The UPA Wenatchee Subbasin Riparian Enhancement Programmatic projects will be located in the Wenatchee subbasin and will benefit Upper Columbia steelhead, spring Chinook and bull trout.  The Chelan County Natural Resource Department (CCNRD) is proposing riparian enhancement projects to recover watershed processes and functions associated with native plant communities. A total of three riparian restoration projects have been completed under past BPA Contracts (Contracts:  36534 & 40061).  The Irwin Riparian project was planted in the Spring of 2008 and the Hagman Road/ Wendlandt Riparian projects were planted in the Spring of 2009.

For 2010, the CCNRD is proposing to implement two riparian planting projects along the Lower Wenatchee River to restore a total of approximately 2,575 linear feet (or 0.49 miles) of riparian habitat.  Both projects have been identified as high priority riparian projects in the Implementation Schedule for the Wenatchee Watershed (WRIA 45) that was developed by the Wenatchee Watershed Planning Unit Habitat Sub-Committee and the 2006 Riparian Assessment that was completed for the Wenatchee Watershed (EcoA.I.M, 2006).

The Dormaier project is located near Wenatchee, Washington along the right bank of the Wenatchee River at river mile 1.4.  The project is located on private property (see Landowner Willingness form in the attachments) that is currently managed by the landowner as an apple and pear orchard. The current landowner is the third generation owner of the property and intends to remain managing the parcel for agriculture uses over the long term.  The project consists of installing native plants, an irrigation system and herbivory protection (fencing and beaver cages) along 5 separate planting areas where the existing riparian vegetation is minimal or non-existing. The combination of the five planting areas totals approximately 1,375 linear feet (or 1.26 ac) with an average planting buffer width of 35 feet, although some of the planting areas may have a buffer ranging from 50 to 75 feet. The new irrigation system will be tied directly into the landowners existing irrigation system for the orchard which is fed by a well through an existing water right.  In the Fall (2009), we will be working directly with the landowner to develop the planting plan, design specifics and the monitoring plan for the project, which will be posted to Pisces for BPA review.   In April (2010), we are anticipating to plant approximately 1,200 native trees and shrubs within the planting areas identified on the map located in the attachments tab.  

The Cohen project is located near Dryden, Washington along the left bank of the Wenatchee River at river mile 15.1.  The project is located on private property (see Landowner Willingness form in the attachments) that is used for single family residential.  The project consists of installing native plants and an irrigation system along 1,200 linear feet (or 0.96 ac) where the existing riparian vegetation is minimal or non-existing. The project has an average planting buffer width of 35 feet, although some of the planting areas may have a buffer ranging from 50 to 75 feet. The new irrigation system will be tied directly into the landowners existing irrigation system which is fed by a well through an existing water right.  In the Fall (2009), we will be working directly with the landowner to develop the planting plan, design specifics and the monitoring plan for the project, which will be posted to Pisces for BPA review.   In April (2010), we are anticipating to plant approximately 700 native trees and shrubs within the planting areas identified on the map located in the attachments tab.  

Maintenance & Monitoring:   As a continued effort to ensure the success of riparian plantings we will continue to maintain and monitor completed riparian projects through this contract.  Maintenance of the projects includes but is not limited to watering, repairing/maintaining the installed irrigation systems, removing weeds and replacing dead plants as needed.  We intend to continue watering the Hagman Road and the Wendlandt Riparian project sites through September of 2010.  The Wendlandt project site is watered by the landowner through their existing irrigation system that was extended to encompass the planting project in the spring of 2009.  The Hagman Road site will be watered using the existing pump and fish screen (see Property Inventory on attachments tab) and we will work with the Washington State Department of Ecology to obtain a seasonal watering permit for the project.  Next year will be the third growing season from project implementation for the Irwin Riparian project and we will monitor the site, watering as necessary.  A seasonal water permit will be obtained from DOE for the project.  At the end of the watering season we will remove the temporary irrigation system from the project site.  Monitoring of the sites will be accomplished as specified in the project specific Monitoring Plans and includes but is not limited to photo points, plant and project assessments.

Identify & Select Projects:  As part of this contract we will continue to identify and secure future riparian enhancement projects in the Wenatchee Subbasin through signed landowner willingness forms.  We will work with BPA to secure funding for the identified projects.
  
The list below indicates the approximate amount of river miles that have been or are planned to be restored through the UPA Wenatchee Subbasin Riparian Enhancement Programmatic:

Lower Wenatchee River
RM RM Feet Restored Miles Restored
1.4            1.66       1375'                                       0.26 (Dormaier-2010)
10.9         11.22       1700'                                       0.32 (Hagman-2009)
13.6         13.7           325'                                       0.06 (Wendlandt-2009)
15.1         15.32       1200'                                       0.23 (Cohen-2010)
25.26 26.5 1400’                 0.27 (Irwin-2008)
6,000’ 1.14