This contract represents Phase II of the effort, and will focus on restoration project identification, final report preparation, landowner outreach, continuing data collection and analysis, modeling, and project management.

The purpose of the Lower Methow Reach Assessment is to describe geofluvial processes; historic, current, and potential future habitat conditions; and fish use in order to assist stakeholders in identifying and prioritizing projects necessary to assist with habitat improvements for ESA listed fish species.

Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation (MSRF) and partners are conducting a Reach Assessment of the Lower Methow River from the mouth of the river at Pateros  at River Mile (RM) 0 to RM 28 at the town of Carlton.  All Upper Columbia River (UCR) spring Chinook salmon and UCR steelhead entering and exiting the Methow River use the 28 mile reach of the Lower Methow for adult migration and holding and for juvenile rearing and emigration.  The reach is a minor spawning area for steelhead, and also provides foraging, migration, and overwinter habitat for Columbia River (CR) bull trout.

The contractor MSRF, its designated agents, sub-consultants and project stakeholders will be available, responsive and collaboratively address contract related issues during the term of the contract. Contract issues include but are not limited to technical, policy, regulatory, project management and associated elements related to the project. Successful execution of this contract is contingent on alignment of the preceding contract issues with the BPI and BPA contracting processes, project management plans, design review protocols (including but not limited to BPA, UCSRB, & RRT design review, review, input, comments, integration, stakeholder congruence with proposed actions and decisions rendered by 1) the project executive team (BPA, UCSRB, MSRF). Arbitration and dispute resolution will occur relative to the following two tier escalation ladder: 1) conference with the project Executive Team and 2) Direct consultation between program managers.

MSRF Contract Manager, and MSRF's subcontractors/consultants will all cooperate, coordinate, collaborate, and maintain effective communication with BPA PM/COR, EC Lead, RRT Lead, and Hydraulic Engineer during the entire length of this contract with regards to project design. MSRF and its subcontractors will address BPA comments and concerns, and the two entities will arrive at a mutual beneficial consensus. MSRF contract manager will upload all the subcontracts being executed under this contract.