In 1991, Burlington Bottoms (BB) was the first site in Oregon to be purchased by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) under the Willamette and Columbia River Basins Fish and Wildlife Programs, to provide partial mitigation for the impacts associated with the construction of hydroelectric facilities.  The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) was contracted by BPA in 1993 to conduct interim management of the BB site, which included completion of a habitat assessment or habitat evaluation procedure (HEP).  In addition, a hydrology and hydraulics assessment was also conducted on the site in 1993. Results of the HEP and hydrology study were incorporated into the Environmental Assessment/ Management Plan written in 1994 (DOE/EA-0928).  Implementation of the EA/Management Plan began in 1995, and included custodial oversight and habitat restoration projects, including non-native vegetation removal.  In 2001, a second management plan was written, titled Five-Year Habitat Management Plan, 2001-2005.  This Plan addresses specific goals and objectives to be carried out over a five-year period, using various enhancement strategies to achieve the overall goal of protecting, maintaining and enhancing wildlife habitat on the site.        
          
Funds needed to implement the habitat management plan are approved by the Northwest Power Planning Council (NWPPC) through their provincial review process or other interim process.  The mechanism for proposing and implementing the BB project in the future is expected to change as the NWPPC implements a basinwide subbasin planning effort.

The purpose of this scope of work is to continue implementation of the five-year habitat management plan and related  issues.  Specific objectives and tasks include: 1) complete the installation of a water control structure; 2) habitat enhancement activities including non-native plant removal and native planting; 3) custodial management of the site; and 4) monitoring and evaluation of past enhancement activities.

The overall goal of this project is to protect, maintain, and enhance wildlife habitat and associated habitat units (HUs) for the site.  Additional goals include continuing the implementation of the five-year habitat management plan and resolving the future ownership and management of the site.  These actions are to be undertaken in a manner that meets the mitigation requirements of (BPA) for this site in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Coordination of this agreement will include the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Bonneville Power Administration.

During the term of the project, project activities and expenditures shall be consistent with BPA's Final Environmental Assessment/Management Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact (December 1994, DOE/EA-0928).  Project activities not considered in the 1994 Environmental Assessment will comply with NEPA requirements in separate documentation.  Consultation with the USFWS and/or NMFS will occur as necessary and the appropriate NEPA compliance and concurrence verification will be obtained.