Background:

The Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program (GRMWP) was created in April 1992 by designation of the Northwest Power Planning Council (NWPPC) and later affirmed by the State of Oregon Governor's Strategic Water Management Group (SWMG).  The program coordinates with numerous federal and state agencies, county governments, two Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Eastern Oregon University, two Tribes, local landowners and public interest groups.  

Partner Entities

Program direction is provided by the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program Board of Directors.  The following entities are represented on the Board: Union and Wallowa Counties, Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Eastern Oregon University, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Conservation,  Private Landowners, Economic Development & Industry, Private Forestlands.

Staffing Organization and Assignments

The Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program is staffed by the Executive Director, Program Manager, Data Base/GIS Manager, Education/ Outreach Specialist, GIS Technician and Monitoring Coordinator.  A Project Planner is contracted part-time. The Executive Director and Monitoring Coordinator are employed through Eastern Oregon University.  The Data Base/GIS Manager, Education & Outreach Specialist, GIS Technician, Program Manager and clerical staff are employed through Union County.

The Executive Director supervises and directs all activities of the GRMWP staff including accomplishment of all of the work elements delegated to various staff.  The Director accomplishes Work Element "Regional Coordination" which includes coordination, committee participation, task force participation, recovery planning and other participation.  Agencies, groups and processes the Director is involved in include the OWEB Rules Advisory Committee,  OWEB Outreach Program Committee, Title II Resource Advisory Committee, the Oregon Governor's office, regulatory agencies, NPCC and NPCC staff.

The Monitoring Coordinator, Biologist and Contract Planner work in all aspects of habitat project development including project planning and development, preparation and administration of subcontracts, project fiscal management, project solicitation and identification, landowner technical assistance, ESA consultation, regulatory permitting and reporting.  The Monitoring Coordinator directs the GRMWP project monitoring program including review of project monitoring plans and review of project progress and completion reports.  The Monitoring Coordinator oversees the operation of the basin-wide streamflow gauging program.

The Program Manager, Database Manager and Education/Outreach Specialist, in combination, perform all of the administrative, GIS, database and educational activities of the the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program. These activities are in support of the mission and goals of the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program which is to implement habitat restoration activities to recover ESA listed species in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha Subbasins.

This contract will provide funding for the administration of the Grande Ronde Model Watershed Program (GRMWP) for the period May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2015. It will provide funds for all salaries, benefits and subcontracts associated with project planning, project management, project engineering, cultural resource work, permitting, environmental compliance services, monitoring, record keeping, fiscal management and reporting.  It also supports educational outreach, GRMWP office lease, equipment and services, vehicle lease and mileage, and staff travel.