This third contract year of the programmatic agreement between the BPA and the WDFW is continuing significant improvements in fish protection in the upper Columbia watersheds by bringing existing fish screen facilities into compliance with federal and Washington State fish screening and passage standards. The WDFW identified eight projects (Buttermilk, MVID East, Skyline, Twisp Power, Maltais, Tandy, Rocky reach pool pump screen inventory, and the Entiat River Pump Screen) as being at the top of WDFW's list for correction to protect Spring Chinook and steelhead populations.

The sponsors will continue to implement a phased approach to correcting the respective issues at each of these project locations using a logical, sequential, and strategized approach that includes diligent communication with BPA, local experts, and water users. WDFW will continue working closely in partnership with the Methow Salmon Recovery Funding Board (MSRF), local entities, landowners, water users, and the Upper Columbia Salmon Recover Board (UCSRB).

WDFW completed the Buttermilk, Tandy, and Entiat pump screen projects, and produced engineered designs for the Skyline, Maltais, MVID, and Twisp Power projects in the first and second year of funding. Under this agreement WDFW will partner with Methow Salmon Recovery Foundation (MSRF) to complete the Skyline and Maltais diversion projects as deliverables. Construction for the Skyline project is scheduled to begin summer 2024 and be completed after irrigation shutdown fall 2024. The Maltais fish screen installation (phase I) is scheduled to be completed summer 2024 and the roughened channel (phase II) project is expected to go to construction and be completed summer 2025.    

These actions support conservation of ESA-listed species considered in the 2020 ESA consultations with both the NMFS and USFWS on the operations and maintenance of the Columbia River System (2020 NMFS and USFWS CRS Biological Opinions).