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Press Release Headlines
5/14/2001
BPA Will Fund Special Projects Designed to 'Jump Start' Fish Recovery
Bonneville Power Administration
PORTLAND, Ore., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bonneville Power
Administration
announced today that it will fund 11 "high priority" projects designed to
provide immediate aid to endangered salmon and steelhead in the
Columbia Basin. The cost is expected to be approximately $15 million.
In addition, four projects will require further clarification before a
final decision can be made to proceed. If these four "provisional" projects
are also implemented, the total cost for high priority projects would be
approximately $19 million.
Last November, BPA and the Northwest Power Planning Council jointly sent
out a solicitation calling for proposals that could "jump start" fish
recovery. The 15 projects, which are spread out across the Columbia Basin,
were selected from a total of 96 proposals.
High priority projects are those that can be implemented within the year
and begin providing immediate and measurable benefits to anadromous fish
(salmon and steelhead) that have been listed under the Endangered Species
Act
as threatened or endangered. All preliminary work such as planning,
obtaining
permits, compliance clearances and landowner agreements must be sufficiently
completed so that groundwork for the projects can begin by September 30,
2001.
BPA Acting Administrator Stephen Wright credited his predecessor,
Judi Johansen, as the driver behind using such projects to "jump start" a
long-term effort to recover ESA-listed species. "She had the foresight to
realize that we couldn't afford to wait until all the planning and pre-work
were done. In some cases, that can take two or three years. So we focused
on
projects that can hit the ground and run this year. It's especially
important
to act quickly this year because we are battling the effects of severe
drought," he said.
The projects address improving water quality and quantity, improving
fish
passage in tributaries, and enhancing or protecting fish habitat. (See
attached list of projects and locations.) Those projects that provide
multiple benefits and those that are part of a collaborative effort received
additional consideration. Some of the projects include cost sharing, and
special emphasis was given to projects where delay could jeopardize funding
from sources other than BPA. Only actions over and above what already have
been authorized or are required by other entities were considered.
"These projects will provide an on-the-ground balance to others that
involve more extensive planning and review. I believe they are unique
opportunities to do something right away," said Sarah McNary, BPA's fish and
wildlife director.
Each project received extensive scrutiny to ensure that it not only met
the high priority criteria, but that it also was consistent with the
existing
planning for ESA-listed salmon and steelhead. The Northwest Power Planning
Council included the high priority funding initiative in its recently
amended
fish and wildlife program. The Independent Science Review Panel, a group of
fishery scientists, and the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority,
which
represents fish and wildlife agencies and tribes, also reviewed the
projects.
The proposals also were available for public comment. Finally, the National
Marine Fisheries Service screened the proposals to ensure they are
consistent
with its "2000 Federal Columbia River Basin Power System Biological
Opinion."
High priority projects are a one-time funding commitment, but they do
not
foreclose other avenues for projects that did not make the selection.
Sponsors whose projects did not make it into the high-priority funding
category will have other opportunities to put their projects forward. In
some
cases, projects were not ready for on-the-ground implementation by this
fall,
and, in other cases, the projects did not meet the criteria for immediate
benefits. They can be resubmitted in the appropriate Northwest Power
Planning
Council's Provincial Review process. In addition, BPA currently has a
separate solicitation out calling for proposals that address the impacts of
emergency hydro operations on endangered salmon and steelhead. Any project
that meets the criteria of that solicitation is eligible for consideration.
High Priority Projects and Locations
For further information on each project, go to
http://www.efw.bpa.gov/cgi-bin/FW/welcome.cgi or contact the BPA information
center in Portland 503-230-7334 or outside Portland 800-622-4520.
Approved Projects
1. Evaluation of live capture selective harvest methods for Columbia
River
commercial fisheries. Lower Mid-Columbia Subbasin.
2. Protection of Bear Valley wild salmon, steelhead and bull trout
spawning and rearing habitat. Salmon Subbasin.
3. Ames Creek restoration. Willamette Subbasin.
4. Arrowleaf/Methow River conservation project. Methow Subbasin.
5. Installation of fish screens to protect steelhead and bull trout.
Walla Walla Subbasin.
6. Gourley Creek Dam fish ladder. Willamette Subbasin.
7. Acquisition of Wagner Ranch. John Day Subbasin.
8. Acquisition of Forrest Ranch. John Day Subbasin.
9. Farmers Irrigation District mainstem fish screen project. Hood River
Subbasin.
10. Acquisition of Camp Creek Ranch at Zumwalt Prairie. Imnaha Subbasin.
11. Conservation easement, Baker Ranch, Salmon River East Fork. Salmon
Subbasin.
Provisionally Approved Projects
1. Restoration of anadromous fish access to Hawley Creek. Salmon
Subbasin.
2. Reconnection of Little Morgan Creek to the Mainstem Pahsimeroi River.
Salmon Subbasin.
3. Increase in-stream flows to dewatered stream reaches. Walla Walla
Subbasin.
4. Acquisition of Tucannon River water rights. Tucannon Subbasin.
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