Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program
SOW Report
Contract 63483: 1991-019-01 EXP HUNGRY HORSE MITIGATION/FLATHEAD
Project Number:
Title:
Hungry Horse Mitigation/Flathead Lake Restoration and Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E)
Stage:
Implementation
Area:
Province Subbasin %
Mountain Columbia Flathead 100.00%
Contract Number:
63483
Contract Title:
1991-019-01 EXP HUNGRY HORSE MITIGATION/FLATHEAD
Contract Continuation:
Previous: Next:
59727: 1991-019-01 EXP HUNGRY HORSE MITIGATION/FLATHEAD
  • 67298: 1991-019-01 EXP HUNGRY HORSE MITIGATION/FLATHEAD
Contract Status:
Closed
Contract Description:
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) wrote "Fisheries Mitigation Plan for Losses Attributable to the Construction and Operation of Hungry Horse Dam" in March 1991 to define the fisheries losses, mitigation alternatives and recommendations to protect, mitigate and enhance resident fish and aquatic habitat affected by Hungry Horse Dam.  On November 12, 1991, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) approved the mitigation plan with minor modifications, called for a detailed implementation plan, and amended measures 903(h)(1) through (7).  A long-term mitigation plan was submitted in August 1992, was approved by the Council in 1993, and the first contract for this project was signed on November 11, 1993.  The problem this project addresses is the loss of habitat, both in quality and quantity, in the interconnected Flathead Lake and River basin resulting from the construction and operation of Hungry Horse Dam.  Projects will be selected and implemented in accordance with the limiting factors, priorities and strategies identified in the Flathead River Subbasin Plan, amended to the Program in 2004.

The Flathead watershed has been radically altered by dam construction for hydropower and other land uses. With the construction of Hungry Horse, Bigfork and Kerr dams, the Flathead River system was divided into isolated reaches.  Past legal and illegal species introductions are also causing problems for these isolated ecosystems.  In the drainage, native bull trout are a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and westslope cutthroat have been designated by the state as a species of special concern.  This project fosters mitigation to offset the impacts of the construction of Hungry Horse Dam and the inundation of 72 miles of the South Fork of the Flathead River and its tributaries upstream of the dam.  

Key subbasins within the Flathead drainage, which are critical to native species restoration, are experiencing a rapid change in land ownership and management patterns.  Subdivision and residential development of agricultural and timber lands adjacent to streams and lakes pose one of the greatest threats to weak but recoverable stocks of trout species.  Growth of small tract development throughout the watershed is occurring at a record rate.    

This project addresses basin-level objectives of the 2000 Fish and Wildlife Program of (1) maintenance and restoration of healthy ecosystems and watersheds, (2) protection and expansion of habitat and ecosystem functions, and (3) the achievement of desired population characteristics of resident fish species.  The project mitigates the blockage of spawning runs by Hungry Horse Dam by restoring and creating spawning habitats within Flathead Lake tributaries.  The project also addresses the unstable shoreline habitat within Flathead Lake and shifts in species composition within the lake and consequent dominance of introduced species that might restrict the success of mitigation measures.  

Specific goals of this project are to create and restore habitat and quantitatively monitor changes in fish populations to verify the efficacy of our mitigation measures.  The project consists of four components: monitoring, restoration, research, and coordination.  Monitoring, for example, includes a spring gillnetting series conducted annually in Flathead Lake and builds on an existing data set initiated in 1981.  

Monitoring of the experimental kokanee reintroduction was a primary activity of this project between 1992 and 1997.  Lake trout, whose high densities have precluded successful mitigation of losses of other species in Flathead Lake, have been monitored since 1996 to measure several biological parameters.  Results of this work have utility in determining the status of this key predator.  The project also defined the baseline condition of the Flathead Lake fishery in 1992-1993 and has conducted annual lakewide creel surveys since 1998.  

The restoration component of the project has addressed several stream channel, riparian, and fish passage problems.  The research component of the project began in FY 2000 and measured trophic links between Mysis relicta and other species to assist in predicting the results of potential mitigation strategies.  

The Tribes obtain cost share funds from other sources for the majority of the objectives within this workplan.  

This project also has incorporated the watershed coordination project.  The watershed coordinator was previously a stand alone project but was merged into this project at the request of BPA.  The watershed coordinator helps to coordinate private landowners and agencies for addressing the issues mentioned above.  For recovery of the fisheries resources to be successful in the drainage, local involvement is necessary.  

This project is a coordinated effort toward addressing resource concerns and limiting factors within the Flathead River basin from a watershed perspective.  Pilot projects and all other restoration or enhancement projects coordinated and implemented under this project will help address the fisheries losses from Hungry Horse Dam construction and operation.  This project coordinates agencies, landowners, funding sources, and contractors to facilitate on-the-ground actions which benefit resident fish and wildlife.  
This project complements other projects such as Secure and Restore Critical Resident Fish Habitat (200200300), Hungry Horse Mitigation/Habitat Improvements (9101903), Hungry Horse Mitigation (9101904) and its sister project in the Kootenai River system (9608702).  This project also assists with the implementation of projects conducted with Tribal dollars.  This project coordinates the efforts of these other projects through coordinating with landowners, other agencies and funding sources, contractors, etc.  Activities for FY 2009 include four data collection work elements.  They include quantification of: 1) trends in native species abundance in Flathead Lake by gillnetting surveys, 2) harvest and pressure in Flathead Lake by means of roving interviews and aerial counts, 3) lake trout population trends, and 4) catch rates in stocked, off-site reservoirs.  There are two research-based work elements intended to assist in guiding future mitigation activities.  These research activities address bioenergetics of the Flathead Lake fish community, and the factors controlling shoreline erosion rates in Flathead Lake.  The implementation-level work elements include decommissioning of roads, installation of riparian fences, construction of a natural gravel beach, culvert removal, and correction of detrimental irrigation structures.
Account Type(s):
Expense
Contract Start Date:
10/01/2013
Contract End Date:
09/30/2014
Current Contract Value:
$528,819
Expenditures:
$528,819

* Expenditures data includes accruals and are based on data through 31-Oct-2024.

Env. Compliance Lead:
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
Amanda Bourdon Salish and Kootenai Confederated Tribes Yes Administrative Contact amanda.bourdon@cskt.org (406) 883-2888
Cecilia Brown Bonneville Power Administration Yes COR ckbrown@bpa.gov (503) 230-3462
Lynn DuCharme Salish and Kootenai Confederated Tribes Yes Technical Contact lynn.ducharme@cskt.org (406) 883-2888x7279
Les Evarts Salish and Kootenai Confederated Tribes Yes Supervisor les.evarts@cskt.org (406) 675-2700
Barry Hansen Salish and Kootenai Confederated Tribes Yes Contract Manager barry.hansen@cskt.org (406) 883-2888
Paul Krueger Bonneville Power Administration Yes F&W Approver pqkrueger@bpa.gov (503) 230-5723
Donald Rose Bonneville Power Administration Yes Env. Compliance Lead dlrose@bpa.gov (503) 230-3796
Lisa Shourds Salish and Kootenai Confederated Tribes Yes Administrative Contact lisas@cskt.org (406) 675-2700
Kurt Unger Bonneville Power Administration Yes Interested Party klunger@bpa.gov (503) 230-5885
Kristi Van Leuven Bonneville Power Administration Yes Contracting Officer kjvleuven@bpa.gov (503) 230-3605


Viewing of Work Statement Elements

Deliverable Title WSE Sort Letter, Number, Title Start End Concluded
All applicable EC documents A: 165. NEPA and ESA documents, & other cultural or environmental clearance 06/27/2014 06/27/2014
Data set of angler reports and fish shocking results B: 157. Monitor success of fish planting program 09/30/2014 07/30/2014
Report quantifying success of planting program C: 162. Analyze monitoring data from fish planting and draw conclusions 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Final construction of a 200 ft long public fishing pier on Flathead Lake D: 188. Build fishing pier at Salish Point on Flathead Lake 04/30/2014 04/30/2014
Removal of 5,000 lake trout from Flathead Lake by incentivized angling E: 190. Remove lake trout from Flathead Lake by fishing events 05/30/2014 05/30/2014
Remove trash and equipment from five newly acquired properties F: 27. Remove trash and equipment from newly acquired properties 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Maintain pre-existing fence on ten properties G: 186. Maintain fences on acquired mitigation properties 07/31/2014 07/31/2014
Control noxious weeds on 15 acquired properties H: 198. Control noxious weeds on acquired properties 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Monitor 20 acquired properties for trespass and unforeseen problems I: 26. Monitor acquired properties for trespass and unforeseen problems 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Maintenance of access points and parking areas on 10 properties J: 188. Maintain access points and parking areas for acquired properties 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Seed up to 150 acres with native grasses to replace weed infestations. K: 47. Seed with native grasses to replace weed infestations 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Land management plans for up to seven newly acquired properties L: 193. Produce land management plans on newly acquired properties 09/26/2014 09/26/2014
Coordination meetings and new project/cost share opportunities M: 191. New and ongoing coordination activities 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
List of projects for FY2014 N: 114. Identify problems and coordinate solutions 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Appraisal reports, NEPA documents, surveys, and title reports O: 172. Work with project 200200300 on acquisitions & easements 09/30/2014 09/30/2014
Joint fish-stocking plan with MFWP and USFWS P: 174. Jointly develop stocking plan with USFWS and MFWP 09/30/2014
All administrative tasks fulfilled with timely quality products Q: 119. Manage and administer projects 08/29/2014 08/29/2014
Attach 2011-12 Progress Report in Pisces R: 132. Annual Report of Completion of WE's 10/1/11 to 9/30/12 04/30/2014 04/30/2014
Attach Progress Report in Pisces S: 132. Annual Report for the period10/1/2012 to 9/30/2013 08/28/2014 08/28/2014

Viewing of Implementation Metrics
Viewing of Environmental Metrics Customize

Primary Focal Species Work Statement Elements
Cutthroat Trout, Westslope (O. c. lewisi)
  • 1 instance of WE 193 Produce Land Management Plan
  • 1 instance of WE 190 Remove, Exclude and/or Relocate Animals
  • 1 instance of WE 198 Maintain Vegetation
  • 1 instance of WE 26 Investigate Trespass
  • 1 instance of WE 27 Remove Debris
  • 1 instance of WE 186 Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage/Structure
  • 1 instance of WE 47 Plant Vegetation
  • 1 instance of WE 172 Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities
  • 1 instance of WE 114 Identify and Select Projects
  • 1 instance of WE 174 Produce Plan
Trout, Bull (S. confluentus) (Threatened)
  • 1 instance of WE 193 Produce Land Management Plan
  • 1 instance of WE 190 Remove, Exclude and/or Relocate Animals
  • 1 instance of WE 198 Maintain Vegetation
  • 1 instance of WE 26 Investigate Trespass
  • 1 instance of WE 27 Remove Debris
  • 1 instance of WE 186 Operate and Maintain Habitat/Passage/Structure
  • 1 instance of WE 47 Plant Vegetation
  • 1 instance of WE 172 Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities
  • 1 instance of WE 114 Identify and Select Projects
Trout, Lake (S. namaycush) [OBSOLETE]
  • 1 instance of WE 190 Remove, Exclude and/or Relocate Animals
Trout, Rainbow (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
  • 1 instance of WE 174 Produce Plan
  • 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 165 NEPA and ESA documents, & other cultural or environmental clearance 10/01/2013
B 157 Monitor success of fish planting program 10/01/2013
C 162 Analyze monitoring data from fish planting and draw conclusions 10/01/2013
D 188 Build fishing pier at Salish Point on Flathead Lake 10/01/2013
E 190 Remove lake trout from Flathead Lake by fishing events 10/01/2013
F 27 Remove trash and equipment from newly acquired properties 08/18/2014
G 186 Maintain fences on acquired mitigation properties 10/01/2013
H 198 Control noxious weeds on acquired properties 01/16/2014
I 26 Monitor acquired properties for trespass and unforeseen problems 10/01/2013
J 188 Maintain access points and parking areas for acquired properties 10/01/2013
K 47 Seed with native grasses to replace weed infestations 10/01/2013
L 193 Produce land management plans on newly acquired properties
M 191 New and ongoing coordination activities 10/01/2013
N 114 Identify problems and coordinate solutions 10/01/2013
O 172 Work with project 200200300 on acquisitions & easements 10/01/2013
P 174 Jointly develop stocking plan with USFWS and MFWP 10/01/2013
Q 119 Manage and administer projects 10/01/2013
R 132 Annual Report of Completion of WE's 10/1/11 to 9/30/12 10/01/2013
S 132 Annual Report for the period10/1/2012 to 9/30/2013 10/01/2013
T 185 Periodic Status Reports for BPA 10/01/2013