This project is a timely next step to build on the information developed by the Project Design Team (PDT) to identify conceptual action types in specific areas of the Sugar Reach. This work effort to is expected to be complete in August 2020, immediately preceding the start date of this contract. This provides BPA with the opportunity to review completed work and identify specific actions that BPA could support for further refinement to effectively prioritize actions determined to be feasible and beneficial.

MSRF is working with the Tributary Committees, Reclamation, and their consultants as a Project Design Team (PDT) to identify conceptual project actions that would directly benefit floodplain connectivity, enhance limited in-stream habitat complexity and/or reconnect and enhance side-channels and wetland areas. Completed habitat assessments for this segment of the Methow identified opportunities to enhance floodplain connectivity on nearly 90 acres of currently isolated or partially isolated floodplain, wetland and side channel habitat areas where protections have previously been secured through a combination of HCP Tributary Committees, PRCC, state, and federal funds. These actions would result in increased connectivity specifically during the periods beneficial to steelhead and Spring Chinook.

The Sugar project is along the Methow River north of Twisp.  This is in the Methow-River-Thompson Creek Assessment Unit (AU) which is included within the Middle Methow Reach Assessment.  This area is considered to be a major spawning area for steelhead, and critical rearing habitat for both steelhead and spring Chinook. This reach is considered to be a priority for restoration (ranked #6/14) by the Revised Upper Columbia Biological Strategy (2017), and highly ranked in the EDT (combined priority rank of #4/48 for steelhead and #26/36 for spring Chinook) and current prioritization framework. Current flood and infrastructure protection measures have resulted in loss of side channel habitats, lateral habitat connectivity, in-stream habitat conditions, and riparian conditions. BPA support will allow MSRF to expedite identification and implementation of priority actions to increase habitat capacity, particularly for juvenile rearing for the target species.

MSRF is in the preliminary design phase of a multi-year effort to identify and implement floodplain and complexity actions within a 4+ mile segment of the Methow River between Twisp and Winthrop that is largely constrained by past flood control efforts. The project is a collaborative effort with Reclamation and members of the Tributary Committees that seeks to identify specific actions within project area where flood features limit or preclude flood plain connection, side channel engagement, and limit normal channel processes.

The scale of the project area is large enough that MSRF has identified the need to expand technical and funding partners to ensure that implementation of project actions achieves biological uplift within a relatively short (2-3 year) period to coincide with community expectations. MSRF will utilize BPA technical support and funding to identify opportunities where selected project actions could be developed through their design process to supplement the larger suite of actions being developed for implementation within the reach area.  

MSRF Contract Manager and staff  will all cooperate, coordinate, collaborate, and maintain effective communication with BPA PM/COR, EC Lead, HIP Review 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.