The 2,817 acre Wanaket Wildlife Area was established in 1992 to mitigate for habitat losses due to construction and operation of the McNary Hydroelectric facility.  The area is located in Umatilla County and lies adjacent to the south shore of the Columbia River between River Mile 295 and 299.  It is bordered by the  Port of Umatilla on the west and Hat Rock State Park on the east.  State Highway 730 bisects the area.  The legal description includes T5N, R28E, portions of sections 12, 23, 34 and T5N, R29E, portions of sections 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21.  

Wanaket is managed by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), through contract with BPA, to provide protection and enhancement credits for wildlife mitigation.  Wanaket provides an estimated 2,334 habitat units of protection credit for 7 wildlife mitigation species.  Primary habitat types include shrub-steppe/grassland (2477 acres) and riparian wetland (159 acres) and other habitat types include riparian herb, riparian shrub, riparian tree, and sand/cobble/gravel/mud.  HEP species include mallard, California quail, western meadowlark, spotted sandpiper, mink, yellow warbler, and downy woodpecker.

The 2009 SOW is a continuation of management activities on Wanaket Wildlife Area and provides direction for planned actions in the 2009 contract period.   Many of the major tasks are annual in nature and contribute to the on-going protection of the wildlife area.  Management focuses on providing wetland habitat by applying irrigation water to the "McNary Potholes", exclusion of un-permitted livestock grazing, enhancing native vegetation through removing undesirable vegetation, noxious weed control, planting native vegetation, and providing regulated public access.  

Project activities include: 1) planning and design, 2) construction and implementation, 3) operations and maintenance, and 4) monitoring and evaluation.  Management efforts undertaken as part of this contract are designed to protect, enhance, and mitigate target wildlife mitigation species.

Management activities planned for 2009 will focus on the following tasks:

- Administration and operations of Wanaket Wildlife Area
- Maintain wetland by applying irrigation water
- Maintain the irrigation infrastructure
- Continue noxious weed treatment program
- Maintain Russian olive removal site by treating resprouting Russian olive trees
- Planting native grasses in selected weed removal sites
- Collect supplemental weed data and update the weed treatment strategy, if needed
- Maintain boundary fence to prevent trespass livestock
- Provide regulated public access
- Monitor results of weed control and revegetation efforts
- Monitor waterfowl production by conducting waterfowl pair and brood counts.

In 2009, capacity to  treat weeds, Russian olive, and cheatgrass will be enhanced through outside funding sources.  An Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) contract through NRCS will help off-set costs for Russian olive removal and grass planting.  Funding from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board was obtained to treat 50 acres of cheatgrass and reseed with native grasses.  Work in 2009 will include environmental assessment and project planning in consultation with a restoration expert.  Appropriate herbicides and timing and will be selected for cheatgrass control.  Grass seed may be planted in late 2009 or early 2010, depending consultant advice and weather patterns.