The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) propose ongoing fish habitat protection, restoration and enhancement, maintenance, and monitoring activities under the CTUIR Grande Ronde Subbasin Restoration Project (199608300) to achieve the vision, goals, and objectives established in the Grande Ronde Subbasin Plan (NPCC, 2004) and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) Fish and Wildlife Program (NPPC 2000).  The Project plans, designs, implements, maintains, and monitors habitat protection, enhancement and restoration projects in the Subbasin with a primary goal of protecting high quality habitat and restoring/enhancing degraded habitats to support the recovery of focal species, including Threatened Snake River spring-summer Chinook salmon and summer steelhead.  

In FY 2011, project planning will focus on projects in the Catherine Creek, Willow Creek, and Rock Creek watersheds as the focal project areas for the contract period.  The Catherine Creek project is a partnership between the landowner, Union County Soil and Water Conservation District, Bureau of Reclamation, ODFW, and the CTUIR.  This project includes about 0.5 miles of over-winter habitat for chinook and steelhead along the mainstem of Catherine Creek downstream from Union Oregon.  Project planning to date has included habitat surveys, preliminary hydrologic assessments, and purchase of LIDAR data under the BOR's Tributary Assessment project and detailed geomorphic surveys by CTUIR, ODFW, and BOR field crews as well as ongoing discussions and planning with the landowner.  Project cooperators are currently conducting a detailed planning/design effort and preparing to initiate environmental compliance work in preparation initiation of construction in 2012.  Project implementation funds will be largely secured by the Union Soil and Water Conservation District through the GRMW Biop funding process and OWEB.  CTUIR will provide technical support for planning/design/permitting, construction inspection, and monitoring/evaluation.  A site showing with the GRMW BiOp Technical Team is scheduled for April 2011.  Primary project activities under the FY11 CTUIR project will include completion of environmental compliance to prepare for project construction..

Planning on the Willow Creek Project was initiated by the GRMW with the Oregon Agricultural Foundation Board.  CTUIR and ODFW are providing technical support for planning/design/implementation and monitoring.  This project includes approximately 3 miles of spawning and rearing habitat for all life stages of summer steelhead and potential winter rearing habitat for spring chinook salmon.  The project will likely include a combination of active instream enhancement (including stream channel construction and streambank stabilization) and passive approaches associated with establishing a long-term conservation easement under the Federal Wetland Reserve Program.  Project planning and design is currently underway with initiation of environmental compliance scheduled early spring 2011 with planned construction beginning in late 2011 and continuing into 2012.  Primary project implementation funds are anticipated to be secured under the GRMW Biop funding process.  A BiOp Technical Team site showing is scheduled for April 2011.

The Rock Creek Project is located along Rock Creek, Sheep Creek, Graves Creek, Little Graves, and a short reach of Whiskey Creek.  Rock Creek is a tributary to the Grande Ronde River near Hilgard State Park and the confluence of 5-Point Creek.  This project area encompasses over 9 miles of fish bearing streams, supporting all life stages for summer steelhead and potential rearing habitat for juvenile spring chinook salmon.  This project include instream placement of large wood to enhance habitat complexity and partnerships with the Oregon Forestry Dept and NRCS CREP program to obliterate roads located in floodplains, develop upland water sources, and install riparian exclosure fencing.  Project planning is underway and includes additional field surveys, development of project plans, and environmental compliance.  Project construction will be initiated during 2011 and continue into 2012..

The 2011 SOW incorporates fish passage planning under the CTUIR-BPA Accord and Accord land acquisition planning and prioritization.  As passage projects and potential land acquisition opportunities are developed, it is anticipated that the FY2011 CTUIR-BPA contract will be amended to incorporate additional work elements and associated funding to proceed with project implementation and more detailed planning.  Potential passage projects are currently being identified in cooperation with project partners including the GRMW and USFS, La Grande Ranger District.  CTUIR also recently completed a preliminary evaluation of potential land acquisition parcels which were presented by CTUIR staff to BPA in January 2011.  Additional planning is necessary to continue to identify suitable land parcels, contact and discuss with prospective sellers, and coordinate with CTUIR policy makers regarding whether to elevate and recommend proceeding with more detailed land acquisition planning (e.g., due diligence, appraisals, contaminant surveys, etc.)..

Project development and planning for 2011 and beyond will be ongoing during 2011 with initial site surveys and conceptual project planning on several potential project areas in the Upper Grande Ronde and Catherine Creek watersheds.  In addition to these activities, project staff will conduct annual project maintenance and monitoring/evaluation.

A budget of $742,743 is requested to perform watershed restoration-related tasks associated with several project areas.  Funds provided under this contract are utilized to conduct pre-project planning, administration, project maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, as well as developing cost-share proposals to support restoration project implementation from various sources.