The Coeur d'Alene Tribe intends to reestablish a native redband trout fishery in the Hangman Watershed by addressing both the landscape level and in-stream habitat issues that restrict the redband populations both on the Coeur d'Alene Reservation and into the higher elevation tributaries of the Watershed. Successful restoration of redband trout in the Hangman Watershed is regarded by the Tribe as a step towards preparing the Reservation landscape and community for the return of salmon as a Tribal resource. The first major accomplishment of this Project was to initiate restoration in the Hangman Watershed through the acquisition of approximately 1,195 acres situated such that the property could function both as mitigation for Albeni Falls construction and inundation losses and as a site where the Coeur d’Alene Tribe could initiate substantive improvements to redband habitats. This Scope of Work describes the FY2020 activities associated with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Hangman Wildlife Project, which is the continuation of management activities that contributes to both Resident Fish benefits and Wildlife Mitigation. This Project achieved benefits in the past by addressing the landscape level issues that result in decreased base flows, which improved habitats for Albeni Falls Mitigation Target Species and native redband trout populations. This FY2020 Scope of Work continues the use of mitigation for Albeni Falls construction and inundations loses to improve instream habitat for redband trout. This Scope of Work also continues to seek additional means by which habitats can be improved in the Project Area by continuing to use Avista mitigation for wetlands losses due to Post Falls Dam on the Spokane River and to partner with FSA/NRCS Conservation Reserve lease agreements to implement riparian buffer protection and restoration in other parts of the watershed.  Three additional Project Sites were included in the FY2019 contract, however, even though an additional Project Site is identified, T375, no new CCRP signups are offered at this time.  The North Fork of Rock Creek have greatly expand efforts in that watershed while restoration efforts continue on previously included BPA and Avista mitigation properties as well as other smaller Project Sites that are included as part of CCRP contracts and landowner agreements.

The Work Elements in this Scope of Work have been grouped under general categories that correspond to Planning and Coordination, Construction and Implementation, Research and Monitoring, and Project Administration.
Planning and Coordination Work Elements

A: 165. Produce Environmental Compliance Documentation - Complete NEPA Compliance

B: 191. Watershed Coordination - Cooperate with other Tribal projects and local agencies to maximize restoration benefits

C: 189. Coordination-Columbia Basin wide - Coordinate Efforts with regional partners

D: 114. Identify and Select Projects - Identify & select lands within priority areas where conservation partnerships can be developed

E: 172. Conduct Pre-Acquisition Activities - Exclude uplands within the hnt'k'wipn Management Area in favor of additional floodplain acreage

Construction and Implementation Work Elements

F: 115. Produce Inventory or Assessment – Determine immediate threats to integrity of habitats within Project Sites

G: 27. Remove Debris - Remove debris from passed use or from illegal dumping

H: 188. Provide Access and Public Information – Maintain and/or establish access to the Project Areas

I: 47. Plant Vegetation - Plant native grasses, trees and shrubs according to pertinent management plans

J: 198. Maintain Vegetation - Minimize the presence of noxious weeds on managed properties

K: 190. Remove, Exclude and/or Relocate Animals – Establish and maintain temporary fences to protect planted native vegetation

L: 29. Increase Aquatic and/or Floodplain Complexity – Maintain benefits of reinforced beaver dams and minimize conflicts that may arise from beaver activity

Research and Monitoring Work Elements

M : 157. Collect/Generate/Validate Field and Lab Data - Evaluate survival of Project plantings

Project Administration Work Elements

N: 119. Manage and Administer Projects - Manage and administer project

O: 185. Produce Pisces Status Report - Periodic Status Reports for BPA

P: 132. Produce (Annual) Progress Report - Annual Report Required

Q: 99. Outreach and Education - Involve students and inform public of Hangman Restoration Project activities

Major initiatives during FY2020 include; 1) a push to finish the exchange of the easement on uplands within the current hnt’k’wipn Management Area, which is a BPA Wildlife Mitigation Property, for a conservation easement on floodplain acreages that will more readily support wildlife and in-stream habitats, 2) continuing the establishment of native trees and shrubs on CCRP Project Sites, 3) taking approximately 50 acres out of agriculture production and establishing native grasses in its place, 4) minimizing noxious weeds, and 5) partnering with Avista and FSA/NRCS to broaden the effect of restoration efforts in Hangman, and 6) ensuring beaver activity maximizes benefits to the hydrology and redband habitat of the Watershed while minimizing the conflicts and problems that come with increased activity. Completion and submission of reports, gathering data to assess the effectiveness of restoration efforts, and protecting the project sites, are also part of the FY2020 Scope of Work. The total work element budget being submitted with this Scope of Work is $317,750.