Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity 2018 SRFB Grant Round. Project Tour June 5 th 7 th

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1 Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity 2018 SRFB Grant Round Project Tour June 5 th 7 th Restoring Native Riparian on Pataha Creek Project Site Visit, May, 2017

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3 Table of Contents Tour Schedule SRSRB Lead Entity Score Card 6 Regional Priority Map 8 Summary Table of Habitat Factors and Objectives for Each MSA 9 Critical Habitat Uncertainties within the Snake River Salmon Recovery Region 11 SRSRB Draft Application Summaries 12 Walla Walla River Restoration Design at RM 35.5 ( ) 13 Russell Creek Fish Barrier ( ) 15 Cottonwood Creek PALS ( ) 17 Mill Creek Passage Design - 6th Ave. Extension ( ) 19 Bridge to Bridge Restoration - Phase 2b ( ) 21 Steptoe Creek Instream Habitat Rehabilitation ( ) 23 Beaver Mgmt. Reintro. & Habitat Enhancement ( ) 25 Tucannon River Habitat Restoration, PA-32 ( ) 27 NF Touchet Floodplain & Habitat Rest. RM 1-4, Ph.1 ( ) 29 Touchet River Water Diversion/Adult Fish Ladder ( ) 31 Buford Creek Barrier Fish Passage (Hwy 129) ( ) 33 Map with 2018 SRFB Project Locations 35 Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity Committee Membership 36 Draft application scoring summary from April 17 th Lead Entity Committee Meeting 37 3

4 Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity SRFB Review Panel Draft Application Project Tour Schedule for June 5, :30 am Meet at SRSRB Office in Dayton, 410B East Main St. Introductions and Overview John Foltz, SRSRB Staff SRFB Review Panel, SRSRB Staff, Project Sponsors, and Attendees 8:45 am Load up on bus and drive to first project site 9:40-10:25 am Walla Walla River Restoration Design at RM 35.5 ( ) Renee Hadley Walla Walla County Conservation District 10:45-11:3 am Russell Creek Fish Barrier ( ) Renee Hadley Walla Walla County Conservation District 11:40-12:30 pm Lunch Provided (Rooks Park) 12:45-1:30 pm Cottonwood Creek PALS ( ) Joanna Cowles-Cleveland Walla Walla County Conservation District 1:45-2:30 pm Mill Creek Passage Design - 6th Ave. Extension ( ) Aaron Mettler Tri-State Steelheaders 2:45-3:30 pm Bridge to Bridge Restoration - Phase 2b ( ) not on-site Aaron Mettler Tri-State Steelheaders 4:30 pm Return to Dayton 4

5 Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity SRFB Review Panel Draft Application Project Tour Schedule for June 6, :15 am Meet at SRSRB Office in Dayton, 410B East Main St. Introductions and Overview John Foltz, SRSRB Staff SRFB Review Panel, SRSRB Staff, Project Sponsors, and Attendees 8:20 am Load up on Bus 10:00-10:45 am Steptoe Creek Instream Habitat Rehabilitation ( ) Brad Johnson Palouse Conservation District 12:15 pm Lunch Provided (Last Resort) 1:30-2:15 pm Beaver Mgmt. Reintro. & Habitat Enhancement ( ) Duane Bartels Pomeroy Conservation District 3:00-3:45pm Tucannon River Habitat Restoration, PA-32 ( ) Terry Bruegman, Columbia Conservation District 4:15 pm Return to Dayton 5

6 Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity SRFB Review Panel Draft Application Project Tour Schedule for June 7, :15 am Meet at SRSRB Office in Dayton, 410B East Main St. Introductions and Overview John Foltz, SRSRB Staff SRFB Review Panel, SRSRB Staff, Project Sponsors, and Attendees 8:20 am Load up on Bus 8:30-9:15 am NF Touchet Floodplain & Habitat Rest. RM 1-4, Ph.1 ( ) Jerry Middel Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation 9:30-10:15 am Touchet River Water Diversion/Adult Fish Ladder ( ) Joe Bumgarner Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 10:30-11:15 am Buford Creek Barrier Fish Passage (Hwy 129) ( ) office presentation Katie Frenyea Nez Perce Tribe End of Project Tour 6

7 2018 SRSRB Lead Entity Score Card 7

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10 Summary Table of Habitat Factors and Objectives for Each MSA Priority Habitat Factor and Objective Mainstem Walla Walla River MSA Imminent Threats: Fish Screens, Fish Passage Barriers, Low/Dewatered Streams I. Temperature: < 4 day > 72ºF II. Large Woody Debris: > 1 key pieces per channel width III. Embeddedness: < 10% embeddedness IV. Riparian:> 40 to 90% of maximum V. Channel Confinement: reduce to 40% to 60% of stream length Mill Creek MSA Imminent Threats: Fish Passage Barriers (including gravel berms), Fish Screens, Low/Dewatered Streams I. Embeddedness: < 10% II. Temperature < 4 day > 72ºF III. Large Woody Debris: > 1 key piece per channel width IV. Riparian: > 40 to 90% of maximum Middle Touchet River MSA (mainstem from Coppei creek to Patit Creek) Imminent Threats: Fish Screens, Fords, Low Stream Flows, Gravel Berms I. Embeddedness: < 10% II. Temperature: < 4 days > 72ºF III. Large Woody Debris: > 1 key piece per channel width IV. Channel Confinement: <15 to 40% of stream bank length Upper Touchet River MSA (Patit Creek upstream to Touchet headwaters) Imminent Threats: Fish Passage Barriers, Fish Screens, Fords, Low Stream Flows, Gravel Berms I. Temperature: < 4 days > 72ºF II. Riparian: >62 to 82% of maximum III. Large Woody Debris: > 1 key piece per channel width IV. Channel Confinement: <10 to 40% of stream bank length Upper Tucannon River MSA (from Pataha Creek upstream to Tucannon headwaters) Imminent Threats: Fish Screens, Low Stream Flows I. Riparian: > 40 to 75% of maximum II. Large Woody Debris: >1 key piece per channel width III. Channel Confinement: < 25 to 50% of stream bank length IV. Temperature: < 4 days > 72ºF Lower Tucannon River msa (from Pataha Creek downstream to Tucannon mouth) Imminent Threats: Fish Passage Barriers, Screens, Low Stream Flows I. Temperature: < 4 days > 72ºF II. Embeddedness: < 20% III. Large Woody Debris: > 1 key piece per channel width IV. Riparian: >40 to 75% of maximum V Channel Confinement: < 25 to 50% of stream bank length Summary Table of Habitat Factors and Objectives for Each MSA (continued) Priority Habitat Factor and Objective 10

11 Priority Habitat Factor and Objective I. Riparian: > 80% of maximum II. Embeddedness: < 10% III. Temperature: < 4 day > 72ºF IV. Alpowa Creek MSA Imminent Threats: Fish screens, Low Stream Flows, Remove Obstructions Large Woody Debris: > 1 key piece per channel width Joseph Creek MSA Joseph Creek lies primarily in Oregon. Therefore, priority actions for the portion of Joseph Creek within Washington are to address imminent threats. Lower Grande Ronde MSA Objectives for the Lower Grande Ronde are currently being developed in consultation with ODFW. Wenaha River MSA The vast majority of the Wenaha River lies entirely within a wilderness area administered by the USFS. The proposed action for this river is to continue protective status. Asotin Creek MSA (mouth to headwaters including all tributaries except George Creek) Imminent Threats: Fish Passage Barriers, Fish Screens, Dewatered Streams I. Large Woody Debris: > 1 key piece per channel width II. Embeddedness: < 20% III. IV. Bed Scour: Reduce to < 10 cm Riparian: >75% to 90% of maximum I. Embeddedness: < 10% II. III. George Creek MSA (tributary of Asotin Creek) Imminent Threats: Dewatered Streams Large Woody Debris: > 1 key piece per channel width Riparian: >75% of maximum IV. Temperature: < 4 day > 72ºC Pataha Creek MSA (tributary of Tucannon River) Imminent Threats: Fish Passage Barriers, Fish Screens, Ford, Dewatered Streams I. Embeddedness: Protect existing condition II. III. IV. Temperature: Protect existing condition Riparian: Protect existing condition Large Woody Debris: Protect existing condition V. Channel Confinement: Protect existing condition 11

12 Critical Habitat Uncertainties within the Snake River Salmon Recovery Region Subbasin/Stream Asotin Creek Sub basin Tucannon River Sub basin Walla Walla River Sub basin Almota Creek (Lower Snake River Sub basin) Deadman Creek (Lower Snake River Sub basin) Grande Ronde Sub basin Critical Uncertainties Large woody debris, Embeddedness, Turbidity, Fines, Riparian function, Bed scour, Natural temperature regime, Natural base flow condition Anthropogenic stream confinement, Habitat type (pools), Riparian function, Harassment, Woody debris, Carcasses Turbidity, Obstructions, Riparian function, Anthropogenic stream confinement, Temperature Large woody debris, Riparian function, Embeddedness, Low flow, Anthropogenic stream confinement Turbidity, Large woody debris, Riparian function Sediment, Temperature, Flows, Key habitat quality and diversity 12

13 Draft Application Summaries Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity 2018 SRFB Grant Round Prepared by the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board Lead Entity Staff 13

14 Walla Walla River Restoration Design at RM 35.5 ( ) Sponsor: Renee Hadley Walla Walla County Conservation District Location: Walla Walla River MSA Priority Restoration Reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Design (planning) Request+Match: 42, ,500 $51,500 Species: Mid-Columbia Steelhead (DPS), Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS), Mid-Columbia River Chinook Description: The Walla Walla County Conservation District will use this grant to develop and provide engineered designs for an instream habitat restoration project on 0.56 miles of ideal Steelhead spawning and rearing habitat. The property is located on the Walla Walla River just upstream of Last Chance Road in WRIA 32 in Walla Walla County. The project is located within a major spawning area for ESA listed steelhead, bull trout and other species of concern. The design project will include construction ready plans to enhance instream habitat, re-establish side channels, and retain existing mature riparian vegetation. The project reach has recently exhibited significant lateral migration of the channel and disconnection of the floodplain resulting in concentrated erosion and loss of established riparian vegetation and cropland. There are currently 2 pump diversions on this stretch that require annual dredging to maintain river connection to the diversion. The design will incorporate large woody debris placement, side/overflow channel connection, setback levees in strategic locations and control structures to maintain water flow at diversion points. These design elements, once implemented, will reduce limiting factors for steelhead recovery and increase resiliency during flood events. Goals and Objectives: Upon implementation of the design, increase the quantity and quality of instream habitat for all species and create off channel rearing and over wintering habitat for Steelhead and Chinook Salmon. The objective of this project is to provide a set of construction-ready designs within 2 years of funding. Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. Is this project design close to the large irrigation diversion? 2. How much riparian area are landowners willing to provide to the river? Has a width for a setback been developed? Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 14

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16 Russell Creek Fish Barrier ( ) Sponsor: Renee Hadley Walla Walla County Conservation District Location: Part of Walla Walla River MSA 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration (Imminent Threat; RTT local scale determination) Request+Match: 34, ,038 $40,250 Species: Mid-Columbia Steelhead (DPS) Description: Past actions have impacted salmonid populations. A historic concrete structure on Russell Creek is one of those past actions that is a 3.5 foot passage barrier preventing salmonid migration. A barrier evaluation form is included as part of this application. Dead Oncorhynchus mykiss have been observed below the barrier. An archeologist has expressed concerns about if the concrete structure is old enough to be considered historic and if it may be removed or if the structure must remain in place. An in-depth cultural resources assessment and agency negations will be needed to determine if and how much of the concrete structure may be removed. This obstacle was considered when developing the proposed project. This design/construction application aims to place a series of log controls downstream of the barrier to backwater up to the barrier elevation. This would allow the concrete structure to remain in place and remove the elevation barrier. This streambed control would be designed in accordance with WDFW guidelines. Removal of the barrier would open up to 5 miles of stream corridor on Russell Creek. The barrier is located at a corner of 5 parcels. Four of the landowners have expressed interest in resolving this passage concern. Goals and Objectives: The goal is to eliminate juvenile mortality by the passage barrier as observed below the barrier by fish biologists. The objective is install a series of log weirs to create step pools up to the elevation of the fish barrier within 2 years of funding. Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. Will the cultural resource questions be resolved by July? 2. What is the height of the barrier, are their better pictures? 3. Do steelhead currently get past this barrier? 4. Is there temperature and flow data for Russel Creek? 5. How many land owners are in the project agreement? 6. What was the original purpose of the structure? 7. Who is responsible for maintenance of the structure? 8. Are the cultural issues going to be reviewed for this project by July? 9. Juveniles have been documented above this structure. Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 16

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18 Cottonwood Creek PALS ( ) Sponsor: Joanna Cowles Cleveland Walla Walla County Conservation District Location: Walla Walla River MSA Priority Protection Reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration Request+Match: 160, ,000 $242,050 Species: Mid-Columbia Steelhead (DPS) Description: Walla Walla County Conservation District proposes a restoration project to address limiting factors on a 2 mile stretch of Cottonwood Creek at Powerline Road, south of Walla Walla. This will be accomplished through the use of cost effective post assisted log structures (PALS) in combination with a few larger engineered wood structures and riparian plantings. Cottonwood Creek is a protection reach located within the Walla Walla River Major Spawning Area and supports ESA listed steelhead. In June 2017, the Department of Fish and Wildlife salvaged 196 juvenile salmonids during a fish screen installation. At least 15 of those fish were in the 2+ age class (Sean Taylor, personal communication). Limiting factors identified for the Walla Walla MSA include water temperature, low stream flow, habitat quality and quantity, channel confinement and stability. These conditions reduce spawning and rearing potential and limit natural vegetation recruitment. The proposed project will address water temperature, habitat quality and quantity, and channel stability by installing 80 PALS and 5-7 engineered bank structures. The engineered structures will be installed the first year along with a pilot project of PALS. The remainder of the PALS will be installed during the second year. Water temperature will also be addressed through riparian plantings. Approximately 5 acres will be planted through CREP and an additional 4-6 acres of willow and cottonwood will be planted along the banks and on bars along the project reach. Goals and Objectives: The goals of this project are to increase the amount of fully functioning riparian vegetation to provide shade and support habitat for Steelhead in Cottonwood Creek, increase habitat complexity for juvenile steelhead rearing in Cottonwood Creek, provide stabilization in key areas to limit excessive substrate movement and encourage riparian vegetation and habitat formation for juvenile and adult steelhead, and encourage recharge to regulate water temperature and promote cold-water inputs downstream into Yellowhawk Creek and the Walla Walla River. Specific project objectives include: Increase shade by 20% in the treated area over the next 10 years by establishing approximately 10 acres of riparian vegetation in and along the banks of Cottonwood Creek. Install 80 post-assisted log structures in locations where they will facilitate natural pool formation and habitat complexity while providing stabilization of gravel bars to assist riparian planting establishment. Construct five bank large woody debris structures and two engineered logjams to provide stability in key locations and encourage pool formation. Will also provide locations for any woody material lost from PALS to rack up. Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. How much of the river reach goes sub-surface and what duration. 2. Have pals been tried in this reach before. Will post drive into substrate? 3. What is the bank full width? 4. What are flow rate ranges? 5. How was this reach selected and prioritized? Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 18

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20 Mill Creek Passage Design-6th Ave Extension ( ) Sponsor: Aaron Mettler Tri-State Steelheaders Location: Mill Creek MSA Priority Restoration and Protection Reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Design Request+Match: 50, (design only, no match required) $50,000 Species: Mid-Columbia Steelhead (DPS), Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS), Mid-Columbia River Chinook Description: Flood control measures on Mill Creek include a concrete channel that extends over two miles through Walla Walla. The Mill Creek Barrier Assessment completed in 2009 identified and described barriers for ESA listed steelhead and bull trout, and for reintroduced spring chinook. Returning adults encounter flow dependent depth and velocity barriers, and a lack of resting opportunities. Juvenile fish encounter low spring flows, and high water temperatures in late spring. Often by mid-may adults and juveniles become trapped in the flood control channel where they experience lethal temperatures. Many of these passage issues are considered as imminent threats in the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan. Mill Creek, upstream of the flood control project, is a critical and under-utilized area for spawning and rearing of ESA listed species, and provides for an important recovery opportunity for those listed fish, as well as good habitat for other native fish and reintroduction efforts for spring chinook. This project will complete final designs for passage improvements for a 1,050-foot section of channel in the concrete flume located between 6th Ave and 3rd Ave. This project is near the downstream end of the concrete channel and is adjacent to the 9th Ave Extension project ( ) completed in Goals and Objectives: The goals of the project are to improve low flow passage for juvenile and adult steelhead, bull trout, and spring chinook, and improve thermal and habitat conditions. The objective of this project is to provide a set of construction-ready designs for the portion of Mill Creek flume between the 6th Avenue Bridge and 3rd Avenue Bridge. Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. How different are these designs from the previous ones that were used for implementation? 2. Can a description of the design need be described? 3. Have other design alternative been considered? Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 20

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22 Bridge to Bridge Restoration Phase 2B ( ) Sponsor: Aaron Mettler Tri-State Steelheaders Location: Walla Walla River MSA Priority Restoration Reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration Request+Match: 232, ,001 $273,337 Species: Mid-Columbia Steelhead (DPS), Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS), Mid-Columbia River Chinook Description: The Bridge to Bridge Restoration design completed in 2010 (RCO project # ) developed preliminary plans for nearly two miles of the Walla Walla River near Lowden, WA. Finals designs were completed through RCO project # , breaking up the reach into four construction phases. Phase 1 was completed in This proposal is for the remainder of the required funding to complete Phase 2 of the Bridge to Bridge project plus increased project costs associated with adding large wood to apex jam structures. Tri-State Steelheaders will address limiting factors by placing logs and log structures along 0.6 miles of the Walla Walla River to improve channel complexity, maintain pools, create off-channel areas, and encourage side channels. A terrace will be excavated to re-establish riparian vegetation on the eroding meander bank, with associated minor channel re-alignment. Riparian plantings will address limiting factors by increasing shade and improving riparian function. This section of the Walla Walla River is identified by the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan as a priority restoration reach in the Walla Walla River main stem major spawning area. Adult and juvenile summer steelhead and spring Chinook use this project reach during their migration and bull trout occur here seasonally. Other species of cultural value and state concern that utilize the project reach are Margined sculpin, Leopard dace, and River lamprey. Goals and Objectives: The goals of the project are to improve width/depth ratio in the project reach, improve pool and cover habitat in the project reach, increase instream complexity, improve riparian buffer width and function in the project reach, increase shading to reduce thermal loading, and create self-sustaining conditions to maintain improved habitats. Specific project objectives are to: Increase large wood in the project reach to at least one piece per stream width Increase pool and cover habitat by installing 30 large wood structures Improve floodplain function and wood recruitment with 5,000 new riparian plants Improve 2,800 feet of side channel and off-channel areas by installing 24 large wood structures Install 13 wood structures to increase floodplain inundation and hyporheic exchange Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. What is the total length of the project being restored? 2. How much wood is being placed instream? Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 22

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24 Steptoe Creek Instream Habitat Rehabilitation ( ) Sponsor: Lovina Englund Palouse Conservation District Location: Within the Asotin Creek Steelhead msa not designated as a priority reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration Request+Match: 41, ,308 $48,603 Species: Snake River Steelhead (DPS) Description: The Palouse Conservation District (PCD) will use this grant to implement instream restoration work in Steptoe Creek, located in Whitman County, WA. The CD will to increase fish habitat complexity by improving instream wood and pool habitat for juvenile and adult wild steelhead by installing approximately 76 Post Assisted Logs Structures (PALS) in a reach located upstream of a completed fish passage project. PALS are a cost-effective way to install instream structure without damaging the existing riparian habitat and leaving a small footprint. The project, located in a minor spawning area, will address an imminent threat as identified in the Salmon Recovery Plan for Southeast WA and the regional work plan. The completed restoration project will add spawning habitat value beyond what currently exists in the system while also increasing the impact of project dollars expended to remove the downstream passage barrier and thus, broaden the impact of recent and future efforts to restore steelhead to Steptoe Creek. Furthering the impact of project funds, PCD is currently in the process of assisting the landowner in enrolling the surrounding uplands into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) which will include planting herbaceous and woody native vegetation that will have both short- and long-term benefits to fish. A cultural resource inventory will be conducted that includes tentative in-stream habitat improvements (e.g. PALS). Goals and Objectives: The primary goal of this project is to increase available pool habitat and provide complex woody cover for summer steelhead populations in Steptoe Creek using a cost-effective and proven approach. The objective of this project is to construct approximately 76 woody habitat structures along approximately 2,500 linear feet of stream channel in the lower reach of Steptoe Creek, from the confluence to an upstream passage barrier at a road culvert. This restoration project will restore instream habitat complexity in a high-risk tributary, benefitting all life stages of summer steelhead by Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. What is the stream gradient? Stream gradient 4-5% through the proposed project reach 2. What peek flows and hydrograph information is available? No hydrograph information available. The peak flows are probably similar to Alpowa Creek ( peaking at cfs during highest discharge stage, with an annual mean around 5 cfs, and minimum around 0.5 cfs 3. What section of the stream go dry? The stream does not typically go dry to my knowledge. It is fed yearlong by subsurface flows. 4. Has the CREP contracts been considered as part of the match? Not currently included, but it will be. Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 24

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26 Beaver Mgmt. Reintroduction & Habitat Enhancement ( ) Sponsor: Duane Bartels Pomeroy Conservation District Location: Tucannon MSA non-priority reach; Pataha MSA priority protection reach; Asotin MSA priority protection reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration Request+Match: 55, ,000 $69,000 Species: Snake River Steelhead (DPS), Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS) Description: The Pomeroy Conservation District is sponsoring this restoration project that will use nuisance (i.e., causing damage to private property) to relocate into areas where beaver are not present, or are in low densities. The project will take place at 2-3 sites in Garfield County in areas identified to be suitable for beaver and have ESA listed steelhead and/or bull trout present. The goals of this project are to 1) develop a beaver management plan 2) relocate nuisance beaver to suitable areas with low risk to property or infrastructure, and 3) provide demonstration sites for nuisance beaver relocation within southeast Washington that can be used to promote this restoration methods across the region. The benefits to fish are 1) direct improvement of floodplain and riparian habitat, 2) increase in instream habitat diversity, 3) potential increase in groundwater storage which will benefit downstream reaches (e.g., higher or extended base flows), and increased thermal diversity (e.g., cool water refugia). The project will consist of four phases: Phase 1 develop a beaver management and relocation plan. Phase 2 build a series of beaver dam analogs (BDAs) at 1-2 sites that were identified in the beaver management plan as suitable sites. Phase 3 relocate nuisance beaver into sites with completed BDAs. Phase 4 maintain the BDAs (if necessary). Monitoring the relocation sites to determine the fate of the beavers will be conducted with other funding. Goals and Objectives: The goals of this project are to 1) develop a beaver management plan with the support of the Pomeroy Conservation District, WDFW, and USFS, 2) provide demonstration sites for beaver reintroduction within southeast Washington that can be used to promote this restoration methods across the region, and 3) to begin the process of building climate change resilience within the project watersheds by improving groundwater recharge and riparian areas in mid-upper portions of the watersheds that will likely have downstream benefits. This type of project is critical in southeast Washington as climate and hydrologic modeling strongly suggest stream flows will be impaired in the future and stream temperatures will likely increase. Specific objectives are: develop a beaver management plan select 3 suitable sites for beaver reintroduction build a minimum of 3-5 BDAs at each site and reintroduce a pair or family group of beaver Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. How does this interact with fish benefit? There is ample evidence that healthy beaver populations can improve habitat conditions for fish, and recent work in the John Day River, OR have provided strong evidence that juvenile production can increase in reaches with beaver dams compared to control streams (Bouwes et al. 2016). 2. What is the impact to spawning habitat? Are there issues with hunters and trappers? The overall extent and quantity of spawning habitat may decrease if beavers build numerous dams in formally planebed habitat; however, there is no evidence that the target streams are spawning habitat limited. Beaver dams are temporary and highly dynamic. Spawning gravels are constantly being formed and reformed in different areas due to dam building and failures; therefore, overall spawning conditions in treatment areas will likely improve in treated areas. We will be working with our partners (WDFW and USFS) to identify and address other potential issues including trapping actions or hunting that could impact beaver relocation success. 3. Make sure to coordinate with the existing federal and state agencies conducting this work regionally. Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 26

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28 Tucannon River Habitat Restoration, Project Area 32 ( ) Sponsor: Terry Bruegman Columbia Conservation District Location: Tucannon River MSA Priority Restoration and Protection Reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration Request+Match: 224, ,236 $360,993 Species: Snake River Steelhead (DPS), Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook (ESU) Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS) Description: The Columbia Conservation District will use this grant, leveraged with BPA funding to construct the planned habitat restoration actions (Conceptual Restoration Plan Reach 5, Anchor QEA October 2012), on Project Area 32 located between River Miles in the Tucannon River watershed, Columbia County. Restoration actions include construction of a Offset levee, modification and/or removal of existing levees (sugar/cobble dikes/levees) for enhanced floodplain connectivity (~26 acres),, LWD structures and single rootwad logs to enhance habitat complexity and diversity, and single rootwad logs for roughened floodplain conditions to reduce overland flow velocities addressing identified limiting factors (Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan (2011) with multiple life cycle benefits for ESA listed Spring Chinook, Snake River steelhead and Bull trout. Goals and Objectives: Project goals Improve floodplain connectivity and flood frequency to the point that riparian habitat quantity and quality can re-establish and be supported by natural process, modify simplified channel structure, caused by limited LWD Key Pieces (>6m long & 0.3cm Diam.) and channel confinement which leads to redd scour, reduced winter rearing habitat quality for chinook/steelhead leading to poor survival, and reduce pre smolt emigration from the project reach by minimizing channel confinement, flow flushing velocities and reconnecting side channel and floodplain habitats providing refuge areas. Specific objectives are: Construct ~32 LWD structures instream, sufficient to increase LWD Key pieces to 2 piece per bank width (Recovery Plan 2011) by Enhance floodplain connectivity to ~26 acres, re-connect side channels for enhanced flow refuga and install 18 LWD floodplain structures for roughness elements by 2021 Construct ~4,000 offset levee for floodplain benefits and protect landowner agricultural infrastructure allowing salmon habitat enhancements to occur by Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. Will the additional high flow channel put downstream property at greater risk? 2. What is the total length of the offset levee? 3. What will the height of the levee on the downstream side?. 4. Do the maps represent water elevation in a typical year? 5. What will be the extent of phase 2? 6. What is the long-term maintenance plan? 7. What is fish passage at falls? Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 28

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30 NF Touchet Restoration RM Phase 1 & 2 Stage 1 ( ) Sponsor: Jerry Middel CTUIR Location: Middle Touchet River MSA Priority Restoration and Protection Reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration $ Request+Match: 515, ,108,226 $1,624,126 Species: Mid-Columbia Steelhead (DPS), Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS), Mid-Columbia River Chinook Description: The CTUIR is joining the interests of local farmers, the City of Dayton, and Columbia County to restore floodplain connectivity and fish habitat along a three-mile stretch of the North Touchet River. Project implementation will take two-three years to complete and will be done in three phases. This application addresses work that is proposed to commence in 2019 (Phase 1, Phase 2, Stage 1). Project goals include decreasing stream energy, increasing floodplain connectivity, increasing sediment deposition, increasing salmonid rearing and spawning habitat, and saving water by increasing irrigation efficiency. To achieve these goals we propose to either remove or set back nearly one mile of levee and to use large wood and boulders to act as roughness to sort sediment, provide habitat cover and scour pools. Off main channel habitat will be constructed to allow the river to spread out. We are also proposing to increase water use efficiency by replacing an older wheel irrigation system with a center pivot and replacing two inefficient pumps located at two different points of diversion with a single, efficient pump placed at one diversion point. The North Touchet is rated a priority for restoration and protection (Walla Walla Subbasin Plan 2004). The North Touchet mid-columbia Steelhead population of natural spawners and surviving offspring is at high risk (Middle Columbia ESA Recovery Plan 2009), and the river is a major spawning area for steelhead and spring/summer Chinook salmon. Goals and Objectives: The goal is to implement an agreed upon by multiple landowners restoration design to restore the reach to functional system that has connected floodplain (to the extent possible) and improved instream habitat conditions. This would primarily effect juvenile summer steelhead, and restore natural stream processes over a 3 mile foot long project reach. This application deals specifically with the level of implementation of the 3 mile long project. Phase 1 will restore the North Touchet from RM (Breithaupt), and we also include Phase 2, Stage 1 RM 1.3 (Station 25+00, lower Warren) in the 2019 implementation plan. Specific objectives are: Reconnect over 50 acres of floodplain to the river along a 3 mile stretch from RM over a 3 year project period by removing and setting back levees. Create off-channel habitat for rearing. Create channel roughness and in-stream habitat with LWD and boulder arrays. Create a balance of sediment deposition and transport. This application focuses on Phase 1 and Phase 2 Stage 1 which we propose to implement in 2019 subject to funding. Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. Is the 1.6 m 4 request for phase 1 or the whole project? The budget and phase ½ stage 2 confused the group. 2. Is the funding by design funding in place or in process? 3. What is the approach in funding by design does not come through. 4. What are the total riparian acres being planted? 5. Will there be a test of wood plie driver before implementation or will there be an alternate? 6. Is there a temperature issue in the North Fork? Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 30

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32 Touchet River Water Diversion/Adult Fish Ladder ( ) Sponsor: Joe Bumgarner WDFW Location: Upper Touchet River MSA Priority Restoration and Protection Reaches 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration Request+Match: 51, ,000 $186,512 Species: Mid-Columbia Steelhead (DPS), Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS), Mid-Columbia River Chinook Description: The WDFW will use this grant to implement habitat structures in the Priority Restoration Reach and MSA of the Touchet River. The primary purpose of proposed structures are to maintain the directional flow of the Touchet River towards the Dayton Dam water intake (adult salmon fish ladder, collection of water for the WDFW acclimation pond and the city irrigation system). The property is located in Columbia County, adjacent to the eastside of the Touchet River in Dayton, just upstream of the Dayton Dam. The project will add habitat structures to the river for both adult and juvenile rearing of salmonids and native fishes, but the main purpose is for continued fish passage through the ladder. The project is expected to be no more than 300m in length with maybe 3-5 habitat structures (see attached map/photo). The primary ESA listed species supported by this project are summer steelhead and bull trout, and reintroduced spring Chinook salmon (non-listed). The WDFW has identified this project as a high priority for fish passage, with secondary benefits since it may provide protection and/or enhancement of functioning habitat as identified in the Salmon Recovery Plan. The WDFW will work closely with the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan to secure the majority of funding (~75%) for this project. In addition, this project will build upon recent habitat restoration activities occurring in the Touchet River Basin for the betterment of summer steelhead and bull trout. Goals and Objectives: The goal of this project is to restore and maintain consistent river flow towards the Touchet River Intake/Fish Ladder Facility. Benefits to this action will supply water for the fish ladder around the Dayton Dam, water for city irrigation districts, and water for the juvenile steelhead acclimation pond. Instream structures may provide resting and rearing habitat for ESA listed species, and may sort gravel to provide additional spawning areas. Specific project objectives are: Construct historic-scale, in-stream combination rock barbs/logjams sufficient in size and number to redirect the majority of the Touchet River flow towards the Intake Facility on a consistent basis, Aid in fish passage at the facility, and Create pools and cover at each of the structure locations along the mainstem Touchet River for holding, rearing and potentially spawning habitat by Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. Does the project more gravel back into the river rather than removal or downstream of the dam? 2. Will the gravel stay in the river? 3. What length up rive does the project go? 4. Does the estimate include both the design and implementation? Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 32

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34 Buford Creek Barrier Fish Passage (Hwy 129) ( ) Sponsor: Kathryn Frenyea Nez Perce Tribe Location: Grande Ronde MSA Priority Protection Reach 3 Year Plan: Yes Project Type: Restoration (Imminent Threat; RTT local scale determination) Request+Match: 750, ,688,419 4,424,519 Species: Snake River Steelhead (DPS), Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook (ESU) Columbia River Bull Trout (DPS) Description: The Nez Perce Tribe is sponsoring the restoration of the Buford Creek culvert, which is a fish passage barrier where Buford Creek flows under State Highway 129 near the Oregon / Washington border. The barrier poses an imminent threat to anadromous fish (steelhead), and limits their access to nearly 5 miles of potential rearing and spawning habitat upstream of the culvert, 2 miles of which are designated critical habitat. As stated in the Snake River Salmon Recovery Plan, steelhead are especially effective at accessing and utilizing stream reaches with suitable habitat, however, their distribution is limited by environmental issues such as migration barriers. Buford Creek flows directly into the Grande Ronde River just 2.2 miles below the barrier. The crossing at State HWY 129 was identified by the Walla Walla Community College and WDFW in separate barrier assessments in 2008 and 2015 respectively. The fish populations within this reach and the land that this creek flows through are of great importance. Buford Creek has been identified as a priority restoration reach for steelhead, and according to the Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan, its benefit to the life history diversity within the Lower Grande Ronde steelhead population is considered to be significant. In addition to the unique steelhead population in this area, the land itself holds special value to The Nez Perce Tribe as it lies within the external boundary of Buford Parcel of their Precious Lands. Goals and Objectives: The primary goal is to remove a fish passage barrier that currently limits movement of both juvenile and adult steelhead in Buford Creek, limiting their access to spawning and rearing habitat upstream. The current undersized culvert will be replaced with an adequately sized structure restoring natural sediment transport and natural recruitment of riparian vegetation through the reach. Site restoration will also aim to enhance existing native riparian vegetation through planting while reducing the presence of noxious weeds. Specific project objectives include: Replace the existing 11 foot wide barrier culvert on Buford Creek with a 30 foot wide open bottom arch structure and achieve 100% fish passage for all life stages of steelhead and other aquatic organisms through the project reach. In addition to fish passage, full natural sediment transport and recruitment of riparian vegetation will be restored through the reach. Site restoration will also aim to enhance existing native riparian vegetation by planting Coyote Willow (Salix exigua) and other various native species over approximately 0.11 acres and 0.09 miles of riparian area upstream and downstream of the culvert. Plantings will occur one year post-implementation to allow for the channel to adjust and establish. To reduce the presence of noxious weeds on site NPT will treat roughly 2 acres with a mixture of hand pulling and aquatic herbicide pre- and post-implementation. Followed construction a native pasture seed mix will be applied to the site to further discourage noxious weed establishment. Draft Application Questions/Comments/Notes: 1. What is current passibility and have there been fish observed above the barrier? The number produced and used currently by WDFW is 67%. This percentage refers to the estimated overall passage of the culvert, lumped for all life stages. 2. There were no other comments of Buford outside of the budget and cost. Project Tour Questions/Comments/Notes: 34

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37 Lead Entity Committee Jerry Hendrickson Rod Hostetler Don Howard Norm Passmore Billy Bowles Vacant David Crabtree Larry Hooker Bryan Jones Jon Jones Kris Fischer Diane Driscoll/Bob Reis/Jennifer Gatzke Ed Teel/Sean Taylor Heidi McRoberts Chris Pinney Erin Kuttle Bill Dowdy Chad Atkins Tom Schirm Megan Stewart (non-voting) Terry Bruegman (non-voting) Randy Stevens (non-voting) Duane Bartels (non-voting) Brian Burns (non-voting) Joanna Cowles (non-voting) Chris Highland (non-voting) Brad Johnson (non-voting) Kay Caromile (non-voting) Tom Slocum Jen O'Neal Kris Buelow (non-voting) John Foltz (non-voting) Asotin County Asotin County Columbia County Columbia County Garfield County Garfield County Walla Walla County Walla Walla County Whitman County Whitman County Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Natural Resources Conservation Service Nez Perce Tribe United States Army Corp of Engineers United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Forest Service Washington Department of Ecology Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Asotin County Conservation District Co-Lead Columbia County Conservation District Co-Lead Palouse Conservation District Co-Lead Pomeroy Conservation District Co-Lead Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Walla Walla County Conservation District Co-Lead WRIA 32 Walla Walla Watershed Partnership WRIA 35 Planning Unit RCO SRFB Review Panel SRFB Review Panel SRSRB/LE Staff SRSRB/LE Staff 37

38 Draft Application Scoring Summary from April 17, 2018 Lead Entity Committee Meeting Project Ranking 2018 Grant Round Draft Applications Average Score SRFB Request SRFB Request Running Total Match 1 Buford Creek Barrier Fish Passage (Hwy 129) $ 750,000 $ 750,000 $ 3,688,419 2 NF Touchet Restoration RM Phase 1 and Phase 2 Stage $ 515,900 $ 1,265,900 $ 1,108,226 3 Tucannon River Habitat Restoration, Project Area $ 224,757 $ 1,490,657 $ 136,236 4 Asotin IMW Monitoring Data Analysis $ 150,000 $ 1,640,657 $ 68,000 5 Bridge to Bridge Restoration - Phase 2B $ 232,336 $ 1,872,993 $ 41,001 6 Touchet River Water Diversion/Adult Fish Ladder $ 51,512 $ 1,924,505 $ 135,000 7 Cottonwood Creek PALS $ 160,050 $ 2,084,555 $ 82,000 8 Russell Creek Fish Barrier $ 34,213 $ 2,118,768 $ 6,038 9 Beaver Mgmt. - Reintroduction & Habitat Enhancement $ 55,000 $ 2,173,768 $ 14, Walla Walla River Restoration Design at RM $ 42,000 $ 2,215,768 $ 9, Mill Creek Passage Design - 6th Ave. Extension $ 50,000 $ 2,265,768 $ - 12 Jones Ditch Fish Screens $ 65,790 $ 2,331,558 $ 11, Steptoe Creek Instream Habitat Rehabilitation 72.5 $ 41,295 $ 2,372,853 $ 7,308 $ 2,372,853 *Anticipated Regional Allocation $1,500,00 Withdrawn Walla Walla Basin Restoration Prioritization Plan $ 212,500 $ 212,500 $ 37,500 Withdrawn Tucannon salmonid survival and habitat utilization 2 0 $ 218,958 $ 2,804,311 $ 55,000 38