Tracey Yerxa Bonneville Power Administration

1
Implementing the2008 FCRPS BiOp Using Emerging
Tools and Strategies

• Tracey YerxaBonneville Power Administration

tyerxa_at_bpa.gov
2
Overview

• BPA BiOp estuary funding
• Washington estuary MOA funding
• BiOp requirements
• Strategic approach

3
BPA BiOp Estuary Habitat Funding
3.5 million
2m
gt 600,000
07
08 09
2000
06
Annual average
4
BPA BiOp Estuary RME Funding
3 million
lt 1 million
2000
07
06
08 09
Annual average
Annual average
5
Washington Estuary MOA Habitat Funding
COE 4.7 million
COE 2 million
BPA 3.5 million
BPA 5.3 million
Total AA Habitat Funding with MOA
Current AA Habitat Funding
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Estuary BiOp RPAs

• Habitat
• RPAs 36, 37, 38
• Estuary habitat implementation 2010 2018 (RPA
  37)
• Research, Monitoring Evaluation
• RPAs 59, 60, 61
• Establish habitat classification system (RPA 59.2)

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Applying Science

• Currently
• Classification system
• Genetics and monitoring
• Habitat gaps and needs
• Near Future
• Use key habitat metrics (e.g., size and distance)
• Identify and prioritize projects
• Always
• Adaptive management

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Estuary Reaches A - H
Reach F
F
9
Reach F

• Key features
• Willamette River
• Large floodplain lakes
• Multnomah Channel
• Lake River
• Scappoose Bay
• Lewis River

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Reach F Complex Catena
Ecosystem Complex
Geomorphic Catena
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Ecological Principles Rules

• Principles Broad guidance
• Connect tributaries, mainstem and floodplain
  wetland
• Restore historical channels
• Rules Focused, specific
• Patch size (number of acres)
• Connectivity (distance between patches)

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Dominant Stocks
West Cascade (Fall), Spring Creek (Fall), and
Upper Columbia Basin (Summer/Fall) account for
approximately 52, 30, and 9 respectively of
all samples.
13
T-sheets Catena
1880s
2000s
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Moving Toward Implementation

• Additional analysis
• Land use
• Ownership
• Feasibility
• End result
• Identify projects
• Prioritize projects
• Develop projects

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Partners

• States
• Estuary Partnership
• CREST
• Columbia Land Trust
• Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board
• Cowlitz Tribe
• Conservation districts
• Watershed councils
• Others

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Next Steps

• Science workshop
• Complete demonstration reach
• Complete classification system
• Additional reaches

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New Tools Allow Strategic Decisions

• Align ESU, area, project
• Roadmap for restoration
• Collaboration
• More confidence