Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program
SOW Report
Contract 62998: 2003-007-00 EXP LWR COL RIVER/EST ECO MONITOR
Project Number:
Title:
Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Monitoring
BPA PM:
Stage:
Implementation
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Columbia River Estuary Columbia Estuary 50.00%
Lower Columbia Columbia Lower 50.00%
Contract Number:
62998
Contract Title:
2003-007-00 EXP LWR COL RIVER/EST ECO MONITOR
Contract Continuation:
Previous: Next:
59129: 2003-007-00 EXP LWR COL RIVER/EST ECO MONITOR
  • 66667: 2003-007-00 EXP LWR COL RIVER/EST ECO MONITORING
Contract Status:
Closed
Contract Description:
This FY2014 Statement of Work and Budget is part of the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership’s Ecosystem Monitoring Program.

BPA Project Number:  2003-007-00
Contract Request Number:  CR- 265808
Performance/Budget Period: October 1, 2013– September 30, 2014

Technical Contact:  Jennifer Morace
Technical Projects Coordinator
USGS
2130 SW Fifth Ave.
Portland, OR 97201
Phone: 503-251-3229
jlmorace@usgs.gov

BPA Project Manager:  Julie Doumbia
KEWL-4, Bonneville Power Administration
905 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon  97208
Phone:  (503) 230-7641
jadoumbia@bpa.gov

Date of Submission:  July 2013

Background
The Ecosystem Monitoring Program (EMP) is an integrated status and trends program managed by the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (Estuary Partnership). The overall objectives of this Program are to track trends in the overall condition of the lower river, provide a suite of reference sites for use as end points in the region’s restoration actions, and place results of findings into the context with the larger ecosystem. The Program specifically collects status and trends data on the following:
• Salmonid occurrence, diet, condition and residency at shallow water and vegetated sites in the mainstem and tributary confluences;
• Habitat structure, including physical, biological and chemical properties of these habitats;
• Food web characteristics, including primary and secondary productivity at these habitats and in the mainstem lower river and
• provides information allowing other researchers to assess the biogeochemistry of tidal freshwater region of the lower river to the biogeochemistry of the estuary, which is key in tracking ocean acidification and climate change impacts on estuary habitat capacity.

Funded under BPA’s Columbia River Estuary Ecosystem Restoration Program (CEERP), a primary goal of the EMP is to collect key information on ecological conditions for a range of habitats in the lower river characteristic of those used by out migrating juvenile salmon and provide information towards implementation of the 2008 FCRPS BiOp. Information collected describes synoptic conditions and changes over time in vegetated floodplain habitats and the opportunity, capacity and realized function (Simenstad and Cordell 2000) they afford juvenile salmonids. These habitat types are often the target of regional restoration efforts and results contribute to regional understanding the success of the habitat restoration program. The results of this program provide information on ambient environmental conditions and can provide insight into the cumulative effects of some existing and new management actions and anthropogenic impacts as they occur.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is working closely with the Estuary Partnership to implement elements of the Estuary Partnership’s EMP to provide information on salmonids and their habitat in the LCRE.  This project builds on previous projects under the EMP and will continue to implement aspects of the comprehensive status and trends assessment of habitat, fish, food web and abiotic conditions in the lower river, focusing on shallow water and vegetated habitats used extensively by juvenile salmonids for rearing and refugia.

This statement of work describes the work elements, deliverables, and costs for work efforts that USGS will implement from October 1, 2013 to September 30, 2014 as part of the Estuary Partnership’s Ecosystem Monitoring Program.

Review of Prior Work
The USGS was a subcontractor under the Estuary Partnership’s BPA contract from September 1, 2003 to August 31, 2005. During this time, USGS collaborated with the University of Washington (UW) to create the LCRE Ecosystem Classification System (Classification) using LANDSAT TM imagery and bathymetry data. They, then, used the Classification to develop metrics for monitoring habitat in the LCRE. Additionally, USGS conducted monthly fixed station and high- and low-flow supplemental water quality monitoring and deployed semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) to characterize water quality conditions.

Starting September 1, 2005, USGS began contracting directly with BPA to conduct their work with the Estuary Partnership. From September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006, USGS completed chemical analyses of the water samples and generated a data report detailing this information (http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/ds213).

During September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007, USGS was using the Classification to develop a rotational panel sampling design for monitoring efforts during the subsequent three years (September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2011) of the EMP. Additionally, USGS collaborated with the Estuary Partnership and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) to integrate the salmon, salmon prey, and water quality results into one report that is available on the Estuary Partnership’s website (http://www.lcrep.org/pdfs/WaterSalmonReport.pdf).

During September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008, USGS deployed probes to monitor the water column for dissolved oxygen, temperature, water-surface elevation, and conductivity at 2 sites (1 in reach F and 1 in reach H) where Battelle/Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) and NOAA Fisheries collected vegetation and salmon data, respectively. In lieu of the probabilistic sampling design, USGS collected sediment samples at vegetation and salmon sampling sites, and outlined a strategy for future sampling efforts that relates number of sites with available financial resources.

During September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009, USGS deployed probes to monitor the water column for dissolved oxygen, temperature, water-surface elevation, and conductivity at 2 sites (1 in reach F and 1 in reach C) where PNNL and NOAA Fisheries collected vegetation and salmon data, respectively. Additionally, USGS worked with UW to develop criteria based on river geomorphology and hydrology for delineating habitats at smaller spatial scales, which UW incorporated into the Classification. USGS also delineated floodplain Ecosystem Complexes and draft Geomorphic Catena for Reach F. USGS together with UW and the Estuary Partnership developed a peer-reviewed scientific publication (USGS open file report) that describes the Classification’s conceptual basis, methods used to develop datasets, preliminary results, and management applications.

During September 1, 2009 through August 31, 2010, USGS continued to collaborate with the Estuary Partnership and UW to develop the Classification. USGS delineated floodplain Complexes and draft Catenae for most Reaches in the LCRE and assisted UW in merging the floodplain and bathymetric Complexes into a finalized GIS data layer. Additionally, USGS along with the Estuary Partnership, NOAA Fisheries, and PNNL synthesized datasets for two repeated sample sites (Campbell Slough and Franz Lake) in order to identify the statistical methods and procedures for integrated analyses of vegetation, salmonid, prey, and water quality datasets and ultimately support more in-depth data roll-ups for the EMP. This data synthesis task is critical for reporting on past monitoring efforts, linking habitat conditions with biological communities like salmonids, and refining the existing monitoring effort. Finally, the USGS deployed water quality probes to monitor the water column for dissolved oxygen, temperature, water-surface elevation, and conductivity at one site (Campbell Slough in Reach F) where PNNL and NOAA Fisheries collected vegetation and salmon data, respectively. For the first time since the inception of the EMP, USGS also collected food web, specifically primary productivity, data and tested methods, at this site.

During September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011 USGS provided an analyses of water quality data for the development of a joint, comprehensive status and trends analysis report with NOAA Fisheries, PNNL and the Estuary Partnership. The report included status and trends assessments of all sites where fish and prey, vegetation, food web and water quality datasets have been collected by NOAA Fisheries, PNNL and USGS from the inception of the EMP, as well as comprehensive analyses across sites and monitored indicators. Additionally, USGS continued to collaborate with the UW and Estuary Partnership to finish the Classification. USGS completed the delineation of all floodplain Complexes and Catenae for Reaches A-H in the LCRE, merged the floodplain and bathymetric Complexes into a finalized GIS data layer and developed associated metadata, and developed a report describing the delineations of the CREEC Levels 1-5, general assumptions made in the delineations, data used by UW and the USGS, and how to use the Classification. In addition, USGS deployed monitoring sondes at four “trend” sites (Campbell Slough, Franz Lake, White’s Island, and Ilwaco) to collect continuous water quality data relevant to salmonids (water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and water depth) from April through July. This information was used to characterize abiotic water column conditions and factors limiting primary productivity. Finally, USGS collected food web characteristics at the four “trend” stations three times between April and July. For this assessment USGS included measurements of biomass and net productivity of phytoplankton (free-floating algae) and periphyton (attached algae); stable-isotope analysis of plant, plankton, invertebrate, and fish tissue collected by USGS and NOAA Fisheries to identify the relative importance of different compartments within the overall food web; and measurements of habitat conditions and nutrient concentrations. This on the ground data collection was continued through September 30, 2012, and the Classification was also completed and distributed in summer 2012.

During October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013, the USGS worked collaboratively with the Estuary Partnership, NOAA Fisheries, and PNNL to collect the monitored indicators (food web and abiotic water conditions) of the EMP at the four “trend” sites (Campbell Slough, Franz Lake, White’s Island, and Ilwaco) from April through July. In addition, the USGS will participate in Science Work Group meetings and other discussions pertaining to the EMP and refining the overall design of the EMP (see Estuary Partnership’s contract #265807, project #2003-007-00, for more information).

Specifically, the objectives for USGS’s contribution to the Ecosystem Monitoring Program in 2013-2014 include the following:
1. Collect abiotic environmental conditions and elements of food web characteristics at four “trend” sites that will be jointly assessed for fish and habitat condition by NOAA Fisheries and PNNL, respectively.
2. Provide data, analyses and report contributions to the Estuary Partnership on monitored indicators for the Estuary Partnership’s annual report to BPA.
3. Provide data, analyses and report contributions for a program synthesis for data collected through 2013.
4. Participate in Science Work Group meetings and other discussions on refining the EMP design.
5. Participate with Estuary Partnership and others in discussions on data management and exchange.

AMENDMENT March 2014
In 2012, the EMP scope was reduced further to monitoring only the 6 trend sites in order to accommodate Action Effectiveness Monitoring in the contract. The six trend sites are: Campbell Slough in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (2005–2013), Whites Island (2009-2013), and Franz Lake (2008-2009, 2011-2013), Ilwaco (2010-2013), Secret River (2010-2013),  and Welch Island (2010-2013; Figure 1). Habitat structure and hydrology data began to be collected in 2005, fish data collection began in 2007, fish prey data collection began in 2008, and water quality data and food web data collection began in 2010. In September 2013, the BPA asked the Estuary Partnership to develop and carry-out a scientific study aimed at addressing an ERTG uncertainty (see ERTG Uncertainties #2012-02, version 6/19/12). The request required a reduction in the EMP budget for status and trends work and redirects it to the study. The study investigates the question “What are the effects of aquatic invasive species on food webs supporting juvenile salmon?” from the “Riparian Habitats” topic (p.4 of the ERTG Uncertainties document). The changes requested by BPA resulted in the following reductions in the Status and Trends Program in 2014
1. Reduction of Trend sites from 6 to 4, elimination of Reach A site (Ilwaco) and one Reach B site (Secret River).
2. Fish sampling only February-July, November and December
3. Elimination of salmon diet data and analysis of prey availability data at all sites
4. Elimination of habitat and hydrology data collection at all sites
5. Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction (CMOP) biogeochemical will not operate until April
6. Reduction in funding for primary research scientist in lieu of graduate student
7. Reduction in food web data collection--Elimination of primary production growth rates, periphyton sample and growth experiments
The added critical uncertainty study addresses the questions: 1) Are there significant differences between the macroinvertebrate community structure or availability and biomass of important juvenile salmon prey taxa in vegetation patches dominated by the invasive plant species Phalaris arundinacea and the native plant species Carex lyngbyei, and 2) does the supply, quality or retention of macrodetritus differ significantly between patches of these two vegetation types? Based on funding, this was designed as a one-year study over FY14 and FY15. The sampling strategy involves a paired site approach to assess differences in macroinvertebrates and macrodetritus between these two vegetation types, and adds work by University of Washington and modifies work by PNNL.
Account Type(s):
Expense
Contract Start Date:
10/01/2013
Contract End Date:
09/30/2014
Current Contract Value:
$149,500
Expenditures:
$149,500

* Expenditures data includes accruals and are based on data through 30-Nov-2024.

BPA CO:
BPA COR:
Env. Compliance Lead:
Contract Contractor:
Work Order Task(s):
Contract Type:
Contract (IGC)
Pricing Method:
Cost Reimbursement (CNF)
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Full Name Organization Write Permission Contact Role Email Work Phone
Thomas Argent Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Yes Technical Contact targent@estuarypartnership.org (503) 226-1565
Catherine Corbett Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Yes Administrative Contact ccorbett@estuarypartnership.org (503) 226-1565
Michelle Guay Bonneville Power Administration Yes Env. Compliance Lead mxguay@bpa.gov (503) 230-3459
Jason Karnezis Bonneville Power Administration Yes COR jpkarnezis@bpa.gov (503) 230-3098
Jennifer Morace US Geological Survey (USGS) Yes Contract Manager jlmorace@usgs.gov (503) 251-3229
Khanida Mote Bonneville Power Administration Yes Contracting Officer kpmote@bpa.gov (503) 230-4599
Jason Sweet Bonneville Power Administration Yes F&W Approver jcsweet@bpa.gov (503) 230-3349
Steve Winkler US Geological Survey (USGS) Yes Administrative Contact swinkler@usgs.gov (503) 251-3269


Viewing of Work Statement Elements

Deliverable Title WSE Sort Letter, Number, Title Start End Concluded
All administrative tasks fulfilled with timely quality products B: 119. Project Administration 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Environmental Compliance Completed C: 165. Produce Environmental Compliance Documents 01/31/2014 01/31/2014
Abiotic Water Conditions and Food Web Data Collection D: 157. Collection of Seasonal Abiotic Conditions and Assessment of Foodweb Resources 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Data Analysis and Reporting E: 162. Abiotic Water Conditions Data Analysis and Reporting 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Contractor's Annual Progress Report F: 132. Progress Report submitted to Estuary Partnership & uploaded to Pisces 04/30/2014 04/30/2014

Viewing of Implementation Metrics
Viewing of Environmental Metrics Customize

Primary Focal Species Work Statement Elements
Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) - All Populations
  • 1 instance of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 1 instance of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Chum (Oncorhynchus keta) - Columbia River ESU (Threatened)
  • 1 instance of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 1 instance of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) - Lower Columbia River ESU (Threatened)
  • 1 instance of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 1 instance of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) - All Populations
  • 1 instance of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data
Sockeye (O. nerka) - Snake River ESU (Endangered)
  • 1 instance of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) - All Populations
  • 1 instance of WE 157 Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data
  • 1 instance of WE 162 Analyze/Interpret Data

Sort WE ID WE Title NEPA NOAA USFWS NHPA Has Provisions Inadvertent Discovery Completed
A 185 Periodic Status Reports for BPA 10/01/2013
B 119 Project Administration 10/01/2013
C 165 Produce Environmental Compliance Documents 10/01/2013
D 157 Collection of Seasonal Abiotic Conditions and Assessment of Foodweb Resources 02/23/2014
E 162 Abiotic Water Conditions Data Analysis and Reporting 10/01/2013
F 132 Progress Report submitted to Estuary Partnership & uploaded to Pisces 10/01/2013