The purpose of this project is to protect and improve fish passage for improved natural production of indigenous, Mid-Columbia River (MCR) Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU) summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), and spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) within the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) ceded lands. The project entails coordinated and cooperative efforts to protect and improve fish passage and habitat associated with passage projects consistent with the strategies and objectives outlined in subbasin plans, recovery documents, and planning documents. All projects carried out under this project shall include cost share funding and/or in-kind assistance from various sources whenever possible. Cooperative partners may include but will not be limited to Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (WNF), Umatilla National Forest (UNF), North Fork John Day Watershed Council (NFJDWC), Grant County SWCD, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

Implementation during this contract period shall include: (1) coordination with landowners, resource agencies and the NFJDWC to identify and select FY 2008/09 fish passage projects and associated active habitat enhancement projects throughout CTUIR’s ceded lands, (2) Replace a passage barrier (culvert) on Battle Creek, (3) Replace a passage barrier (culvert) on Granite Creek, (4) restore summer flows to a reach of Beaver Creek, (5) Produce necessary status reports, and (6) Create SOW and budget for project year 2010.

The attached SOW reflects an abbreviated performance period (10 month) ending 31 January 2010 as opposed to the 31 April 2010 performance period currently outlined. The objective of this contract closely ties it to in-stream work window and this change reflects the difficulty in securing permits and contracts in time to initiate and complete work during a 15 July to 15 August window. Consecutive performance periods will return to a 12 month schedule beginning on 1 February and end on 31 January the following year.

CTUIR is aware of a region wide programmatic MOU between BPA and the USFS requiring a 30% USFS cost share for  projects on USFS lands.