on the property. One project task is the addition of nest boxes to provide nesting locations for cavity nesting birds due to a lack of large standing snags. Would it be possible for sponsors to girdle large Douglas fir trees to establish snags over time and diminish the use of nest boxes?

To enhance steelhead spawning and rearing habitat, particularly for juvenile steelhead, sponsors are considering the addition of large woody debris (LWD) to Joseph Creek. Joseph Creek has almost no holding pools or deeper runs due in large part to a lack of LWD. The sponsors are aware of the difficulty of seeding streams like Joseph Creek with LWD and retaining it due to flood events. However, they own 9 miles of the stream so have some capacity to absorb logs that may be moved during flood events. They have no timber cutting plans (BPA agreement). The sponsors need to work with fish managers for steelhead monitoring on their project.

1. Technical Justification, Program Significance and Consistency, and Project Relationships
This section is reasonable and well done.

2. Project History and Results
Project history and results are well described. Actions are justified and preliminary data (including tables and figures with results) are promising on some actions. Other actions have not been as fruitful, but have lead to adaptive learning and altered future plans.

3. Objectives, Work Elements, and Objectives
Project objectives, work elements, and methods are detailed and appropriate to the site, and project goals. The site is remote, arid, and very difficult to work in (steep arid canyons, with difficult winter weather and significant hazards in the summer [fire, falls in rocky steep terrain]). This limits what can be done annually, particularly in the canyon and riparian section. Upland work around the old ranch site and preliminary results are very promising for increasing native vegetation and bird diversity.

4. M&E
The sponsors articulate a plan for monitoring and evaluation. It appears that quality data are being collected on the various bird and vegetation projects conducted on the Precious Lands property. Staff appears competent and well-informed.
First Round ISRP Date: 3/26/2009
First Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
First Round ISRP Comment:

The project is well described, well documented, and in good hands. It should proceed as planned. The Precious Lands project provides critical habitat and corridor linkages for fish and wildlife populations in the Joseph Creek drainage. The area is steep, remote, and rugged with 18-22 inches rainfall annually. Cheatgrass is diminishing and native bunch grasses are increasing. Lack of fire has increased the shrub component. Their M&E plan, and status and trend monitoring, is guiding the sponsors through the proposed vegetation changes on the landscape. Sponsors are also monitoring cryptogrammic crust and have data. Agricultural land conversions have shown increases in cryptogamic crust, indicative of increasing ecological integrity. The areas’ remoteness could affect whether sponsors can accomplish many restoration tasks. Breeding bird biodiversity is very high on the property. One project task is the addition of nest boxes to provide nesting locations for cavity nesting birds due to a lack of large standing snags. Would it be possible for sponsors to girdle large Douglas Fir trees to establish snags over time and diminish the use of nest boxes? To enhance steelhead spawning and rearing habitat, particularly for juvenile steelhead, sponsors are considering the addition of large woody debris (LWD) to Joseph Creek. Joseph Creek has almost no holding pools or deeper runs due in large part to a lack of LWD. The sponsors are aware of the difficulty of seeding streams like Joseph Creek with LWD and retaining it due to flood events. However, they own 9 miles of the stream so have some capacity to absorb logs that may be moved during flood events. They have no timber cutting plans (BPA agreement). The sponsors need to work with fish managers for steelhead monitoring on their project. 1. Technical Justification, Program Significance and Consistency, and Project Relationships This section is reasonable and well done. 2. Project History and Results Project history and results are well described. Actions are justified and preliminary data (including tables and figures with results) are promising on some actions. Other actions have not been as fruitful, but have lead to adaptive learning and altered future plans. 3. Objectives, Work Elements, and Objectives Project objectives, work elements, and methods are detailed and appropriate to the site, and project goals. The site is remote, arid, and very difficult to work in (steep arid canyons, with difficult winter weather and significant hazards in the summer [fire, falls in rocky steep terrain]). This limits what can be done annually, particularly in the canyon and riparian section. Upland work around the old ranch site and preliminary results are very promising for increasing native vegetation and bird diversity. 4. M&E The sponsors articulate a plan for monitoring and evaluation. It appears that quality data are being collected on the various bird and vegetation projects conducted on the Precious Lands property. Staff appears competent and well-informed.

Documentation Links:
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review

Council Recommendation

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-NPCC-20090924
Project: 1996-080-00 - Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Approved Date: 10/23/2006
Recommendation: Fund
Comments: Reduced budget reflects the removal of the large woody debris placement task and reducing the budget slightly below the FY2006 budget - then flatlining the 2008 and 09. Interim funding pending wildlife o&m review.

Independent Scientific Review Panel Assessment

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-ISRP-20060831
Project: 1996-080-00 - Northeast Oregon Wildlife Project
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 8/31/2006
Final Round ISRP Date: None
Final Round ISRP Rating: Meets Scientific Review Criteria
Final Round ISRP Comment:
This proposal is for continuing management of a large tract of land acquired for wildlife mitigation and also supplies benefits to fish. The project history is adequate, but focused on mitigation, not the goals of management, though much active management is included, and monitoring efforts are not presented clearly in the proposal itself. The ISRP in the past has expressed concern that proposals to support this project did not adequately present biological goals, objectives, and M&E. It appears that progress has been made, e.g., specific channel habitat objectives, objectives for riparian conditions (including some data), bird counts underway (though no bird count data were presented), etc.

However, the proposal repeatedly references a Management Plan that is available on the web (a long document of 129 pages that is labeled as a 2002 draft plan). The proposal itself still lacks incorporation of important details that can only be found by searching the online draft Management Plan. For instance, the list of target species in the proposal appears generic, not site specific. And, what are the goals for managing this landscape as important elk winter range? Methods for work elements are not described with enough detail. For instance, the size, number, and location of permanent plots that will be used to monitor vegetation (including weed control) should be stated, as should the key measurements that will be taken (are being taken?). Future proposals should directly summarize the technical and scientific background for managing this specific landscape and should state methods to be applied in adequate detail to facilitate scientific evaluation. Additionally, future proposals for continuation of this project must present results of M&E in order to justify the value of management expenses.
Documentation Links:

Legal Assessment (In-Lieu)

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-INLIEU-20090521
Project Number: 1996-080-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 10/6/2006
In Lieu Rating: No Problems Exist
Cost Share Rating: None
Comment: O&M and restoration activities on BPA-funded wildlife mitigation lands; assume requested funds consistent with terms of MOA.

Capital Assessment

Assessment Number: 1996-080-00-CAPITAL-20090618
Project Number: 1996-080-00
Review: FY07-09 Solicitation Review
Completed Date: 2/27/2007
Capital Rating: Does Not Qualify for Capital Funding
Capital Asset Category: None
Comment: None

Project Relationships: None

Name Role Organization
Tracy Hauser Project Manager Bonneville Power Administration
John Skidmore Supervisor Bonneville Power Administration
Jody Lando Interested Party Bonneville Power Administration
Jody Lando Project SME Bonneville Power Administration
Lindsey Arotin Env. Compliance Lead Bonneville Power Administration
Brandi Felts Project Lead Nez Perce Tribe