Tillman Creek Wetland Mitigation Construction and Oversight is the second phase of work for this project.  The first phase of work was billed under BPA contract number 00009718, contract title 1988-115-25 Cle Elum (Yakima) Hatchery.  The wetland mitigation discussed as part of this contract is tied directly to the original construction of the Cle Elum Supplementation and Research Facility (aka Yakima Hatchery aka Cle Elum hachery) and as such, represents a final construction activity of the original hatchery.  The Tillman Creek wetland mitigation has been agreed to by Bonneville (and the Yakama Nation who operate the facility) as compensation for impacts to another wetland located next to the well field used to supply the ground water for the hatchery.  Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE) identified the affected wetland following the start-up of hatchery operations in 1997 and directed that Bonneville take appropriate actions to compensate for the lost performance of the wetland near the well field.  

WDOE has made implementing a successful wetland mitigation site as compensation for the lost performance of the well field wetland a requirement of the water right permit issued to Bonneville for non-consumptive use of groundwater at the facility.  WDOE has accepted the site plan for Tillman Creek enhancement as meeting the department's requirements.  Time is of the essence in complying with these water right conditions.  

The first phase of work, which is already completed, included a wetland delineation, functional assessment and the design of a mitigation plan for the Tillman Creek site in order to compensate for the lost wetland functions at Well 3 Wetland at the Cle Elum Hatchery located in Kittitas County, Washington.  Preliminary work also included a biological assessment and permitting assistance for environmental compliance.

This second phase of work includes the construction/implementation of the mitigation plan and enhancement of the wetland.  Specifically, this includes the completion of permitting and environmental compliance, wetland creation next to Tillman Creek, instream channel modification, grading of the mitigation site, installation of irrigation, watering of the site, enhancement of upland buffer by planting native vegetation, as-built topographic site survey, preparation of as-built report and monitoring and maintenance of the site for 3 years.
Sheldon & Associates, Inc (S&A) is the prime consultant on the project.  S&A will perform construction oversight, prepare the as-built report and perform monitoring for three years.  

Five subcontractors will install the actual mitigation plan and maintain the vegetation and irrigate the site for three years after the installation.  Concord Construction will perform the actual construction/implementation of the mitigation plan by creating wetland and grading the site. Their work will include site mobilization, clearing, excavating, hauling material, stream crossing protection, dust control and rehabilitation of the site.  Wray Irrigation will install irrigation and maintain irrigation for one year after construction of the mitigation.  Ladybug Trucking will transport the water from the Yakama Hatchery to the site for two years.  Terra Dyanamics will provide and install all of the trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, mulch, etc listed on the planting specifications of the mitigation plan. Terra Dyanamics will also provide maintenance of the site including controlling invasive plants and noxious weeds, protecting plants from animals, re-planting if needed, and collecting garbage from site for three years.  Don Wilton Surveying will conduct the as-built topographic site survey.  

OTAK (formerly Sheldon & Associates) will provide on-site construction oversight of all these activities during the implementation and maintenance phases of the mitigation project.  The Yakama Nation is to purchase/provide the materials for the habitat features of the project that will be implemented following the enhancement of Tillman Creek.

The cost estimates for the five subcontractors may have to be amended should project parameters or schedules change.  Sheldon & Associates, Inc may have to add dollars for sales tax if the subcontractors do not include that in their estimates.
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UPDATE:  Proposal for Boones Pond Mitigation Project - Phase 2

Through operation of the groundwater wells at the Cle Elum Supplementation and Research Facility, associated wetland has been impacted by lowering the groundwater table.  Mitigation for wetland impacts has been undertaken at Tillman Creek, however, additional mitigation is needed due to the magnitude of impact.  The Boones property acquisition and restoration proposal presents an opportunity for mitigation that is geographically strategic, cost-effective and ecologically significant.  The Boones Pond mitigation project includes channel creation, wetland creation and enhancement, flow control structures, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat functions.  

This project requires obtaining either a land purchase or property easement from the City of Cle Elum as well as an easement from a private land owner.  

Completion of the Boones Pond project is expected to complete mitigation requirements for the Cle Elum Hatchery wetland loss, based on discussions with the Washington Department of Ecology (July 2011).